CHURCH DISCIPLINE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3867, 24 April 1928, Page 50

CHURCH DISCIPLINE.

SUSPENSION OF CANON HARVIE. A RESOLUTION OF PROTEST. NEW PLYMOUTH, April 16. Much concern is felt by the parishioner's of the New Plymouth part of the Waikato Diocese over Bishop Cherrington’s suspension of the ..Rev. F. T. Harvie as canon of the cathedral, and at a largelyattended meeting of the churchmen tonight considerable feeling was shown. The following motion was carried:— “ That this meeting of the laity of New Plymouth, having learnt with deep con cern of the bishop’s action in suspending the Rev. F. T. Harvie, late vicar of St. Mary’s, New -Plymouth, from the exercise of clerical duties within the Diocese of Waikato, desires to ascertain from his Lordship wherein Mr Harvie has erred, as the confidence reposed in Mr Harvie through his vicariate locally renders impossible the view that such suspension is merited.” Archdeacon Evans, who supported the action of the bishop, intimated his intention of resigning his position as a result of the passing of the resolution. BISHOP’S ACTION DECLARED ILLEGAL. •HAMILTON, April 19. Canon F. G. Harvie, who was suspended recently by the Bishop of Waikato for a reason not stated, last evening received a telegram from the bishop, who is now at the synod at Wellington, cancelling his suspension, as Archbishop Averill and his legal officers had declared that the bishop’s action was illegal. Canon Harvie is proceeding to synod to-night.

VICAR OF CLAUDELANDS DISMISSED. OFFER OF PROMOTION REFUSED. AUCKLAND, April IG. The latest development in connection with Church of England affairs in Hamilton has been the receipt of a notice by the Rev. J. Rich, domestic chaplain and curate at Claudelands, from Bishop Chcrrington that his services as domestic chaplain would not be required after April 30 , Mr Rich, who came from Whan'garei, was appointed to two positions early this year. Since he has been in the parish he has done excellent work in Claudelands and in out-stations. The Boy Scout movement was dormant in Hamilton for years. Mr Rich immediately set to work to organise a troop, and a troop of 40 boys has been enrolled and equipped with uniforms. Weekly parades are held, andthe boys went into camp at Easter. The bishop desired to promote Mr Rich to the position of vicar of Putaruru. Mr Rich did not desire the appointment, pointing out that he had agreed to work in Hamilton for a' year. Opposition to the bishop’s wishes resulted in his dismissal as domestic chaplain and the cutting off of a.proportion of his stipend. Steps are being,taken by the Claudelands Church Committee to devise a scheme by means of which it is hoped that Mr Rich’s services will be retained at an adequate stipend. No further developments have occurred in connection with the suspension by the bishop of : the Rev. F. T. Harvie as canon of St. Peter’s Cathedral and diocesan chaplain, with the consequent loss of the major portion of his salary. It is understood that representations have been made to Archbishop Averill, and that the matter will be considered at the meeting of the General Synod which will be held in Wellington this week. The resignation of the Rev. Frank Harty, who has been vicar of Frankton for eight years, has been due to differences that have arisen between Mr Harty and Bishop Cherrington. Mr Harty intends to leave early next month for England, where he hopes to obtain employment as a clergyman.

Evidence of the feeling that exists in Hamilton regarding the administration of Church of England affairs may be gauged from the fact that a petition, signed by about 100 churchwomen, has been addressed to Archbishop Averill expressing alarm at the present state of affairs.

BISHOP CALLED ON TO RESIGN. ANGLO-CATHOLIC INFLUENCES. HAMILTON, April 20. The recent dissensions in the Waikato diocese, partly relating to an AngloCatholic movement, partly personal, appear to be reaching a climax. A meeting of 80 Claudelands parishioners last night resolved without dissent— That this meeting views with deep concern the present unhappy conditions of church affairs in the diocese, is of the opinion that Bishop Cherrington has lost the confidence and support of the great majority of the clergy and laity, and that in the interests of the church he should be asked to resign his office. It -was also resolved— That this meeting of churchmen expresses appreciation of the course of action adopted by Canon Harvie in connection with Bishop Cherrington, and that this meeting is gratified that Canon Harvie is being reinstated to the various offices from which the bishop attempted to remove him. Since the bishop’s arrival late in 1926 there has been vigorous criticism in the press and at public meetings of tendencies towards Catholicism. For reasons not stated. Archdeacon Cowie early resigned, and Canons Harvie and Strong resigned as examining chaplains, and the Rev. Mr Harty, vicar of Frankton, also resigned. Canon Harvie was suspended from the canonry, but his suspension has since been cancelled. The Rev, t Rich ;was also dismissed from his position' as domestic chaplain to the bishop.