ARCHBISHOP CRITICISED.

Otago Witness, Issue 3912, 5 March 1929, Page 53

ARCHBISHOP CRITICISED.

PUBLICATION OF NEW PRAYER BOOK. A STRONG PROTEST. (From Otjr Own Correspondent.) LONDON, January 5. Some vigorous protests have been made against the recent publication of the rejected Prayer Book. The Executive Committee of the National Church League recall that the publication of the book was the result of arrangements made by the bishops, the Central Board of Finance, and the privileged presses, and that : t was explained by the chairman of the Church Assembly as being merely for the purpose of making accessible, for those who wished to examine it. a book of considerable historical interest.

_ This explanation was offered by Dr Cosmo Lang, the Archbishop of Canterbury.

“It is very difficult to accept this explanation as representing the real object of the recent publication,” the committee comment. “ They eanot regard the publication as being merely for the purpose of making accessible a book of considerable 'listorical interest,” the protest continues, “ for the proposed book of 1928 is not issued in the normal form of a book intended for reference, but in three different editions, for which the privileged presses have provided some 63 styles of binding, thus making the book, which was twice reiected by Parliament, indistinguishable as to its form and appearance from the authorised Prayer Book of the Church of England. CONTRAVENTION OF LAW.

“ The committee further regret that, on the suggestion of the House of Bishops, many bishoos have endeavoured to obtain the consent of the clergy to the use of the communion office in the book, and to reserve the consecrated bread and wine according to the manner prescribed in the book, and it contravention of the discipline of the Church of Engalnd, as by law established. Such action is plainly illegal, and shows a complete disregard of the solemn declaration made by every incumbent at his institution to the cure of souls, and by every archbishop and bishop at his conarmation: — “‘ I do solemnly make the following declaration: I assent to the Thirty-nine Articles of Religion and to the Book of Common Prayer, and of the ordering of bishops, priests, and deacons. ... I will use the form in the sai.’ book prescribed, and none other except so far as shall be ordered by lawful authority.’” “It is manifest,” the protest proceeds, “ that a book which specificall cannot ‘be regarded as authorised for use in churches,’ does not fall within the terms the declaration.”

Finally, tile committee declare that it cannot be doubted that the use of the book in cathedrals and churches will be stimulated by the publication, and that the lecision of Parliament will thereby be ignored. “ This untoward result must grievously damage the National Church,” they add, “by identifying it with unconstitutional and irregular acts and policies.”