THE ANGLICAN DISPUTE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17235, 15 April 1930, Page 7

THE ANGLICAN DISPUTE

BISHOP AND CURATE MATTER BEFORE COURT LONDON, April 14. The Bishop of Birmingham is in conHict with extremist Anglo-Catholics, and the trouble has reached a crisis owing to his refusal to license the Rev. George Simmonds, who was presented by patrons with the living of St. Aidan s, Birmingham. The patrons included the Bishop of Truro. Ur. Barnes’ refusal was based on Hie fact that Mr. Simmonds declines to promise that the reservation of the sacrament, which is contrary to church law, shall cease at St. Aidan's. Mr. Simmonds took the matter to the Chancery Division, where Judge Bennet made an order that he should be admitted. He commented on the fact that Ur. Barnes had not entered an appearance in the case to defend his action. Dr. Barnes now states: “The patrons can go to the Chancery Division, and, if their appeal causes me to be sent to prison, I shall not complain for I will thus serve reformed religion.’ 1 ALLEGED CONTEMPT BISHOP IGNORES COURT LONDON, April 2. Should he continue to'refuse to license a curate as ordered by the Chancery Court, the Bishop of Birmingham will make himself immediately liable to arrest at the instance of the court. When the curacy of St. Aidan’s, Birmingham, became vacant, the Bishop of Birmingham, Dr. Barnes, refused a license to the llev. George Simmonds because Mr. Simmonds refused to give an undertaking concerning reservation of the sacrament and other observances, which Dr. Barnes considers are illegal. A number of clergy, including the Bishop of Truro, who are patrons of the benefice, applied to the Chancery Court for an order instructing Dr. Barnes to issue a license. Dr. Barnes declined to contest the case on the grounds that it was a religious question, and civil litigation should be discouraged. Before the. judge decided the question, he discussed with counsel what would happen if Dr. Barnes persisted in his refusal to issue a license. Finally he decided that Dr. Barnes must be arrested.

The judge said he understood Dr. Barnes disputed the court’s power to try the matter, but, strictly speaking, Dr. Barnes was guilty of contempt of court in refusing to appear. Finally the judge issued an order directing Dr. Barnes to license Mr. 'Simmonds. He also allowed taxed costs.