BISHOP CHERRINGTON

Stratford Evening Post, Issue 57, 14 March 1929, Page 5

BISHOP CHERRINGTON

MEETING OF SYNOD SMEN. Mr E. S. Rutherfurd was elected chairman of the separate meeting of lay Synodsmeu held at Hamilton on Tuesday. After some discussion it was decided that reporters be admitted. CATEGORICAL CHARGES. In the course of discussion ton Mr Wynyard’s motion of want of confidence, Mr J. M. Allen (Morrinsville) said his vestry had passed a resolution declaring it had absolutely no confidence in the bishop s administration. Hei tread a statement signed by 62 Morrinsville parishioners. After a preamble tie statement proceeded as follows: “We submilt that some of the actions cl the bishop have broken both the spirit and the letter of his ordination and consecration services. In support "of this view we state:— (a) Within a few hours of the passing of the peace resolutions- by the Synod of 1928 his Lordship did by his high-handed action destroy the unity of the Mothers’ Union in New Zealand,

Cb) That by his speech at Christchurch his Lordship brought 1 shame on the church of this diocese.

(c) That by the suspension of a devo'ted and beloved priest and canon of the church, the Rev. F. G. Harvie, his Lordship was guilty of cruelty which could not have been more brutal had Mr Harvie been found drunk at the altar.

(d) That his Lordship’s message for Holy Week and Easter, which was expected in the March maga zine, consisted only of an. appeal for £4O for a further doubtful experiment, at St. Anselm’s and was altogether unworthy of the occasion and his office, _ (e) That services of Matins an evensong as conducted on Sunday throughout the world have a very heal and permanent place in the church and the hearts of the People and that his Lordship’s belittling of their value in his article on Sunday observance constituted a grave disloyalty to Anglican custom and sentiment and wrought spiritual injury to hundreds of his people. (f) That a further article on Sunday observance has been permitte by his Lordship to appear m the March magazine and contains & following provocative sentence: agree whole-heartedly with' all that was said in the article in the magazine.” On the other hand, protests against the article, have been allowed to appear. ’This P 1 that his Lordship’s mind u to deal sympathetically 01 J with some who treasure Anglican

customs and sentiment. ( g ) That the original article Sunday observance contained uncalled for and unworthy reference „o Sunday school work-work that is carried on by loyal and so tsacriftcing members o£ the c and has Icr long been a I “ luea a in its training of our hoys girls in biblical and chuich know ledge. We consider his Lordships remarks on this essential branch ot our activities hurtful to loyal workers and know it to he harmful our children. Mr Allen said the Waikato diocese had become a byword throughout New Zealand, and he did not see bow Bishop Cherrington could eveb regain the confidence ot the Mo rhisville parish.