Bishop of Waikato Dismisses Chaplain

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 331, 17 April 1928, Page 1

Bishop of Waikato Dismisses Chaplain

“PURELY PERSONAL AFFAIR”

DIOCESE APPREHENSIVE (From Our Own Correspondent) HAMILTON, To-day. First the resignation of the Bishop of Waikato’s examining chaplains, next the Rev. F. Harty’s resignation from St. George’s, Frankton, next Canon F. G. Harvie’s suspension from various offices, and now the J. Rich, domestic chaplain to Bishop Cherrington and curate at Claudelands, has received notice that his services will not be required after April 30. \TEWS such as this is causing Waikato Anglicans grave concern, and everyone is apprehensive as to what is going to be the next development. Questioned as to whether he had been deprived of the office of domestic chaplain to the Bishop, Mr. Rich admitted that he had, but characterised the other statements, published this morning, as “an absolute breach of confidence.” He said it was purely a personal matter between himself and the Bishop, and added, “I have no comment to make whatever.” Bishop Cherrington refused to confirm or make any comments regarding the published statement. In the meantime the work of the diocese is suffering, as parishioners do not feel inclined to put any heart into their work with affairs in such an unsettled state. Since Mr. Rich has been in the district he has done good work and made himself very popular, and recently he revived the Boy Scout movement, which had been dormant for years. Until six weeks expire, when the Bishop says he will speak, nothing fresh has transpired with respect to Rev. F. G. Harvie’s suspension, although it is probable the question will be discussed by General Synod at Wellington this week. Representations to Archbishop Averill have been made asking him to intervene and to use his influence to bring about a happier condition of affairs, and a petition signed by about 100 women has been addressed to him. ASKED TO EXPLAIN REQUEST TO BISHOP

ACTION IN TARANAKI Press Association. NEW PLYMOUTH, Monday. Much concern is felt by the parishioners of the New Plymouth part of the Waikato Diocese regarding Bishop Cherrington’s suspension of Rev. F. G. Harvie as Canon of the Cathedral. At a largely attended meeting of churchmen to-night, where considerable feeling was shown, the following motion was carried: “That this meeting of the laity of New Plymouth, having learned with deep concern of the Bishop’s action id suspending Rev. F. G. Harvie, late Vicar of St. Mary’s, New Plymouth, from the exercise of his clerical duties within the diocese of Waikato, desires to ascertain from his Lordship as to 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.