Claudelands Asks Bishop to Resign

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 334, 20 April 1928, Page 12

Claudelands Asks Bishop to Resign

ANGLICANS CONCERNED j CANON HARVIE SUPPORTED (From Our Oxen Correspondent) HAMILTON, To-day. "The present unhappy state of affairs in the Waikato Diocese has made it necessary to ascertain the l feelings of the people so as to bring matters to a head,” declared Mr. E. V. Stace, when explaining the reason for holding a special meeting of Claudelands Anglicans, after the annual meeting last evening. A resolution requesting Bishop Cherrington to resign was carried There was an attendance of 78 parishioners, and Mr. E. H. Hammond presided. Mr. M. M. Baker moved and Mr. F. Horspool seconded the following motion: “That this meeting views with deep concern the present unhappy condition of affairs in the diocese, and is <if 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 from his office.” HOPES NOT FULFILLED Mr. W. IT. Hammond said that when Bishop Cherrington took up office there was a tremendous spirit of enthusiasm throughout the diocese. People looked to Hamilton for a lead and other churches looked forward to shining in the reflected glory of the Church of England’s progress. Unfortunately the great hopes that had been entertained by the churchpeople had not been fulfilled, and in place of the enthusiasm that existed a little over a year ago there was now’ a general feeling of dissatisfaction. POSITION MUST BE FACED The position as it existed had to be faced, added Mr. Hammond. He referred to the resignation and removals of clergy that had taken place in the diocese since Bishop Cherrington took up office. He did not suggest that Bishop Cherrington was wholly responsible for these resignations and removals. Men and women throughout the diocese had refrained from taking definite action in the hope that the matter would be satisfactorily dealt with by General Synod. The present state of affairs was intolerable and the people wanted to know where they stood. They did not desire to wreck the Church, but to purge it and build up a better sta.te of affairs. PAINFUL POSITION Mr. Stace supported the motion. He said the whole position was exceedingly painful and had caused a great deal 1 of anxiety. The position had to be faced and people throughout the diocese were looking to Hamilton as the central parish for a lead. With a view to ascertaining the feelings of the people he thought the motion should be put. Mr. Stace said it had been stated that the bishop had informed the people that if he did not prove acceptable to them he would resign. It now rested with the people, added the speaker, to state what they thought of the matter. OTHERS DISSATISFIED Mr. H. Mercer said churchpeople in other parts of the diocese had informed him of the dissatisfaction, that existed in their parishes and had expressed the hope that Hamilton would take the lead. On a show of hands being taken the motion was declared to be carried unanimously. Mr. Mercer moved and Mr. J. Whittom seconded a motion “that this meeting of churchmen expresses its appreciation of the course of action adopted by Canon Harvie in connection with his differences with Bishop Cherrington, and this meeting is grateful that Canon Harvie has been reinstated in the various offices from which the bishop attempted to remove him.’* This motion was also carried unanimously and with applause. It was resolved to forward the resolutions to General Synod and Standing Committee.