DISSENSION IN DIOCESE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 April 1928, Page 6

DISSENSION IN DIOCESE

TROUBLES OF THE WAIKATO DOMESTIC CHAPLAIN’S POST. THE NEW BISHOP AND HIS CLERGY. ALARM AMONGST PARISHIONERS. Hamilton, April 16. The latest development in connection with Church of England affairs in Hamilton has been the receipt of notice by the Rev. J. Rich, domestic chaplain and curate at Claudelands, from Bishop Cherrington, that his services as domestic chaplain would not be required after April 30. Mr. Rich, who came from Whangarei, was appointed, to the two positions early this year. Since he has been in the parish he has done excellent work in Claudelands and in the out-stations. The Boy Scout movement was dormant in Hamilton for years. Mr. Rich immediately set to work to organise a troop, and a troop of 40 boys has been enrolled and equipped with uniforms. Weekly parades are held and the boys went into camp at Easter.

The bishop desired to promote Mr. Rich to the position of vicar of Putaruru. Mr. Rich did not desire the appointment, pointing out that he had agreed to work in Hamilton for a year. Opposition to the bishop’s wishes resulted in his dismissal as domestic chaplain and the cutting off of a proportion of his stipend. Steps are being taken by the Claudelands Church Committee to devise a scheme by means of which it is hoped that Mr. Rieh’s services will be retained at an adequate stipend.

No further developments have occurred in connection with the suspension by the bishop of the Rev. 'F. G. Harvie as canon of St. Peter’s Cathedral and diocesan chaplain, with the consequent loss of the major portion of his salary. It is understood that representations have been made to Archbishop Averill, and that the matter will be considered at the meeting of General Synod, whieh will be held in Wellington this week. The resignation of the Rev. Frank Harty, who has been vicar of Frankton for eight years, has been due to differences that have arisen between Mr. Harty and Bishop Cherrington. Mr. Harty intends to leave early next moll th for England, where ho hopes to obtain employment as a clergyman. Evidence of the feeling that exists in Hamilton regarding the administration of Church of England affaire may be gauged from the fact that a petition, signed by about 100 churchwomen, has been addressed to Bishop Averill, expressing alarm at the present state of affairs. TENSION IN WAIKATO. WILL SPEAK IN SIX WEEKS. Since the suspension of the Rev. F. G, Harvie from the office of canon and other appointments, Anglican affairs in Hamilton have been in a state Of the utmost tension (says the Sun correspondent). As a matter of fact ever since the Waikato Diocese was formed nearly two years ago the relations of the clergy and the laity have been strained.

At present, not only parishioners, but the public as a whole, are awaiting a statement from Bishop Cherrington, concerning the reasons for his recent action. Asked by a Sun man for a statement, the Bishop stated emphatically that he did not intend saying anything about the matter for at least six weeks. It is thought that Mr. Harvie may shortly amplify the facts of the case as they are now known. LACK OF UNITY DEPLORED. Prominent churchmen in Hamilton, representing the eamp whieh is satisfied with the existing clerical ministration, and the camp whieh, is not, are all of the opinion that the ‘‘lack of unity and concord,” deplored in the Prayer Book, eannot continue. It is no secret that the Bishop, with the co-operation of Dean Barnett, is intent on .re-organising the form of worship at the Cathedral and parish churches to conform with the new “system” of worship known as the “Oxford movement.” In fact the Dean admitted in the pulpit that the new services were designed to reinstate the devotional atmosphere, and the greater appreciation of spiritual values. Naturally so radical a change has proved distasteful to some of the “die-hards,” and vitriolic expressions of opinion are likely to be made at the annual.meetings of parishioners within the next few weeks. EXPECTANT CONGREGATION. The suggestion of diminishing numbers of worshippers at the Cathedral has not been substantiated during the last week or two, as crowded congregations have 'been the rule, rather than the exception. Possibly many have been attending expectant of pointed reference to ehurch affairs by the Bishop. However, it is significant that, so far, the Bishop has refrained from any comment on recent events, although strongly-partisan laymen assert that his sermons have contained veiled references. These have been interpreted and freely diseussd according to the personal views of his listeners.

At the moment, however, little of the true facts are known, except that an air of suppressed excitement concerning future developments is present among Waikato Anglicans.