CONTROVERSY IN CHURCH

Taranaki Daily News, 18 May 1928, Page 7

CONTROVERSY IN CHURCH

REPLY TO HOME SECRETARY BISHOP OF LONDON'S CASE APPEAL FOR REVISED BOOK By Telegraph—Press Assn —Copyright. Received May 17, 5.5 p.m. United Service. London, May 16. “You seem to ignore the fundamental fact that the old Prayer Book is still usable unaltered,” says the Bishop of London, replying seriatim to Sir William Joynson-Hicks, who answered the bishop’s open letter to members of the House of Commons. “Nobody knows better than myself the feeling of the Protestant laity. I believe you and others unduly. worked thereon under a misunderstanding. “The Assembly’s reduced majority in favour of the revision is probably due to the abstentions of those differing and not agreeing with you. Some did not vote or voted against us because they were disgusted with what they regarded as efforts to placate you. “Regarding the disorder in the church, you do not find it easy to produce order in the country despite the most efficient police in the world. Y r ou have not fulfilled last year’s promise to the clerical deputation to deal W’ith night clubs and drink clubs. I do not blame you. I know the difficulties owing to the opposition of both party and public opinion. Similarly the public are opposed to persecution in the church which once tried - and failed. You taunt us with want ot courage, but we produced the Bill you have done your best to defeat. We would be more sympathetic if you were officially courageous enough to produce a Club Bill.

“You hold receptionist views on the Sacrament that there is a doctrine of Christ’s real objective presence in the Sacrament, which the Court of Arches and the Privy Council pronounced equally tenable. I believe you do not realise the consideration due to the many holding this view. . “My speech at the diocesan conference referred to the desire for liberty to give the Communion to night nurses, the churchgoers usually going to work too early to attend service. “Are you and your friends aiming at driving the Anglo-Catholics from the church, repeating our ancestors’ awful error of driving out the Wesleyans? i Surely bur large-hearted archbishop's | policy in keeping the church comprehenI feive is more preferable. Admittedly there is a handful of priests and laity who would be happier with the Church of Rome, but antagonising the whole of the loyal Anglo-Catholics is not the way to deal with them. Your policy, if successful, will lead to disruption, which none will deplore more than yourself.” PEOPLES RIGHTS NOT AFFECTED. DECISION OF PARLIAMENTARIANS Australian Press Association. United Service. London, May 16. The Ecclesiastical Committee representing the Lords and Commons, by 29 votes to 3, decided that the revised Prayer Book did not prejudicially affect constitutional rights, therefore it should be proceeded with. The committee’s report must be considered by the legislative committee of the Church Assembly before the measure can be presented to Parliament, which Is unlikely to be before the end of June.