SINGLE-HANDED CLERGY

Taranaki Daily News, 10 July 1930, Page 12

SINGLE-HANDED CLERGY

NO RELIEF AVAILABLE OVERWORK A GRAVE MENACE. SYNOD FAVOURS NEW PROVISION,

(By Wire. —Special to News). Hamilton, Last Night. The problem of assisting clergymen, working large and scattered parishes! single-handed was discussed by the Wai-, kato Diocesan Synod this morning, following upon a motion moved by Mr, Douglas Hay as follows: "That owing to the number of largo parishes in th® diocese and the heavy duties carried cut by tin. e'ergymen single-handed, th® synod urges the appointment at th® earliest possible moment of a full time relieving clergyman.” There was a brief discussion on the 'question of how the position would be financed and several speakers Stressed the urgent-need for relief. . ” , Mr. G. Gibson (Okato). asked if th® standing committee was'-willihg to rd* commend such an appointment. Ho understood :the diocese would be asked to. finance the innovation.

Air. Hay replied that the diocese could pay half. ; Mr. JI. Se’ddon Hills (Taumarunui). said there were 27 services in his parish, which had to be attended by one clergyman, who was now ready to go ihto : hos-. pi tai. The opinion that the diocesan finances, if they ever improved, should, be. devoted to the restoration of grants and not to such an appointment as was proposed was expressed by Air. J. G. Wynyard (To Awaiuutu). The Rev. J. W. Burley, Vicar of. Tau* marunui, described the difficulties he,wa® labouring under and said he had suffered a breakdown in health. Dean Barnett characterised the motion as “sane, sensible and necessary.” Mr. F. A. Swarbrick (Te AwamutuY considered the services of one priest foi’ a few weeks in such a parish as Tail* marunui would hardly be of much us® and would not touch tho fringe of th® real difficulties. What was needed wa® that sufficient clergymen could be sent permanently to relieve large and poojf parishes. (Applause). The Vicar-General, Archdeacon Bell, earnestly hoped the motion would be carried. He was filled with constant -anxiety concerning how ho would fill a vacancy should a clergyman suddenly leave or b®. forced to retire through temporary' ill health. Such a priest as Was proposed would be of immense benefit to young, hard-worked and energetic clergy’ ana prevent them from having scridus’ breakdowns. He thought synod ’ could liav® every confidence in the standing conjifilttee, which could, be relied upon not to enter upon undue expense. Tho motion was carried.