BIRTH CONTROL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 73, Issue 345, 16 August 1930, Page 9

BIRTH CONTROL

“ Unholy Row ” Due THE LAMBETH CONFERENCE

What a Paper Predicts “TOO MANY MARRIED BISHOPS”

Bj Telegraph—Pres’ Association—Copyright Received Aug. 15, 9.50 p.m. LONDON, May 15. The News Chronicle says an “unholy row’* is prophesied by many bishops in consequence oi the Lambeth Confer- \ ence approval of birth control. Ecclesiastics expected that birth control and contraceptives would be ban ned, but in a remarkable manner the episcopal mind has presented a new orientation of the subject. A strong party within the church two years ago set itself to strengthen the 1920 Lam both resolutions in accordance with recognised Catholic tradition. Wire-pull-ing secured the appointment of a committee favourable thereto. The 1920 committee, it is aliaged, contained over-many bachelor Bishops, while this year, there is a preponderance oi married ones on the coiiiniittec, whose report wag strcssfully debated by the conference, particularly when the minority recognised that a purely Catholic view was unacceptable to the majority. A tense moment followed the disclosure that the Bishops, by 193 to 67, sanctioned birth control.

Education in Problems of Sex. Newspapers are giving cons.durable prominence lu the Lambeth conference. Particular emphasis is laid uu the important resolution on b-rth. control, aiiicii is as follows: — ‘‘ \\ here tlicre is clearly felt a moral obi.gution to limit, or avoid, pareuthoou the method must be decided on Christian pr.nciples. The primary and obvious method, is the complete abstainence from intercourse as far as may be necessary in a life of d sciplinc and self control which is to be lived, in the power* of the Holy Spirit. Nevertheless, in those ua.:es where there is such a clearly-felt moral obligations to limit, or avo.d. parenthood and where there is a mo.any sound reason for avoiding complete abstainence, this conic.ence agrees that other methods may be used, provided it is done in the light Ox the same Christ.an principles.” The conference records strong condemnation of the use of any methods contraception from motives of selfishness, luxury or mere convenience, but «f there is a good moral reason why the way of abstainence should not be followed, we cannot condemn the use or scient lie methods to prevent conception which are thoughtfully and conscientiously adopted. The conference emphasises that another resolution is needed fur the education, in all questions of marriage and sex. It is important that before the child’s emotional reaction to sex has awakened, that definite information be given in an atmosphere of simplicity and beauty. Persons directly responsible for th s are parents. The conference is convinced that steps ought to be taken to secure 8 better education of the clergy in moral theology and establish, where they do not exist, branches of Anglican Communion ami central councils for the study of the problems of sex from the Christian viewpoint and advise responsible author-ties in the diocese, or paiish, methods of approach and lines of instruction. THE ENCYCLICAL LETTER. LONDON, Aug. 14. The Lambeth Conference presumes that public attention will prooably be fixed on three other groups of resolutions in relation to:— (1) Church union in South India. (2) The attitude of the Anglican Church towards war. (3) Remarriages of divorced persons. The war resolution reads: ‘‘When nations bound themselves in a treaty or pact for the pacific settlement of international disputes, the conference holds that the Christian Church of every nation should refuse to countenance war in regard to which its Government has not declared its willingness to submit to arbitration or conciliation. ” In cases of divorce the conference disapproved of remarriage by the Church while the former partner was living. The conference affirmed the duty of parenthood as the glory of married life. “Where there is clearly felt moral obligations to limit or avoid parenthood, the method must be decided on Christian principles.’’ The conference strongly condemned the us? of any methods of contraception from motives of selfishness, luxury, or mere convenience.

The memorandum concludes with a reference to unity. ‘The Anglican Union is becoming a world-wide community of free, self-governing churches. Amongst these there stand already the churches of the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, the West Indies, and India. In such a partnership none can ,or wishes, to dominate others.”