CHURCH AND DIVORCE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 80, Issue 59, 11 March 1937, Page 9

CHURCH AND DIVORCE

OAMARU PRESBYTERY'S VIEWS. [ Per Press Association. 1 OAMARU, March 10. The Oamaru Presbytery yesterday considered the Presbyterian General Assembly’s suggested rules for the guidance of ministers: (1) That in the case of divorce for insanity the sane party may be re-married, (2) that In the case of divorce for failure to comply with an order for the restitution of conjugal rights or three years’ separation, neither party shall be remarried. A suggestion was made by the Rev. H. H. Barton, and adopted, that m other cases, while maintenance m a general way the church’s testimony and disapproving remarriage in the case of the guilty party to divorce or of those whose divorce has been granted on grounds the church holds to be inadequate, the church recognises that in some cases there are factors making it desirable that some discretionary power be left in the hands of the officiating ministers. It was recommended that the Presbyteries appoint either a special committee or the existing judicial committee to guide ministers in their decision, such committee to be final.