THE BISHOP SPEAKS.

Waikato Times, Volume 104, Issue 17485, 20 August 1928, Page 6

THE BISHOP SPEAKS.

VIEWS ON DISSENSION. KNOWS NOTHING OFFICIALLY. COMMUNICANTS TO BE MET. “BEHAVE LIKE CHRISTIANS.” A STRAIGHTFORWARD SERMON. Before a crowded congregation 1 Bishop Cherrington made his first public pronouncement on the existing unrest in the parish at St. Peter’s Cathedral last evening. In a virile and eloquent sermon His Lordship defined the causes of the trouble, announced that he was prepared to meet the parishioners in council, and appealed strongly for the cessation of petty differences and quarrels. “I have never had much patience at any time, but as Bishop of this diocese and head of the Cathedral Chapter I have thought it best to hold myself in peace,” Bishop Cherrington stated. “During the past few months I have been more patient, perhaps, than I would have liked to be. lam like the Pharisee, no doubt, but I have violated the rule of silence which some people hold to be the right of a bishop. May God be merciful!”

His Lordship said he had been greatly disturbed by the statements which appeared in the Press last week-end. He wanted to know why they—Church of England people—should wash dirty linen, so that the parish became notorious all over the Dominion. People elsewhere had said, “What! Those Hamilton Anglicans are quarrelling again." Ho was speaking first because his name had been drawn into the discussions. “Not one of the troubles existing in this church has been brought officially before me,” he continued. “I have been told the bishop should not interfere in the affairs of the parish unless some great difficulty arises. No one has approached me for advice or laid a complaint through official channels. On December 12, 1926, you asked me to make this church into a cathedral. As this is now a cathedral parish I intend to make U more so. I intend to make my influence felt a great deal more than it lias been felt in the past. If you don’t like ft, and would prefer my chair to he removed say so, and I will institute the cathedral at another part of the diocese. You must allow the bishop to have some say in matters like this. This bishop intends to have it!” First Intimation of Trouble. Recounting briefly what he considered to bo the history of the present unsettled state, His Lordship said there was a meeting of churchmen last January or February, during which certain resolutions were passed and sent on to him. He replied that as bishop lie could take no notice of the resolutions officially until word came to him from the of the parishes concerned —St. Peter’s and St. George’s. lie had informed the gentlemen concerned that as their gathering had been informal lie would do pleased to meet them and talk things over. They replied that the time for that was not opportune and he heard no more about it. Since then lie hail received no official complaint from either of the two churches. As he did not seem to he officially concerned in the matter lie thought it best to bide his time and say nothing. Forced to Take Action. “Then last week this extraordinary phenomenon occurred,” the Bishop added. “The members of the Cathedral Chapter resigned from the office lo which they had been elected —one of Hie most extraordinary things t have over heard of. As Bishop and head of the chapter I am forced to take action.” Tlic speaker said two points arose clearly in the present trouble so far as he had been able to gather.. Firstly, with "egard to the wearing of vestments at Holy Communion, these had been worn before ho came, and lie never ordered their use. If the worshippers did not like the vestments which lie had presented, and were accepted by the vestry in 1927, he would take them away, lie did not mind personally whether the colour was white, red, blue or green. The question was, What sort of vestments wore they going lo use? Ten churches in the diocese were using vestments, and not one of the churches had been asked to use them by him. The stole was as much a part of Eucharistic vestments as the chasuble. Some preferred one and some the other. He understood these were in use in every church in New Zealand. “These vestments have a historical significance,” continued His Lordship. “They also have a doctrinal significance. “As long ago as 200 A.D. the Assyrian Christians made use of these vestments. They arc essentially a historical connection with the ancient Church. The doctrinal significance is Hi at they manifest a belief in spiritual sacrifice"that we believe to he offered in our Blessed sacrament.” His Lordship said the vestments represented the continual remembrance of Hie sacrifice of the death of Christ. The clergy wished lo show that Holy Communion was different from any other service of the Church. Sorvices at Cathedral. ■ The second point which appeared to be creating perturbation was the Sunday morning services. lie reminded the congregation that St. Peter’s was a Cathedral and he was trying to make it one. As they had begun so they would go on. The proper service for a Cathedral on Sunday morning was Morning Prayer and Eucharist together. “The people of Hamilton generously contributed the money they might have used for improving their own churches for the purpose of forming Ibis Cathedral, and they should do everything possible to make the Church a worthy one so that in time Hie whole of the Diocese may look to Peter's l'or help and encouragement.” , ' . Tim Bishop said that many churches paid their choirs', but at St. Peter’s Hie choir’s services were entirely voluntary. He was not sure that the congregation supported the choir to the extent it might. Ho did not Hunk tlie congregation could ask the ladies and gentlemen of the choir to come to more than two services on Sunday. This could lie done if the choir were increased. Half could then attend Morning Prayer and half Holy Communion. He would like to see the choir with a membership ot db, as at st Andrew’s,-* Cambridge. His object in asking them to maintain the Ji o’clock Communion try districts could attend every Sunday

- - -i “In order that tho difficulties concerning vestments and services cats be overcome, I have Invited, alf communicants to meet me so that I may bo instructod concerning the views of worship In thi© church,” tho Bishop declared. Voting for Minors. “I believe the meeting on September 5 excludes many pious and earnest communicants between the ages of 16 and 21 from voting at the Chapter election. Personally, I think this is wrong, and at the next Synod I intend introducing a Bill altering the age at which a person can become a churchman from 21 to 16. Many young people are at work at 16, and I do not see why they should not he admitted to the Church.” His Lordship expressed the hope that tlic meeting of communicants would have the response he desired, lie wanted to know whether the people worshipping in the Church would sooner retain the vestments or get rid of them. He also wanted to know what would be the most convenient time for morning services. “Whatever happens, get rid of your silly little controversies and petty accusations against one another,” ho urged. “Do say what you want to, and say what your differences are. Put your cards on tho table and try to behave like Christian men and women!” His Lordship asked what was the use of saying “Our Father, which art in Heaven,” when they were fighting bitterly over trifles. They should remember that Christ died for their sins. The Lord had risen. He was alive and was with them when they knelt before His table. They should never tire of trying to five Christian, lives in the service of the Lord. What were other tiling's in the light of tills glorious truth, he concluded. RESIGNATION OF CHAPTER STATEMENT BY THE WARDENS. — me following- document, setting forth the history of the trouble which, culminated in the resignation of the members of the Cathedral Chapter, was posted in the porch of St. Peter’s Cathedral ttiis morning for the information of parishioners: — A Memorandum to Members of the Cathedral Parish of St. Peter’s, Hamilton. It has been suggested to the undersigned that they, as Wardens of SL Peter's up - to tlie date of the lesser Chapter's resignation should inform parishioners of the circumstances immediately preceding that event. Briefly they were these: — 1. A meeting was held on July 25, and a long discussion took place regarding tlic use of vestments. Tae upshot of this meeting was the passing of the following resolutions: (1) On the motion of Mr Hay, seconded by Mr Norris, it was 'resolved that the Chapter is of opinion that in order to make any: progress in the/Parish affairs possible consideration must be given by both shades of thought to the opinion of the other side. For the .motion: The Dean, Messrs Hav, Hammond, Vickery, Judd, Reid Pountney, Morris, ami Norris. Against the jnoUon; Messrs Blakeway and snell. M* Stace did not vote. (9) On the motion of Mr Hay, seconded by Mr Morris, it was resolved that the Dean, ha\in o ex pressed the view that be attaches no doctrinal significance to xesU ments be asked to give equal facilities to each point of view. For the motion: Messrs Hay. Vickery, Reid, Pountney, Morns and Norris. None against, four abstained from voting. 9 Next meeting, August 6 Dean notified a very substantial rearrangement of services which he hoped would meet the wishes o MatS‘ was '’substituted 011 for Sung KulUarist ok the 2nd and 4th Sundays wtierens 111 this alteration pleased some ot the "?°rcffito U "Vnt™ uTS? arrangement, and S! the Chapter said hewould not ;I,TIoV. n uUorJVshould be known Slf* ™ S a ß omo consideration to the VI V discussion I "finance followed » was pointed out by the Treasurer hat funds were urgently needed and that the financial position was drift nfi; mt a worse state each month. At lengm a motion to reduce expenses by i fluffing the junior staff was put to the meeting and lost. Worden— At this stage the Peoples Warden who also represents the P^ rish Synod suggested that as the Lesser Chapter had failed to collect funds add ,lid not wish to reduce expenses the proper course was for them to r esigu and let the parishioners th.ir vffiws in a fresh . election the more so because the Chapter was composed of a majority of men elected upon a definite “ticket” and they were ou. • o sympathy with the spirit of bynod which had sat at a subsequent date to their election- • . This course was unanimously agreed 10, subject to confirmation at a pater meeting on the 10th instant. At this last meeting on August lOtn. Ihe motion was confirmed, their being only one dissentient. Prior to tba motion being put the Dean offered to add an entirely plain communion service once a month to the concessions already offered. . , , . The wardens do not wish to express their personal views in this document hut consider it is only fair to the Dean to point out to parishioners that tha form, of services and the use of tho chasuble were not introduced by' him hut by his predecessor, Archdeacon Cowie. , , . May w’c also be allowed to say this,, that we realise the complications which beset the Church, we realise the com-i plications which beset our paristi, nut we suggest that the present is a time when Churchmen throughout' tho Anglican world are called upon to exercise great patience with one another’s! actions and great tolerance of one another’s views. W. G. POUNTNEY, Dean’s Warden. D. HAY, People’s Warden. APPEAL FOR UNITY. FROM MEMBERS OF CHAPTER. A meeting was held to-day of a number of lay members of the late Chapter of St. Peter’s Cathedral who believe that in the interests of the Church St. Peter’s parishioners should have done with their differences and work whole-heartedly together. The meeting welcomed the action in calling a meeting of Communicants for Wednesday, 29th hist., so that he might learn for himself the 1 views and the wishes of the majority of church people. The hope was expressed that the Bishop's invitation would be widely accepted.