BISHOPS IN A SCENE.

Waikato Times, Volume 106, Issue 17804, 31 August 1929, Page 14 (Supplement)

BISHOPS IN A SCENE.

A scene between Dr. Furse, the Bishop of St. Albans, and Dr. Barnes, the Bishop of Birmingham, marked the debate in Ihc Upper House of Convocation at Church House, Westminster, on the Archbishop of Canterbury’s proposals for the use of the 1928 Prayer Book, which Parliament rejected (says a London paper). The prop sal is lo authorise the use of the new Book in -churches where the assent of the people has been given through their parish councils. Dr. Furse quoted from a sermon in which he declared that Dr. Barnes had said that while the old standards of belief had crumbled no new orthodoxy had been set forth. He (Dr. Furse) interpreted that as meaning that they could believe what they liked.

Dr. Barnes: I must protest against the Bishop of St. Albans quoting one part of a sermon of considerable length. At the end of that sermon I put forward positive requirements which I thought were demanded of a candidate desiring to take Holy Orders.

Liberty for Himself.

Dr. Furse: I wish to protest when lie comes as a member of this House wishing us to endorse the way in which he is administering iiis diocese in regard lo Reservation. He claims liberty for himself and others in freedom of belief, and refuses to allow liiat freedom of belief to he expressed in certain ways lay others. In regard to this Prayer Book proposal lie says that the bishops have made concessions to religious barbarisms. That is how he describes, I presume Dr. Barnes: I hope the Bishop of

DR. FURSE AND DR. BARNES PROTEST BY THE PRIMATE.

St. Albans will kindly continue that quotation.

Ur. Lang: The Bishop of Birmingham so frequently uses language of a vehement kind that lie must, not he surprised if any of his brethren wish to call attention to its implications. Dr. Purse then continued his protest in spite of another attempt by Dr. Barnes to interpose. Dr. Lang made an appeal to Dr. Barnes “in the interests of the Church.” He said: “The bishop can scarcely realise that every day I receive from every part of the Church, both in this country and across the seas, indignant protests against the kind of language with which the Bishop of Birmingham—l think it must be inadvertently—wounds the conscience and feelings of so many of his brother churchmen. I would, in the most friendly way, make my appeal to the Bishop of Birmingham that he should endeavour to refrain from the use of provocative language, which cannot advance his calling and does a great deal to disturb the whole movement of life and the Church of England. I do not wish to say more, but I have more reasons than perhaps your lordship thinks to feel obliged to say at least this.

Dr. Barnes, replying, said that he stood as a prominent member of the .Modernist .Movement. That movement was loyal to the Church.

The Upper House, by 23 votes to i, agreed to send the Archbishop's proposal, with three minor amendments, to the Lower House. The Lower House agreed to the plan by 9G votes to 5-5.

A similar decision was reached at York. .