ANGLICAN CHURCH.

Waikato Times, Volume 107, Issue 18026, 22 May 1930, Page 7

ANGLICAN CHURCH.

DISCIPLINARY METHODS. PROSECUTION OF A BISHOP. (From a Correspondent.) LONDON, April 10. The Bishop of Birmingham (Dr. Barnes) who was recently proceeded against for refusal to Institute a vicar of Anglo-Catholio tendencies to a church in his diooese, has issued a statement of which 'the chief points are as follows: “ I think that at the present time I ought to explain, for the sake of mauy who are puzzled by legal arguments and proceedings, what has led up to the recent action brought against me in the Chancery Division of the High Court by the Patronage Trustees of St. Aidan’s, Birmingham. “When I became Bishop of Birmingham in 1924 I knew that the most serious of the. problems before me was how to end ecclesiastical disorder in the diocese. “ I went slowly, I did not, even after a year’s delay, ask that the practice of reservation should cease altogether, because it was not then known how far reservation ‘ for the sick only ’ might he sanctioned by the Church and Parliament. But in November, 1925, I demanded that public reservation of the consecrated elements of Holy Communion should cease and that also such Roman usages as Benediction, Adoration, and Procession of the Hast should be brought to an end. Most of the clergy showed friendly loyalty; but some 15 churches refused by request and formed the so-called ‘rebel’ group." The. Alternatives.

What was I to do with them? The incumbents concerned were undoubtedly acting illegally, in, defiance of the solemn. Declaration of Assent which each had -taken before being admitted to his living. Each had sworn canonical obedience to his Bishop, in all things lawful and honest, and was consequently false to his oath. Of course, I oould have taken legal action against each. At the cost in every case of a very considerable, sum I could have had the incumbent removed from his living. But, apart from lesser considerations, I could not bring myself to quell religious disorder and enforce moral obligations by ‘ going to law.’ So I resolved both to give no countenance to the -so-called “ rebel ” -churches and also to refuse to institute new vicars, when vacancies occurred, unless I had an understanding from the men presented to me that they regarded their Declaration and Oaths as binding obligations, “ There was always the possibility that some patron, eager to perpetuate disorder, would tell his nominee to refuse to give -such an understanding: and. that the patron would then bring an action against me/ I resolved that I would not defend such an action if it should be brought:; the issue would be really moral and spirituak.As Bishop I ought to be able to preserve -sound doctrine and get order without fighting legal'actions. If I . cannot, Parliament must ultimately intervene; and, if I suffer for my principles, Parliament will not be indifferent.

Appeal to the Courts.

“ I confess that I did not expect that a responsible body of Anglo-Catholic patronage trustees, Including a Diocesan Bishop, would abandon the old High Church doctrine of the spiritual independence of the Church and appeal to the lay Courts. Such action aims, in fact, at forcing me to allow reservation at St. Aaidan’s although Parliament, by a vote popular within and without the Church, refused to legalise reservation tooth in 1927 and again in 1928, “ In answer to overtures which have reaohed me I have said that reservation at St. Aidan’s must cease. If the patronage trustees or their are willing to assure me that reservation shall cease, I will proceed lo institute at once. Failing such an uSTfcrstanding, whatever the consequences, I must continue to refuse institution. In this event undoubtedly the trustees can go again to the Chancery Division of the High Court. If their appeal oaused me to be sent to prison I should without -complaint thus serve the cause of Reformed religion.”