NEW PRIMATE

Waikato Times, Volume 126, Issue 21041, 17 February 1940, Page 9

NEW PRIMATE

ELECTION ON TUESDAY CHURCH UNION PROPOSALS (By Telegraph.—Press Association; NELSON, Friday The General Synod of the Church of England today decided to proceed with the election of an archbishop to succeed the Primate, Archbishop Averill, at the first sitting of the synod on Tuesday. It is probable that t*ie first sitting that day will be in the morning. The synod appointed a committee of four to represent the Anglican Church as observers when meetings for formal conversations take place among the Presbyterian, Methodist and Congregational Churches to discover any possibility of negotiating a union of those three Churches. A letter to the archbishop from the Presbyterian Church suggested that something wider than the aforementioned possible union might ultimately be desirable, and it preferred to work in some kind of association with the Anglican Church than independently. The letter asked if it would be possible for the synod to appoint representatives as official liaison officers for the purpose of making contact with other Churches when circumstances made it clear that this would be desirable. Such representatives could be present as observers at formal conversations, but would not commit the synod in any way, but might very well help smooth the way for any future wider discussions. The archbishop said the Bench of Bishops was sympathetic with the request, and had nominated as representatives the Bishops of Christchurch and Wellington, and Archdeacons Jermyn and Gillespie, which appointments the synod confirmed.