The Lambeth Proposals.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume XI, Issue 12, 1 June 1921, Page 281

The Lambeth Proposals.

-The glamour of the Lambeth Conference and its resolutions, and the fervour aroused by the appeal for Unity seem to be passing away^ There is strong opposition m England to the institution of a, women's diaconate. It is claimed that the woman , deaconess and the man deacon hold two entirely different offices and the proposal to permit women to exercise parts of the deacon's office' is declared to be a distinct novelty inconsistent with the . ideas 'of' the ministry which have come down to us from the Apostles' times and certain to prove a stumbling block m the way of reunion with other branches of the

Catholic Church. The .appeal for Unity though it^ i has generally met with sympathetic appreciation from the various Nonconformist leaders jias been severely criticised by them. It is astonishing ho^ carelessly many seem to. have read it. Perhaps even some of us have not understood its suggestions, but we do know that to claim membership of the Catholic Church for religious bodies that reject Baptism, or substitute the waving of a flag for the Sacrament ordained by our Lord, is to make a demand which is tantamount to shutting the door upon all hope of Christian reunion. — "Church Times."