GENERAL SYNOD.

Waiapu Church Gazette, Volume 27, Issue 4, 1 April 1937, Page 7

GENERAL SYNOD.

The usual triennial Session begins at Hamilton on Thursday, April Bth. This is the first meeting ever held m the Diocese of Waikato. A great many subjects, some of them most important, will come up fpr discussicn and settlement. At the last Session, held at Napier, a very elaborate Canon was passed setting up machinery for the election of Bishops. This was referred to the several Diocesan Synods and was approved by only one of them. What to do next, is the question. No one is much m love with the old method; it has too many weak spots. One of the Wellington Laymembers, Mr H. A. Huggins, contributes the following suggestions, which are well worth consideration. He proposes — , 1. That when a See has become, or is about to become, vacant, a special meeting of Diocesan Synod be summoned. 2. That at such Synod the mind of the members be ascertained ori all general matters, such as—

whether 'the Bishop should be chosen from within New Zealand, or from overseas; whether there are outstanding clergy whom Synod wishes considered; other special desires of Synod; and the income and pension proposed to be given. 3. Having indicated the mind of Synod upon the general requirements of the Diocese, further full enquiry and selection to be delegated to a body consisting of seven clergy and seven laity, elected by the Synod especially for that purpose at the close of the Session. 4. That this body should forthwith obtain reliable information, and carefully consider the nomination of a name or names tp be submitted to the Bench of Bishops, always having due regard to the expressed wishes of Synod, and authorised to ask advice of the Bishops if found necessary. 5. That the Bench of Bishops assemble m the same city at the same time, and be available for consultation (if desired), and, being provided with all known information, there and then approve or disapprove of the name submitted. 6. That if the Bench of Bishops should disapprove, further names should be submitted until approval is obtained. 7. That the final decision be conveyed to the one selected for the bishopric by the Diocese m which the vacancy has occurred. 8. That provision be made for a second and third choice m order to avoid the expense of further Synods. Such a method would not deprive Diocesan Synods of initiative. It would certainly . deprive them of the personal selection, the very factor about which so many difficulties arise.