THE "SEVEN BISHOPS" AGAIN?

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 232, 1 October 1928, Page 6

THE "SEVEN BISHOPS" AGAIN?

In deciding on a policy for the Church of England, in view of the rejection of the new Prayer Book by the House of Commons, the bishops were faced with a difficulty on the solution of which the whole future of the Church may depend. They were called upon to take action against clergy using forms of which they themselves had approved, to subordinate the spiritual teaching of their Church to the temporal power of the State. The bishops, after a three days' conference, have decided that they cannot regard as inconsistent with loyalty to the Church's principles the use of certain of the additions and deviations in the revised 1928 Prayer Book. Parliament has declared against the book; the bishops have declared in its favour. A certain amount of authority is given to a bishop in regard to variations in the present Book of Common Prayer. The bishops apparently contend that authority is given to a bishop in regard to some of the new forms. If so, it would appear that the decision of Parliament is rendered void, and one may ask why the Church sought Parliament's approval. At the same time, for the bishops to accede to the decision of the House would be placing the State in a supreme position in respect to the doctrine and teaching of the Church. If the principle is conceded that the State can dictate in pnrely spiritual matters, the Church of England is in danger of becoming, what Lord Houghton once said it was, "an underpaid branch of the Civil Service." Will Parliament discipline the bishops if they persist in using the new book ? If so, in what manner will the bishops be disciplined t Will they be sent to the Tower of London as were Sancroft and his six episcopal brethren! It seems probable that the bishops have taken this step as a prelude to seeking the disestablishment of the Church. Indeed, that seems to be the only solution.