DECLINE OF CLERGY.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18423, 2 July 1925, Page 9

DECLINE OF CLERGY.

THIRTY-NINE ARTICLES NEED REVISING. (BY CABLE—r-RESS ASSOCIATION— COPYRIGHT.) (AUSTRALIAN AXD K.Z. CABLE ASSOCIATION.) (Received July Ist, 7.15 p.m.) LONDON, June 30. Recommendations of a far-reaching nature are contained in the report of a committee appointed by tho Archbishops of Canterbury and York to consider tho shortage of candidates for Holy Orders. .. The report declares that intellectual difficulties are one serious obstaclo to men who otherwise would wish to enter the Church. Tho committee therefore declares its belief that it would bring relief if it was decided that the Thirtynine Articles were no longer a satisfactory statement for the purpose of assent. • The opinion is expressed that a restatement of these principles is required. The committee also believes that a statement should be made from the Episcopate as a whole to the effect that they would not regard perplexity or uncertainty ou some clauses of the Creed as a necessary barrier to .ordination. Such • difficulties should be considered individually. The number of clergy ordained decreased by 2550 in the last decade, compared with the period 1905-14.