Broadcast Service

Press, Volume CV, Issue 31057, 12 May 1966, Page 18

Broadcast Service

Sir,—The Anglican service broadcast from 3YA last Sunday included a prayer not found in the Book of Common Prayer, giving approval to magistrates “for the punishment of wickedness and vice.” Since magistrates do not punish adultery, fornication, smoking, drinking, Statelicensed gambling, swearing (except in public), or idolatary, a statement would be appreciated giving the source of the prayer, the reason for its inclusion, and the nature of the "vice” it is desired should be punished.—Yours, etc., LISTENER. May 3, 1966. [The director of the Anglican committee on broadcasting and television (Father C. Harrison) replies: “The phrase the correspondent refers to is to be found in the prayer for the whole state of Christ’s Church in the Order for Holy Communion in the book of Common Prayer, 1662, which is the normal rite used in New Zealand. The alternative rite of 1928, which is also authorised for New Zealand, uses the same words. The context of the words is that prayer is made for the •universal church’; then for Christian rulers, especially ours; then for those who bear authority under such rulers, including the justiciary; then for the clergy; then for the people, especially ‘those present’ In a word, a Christian state is the assumption behind the prayer, and God is asked to enable each person to uphold his Christian part according to his calling. The legal system upholds certain Christian moral principles, but this is not to say that Christian morality is exhausted by such. Christian ethics unquestionably oppose adultery and idolatry (though your correspondent is on less firm ground regarding gambling, smoking, and drinking). The reason for the inclusion of these words in a prayer designed to pray for all at large is that God is asked to help those who uphold the legal system just insofar as it is Christianbased.”]