ELECTING A BISHOP.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 871, 18 July 1910, Page 3

ELECTING A BISHOP.

PROCEDURE TO BE FOLLOWED. ; In view of the resignation of Dr. Neligan, Bishop of Auckland, it is interesting to note the procedure which will be followed in tho election of his successor. The practice, under the constitution of the-Anglican Church of the province of New Zealand, differs in some important respect from that of tho Established Church in England. The following accouilt is taken irom Mr. X F. Martin's book, ,-"Tho Position and Constitution of tho Anglican Church in New Zealand" :— A Bishop in New Zealand is'nominated by the Synod of the diocese, such nomination requiring, howevw, the sanction, of tho General Synod, or, if that body is not in session, then the sanction of a majority of the standing' committees of the several dioceses. The procedure is as follows: — 1. The diocesan Synod nominates a Bishop for the diocese. 2. The meeting at which the nomination is mado is convened aud presided over by tho commissary of the Bishop "specially authorised to do so in the absence, by death or resignation, of the Bishop," or, in case no such special authority has been given, then by a commissary appointed by tho Primate. The assent of the commissary is not, however, necessary to tho nomination, but he votes us a member <of his order. . . ' 3. Each nomination at the meeting is proposed by one of the clergy, and seconded by ono of tho lay representatives. ■ • . 4. The voting is by orders, a majority of the votes of each order being necessary. The votes are- taken by ballot. 5. The Primate obtains from the Bishop-elect a declaration in writing of his assent to the constitution. 6. The Primate submits the- nomination and the said declaration (or a copy, of it) to tho General Synod, or, if that. body is not in session, then to tho standing committees of the several dioceses, for its or their sane-, tiou of the nomination. 7. Where the submission is made to the standing committees, the members of each of such committees vote by orders,. and the vote of the Bishop of the dioceso must bo given unless ho is absent from New Zealand or physically incapacitated. If tho standing committee is wesidert over by a commissary, he has no vote, unless ho is otherwise a membfci oi the committee. 8. Tho nomination being sanctioned by the General Synod or by a majority of tho. standing committees, the Primato takes tho necessary stops for the consecration, with the province of New Zealand, of the Bishop-elect. Tho resignation of Bishop Neligan will take effect from October 15, and : the Auckland Diocesan Synod will meet for the purpose of electing his successor on October 21.