THE COPE.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1110, 25 April 1911, Page 7

THE COPE.

ACTION BY ARCHBISHOP OF SYDNEY. By Teletrraph-Press Assoeiation-Coo.vriehi (Rec. April 24, 11.45 p.m.) Sydney, April 24. Thorn is considerable feeling among the congregation of Christ. Church (Anglican) owing to the Archbishop of Sydney declaring the cope an illegal vestment. Ho rules that it can only be worn ill cathedral and collegiate churches. The Archbishop of Sydney (Dr. Wright) has taken up iin uncompromising position on (he ritual question. Home time ago his action in prohibiting the use of eucharislio vc;-tmeuts caused a. prolonged deadlock in connection with 'the appointment of a rector to St. James's Church, Sydney. Like St. James's, the congregation of Christ Church have been accustomed to advanced ritual, and trouble between the parish authorities and the Archbishop has 'been browing for some time.

The cope.is a large mantle worn by the clergy on special occasions. The 21th Canon of 1603 orders the cope to be worn by the celebrant at Holy Communion in all cathedral and collegiate churches. It continued to be worn at the Eucharist and at other times till the middle of the eighteenth century, especially in cathedrals, but had fallen gradually more and more into disuse till revived in recent times. A decision of the Judicial Comniittee of the Privy Council in IS7I limited its use to that enjoined in tho Canon of 1603. The copo is worn by the officiating Bishops at Coronations, it is in rather general uso by Bishops in England, and has been worn occasionally by Australian and New Zealand Bishops. Quite recently an Australian Bishop officiated in Christ Church, Sydney, vested in cope and mitre.