ANGLICAN CHURCH AUTONOMY

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1578, 23 October 1912, Page 6

ANGLICAN CHURCH AUTONOMY

Interesting pronouncements have recently been made by the Anglican Bishops of Auckland and Nelson regarding the much-discussed proposal to alter certain provisions of the Constitution of the Anglican Church of the Province of New Zealand., It may be explained that what are known as the fundamental clauses of the Constitution prevent the New Zealand Church from making any change in the Prayer Book, or the Authorised Version of the Bible, unless and until (1) such change is first made by the Mother Church of England with the consent of Crown and Convocation; or (2) Church and State arc separated in England; or (!)) New Zealand severs its connection with the British Crown. It is felt by many Churchmen that the New Zealand Church is inherently free and autonomous, and that it is most undesirable thai its power to adapt its services to the needs of the time and the circumstances of the country should bo conditioned by certain possible political and ecclesiastical changes in England over which it has no control, or by the unlikely possibility of New Zealand "cutting the painter." Bishop Ciiossley (Auckland) seems to think that theoretically the change can and ought to be made, but that from the practical point of view the time is not ripe for it: and Bishop Sadlieu (Nelson), while admitting that he is "too new to synodical government in New Zealaud to pronounce a wellinformed opinion, is at present inclined to throw in his lot with the opponents of change. The case for reform was very ably put at the last General Synod by the Primate (Dr. Nevill), the Bishop of Christ; church (Dn. Julius), the Bishop of Wellington (Dr. Si'itorr), Mr. T. F. Jl-ARTiN,' and others. The proposal to rescind Clause G of the Constitution, which declares the fundamental clauses to be unalterable (but is not itself unalterable), was supported by a majority of the Bishops and laity, only being defeated by failing to secure the votes of a majority of the clergy. Thc_ question is almost certain to be ngain considered at the coming meeting of the General Synod at Nelson in January next,