GENERAL SYNOD

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2771, 15 May 1916, Page 6

GENERAL SYNOD

CHAPLAINS AND SOLDIEHS

By Telceraph—Press Association. Christchurch, May i*. At to-day's meeting of the General Synod it was decided that the Government and King's Regulations relating to religious observances in the forces be strictly observed. . In moving the motion, Archdeacon Ruddock, said the present military authorities apparently only .recognised two denominations—Roman Catholic and Protestants. General* Godley said the King's Regulations did not "PPb'i, although in all other matters those Regulations were enforced with the Expetitionary Force. The value of the Regulations Tested in the fact that no man was forced to attend services of any other denomination but his own. The senior chaplin fixed the services. In Egypt, however, all and sundry were required to attend'church parades ordered by tho officer in command. These were held by brigades of 4000. men at a common service in tho open air. Was it any wonder that there was often a tendency to irreverence? ' He'read a letter from a chaplain in Egypt, in which the chaplain said ne protested to a certain officer that the common .survices were against the wish of the Bishop. The Teply was to the effect that the officer hoped tho Bishops would be put together on an island and left there. . Members asked the name of the officer, and Archdeacon Rudodck said General Godley. Another officer of a mounted regiment icfused permission for an Anglican Cdinmunion sorvice on tho grounds that Communion scrvicr* were .uclrf ovnry Sunday-by. tho Presbyterians, which the men could attend. On the transports there was often only one chaplain for all denominations, but the Eoman Catholic, while in one lnj stance r. Salvation Army officer had charge of 1000 men.. The time had coma to demand their undoubted rights as a Church. (Applause) He desired to eay he did not deiira to convey ibs impression of attacking the' Hon. J. Allen, in any way. He thought it was purely the result of tho attitude taken up by tho military authorities. ' ' . " On Archdeacon Ruddock's motion, a was decided-"That the Bishops of the Province be asked to take steps that mar secure the observance of 'the Kings Regulations in regard to parade services in territorial camps where they may act as chaplains." Also. "That this Synod requests the Minister of Defence to give definite instructions to all officers >n <x>mmaud to adhere to the King's.Regulations as regards religious services in the different home camps and with the Expeditionary Forces."