ANGLICAN PRIMACY

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 242, 7 July 1921, Page 6

ANGLICAN PRIMACY

PROPOSAL TO FIX IT AT WELLINGTON CONSIDERED BY DIOCESAN SYNOD A proposal that the Primacy of the Anglican Chui oh in New Zealand should bo fixed at Wellington was partly discussed at yesterday’s session of tho Wellington Diocesan Synod. The Ven. Archdeacon Johnson moved: "That thia Synod endowed tho report of tho Select Committee of General Synod on the Primacy, and is of opinion that (1) there should be a fixed Primacy of the Church in New Zealand; (2) such Primacy should be centred in Wellington; (3) at the next vacancy of ■ the Bishopric of Wellington, a Bishop should be elected with right of succession to the Primacy."

The mover said that the matter involved in the motion was one referred to the diocesan Synods by General Synod. At present there was a movable Primacy. There were only two places where the Primacy could be- fixed: one was Christchurch, where the buildings were available; the other Wellington, where there was centrality, and where, he hoped, there would ultimately be the necessary buildings. The latest Primate had been the Bishop of Dunedin (now retired). The Wellington Synod would no doubt have welcomed the accession of the present Bishop of Wellington to the Primacy; but Bishop Sprott folt that he must not take up tho position. Mr, R. Wilberfoss seconded the motion, which the Synod proceeded to discuss clause by clause. z Tho Rev. W. Fancourt opposed the motion. He believed it might have the effect, of preventing the Wellington Diocese from selecting its own bishop. A member pointed out that Synod was discussing the endorsement of a select committee's report, whereas, if the General Synod was to learn what it wished to learn, viz., the attitude of tho diocesan Synods towards its resolution regarding the Primacy—the matter under discussion should bo the actual resolution. carried by the General Synod on the motion of the Bishop of Christchurch. . Tho General Synod’s resolution was: "That the following draft Bill entitled 'a Bill to amend Title A, Canon I,’ bo eent down for consideration by the diocesan Synods, and lie introduced into the General Synod at next session: (1) The Bishop of Wellington shall be officio Primate of the Church of the Province of New Zealand, and shall be appointed as in manner provided in this canon for the appointment of bishops; provided that in the nomination of a bishop by the Synod of the Diocese of Wellington, and in the sanction thereof by the General Synod, or, if it bo not in session, by a majority of the several standing committees, special regard shall b> had to the fitness of the nominee to fulfil the office of Primate. (3) In case of a vacancy in the Metropolitan See .... the senior bishop for the time being shall act as Primate until a Primate has been appointed.” Archdeacon Johnson’s motion was eventually postponed, as members of the Synod desired to have an opportunity of familiarising themselves with the resolution of General Synod.