CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 32, 7 February 1931, Page 18

CHRISTIAN MARRIAGE

ARCHBISHOP'S ADDRESS

Part of the presidential address to the. General Anglican. Synod given by Archbishop Averill touched on the vexed,question of "Marriage and Sex." He alluded1 to the resolution regarding these which was passed at the Lambeth Conference last year, and said that it had been misunderstood to a great esteut. The matter had been treated with the greatest care and _ reverence and a declaration made, which, however, had been opposed by a strong minority, fearing that the effects might be far otherwise than the majority anticipated or desired. "The conference," said, the Archbishop, '' emphasised the pom that before a child's, emotional reaction to sex was awakened, definite information should be given in an atmosphere of simplicity and beauty; that boys and girls should be prepared for the responsibilities of adult life, and that further preparation should be given to the members of the Church before marriage. It was with this end in view that the conference reminded parents of their solemn responsibility and urged that steps should b© taken to secure for the clergy a better education in moral theology. "It insisted that, the duty of parebthood was the glory of married life, and thoughtful self-control the governing, consideration in marital relationship. It condemned all artificial means of restricting families from motives of selfishness, luxury, or mere convenience; it expressed its abhorrence of the sinful practice of abortion, and its utter condemnation of the use of contraceptives and of'all illicity and irregular unions by the unmarried. ''The conference; however, was of the opinion that it was possible to conceive of exceptional cases where there was a moral obligation.to limit or avoid parenthood, andaimoraHy sound reason for avoiding complete abstinence, and sought to point out that such limitation or avoidance, of. parenthood could not be divorced from personal responsibility, sincere motive, and enlightened conscience in! the light' of Christian principle." Each couple, as the ; report states, must' decidevfdr ; themselves, as in the sight of God, after the most careful and conscientious thought, and, if perplexed in mind, after taking competent advice, both medical and spiritual. '■■■■' ' ' ' .'■■■•■ ■'■'.■' Touching on.the question of marriage and divorce, the Archbishop drew attention to a previous decision 'of the Lambeth Conference that, was reaffirmed. This was that "it affirms-as our Lord's principle and standard of marriage a lifelong • and indissoluble union, for better or worse, of one man with■ one woman, to ;rthe exclusion of all others on1 either side,, and calls on all Christian people to, maintain' and boar witness to this standard.?' The conference also, said that "whjJe passing no judgment on the practice of regional or national churches within bur Communion, recommends that the marriage of one whose;former .partner is still living should not be celebrated according to the rites of the Church." It further recommended that where an innocent person has remarried? under civil sanction and desires to receive Holy, Communion, the case should! be' referred to the Bishop, subject to provincial regulations." "It may be, '^ said the Archbishop, "that the time has comeifor the Church of this province to make provincial regulations in respect of discipline and the dispensing power of the bishops, so that there may be unity of action throughout the province." ,