IS CHARLES A MARTYR?

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 31, 6 February 1932, Page 20

IS CHARLES A MARTYR?

'X striking difference of opinion among tho Bishops of the Churcli.of England on the,question of the rectification of an error made by the printers of the Chnioh' ; of England Calendar over 250 years ago is Shown in the replies to a memorandum from Captain H. S. Whcatley-Crowe, of Lymington, Governor-General- o£= the Eoyal Stuart Society and president' of the Koyal Martyr Church Union, says a London paper.

The memorandum asked the opinion of the bishops "as to the privileged printers being directed to restore th 6 name of King Charlen the Martyr to the Anglican Calendar, since • its removal—no doubt an error—was both irregular and illegal, and since tho removal was illegal, it follows that the name is still in the authorised Calendar, whether printed or not." "The replies," said Captain ■Wheat-ley-Crowe, "reveal;the confused opinion among the bishpps upon this historic subject. .■.,Seyen>pr" eight,favoured :the inclnsion of the' name, a number expressed a neutral view, and three or four were opposed." V ■

The following are extracts from some of the replies: — - York: woiild fi'ot'be'possible* fov'take 'any official action except by the decision of Convocation. "

OPINIONS DIFFER

The Bishop of Chester: "I should welcome the restoration of King Charles's name to the English Calendar.".

The Bishop of Norwich said he was "not sure of the authority by which the Calendar, had been altered."

The Bishop of Ripon expressed regrot that he had no knowledgo of the facts of tho removal of the name, and added:' *'If it was an error it would be easy to get it restored."

Tho Bishop o£ Chichcster expressed the hope that "in the- Calendar finally authorised the name of King Charles will resume its proper place." •

' The Bishop of Portsmouth: can agree with the suggestion that ■ few saints in tho Calendar would come as well out of an investigation'of .their private- Characters, were that possible, as King Charles I." He, however, do-, clincd to commit himself to any action. . Captain./Wheat-ley-Crowe, said that tho Boyal Martyr Church Union intended to press: the matter. Commenting on the bishops''replies he added: "They serve to show the inconsistent attitude of the'bishops who owe the existence of their Church to-day to tho devotion of tho Martyr King. It is but/ins-keeping with their timid approach to all question's "of vital principle and importance at the present time."