DIVORCED PERSONS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 135, 9 June 1937, Page 9

DIVORCED PERSONS

REMARRIAGE ISSUE

PRESBYTERY DISCUSSION

The Wellington Presbytery last evening had as its main business the consideration of the question, of the remarriage of divorced persons. Recommendations of a special Assembly committee were discussed, and decisions arrived at. The Rev. D. M. Hercus presided. .

The Assembly proposal to recognise divorce on the grounds of sexual vice, extreme cruelty, habitual drunkenness, and wilful desertion, as a general rule was approved.

It was decided that refusal to comply with an order for the restitution of conjugal rights, and three years' desertion, were not adequate grounds for recognising divorce.

Presbytery was of opinion that insanity could not be regarded as adequate grounds for divorce.

In the cases recognised as adequate grounds, only innocent parties could be remarried.

It was agreed that Presbyteries should set up committees to which doubtful cases could be referred.

Notice of motion was given that Presbytery press for the universal practice of a civil marriage, with a religious service to be added where desired. This matter will be discussed at the next meeting.

v A report was given of a visitation to the Levin congregation which was found to be in good condition and the work extending. The minister (the Rev. Dr. J. G. Fraser), office-bearers, and congregation were congratulated on the progress made and encouraged to go forward. •

A commission was set up to investigate the possibility of future develop ment in church work between Plin> merton and Otaki.

Presbytery expressed hearty appreciation of the work done by Sister Anna Kirkwood among youth worker! during the last two months.

It was reported that the denominational weekly paper, "The Outlook," was to. be reorganised and improved considerably. The newly-appointed editor, the Rev. L. M. Rogers, would be in Wellington next month to baring the newspaper before congregations, and a committee was set up to facilitate his work.

An itinerary was arranged for three missionaries from the Maori field to visit the various congregations of the Presbytery from July 27 to August 1. The Revs. J. G. Laughton, H. Nikori, and R. Morgan will meet almost all the congregations in the district in that time.

Presbytery disapproved of the scheme submitted to Assembly for the i establishment of a maintenance of the ministry fund, whereby separate machinery was .to- be created for the financial helping, of small congregations by the large ones, on the grounds that adequate machinery for doing this was already in ekistence. '