A PARISH PERTURBED

Evening Star, Issue 20049, 14 December 1928, Page 6

A PARISH PERTURBED

TROUBLE WITH BISHOP £Fao« Odb Correspondent.] AUCKLAND, December 13. A lively meeting of Claudelands (Hamilton) parishioners was held last evening to consider the raising of funds for an assistant Minister, or alternatively to form a new parish on the eastern side of the river. About 100 people were present, including many prominent churchmen, who agreed that it was hopeless to attempt to stabilise the finances or to proceed with a scheme while the bulk of the parishioners disliked Bishop Cherrington. "Ho knew perfectly well why the clergymen on the Cathedral staff recently left,” said Mr H. M. Hammond, a member of the Chapter. “Wc know the position is precarious, and it is impossible to make any headway until we have faced certain questions concerning the bishop of the diocese. Mr W. H. Blakcway, another member of the Chapter, said that until they had the support of every Anglican family in Claudelands it was useless proceeding. “I believe you are right,” said Mr F. B. Hall. “ Everyone will agree that if we had a different head of the church the people would not bo steadily leaving. 1 suppose there is no chance of getting rid of the bishop?” A, Voice: No chance. Another Voice: Well, you never can teH. Doan Barnett, who presided, said the scheme was not commendable. He hoped they would not lose interest iff the church. They should bear in mind what was bc.st for the church as a whole. A woman wanted to know if they could make a protest at the bishop’s attitude. Could they not appeal to the Primate? Mr Hammond said that if all the parishes in the diocese, who knew the difficulties surrounding St. Peter’s, sent men to Synod who would grapple with the .situation, all the trouble would soon bo ended. Unless this was done, the bishop would survive on a spirit of apathy,' and more and more would leave the church. Dean Barnett said that unless ho had assistance the prospects for the future were not bright. Mr Brooke considered that, as long as the bishop was at the head of affairs, the financial position q’ould remain unchanged- They seemed to" have no power to turn the bishop out.. “ Everyone knows the bishop is an AngloCatholic, and wo are Protestant,” ho added. “ Not 5 per cent, of the Hamilton Anglicans will support him. Mr E. V. Stace stated that the Chapter was now over £3OO in debt, and even when current expenses were mot there would he the same old trouble. The following resolution moved by Mr S, Simonds, was carried by a large majority;—“That under existing conditions Claudelands Church people cannot at present bear the responsibility of raising funds for the appointment of another clergyman for tiie parish, although they sympathise with rho Dean’s difficulties.” Before closing the Dean earnestly appealed for support for the Chapter, despite the resolution.