CHURCH AND STATE

Gisborne Times, Volume LXX, Issue 11125, 7 February 1930, Page 2

CHURCH AND STATE

relations criticised by ARCHBISHOP. OP YORK.

‘‘unaatjolesgaie POSITION.’ ’

Uulteil i’rcaa Awsn. by El. Tel. Copyrigbi •. / LONDON). Feb. u. Frank criticism of tho relations between, the church and State wero •made by the A iehbishop*, of York At tho Church Assembly at Westmin. jStor,. when ho moved directing tho appointment of a commission to inquire into the present ■elafions with a view to securing the church's right to formulate her faith.. He* deh'iafod Inis sense of responsibility Was heightened by the fact that the terms of tho resolution were accept, od for presentation to the assembly by tho llouso of Bishops without dissent. “There is now a tension bet', ecu what is recognised by no convocation and what is sanctioned by tho .Stale,” lie- said. “The position is most unwholesome and church administration is being conducted perpetually on the edge of a precipice There* are many anomalies and divergence between the. marriage buys of the church and State. These are liable at any moment to assume alarming proportions, Every time J administer the declaration to assent m the ordination of ministers my conscience is., most gravely troubled. A dilemma immediately arises as to what is lawful authority, and tliis is not answered in the present circumstances.” The Archbishop of York declared that the next election would bo fought on the issue of the church and State, and there would be a raging controversy from now until till) polling day. The Bishop of Winchester, in .seconding the Archbishop of. York’s motion, and they were face to face .with tho. gravest conflict between spiritual and secular since tlie Reformation. Tho problem was not to hasten the day of disestablishment, but to ask Bow they could wisely and reasonably preserve the age. long connection between tbe church and State without injury or indignity to either. The debate has nut- huisiicd. (Received Feb. 6, 10.15 p.m.) LONDON, Feb. o.

The terms of the resolution moved by the Archbishop of York declare it desirable to appoint a commission to inquire into the present. relations of church and State, and determine what legal constitutional changes are necessary to secure the effective applications of the fundamental principle that the church must retain its inalienable right to formulate its faith, iud arrange expression ■ thereof - in the form ol worship. The Archbishop of Canterbury, in winding up a long debate said the motion did not mean a movement towards disestablishment. “I share what is believed to bo the feeling of the bulk ot the people of the Assembly of church people.” he said. “Wo do not desire d’sestablishmont. But ,who could be so iu. tiio as to bury their heads like an ostrich. I am not prepared to defend the present situation as jktnienont. Disestablishment cannot animate the Church. The .Gtuatiei; is precarious. Wo are traversing n road beneath which are volcanic forces and at any moment a crack may appear and those forces burst through. At any moment the Bishops’ extra, legal lactioftis may bo -brought into open conflict with the public law.”