Church Autonomy.

Hokitika Guardian, 2 October 1922, Page 4

Church Autonomy.

PROPOSAL IN AUSTRALIA. SYDNEY, September 13. A proposal to sever the legal nexus with the Church of England in England, and to establish autonomy in the Church in Australia lias been put forward at a conference of clergy and laymen in .Mblliourne.

The General Synod held in Sydney last year passed a resolution in favour of autonomy, and referred the question to the diocesan synods for consideration.

The Federal Attorney-General (MiGroom) said that at present the Church in Australia was to all intents and purposes part of the Church in England, being bound by its decisions and laws. The position could be remedied only by the exercise of powers possessed by the Parliaments of Australia. If the Church in Australia desired to'enjoy the complete autonomy possessed in other parts of the Empire, it would bo necessary to approach the Parliaments. “We do not propose to ‘cut the painter,’ ” added Mr Groom, “but think that the Church of England, in Australia should he as free as the Australian Parliaments. Why should we not be trusted with sufficient power fo govern ourselves?”

Doan IT art sni<l tlmt in mat tors of law, the Church in Australia was regarded as part of the Church of England, and was governed by its laws Those laws had been made for England,

J not for Australia. It wrs desired that I Hint position should 1)0 changed, but i it was ih t pro. o-e:! to weaken in the slightest decree (he ' spiritual bond i irding the Church in Ktigland to thej Church in A stialii. The legal n xus put the Church in Australia in a fabo cud unrighteous position. It was not proposed to make any particular alteration to the Piaver Book or the articles if autonomy were obtained. Autonomy was necessary to prevent disunion in the Church and to enable it to unite with other denominations.