SCENE IN ST PAUL’S

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1927, Page 3

SCENE IN ST PAUL’S

A BISHOP DENOUNCED. (Australian & N.Z. Cabk Association.' (Received this day at 11 0 a.m.) LONDON. Oct. 10. There was a remarkable scene at St Paul’s morning service. Directly tin Bishop of Birmingham entered the pul pit, Rev. 0. R. Bui lock-Webs ter (rectoi of St. Michael Royal) robed in a cassock and surplice, accompanied by number of young men, faced the congregation and read from a document—- “ Here, now, in the presence of the congregation, in our own name and also of a large body of clergy and faithful laity, we solemnly denounce Ernest Barnes, Bishop of Birmingham, who, by false heretical teaching and frequent utterances, has denied and poured contempt on the doctrines and of the Holy Catholic Church. Wb fervently protest against the incitation given to the Bishop of Birmingham to preach from the pulpit of the mother church diocese, for as • such, the presence of Birmingham in any church is an indignity to Almighty Clod, and a scandal and an offence to the faithful. We call on the Lord

Bishop of this diocese to inhibit the Bishop of Birmingham from preaching and ministering in any church under his jurisdiction. Furthermore, we call on the Bishops and Archbishops of Canterbury to try the Bishop of Birmingham, in respect to his alleged heretical, profane utterances, and if he is guilty, forthwith to depose and cast him out from the Church until he repents and recants the grievous utterances.” Turning, they then walked out. The Bishop of Birmingham stood silent on the pulpit with bowed head and pained expression, and after the interruption he delivered his sermon in a clear ringing voice, uninterruptedly. LONDON, Oct. 10. Since it was first announced that Bishop Barnes was preaching in St. Paul’s, there have been protests, especially from Anglo-Catholics, who called on the Bishop of London, whose authoz-ity extends to the Cathedral, to forbid a sermon. Rev. Webster led his adeherents into the church and all faced the congregation, while other sympathisers, including several clergy, witnessed the scene from the transepts. The organist quickly started to play gradually swelling in volume until Rev. Webster was inaudible to the congregation.

LONDON, Oct. IG. Anglo-Catholics in many suburbs cooperated with Rev Webster’s protest and formed a processiozi from the Cathedral singing hymns in the streets and celebrated mass at St. Michael’s, Cantons wearing capes. Rev. Webster, interviewed, repudiated the Ecclesiastical charge of brawling. Ho said everything was orderly and dignified. They especially resented Bishop Barnes’ inferences to the mass. They considered Dean Inge as Dean of the Cathedral, was a partner in Bishop Barnes’s crimes. Had Barnes disparaged the King every citizen from the Lord Mayor downward would have been indignant. The feeling of'churchmen was the same when the King of Kings was dishonoured, scorned and derided. - Dean Inge interviewed said : “I have nothing to say in reference to that brawler. One could talc© pi'oceedings, hut I do not suppose we shall. This is the first disturbance in the Cathedral since the suffragettes.”