BISHOP AT BAY

Hokitika Guardian, 14 March 1929, Page 8

BISHOP AT BAY

WAIKATO LAWMEN

ATTEMPT TO OUST HIM

HAMILTON, March 12

'flic* Synod of the Waikato Diocese is in session here to-day. A motion of "no confidence ” in Bishop Cherrington, that was passed by the To Awamutii vestry, was submitted by .Mr J. 0. Wvmvard.

Bishop Cherrington, as President of the Synod, ruled this motion out of order. The Bishop saidj that he would not permit any reference to the possibility of his resigning. At the meeting of the Synod in June last, he had offered to resign, if Mini were desired, hut he had given fair warning that if the offer were not accepted then, the offer would not lie given again.

HAMILTON, March 12

Almost at the outset of the meeting of the Synod of the Waikato Diocese this morning, the motion of no confidence in Bishop Cherrington passed by the To Awamutu Vestry was suTiinHted by Air J. CL, Wynward. The Bishop, as President, ruled the motion out of order.

After a long discussion, the Synod decided to admit the press, though any member could demand their withdrawal at any time.

Mr W yinvard said that at the meeting of his Vestry, a unanimous want oil" confidence in His Lordship as the spiritual head of the Diocese lias been expressed. One had been ollended by His Lordship’s flouting social convenI ions. One took strong exception to his Anglo-Catholic leanings. One had been hurt at the Bishop’s article on Sunday schools. Another had objected to his expressed views on the prohibition question. These matters, altogether, had produced disquietude. The. To Awamutu vestry had passed the following resolutions: “This Ves try is of the opinion that it would be in the best interests of the diocese for the Bishop to resign, us, in the opinion ol the- Vostery, his tempei merit and his training unfit him fo> the position of head of the diocese. When the Bishop ruled this resole Lion out of order, there was consider ,ililo discussion as to the correctnesof his ruling.

Canon Kayll ( said that the ruling could not. he challenged.

The Bishop said : 41 To get rid of me the procedure is in this hook (tin regulations). Otherwise 1 carry on the work that you called me to do. In calling me to do it, you though I von wore guided by the Holy Spirit It has yet to lie, shown to me that in spite of the mistakes I have made, in spite of difficulties, in spite of the fact that some of us find it difficult to understand one another, I should ic sign. If you think I am the sort ol man to run away because of a lew difficulties, then von are very far if rom knowing what- 1 am like.” (Applause.) Mr 11. AI. Hammond, who lias just been elected unopposed, presented the following statement from the majority of the lady members ol the Cathedi.d Chapter; 44 We, Hie undersigned, desire to place on record our sympathy with the members of the AVailii Vestry in respect of the matters set forth in a memorandum from them. Ihe Bishop gave a definite assurance that, as far as he was concerned, the matters mentioned in the memorandum would he duly discussed at a special meeting of the Synod, whereupon we resolved that the matter fie left to be dealt with by the Synod. We state, however,, that, in our opinion, no real progress can be made in the Church, nor can peace and harmony prevail in the diocese while our present Bishop remains in oflice.” Bishop Cherrington ruled the last part of this statement out of order. The Synod discussed a AVaihi circular letter to the parishes, seeking information regarding the feeling toward flie Bishop. The Synod decided to take no action in the matter. In the afternoon, the laymen held a separate meeting. After a long discussion, they passed a resolution to the effect- that the unrest could not he* overcome except by the resignation of Bishop Cherrington. This resolution was reported Lo the full. Synod. Bishop Cherrington declared it fo he out of order, hut, at his suggestion, it was arranged that lie. should meet the lay mem hers in the evening. HAMILTON, March Iff. Bishop Cherrington this afternoon continued It is conference with file lay Synodsmeii of Waikato Anglican Diocese, who had passed a resolution desiring the Bishop’s resignation. After replying to criticism, the bishop asked the laity to rescind the resolution. Then lie withdrew. A motion to rescind the resolution '‘ailing for the resignation was lost by 17 votes to 9. AVhen the Synod resumed, Canon < Savin (Waitara) suggested that in view of the critical state of affairs in t.bo diocese. Bishop Cherrington should ask the 'other Bishops to meet and onsider the matter informally* with him. The Bishop said lie would consider this suggestion.