EASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 18 March 1932, Page 3

EASTER

PROPOSED FIXED DATE.

ARCHBISHOP’S OPINION

(United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.)

LONDON, March lb,

In the House of Lords, Lord Dcsborough raised the question of putting into operation the Easter Act, 1928, fixing the date of Easter Sunday as the day following the second Saturday of April. The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr. Lang, said that there was unanimity among industrial, commercial, educational and judical interests in favour of the convenience of a fixed Easter, and the ecclesiastical authorities had no objection on the grounds of dogma or essential principles. The Church of England strongly felt, however, that there should be no change until all the lending Christian communities consented. The Holy See in Rome held the key position. He hoped it would consent.

The Earl of Lucan said that the Government favoured the Act, and hoped that all religious bodies would consent.

The Easter Act, 1928, provides that from a date to be fixed by Order-in-Council, Easter Day shall he the first Sunday after the second Saturday in April. The order cannot be made until a draft of the order has been laid before both Houses and approved. In framing the order the officially expressed oninion of any Church or other Christian body must receive consideration.

The League of Nations has had the matter under consideration for ten years, including the whole question of calendar reform. A recent report gives a general survey of the disadvantages of a movable Easter varying from March 22 to April 25, and other movable ‘ feasts. This, it is said, causes great inconvenience in many countries. Schools, universities, judicial work and commercal interests (including transport) are particularly affected. A great number of commercial bodies and the International Chamber of Commerce have pronounced in favour of the principle of fixation. The only objections come from the religious bodies. The date most generally in favour of Easter is the Sunday folowing the second Saturday in Aoril. The Holy See, the Patriarch of Constantinople, the Archbishop of York, and several Protestant Churches sent statements of their views.

The report indicates the great number of proposals received with regard to tlr« general reform of the Gregorian calendar which the committee will submit to the general conference. The religions authorities in general are not opposed to reform, more than 75 per cent, having approved.