ST. PAUL’S PARISH.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVII, Issue 5035, 4 October 1926, Page 2

ST. PAUL’S PARISH.

THE OFFICE OF VICAR.

STATEMENT BY ARCHDEACON.

Before commencing the s.ermon at St. Paul’s Church, Paeroa, last night, the Ven. Archdeacon E. M. CoWie, M.A., Hamilton, made a brief announcement from the pulpit. On behalf of the Diobese of Waikato he conveyed sincere sympathy with the parishioners in the trouble which had fallen on the parish. Referring to the sudden departure of the Rev. G. A. Forde, the archdeacon explained that Mr Forde was a sick man on arrival in New Zealand, annd was suffering great depression 'and mental stress. The new vicar seemed to be obsessed with ,an idea that he wotald not be able to make good, and he made it quite clear that the good folk in New Zealand were in no way to blame. As Mr Forde had previously suffered twd nervous breakdowns in health, and fearing another, he and his wife deemed it prudent to return to America at once.

Outlining the steps that had been taken, the archbishop said that he immediately cabled to the Bishopelect olf Waikato, in England, and asked him to secure the services; of a suitable, clergyman for the parish of Paeroa. Therefore Paeroa should have a new vicar towards the end of .this year. In the meantime the vicars of adjacent parishes had signified their willingness to assist jv'ith the services at Paeroa for the next few Sundays. Negotiations were also under Way to secure the'services oif a locum tenens. The archdeacon counselled the congregation to stand firm and look forward with Christian faith and joyful anticipation to happier times in the future.