RELIGION AND THE STATE

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 359, 10 May 1911, Page 6

RELIGION AND THE STATE

Bishop Crossley, in the course of a sermon preached at St. Matthew's Church on Sunday morning, made some interesting references to the position of the State in relation to the church. He said: "Perhaps I may be pardoned if I allude to one matter which has come under my notice. I wish to preface what I say by stating that I am the last to desire that my church, or. any other religious body, should be supported by the State. I recognise and I cherish the freedom on both sides. Moreover, I come from a State in Australia (Victoria) very jealous on this very matter. But the matter is very different when you legally shut up persons from that liberty of choice which open life gives, when the State says, in varying degrees of authority, you must come in here and stay here, be it gaol or asylum, or even a hospital, or a segregated home; you, by law, deprive them, so far as the State is concerned of religious ministrations. 1 understand the State has built in one of these institutions, a chapel for religious services. This is logically the exact position conceded which I wish to plead for. That acknowledges the principle that these people ought to receive when they desire it, the comfort and help of religious ministration, and the State ought to, in my judgment, in fairness and equity bear the mere expenses of that administration by whatever religious body provided. And I have more confidence in speaking on the subject because the State of Victoria has. at all events in gaols and asylums, always so provided. Dare I hope that this matter may receive a renewed and careful consideration? But should I fail in this, my first plea, may I at least most earnestly ask that you,my own people, would entrust me with means of extending the work already being done by our own church, and I earnestly hope that this plea will touch some hearts to help.