THE TITLES OF BISHOPS.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXII, Issue 809, 8 February 1910, Page 3

THE TITLES OF BISHOPS.

A proposal for conferring the title ot “Archbishop” upon the Primate of New Zealand called forth several interesting confessions from church dignitaries at the meeting of the Anglican Synod. Bishop Wallis declared that he disliked being called “ My Lord ” any more often than could be helped, whilst to “Your Grace’’ his objections were still more pronounced.

Dean Fitchett quoted authority to prove that all bishops in all churches were entitled to be called “ My Lord,” and held that no bishop had the right to disclaim the honour.

A member of the laity, on the other hand, contended that no New Zealand bishop was entitled to he addressed as “My Lord,” “ I haye never done so, and never will,” he declared.

“This is a day when we want to teach our people,” said Bishop Julius, “and we will never do it by means of lilies. We want rather less of them than more.” A primate would not find his approach to his brothers made more simple, but rather the reverse, by being burdened with the title of “His Grace.” Titles were cheap in the world to-day—there were a good many of them in Australia. Bishop Nelligan’s counsel was that until a metropolitan see was established the question of title be left studiously out of the discussion.

The Primate modestly disclaimed any hankering after such added distinction as was proposed, but said it was conceivable that such a departure might be expedient.