CHURCH FUSION

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVIII, Issue 50, 27 January 1938, Page 10

CHURCH FUSION

PROPOSAL COMMENDED. ARCHBISHOP’S OBSERVATIONS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, Jan. 26.

In the course of a special message concerning the recent proposals for a fusion of the various Christian Chuiches, Archbishop Averili stated that he consiuereu tne cauieu Urait ot the scheme ior union between tne vjuuron or Jimgiund anu tne non-n,piseopai diurcucs was tne logical uutcuuie or the hauioeui appeal ior unity. in 1920, ailti to some extent the climax of tne continuous and vigorous steps taken by tne o-nuren of itiigianu during tne past io years to commend the appeal to all sections of Christian tliougut. “iieiore any sememe lor unity can possibly succeed, tliere must ue a real desire tor unity amongst the rank and hie, and not merely amongst tlie leaders of the various religious bodies, and a real acknowledgement that a divided Cliristeiidom is wrong anil contrary to will and purpose ol God, said tlie Archbishop, "i'emtence and prayer are essential, and open nud generous acknowledgement that all nave sinned and contributed to the rending ol the Body of Christ. It is not suiiicient to approach the question from the point of view of expediency, but of right and truth, it is useless to confuse the issue by endeavouring to substitute federation for unity. Anglicans, at any rate, can have absolute trust in the leadership of the Archbishops of Canterbury and York, and doubtless the other negotiating bodies will have equal trust in their representatives, and it behoves all men and women of goodwill to trust their leaders in this momentous move and to pray continuously for them that they may have right judgment in this matter.

“Those who cannot at present give their hearty support to the scheme should, at least, be prepared to suspend their judgment until they know and understand more about it,” added the Archbishop. “The proposal for unity comes at a most opportune time, and it is difficult to see what power can possibly bring about greater unity between peoples and nations than tlie tremendous power of a united Church. The world may well say to the divided Church, ‘Physician heal thyself,’ and may well turn a deaf ear to all her exhortations until she is prepared to sacrifice herself in loyal and loving devotion to her Lord and Master, and accept His way before her own.”