SCANDALOUS SCENE IN A CHURCH.

Patea Mail, Volume IX, Issue 1132, 31 December 1883, Page 2

SCANDALOUS SCENE IN A CHURCH.

A sentence of three year’s suspension for intemperance was recently pronounced at York by Lord Penzance against the Rev E J A Filzroy, incumbent of St Jade’s, Liverpool, but it did not put.an .end to the scandal connected with that church, as the parishioners hoped it would. Ponding the decision of the Court, Mr Fitzroy was inhibited by the Bishop of Liverpool, the church being committed to the charge of the Rev Wasdale Watson, with whom Mr Fitzroy hns repeatedly interfered ; but it was expected that the sentence of Lord Penzance would put an end to the difficulty. A few weeks ago the curate in charge notified that there would be no early celebration of the Holy Communion on Sunday, October 7;, but ,Mr Fitzroy entered the Church, had the bell rung, and about thirty persons attended. Mr Watson also attended, and took up a position within the communion rails with a police constable on each side of him. Mr Fitzroy, wearing surplice and stole, proceeded to to the reading desk and read the ordinary morning service, substituting other lessons for those of the day. The people’s warden tried to stop him, but was unheeded. At the conclusion of the service Mr Fitzroy said that as the parish warden and curate were present to prevent him administering the Eucharist, he forbade the congregation .taking part in the holy office that morning, bnt he would attend and take service at 11 o’clock, when the warden or curate could give him in charge if he wished. Mr Fitzroy then went into the vestry for a time, and seemed so much excited when he again emerged that Mrs Fitzroy begged that a doctor might be brought. No medical man was brought, however, and Mr Fitzroy remained in possession of the Testry. Meanwhile, the warden sought Archdeacon Bardsley, and told him tfhat had:-.occurred; Though the Archdeacon had arranged to preach in St Dnnstan’s Church, he proceeded to St: Jude’s, where he found a large congregation and Mr Fitzroy (surpliced) sitting in ' his stall. The* 'Archdeacon consulted in the vestry with the curate and the two wardens; but while this was going .on Mr Fitzroy commenced reading the service, though the choir had not entered the church. Mr Bardsley, with the wardens, proceeded to Mr Fitzroy, and the’ Archdeacon tried to induce.the suspended incumbent to: stop, hut no notice was taken of this advice, Mr Fitzroy con tintring the reading, with the - result of great confusion in the church.' Mr Fitzroy’s persistence elided cries of t* Turn him out,” and there was a rush - of excited people towards him. Ultimately the Archdeacon had the church cleared, and he got Mr and Mrs Filzroy away in a cab, which was surrounded by an excited crowd, and would probably have-been capsized but for the Archdeacon and Mrs Fitzroy being in it. : ;