THE NEW PRAYER BOOK

Shannon News, 5 April 1927, Page 4

THE NEW PRAYER BOOK

VIEWS OF DEAN INGE. CLERGY WHO "SLAP" BISHOPS. LONDON, Feb. 23. Dean Inge holds the view that the new Prayer Book "ought to be legally accepted." Writing in the Church of England Newspaper he says:— - "The language of the additions is admirable, being dignified and in keeping with the old. Those who have tried to compose a new prayer, or who have shuddered at some modern attempts to imitate prayers written in the Sixteenth Century, know how difficult the task is which has been happily surmounted. J'The bishons to whom T have talked do not seem to contemplate taking any drastic measures against recalcitrants. They rely on the great authority which the new book will carry with it, and on the weight of public opinion against wilful disobedience. But the spirit of lawlessness will not be so easily exercised There are scores of clergymen who manage to combine an almost superstitious reverence for the episcopal office with an entire readiness to slap the face of the particular bishop to whom they have promised canonical obedience. Especially in the Diocese of London, where for many years there has been no discipline at all. it is most unlikely that the rule restricting reservation will be observed."