CHURCH CONSTITUTION

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 304, 15 March 1928, Page 11

CHURCH CONSTITUTION

SELF-GOVERNING POWERS ARCHBISHOP’S OPINION By Cable.—Press Association. — Copyright. SYDNEY, Wednesday. Archbishop Wright, addressing the Synod on the question of constituting the Church of England in Australia, said: “I think we need have no great anxiety about the change of the title of our Church which has been adopted by the present constitution of the Church of England in Australia. This title contains in it much that appeals to two classes of churchmen. “It retains the link with the old Mother Church in England which many rightly value, and it also contains the express definition of our own self-governing powers in Australia!” —A. and N.Z.

The Synod of the Sydney Diocese of the Church of England is debating a new constitution of the Church in Australia, to decide the acceptance or repudiation of its provisions. Among the motions to be submitted are several to grant leave to introduce an ordinance assenting to the constitution, and making provision for the promotion of an Act of Parliament to give legal force and effect to such constitution; and that the Standing Orders be suspended so far as they preclude Synod from resolving itself into a committee of the whole and considering and voting upon the clauses for the proposed new constitution in detail, before the general question of acceptance is dealt with; and that Synod resolve itself into a committee and consider and vote accordingly. Amendments to these motions are also being submitted, providing inter alia that no part of the constitution can be altered except with the consent of all! dioceses, and that no change be made in the name of the church except with the; consent of all the dioceses. The effect of the amendments if carried would b« equivalent to the defeat of the -Bill, as no diocesan synod has power to*amenc[ the proposed constitution.