PERTURBED ANGLICANS

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 310, 22 March 1928, Page 11

PERTURBED ANGLICANS

Waikato Diocese Divided

Over High Church Practices

‘ GENERAL DISSA TISFA CTION ”

(Special to THE SUN)

HAMILTON, To-day. Anglicans in the recently-formed Waikato Diocese are greatly perturbed over various innovations which have been introduced into the church services. The diocese includes a portion of the King Country and Taranaki, and although Hamilton, where the cathedral is situated, appears to be the storm centre, dissatisfaction with the present state of affairs seems fairly general throughout the whole diocese.

pROMINENT Anglicans, loyal to x their Chux-ch, have been loth in the past to wash their linen publicly, but the meeting at Claudelands on Monday revealed the intensity of the feelings of those who object to High Church services, and who do not want any new parishes or parochial districts created until affairs improve. A hint of the trouble was given on Sunday, when Archdeacon Cowie, of Hamilton, preached at Taumarunui, and dealt with the question of ritual. It was significant that in concluding his address the archdeacon should use the phrase “We are loyal men, and we ask you to trust us.” No one questions the loyalty of any of the clergy in the diocese, but prominent churchmen point out that if the majority of people do not want High Church services they should not have them foisted upon them. Before the new diocese was created, srvices at St. Peter’s, Hamilton, now the cathedral, were devoid of anything that could be regarded as “High Church,” and the same applied to most of the other churches in the district. Archdeacon Cowie was then vicar of St. Peter’s, and remained in that position until the new diocese was properly constituted, and fresh appointments made to the staff of the cathedral. VICAR VISITS BISHOP Rev. F. Harty, the vicar of St. George’s, Frankton Junction, was granted leave of absence a little over a year ago. by Archbishop Averill, and went to England, and while he was away the Rev. G. R. Barnett, vicar of W'aihi, acted as locum tenems. Just prior to Mr. Harty’s return to New Zealand, Bishop Cherrington met the Frankton vestry, and suggested that Mr. Barnett should remain as vicar at Frankton. The vestry, while it had every regard for Mr. Barnett, pointed out that Mr. Harty was only on leave, and that they wanted him back. What happened at this meeting was later communicated to Mr. Harty, who, on his return to New Zealand, had an interview with the bishop. Of that, more anon. In the meantime, Mr. Barnett was appointed dean of Hamilton, and trom then on the form of service at St. Peter’s was changed. Instead of Sung Eucharist being celebrated once a month, it took place every Sunday, ■and the service became full of ceremonial. Vestments of various hues were worn, and changed frequently during the service, and wafers with figures of the Sacred Heart and the

Holy Cross imprinted thereon were used. An effort was made to introduce the wearing o£ vestments into the Holy Communion services in the church hall at Claudelands, but the local committee succesfully resisted the attempt, and simple services continue to be held there. The Claudelands people want a church of their own, and if the present troubles did not exist would form a separate parochial district, but as things are they feel they must be loyal to the main parish, and in the meantime have decided to do nothing further until the affairs of the parish improve. FINANCES AFFECTED The unsettled state of affairs is having a very serious effect upon the finances of St. Peter’s. An enthusiastic committee set out to canvass the district for diocesan capital funds for the new diocese, and there was what the bishop described ap “a magnificent response.” Promises of financial help were freely given, but the dissatisfaction with existing conditions is so general that those who promised to give now refuse to honour their promises until conditions improve, and the disheartened collecting committ.eee has been disbanded. Parish finances are in % parlous state, and it is believed the income will be much below the estimates. Feeling has reached such a state that a petition is being circulated in Hamilton asking the Primate, Archbishop Averill, to use his influence toward bringing about a happier condition of affairs. FRANKTON DIFFICULTIES The Frankton parochial district is also having its share of the trouble. Reference to the interview that the vicar. Rev. F. Harty, had with the bishop on his return from England, has already been made.- What happened then must be regarded as confidential, hut it is an open secret that it did not satisfy Mr. Harty, and although he was given important duties a few months later his resignation was announced. At about the same time two other somewhat significant resignations were those of the bishop’s examfining chaplains, Revs. E. H. Strong and F. J 5. Harvie. When Mr. Harty’s resignation was announced, the Frankton vestry suggested to the bishop that the Rev. S. Wareing should be nominated as his successor, but his Lordship said he had another important post in view for Mr. Wareing, and that, furthermore, Mr. Wareing having been curate at Claudelands, it was not advisaide for him to take charge of any adjoining district. Following this came the somewhat remarkable announcement that Mr Wareing would be available as vicar if a new Claudelands parochial district was formed. There the matter remains so far as Frankton is concerned. Other likely successors to Mr. Harty have been mentioned, but the vestry feels that unless the church lias a suitable man church affairs and finance will be seriously affected, and if a man whom the vestry regards as unsuitable is ap pointed, there is no knowing what steps the vestry will take. BISHOP DECLINES TO COMMENT “Thank you very much, but I don’t think there is any comment to make. I do not care to say anything.” This was the reply made bj’ Dr. Cherrington, Bishop of Waikato, when asked to-day if he would care to comment on the controversy.