SHORTAGE OF CLERGY

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 484, 13 October 1928, Page 11

SHORTAGE OF CLERGY

RESTRICTION OF PARISH BOUNDARIES URGED PRIMATE’S SUGGESTION The need of restricting the area of parishes to a reasonable limit was urged by Archbishop Averill at the sitting of the Auckland Diocesan Synod yesterday, when a Bill providing for the rearrangement of boundaries was introduced by Archdeacon H. A. Hawkins. The primate pointed out that there had been a shortage of clergy in the diocese for some time and ho did not. see any likelihood of any increase in the near future. “There are several parishes which require assistants and cannot get them,” ho said. “If we have big parishes and leave them in the care of ono man we will break his heart and not do very much more than scratch the surface of the parish.” Tho bill was amended in several respects and read a first time. Tho annual report of the Auckland Diocesan Council of the New Zealand Anglican Bible Class Union stated that there werfi now —2 affiliated classes, with a total of over 250 senior and junior members. Five classes had joined during the year and it was hoped that six more would join up before the end of the year. V varied programme has been arrunged for the week-end. The warden of St. John’s College, Tamaki, met past students and other synodsmen at the college at 10 o’clock this morning. Archbishop Averill and Mrs. Averill will be “At Home” at Bishopacourt, Parnell, this afternoon, while this evening a special evening will be held by Lodge Waitemata in the Masonic Hall, Princes Street, for clerical members of the Order. To-morrow will be observed as Synod Sunday and special services will be held in SUMary’s Cathedral. Archbishop Averill will act as celebrant at Holv Communion at S a.m. The preacher at the morning service will be tho Rev. Kdgar AVard, of Ivaitala, and at evensong, Bishop West-W atson,. of Christchurch. Synodsmen will visit King's College to-morrow afternoon.