Waikato Anglicans Are Marking Time

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 658, 9 May 1929, Page 8

Waikato Anglicans Are Marking Time

BOTH SIDES WEARY SYNOD MEETS IN JUNE (From Our Ouii Correspondent) HAMILTON. Wednesday. Although it is now some weeks since any developments of the Anglican dispute in the Waikato Diocese, there is no indication that a truce has been called, and the whole affair seems as far from solution as ever. JJEPRESENTATIYES of both the bishop's party and his opponents are now thoroughly sick and tired of ! the controversy, and it is sate to as- | sume they would willingly coalesce it i it did not mean sacrificing tbo principles tor which they have been contending so long. In the Cathedral district ol' Hamilton. and at Fraukton, Te Aroha and Te Awamutu, synodsmen have been elected whose sympathies are distincty anti-bishop. At last meeting of synod lay members passed a vote of no-confidence in the bishop, and there is no likelihood of the decision being reversed at tne session of synod due to open next montn. ' Before Dean Barnett secured an inI terim. injunction restraining the bishop’s supporters from removing him from his incumbency, the bishop i declared to the Press that he was I bound not to comment on affairs in ! any way until the action had been settled. There seems little doubt the bishop has a whole lot he would like to say on the subject, but he has decided" to remain quiescent until the Court action is finalised. Presumably this will not be until the Supreme Court session here next month. CONGREGATIONS GROW LARGER Talk of “high church” and ritual has now definitely died down, and parishioners of St. Peter's are attending the cathedral in larger numbers, indicating that the boycott, alleged to have been existent last year, has been removed. Any objections the bishop’s opponents now possess must be against the bishop himself and not against the introduction of so-called ritual. They still believe peace can only come when the bishop resigns, while the other side claims that the bishop has done all possible to restore harmony, that : he is a first-class preacher and an able administrator. Last synod a clerical member urged the bishop to confer with the Primate ’ and fellow-bishops, with the object of ■ seeking their advice. In reply, the bishop said he would consider the suggestion. If he has adopted it his lordship will probably report the result of his intentions at synod next month.