Prayer Book Battle

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 696, 22 June 1929, Page 9

Prayer Book Battle

FRESH CRISIS NOW ARISES Bishops ignore Parliament (I nxted P.A.—By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) Reed. 9 a.m. LONDON, Friday, AFRESH crisis has arisen in connection with the Church of England Prayer Book. At a conference of bishops at Lambeth Palace last week it was decided to recommend to Convocation on July 10, the use of the 192 S revised book, subject to certain conditions.

It is understood that the vote ot the House of Commons will be ignored.

The bishops’ decision seems likely to fan the Prayer Book feeling again to white heat.

Dr. Ernest Barnes, Bishop of Birmingham, told the “Evening News” that it will he difficult to say what the minority of the bishops will do until the majority has revealed its exact proposals. He added: “You can take it that the Bishop of Norwich and I will resolutely oppose the attempt to authorise the book which Parliament has rejected.” The Bishop of Exeter, the Right Revd. Lord William Clascoyne-Cecil, disagrees with the proposed action of his colleagues. He declares it is not right for clergymen to use a book other than that of 1662 without the authority of Parliament. He had taken an oath to that effect, and was bound by it. Sir William Joynson-Hicks, ex-Home

Secretary, president of the National Church League, says he is desperately

sorry about the bishops’ decision. He says it will be very serious for the Church.