CHURCH AND POPE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 900, 18 February 1930, Page 9

CHURCH AND POPE

CARDINAL’S PROPOSALS REVEALED MALINES CONFERENCE ECHO United I*. A. —By Telegraph — OopyriglM Reed. 9.10 a.m. LONDON, Monday* The original documents edited by Viscount Halifax and dealing with the M&lines Conference between the Anglicans and Roman Catholics have just been published. They include a remarkable memorandum submitted by the late Cardinal Mereier, who argues that the ’Anglican Church cannot b 9 absorbed by Rome or separated fForu Rome. His conception of a middle course is the Anglican Church united to Romo following on concessions by Rome. The memorandum suggested, firstly, a safeguarding of the internal autonomy of the Church of England; secondly, Canterbury, invested by the Pope as Patriarch of England, with the right to nominate and consecrate bishops; thirdly, no imposition of the Latin code of canon law; and fourthly, freedom from the rule of ecclesiastical celibacy. The memorandum also suggests the creation of an order of cardinal patriarchs, of which the Archbishop of Canterbury would be one ranking after the Pope, with patriarchs at Jerusalem, Alexandria and Antioch. The papers show that an agreement was reached on important points of doctrine. Anglican representatives w-ere willing to admit the primacy see of Rome without definitely carrying the matter further. The chief points of disagreement turned on the powers claimed by the Pope. Prominent members of the Anglican and Roman Catholic churches met at Malmes at various times between 3 921 and 1925, their deliberations being known as the “IVlalines Conversations.’*’ They discussed the possibility of reunion and were able to agree, according to the official report issued shortly* alter, that in the Eucharist the body* and the blood of Christ are verily* giveru and taken and received by tb«* faithful; secondly, that by consecration, bread and wine become the bod - '' and blood of Christ. They were also in agreement upon the confession and absolution. Even upon the larger* Question of recognition of the Pope’s authority there was some measure of unity. The talks were unofficial and Cardinal Mereier presided. Among the five English churchmen were Viscount Halifax, Dr. Gore. formerly Bishop of Oxford, and Dr. Armitago Robinson, Dean of Wells.