RITUALISTIC PRACTICES

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 6, 1 July 1911, Page 4

RITUALISTIC PRACTICES

BISHOP JULIUS MKMORALISED. Jy Telegraph.—Pr<wi AMoeiation. Wellington, Last Night. Kijrht hundred and sixty members of the Ohurcli of England in this province have rnemoralised Bishop Julius against ritualistic practices alleged to ,he • indulged in at St. Michcal's, including the wearing of mass vestments, the use of wafers, the elevation and adoration of the elements and prostrations. They state that 34 years ago, a elergvman of this diocese was tried by the bishops for smaller practices and relieved of his cure. Bishop Julius has replied: "It will be my earnest endeavor to secure swell general obedience to the law of the church and the formularies of the book of Common Prayer as may be possible under the altered time and cireumstances. Rubrics of the Book of Common Prayer allow wide divergence in ritual, and T am not aware of any ritualistic practices in St. Michael's Church contrary to a reasonable and lawful interpretation of the same." The Bishop adds that while he is in no way prepared to demand undue deference on the part of the clergy to local custom, he deprecates the introduction of a ritual to which the people are not accustomed. Bishop Julius declines to discuss the subject of ritual at present, but will do so when the Diocesan Synod meets in September.