WOMAN AND THE CHURCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 November 1921, Page 4

WOMAN AND THE CHURCH.

KEEPING UP WITH THE TIMES. THE BROADER VIEW. The question as to whether women should sit on the Council of the Church was discussed at yesterday’s of the Taranaki Archdeaconary Board, when the general consensus of opinion was that they should be allowed the privilege. Rev. H. A. Coleman, who introduced the subject, said that when we considered the progress of woman in every part of the civilised world during recent years, we must admit that she had made greats strides. In the universities, in the medical and legal professions, on municipal bodies, and even in Parliament she was now entitled to an equal footing with man. The church also must keep up with the times and must not remain antiquated. In church affairs in New Zealand woman had made greater strides than at Home, where the church had been somewhat conservative, but now in England in the national assemblies of the church persons of either sex were admitted. The speaker had been iu charge of several parishes in England, and he had found the help of woman, in such positions as deaconesses, most helpful to the clergy. Besides doing the ordinary visitations they had helped with confirmation classes, and in orphanage and secondary school work. These women were well trained and were licenced by the bishop. He thought it right that women should be admitted into the vestry, and even into the general synod. There would probably he a difference of opinion as to how many or what proportion of woman should be admitted to the council of the church, but there could be only one opinion, that women should have the representation to voice on the parochial councils. He would be pleased to hear any logical argument why we should exclude women. One thing we had to guard against, and that was a preponderance 'of women, as the majority of women were not logical, nor could they govern (laughter). In answer to a question the Bishop said most probably the synod would be discussing this question at next meeting. He personally hoped that the time was not far distant when women would take their proper place in the Church Council.