ALLEGED RITUALISM.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2060, 17 June 1890, Page 3

ALLEGED RITUALISM.

The Vestry of St. John's Church, Boslyn, Dunedin, have replied to the Bishop's recent letter, giving his decision regarding the use of a processional cross and other articles to which objection is taken. They assert that the removal had been agreed to as a compromise, and the voting showed i that the majority were against their use. "With regard to the Vestry having no right to remove them without the Bishop's consent, the Veatry contend that there is nothing in the canons to give the Bishop any , right of sanction, but, on the other

hand, a diocesan statute makes the matter the duty of the Churchwardens. Ihe Vestry deny that in restoring the articles they submitted to his authority, and they say that had the Bishop ordered their permanent removal a reunion of the parishioners woulc 1 bave been the result. They assert that it is illogical to suppose that articles which are so objectionable to some as to prevent their attending church if used on ordinary Sundays, will not be objectionable on festivals and the following Sundays, and that if this were the only alternative it would be wiser to use them continuously, when probably people might become accustomed to them. But there is another alternative, that is, the permanent removal of the articles, a course which they hold is the only one to restore peace. The letter also points out that the Bishop was misinformed with respect to other matters.