SECESSION FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND OF THE REV. G. THOMPSON.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume II, Issue 111, 12 June 1875, Page 14

SECESSION FROM THE CHURCH OF ENGLAND OF THE REV. G. THOMPSON.

The Key. Q-ordon Thompson, M.A , curate of Christchurch, A lbany Street, has given the following explanation, to the Bishop of London of his reasons for resigning the curacy, and, joining the Catholic Church : — My Lokd, — It ia my duty, though owing to your great kindness a duty I shrink from, to inform you that I have resigned the ouracyVof Christchurch, Albany Street. The reasons that compel me to take' this step are chiefly the three following : — 1. Upon more mature reflection I can in no way satisfy either my conscience or my reason that the Anglican Church is one and the same with that which our Lord built upon St. Peter, with the promise that nothing should prevail against it. 2. In the Nicene Creed the following words are to be found : — " I believe in One, Catholic and Apostolic Church." I cannot therefore any longer act as though there were two or six. There may be many sects ; but the Church, i.e., our Lord's Body, can be but one. 3. That, under the existing relations between the Anglican Church and the State, I believe it to be impossible for her to bo faithful to primitive doctrine, even if she were not guilty of schism. Under these circumstances, I have sought reception into the Catholic Church. My residence abroad for two years as a- consular chaplain enabled me to view the English Church at a distance and in comparison, with the Catholic Church. I became gradually convinced that the spn'it of comprehension which animated the resulted in a compromise of the great truths of Christianity. The way, moreover, in which the Anglican Church has accepted. the recent judgments and legislative acts convinces me the more strongly that her watchword? are "Establishment and Expediency." I have only to thank your lordship for the great kindness I have ever received from you from my first introduction until now; but I know that it is impossible to soften the judgment of others in a step of this character, and that no course is open to your lordship but to condemn it. — I have the honour to be your lordship's Immble servant, - Gobdon Thompbos".