The Church-Wardens and the Vicar.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume XXX, Issue 12, 20 March 1902, Page 2

The Church -Wardens and the Vicar.

A short time ago a Christchurch telegram appeared in the daily papers making reference to what was described as the acute dissatisfaction and dissension existing between the parishioners of the Merivale parish and their vicar, and we have now had sent to us a copy of the Lyttelton Times containing a full account of the trouble. As far as we can see, it is little more than a personal difference between the churchwardens and the Vicar, and the bulk of the parishioners, to their credit be it said, have made it clear that so far as they are concerned they have really no quarrel with their ecclesiastical head. It is, of course, a matter with which we have nothing whatever to do, and we would not have made the slightest reference to it but for a remark made by the Vicar himself in reference to what Catholics would think. Speaking at a meeting of the parishioners held to discuss the situation, the Vicar, according to the Times report, said that ' the occasion was a very sad one, for a Church to ventilate its scandals and be laughed at by freethinkers and the ungodly. It was certain to injure the reputation of the parish. He was most heartily sorry that the parish must bear the shame and disgrace, and he thought the calling of the meeting a great mistake. How - ever, he had been compelled to act as he had acted. How must the Roman Catholics laugh, and thank heaven they were not Protestants.'

The good Vicar is greatly mistaken if he imagines that the temporary dissension in his church is at all likely to be a cause or occasion of rejoicing to any Catholic. We are proud

of the spirit of unity and of whole-hearted loyalty which is so marked a characteristic of the Catholic Church, but we hope we are far removed from the narrow petty spirit which could take a malicious pleasure in the quarrels and dissensions of those who differ from us. If we were to express any feeling at all in this particular case it would be a feeling of friendly smypathy with the Vicar in his little trouble, and a hope that he will soon be in a position to carry on his work again in harmony and peace.