PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE
Reference -
unimmt mic.O.885
3 PUBLIC RECORD OFFICE, LONDON,
ALLY WITHOUT PERMISSION OF THE COPYRIGHT PHOTOGRAPH-NOT TO BE REPRODUCED PHOTOGRAPHIC-
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i. Promulgation of the opinion of Her Majesty's Government that Colonial Bishops may consecrate without Royal licence.
ii. Act of Parliament, providing-
1. That acts or things voluntarily done by or in relation to a reputed Colonial Diocesan Bishop, or in relation to a reputed Colonial Diocese, should not be invalidated on the ground that they were done on a misapprehension of the Bishop's legal status, unless a suit for setting aside such act or thing months of the passing were brought within
of the Act of Parliament; and
2. That any scheme to regulate the appointment of the successors to any existing Colonial Bishop should be valid, if confirmed by the Crown, on proper application from the partics interested.
I see no alternative but that of leaving the various Bishops to settle their own difficulties, each for themselves as they can, by private agreement, by litigation, by Colonial legislation, or by private Act of Parliament.
And something may be urged in favour of omitting legislation when once Colonial Bishops are placed at liberty to consecrate.
The validating enactment will be objected to from different quarters—
Because it practically refuses to the Bishop of
Natal an advantage which it practically gives to other Colonial Bishops.
Because it may cause litigation by forcing persons to bring law suits within twelve months or lose their right to do so.
Because it aids the establishment of a Voluntary Episcopate not having the sentimental advantage or the security for unity of doctrine which is given by
the old connection with the Crown; or, in a contrary direction,
Because by establishing such a Voluntary Epis copate, it withdraws the protection given by Royal Letters Patent to such theologians as Bishop Colenso, and places them at the mercy of the voluntary autho- rities.
Because it effects little or nothing unless the succession is provided for.
And because the suggested method of providing for that succession (than which I can see nothing better) is open to objection from all quarters, Con-
13 & 14 Car, II, cap. 4, sec. 14.
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servative and Liberal, High Church and Erastian,
on account of the indefinite power of obstruction or construction which it gives to the Queen's Ministers, the Bishops, the Clergy, and the professing laity of
a Colonial Diocese,
These enactments, therefore, will require to be skilfully and fortunately handled if they are to pass. If they could be brought about, I believe they would he good enactments, and they are the most practi- cable that I can suggest. But the Parliamentary dangers are very great.
Having determined the position of Colonial Bishops, it would follow to determine :---
II. The status of Clergy ordained by them, and this status is almost inextricably connected with that of Clergy ordained by foreign Bishops, those of the Churches of Rome, Greece, Denmark, the United States and (it may be added) Scotland.
The following is the state of the law respecting the effect of ordination in enabling Priests and Deacons to offieiate or hold preferment in Her Majesty's dominious :
i. No man may hold preferment or administer the Sacrament in England unless he is episcopally ordained.
ii. No man may officiate in England or Ireland
3 & 4 Vict, cap. 33, except he is Bishop, Priest, or Deacon of the
sec. 5.
26 & 27 Vict., cap. 94.
3 & 4 Vict, cap. 33, secs. 1 and 3.
5 Vict, cap. 6,
sec. 4.
59 Geo. III, cap. 60, secr. 1 and 2.
fbid., sec. 3.
United Church of England or Ireland;
Or of any of Her Majesty's foreign possessions;
Or of the Scottish Episcopal Church;
Or a Bishop or Priest of the Church of the United States;
Or has been ordained by a Bishop consecrated under the Jerusalem Bishopric Act.
As to the clergy of Her Majesty's foreign posses- sions, it is provided that:
1. A person ordained by the Archbishop of Canterbury, or of York, or by the Bishop of London, for Colonial employment, without title, is not capable of preferment in the United Kingdom without consent of the Diocesan Bishop and of ordaining Prelate, and certificate of good behaviour in the Colony.
2. A person ordained by Archbishops or Bishops, other than those of England or Ireland, is not
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