THE 1928 PRAYER BOOK SIR,—While thanking the Dean of Wells
for his comments, I would point out that there is no official record of any consecration of Matthew Parker as Archbishop. All the recognised books of reference state categori- cally that not one of the four bishops who are alleged to have consecrated Parker—namely, Barlow, Scory, Coverdale and Hodgkins—was himself consecrated. Thus whether or not Parker was formally consecrated is in fact immaterial. In any event, the Ordinal was quietly removed from the Prayer Book in 1604 and its use prohibited under penalties, on the ground that, as the line of Catholic bishops had died out, it was improper and useless to retain it. It is quite true that in theory the expressions Catholicism and Papal Catholicism need not be interchangeable, but the recorded events of the sixteenth century have in fact made them so in Great Britain. In mentioning an unauthorised Prayer Book, I, of course, mean one that has not received the sanction of Parliament. It is difficult to understand why such of the clergy who wish to do so and who have received their bishops' permission do not use the 1928 Prayer Book, for, as the law stands, there is noth:ng to prevent them from doing so. An injunction can only be granted in respect of a breach of the Common Law, and can therefore never apply to prayer books which are statutory.— Yours faithfully, G. W. R. THOMSON: 13 Kings Hall Road, Beckenham, Kent.
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