30 JANUARY 1932, Page 3

The conception of the Anglican Communion as a

bridge Church " was illustrated by two events of Convo- cation. The establishment of inter-communion with the Old Catholic churches 'of the Continent is, as the Bishop of Gloucester said, significant as being the first time that the Church of England has emerged from insularity and entered into full communion with another Church. On the other hand, the very mixed reception accorded by the Lower House to the Bishops' proposal that in special eases Nonconformists should be admitted to Communion in Anglican Churches shows how difficult it is, even for a "bridge Church," to be at once Catholic and Protestant ; and how many dangers beset the practiCal expression of that spirit of Christian fellowship which we all desire to increase. The Dean of Winchester observed that in a question of such -gravity, mere considerations of friendli- ness were out of place : " The only consistent line they could take was, that all baptized Christians were members of the Body of Christ." In the York Convocation, the Rev. E. K. Talbot, C.R., warned hasty advocates of inter-communion of the real danger that "in seeking for union in some directions they would breed disunion in .others." He asked that before decisive action -was taken " a strong committee - of theological expert; and experienced parish priests " should study the problems.

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