THE BISHOP AND THE CURATE.
[To THE EDITOR or THE " Sosomos."] BM—The action of the Bishop of Llandaff in sanctioning the dispossession of a curate in his diocese without first of all com- municating with him, raises a question of very serious import to all members of the Anglican Church.
The number of curates increases more rapidly than the number of incumbencies. The age, therefore, of those who are in the position of assistant-priests is greater than in times past. Men of matured experience work as curates. Are they entirely dependent upon their vicars for their tenure of office ? Have they no protector P Has the Bishop ceased to be in any way their father in God ? And is it his function merely to protect the incumbent, who cannot be dispossessed of his living, from the annoyance of having an assistant-priest who feels compelled to differ from him ? if the Bishop of Llandaffs ruling is to hold good, the duty of curates resolves itself into one of pleasing their vicars,—they most try and lit their consciences to this simple rule.
The relation of the priest in charge of a parish to his assistant- priests certainly requires revision under the altered circumstances of the time. The curate requires a more satisfactory security than the necessity of the Bishop's sanction to his dismissal, if that sanction can be granted without first of all bearing the citrate as well as the vicar.—I am, Sir, ctsc., Aso:assess
Previous page
