The Bishop of Bangorrose, pursuant to notice, to present a petition from the clergy of the county of Anglesea, as to the disposal of the tithes now possessed by the Bishop, in the event of the union of the sees of Bangor and St. Asaph. In introducing the subject, it would be necessary for him to notice what had occurred in the last Session of Parliament with reference to it, as well as other topics. On the part of himself and the petitioners he disclaimed any undue influence in bringing the question forward. The petitioners rejoiced in every attempt that was made with a view to the improvement of the Established Church; they were most anxious that it should be rendered as efficient as possible in that part of the empire; and they were desirous to see the number and usefulness of the parochial clergy increased. They therefore regretted to find their hopes and wishes in these respects disappointed, as they had been informed that it was the intention of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners to appropriate the revenues that might be derived from an union of the sees to other purposes. In the month of March, 1835, a 664 Report from the Ecclesiastical Commissioners had been laid on the table, by command of his Majesty, in which they recommended that the dioceses of St. Asaph and Bangor should be united in one see. That proposition was received with universal dissatisfaction throughout the dioceses. The clergy could not see why two ancient dioceses, which had existed in a separate form long before Wales became a part of England, should be united. They saw no reason why those sees should be joined together. They felt that it would inflict an injury on themselves, and that it would be a great inconvenience to the inhabitants. On these accounts the recommendation of the Commissioners created much dissatisfaction. There was, however, another paragraph in that Report, which in some measure reconciled them to the proposition. The revenues with which the sees were endowed were of a peculiar nature. They arose chiefly from tithes; and the Commissioners said, that one advantage which would arise from the union of the dioceses was, that it would afford funds for the augmentation of the poorer vicarages. But for that promise the clergy would have protested as one man against the proposition; but the consequence was, that, with very few exceptions, they were silent on the occasion. But now it appeared that the Commissioners intended to take a different course. Without assigning any reason for the conduct they were pursuing, without any communication with those who were immediately interested, and without an accurate knowledge of the revenue which was about to be disposed of, they came to the determination that those tithes should be appropriated to other purposes than the augmentation of poor vicarages. They had proceeded in a somewhat extraordinary manner, and determined that the surplus of revenues, after providing for the united see, should form part of a common fund to endow the two new sees. Now, he supposed it was in the power of the Commissioners, looking at the peculiar nature of these funds, to return to their former recommendation, and he hoped that they would do so. He thought it would be most extraordinary if the Commissioners made this important change without announcing their intention to his rev. friends and himself; and, therefore, he applied to those who had more knowledge on the subject than he 665 had. By them he was informed, that the Commissioners had certainly come to this determination. He then wrote to the secretary of the commission, and inquired whether the decision of the Commissioners was final; and by him he was informed that it was final. It did, however, appear to him to be a matter that demanded reconsideration. On these grounds he begged to express his concurrence in the prayer of the petition—namely, that their Lordships would adopt such a measure as would prevent the application of the surplus tithes to any other purposes than those originally contemplated by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
The Archbishop of Canterburyobserved, that it would have been better if his right rev. Friend had communicated with the Commissioners before he brought this subject under the notice of Parliament. He thought that the Commissioners did not deserve the blame attempted to be cast upon them, for they had taken all possible pains to render their inquiries useful, to extend them as much as possible, and to verify their results.
The Bishop of Bangorsaid, in reply to the most rev. Prelate who spoke last, that he had not applied to the Commissioners, for he felt unwilling to intrude upon them further than he had already done.
§ Petition laid on the table.