MOTION FOR PAPERS. (Hansard, 9 May 1871)

THE ARCHBISHOP OF YORK
, in moving for Copies of Suggestions, drawn up by the Cathedral Bodies, for the improvement of the Cathedral Bodies, said, that he had to explain that two years ago the question of improving the usefulness of these bodies was discussed in the Convocation of the Northern Province; and he believed it was considered in the Southern Province also. As the result the Archbishop of Canterbury and himself called a private meeting of the representatives of the Chapters to discuss the subject. He need not say that the opinions offered were diverse; and as it appeared to be impossible to arrive at any resolution equally applicable to all Cathedrals, the Chapters were invited to offer suggestions in writing, and these papers were now in his possession. The local circumstances, endowments, &c., of the various bodies were so different that any attempt to deal with them by one measure would certainly fail. There was one point of agreement, however — that Cathedrals 461 might be made much more useful than they are. Chapters were originally intended to assist and advise the Bishop,—a state of things which he should like to see in some measure restored; but they subsequently obtained privileges which had resulted in their being isolated from diocesan work—so that they were hard put to it to find any sphere of action. In theory the canons were always resident, and constantly met to consult on ecclesiastical matters; but they were not resident, and never met in consultation on ecclesiastical matters, and if they were to do so they had no power to put their conclusions in force. Adverting to the greater labour thrown on the Church by the Education Act, the most rev. Prelate suggested that members of Cathedral chapters might usefully undertake the inspection of diocesan schools, and that the desired increase of the Episcopate might, as regarded both the men and the money, be carried out by their aid. The Papers for which he moved contained suggestions on these and other points, and would, he believed, assist in maturing public opinion on the subject.

THE BISHOP OF GLOUCESTER AND BRISTOL
supported the Motion for the production of the Papers, as he hoped it would lead to some legislative action. He remarked that Cathedral improvements must be judiciously adapted to various local circumstances, as the same measure would not be applicable to Bristol and to one of the smaller cities. He agreed with the most rev. Prelate that the Cathedrals did not stand in sufficiently close relationship to the dioceses. He bore testimony to the sense of responsibility at present displayed by capitular bodies, and to their attempts by special services and otherwise to extend their usefulness, but urged the necessity of making these ancient and wealthy institutions more available for the general needs, not only of the city, but of the diocese. They were doing much, but they were hampered with obsolete statutes, and by their very constitution were unable to meet the requirements of modern times. Referring to the advantage secured by modern 462 legislation, from the rule that the Dean must be resident eight months in the year, he suggested that the canons should be required by law to reside nine months, instead of three as at present, and give their time and interests both to the Mother Church and the diocese. He pointed out that one canon might superintend church building and other diocesan societies, another clerical charities, a third education, and a fourth the missionary agencies. Alluding to the suggestions of a Committee of the Convocation of Canterbury that Chapters should have power to revise their statutes, subject to the approval of the Privy Council, he expressed a doubt whether they were united or strong enough to reform themselves, and strongly suggested the appointment of a Royal Commission to confer with the Chapters, and to assist them in revising their statutes. In fact, he trusted that the Government would see their way to issuing an Executive Commission similar to that of the second University Commission, to enable Chapters to make the changes which now are needed. The results and recommendations of the Commission would then be submitted to Parliament and embodied in legislation.

§ THE EARL OF POWIS
was understood to remark that it was for the Bishops themselves, with the exception of those dioceses where the patronage was vested in the Crown, to require that canons should not hold parochial preferments also.

THE BISHOP OF ELY
entirely agreed with what had been said by his most rev. and right rev. Friends with respect to the energetic work which might be done by Cathedral establishments. He thought it extremely desirable that Cathedrals should be much more intimately connected with the diocesan work than they had been. In future legislation regarding Cathedrals and appointments to them he hoped this would be kept clearly in mind. They ought to be the great models of religious service.