Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-30
NOT TO WE'D.
Proposed Extension of High Church
Ideas by EpiscOpalians.
SOLEMN VOWS OF CELIBATE LIFE
Nav Sometime Be Demanded of ALI Clerical
Candidates
A CHANGE SAID TO BE NOW PENDING
ESPECIAL TELEGRAM TO THE DISPATCH.


NEW YORK, Sept 29-'Ts there to be q
change in the ministry of the Protestant
Episcopal Church in America, making 1t
one of celibacy," is a question that is Just
now attracting the attention of the men,
bers of that denomination. In fact, relig-
ious people of all denominations are watch
ing what seems to be decided movement
in that direction. Even the slow church.
people admit that for years past there has
been q continual movement toward ritual
ism. Not until now, however has the
question arisen of a change in one of the
verv fundamental doctrines of this i'm
portant religious body.
1t is expected that certain questions will
be brought before the coming general con-
vention that will meet in Baltimore on
October 4, which will put the church as a
whole on record in regard to this important
question. There already exists in the Epis-
copal Church in New York an order known
as the Order of the Holy Gross, to enter
which it is necessary to take celibste VOWS
The Work of the Cowley Fathers.
For several years past members of the
English order of "Cowley Fathers" have
been doing various kinds of religious work
in diffe rent dioceses in this country. These
are bcdnd by vows to their home order, and
once or twice the question has arisen
whether or not they were subject to the jur-
isdiction of the Bishop of the diocese in
which they were working or the superior
authority of their order in England. The
members of this order are bound by VOWS of
celibacy, and are considered TO hold extreme
ritualistic views on matters of church doc
trlne.
The question of the American workers
being bound to obey their superiors in
England arose first at the election of Rev.
Phillip Brooks, of Massachusetts, when
Rev. John Hall, member of the order of
Cowlev Fathers, was ordered to return to
England because he had given his consent
10 the conservation of Dr. Brooks
In recent convention at Philadelph1a of
the diocese of Pennsylvania the question as
TO whether or not members of the English
order who were engaged in religious work
in that diocese should be given a vote in
the convention arose. The slow church
men" were opposed to their being allowed
to vote. Thew urged in support of their
opposition that the reverend gentlemen
were bound by VOWS to obey the instruc-
tions of their superiors in the order, regard
less of the authority of the Bishop of the
diocese.
Why Vote Was Opposed.
1t is certain, however. that the true cause
of their opposition was because of the ex-
treme views of the Cowley Fathers, particu-
larly their celibate. 1t was thought that if
they were given a voice in the convention
they would exert their influence as tar as
possible toward the establishment of a cell
bate ministry.
The discussion on this point was animated,
and reached almost the point of bitterness
The question, lar as the diocese of Penn
sylvania was concerned, was decided against
the methods of the English order
An effort will be made with the coming
general convention to have action taken
looking toward the establishment of the
exact Status of these celibates in the con-
ventions Of the church in this country.
This question has attracted so much atten-
tion that IL has detracted largely from the
interest in the anticipated changes in the |
prayer-book, and will unquestionably be |
the most interesting before the convention.
1t is claimed by some that the ritualsts,
anticipating action on this question, have
quietly resorted to shrewd ecclesiastic tao
tics. While it cannot be said they have
packed" the convention, still they have
done everything they legally could to have
appointed as delegates to the convention
gentlemen who were known to be favorable
10 tnelr slCe OF the question.
Views of Prominent Clergymen.
A number of prominent Episcopal clergy
men were called on to-day bv DISPATCH
reporters, for the purpose of getting an ex-
preston of their views on this subject.
Many of them declined to discuss the SUBJ
ject at all in advance of action by the gen.
eral convention. One OF the assistant
clergymen of ST. Georges Church, while
daaliniOT to he int L.
and refusing to have his name mentioned,
said that, in his opinion, there was no |
question but that there was feeling among |
clergymen of the Church that VOWS of |
celibacy were absolutely necessary for GER |
tain sorts of work, and also that the par |
ticular work in which these VOWS were |
necessary was very important to the sue
cess of the Church. |
Rev. Arthur Ritchie, rector of St. Igna-
thus Church, who is considered rather an |
extreme ritualist, talked freely upon the |
subject. be said: Personally did not |
know that the question of the status of the |
Cowley Fathers, as far as giving them votes |
in the conventions is concerned was to |
come before the convention. would think
that the question would be settled by the
bishops separately when giving their con-
sent to the Cowley Fathers working in
their diocese. As far as the question of a
L
confess that in my opinion there is certain
work in the Church that requires celibate
ministers. By this / do not mean to say
that married men in the Church have not
and are not accomplishing good work, be-
cause they are. L myself am unfortunate
enough to be bachelor.
How the Greek Church Settles It
81 think, perhaps, that the best settle
ment OF the question will be the adoption
OF system similar to that of the Greek
Church in Russia There a certain num-
Der of the candidates for holy orders are re-
quired to take VOWS of celibacy. This mat
ter is left optional with each candidate, and
he can select which branch of the ministry
he would enter, and on his decision will de-
pend the kind of work that will be given
him upon his admission to the ministry.
This system seems to me to be good one"
Rev. DIR. Worthington, rector of Grace |
Church. said: 81 do not believe that the |
question of celibate ministry will come |
before the general convention. In NV |
opinion the greatest fight will be made in |
the proposed changes in the hymnal. 1 do |
not believe the idea OF celibate ministry |
is growing in the Church. The Order of the |
HOLY Cross, which exists in this diocese. i
has not grown, and would seem to me to in. |
d1cate that the idea is not popular one".
81 WOULD not live Away"
j hear the weary housewife saw