The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-04-22
BISHOP WILLIS TALKS.
HE TAKES ISSUE WITH THE
OTHER FLOCK.
He Will Not Surrender His Powers As
Dean -- The Question Of
Secession.

Secession.
A STAR reporter called on Bishop
Willis this morning at his Nuuanu val
ley residence to inquire about the dis
pute now going on in the Anglican
Church The Bishop received the re.
porter in the courteous manner for
which he is noted among newspaper
men and talked quite freely.
"I do not believe in giving these
matters publicity" said the Bishop;
'and was astonshed that members of
the Second Congregation should have
violated confidence in publishing my
letter to them, which | certainly con
slider private one"
"Now do you ropose to treat the
matter, Blshop2"
"There is now but one course left
me, if any l shall request them to give
the same publicity to my reply that was
thrust upon my first communication"
"What view do you take Of the meet.
ing held the other nlght?'
"Wen, sir, l have nothing to say
about the meeting, except that my letter
and its contents we're not discussed or
calmly treated as they should have
been. 1t was rather an indignation
meeting to my mind, where too much
personal feeling was displayed to calm
ly consider grave and serious questions
involved"
"What is your feeling in the matter2'
asked the reporter
81 have no ill.feeling towards any of
the Second Congregation and ! think
this matter could and should be set
tied without making a public exhibit of
private Church troubles There has
been too much of this personal bitter
ness shown in the past"
"Do you think the resolutions passed
atthe meeting conclusive in the matter"
"Well, no; it seems to me that, as
they stand two of the resolutions neutra
lie each other and virtually leave the
matter where it was before"
"What two Bishop"
"That l decline to state just at pres
ent
"Will you reply to them2'
eyes, I shall write a letter. which, as
l stated, | shall expect them to publish
in the same paper my other letter was in;
but my mind is not fully made up yet,
and / cannot say what my reply will
certain"
evil you grant their request to ap-
point Rev. Alex. Macintosh Dean
of the Cathedra?'
The Bishop looked at the reporter a
moment with a quiet smile before he
said: I" | am the Dean now; and |
could hardly he expected to become
my own ecclesiastical executioner to
meet the demands of the Second Con
gregation.
cob that's the point" said the re-
ported.
eyes, that's one of the points" sig
: nifcantly remarked Bishop Willis, as
!, he raised his eyebrows and looked away
into space.
but, haven't they the power to with
draw from the church and form a new
, congregations"
"Yes, they can do that" replied Bish-
op Willis, "there would be nothing
. wrong in that, but this is a case Of clash
5 ing in authority. For instance, the claim
r that they are paroChical church is not
5 tenable; they are merely congregation.
2 The question is delicate one, where
the least usurpation of authority by a
t pastor will conflict with territorial
S authruity under which the congregation
I exists. l can say no more, however,
. now; my mind is not fully made up as
tothe course l shall pursue"
"But if they can separate why not do
so and stop the trouble?"
swell, they can; there is plenty of
. room for another church under the
! ! bishopric and good work could be
= done, but --,
"But what, Bishop"
"But that don't suit them; they want
- the cathedral building also
"Then you think they want crowd
:, you out and get the use of the cathe.
: dral as well" ventured the STAR man
y, "Thats the point, said Bishop Willis
It ntimating that the interview was ended
Zone word more Bishop, could the
Second Congregation withdraw and joir
the American Episcopal Church,"
y eyes, that could be done, but per
"a haps it will come without that, if an
q neXation is brought about, In tina
TX case we would all be under the Amer
n lean Episcopal Church, and | would be
IS an American Bishop"
Is would you retain your position ii
that case ?"
"Well, | couldn't say positively, bu
in any event it would greatly strengthen
lie the position of the Bishop and woul
IL not aid the claims of the Second Cor
Il gregation."