The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-05-01
VICAR MADDEN IN DISGRACE
MINISTER VINO MARRIED. MR..
tNDERBILT CENStRED.
III. p,.hop Of London VIII Not visit Ills
Church. and lie VIII Have Either to
Apologize or Resign-Tiis Action
severely Condemned by Conference.
s,,,,ol caor Despatch 10 THE SUN,

Anoog,ze or Resign-His Action
severely Condemned by Conference.
s,tctdi cdb't Despatch 10 THE SUN
IoypoS. April so.--Last ing disgrace has
,.l,en upon the Rev. X. H. Hadden, vicar
n,st Marks Church. who. on Saturday last.
carried Mrs Rutherfurd and Mr.. William
K Vanderbilt, IA the result OF which he
now stands practically accommodated by
the Church OF England.
Al a meeting tonight OF the London
Diocesan Conference. presided over by the
Bishop Of London, supported by the Bishop
NJ Kensngton. full gathering Of the do
ces,n authorities passed the severest
cens,ire upon the clergyman.
In his opening speech the Bishop Of Lon
don said he had a most disagreeable task
10 perform in connection with the subject
q, letter written to him by the prootors Of
the clergy OF the whole diocese and the
proctor Of the Cathedral Church OF st.
Paul in reference TO the so-called re-mar-
rage Of divorced person In that diocese.
He had waited until tonight before
speaking further, in order to give an oppor-
rlntv to the clergyman who performed the
marriage to make an explanation Of his con-
duct. He had sent the clergyman two let
ters one by a special messenger. He re-
eretted to hear that the clergyman had
suffered a domestic calamity. This might
account for the fact that no notice ha d been
taken of his communications.
He only mentioned the fact to let the
Conference understand that he had shown
the clergyman no lack OF consideration.
The Bishop then repeated the Chancellor's
explanation Of the matter, adding that, as
he was unable to give the clergyman's
explanation. it remained for him to give
his own opinion Then he said:
MY opinion is that q grave scandal has
been perpetrated in this diocese tcheersl,
q far greater scandal than any cases OF
ritual because it is a moral scandal
The Bishop referred to the resolutions
upon the report Of committee appointed
to consider divorce. They called attention
to the fact that in many nations there was
a growing la1ity in the principle and prac-
tioe regarding divorce, and In some countries
laws had been made which weakened the
idea Of the sanotity Of marriage. This
resolution said:
Inasmuch as our laws expressly forbid
divorce except In case Of fornication or
adult cry, the Christian church cannot recog-
nize divorce for any other than the accepted
cause or give sanction to the marriage Of any
person divorced contrary to this law during
the lie Of the other party. Under no cir
divorce for fornication or adultery be regarded
during the lifetime Of the innocent party a
At recipient OF the blessing Of the Church or
marriage.
Recognizing the fact that there has always
been difference Of opinion In the Church 40
to whether the Lord meant to forbid the
marras &c Of the innocent party. the Conference
that the clergy should not be
instructed to refuse the sacraments or other
privileges Of the Church to those who under
civil sanction are thus married.
The Bishop. commenting upon the resolu-
ton, said the committee was unwilling to
suggest a process in those eve ntualities.
and recommended that it b. left 10
tho Judgment OF tho Bishop Of the diocese,
but there had never been . division Of
opinion on the remArriage Of the guilty.
party, and the minister who performed,
such a marriage gratuitously insulted the
conscience Of the church to which no be-
longed.
He felt bound to say regarding the Chan
cellor's letter that 1t was a gross anomaly
that the Chanoellor's Jurisdiction should
be independent Of the Bishops In that
matter. Continuing. he said:
Meanwhile this scandal will not be with
out its use II 1t makes the whole world aware
that am not responsible for the hcenss
issued by my Chancellor. Ihave the strong
est objection to tho use OF tho marriage
service for any man or woman whose hus-
band IL alive. Such remarrages, II con-
tracted at all. should bs contracted at a
registry ONCE. My wish, therefore. IL that
clergymen should not celebrate such
marriages in their churches. Prolonged
cheers.
i cannot tell them not to lend their
churches for they are required by law
10 do so, but they have ths right to inquire
whether the clergyman officiating has the
permission Of the officials Of this diocese.
Nothing would induce me to visit as II moth
Ing had happened a church whore such .
scandal had taken place until some amends
were made to the diocese which had been
dishonored by its occurrence. tCheers.l
The Bishop Of Remington supported
the Bishop of London and expressed graft
rude for his brave utterances. He said:
As Bishop sufYragan Of the district In
which this so-called marriage took plaoe
I desire to say that we pass from ques-
tons Of ritual to suoh questions as this to
stand on a higher platform altogether.
II the Lord Bishop Of London has great
portion OF the diocese behind him in deal
ing with matters Of ritual he has :he whole
diocese behind him, with two exceptions.
in dealing with the proclamation Of matri-
mony,"
The correspondent Of THE Sun gathered
from members OF the conference that the
general impression is that the Bishops
announcement OF his refusal to visit Mr..
Hadden's church Is the most serious punish
ment permissible in the circumstances.
It means that Mr.. Hadden will have either
to apologize or face such ecclesiastical
dspleasure az will probably compel his
resignation Of the vicarage.
member Of the conference quoted
recent case in which q high OFFICIAL inf1u-
ence. including the personal intercession Of
Queen Victoria, failed to move the Bishops,
and the persons were forced to marry in
the Scottish Church.
FATHER" BLACKS ATTACK.