The Birmingham age-herald., 1922-05-07
RECTOR TOCOME BEFORE CHURCH
 COURT ON JUNE 6
Montgomery Minister Charged With Violating Vow by Per- hitting Rabbi to Speak
 in Parish House
By FRED H. GORMLEy Montgomery Bureau, The Age-Herald. 22l-2 First National Bank Building

Montgomery, May 6.-(SpeclaL)- Interest of members of the Episcopal church throughout the United States was created Saturday with the an nouncement that Bishop c. Nj. Beck with had set June as the date and Troy as the place for the trial before an ecclesiastical court of pr. Rich ard Wilkinson, rector of St. Johns church here. on charges of violating a general canon of the church and his ordination vows.
 Bishop Beckwith preferred the charges several weeks ago, but de- layed the selection of the time and place until this week. From eight names submitted by the bishop Dr. Wilkinson has selected Rev. w. G. Mcdowell of Auburn, Rev. T. .. Mundy of Albany and Rev. oscar Dew. Randolph of Birmingham as members of the court which will es- tahlish his innocence or guilt.
 The dispute between Bishop Beck with and Dr Wilkiqson came from watch night service In the parish house of St. Johns church New Years Eve. when Rabbi William B. Schwartz of Temple Beth-Or deliv- cred an address on The Attitude of the Modern Jew Towards Jesus" Bishop Beckwith contends that Dr. Wilkinson violated general canon of the church and his ordination vows by permitting a person outside the church to hold services within without the permission of the bishop.
 House Not Consecrated
 Dr. Wilkinson contends that the parsh house has never been conse- crated and that Rabbi Schwartz had the right, with the permission of the vestry. to make the address.
 Shortly after the bishop preferred the charges against Dr. Wilkinson he was requested to name time and place in order that the trial might not be delayed, according to state ment In connection with the trial is- sued today by Judge Walter B. Jones, member of the vestry. Judge Jones declared an injustice has been done Dr. Wilkinson by the delay in the consideration of the charges by the proper tribunal
 Members of the vestry of St. Johns church are standing as one man with Dr. Wilkinson. and have announced that they will take whatever action they may deem necessary to prove that pr. Wilkinson violated neither general canon of the church nor his ordination vows.
 Judge Jones' statement in connec- tion with the trial follows:
 The charges which were preferred against Dr. Wilkinson by a commit tee appointed by the bishop and al- lowed by the bishop, are founded on the action of pr. Wilkinson in permit ting Rabbi William B. Schwartz to deliver an address in the parish house of St. Johns on the subject, The Attitude of the Modern Jew To- wards Jesus. This address was made at public gathering of members of all denominations held In the Sun day school room of St. Johns New Years Eve. and with the full knowl- edge and consent of the vestry of St Johns.
 Violated General Canon
 Bishop Beckwith contends that Doctor Wilkinson has violated a general canon of the Episcopal church, which prohibits any person to officiate in the Episcopal church unless he be a duly licensed or or- dained minister of the church. The bishop also charges Doctor Wilkin- son with violating his ordination vows. While the presentment against Doctor Wilkinson contains nine charges. they all arise out of the watch-night service held at St. Johns New Years Eve.
 Doctor Wilkinson contends that the delivery of an address of this kind by the rabbi was not 'officiat- ing in the church. and that since the Parish house of the church had in- tentionally never been consecrated and was and could canonicauy be used for various purposes, it did not fall within the letter or spirit of the canon forbidding the holding Of services in the church without the consent of the bishop when there was contemplated the presence of out siders. The watch-night service held at St. Johns was not a regular canonical or prayer-book service of the church. It was simply a public gathering of members of all de- who desired a religious observance of the passing of the old year.
 Selects CIerEymen
 Two months ago Doctor wilkin- son selected from a list of eight names submitted him by the bishop the names of three c1ergymen to compose the trial court. Tie selected Rev. w. G. McDowell of Auburn, the Rev. T. G. Mundy of Albany, and the Rev. Oscar Dew. Randolph of Bir- Since that time Doctor Wilkinson has made every effort to have the bishop name a date and place for his trial, but only suc- ceeded few days ago. The bishop had the right to name a date and place for the trial, and until he did name date and place Doctor Will kinson could not be heard in his own defense. Doctor Wilkinson is exceed ingly anxious for an early and speedy trial He has several times urged the bishop to name a date and place for the trial and has been ready for a trial at any time. He is willing and anxious that the entire matter shall be given to the public He feels that he is entitled to an early opportunity to answer his &C., cusers, and his friends feel that very grave injustice was being done Doctor Wilkinson by the delay in proceeding with the trial
 The charges preferred against Doctor Wilkinson have aroused the interest of the entire church in the United States, and many of the most learned students of church law are of the opinion that these charges cannot be sustained. Doctor Wilkin- son and his friends will continue to insist upon and demand a speedy hearing and determination of the charges. They feel that this is but simple justice to Doctor Wilkinson. and they hope that a matter of such serious moment to the church will