New-York tribune., 1922-09-03
1 See Grant Is
Breaking Out 2
4. s Wpe III
va ER VI 81 <NG Nm &hK-M
-. ~ 80 AASAA $3.50 ~ ~ -
Dr. Manning Asserts Pastors
Fight on Divorce Law
s Episcopal Church b
is Understood Here
More Rigid Ban Expected
Group Opposing Relaxa-
tion of Rule Has Crown
Larger i'm Last 10 Years

PORTLAND, Ore, Sept, 2,-Bishops
of the Episcopal Church to-day min
gied discussion of matters to come
before the general convention here
next week with comment on press dis
patches carrying a statement by the
Rev. Dir. Percy Stickney Grant. rector
OF the Church of the Ascension of New
York City, on the divorce laws of the
church.
Bishop William T, Manning. Of New
York, remarked, Il see Grants been
breaking out again" He would make
no further comment on the situation
In reference TO the Rev. DR.. Grant
than to say that his position was we'll
understood in New York
It is doubtful ii the Episcopal con-
,ventioh will attempt to enact laws
laying more rigid ban than now ex-
aste in the Church upon the remarriage
s0f divorced persons. according to an
opinion of Bishop James Wise, of Kan
sas City, when questioned regarding the
declaratino of the Rev. Dir. Grant.
Also it is equally doubtful, in ehe
opinion OF Bishop Wise, that the con-
vention will adopt measures which will
make more liberal conditions for di-
vorced persons who wish to remarry.
More Rigid Ban Favored
AT present the Church permits re-
marriage after divorce, only to the in
accent party TO whom divorce has been
granted on grounds of infidelity," he
said. There is within the Church a
group that favors making still more
rigid restrictions and ferbidding mar
less.
I'm the last ten years this group
has shown considerable increase in
strength, though it is not strong
enough to enforce its position.
9 The question came up at the last
convention and will come up probably
at every convention indefinitely; but
II the public thinks that it is the
Clergy alone that is takinr a rigid
stand on the matter, it should be re-
membered that the laymen. in the
House OF Deputies were, if anything.
more determined in their position not
to throw down the bars, than were
the bishops.
If the family is destroyed, civiliza-
Efon is broken down. The people of
the Episcopal Church, whether Law or
clerical, realize this and the position
the Church is taking is position for
q great Ideai.p
The declaration of DR.. Grant was not
taken very seriously by most of the
bishops present, if the current of con
xersation in the lobby of the audi
sorium. where the bishops are holding
informal conference, could be con-
sidered as an indication.
The general opinion seemed to be
that the convention will stand for no
relaxation in the marriage rules and
that it may possibly swing rather in
the direction of more severity.
Bishop Thomas Frank Gailor, of
Tennessee, presiding at the meeting
of the bishops, said:
.ss'The canens should be made more
strict rather than loosened. When a
man and q woman stand before God
and they take each other until death
do us part they should live up to
their word"
Bishop Irving Peakem Johnson, of
Colorado, remarked that DR.. Grant
acan either, play the game according
to the rules or not.
"It's UP to him. Personally do not
think the laws of the Church will be
changed. | cannot express my per-
sonal position too strongly. Condi-
tions in the country to-day are worse
than they ever were in Greece or an
cient Rome.n