The Washington times., 1937-06-03
Wears ACTION
DENOUNCED
BY PARISH
Poor Mans Parson"
to Be Called Before
Parochial Council
BY DAVID p. SENTNER
Copyright, 1887. by international
News Sorvice)

NSopyrlBnt, 1881, Dy 1nteEneLAonAA
News Service)
LONDON, June 3.-HiS be-
Stowal Of religious blessings on
the wedding of the Duke Of
Windsor and Mrs. Wallis War
field today threatened to cost
the Rev. r. Anderson Jardine,
vicar Of st Paul'S Church. OAR
lngton, his parish and his eccle-
SiaStical career.
The liberalminded little poor
mans parSon," who volunteered
to marry the Duke and Mrs.
Warfield, and was accepted, will
be summoned before the paro-
chial council Of st. PauPs at its
next meeting the end OF the
month.
There he will be asked to ex-
plain his failure to consult his
Superiors before under. king to
marry the former monarch and
the twice-divorced American
woman in defiance OF the
Church of England disapproval.
His Action Condemned
Decision to summon Jardine
was reached at an emergency
meeting Of the council, attended
by parish trustees. The Wears
action was hotly condemned, and
those present appeared to be
overwhelmingly in favor Of re-
moving the controversial little
parson from his post.
Meanwhile, high dignitarieS OF
the Church Of England consid-
cred severe disciplinary action
against Jardine. IF carried out,
the action would be likely to
result in virtual oStracism Of the
vicar, it was said.
Views Called UnOrthOdOx
The Rev. Herbert Goldsmith,
rural dean of Darlington and
Jardine's immediate superior,
issued a statement denounc1ng
the wears failure to consult
with church authorities before
making his spectacular decision
to assist the Duke. The state
ment said:
"The Rev. Mr.. Jardine did
not consult me once during his
10 years at st. Paul's. He does
not mix with other clergy and
Is Q man Of unOrth0dOx views
which have often brought him
into conflict with church au-
thOritieS."
Goldsmith now is converSing |
with the Bishop Of Durham, to
whom Jardine is answerable, and |
the Bishop Of Fulham, who is in |
charge of Church Of England |
parishes abroad, as well as the |
Archbishop Of Canterbury, who |
threatened to remove any parson |
from his post who should partici-
pate in a religious wedding for |
the Duke Of Windsor and Mrs.
Warfield.
Although not empowered to ex-
communicate Jardine, they will
publicly diSavow him and his part |
in the wedding, it is believed.
The bishop Of Fulham, with the
concurrence Of the bishop of Lon
don, sent a telegram to Jardine
at Monts, France, protesting his
action without episcopal license
or consent" The telegram criti-
cized the irregularity Of the pro-
ceedingS, (which contravene the
laws Of the Church Of England"
AS soon as he heard Of Jardine'S
action, the bishop of Fulham
rushed to London to consult with
the bishop Of London. The latter
has Jurisdiction over Anglican
chaplainS in North and Central
Europe.
Wears Right Denied
The bishop declared the vicar
had no right to bestow the church's
blessings on the marriage of the
Duke and Mrs. Warfield. CanonS
Of the AngeliSan church do not
permit church rites to Solemnize
the marriage of a person who has
been previously married and has
q spouse still living. Thus, said
the bishop, Jardine is incapable
Of legally solemnizing the marriage
under the circumstances.
It was learned that the bishops
telegram Of protest to Jardine was
sent on instructions Of the Arch
bishop of Canterbury. But the
vicar went on with the ceremony.
The Bishop of Fulham said Jar.
dine is what Is known technically
as "preSbyter vaganS." His posi-
iton in the wedding ceremony Is
that Of a private person who has
been invited Ito say prayers"