THE CASE OF THE CRUCIFIX
The issue of the crucifix took longer to resolve. The petition to have it removed was turned down following a lengthy judgment from Archbishop Gregg stating that it was not an illegal ornament, and pointing out that it had been introduced under a former incumbent in 1925 with the approval of the then Archbishop; in these circumstances, it could not have been removed by Fr Colquhoun without express permission for which he was not obliged to apply. Therefore, it was not retained illegally by him.
Prolonged litigation followed before the Court of the General Synod and the Diocesan Court, now presided over by the new Archbishop, Most Revd. A.W. Barton D.D. Fr Colquhoun, John Wilson of Sandymount Road, C.V.S. Ireland of Mespil Road, Frank Gardner of Merrion View Avenue and Georgina French of Ailesbury Road, appeared on behalf of St John’s. The opposers were Samuel Caithness of Guildford Road, William Chamney of Elgin Road and John Lowth of Merrion Square, all Vestry members. Mr Lowth argued that many local people refused to attend services at St John’s due to the presence of the crucifix and that the Select Vestry had passed a resolution opposing its retention. However, Fr Colquhoun stated that he did not recognize the Select Vestry and had ‘never attended any meetings’ of that body. He also stated that the majority of worshippers desired the retention of the crucifix.
The final hearing in October 1940 was at the Diocesan Court, to which the Court of the General Synod had remitted the matter to allow the Archbishop to decide upon it. Archbishop Barton considered that there was no evidence that the crucifix was being used for ‘superstitious adoration’ and in view of the fact that the incumbent and the majority of worshippers at St John’s wished its retention, and without setting any precedents, he deemed it reasonable to give his approval for the crucifix to remain in the place that it had occupied for many years.
The issue of the crucifix took longer to resolve. The petition to have it removed was turned down following a lengthy judgment from Archbishop Gregg stating that it was not an illegal ornament, and pointing out that it had been introduced under a former incumbent in 1925 with the approval of the then Archbishop; in these circumstances, it could not have been removed by Fr Colquhoun without express permission for which he was not obliged to apply. Therefore, it was not retained illegally by him.
Prolonged litigation followed before the Court of the General Synod and the Diocesan Court, now presided over by the new Archbishop, Most Revd. A.W. Barton D.D. Fr Colquhoun, John Wilson of Sandymount Road, C.V.S. Ireland of Mespil Road, Frank Gardner of Merrion View Avenue and Georgina French of Ailesbury Road, appeared on behalf of St John’s. The opposers were Samuel Caithness of Guildford Road, William Chamney of Elgin Road and John Lowth of Merrion Square, all Vestry members. Mr Lowth argued that many local people refused to attend services at St John’s due to the presence of the crucifix and that the Select Vestry had passed a resolution opposing its retention. However, Fr Colquhoun stated that he did not recognize the Select Vestry and had ‘never attended any meetings’ of that body. He also stated that the majority of worshippers desired the retention of the crucifix.
The final hearing in October 1940 was at the Diocesan Court, to which the Court of the General Synod had remitted the matter to allow the Archbishop to decide upon it. Archbishop Barton considered that there was no evidence that the crucifix was being used for ‘superstitious adoration’ and in view of the fact that the incumbent and the majority of worshippers at St John’s wished its retention, and without setting any precedents, he deemed it reasonable to give his approval for the crucifix to remain in the place that it had occupied for many years.
|
|
