THE new Dean of Manchester [Hewlett Johnson, the later “Red Dean” of Canterbury] is a moderate Modernist, and his association with the Life and Liberty Movement will doubtless commend him to Dr. Temple. This appointment is not another actual affront to the Catholic party. It is only one more example of the ignoring of the most active and devoted section of the English clergy by a Government that has among them many hundreds of unselfish supporters. According to the Times, Canon Hewlett has “a leaning towards Socialism in politics”. That may perhaps account for his selection, but it does not excuse Mr. MacDonald for passing over many equally qualified Catholic priests. We deal at length in a leading article this week with the Bishop of Birmingham [Ernest Barnes], but we may note here a further affront to both Catholics and orthodox Evangelicals by the appointment as one of his examining chaplains of Dr. H. D. A. Major, whose Modernism is so modern that it is almost Futurism. The Daily News declares that “High Church clergy state that the Prime Minister neither knows the personalities of the Church nor is he able to visualize the needs of the present situation.” Birmingham is the proof that they are right.
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