Sheffield Independent – Monday 03 April 1893

Darfield Church Dispute

The controversy between the Rector and Vicar of Darfield respecting the Easter vestry meeting to be held to-night has been the chief topic of conversation during the last few days. It appears that the Archbishop of York’s opinion and that of his solicitors are entirely in favour of the Rector’s right and precedence, and the firm stand he is making, as will be seen from the letters below.

As the Vicar has chosen to take the aggressive side, and the Rector is simply maintaining his rights, and is satisfied with his Grace’s opinion, it is for the Vicar to take counsel’s advice, unless he also accepts his Grace’s opinion. It appears that if the Rector were to agree with the Vicar to draw up a case to submit to counsel’s opinion it would be tantamount to an admission that the Rector considered it an open question whether he or his predecessors have been right in always taking the precedence both in church or parish. There are one or two peculiar facts as to the Vicar’s supporters, and the means they use to attain their end. We mentioned before the circumstances under which the Vicar’s notice was signed by one at least of the overseers, and now again we hear on good authority that they have succeeded in getting hold of the minute book by representing to its custodian that it was wanted for their own purposes.

We are also informed that the Rector has had some trouble to secure copies of certain entries in the parish books, and that the Vestry summons has been issued under circumstances which are, at least, open to comment.

Correspondence

“Dear Mr. Bishop,—I have carefully considered the statement contained in your letter, and also the answer thereto, which you have sent to me. I have very little doubt that you are in the right in contending that a Rector would take precedence at the Easter Vestry, and occupy the chair, and also that long, along with you, the office for the meeting. But the question is a very delicate one, and I have had full experience in a similar state of affairs. I therefore have written to my solicitors for their opinion. If the matter is allowed to stand thus, if the meeting be not seriously interfered with, I can see no reason why Mr. Barnes and yourself should not act in concert for the benefit of the parish. The matter should be settled in order to obtain a trustworthy decision, otherwise it might be referred at some future time. There would still be time to get such an opinion and they hold your meeting at Easter week, and abide by the canon; but even in the matter I believe that delay might be allowed if necessary.—Yours very faithfully, William Ebor.”

“Lendal, York, March 29th, 1893.
Dear Rev. Sir,—In answer to your inquiry, I may state that I am clearly of opinion that the rector takes precedence in the parish vestry, and that he has the right to preside and take the chair, if present, at the meeting without the formality of election. The vicar, on the absence of the rector, might probably have the same right, but, as I understand you intend to be present at the Easter vestry meeting, this last point does not arise.—I am, rev. sir, faithfully yours, T. S. Noble.
To the Rev. A. E. Sorby.”