Garbett’s £100,000 appeal

THE Press has given considerable publicity to the Bishop of Southwark’s appeal for one hundred thousand pounds for the building of churches for the new populations in certain districts on the outer belt of South London created by the great building schemes of the past few years. The Bishop points out that, unless immediate action is taken, these new populations, consisting of many thousands of men, women, and children, will be left without any spiritual direction. “As the people move into their new homes,” Dr. Garbett says, “the Church should be ready to welcome them in the Name of its Master.” Fourteen new churches and five mission churches are needed, while five other churches await completion and enlargement. For this great enterprise two hundred thousand pounds are required, but the Bishop is assured of half this sum, and it is for the other half that he is now appealing. We most earnestly hope that the appeal will not fall on deaf ears. Southwark is the poorest of all the dioceses. The Bishop has already done splendid work in raising the stipends of his clergy. He deserves the help of all the faithful. But we would add a second hope, and that is that when the new churches are built, large new parishes will not be left to one over-worked priest. The advance of the Church can best be assured by following the policy of our Blessed Lord. “And He called unto Him the Twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two.” Experience proves that infinitely the most effective method of working the modern parish is by two or more priests living and working together in a simple clergy house with no other concern than their Master’s business.

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