Thursday 4 June 1925

[171-2] Preliminaries. Absent:

S. N. Harrison, canon of St Columba, excused.

W. N. Carlier, vicar of Castletown, excused.

N. J. Poole, vicar of St Thomas, excused.

St George's was vacant.

G. W. Gregson, vicar of Jurby, excused.

[173] The minutes of the last annual convocation were read and confirmed, Canon Quine and the rector of Ballaugh having protested against the recognition of the unbeneficed clergy as members of convocation.

The archdeacon in the name of convocation welcomed the lord bishop who had been appointed to the diocese since the last convocation.

Death of Bishop Denton Thompson

Resolved: ‘The clergy of the diocese in their annual Whitsuntide convocation assembled, desire to record their deep sense of the loss sustained by the church and people of the island by reason of the death of their devoted diocesan, Doctor James Denton Thompson, whose episcopate was marked by diligence and earnestness, eagerness of spirit, fervid and ready eloquence, indefatigable activity and profound and impassioned desire for the unity of the visible church.'

A letter from the lieutenant-governor (Sir William Fry) was read in reply to a communication from convocation.

Communications from the bishop as president

The president made the following communications:

• 1. He desired that the clergy would attend the forthcoming Tynwald on July 5th. Attention was drawn to the desirability of dignified [174] bearing on such ceremonial occasions, and Canon Quine was appointed ceremoniarius.

• 2. He stated that it had never been established and acknowledged by the crown that homage in the case of a bishop of this Isle is but a matter of courtesy and that the temporalities of the bishop are in no way affected by the matter.

• 3. He stated he wished ordinations to be regarded as a diocesan matter and invited the clergy to attend in their robes.

No questions having been asked, Canon Quine gave notice of three motions to be placed on the agenda of next convocation.

Manx Fund

The archdeacon stated that for the present year, grants of books and publications to the value of £4 in each case would be made from the Manx Fund of SPCK to the following: Jurby, Laxey, Onchan, St Barnabas, Patrick, Dalby and Foxdale.