Tension in the Church

The Episcopal diocese of Chicago is thriving; its 100 parishes have an overall flock of 100,000, and its mission program has increased 100% during the past year. But, like many another Episcopal body politic, it suffers from pains in the joints where High-Churchman meets Low-Churchman. To the Highs, who run the diocese, the representation of one vote per parish, regardless of size, and the custom of prearranged block voting in conventions seems nothing but conducive to smooth and orderly management. To the Lows it seems unfair and undemocratic.

Last week, on the eve of the diocese's 119th annual convention, the Rev. H. Ralph Higgins, 53, of prosperous St.

Mark's Church in Evanston, Ill., Used his sermon for a preconvention broadside at the diocesan leadership. "What these people want," he cried, "is the exaltation of the clerical order, the subordination of the laity, and the regimentation of the life of the church along imperialist, monarchical or oligarchical lines. In practice . . . [they] want the clergy to run the show, although by no means a majority of the clergy want any such dubious honor . . .

"It is not difficult to see why the antidemocratic elements raise the cry: 'The church is not a democracy but a theocracy!' Theoretically, a theocracy is government by direct action of God; practically, theocracy is government by a priest caste . . . Advocates of the theocratic theory are well aware that the only sure way for them to gain control is through organized political action, whereby the vast majority of our membership which does not subscribe to their point of view can be controlled. This is the reason for the presence in this and other dioceses of political machines."

Small, chipper Bishop Gerald Francis Burrill, 49, was unimpressed by angry Dr. Higgins, doubted that the subject would even come up at this week's convention. "It's just a tempest in a teapot," he shrugged. "Or you might say it's an old chestnut that's been rolling around for years. Our church is a church of tension. We try to preserve within it the doctrines and discipline of the Catholic Church, but with a difference. This argument has been fought up and down the river ever since the Reformation . . . The majority of our people don't feel that deeply about it ... This is a fine, happy diocese."

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