Untitled - Electric Scotland

390 LIFE OF ARCHBISHOP TAIT [CH. xiv.
refrained from answering that they were not in communion with
Bishop Colenso, feeling that such an answer would be equivalent
to a public declaration of the validity of your act of excom
munication, respecting which grave legal difficulties existed and
still exist. It is only natural for me to meet your question in the
same manner, by telling you that I cannot say I am not in com
munion with Bishop Colenso till I am convinced, which I
am not at present, that the proceedings taken against him, which
resulted in your pronouncing him excommunicate, are valid.
You seem to think that because, in common with very many of
my brethren, I thought it right that you should take proceedings
against Bishop Colenso, therefore I am bound to approve of the
mode in which these proceedings were taken, and to acquiesce
in their validity notwithstanding the adverse decision of courts
of law.
"
I understand you to ask me whether I hold Bishop Colenso
to be not only the titular, but the actual Bishop of Natal, notwith
standing your deposition of him. I should have thought there
could be no doubt as to my opinion on this subject, after what I
have already publicly stated. The words in which you mention
that I couched a circular letter sent in 1866 to Bishop Colenso,
together with all the Colonial Bishops and other dignitaries, show
the same thing : viz., that, seeing that Bishop Colenso has refused
to resign his post when requested to do so by the Archbishops
and myself, and the great body of the home Episcopate, I must,
till the legal difficulties declaring his deposition to be null and
void are removed, however much I may regret it, regard
him as
still holding his office. I cannot, as at present advised, recognise
the force of the arguments which lead you and many others
entitled to the highest respect to look upon him as spiritually
deposed, when the proceedings by which he is said to have been
deposed are granted to be null and void in law, and when very
grave doubts exist, in the minds of those whom I regard as best
informed, as to their regularity even according to ancient ecclesi
astical precedent.
" You seem also to ask me whether I am prepared to assist you
and others in opposing Bishop Colenso s errors. I might fairly
refer you in answer to my published utterances, but it is only
courteous to assure you again, as I most gladly do, that in every
lawful and proper way I desire to assist you and others in main
taining the great doctrine of the paramount and Divine authority