i 4 6 DISTINGUISHED CHURCHMEN
make what may be called bye-laws for them selves, yet they cannot repeal either directly, or by implication, any ceremonial which has ecumenical authority, whether by specific enact ment or by custom which has the force of law. As regards matters of doctrine, the two pro vinces, as being integral parts of the One Catholic Church/ cannot even synodically pro pound any dogma contrary to the teaching of the One Catholic Church, or condemn any doctrine held to be de fide by the whole Church. This less is really not greater than the greater ! "
"Then what have you to say as to the claim which has been made that the Provincial Synods are the final Court of Appeal in matters of dogma ? "
"What I have to say is this. For local pur poses, no doubt, these Synods are, in a sense, the final Court of Appeal. But, then, by the very constitution of the Church, they are bound to speak only in harmony with the teaching of the One Episcopate throughout the whole world. No Provincial Synod has any inherent authority of its own. It cannot have its own particular doctrine and its own particular discipline in opposition to the common doctrine and discipline of the One Church, of which it is only a portion. Its function is not to decide on what is the Faith, but to safeguard and declare the Faith as taught
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