| Repository | Lambeth Palace Library |
| Level | File |
| Alt Ref No | MS 4957 |
| Extent | 238 ff |
| Title | Canon Law Reform |
| Date | 1947-1952 |
| Description | Correspondence and related papers on the involvement of the laity in revising the canon law of the church including George Goyder's motion to the Church Assembly for a debate on 20th June 1951 where he moved that the opinion of the laity was essential to the revision of the canons and that the laity required greater status and authority in ecclesiastical reform and synodical government. Other subjects covered include proposals to change canon laws forbidding the remarriage of divorced persons in church; vestment canon reform to encourage a non-strict uniformity in vesture (canon 17, clause 5); alterations to the constitution of the Convocations and the veto power of the Archbishop of Canturbury; Goyder's letters to The Times on the resistance to revision of canon law (1957); reactions to debates at the House of Laity and Church Assembly and Goyders 1960 speech requesting closer association between the laity and the clergy.
File includes a copy of Goyder's 1952 speech 'Canon Law Revision', correspondence between Goyder and Rev. T.J. Wood of the Modern Churchmen's Union on the 'indissolubility of marriage' and the marriage of divorced persons, and a letter from Rev. Alec Vidler on the proposed marriage of Princess Margaret and Peter Townsend (18th October 1955).
Correspondents include Bishop Christopher Chavasse (Bishop of Rochester), Rev. T.J. Wood, Rev. Alec Vidler, Archbishop Fisher, Norman Sykes (Dean of Winchester), Sir Thomas Barnes, Roundell Palmer (Earl of Selborne), Max Warren and Sir Kenneth Grubb. |
Show related Persons records.
Related name records
| Code | Name | Dates |
| 106 | Chavasse; Christopher Maude (1884-1962); Bishop of Rochester | 1884-1962 |
| DS/UK/3231 | Modern Churchmen's Union; 1928-1987 | 1928-1987 |
| DS/UK/5837 | Vidler; Alexander Roper (1899-1991); theologian and historian | 1899-1991 |
| 12 | Fisher; Geoffrey Francis (1887-1972); Archbishop of Canterbury | 1887-1972 |
| 556 | Sykes; Norman (1897-1961); Dean of Winchester | 1897-1961 |
| GB/109/7914 | Barnes; Sir; Thomas James (1888-1964); lawyer and public official | 1888-1964 |
| DS/UK/6134 | Palmer; Roundell Cecil (1887-1971); 3rd Earl of Selborne; politician | 1887-1971 |
| 585 | Warren; Max Alexander Cunningham (1904-1977); theologian | 1904-1977 |
| DS/UK/6231 | Grubb; Sir; Kenneth George (1900-1980); missionary and public servant | 1900-1980 |