Religion: Pastoral Relationship

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The Rev. John Howard Melish, 74, rector of Brooklyn's Episcopal Church of the Holy Trinity, got his walking papers last week, but he declined to budge. His bishop fired him, but Rector Melish came right back with the observation that the bishop had no right to do such a thing. He sat pat and so did his son and associate rector, the Rev. William Howard Melish, 38, who was the cause of it all. Young Minister Melish's activities as chairman of the National Council of American-Soviet Friendship, and busy associate of several other organizations cited as Communist fronts, had spurred the church's vestry to petition Long Island's Bishop James Pernette De Wolfe for his father's ouster (TIME, Feb. 7).

Doubt & Confusion. Bishop De Wolfe explained that his decision had been based primarily upon consideration of "the pastoral relationship." Wrote he: "I believe the Rev. William Howard Melish, assistant minister, to have been . . . most mistaken in what he believes to be the pastoral application of his ministry. He has allowed himself ... to become involved with 'outside activities' of such a nature and to such an extent as to incite doubt and confusion in the church as to whether he is indeed living up to his ordination vows as a priest in this church . . .

"A priest in his activities necessarily involves his church and his parish . . . Questions have arisen regarding the effect upon the church as a whole, and upon the parish in particular, of the activity on the part of one of the church's priests in good standing, exercised among reputed atheists, Communists, agitators of world revolution, totalitarianism, and almost every article which denies the Christian Doctrine of Man."

Letter & Spirit. April 4 was the date named by the bishop for the Melishes' "pastoral relationship" to "cease." But father & son made no move to pack up their vestments. Instead, Rector Melish announced that he denied the legality of the bishop's action — a course that may well end up in the civil courts. Said he:

"[The bishop] has acted in the face of the expressed wish of more than 70% of the qualified voters of my parish and, as I am advised by my counsel, in violation of both the letter and the spirit of Canon [law] . . . Four bishops have broken all precedents by indicating their willingness to enter the jurisdiction of a brother bishop to testify on my behalf, as have over 30 other outstanding church leaders.

"I have repeatedly said that we are both willing to resign if that is the wish of the congregation. I cannot withdraw from this fight so long as my congregation wishes me to stay."