Archbishops' Commission on Divine Healing

Documents, minutes and correspondence of the Commission.

GS Report: The Church's Ministry of Healing, 1958, PB 73

The Commission began its deliberations in October 1953 and met 17 times publishing its report in 1959. It had the following terms of reference:To consider the theological, medical, psychological and pastoral aspects of "Divine Healing" with a view to providing within two or three years a report designed to guide the Church to clearer understanding of the subject; and in particular to help the clergy in the exercise of the Ministry of Healing and to encourage increasing understanding and co-operation between them and the Medical Profession.

The Chairman of the Commission was Maurice Harland, Bishop of Lincoln (until 1956) then Bishop of Durham. Other members were Neville Vincent Gorton, Bishop of Coventry; Harold Edward Wynn, Bishop of Ely; Christopher Maude Chavasse, Bishop of Rochester; Frederick Dudley Vaughan Narborough, Bishop of Colchester; Alexander Ross Wallace, Dean of Exeter; Frederick Percy Harton, Dean of Wells; Canon I T Ramsey; the Rev G B Bentley; Mr E S Brentnall; Dr Denis Brinton; Dr R Cove Smith; the Rev M B Dewey; the Rev G Maurice Elliott; the Rev W D Giddey; the Rev Professor L W Grensted; DR J A Hadfield; Dr R Henson; Lady Jefferson MRCS LRCP DPM; Professor Alan Moncrieff; Miss D Morris; Sir James Paterson Ross; Mrs J Patrick; Miss M B Powell; Dr D Stafford Clark; Dr R H Thouless; and the Rev E G Jay.

The Commission had several sub-committees including Man's Nature and Destiny, Evidence of the New Testament, Definitions, Demonology, Sub-committee to reconsider documents 1 and 2, steering committee, and Theological.