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3 The evolution of the Church of England Reader 3.1 Reformation. There is evidence that the minor-order of Reader continued to exist for a short while in the English church after the Reformation and that Archbishop Parker allowed the ordination and licensing of Readers as a response to the man-power shortage that occurred after the Reformation. The available evidence includes the incorporation of other ministers in the ordinal authorised on 1 April 1550 during the reign of Edward VI, and by the ordination of Readers in 7 January 1559 at Bow Street during the reign of Elizabeth I. It would however appear that subsequent Readers were appointed rather than ordained The primary function of Readers at this stage was to meet the needs of desolate parishes by continuing the work of the lector and read common prayer and homilies to the people. It would appear however that the post-Reformation Readers were undisciplined and action had to be taken against those who baptised, celebrated the Lord's Supper, and distributed the cup. The position of Readers was clarified in the period 1559 - 1562 they were required to subscribe to some injunctions defining their position and work. |
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