CHURCH AT LAW.

Auckland Star, Volume LXI, Issue 201, 26 August 1930, Page 7

CHURCH AT LAW.

Action Over Dismissal of

Theologian.

SOUTH AFRICAN CASE.

(Received 12 noon.)

CAPETOWN, August 25.

Professor Du Plessis' action against the Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church, in which he seeks to nullify his dismissal from the theological seminary at Stellen'oosch University, was opened before three judges of the Supreme Court. Counsel for the synod held that the Court could not override the Church Court on a question of doctrine. Plaintiff's counsel argued that the plaintiff had not broken any Church doctrine. The interpretation of all contracts rested with the Civil Courts.

Early in March the Dutch Reformed Church, by an overwhelming majority, found Professor Du Plessis, doctor of theology at the Stellenbosch Seminary, guilty of heresy since he did not believe in the absolute infallibility of the Bible. He was dismissed from the staff, but allowed full salary till his pension fell due, provided that he abided by tbe verdict and ceased not only to propagate his "heretical" views through the medium of his church paper, but also relinquished his capacity of serving as a minister. He then declared his intention of appealing to the Civil Courts.