POPE CRITICISED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 139, 15 June 1939, Page 7

POPE CRITICISED.

"NO MAN IS HOLY." AN OUTSPOKEN BISHOP. SILENCE OVER ABYSSINIA, SPAIN AND ALBANIA,

(Special—By Air Mall.) LONDON', May 27. Strong words were uttered this weok about the Pope by Dr. Barnes, the Bishop of Birmingham. He criticised the use of the phrase, "His Holiness" when referring to the Pope, and argued that it was undesirable. The Bishop was speaking in the Upper House of Convocation of Canterbury at Westminster. Before the House was a resolution urging Christian people to pray for peace, and referring to the Archbishop of Canterbury and his Holiness the Pope."

Said Dr. Barnes: "Why not also say 'his Grace' the Archbishop of Canterbury? Xo man is holy, though some men may be gracious. Many people will not be able to forget the action of the papacy in connection with the civil war in Spain.l The papacy employed all its diplomatic skill to encourage the success of General Franco.

"When the Abyssinians were overwhelmed by Italian poison it was proclaimed by triumphant Masses in Italy, but those Masses were not condemned by the Pope of that day nor by his Secretary of State, who is now enthroned at the Vatican.

"When the Dictator of Italy on Good Friday morning launched an attack on Albania, did the Pope indignantly protest against such a misuse of a sacred day? There was no protest."