THE CHURCHES AND WORLD POLITICS

Press, Volume LXXIII, Issue 21986, 9 January 1937, Page 17

THE CHURCHES AND WORLD POLITICS

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PKESS. Sir, —Ah, me darlin’, did ye see what he said this mornin’ about, the “trouble” in me own “poor” Country. Is it a red herring he’s let loose on yer, me dear fellow? Wait now and we’ll pop it in the bag and then proceed along. Says he, the squabblin’ between the churches is a good argument why we should do away with all of them. Now isn’t that a fine thing to be w'ritin’. Sure, me dear fellow, would yer have it be the same token that because two fellows is fightin’ both of them must be wrong? ’Tis a little more readin’ 'ye’ll be needin’, too. before ye'll decide it’s a church argument, But don’t ye know they persecuted Jesus and says he, “They’ll persecut you.” And was the Saviour wrong because they crucified Him? It’s the rights and the wrongs of it 'ye must get at. And don’t ye be tryin’ to divorce religion from the. Church or I’l] be thinkin’ you’ve iio logic at all. Now it isn’t to make fun of ye I wrote me letter, but only to make fun of.the funny things yeh-e sayin’. Do yer know, me darliri’ fellow, ’tis a good poke in the ribs we all want. But as ’tis serious you’re askin’ me to be and to “spiritualise” me readin’. let ye take this for a whopper. Says you, “Jesus’s dictum, ‘Upon this rock I shall build My Church’ means that Jesus’s rock Was called love.” Well, now, look out, it’s cornin’. Jesus greeted Simon with the significant words. “Thou are Simon the son of Jona; thou shalt be called Cephas (in Greek Petros, a stone, whence the name Peter) and upon this rock 1 will build My Church. . . ." There ye are now, and no more Wrigglin’ or I’ll stick the pin in ye again.— Yours, etc., TIM DOOLAN. January 7, 1937.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE PRESS Sir,—The letters recently appearing in your columns attacking the clergy

of Catholic and Protestant churches are a sign of the corruption of the civilisation of to-day. , + , The accusations are as false as they are vile. Having first-hand . knowledge of three different countries, and of many differing denominations, one can solemnly protest the tiuth that the ministers of Christ’s word (with a possible negligible minority one has hannily never encountered) are tnc salt 1 that keeps the mass of humanity fr T^c^iatred C displayed in the various attacks upon the churches is a compliment of the highest order. Woe unto you, when all men shall speak well of you.” God incarnate said, tf the world hale you, ye know ( that it hated Me before it hated you. It is useless, therefore, to expect the pleasure-loving, 'duty-hating world of to-day to love those who stand as a reminder of a judgment that awaits 111 men It would be illogical to expect the existence of the clergy to be anything less than an offence to the blatantly godless, but it is also a duty of one who values ti nth to that in a wide experience one has found amongst the ministers of God. ranging from the Cain oho priest and the Church of England parson, through Scots ministers to Salvation Army captains, a spirit of self-denying love and service, and a generosity that has often denied itself necessaries to give to.the poor. _ One notes another * anti-God campaign. and one remembers some exceedingly old words. viz.: , mighty who sitteth on Highshall have them exceedingly m derision. —Youis, etc ” SCOTSMAN. January 8, 1837.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE FRF.SS. Sir Hey Presto, with the loud pedal on! Four letters dated January 5, m answer to mine of January 4. and again this morning one letter dated C. totalling five m numbei. Now let m in S< the l letter U by Umberto Colonna, agrees with my sentiments on this matter, but he goes further than 1. In fact he docs not spare the chuu.he.. as much as I do, and ho is m my opinion not mis-stating In any nay his will comment on the letter by “Rlccarton." who has fol ’_ s “ mc '. J;"}". known reason wandeicd off to a , t , iea -| 1 ise on Christianity. If “Riccarton will again refer to rpy letter, he or she will notice a certain archibshop s idea of Christian principles. Oh yes, I know that certain individuals do not hold that idea; it would be a poor “look-out" if they did; but let the churches render to Qod what is: God | i. and to Caesar what is Cfjsars. This they are not doing, but rather have an alliance with the State and openly read it from the pulpit. Read the overseas n< “Flain Bill” states that I should not refer to the churches, but to the authorities. Well, well! Who else is an archbishop but an authority in church matters? His Grace is ■ only one authority, I will admit, but what about all those authorities who have consented to join with the State in the coming struggle. If They do not represent the Church, then why does the Church allow such an unholy alliance? The last sentence of Plain Bill’s” letter is “petty” and does not come into this topic. I. being the first to ooen this topic* ask that all correspondents keep to the subject matter, it saves milch space. . “Leonis” sums up the position in good style and he, HHe Umberto Colonna, uses heavier artillery than I did. so now I feel that I am. m comparison to him, only “bringing up the rear.** so I shall not add to his remarks. ", “Tim Doolan.” it seems* has. hopelessly left the subject om which I wro te—“ The Churches and World Politics”—and further, his argument is not with regard to my letter, he takes to task Umberto Colonna, so I shall be excused if I do not take his letter too seriously. If he cares to write on the subject with which I opened first, then I shall be glad to oblige him.—Yours, ptc PRAVIQEBLA. January 7, 1937.

TO TUB EDITOR OF TUF. PRF.SS. Sir. —Father Cooney’s hysterical accusations against the communists cannot be substantiated. Rather than face up to the real issues involved, he takes up the line of least resistance, by openly attacking the communists in an attempt to divert the people’s attention from the problems of mir present day society, by propagating the illusion of the communist menace and the annihilation of religion. • . ' The destruction of organised Christianity will be of its own internal contradictions, just as the antagonisms and contradictions inside capitalism will destroy capitalism, for Christianity as we know it is an integral part of capitalism. Your correspondent’s reference to paid agents from Moscow is enlightening, for I have failed to meet in this country any recipient of revenue from this source. 1 do happen to be a regular subscriber for literature from Moscow, but I And the Russians are businesslike in the extreme. No money, no literature. In refusing to sign my name to letters I am taking advantage of a privilege granted to everyone; but why should your correspondent laipent and question our courage, when I have a memory vivid of a correspondence carried on a few weeks back on the Spanish situation when some of his colleagues refrained from exposing their identities. —Yours, etc., A.B.C. January S, 1937.

TO THE BDITOB OF THE P&ESS. Sir,—When a Christian gentleman writes to the paper and signs his name, we look for something better than abuse. Wc anonymous writers do not profess to love our enemies, turn the other cheek, or pray for those who despitefully use us, but we do try to treat all with justice. Some of us have had practical experience of Christian charity down to the fourth generation. I can assure Father Cooney that at least some of us are just plain, honest citizens seeking the truth. —Yours, etc., , JUST A NAVVY. January 8, 1937.

TO THE EDITOR OP THE PRESS. Sir,—Father Cooney is scarcely correct in blaming communism for criticism of the clergy. No church ever had any trouble that did not Originate from its clergy, and that makes me'wonder if the clergy have a conscience. Communism is not responsible for what Father Cooney’s church knows as “the leakage.” As far as anonymous correspondence is concerned, we are not all in the same happy socially and financially independent position that Father Cooney enjoys, and, as for there being any disgrace in anonymity, many smarter priests than Father Cooney have assumed pen names.—-Yours, etc., PLAIN BILL. January 8, 1937.