DAMAGE TO CHURCHES

Press, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23812, 4 December 1942, Page 3

DAMAGE TO CHURCHES

ARCHBISHOP’S APPEAL

In a letter to the clergy of New Zealr.nd his Grace Archbishop West-Wat-son has asked for co-operatior. in an effort to raise funds for the repair of damage done to churches in England by air raids. The standing committee ot General Synod had resolved that the matter should be brought before the Synods of the several dioceses of the province for discussion and it was further resolved that the dioceses be asked to agree to Christmas Day, 1942, or the following Sunday as the day for such giving. "The damage is so vast that anything which we could do here would be rather a gesture of sympathy than an attempt to grapple seriously with the problem," continues the Archbishop in his appeal. “But inasmuch as we Have been spared so far the desperate trial of faith and morale which has faced our brethren in England this is. I am sure, the gesture which we should wish to make. It would be a small acknowledgement of the debt which we owe to the Old Country for the magnificent example of courage and resolution which it gave to the world at a moment which was critical for the whole future of civilisation. That example was fearlessly given in full realisation of the tragic suffering which was bound to ensue.”

The Very Rev. A. K. Warren, Dean of Christchurch, told a representative of “The Press” last evening that the selection of a date on which to take the offertory would be left to ihe different parishes. In many churches there was a long standing custom to take up on Christmas Day a collection for orphanages and other charitable objects, and the best result' would be obtained by leaving the selection of a date most suitable to the different parishes. ____________