VATICAN’S ATTITUDE TO RUSSIA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25304, 2 October 1947, Page 7

VATICAN’S ATTITUDE TO RUSSIA

Criticism By Archbishop Of York

‘ ‘ ENCOURAGES DIVISION IN EUROPE”

(N.Z. Press Association—Copyright) (Rec. 11.55 p.m.) LONDON, October 1. Tl ? er . e , is imminent danger of Europe being divided permanently into Communist and non-Communist camps, making war inevitable,” said the Archbishop of York (Dr. Cyril Garbett), in an address to hi* diocese.

The difficulties of an understanding with Russia were great, but it would be fatal to regard them as .insoluble. Th? Vatican s policy of treating Russia as the chief enemy of civilisation encouraged this division. “The Catholic parties on the Continent,” he added, “are progressive m their programmes, but they are also a rallying ground for reactionaries, and there is a danger that on the Continent Catholicism will be identified with reaction. •ill?*' ™ the hour of victory in every country will treat the Church and possibly Christianity as a political foe. Materialistic, Marxian Communism, logically interpreted is opposed to Christianity, but it is untrue that within the Communist State there is no room for Christianity.”

Dr. Garbett said that the Church should firmly refuse to accept the . position that Europe must be divided ] into opposing ideological camps, and must hope and pray that closer friend- 5 ship with the Russian Church might also lead to a better understanding j with the Soviet State and people. Dr. Garbett rejected unilateral : armament, because it invited aggres- i "sion by a “bully State.” ]

Unless Germany was soon given aid and hope, she would sink into poverty beyond all recovery. A definite term should be set to denazification. “In making world peace our aim, we must frankly admit that there is no immediate prospect of it, and that statesmen must not neglect practical measures which may reduce the possibilities of war in their time.”