THE VATICAN AND RUSSIA

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25308, 7 October 1947, Page 5

THE VATICAN AND RUSSIA

Sir, —The words of Edward Markham’s immortal poem, ‘.‘The Man With the Hoe” came to my mind as I read G. F. Seward’s' letter against Communism. I maintain that it is the duty of the leaders in any field to see that all men get equal opportunities to be soundly educated. If vhey do not get this, they cannot reason, and so use force insteal Here is the last verse of the poem. The poet, like Tennyson, was able to “look into the future”: O, hasten, lords and rulers in all lands, How will the future reckon with this man? How answer his brute question in that hour When whirlwinds of rebellion shake the world? $ How will it be with kingdoms and with kings— And those who shaped him to the thing he is— When this dumb terror shall rise to judge the world, After the silence of the centuries? —Yours, etc., M. G. DAVIES. October 6, 1947.

Sir, —G. F.» Seward identifies Christianity with religion, a grave misdemeanour. Christianity embodies in its philosophy, Communism. Religion is applied for the furtherance of interests inimical to the welfare of the bulk of the people. The statement that the Catholic Church is irreconcilably opposed to Communism provides .confirmation of the difference between Christianity and religion. The Church’s policy of identifying itself with the opponents of Communism is universally known. The international supporters of Fascism (the opposite of Communism) are duly held up as the champions of “rfeligion” and all it entails. The identification of the Church with Fascism forms part of the basis for the world turmoil existing today. Ample evidence over a period of years, provided by events in the international field, has demonstrated that its sanctification of Fascism is based upon its antipathy to progressive Communism.—Yours, etc., A. W. GRAINGER. Templeton, October 4. 1947.

Sir,—At the conclusion of G. F. Seward’s letter he states that .“prayers are offered for Russia every day in all Catholic churches.” This, no doubt, would be fully appreciated by the Soviet citizens, if they presumed for one moment that the gigantic strides made in spheres of social, economic, and cultural progress could be attributed to influences outside of their own concerted planning, administration, and will to co-operate for universal progress. Since Russians are realists, circumstantial evidence in the Soviet Union must take precedence over the supernatural. A new world, moving to an untold fullness and richness. demands planned action. A nation cannot achieve this on its knees. Does the church include Britain in its prayers? If ever there was a period unprecedented in history demanding adjustment it is now.—Yours, etc., S.T.B. October 4, 1947.

Sir,—The Greek Orthodox Church has freedom of worship because Russian clericalism has been weeded out from it. Clericalism has been defined as the pursuit of power, especially political power, by a religious hierarchy carried on by secular methods and for purposes of social domination; and it is interesting to observe that it was on the tree of Italian clericalism that the evil fruit of Fascism first appeared. Like Communism, Roman clericalism is an internationally organised society with its headquarters in a foreign country, and in this cri s appears prepared to sacrifice Christian unity for secular power and ambition. This is not surprising considering the spiritual nullity of the Papacy in the eighteenth and its active anti-liberalism in the nineteenth century, but what I think Archbishop Garbett emphasised was that spiritual wealth increased in the sharing along the highway of progress to peace; but* you must dispense it by deeds.—Yours, etc., MALICE TOWARDS NONE. October 4, 1947.