DR. HEWLETT JOHNSON

Press, Volume LXXXVI, Issue 26119, 23 May 1950, Page 4

DR. HEWLETT JOHNSON

CHURCHES ADVISED TO IGNORE VISIT DR. FISHER WRITES TO MAYOR OF AUCKLAND (New Zealand Press Association) AUCKLAND, May 22. “My advice to Anglican churches overseas is that they should comp.etely ignore the visit of the Dean of Canterbury," said the Archbishop of Canterbury (Dr. G. F. Fisher) in a letter received to-day by the Mayor of Auckland (Mr J. A. C. Allum*. Mr Allum had asked Dr. Fisher to define the position in the Church of England of the Dean of Canterbury (Dr. Hewlett Johnson) so that the city authorities might know how to treat any future visit Dr. Johnson might make to Auckland. “It is unfortunately true that the Dean of Canterbury has so conducted himself as to create embarrassment and difficulty wherever he goes," said Dr. Fisher. “He goes not as Dean ■ Canterbury or as an ecclesiastic on these jouineys. but purely as an individual who desires to declare his belief on certain political matters. He accepts that description of himself. "There is no kiijd of obligation on ’ civic authorities to take any notice of him. He is invited to countries by so-called peace organisations and the like. It should be left to them to make what arrangements they like for him. “He is completely unrepresentative of the Church of England and of th : s country.” Dr. Fisher continued. ' “Though quite sincere in his beliefs and in thinking that they spring from Christian principles, he seems to be blind tn everything that does not ac--1 cord with his own opinions and to be recklessly one sided. "He cannot be removed from his office until he breaks some law. ecclesiastical or civil. He has perfect liberty to say what he says, since there*is no law against it. but he does not expect, nor should he receive, any i special treatment as Dean cf Canterbury. “Wherever he goes he should be treated as a visiting lecturer of particular opinions which are his own individual opinions and in no sense reoresentative of the Church of England.” In his letter to Dr. Fisher Mr Allum said that he had been placed in an unsatisfactory position by Dr. Johnson's intended visit to Auckland. He susgpstcd that if Dr. Johnson again proposed to visit Auckland while he retained his present office an authoritative statement should be made informing the public of the purpose of the visit.