CHRISTCHURCH COMMENT

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26319, 13 January 1951, Page 7

CHRISTCHURCH COMMENT

PROMINENT MEMBERS AFFECTED

He did not know the number of Roman Catholics in the Christchurch Rotary Club, but he imagined they would be in about the same proportion as Roman Catholics in the community, said the secretary of the club (Mr E. H. S. Hamilton) last evening when the message was referred to him. Many prominent members of the movement in Christchurch and throughout the world were Roman catholics and there were strong Rotary clubs in several predominantly Roman Catnolic countries.

Roman Catholic bishops in other countries had in the past expressed disapproval of the movement, but '.e could not recall any similar pronouncement by a New Zealand churchman. The 339,000 Rotary members in 84 countries and territorial regions throughout the world included men of every creed said Mr Hamilton. Clubs in such places as South America, France and other European countries, including Italy, where the movement had recently been re-established, would have a high proportion of Roman Catholic members. The only comment which the district governor of District 40 of Rotary International (Mr H. E. Perry) would make was to quote from the movement's manual of procedure: “Rotary International has unequivocally 'eclared for the liberty of the individual in freedom of thought, speech and rssembly. freedom of worship and freedom from Persecution. “Rotary International expects every Rotarian to ue a loyal member to the church or religious community to which he .-elongs and personally exemplify by his very act the tenets of his religion.” ,