N.Z. Delegation’s Visit To Soviet: Churches’ View

Press, Volume C, Issue 29626, 23 September 1961, Page 5

N.Z. Delegation’s Visit To Soviet: Churches’ View

“The executive of the National Council of Churches regrets that a false impression has unfortunately been given in an interview in "The Press” on September 15. in which, Mr C. E. Lewis, a member of the New Zea-land-U.S.S.R. Society delegation to the U.S.S.R., is quoted as saying that the delegation carries documents on behalf of the council referring to an exchange of clergy visits and other matters,” says a statement, by the general secretary of the New Zealand National Council of Churches (the Rev. A. A. Brash). . “The situation is’that some months ago Mr Lewis offered to discuss an exchange of visits among churchmen while he was in Russia. The council thanked him for his suggestion, and acted on it by sending greeting* and certain proposals through official church channels. Simply as a matter of information the delegation was sent a copy of some of the correspondence. “Obviously any new Zealander travelling overseas can express his opinion on church matters in this country. If he is a churchman he can even convey greetings at the personal level on behalf of the churches. But this is

quite a different matter from carrying official documents for definite discussions on behalf of the churches or the council. The council wishes the delegation every sucess in its good-will mision. but wants to make it clear that his not acting’ officially on behalf of the council which was the impression inadvertently given.” Commenting on the statement Mr Lewis said “obviously. in a brief interview the full ramifications of the situation could not be given, and I welcome the opportunity to expand on information already given to “The Press.” As there have already been orthodox exchanges between various churches in the United Kingdom and the Soviet Union, this matter was recently raised by members of the New Zea-land-US.S.R Society Such a proposed question of exchange of Christian leaders; between the US.S.R. and. New Zealand later gained tnel support of a national meet-1 trig held by the society. '

“Since the New ZealandU.SS.R. Society is not specifically involved in religious issues, we felt that in our work towards this exchange the National Council of Churches should be notified of the foundation of our delegation. To this end a letter explaining the situation was sent to the council. “In response, the society received a copy of a letter sent after consideration of our proposals to the World Council of Churches in Geneva. In this reference was made to the New Zea-

land council’s desire to further exchanges between | Christian leaders from the Union and New Zealand. "I appreciate that the statement may have been slightly ambiguous and that the documents given were for information to assist the delegation oa its forthcoming visit to the U.S.S.R”