Church Resolution Criticised By China

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30288, 14 November 1963, Page 5

Church Resolution Criticised By China

(New Zealand Press Association)

WELLINGTON, Nov. 13. A resolution of the Methodist Church urging recognition of Communist -China has been criticised in a statement sent to the church by the Chinese Embassy. The statement issued by the Chinese Ambassador (Dr. Daniel Yu-Tang Lew), says:— “The Methodist Church in the past has been noted for its uncompromising stand against evil. But its recent resolution urging recognition of the Chinese Communist regime is asking that the Chinese people be sacrificed to godless materialism. “It means giving support to a Chinese Communist minority of less than 1 per cent and condemning the hundreds of millions of Chinese people on the mainland to continue in slavery. “It would dash the hopes of 25.000,000 free Chinese on Taiwan and overseas.

President Chiang Kai-shek

and his wife are loyal members of the Methodist Church. Yet the Methodist Church of New Zealand is asking its people and Government to deny support to them and, instead, to accord dignity and honour to Mao Tse-tung, who mocks God. “The Republic of China, with its seat of Government now on Taiwan, is not perfect. But it is dedicated to godliness and righteousness. It represents the choice all Chinese people are still able to make. “It is the task and privilege of our Christian Church today to help men and nations choose Christ and not Caesar. We cannot worship both God and Mammon. “As a Christian and a father, I ask you, the Methodist Church of New Zealand, to so live our Faith together that we outmatch communism and build for our children a world founded on moral standards and governed by God-guided men and women.”