Church Support For Rhodesia

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30939, 21 December 1965, Page 22

Church Support For Rhodesia

The Executive Committee of the National Council of Churches calls upon people in New Zealand to stand by the churches in Rhodesia in their support for their Governor and in their opposition to race prejudice.

In a statement issued yesterday the executive Mys it wishes it to be known that its members are unanimous in believing that the Smith regime to be not merely illegal but acting in a manner contrary to the basic teaching of the Christian gospel. The Christian Council of Rhodesia, in a resolution adopted on November 26, has undertaken to work for the rapid restoration of a lawful' Government. It has asserted that all people who consider the Smith regime’s declaration of independence to be illegitimate are in duty bound to make their allegiance to the Governor clear by letter or other action.

Roman Catholic bishops in Rhodesia have issued a pastoral letter denouncing the Smith regime and warning that “an immoral state of affairs exists when nationalism or race or economics becomes the dominant form of behaviour and is placed above men.” The text of the letter was given prominence on the front page of "Zeaiandia” on December 9. More Information

Much more information on the situation in Rhodesia has been supplied to the National Council of Churches in New Zealand through the headquarters of the AH-Africa Conference of Churches, which has asked other Christian councils to support the Rhodesian council in its action.

“The opposition of the Christian Council of Rhodesia to Mr Smith is tn line with Christian teaching all over the world,” said the Rev. David M. Taylor, the general aecretaiy of the National Council of Churches-. “Statements by the World Council of Churches and by ecumenical conferences are consistent in steadily and strongly supporting those who have been exploited because of their race or colour. “For instance, the central committee of the World Council of Churches, meeting in 1963, with the Rev. W. S.

Dawson representing New Zealand, issued a strong statement on racial and ethnic tension. “It reaffirmed statements made by the second assembly of the world council that the whole pattern of racial discrimination is seen as an unutterable offence against God. to be endured no longer.” "The N.C.C. executive in New Zealand fully endorses these world council statements. No church that is loyal to our Savoour will consent to the class doctrine which Mr Smith represents. “Any white men who seek to maintain permanent control over all who are not white are rejecting the revelation that God sent in Christ,” Mid Mr Taylor.