Fears For Vietnam Christians

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31498, 12 October 1967, Page 9

Fears For Vietnam Christians

(N.Z. Pres* Assn.— Copyright) SYDNEY, Oct 10. Archbishop Marcus Loane, said yesterday that the allied forces should hold on in Vietnam until a negotiated peace settlement could be achieved. He said that if the lives of Vietnamese Christians were not to be endangered, this might be the best of three courses open to the allies. Making his presidential address to the second ordinary session of the 34th Sydney Anglican Synod, Archbishop Loane said: “What has happened in Korea, and is happening in China may happen again in Vietnam should the country fall under Communist control. “I am frankly amazed that Church spokesmen who have so much to say about conscience never appear to take into account the needs and the future well-being of the indigenous Christian people of South Vietnam. “American troops may withdraw, Foreign missionaries may ail leave in safety, but the Christian nationals must remain in the country where they were born. “What will they face? Are

they likely to fare better than their brethren in Korea or China? And since we are involved in the present conflict whether we like it or not, are we not in some sense responsible for their future welfare?

“This to me is one grave aspect of the moral trauma which the war in Vietnam involves, and it has as strong an appeal to the conscience of the Church as any humanitarian motive.

“It is not an argument in favour of an escalation of the war to the point of no return, but it is a solid reason for holding on until a negotiated settlement can be achieved. “And such a settlement should have adequate safeguards for peace, for individual security, for freedom of conscience and freedom of worship.” Referring to the “terrible” three-part dilemma of Vietnam, Archbishop Loane said the first course might be for America to go on, to escalate the War, to risk the point of no return.

This might result in the invasion of North Vietnam by ground forces, it might provoke direct Chinese intervention, it might spell a world war.

The next count might be for America to hold on. This might allow her to contain the Viet Cong, to establish a stable government in Saigon, and to negotiate a settlement which would safeguard peace and security. The third course might be for America to pack up. This might permit her to cut her losses and to withdraw, to end the debate at home and to save an enormous expenditure in men and arms.

“It would also leave the Viet Cong masters of South Vietnam,” Archbishop Loane said.