Bishops critical in Rhodesia

Press, Volume CXIV, Issue 33438, 21 January 1974, Page 15

Bishops critical in Rhodesia

1 X.Z.P A.-Reuter—Copyright > SALISBURY, January 20. Rhodesia's six Roman Catholic bishops today criticised the Government for its “racialist policies,” which, they said, must he radically changed if there was to be any hope of permanent peace in the country.

The criticism came in a pastoral message entitled, “Reconciliation in Rhodesia,” which was read, or distributed, in Roman Catholic churches throughout the country. The bishops—five whites | and one African—have be-1 come increasingly critical of; the Government during the; last few years, but this was one of their most outspoken challenges. In their message, they expressed grave concern at “the present unhappy state of the country’,” the isecurity, peace, and pros-

i perity of which, they said, , were threatened. 1 “There is a growing lack of understanding between ’ the races,” the message said. : “In our opinion, much of the i blame rests with the present i Rhodesian Administration, Land with those who support •jits racialist policies. ■\ “If there is to be any ijhope of permanent peace. ; these policies must be i radically changed.” The bishops added that • they were gravely concerned : about the recent refusal by i the Rhodesian authorities to i allow many new mission- • aries to enter the country.