FRENCH CHURCHES

Evening Star, Issue 23817, 22 February 1941, Page 7

FRENCH CHURCHES

PROBLEMS CAUSED BY WAR The most difficult problem ’which faces the French churches is that ol maintaining effective contact between the church in the nou-occupied and the church in the occupied territory. Thus, many parishes iu Northern France have no pastors, while the number of pastors in unoccupied France is considerably in excess of available places. And it is at the moment impossible to travel from the one region to the other. Again, many ecclesiastical regions are cut iu two by the new demarcation line. The French Reformed Church is nevertheless making a considerable effort to maintain the unity of the church. At its meeting at Nimcs on August 14 the National Synod affirmed this principle as strongly as possible and decided that a great common effort should be made to help the weaker parishes. This will prove a very difficult task, for many parishes in the south received a great deal ol help from Paris, and these receiving parishes will now have to support parishes in other parts of the country which are unable to maintain themselves. Thus the 'life of the church will depend on the strength of the solidarity which holds the whole church together, and it is to this sentiment of solidarity that the church leaders are making a strong appeal. A national fund for help to weaker parishes has been established, and ail gifts from churches iu other countries go to this fund. There is little change in the official position of the' church. The (Roman Catholic Church does not desire a concordat at the present time, and so the question of a concordat for the Protestant churches does not arise. It is, however, expected that the law which forbids churches to receive legacies will be changed. Confessional schools, Protestant as well as Roman Catholic, will be able to receive State support. if it is asked whether the Roman Catholic revival will not create an unfavourable attitude to Protestantism, Protestant leaders answer that there is no reason for alarm. In the Restoration period under Charles X,, which was also a period of Roman Catholic revival, Protestantism flourished and many of the main Protestant activities were founded at that time. The real question is whether Protestantism will show enough spiritual vitality to attract those many French people who do not desire to turn to the Roman Catholic Church but who fed. nevertheless, the need for a spiritual foundation for their life. The Christian youth movements will remain in existence, but will be asked to collaborate with the new State organisation of the “ Conipagnons de France ” and to accept the “ Charto ..do la Jennosso,” which is being worked out by the Government in consultation with youth leaders. The camps for the formation of youth leaders, which will be opened soon, will have both Roman Catholic and Protestant chaplains.