SECRET ORDERS FOR PERSECUTION OF CHURCHES

Grey River Argus, 25 February 1949, Page 5

SECRET ORDERS FOR PERSECUTION OF CHURCHES

in Bulgaria

LONDON, February 24

The British Council of Churches has released what is described as secret orders issued from the Communist central headquarters in Sofia to promote a campaign against the Evangelical Churches in Bulgaria.

The council states that, under these orders 30 to 40 pastors were arrested in Bulgaria, some of whom were imprisoned as hostages for the pastors who could not be found. The pastors' wives and families were “grilled” and tormented to make accusations and sign statements.

The British Council of Churches quotes the Communist special orders as saying: “The Evangelical Churches' growing activity in Bulgaria is loosely connected with the imperialists’ mad activity in inciting a new war. The pastors, under the a new war. The pastors, under the veil of various religions, are introducing policies of foreign influence into Bulgaria.”

America Protests at Persecution of Religion WASHINGTON, Feb 23. The United States has protested against' Bulgaria’s arrest of 15 Protestant churchmen as a “blatant! terroristic effort” to intimidate religious denominations. The State Department said to-day that a formal Note of protest was delivered at Sofia on February 21. It was rejected outright by the Bulgarian Government, almost immediately. , , The churchmen are accused of spying for the United States and Britain.