GERMAN CHURCH DISPUTE

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 18 September 1934, Page 6

GERMAN CHURCH DISPUTE

Parishes Warned Not to Hand Over Funds DECLARATION OF LOYALTY WARNING OF CONSEQUENCE (Unitea Frees Aeauclfltion—l»y Electrio Telegrapl' Copyright.) Received 2.45 p.m. to-day. BERLIN, Sept. 17. Dr. Wurni made a statement instructing parishes not to pay church funds to Dr. Mueller’s commissioner or any local administrations 1 he has established. All pastors are supporting Dr. Dr. Warm. Au overwhelming majority at Wurtemburg read from pulpits a declaration, of loyalty to Dr. Wurm, although the latter warned them there might be serious consequences.

A cable from London, dated September 16, stated that a sensational development in the struggle between Dr. Mueller, Nazi Bishop of the German Reich, and the evangelical bishops followed a sermon at Munich by Dr. Meiser, bishop of the Bavarian Church, ■deploring Nazi attacks on dissenting bishops. :Crowds inside and outside the church sang the Lutheran fighting hymn “Our Gsd, a tower of strength is He.” It was the first time it had been heard in Munich streets since the reformation. Indignant crowds at Berlin held meetings of protest against Dr. Wurm’s suspension by Dr. Mueller and roughlj handled Nazi functionaries. Dr. Wurm refuses to Tecognise the validity of the suspension and continues to claim leadership of the regional church, though he is unable to gain ecclesiastical buildbags. _____