Churchmen Condemn

Northern Advocate, 29 June 1943, Page 3

Churchmen Condemn

SYDNEY, Monday. Over their joint signatures, the Anglican and Roman Catholic Archbishops of Sydney, Drs. MoWll and Gilroy respectively, have issued a joint statement condemning Nazism, Fascism, Communism, or any “organisation of the State in the exclusive interests of a group, whether capitalists or workers.”

Their statement; which is the first joint declaration made by the tv/o churches, aims to define a basis for post-war reconstruction of society, according to the principles of Christianity. It deplores the decline of the part played by religion in public affairs, with its attendant tendency to regulate life by purely economic standards. “Christians,” declared, the statement, “are duty bound to plan and work for reconstruction of society on a Christian basis, so as to obtain a right order for the nation, and co-operation among all men.”

The lengthy document sets out Christian principles to which all men must adhere, adding that disregard of charity and justice by individuals and people has been responsible for current national and international disorders. It defines the duties of the State towards its citizens, and of citizens towards the State, and of all men towards one another. It emphasises the individuality of man and his right to personal freedom, and the duty of the State to protect common rights by preventing concentration of power in the hands of the few. Christian education to develop not only intellect, but character, maintenance of family life against ail modern disintegrating influences, and co-operation between capital and labour,,are seen as essential features of a sound social order. Stressing the duties of every individual to his fellow-men, the statement says: “All men are required to undertake certain mutual obligations, such as faithful observance of contracts, giving a just return in work or goods for money or its equivalent, and faithful discharge of all obligations, whether as parents, children, .employers, employees, friends or neighbours.”