JOINT STATEMENT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 78, 28 June 1943, Page 2

JOINT STATEMENT

ANGLICAN AND CATHOLIC ARCHBISHOPS ON POST-WAR RECONSTRUCTION NAZISM. FASCISM”AND COMMUNISM CONDEMNED (Rec. 12.30 p.m.) Sydney, This Day. Over their joint signatures the Anglican and Catholic Archbishops of Sydney, Drs. Mowell 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. W’hich Is me nm joint declaration by the churches, aim* to define the basis for post-war reconstruction of society according to the principles of Christianity. It deplore* 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 play and work for the reconstruction of society on a Christian basis so as to obtain a right order for the nation and co-operation among all men.” A lengthy document sets out the Christian principles to which all men must adhere, adding that disregard of charity and justice by individual* and people has been responsible for current national and international disorders. It defines the duties of the State towards its citizen?, nf citizen* towards the State, and of all men towards one another. It emphasises the individuality of man, his right to personal freedom and the duty of the State to protect common rignts by preventing concentration of power in the hand* of the few. Christian education to develop not only the intellect but also character, the maintenance of family life against all 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 fellowmen, the statement says: “All men are required to undertake certain mutual obligations, such a* faithful observance of contracts, the giving of a just return in work or good* for money or its equivalent, and faithful discharge of all obligations whether as parents, children, employees, friends or neighbours."— P.A.