NAZIFIED CHURCH

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21876, 11 August 1934, Page 11

NAZIFIED CHURCH

PROTESTS IN GERMANY REICH ,BISHOP ATTACKED PASTORS IN OPPOSITION MINORITY OVER-RULED By Telegraph—-Press Association—Copyright (Received August 10, 5.5 p.m.) BERLIN. August 9 Opposition pastors made bitter charges against the Reich bishop, Dr. Mueller —who, they said, had Nnzified the government of the Church —at a congress convened by Dr. Mueller in order to enforce radical changes in the constitution.

Two Wurtemburg pastors protested against what they termed the "wrongful legalisation" of Dr. Mueller's previous acts.

Dr. Mueller urged unity among worshippers of the same God. Laws were passed, with some opposition, transferring legislative powers from the Federal church to the new Reich church, ordering pastors to swear allegiance to Herr Hitler, legalising the church administration's past acts and abolishing pacts.

The meeting closed with three cheers for Herr Hitler.

HITLER'S AMNESTY PRECEDENT FOLLOWED RELEASE OF OFFENDERS BERLIN, August 9 Following the precedent at the inauguration of Presidents, Herr Hitler has proclaimed an amnesty for many men and women who are serving terms of less than six months' imprisonment for criminal and political offences. The order excludes those who were imprisoned during the Nazi "purge" of June 30. . j The Government has issued an amnesty to persons guilty of slandering Herr Hitler, provided that the offence was committed before the late President Hindenburg's death. The amnesty does not apply to those guilty of treason or attempted murder. What is described as a generous investigation of suspects now in concentration camps is to be conducted with a view to the liberation of the less serious offenders.