CHURCH ATTITUDE

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22986, 14 March 1938, Page 15

CHURCH ATTITUDE

CATHOLIC CENTENARY PROTESTANTS' WITNESS PRINCIPLE OF PROCESSION ATTACKS BY TWO MINISTERS Reasons for the recent appeal to Protestant citizens of Auckland to absent themselves from the Procession ol _ the Host, conducted in connection with the Catholic centenary celebrations, were given by speakers at a meeting of Protestant witness held yesterday afternoon. Congregations numbering in all approximately .'IOOO filled the Pitt Street Methodist Church, where the addresses were delivered, in addition to the Sunday school hall and the Beresford Street Congregational Church, in which were installed radio amplifiers lor the occasion. Introduced by the Rev. R. Ferguson Fish, who was chairman, the Rev. E. T. Olds said the meeting was to be nothing in the nature of condemnation, but for a-quiet and dignified statement of the ground occupied by Protestants, who stood lor religious freedom at all costs. Since the meeting was called there had been a tremendous amount of controversy among persons who should have known bettor on the theme of tolerance. An explanation was due, ■ and it would be given. "The Roman Catholic Church, which has no more right to the name of Catholic than wo have as Protestants, has recently been placing before the public of Auckland—and New Zealand through the medium of radio—her point of view in religion," said Mr. Olds. "Goodness knows they spent enough money on their celebrations, which included a procession for which permission was given by the City Council. But that permission would not have been granted if the council had been wide awake to what lay behind it.

"The procession was a pr.rt of Roman Catholic worship that we look upon as definitely blasphemous,-" Mr. Olds continued. "To carry the Host in procession is adoration, and any act of adoration is idolatry. Thus wo urged our people to stay away from the procession for the sake of peace and harmony." (Applause.) "We are not a Church that can say, 'You must stay away,' but at the same time we regard as brethren and sisters those who belong to the Roman Catholic Church. Propaganda Talks Alleged

" Only propaganda for public consumption was presented to our public by Home during the celebrations, ' Mr. Olds continued. " Not everything she is. but only the facts for public consumption were offered. However, those with eyes and ears could discern the implications of many of the statements made by the speakers. Lots of Protestants were possibly hoodwinked with the talks, but if they allow the wool to be pulled over their eyes by such plausible talk for propaganda purposes only they are bigger fools than I think they are. -Mr. Olds said that Rome was out to eont|iier England from a religious point of view. This aim had followed down the centuries, and was far from obsolete in the present century. Christianity among the British people was standing across the path of Rome's ambition and desire to-day. The open Bible was the greatest blow to the heart of Rome, which would never win the world because of the scriptural evidence against the claims made b3' her. " Salvation in Open Bible " " The living word of Cod in the open Bible is our salvation to-day, as it has been since the Testaments were written in the common language of man," said Mr. Olds. " I believe in the mighty force which struck at Rome in the 18tn century, when an evangelical revival swept over England a tide which is still sweeping over the world. United strength will see that His will is served on earth as it is in Heaven."

Supplementing the remarks of Mr. Olds, the Rev. Dr. J. J. North said he regretted the action of the press of Auckland in its attitude toward the centenary celebrations. In omitting the word Roman the papers had erred, as in British law there was no such thing as one Catholic church being distinct from another.

" Something irritating and aggravating to the Christian faith was presented in the recent procession, which was a most improper proceeding," Dr. North added. " People of this city were iVced with the cruel alternative of staying indoors or witnessing idolatorv, and a great many of them did this. Such a holy sacrament should never have been paraded as it was, constituting an affront to the people of Auckland. Moreover, it was a travesty on British custom."