RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20965, 3 March 1930, Page 7

RELIGIOUS PERSECUTION

DAY OF PRAYER REQUESTED. ACTION BY ARCHBISHOPS. DEFENCE FORCES NOT PARTICIPATING. o (British Official Wireless.) (United Press Association.) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) j RUGBY, February 28. , The Archbishops of Canterbury and York have issued a statement asking that Sunday, March 2, be observed in all churches within their provinces as a dav of prayer on behalf of those suffering oppression in Russia through loyalty to their religious faiths. At the same time the following letter has been addressed by Sir, Herbert Greedy (Permanent Undersecretary for War) to the military commands at Home and abroad: —“ I am commanded by the Army Council to inform you that bis Majesty’s Government have decided, in view of the political character which the controversy has assumed that it is undesirable that intercessory prayers for Russian subjects would be read at religious services in the army.” A message has been sent to the ships apd establishments of the British Navy saying that, the request for services for Russian Christians made by the Archbishop of Canterbury does not apply to naval ships and establishments. A similar communication has been sent to the Royal Air Force commands.