NAZIS AND RELIGION

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22807, 17 February 1936, Page 9

NAZIS AND RELIGION

CATHOLIC CHURCH SUSPECT DRIVE BY AUTHORITIES (United Press Association) (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright) LONDON, February 14. The Manchester Guardian’s Berlin correspondent says the German Government is preparing a statement alleging that Roman Catholic youth leaders have collaborated with Communists in plotting against Nazi-ism. The authorities complain that they have been considerably hampered in “ supervision ” of Catholics owing to the sympathy of many local officials for them. The Nazis have also launched a drive against the “ Ernste Bibelforschcr,” a Bible society somewhat resembling the English Quakers, which aims at studying and propagating the Scriptures independently of the churches. The authorities have ordered the immediate suppression of this organisation and have arrested and placed on mass trial at Elbcrfeld 47 members, eight of whom are over 60 and three over 70 years of age. The society consists mainly of elderly persons, and has a certain fol lowing among the young, especially serious-minded students, who object to drinking and duelling. It is quite nonpolitical, but naturally opposes Neopaganism. Some members are already in concentration camps because they refused to say “ Heil Hitler,” maintaining that no temporal authority was entitled to such reverence. A GRIM THREAT WARNING TO PASTORS MAY FACE FIRING SQUAD BERLIN, February 15. (Received Feb. 16, at 9 p.m.) Excitement and apprehension have been caused in Upper Silesia by the speech of a leading Nazi official (Herr von Oelssen), who has warned opposition pastors they may be put against the wall and shot like recalcitrant Brown Shirts, He added that pastor agitators should take care not to provoke a second purge like the one on June 30, 1934, when the Fuhrcr ruthlessly shot down old Nazi fighters because they did not heed his warnings. Similarly in the church conflict the time would come when Herr Hitler’s patience would be exhausted. He would then put obstinate pastors out of action.

“ I hope they understand me,” he con eluded.