ANZAC DAY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26229, 13 August 1946, Page 2

ANZAC DAY

Sir,—Mr Allen’s excursions into etymology was somewhat unfortunate even if we forgive the meiosls involved in reducing the Holy Roman Empire to “ o small German State.” He seems to think that " Protestant ” is a term applicable only to the dissenters at Speiers in 1529. On this reasoning of course Presbyterians are not Protestant. For my part I cannot see that it is especially careless to accept the Oxford definition of the word—a member of anv of the .Western Christian Churches apart from the Roman. Your correspondent's touching solicitude for Greek Orthodoxy was quite unwarranted since Catholics certainly do not think of the eastern patriarchates as Protestant. But I suspect that Mr Allen’s chief purpose was to repudiate the adjective as applied to Anglicisation. He would find Dean Inge interesting on the point. He might also reread the Coronation Oath with its reference to “The Protestant Church as by law established.” The branch theory so beloved of high Anglicans has, it seems, grown in extension. Would Mr Allen tell us what “ other great branches ” he hides in nameless obscurity? That the Anglican Church belongs to the body of the Church Catholic I deny in toto. I am prepared to discuss the question in these columns or on any debating platform Mr Allen may select. “Awake ” shares Mr Allen's disinclination to keep to the point directly at issue —the attitude of the Orange Lodge to the observance of Anzac Day. I must perforce wander with him. Catholics are not " more concerned in an endeavour to eliminate other sections of the Christian faith than in the propagation of Christianity.” To say that they are is mere cant and claptrap. No other denomination has accomplished one hundredth part of the missionary work performed by Rome. Nor, to come nearer home, can “Awake ” produce any Catholic paper which devotes itself to attacks on other churches as the Nation attacks Rome. No one will be gladder than I if Protestants can refill their empty churches. I suggested in point of fact that they try doing so on Anzac Day. But the official commemoration, which is meant as a tribute to the dead and not as a missionary crusade or a revivalist meeting, should be such as all who wish may share. Finally, I would ask “Awake ” to remember that I do not “ speak on behalf of the Roman church." I speak as a layman defending Catholic positions when these are attacked. The defence may be totally inadequate. If so, the fault is mine and mine alone.—l am, etc., August 11. Catholic Student.

Sir,—lt seems that the position of Roman Catholics on attendance at Anzac Day parades needs clarifying. Christ founded one Church. To-day each of the hundreds of Christian churches claims to be that one true Church. The Catholic Church follows that claim to its logics, conclusion by saying that if it is the true Church the others are not, and therefore it is a sin to take part in the worship of false churches. That is why Catholics will not take part in public religious observances. New Zealand has always been proud that there is no religious discrimination between sections of its people. Catholics, like any other minority, are entitled to have their beliefs respected. Members of the R.S.A. fought for, among other principles of the Atlantic Charter. “ the sacred rights of minorities.” It is left to another minority—the Kirk of Otago and Southland—to repudiate this. I am aware it has the backing of the Protestant Lodge. Is the concern of the kirk the protection of religion In New Zealand or mere bigotry? In other respects the kirk is not nearly so insistent on principles. For instance, publicly rebuking the Invercargill Licensing Trust for offering tainted profits of the beer industry, the kirk has no scruples about pocketing the Church Board lease rents of hotels and brewery properties. The solution, sir, of the Anzac services problem is the Auckland one. Let the Anglicans have their dawn parade and Catholics their Requiem Mass. Then let the later ceremonies be purely secular.— I am, etc., Don’t Be Bigoted. August 11. ,

Sir,—Comparing “ Catholic Student’s ’’ letter with a report of the ramifications of certain Catholic guilds in Australia, and which was headed " Catholic Action,” 1 along with many other members of the community, seem to detect a " nigger in the woodpile." It seems strange that this Australian activity of the Roman Catholic Church has suddenly come to the surface since the present Pope assumed control.—l am, etc.. Lux. August 9.