MENACE OF PROSELYTISM

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1931, Page 7

MENACE OF PROSELYTISM

POPE’S EMPHATIC protest

CRITICISM OF AUTHORITIES

ROME’S SACRED CHARACTER

‘FLAGRANT CONTRADICTION’

By Telegraph—Press Assn.— Copyright. Rec. 8.15 p.m. London, Feb. 17. “The great evil afflicting Italy throughout the country, especially in Rome, is Rrotestant proselytism promoted with provocative persistence and permitted to continue with’ great harm to human souls, said the Pbpe, addressing Lenten preachers assembled at Vatican City, states the Rome correspondent of the Times.

The Pope added that proselytism menaced the most precious thing in the nation’s life—unity of thought and souk, which was always most efficacious in religious unity. Nevertheless the authorities had allowed it to continue to an extent surprising to the Protestants themselves. who had boasted of it, even talking of a Protestant pilgrimage to Italy for the establishment of a Protestant Synod. The authorities were especially criticised for permitting Protestants to acquire land in the Holy City. The Pope declared Rome was suffering immoral books, periodicals and _ films, variety performances and profahation of the Sabbath. Young people attending these performances resembled ‘mnocepts taken to the slaughter yard.” He added his protests and declared these evils flagrantly contradicted the Italian concordant s acceptance of “Rome’s. sacred character. Hip hearers here burst into applause but the Pope exclaimed: “This is an occasion not for applause but for tears.”