CHURCH AND WAR

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLVII, Issue 21507, 21 November 1939, Page 8

CHURCH AND WAR

JUSTICE OF ALLIES* CAUSE By Telegraph—Press Association CHRISTCHURCH, November 20. "We recommend our people to respond with a loyal sense of civic responsibility to such calls for service as the authorities may make with due regard to the ‘rights of conscience.’ ” This passage was contained in a pronouncement of the attitude of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand towards the war, adopted at the session of the General Assembly to-day. "At this grave juncture, when the British Empire is at war and the New Zealand Government has unhesitatingly ranged itself along with the United Kingdom, the Presbyterian Church reaffirms her loyalty to the Throne and recognises, on the basis of the facts available, the justice of the cause for which our nation is fighting, after all efforts toward a peaceful solution had failed.” was another passage in the lengthy statement. “The Assembly calls upon all its congregation to remember that we are part of the universal fellowship which no war can destroy, that it is for us to work to-day more earnestly for the healing of nations and reconstruction of our world order, and that the power and peace of God are with all those whose concern is to know and to do his will.”

An amendment urging the Assembly to condemn war as incompatible with the mind and spirit of Christ was rejected, and the resolution was carried without dissent.