CHURCH OPPOSITION.

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXIV, Issue 925, 21 November 1933, Page 1

CHURCH OPPOSITION.

Nazi Leaders Resent Roman Catholic Attitude. United Press Assn.—By Electric Telegraph—Copyrignt. MUNICH, November 20. The Premier of Bavaria, Herr Siebert, deplores the Roman Catholic Church’s lack of enthusiasm towards Herr Hitler. He complained that the Bavarian Bishop's manifesto was lukewarm regarding Nazi achievements and also of the Bishop's declaration that he could not serve the Reich wholeheartedly, owing to its anti-Catholic measures. Herr Siebert added that an end must be made to the Church’s influence in secular youth movements. The formation of a “ working fellowship of Roman Catholic Germans ” was announced recently by Herr Hitler's representative, Herr Rudoif Hess. The aims are: “To strengthen national feeling among the Roman Catholic population. “To deepen and increase among Roman Catholics unreserved co-opera-tion with National Socialism, and “To enlarge the ranks of active Nazi campaigners.” The fellowship, is is stated, will devote its special energies towards achieving a clearly-defined relationship between Church, State and the Nazi Party, and removing past misunderstandings. It will also contrive “to nip in the bud all attempts at disturbance.” Its chief patron is the Vice-Chan-cellor, Herr von Papen. LUTHERAN CHURCH. Pastors Hint at Conflict With Nazis. LONDON, November 20. The Berlin correspondent of “ The Times ” states that when Martin Luther’s four hundred and fiftieth anniversary was celebrated on Sunday, the three thousand members of the Opposition Pastors’ Emergency League warned their congregations that there was a possibility of a conflict unless those responsible were immediately removed from ecclesiastical office, pastors declaring that heathenism had irrupted in the German Church. They reaffirmed their belief in the entire Bible as a sole guide of faith and appealed to members to stand together.