NEED FOR RELIGION IN WORLD AFFAIRS STRESSED BY PRIMATE

Wanganui Chronicle, 16 October 1947, Page 6

NEED FOR RELIGION IN WORLD AFFAIRS STRESSED BY PRIMATE

Christchurch, Oct. 13.

The difference between the United States and her ideals and Russia and her ideals has unfortunately been accentuated during the past year, said the Primate of New Zealand (Archbishop West-Watson) in his address ar the opening of the Synod of Diocese of Christchurch this afternoon. Between these two great powers stood Britain with her Commonwealth of Nations puzzled and anxious. Britain was conscious of the contrast between her power and influence in the 19th century and her critical and difficult position today. She was conscious, too, of her responsibilities, in spite of diminished resources, for playing a leading part in the saving of Europe from utter ruin and despair. Her economic prospects were gloomy but her courage was undimmed. Under such a strain all depended in the last resort on the spiritual strength and vision. “The whole future of peace for the world depends on the ability of men and nations to trust each other and to work together, and nothing seems to be more plainly revealed by recent events than that when human beings lose faith in God they lose faith in each other," said His Grace. “World savagery and the police state are evidence enough. Our good news of the love of God in Christ is pushed aside today as almost an impe-tinent irrelevance when things are so serious and tragic. But we meet here today as men who feel the high responsibility of being entrusted by God with the responsibility of stemming the tide in what, is being written off by the calculating and half-hearted as a lost battle."