CHURCH IN GERMANY

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19363, 17 September 1934, Page 7

CHURCH IN GERMANY

UNITY BY FORCE. SENSATIONAL DEVELOPMENT. ARCHBISHOP MUELLER DEFIED. CROAVDS TAKE UP THE STRAIN. United Tress Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Sept. 17, 11.45 a.m.) LONDON, Sept. 10. A sensational development in the struggle between Archbishop Mueller, head of the Gerpian Nazi Church, and tho evangelical bishops followed a sermon by 'Dr. Meiser, a bishop of the Bavarian Church, deploring the Nazi altaoks on the dissenting bishops. Crowds inside and outside the Church sang the Lutheran fighting hymn, “Our 'God, a Tower of Strength is He,” being the first time it has been heard in Munich streets .since the Reformation. Nazi flying squads attempted to disperse tlie crowds, some of whom assembled outside the Brown House still singing the hymn. Dr. Marahrens, Bishop of Hanover, issued a further * challenge to Archbishop Mueller, claiming that fourfifths of the clergy in the diocese will support him. He declared that whoever concentrates on outward unity and seeks to compel it by force, disregarding conscience, destroys the true unity of the 'Church and endangers the unity of -the nation. Herr Sicbert, Bavarian Premier, speaking at Neerdlingen, warned dissenters that the lleicli could not tolerate the appearance of schisms.

BISHOP WURM’S SUSPENSION. MEETINGS OF PROTEST. CLERGYMEN IN REVOLT. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Sept. 17, T 2.30 p.m.) LONDON, Sept. 16. The Times’ 'Berlin correspondent says that indignant crowds held meetings of protest against Bishop Wurm’s suspension by Archbishop Mueller and roughly handled Nazi functionaries Bishop Wurm refuses to recognise the validity of the .suspension amU continues his claim to leadership of the •regional church though lie is unable to gain access to ecclesiastical buildings. The decree ordering church officials to take the oath of allegiance to Hitler as prescribed for public officials and soldiers *is also causing widespread trouble. Almost half of the 13,000 pastors in Germany are resolved To resist.