New Britain herald., 1917-01-09
THE POPE AND CHURCH UNION

N N. Attempts Being Made to Remove
 Schtsm Between Orthodox Eastern
 Church and Church of Rome. Would Unite Chl1stendom. (New Haven Journal-Courler> If the news in last Eridav's naners of the Pope's intention to constitute A. Commission on the Ur!ty of the Church proves true, 1t will mean a. step or far-reaching importance to the Wpoie Christian church. It should be welcomed by all Protestant commun- ions. It's primary object, as stated, is 10 remove the schism which has exist ed since 1O54 between the Orthodox Eastern church and the Church of Rome. Secondary to this it may ren- der possible a reconsideration of tho decision of Pope Leo XIII. against the validity of the ordinations of the An gl1can church. Involved in this also would be the inter relations of ali the other churches of the reformation The Church of Christ continues an this day to be in 8 sinful state of schisn; but never before in history have so many and powerful inf1u- ences been working towards it's vis- ible unity
 The war Is forcing this old prob lem of church unity as a new oues-' ticn home to the heart of our com mon Christianity. A few explana- tions may serve to clarify the condi- tions to which this alleged intended action of the vatican seems addressed Lord Halifax succeeded in persuading Pope Leo XIII. to appoint a commis- sion to thoroughly investigate wheth- CT Anglican orders are valid, Upon theI 4 report of that commission in 1906 the Pope rendered this decision: Where fore. strictly adhering in this matter to the decision of the pontiffs our prede cessors, and confirming them most fully, and, as 1t were renewing them by our own motion and certain knowledge, we pronounce and declare that ordinations carried out accord ing to the Anglican rite have been and are absolutely null and utterly void"
 Since then, and especially since the war began the eyes of the Anglicans have been turned more towards the Eastern church than towards Rome Last January. Sir Athelstan Riley, vice president of Lord Halifax's so- ciety at it's annual meeting made the following remarks, which we quote in SuDStanCS. we are SpSCtdlOrS ana &C., tors in the greatest historical drama since the fall of the Roman empire. Since then Rome loomed larger and larger. Roman habits of thought per wade Catholicism and Professionalism alike. What will happen if in this great war the Entente Powers are vic tor1ous? Russia will restore the East ern empire and the Holy Orthodox church of Eastern church at Con- stnntinop1e. The SlaS races. carrying with them Eastern Christianity. will rush into the heart of Europe to the shores of the Atlantic and almost to the gates of Rome"
 Tn striking coincidence with this Is the remark of Professor Palnieri as reported in the news despatch: "Of course, Rome cannot view with in- difference the increasing friendship between Angllcanism and Orthodoxy (the Orthodox Eastern church. y He also states a motive for the con- templated action of the vatican that ''the S1avs will very soon be called upon to take an active part in the life of the western nations whether Catholic or Protestant
 The references in the despatch to the connection of the world confer ence movement with this most inter esting situation are quite correct. The plans which were interrupted at the outbreak of the war seem about to be providentially carried by the war to larger Issues than might have been foreseen. It may be stated that quiet but active work is now In progress to secure the. most thorough and best possible preparation for the ultimate converting of that conference Con- ferences of representative American scholars and theologians. as well as eminent laymen, are to be held to for mulate and digest the subject matter to be considered. Some Roman Cath olic scholars of high reputation have been invited and signif1ed their read mess to cooperate in this necessary preparatory work.
 The possible appointment of a Ro- man Commission on Unity certainly would open the way to promising cor respondouce. We recall as fitting the present situation, SO far as the Protes- tant communions are concerned, the following remark made by 2 delegate of the Russian church at one of our conferences: we find you F>rotestants all divided among yourselves. You should first get together. and then with us approach Rome"