New-York tribune., 1919-03-31
Bishop Greer
Asks Catholic
TO Fill Pulpit
Declares Service Holy Week
at ST. Johns Cathedral
Conducted by a Roman
Priest Would Aid Unity

Bishop David H. Greer of the New
York Diocese of the Protestant Epsco-
pal Church, in his efforts to bring
abou: church unity, has asked that a
Roman Catholic priest be permitted to
conduct one of the Holy Week SER
vices in the Cathedral Of st. John the
Divine. He told of the invitation yes
terday in a statement to The Tribune.
He said he was in full sympathy
with the official steps in the drec-
ton of unity.
II think the movement is excellent"
he asserted in reference to the pro-
posed canon, which is to be freely dis
cassed at the triennial general conven-
tion Of the Episcopal Church, to be
held in Detroit within few months.
This provides that ministers of the
Congregational, Presbyterian, Metho
dist, Baptist and other sects shall re-
ceive Episcopal ordination in addition
to that of their own denomination.
My signature was not affixed to the
canon at the time it was drawn up
because | was i'll, but have given the
matter careful consideration and am
very much in sympathy with the move
ment. Where did 1T have its nucleus?
Started IL Years Ago
"Wel! you have to 70 back fifteen
years or so for that. The matter has
been in the air for a long time and
nine years ago the Episcopal Church
appointed 4 commission on faith and
order with view to having a world
conference for the furtherance of
Christian unity, not only in the Pro.
testant, but in all churches. This was
the beginning of the movement.
What we need in these times is or
ganic union in the churches" continued
Bishop Greer. "If all denominations.
Catholic and Protestant, combined and
became one, we would then have
great universal church, instead of the
divided and scattered forces of the
present tame. In England the war has
broken lown some of the barriers be-
conformist churches and in Canada
partial union exists between the Meth
od1st and Presbyterian denominations.
so that the United States is not alone
IN her movement toward greater unity"
What would you do about the Cen
tral Powers if you had an international
rch?'' the bishop was asked.
Aim Is international Church
"Feudg between nations do not exist
forever" responded Bishop Greer.
'"Our aim is an international church"
"Do you think it's consummation is a
matter of centuries 2"
Most cmphatically NOS. There arc
obstacles to be overcome, Of course.
Prejudice, tradition, custom. stand in
the way. But believe it will come in
time. 1t may be five years. 1t may
be fifty. 1t is no Utopian dream.
There is a growing feeling among
Christian denominations that they
ought to cooperate more than they are
doing at present.
II don't know how we are going TO
reconcile Catholicism and Protestant
ism, but believe it can be done. The
three Episcopal bishops who have gone
TO Rome to see Pope Benedict XIV will
try TO arrange for an international con-
ference ON the sub jcct Of unity.
Personally / have asked that n
Catholic be allowed to conduct one OF
the afternoon services In the Cathedral
OF 81. John the Divine during Holy
Week. These arc special devotional
serivces and it is my right az bishop
70 invite whom ] like To conduct them.
would gladly welcome Catholic to
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