New-York tribune., 1919-03-03
To See Greek and
Russian Dignitaries
Visit TO the Vatican Will
Be First Supplication
Since Reign of Henry
VIII; Has Support Here

As a climax to nine years of unre-
churches of the world together, Bishop
Reginald Hcbcr Weller yesterday an
nounced the designation of commit
tee Of three prelates of the Protestant
Episcopal Church to wait upon Pope
Benedict and solicit his cooperation.
Tbs viii be the first time since the
reign of Henry VIII that Anglican
bishops VIII have supplicated the Holy
See.
The announcement was made at the
Church of st. Mary the Virgin, on
Fcrty-sixth Street.
Bishop Weller told of plan to form
league of churches. whose organiza-
ton will be patterned after the tenta-
1--WE covenant of the league of nations.
Tn league is intended to embrace all
the Catholics-Roman Anglican. Rus
sian and Greek and all Professionalism.
proposal for league of churches in
wolves no surrender of autonomy on
the part of any bodies represented.
It is expected to result in many ad-
ministrative readjustments and to eff
feet economies in missionary effort.
Protestant Episcopalians even in the
so-called Catholic party see nothing
in the proposed visit to the Pope of
an ultimate recognition Of his author
ity as the Vicar of Christ on Earth
and per Sc as the titular head of all
Christian churches.
The personnel of the commits on will
be as follows:
Bishop Weller, of the Diocese Of
Fond du Lac, Wis, acknowledged leader
Of the nigh church party in the United
States.
The Right Rev. Charles Anderson,
Bishop Of Chicago, chairman of the
commission.
The Right Rev Boyd Vincent. Bishop
Of Southern Ohio.
At the Church of St. Mary the Virgin
no mention OF the name of Bishop Vim
cent was made. but the Rev. DR.. Will
lam T. Manning, rector of Trinity
Church, stated later that the selection
mad been made.
Speak for Anglican Church
The three bishops will represent the
Protestant Episcopal Church in this
country In addition, it was learned
last night, shey will present the views
O ranking prelates OF the Church of
England with their express approval.
Also they will speak informally for
severa. Protestant denominations.
The commission will sail on Thurs
day on the Aquitania.
The movement for league of
churches antedates by several years
the proposal f.. a league Of nations.
The Witt to the Pope was projected
long before the outbreak Of the war,
bat the plans had to be abandoned.
Now it is purposed to have the COM
mission visit the ranking clergy OF
tne Greek and Russian churches and
10 enlist their cooperation. 1t is ex-
peeted that Bishop Charles II. Brent,
"t Western New York, now acting as
senior headquarters chaplain OF the
american Expeditionary Forces, will
accompany the delegation to the Pope
and 70 the Patriarch OF the Greek
Shurch AZ we'll as to the head Of the
Hoiy Russian Church. He viii make
Gear the capacity Of churches for
working side by side in spite Of widely
differing politics. His statements will
os prcdieatcd on his experiences in the
field.
Greek and Russian Churches Eager
For years IL has been known that
Refe was we'll organized movement
~ this country and In England TO
pging the Catholic churches other
ban Roman Catholic into a closer
,silowshp. At every important cele-
Dfation 10 the Russian and Greek
sburehes IN this country during the
80 mn ff5yUfu m, 1auo1 f<9tx