The New York herald., 1922-02-26
WORLD CONFERENCE
ON CHURCH UNITY
Tt May Result From Contest
Ovar Eastern Catholic
Church.
AMERICANS WOULD LEAD
Church of England Has Slight
Advantage in Present
Contest.

Religious leaders the world over are
interested in the contest on the part Of
the Roman Catholic Church and the
Church of England as to which shall
win over the Eastern Orthodox Catholic
Church. The Church of England has a
ence of the new Patriarch of Constan-
tinople. while the Roman Catholic
Church is advantaged by the work done
by the late Pope Benedict XIV.
The new element in the approach to
Christian unity. the possibility that
either the Roman Catholic Church or
the Protestant Episcopal Church will
absorb the Eastern Catholics, is the
most important topic in the Christian
world to-day. At present there are two
parties in the Orthodox Church
and the prediction trends toward
belief that a schsm will result.
Gables bring information of dissatis-
faction in Athens and of the refusal Of
the Greek Church to recognize Meletios
the new Patriarch. sitting in Constan-
tinople, as supreme leader.
King Constantine is behind the dis
affection in Greece and supports a
movement that would align the Eastern
Catholics with the Church of Rome.
The late Pope Benedict was not un-
mindful OF the preferences OF the
Greek King. and there is belief in
Catholic circles that a division among
the orthodox of the East will soon occur.
Patriarch Melitios is reported to take
the position that theological differences
between Eastern Orthodox Catholics and
the Church of England. including the
Episcopal Church in America, are neg
icrfh nd oaS ell Of n
there is no sound reason why the two
may not unite. In this view, so far as
Is known, the Russian leaders concur.
The Patriarch is said to hold that Great
Britain and the, United States, rather
than France and Italy. are the coming
Powers and the Powers most worth
aligning the Eastern church with and
that London, rather than Rome, must be
relied upon to oust the Turk from st.
Sophia and restore Constantinople as the
capital OF the Christian world, with a
ruler second only in influence. if second
at all, to the Pope in Rome. Behind
these considerations, it is reported. was
the visit of Melitios to Lloyd George In
Downing street, while on his way from
New York to Constantinople some weeks
ago.
While Patriarch Melitios was here he
said the disaffection in the Eastern
Orthodox Church exists in Greece, ann
Greece alone, and that loyalty holds In
Russia. Rumania. Bulgaria and Jugo-
Slavia.
Prominent among planners for unity
Prominent among planners for unity
this country are. according to talk
among churchmen, Bishop Manning
DIR. Thomas j. Lacy of Brooklyn. Blshop
Brent of Buffalo and Robert II. Gardi-
ner of Maine. There is an opinion in
Protestant Episcopal circles that the
large Protestant sects. Methodist, Pres
byterian, Baptist and others, can be
counted upon for cooperation and that
as soon as the rank and file of the
Anglican membership is educated to the
point desired Lambeth conference can
so change conditions of union as TO
enable everybody to come in happily
and gracefully and so achieve the Chris
tian unity that has been the goal OF
centuries.
There is even belief that world
conference on faith and order will soon
be called. In this Melitios would be
central figure, with American eccle-
siastics playing leading roles. A lively
propaganda campaign has been going
on from this country with American
financial support and American influ-
ence in evidence.
Keen interest centers in the course
TO be taken by Pope Plus XI. The late
Pope said to five American Bishops
who called on him at the Vatican that
the Roman Catholic Church is not ready
TO cooperate in their unity program
but he assured them that personally
he would pray for the success of their
project.
Americans interested in unity are pre-
pairing to get in touch this summer with
Melitios and Lloyd George. Many of
the Episcopal clergy expect to visit
Europe. One of the great goals of the
movement is the ousting OF the Turk
from the old city OF Constantine and
the rescuing OF the onetime Church Of
ST Sophia