Evening star., 1934-05-16
BISHOP ATTACKS
SOCIAL INJUSTICE
New Church Attitude
Toward War and Poverty
Termed Imperative.
BY JAMES WALDO FAwCETT.

BY JAMES WALDO FAWCETT.
new attitude on the part of the
church toward social injustice and
war Is imperative If Christianity is to
survive in America, Right Rev. James
E. Freeman, Bishop of Washington,
told the first session Of the thirty
ninth annual Episcopal Diocesan Con-
vention, assembled In the Church Of
the Epiphany last evening.
The Episcopal Diocesan Conven-
ton, assembled at Washington Cathe-
dray today. in line with Bishop Free
mans suggestions, voted unanimously
TO reorganize the social service de-
partment OF the church, and request
ed the Executive Council to take
necessary steps toward that end.
The congregation filled the ediflce
to its doors as the bishop spoke. Men
and women representing liz parish
divisions, churches ano chapelS, and
more than a score of denominational
charitable and educational organiza-
tions heard his appeal.
TOO often" he said. "the church
has been justly criticized and con-
demned for its supineness and mac
ton where vital issues were at stake
1t has been content to pursue its
policy of narrow disinterestedness or
unconcern for the veal Of the many,
by assiduously cultivating the popular
favor and patronage Of the few. For
the sake Of an imaginary and
ephemeral advantage, it has been
strangely silent when its voice should
have been strong and insistent in
seeking to arrest practices that were
destructive Of great elements in our
social and industrial order. 1t can
not be silent today.
Sees appalling Evils"
"It is inconceivable to think Of the
Christian church as being satisfied
with the administration Of its Offices
and sacramentS, niniStering TO an
elect few. and going along its way
unmindful Of the appalling evils that
are practiced to the hurt of vast
numbers of our citizens. Surely the
church's field of occupation conteD1-
plates something more than this.
Its chosen servants did not accept
a commission that was restricted or
deliInited when ordaining hands were
laid upon their heads. Those prophets
who have been its choice and most
effective agents In every period have
been the fearless and daring expon-
ents Of its Lords teaching, and under
His supreme guidance the mightiest
defenders Of those who were the VIC
tins OF wrongs and abuses"
Bishop Freeman insisted 1t is a
duty of the church to be an opinion
making power"
1T cannot be a respecter of per-
sons" he declared. Where its voice
is passive, and its course restricted
to infrequent services, however rever-
ent, ornate or simple they may be, it
forfeits the confidence of the multi
tude and lamentably and tragically
fails Of its high purpose. The
range of the churchs life is inclusive
of everything that concerns the
physical moral and spiritual we'll
being of the world In which it is
placed. Jesus Christ touched life at
every point. So must We, else We
deny Him.
"The application of the teachings
of Jesus to our economic and social
life requires that we shall be fully
and consistently informed, equipped
and made ready to espouse the cause
of those who are the victims Of in
justices and abuses that deprive them
of living conditions commensurate
with the security of health and hap
piness. That large proportion of
our people are not so safeguarded
has never been more conspicuously
evident than in these recent days.
Finds Millions in Need.
THAT a very great body of men,
women and children are living be-
low the poverty level-it is estimated
there are 40 millions so situated in
this country-is a serious indictment
of our boasted Christian system. and
witnesses to the break down of our
social and economic order"
While thousands have been starv-
ing, the bishop continued, there has
been little if anything Of restraint ex-
ercised in prodigal indulgence" among
the more responsible of our people"
These conditions" he said. have
provoked a revulsion of feeling that
has fomented class hatreds and
widered the breach between the un-
fortunate and the fortunate
Are these things the concern of
the church. its clergy and people. or
are they only the concern of agencies
that profess no allegiance to Jesus
Christ? Only now and again in
widely scattered places Is the voice
of the church heard, and all too fire.
Quently it is as voice crying out in
the wilderness, voice unsupported
by any general or corporate action.
II make no appeal for the church
in politics or for its indulgence in the
discussion Of economic questions to
which it is largely incompetent to
speak with authority. do appeal for
church that gives its fearless and
unqualified support to programs and
measures that are designed to make
more equitable and Just living condi-
tions and to ease burdens that fall
upon shoulders too feeble to bear
them"
Points to Russia's Fate.
The fate of the church in Russia,
Bishop Freeman argued, sshows what
may be the lot of a selfish religious
policy in other lands,
Another aspect of the present sit
uation that calls for the church's con-
sideration and vigorous action he
said. concerns world peace and the
of orderly relations be-
tween nations and peoples. An in
Sidious propaganda, promoted, so We
are advised, by munitions manufac-
turers and their agents, is necessarily