Evening star., 1940-06-12
Taylor Appointment
Hit al Conference on
Religious Liberty
Special Privilege Charged
To Catholics After
Unity Plea

A dramatic plea for Catholic
Protestant and Jew to join hands
in this threatened country "be-
fore it is too late" was followed up
last night at mass meeting of the
Nation wide Conference on Religious
Liberty with charges that the Catho-
lie Church received a special privi-
lege in the appointment of presl-
dental emissary to the Vatican.
DR.. Samuel McCrea Cavert of New
York City, general secretary of the
Federal Council of Churches of Christ
in America, brought up the issue in
discussing the subject "Separation
of Church and State"
Earlier, in a resolution, the con-
ference had gone on record that ut
is the sentiment of this conference
that the President should immedi-
ately recall Ambassador Myron
Taylor out of respect to the historical
and constitutional principle OF a
separate church and state"
Pleas for a united religious front
against the spread of nihihsm by the
armies and dictators were made to
the meeting by Postmaster General
Farley, a Catholic; Right Rev. James
E. Freeman, Bishop of Washington
and chairman of the meeting, and
Rabbi Louis L. Mann of the Sinai
Congregation in Chicago.
Farley Sends Message.
Mr.. Farley was prevented by New
York appointments from attending
the meeting, but sent a message
which was read by Rabbi Norman
Gerstenfeld of Washington. Mr..
Farley said in part:
'The preservation of religious lib
erty is a matter of conscience and
patriotic duty in which, l believe,
Americans of all faiths may find a
common meeting ground.
The present plight Of Europe has
taught us that intolerance is a
malignant disease, which, if left
unchecked, may develop and expand
into a challenge of violence against
the most cherished principles and
institutions of mankind Intoler-
ance, in the beginning. may be
directed against single group,
political, racial or religious; but it
never ends there. Those who direct
these forces of evil soon find new
victims for their savage purposes.
Bishop Freeman then said IT
came here tonight to witness the
united action of all religions in this
great emergency"
Sees Unity as Important.
He added that the most impor-
tant question now was united ac-
ton and other church problems were
of less importance.
In addressing this cross-section
of religious life in the Capital y
Bishop Freeman declared that IF
the churches are to make an i'm
pact on public opinion they must
stand as unit on the great moral
issues" He warned against the
drawing of denominational lines in
this time and against war hysteria
which is sweeping the country. The
speaker declared further that moral
character, rather than patriotism
alone, will make this country secure
Would Protect Directors.
Resolutions approved by the con-
ference included one asking for
safeguards against the persecution
of conscientious objectors' to mill
tary service should this country be
involved in war.
The conference called on all
agencies with public funds to ap-
propriate to guard against the use
of the money for sectarian purposes
OF any nature.
Taking strong stand for the
separation of church and state, the
conference called on "the two lead
ing political parties to declare their
attitude toward the constitutional
guarantees for religious liberty and
the separation of church and state"
The conference findings were pre-
sented to the mass meeting by
Rufus w. Weaver, executive director
OF the conference.
DR.. Harry E. Woolever was secre-
tary of the conference, which held
morning and afternoon sessions yes
fer6ov