Evening star., 1941-11-15

clergy appear to be excited over tn
titioned ministers OF religion to p
dear to their heartSthe cause OF
freedom.
Perhaps the calm attitude Of the
clergy Is due to the fact that 1t is
quite common for them to be asked
by all sorts of groups to preach on q
certain subject or in connection
with a specific observance. If the
theme or the observance is worthy
one. the clergy are usually glad to
oblige.
Or maybe because the canned
sermon was generally considered an
excellent one which Incorporates the
beliefs and the ideas OF the
churches.
Or perhaps because many clergy
men distinguish between a "sug-
gestion" made by the Government
and a request or demand. To these
clergymen the issue of church and
state Is not involved when the Gov
ernment or any of its bureaus makes
a suggestion which clergymen are
free to accept or reject.
There is no denying that a sub
stantial number of clergymen are
particularly sensitive at this time
to pronouncements on religion made
by the Government. The Presi-
dents unhappy reference to relig-
ious freedom in Russia, as we'll as
his Navy Day address, which re-
ferred to a secret Nazi plan to
abolish Christianity, have struck a
sour note. Informed observers agree
that the administration has not
been adept in the methods used to
win the churches over to its for
eign policy.
Unfortunately for the admins
tration, church leaders were genu-
inely shocked at the reported state
ment last week Of Col Early E. w.
Duncan, commander at Lowry Field,
Denver, that he would place
churches out OF bounds II their
pastors opposed the Government s
policy.
Interventionist churchmen were
quite as shocked as the pacif1sts.
Among those who denounced the
statement was Bishop Henry w.
Hobson, chairman of the Fight for
Freedom Committee. who described
1t as both foolish and dangerous" "
Religious leaders point out that not
even in England has such state
ment been made by any responsible
army officer or government Of
fetal.
Oxford Group Dispossessed.
The oxford Group Movement
long a bone OF contention among
churchmen-lost one of its chief
American supporters this week as
we'll as its national headquarters.
The Rev. Samuel NJ. Shoemaker,
rector of Calvary Episcopal Church
in New York, asked the Oxford
groupers to vacate quarters pro-
vided for them at the church. Mr.
Shoemaker. who has generally been
regarded as the American leader
OF the group, said he has "increas-
ing misgivings" concerning certain
policies and points of view" Of the
group.
The Oxford Group movement was
launched in England during 1920
by DR.. Frank Buchanan, an Amer
lean who was ordained Lutheran
minister in 1902. and it has had q
varied career OF ups and downs ever
since its inception. It was violent
ly attacked in the House OF Com
mons, but eventually won legal rec
ognition. After the Munich Con-
ference, it became particularly
active. adopting the slogan Moral
Rearmament," which was advanced
as a cure for war and social Ills.
Processing not to be creed Of de-
nomination in competition with
other religious groups, the move
ment makes an appeal to members
of all denominations and faiths. But
it has never met with more than q
lukewarm reception from the
churches. and in some instances II
has provoked outright opposition
Few American clergymen have tn
QOrSeQ II.
When moral rearmament was
launched in this country, certain
Protestant journals editorially
showed skepticism. They expressed
doubt that the sweeping claims fol
reform made by DR.. Buchanan could
be realized.
Roman Catholic leaders openly
condemned the movement. Carqi-
nal Hinsley OF England declared in
1898 that mo Catholic may Join
such q movement" A Vatican radio
speaker strongly criticized moral
rearmament. the Oxford Group
movement, Buchmanism-all names
for the same revivalist campaign
The Sulpicians.
Celebration in Baltimore this
week of the 30Oth anniversary OF the