The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-10-20

was taken this week hy the Gene.
see conference Of the Methodist
church ana the Presbyterian SYNOD
az Michigan.
CATHOLICS AGAINST WAR
The Roman Catholic clergy. in a
nationally conducted poll an.
nounced this week. overwhelmins
ly voted against participation OF
the United States in q shooting
war outside the western hemi.
sphere" and against extension OF
aid to the communistic Russian
government.
The poll was taken by the
Catholic Layman's Committee
for Peace. which mailed the
questionnaire To the $4,000
priests In the United States.
OF this number. $4,000 or .
little less than 400 filled out
the ballots. Archhishops, hish-
ops. army and navy chaplains
were not questioned.
Results showed that eOcs Of
those voting answered both ques-
tons in the negative.
Every effort was made by the
committee to insure an authentic
poll, its secretary. William T.
Leonard, declared. The postcard
ballots were mailed BY an indie
pendent organization using the Of
fetal Catholic directory and the
returns were tabulated by a certi-
fled public accountant.
The committee is not officially
affiliated with the Catholic church.
II was recently organized TO pre-
vent United States inducements In
foreign war unless II Is in de-
Tense of America Although ii
maintains a Manhattan office. the
large majority OF its members are
from Brooklyn. Leonard is also
chairman Of the Brooklyn chapter
OF the America First committee.
Catholic leaders were not
inclined 10 question the au-
thenticity Of the poll NJ the
committees statement. How
ever. they were skeptical con-
cerning certain aspects Of
both. II was pointed out that
primarily the phrasings Of the
questions were In line With
other polls which require 4
yes or mo answer, and
are designed to elicit a certain
response.
The fact that less than 400 of
the clergy voted is also seen as
an indication of the possibility
that those who refrained were dis
affected by the nature OF the ques-
tons themselves, or had they voted
they might have done so in the
negative.
Catholics freely admit that there
is likelihood that the majority of
Catholic priests are opposed TO the
United States declaring war at
this time. While all obviously are
stesdfastly opposed to commun-
ism. en- unestinsted minority are
believed to favor the sdministra-
tons procedure In regard 10 Rus
sian aid. This minority. II Ia be-
liewd. 10 larger than the poll
would indicate.
TRIO FROM ENGLAND
A priest, a minister and a rabbi,
who have tust returned to this
country after q months visit to
Great Britain. began a Mathematics
tour this week TO tell Americans
what they saw and heard.
The trio consists Of DR.. Everett
p. Clinohy. Presbyterian minis
ter. who is president OF the Ma
AiNfiNA 'tirffFtS OF inFlNflArt
and Jews; the Rev. Vincent Dono-
van, head Of the Catholic Thought
association, and Rabbi Morris S.
LAzsran of Baltimore.
The three cIergymen. Ut
their initial public appearance
In New York. reported signs
Of q religious awakening In
the British Isles, where indi-
yiduals In all walks Of life are
said to be recognizing the pre-
eminenoe Of the spiritual
But they also found that this
interest in religion Is not express.
ing itself In church attendance
Some Of the spiritual interest
manifests itself In increased fol-
lowing OF sstrology.
The three clergymen believe tina,
the churches must find ways 10
capture this awakened intsres;
and direct II into wholesome chan
nels.
fCopyYiEht le4Ia