Evening star., 1942-10-03

DR.. Adolf Keller, distinguished
Swiss Protestant theologian, de-
clared on the eve of his departure
for Geneva this week that members
of Christian churches in Europe
and America are seeking a common,
world wide fellowship, and that
moral and religious isolation will
no longer be possible after the war.
DR.. Keller was referring to the
great ferment in the life OF the
churches under the impact OF the
war. a ferment which is compelling
religious groups to unite or, where
unity is not possible, to cooperate
more closely with each other. This
DEVELOPMENT has been described by
DR.. Keller, as well as by the Arch
bishop of Canterbury and other
leaders, as the most important re-
ligious movement since the Refor-
nation.
The movement is proceeding along
four main lines. First is the
Christian unity trend within each
nation, involving organic union be-
tween Protestant churches. Sec
ondly, there is the growing co-opera-
ton among non-Roman Catholic
churches on an international scale
through the World Council OF
Churches, with headquarters in
Geneva. This is known as the ecu
menical movement Next is the
cooperation developing between
Protestants and Catholics in Ger
many and the occupied countries
and in democratic countries, such
as Great Britain and the United
States. Lastly, there is the move
ment for closer cooperation and un-
derstanding among Protestants,
Catholics and Jews. The United
States has been the pioneer in this
movement, which is now spreading
spontaneously to other democratic
countries.
Barriers Breaking Down.
The war is breaking down barri-
ers between religious groups on al
most every front. A great many
religious leaders are convinced that
there is no real hope for lasting
peace after this war unless religious
groups can work together on a
worldwide basis, set the example
for cooperation among nations, and
supply the moral undertaking for
just and durable peace.
The extent of this feeling is evil
dent from the fact that IS major
announcements of Christian bodies
in various parts of the world relat-
ing to the postwar world specify that
world community of Christians is
an essential ondition of lasting
peace, and 13 statements declare
that wider interfaith fellowship
with people who share many beliefs
Is necessary.
The formation of the Britist Coun-
Gil of Churches last week, bringing
Anglican and Free Church groups
throughout the British Isles into a
single cooperative organization, is
seen to be a development toward
this trend, as was the Albert Hall
mass meeting last week end, at
which the principal speakers were
the Archbishop of Canterbury and
York and Sir Stafford Cripps. Pres
ent at this meeting, which was de-
voted to the church and the post
war order, were Anglican bishops,
Free Church leaders, Eastern ortho-
dox churchmen. officials of the Ro-
man Catholic Sword of the Spirit
movement and personal represent
atives of Cardinal Hinsley.
Christian Jewish Council Formed.
Great Britain has already expert
enced those phases of the movement
for cohesion among religious groups
which involves unity and co-opera-
tion among Protestants and joint ac-
ton by Protestants and Catholics.
This week it reached the phase
involving collaboration by Catholics,
Protestants and Jews. The forma-
ton of the British Council of Chris
tians and Jews was officially an
nounced in London. Months of pre-
liminary negotiations have now re-
suited in the setting up of an agency
which is almost semi official body
of the combined British churches.
The five joints presidents are the
Archbishop of Canterbury, Cardinal
Hinsley, the moderator of the
Church of Scotland, the moderator
Of the Free Church Federal Coun-
Gil and the chief rabbi Among the
vice presidents and council members