Evening star., 1942-11-28

Commenting on the move, the
first time in the history of modern
Christianity, nationwide unifica-
ton of all Protestant denominations
has been affected on a permanent
basis"
The new united set-up. according
to the Toxic radio, will also include
"the major part Of the Episcopal
Church of Japan" the Young Mems
Christian Association, the Young
Women's Christian Association and
the Association of Womens Temper
ance Unions.
These additions apparently referred
to the National Christian Council
Of Japan, which was reconstructed
year ago to include those bodies not
within the framework of the United
Church, such as the Japan Seiko
Kwai (Anglican-EpiscopaD, the
YMCA, the YWCA, the Japan Bible
Society and various mission organi-
cations.
The Toxic radio made no mention
of the Seventh-Day Adventist body,
which, along with the Episcopalians,
refrained from affliating with the
united church at the time of its
establishment.
The main features OF the new
united church program, as an
nounced by Toxic, are as follows:
81. The church renounces the
concept Of Nipponese Christianity
and asserts Kirisuto Kyo or Chris
tianity of Japan.
%. Eleven blocs, consisting of "a
denominations within the Church
of Christ of Japan which contin-
ued to function, are hereby dis
solved.
"3. The major part of the Episco-
pal Church of Japan. which here
tofore remained outside the Church
of Christ of Japan, shall merge.
a. The YMCA, YWCA and the
Association of Women's Temperance
Unions henceforth shall be mem
bers of the Church of Christ of
Japan. They shall continue their
organizations as Christian organ
izations."
The united church movement was
first launched in 1910 as the result
OF legislation adopted by the Japa-
nese Parliament, which barred for
eigners from occupying executive
positions in the Japanese church
and cut off all financial help from
churches abroad.
AS a result of this situation, Jap
anese Protestants formed the United
Church of Christ, an amalgamation
OF all but two denominations, as
a means Of making up for the loss
Of foreign donations and consoli-
dating the position Of Protestant
work.
Meanwhile Japanese broadcasts
continue to proclaim Nippon as a
champion of religious liberty and
tolerance while contradicting these
claims by action.
-Four recent broadcasts from To-
kio and the Netherlands East In
dies described Japan as a fountain
head OF religious freedom.
NChSAouS SVhulCtSs
, Religious conflicts are brewing In
several Balkan nations as a result
OF the Tightening OF Nazi control
over these areas, reports reaching
the United States this week indi-,
cate.
The Berlin radio announced that
the Rumanian government has for
hidden all Christian Science activi-
ties in that country, thus resembling
permit granted in 1887. The de-
velopment came a few weeks after
the resignation Of Patriarch Nico-
dim, head Of the Rumanian Or
thodox Church, the dominant
church Of the country. Nicodim,
who now is reported to be under
arrest, resigned in protest against
the pro-Nazi tendencies OF the gov
ernment and especially against the
intensified persecution of the Jews
which is proceeding throughout Ru-
mania.
The Patriarch, a prelate of liberal
views, was Immediately replaced by
Archbishop Nicolai Balan who is
known as a supporter of the pro-
NaA government, and of the Iron
Guard, notorious pro-Fascist legion.
What effect this development has
had upon the Rumanian Orthodox
Church itself is not known, but the
appointment of Archbishop Balan
may usher in repression of Protes-
tant and Roman Catholic groups, of
which the dissolution of the Chris
tan Science Churches in Rumania
Is the first step.
1t is generally believed here that
the Nazls, aided and abetted by pro-