Evening star., 1942-02-21

4AAS JOAAAV oVoVShiOiAV VAAtA2ACAoVCO
the churches and asked for some
assurance of relief. The bishops
further declared that If the chan
celery failed to reply, they would
consider such failure as q negative
answer and would advise their con-
gregations to expect undirlinished
persecution.
In the memory of observers, this
Is the first time that q joint
Protestant Catholic protest has been
made to the Nazis, and the first
time that bishops have protested in
person to the Reichschancellery.
The event. one of the most signifi-
cant to date in the history of the
church-state struggle in Germany,
marks a new phase in the resist
ance of European churches to the
Nazis, in the opinion of United
States church leaders familiar with
religious developments abroad.
The whole religious situation in
Europe, they believe, Is undergoing
a ferment of tremendous impor-
tance. There are signs not only Of
intense religious feeling everywhere
but indications that, so far as the
churches are concerned, the die has
been cast and they are determined
to go to the catacombs If necessary.
There IS. no other explanation, say
church observers, for the spectacle
OF German bishops calling in person
at the Reichschancellery to issue an
Mtimatum to the Nazis. Represent
ative German church leaders are
now reconciled to a fight to the
finish with the Nazis.
Churches Just Won't Die.
The churches of Europe have
never been weaker organizationally.
All means of organizational activ-
ity has been impaired by the Nazis
in Germany and throughout occu-
pied Europe. There is no travel, no
radio, no religious press to speak
of and increasing financial burdens.
Yet observers agree that there Is an
intense religious movement in every
section Of Europe. The Nazis have
failed to stamp out the church by
destroying or confiscating its or
ganizations, nor even by drafting or
its clergy. One reason
Is that in some instances, as in
Germany, Norway and Holland, the
churches have become q center of
resistance to the Nazis.
But another reason is the rapidly
growing participation of the laity in
religious tasks. In the opinion Of
some observers. this trend promises
to become one of the most impor-
tant factors in the European relig-
ious ferment which is taking place.
In Germany 80 per cent of the
Protestant clergy have been drafted
for military service. placed under
arrest or otherwise deprived of their
pulpits. All Catholic priests under
IS years of age have been called up.
A large majority of the churches are
without pastors. But this has far
from destroyed religious life or the
church.
When clergyman goes, a layman
steps In. Protestants have trained
lay readers to conduct services.
Members Of disbanded Catholic
action organizations are teaching
catechism in various homes. Young
girls have been especially trained
as "deaconesses" to take over many
parish activities. Laymen are shoul-
dering. with great zeal, RESPONSE
bilities which, In the past, have
been the exclusive prerogative Of the
clergy.
Oppose Anti-Jewish DEGREES.
Another aspect Of the European
religious situation is the increasing
opposition Of the churches to anti
Jewish DEGREES.
In Holland more Protestants and
Catholics have begun to wear the
Star of David armbands which Nazi
laws have decreed all Jews must
wear prominently.
In BreSlau, Germany, a woman
Lutheran minister recently urged
her congregation to treat Jewish
with special considera-
ton, escort them to special pews
If necessary. and sit beside them as
an indication that they were not
being segregated on racial grounds:
The minister was later denounced by
the NaZis.
A Catholic priest in Paris, Mon
signeur Chantal. walked into police