Evening star., 1949-02-24
Bulgarian Minister
Charges Vatican Aids
Dark Forces OF War
Sofiu Parliament Hears
Attacks as 1t Weighs
New Religion Curbs
By the Associated Press

SOFIA, Bulgaria, Feb. 24.-For-
eign Minister Vassil Kolarov told
the Bulgarian Parliament last
night that the Vatican is linked
with dark forces" attempting to
stir up new world war.
He made his charges as the
Communist-controlled legislative
body considered new restrictions
on religion. The proposed new re-
ligion law came up as the hour of
trial approached for IS Protestant
clergymen accused Of criminal
activities against the state.
Face Court Tomorrow.
The Is include the heads of the
Methodist, Baptist, Congregational
and Pentecost Churches in Bull
garia. They go into court tomor-
row charged with treason. spying
for the United States and Great
Britain and illegal money dealings.
(The United States, In pro-
test made puoiic by the State
Department yesterday after it
was rejected by Bulgaria, de-
nounced prosecution of the
churchmen as a blatant ter
roriStie effort" to intilnidate
Protestant denominations in
Bulgaria. 1t termed the charges
"unfounded and ridiculous
The Kolarov-sponsored religion
bill would make the Greek Ortho-
dox Church the only peoples
church" in the country. 1t would
give the Foreign Ministry tight
control over connections between
church groups in the country and
groups outside Bulgaria.
Kolarov asserted that the Vat
ican does not conceal its aims.
1t is the unreconcilable enemy of
the Soviet Union peoples democ-
racies and communism. 1t is al
together in the service of dark
forces which today are attempt
ing to fan up new world war p"
Kolarov indicated the Vatican's S
apostolic delegation in Bulgaria
had been ordered out of the coun-
try. He said it is superfuous,
since the new constitution guar
antees freedom to all religions.
Apostolic Mission Through"
The apostolic mission, he said,
can be considered completely
through
Kolarov told Parliament that
churchmen in Bulgaria must be
ruled by the nations laws and the
existing social order.
Pope Plus XII told an ex-
traordinary consistory in Rome,
February IA that Roman Cath
olic clergy and members of the
faith are bound by conscience
to resist unjust laws when
such laws contradict divine
and human rightsD
Kolarov declared that Catholic
bishops now are required to re-
port to the Vatican regularly on
economic and political informa-
ton in their areas. He said his
proposed law would prevent Cath
olic clergy in Bulgaria from being
turned into agents" and relaying
state secrets" to a foreign polit-
ical headquarters"
Kolarov asserted there were only
$4,000 Protestants in Bulgaria's S
100000 population.
The Is Protestant leaders were
charged in a government docu-
ment yesterday with using religion
as CLOAK" for criminal activ-
tiles" The document contained
dispositions from the accused
churchmen. Earlier the Com
munist press printed purported
confessions of three of the Is.
Kolarov promised the trial would
receive the widest publicity" He
said the state will give aid and
support to all religions in the
country which act within the
framework of the state constitu-
ton and Loyalty collaborate with
the peoples authority"