Evening star., 1949-04-21
Catholics Jeopardize
Religious freedom,
protestant Press Told

Sfld{ kulk tlIS EbUl1dIl SdAtoitl
Church with jeopardizing reli-
gious freedom In this country
and infiltrating into the public
schools. Glenn l. Archer. ex-
ecutive director Of Protestants
and Other Americans United for
the Separation Of Church and
State. today told 100 editors OF
religious publications that they
should get into the fight i'm
mediately.
Mr.. Archer urged the editors,
members OF the Associated Church
Press, and representing different
denominations. TO join his or
ganization and give it favorable
press.
He declared that his group is
joining In a vigorous fight against
Communism but denied that in
doing this they have to "toin
clerical Facism as represented by
the Catholic church"
The editors. who met in the
Baptist Building, 1923 Sixteenth
street NV. arranged at noon TO
visit President Truman at the
White House. They plan TO ask
the chief executive number of
questions. but said the meeting
would be closed to newspaper
reporters. The Associated Church
Press, holding its 3oth annual
session, Is In the second Of q
three day meeting.
Attitude on Ruling Cited.
In his address today. Mr.. Archer
pointed to "the repeated attempts
Of the Roman Catholic Church to
gain Federal support for private
schools: It's attack upon the re-
cent ruling of the Supreme Court
of the United States; It's vitriolic
blasts at Horace Mann and the
American public school system:
and its ready tagging as un-
American and bigot those who
seek to uphold the Federal Con-
stitution."
The speaker asserted that 1t is
the mission Of his organization to
subscribe to and fearlessly Tight
for those liberties Of religious ex-
preston which Protestants. Jews
and enlightened Roman Catholics
cherish as the rich heritage of an
American commonwealth"
But. Mr.. Archer warned: These
liberties-once thought secure
are gradually but surely slipping
away from us as the Roman
Catholic Church-u1def the guise
Of fighting secularixni and confnu-
nism-makes inroads into the
public treasury to support Its Sec
tartan dogma."
He told the editors these inroads
are being made by manipulating
school boards in a way that cop,-
PEELED local taxpayers to pay for
parocnial schools.
Many States Give Aid.
Mr.. Archer mentioned that to-
day In 80 States Roman Catholic
schools and teachers are being
paid expenses and nontaxable sal
aries from the public school
treasures. ...,
william B. Lipphard. editor of
Missions Magazine, New York,
president of the Associated Church
Press, presided at this morning
session which heard DR.. Jacob s.
Payton, Washington correspond
ent for the Christian Advocate.
tell about the problems Of Cow
ering" the National Capital for
the religious press.
He declared more, should be
written In the religious press In
praise of worthy men IN public
life, adding that many who get the
headlines are promoters Of ma
tional lotteries and spokesmen for
liquor interests. He asserted many
readers are more sensitive about
their political faiths than about
their religions. I
Francis H. Russell. director Of
the State Departments Office Of
Public Affairs, told last nights
meeting that communism sees
religion as something that is evil
and must be stamped out.