Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1949-06-10
Minister Cites His Authorities
For Comments on Spain.

To the Editor Of The star
r. Stanley Holder and Francis Joseph
question my ''irrefutable" statements anent
the lack of religious liberty in Spain. This
is why they are irrefutable;
Dr. John Sutherland Bonnell. famed radio
preacher of New York City. spent much OF
last summer In Spain studying the religious
situation in that country. His report Is that
there is not only lack of religious liberty
but oftentimes Protestants are ill-treated
and are denied ordinary civil rights.
A. H wilkinson. general secretary OF the
British and Foreign Bible Society, told the
Societys annual meeting that Spanish Gus
toms authorities again had barred the entry
of Scriptures.
In September, l948, the distinguished Aim
on antisemitism. "Gentlemens Agreement"
was rejected for Spanish distribution by order
of the ecclesiastical member OF the Film
Censorship Board Of Spain.
Mr.. Beyin's Statement.
An article in the New York Herald Tribune
states: London. April 27-Foreign Secretary
Ernest Bevin told the House Of Commons to-
day how he has tried for more than a year
to bring about the reopening OF six British
Protestant chapels in Spain. The chapels
have been closed since January !. l947, by
order of the Spanish authorities. Mr.. Bevin
said When 1t Comdr. L. w. Joyn-
SON. Hicks, Conservative, suggested that most
of the chapels had been closed by local au-
thorities rather than Generalissimo Frances
central government. Mr.. Beyin replied, In
my view. the central government is RESPONSE
BILE. do not believe that one can do any.
thing in Spain without the central govern
ment knowing Of it."
Again the Herald Tribune states: Madrid.
4rla In
tigate a British complaint that six British
sponsored Protestant chapels have been
closed by the Spanish government Spain
permits open public worship only in the Ro-
man Catholic faith"
The day after I wrote my letter to The
Star, the Washington Daily News carried in
its issue of May "a, an article headed:
Protestant Churches Prosecuted in Spain.
BY William H. Newton (Scripps- Howard
Staff Writer Barcelona. May ga cam
paign of persecution and repression OF the
Protestant religion is under way in Spain. 1t
has taken the form of mob violence against
the few Protestant churches which have been
allowed to exist propaganda attacks against
Protestants, and q general, effort to destroy
all religious rights and freedoms for Prot
estants. -. These are some OF the general
disabilities under which Protestants In SPAN
are laboring" continues the report. Many
ci1apels are still closed In spite Of repeated
requests for permission to reopen. No new
permits for services have been granted IN
about two years. Gatherings for worship
In private homes are prohibited. Permits to
build new chapels are not granted. 1t is i'm
possible to publish legally the Bible or other
religious literature (non-Catholic version
and such literature sent from abroad gen.
orally does not pass the censor. Spanish
Protestants are not allowed to have their
own schools. and their children are subject
to compulsory Catholic instruction in schools
of the state"
Believes Evidence Is Irrefutable.
The article goes on to give the names OF
the churches and the dates on which MODS
attacked them. 1t then states you
can't hold q government job. or teach. or
be an officer In the army Of Spain II you
are a Protestant"
In the light of these, and Of other facts
which space does not permit writing. sub
init that my statement on The lack Of reli-
gious liberty In Spain Is irrefutable. re-
iterate that II the United States Government
recognizes Franco Spain then 1t repudiates
the principle of freedom Of the individual
and sanctions chains and slavery.
A. S. SOUTHGATE.
Minister Trinity Methodist Church.