Evening star., 1950-05-09
Episcopal Diocese
Backs Efforts 10 End
Racial Restrictions

After an hours debate. the Con-
vention of the Episcopal Diocese
of Washington yesterday voted to
approve the efforts of our depart
ment Of social relations to work
for the elimination of racial re-
strictions in our diocese and COM
munities."
The resolution was introduced
by DR.. Theodore o. Wedel, canon
Of Washington Cathedral, at the
55th annual convention Of the do
cese in st. Johns Church,
Bethesda.
1t came after a discussion over
a previous motion, which COM
mended steps that have been
made in this direction by church
institutions, Government agencies
and private business"
A second substitute was offered
by DR.. Charles Lowry, rector Of
All Saints Episcopal Church,
which would have put the conven-
tion on record as recommending
1.-The promotion of justice and true
brotherliness in race relations in
our diocese"
Student Chaplain Objects.
John M. Burgess, Episcopal STU
dent chaplain at Howard Uni
versity, objected to DR.. Lowry's
motion.
"AS a chaplain, deal with the
illogical questions at Howard Uni
versity," he said. MY job at the
school is to explain to the stu
dents how we persist in preaching
a gospel we decline to make spe-
cif1c. Many of my students have
thrown over Christianity COM
pletely."
The original motion was quashed
by a vote of 62 to 38, and DR..
Wedel's motion was carried by q
strong voice vote.
In other business, the conven-
ton voted to:
l. Oppose Federal aid to paro-
chial schools, except for social
services.
2. Table a resolution favoring
District home rule.
3. Permit the Chapel of the
Christ, Clinton, Nd, to separate
from the Epiphany Church, For
estville, Md, provided Epiphany
is willing.
Names Six Heartaches.
At the afternoon session, Canon
Richard Williams, director of the
diocesan social relations depart
ment. told his audience, six points
are collecting heartache In this
country to such an extent we can
have little hope for the future,
II some remedy is not given"
The points he named are:
Breaking marriages, delinquent
children. families in which the
wage-earner is i'll, borderline
mental cases, alcoholics, the grow
ing sense of futility caused by the
threat Of war and a lack of eco
nomic security.
At the annual elections yeSter-
day. the following were named to
hold office:
Standing Committee Clergy
men, the Rev. Stuart F. Cast, rec
tor of st. Stephen and the In
carnation; the Rev. c.. Randolph
Mengers, rector of st. Columba's
Church, and DR.. Wedel. Lay
members - Albert w. Atwood,
Ernest w. Greene and Coleman
Jennings.
Others Elected.
Deputies to the Provincial
Synod: Clergymen-the Rev. Will
liam Curtis Draper, jr., rector of
Trinity Church, Upper Marlboro;
the Rev. j. Jaquelin Amber. rec
tor of st. Matthews Parish,
HyattSVllle; the Rev. Leland w. F.
Stark. rector of Epiphany Church,
1917 G street NV, and the Rev.
Berry B. Simpson. rector of Esther
Memorial Church of the Holy
Communion. Laymen - Mr.. At
wood. Dion S. Birney. Richard H.
Lansdale. and Ogle r. Singleton.
Executive Council: Clergymen-
The Rev. William F. Creighton,
rector of st. Johns Church, Be-
thesda; the Rev. Malcolm Mar
shall, rector Of st. Margaret'S
Church, and the Rev. Robert j.
Plumb, rector of st. Marks
Church. Laymen-Capt. j. H. S.
Dessez, Robert Whitelaw Wilson
and Brig. Gen. Albert l.. Cox.
The convention wound up its
two-day session last night with a
dinner in st. Johns Church. Col.