Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1950-03-12
This Week in RELIGION
Protestonts Reactions Mixed
On Vatican Decree on PorIeys

There were mixed reactions
this week in Protestant circles
here and abroad to the new Vati-
can decree on reunion discussions
which is generally regarded as
one OF the most significant docu-
ments issued by the Roman
Catholic church in recent his
tory.
Entitled, instructions to Local
Ordinaries About the Ecumenical
Movement" the document re-
leased by the Sacred Congrega-
ton of the Holy Office in Rome
stipulated that in the future all
discussions on reunion matters
between Catholics and non-Cath-
olics must be controlled and di-
rected by the local bishop.
The decree stated that inter-
diocesan or international discus
sions would still require direct
papal approval and defined re-
union strictly in the sense of a
return of all dissidents to the
Roman Catholic church.
Protestant leaders appeared to
be disappointed over what they
interpreted as a Vatican directive
putting an end to informal dis
cussions on church reunion. Such
discussions have been taking place
for a number of years between
Catholic and Protestant clergy
men and laymen, especially in
Europe.
Coalition Sought.
On the other hand, there ap-
pears to be satisfaction among
Protestants that the Holy Office
has given clear sanction to Cath
olics who wish to join with those
Of other faiths in common efforts
to combat the forces of irreligion
and to promote the general well
fare.
Although actually constituting
an incidental feature of the Vati-
can declaration, this go-ahead
gesture means, in effect, that the
Holy See is actively seeking coali-
ton of Catholic and Catholic
forces to halt the spread of anti
religious movements and to help
eradicate injustices in the social
order.
This phase of the Holy Office
decree was underscored by Vat
lean officials themselves. They
said the document was issued pri-
marily to rally all Christian forces
in defense Of fundamental Chris
tian principles and not to bring
about meetings to achieve Chris
tian religious unity through COM
promises.
The Vatican officials also
stressed that authorized meetings
of Catholics and Catholics
can be held to enlighten nom
Catholics regarding Catholic ten
cts and dogmas, as we'll as to
examine the possibilities of re-
union.
Move Is Hailed.
Among the first to comment on
the Vatican decree was DR.. w. A.
Wiser IT Hooft of Geneva, Switz-
erland, general secretary of the
World Council of Churches, who
hailed it as "a step forward" in
some respects, although in other
ways leaving less room for pio-
neers."
Stressing that he was speaking
only for himself and not for the
World Council, DR.. Wiser T..
Hooft declared that I'VE can only
rejoice" over what he said was
"a clear indication that the
ecumenical (world church Coop
eration) movement has begun to
make its influence felt among the
clergy and laity of the Roman
Catholic church."
He said he regretted, however.
that while heretofore meetings of
Catholics and representatives of
other confessions have taken place
informally in several countries,
these meetings must now give
way to conferences under the
supervision and direction of local
Catholic bishops.
Anticipating the verdict of
other Protestant leaders, the
World Council executive also re-
GREETED the view expressed in the
Vatican document that the only
purpose of Catholic sponsored re-
union discussions must be the
return of all Christians to the
Church of Rome.
The churches of the World