Evening star., 1951-10-29
Vatican Envoy Plan
Attacked as Churches
Observe Reformation

Observe Reformation |
President Truman's proposal to-
send an ambassador to the Vati-
can was attacked as the Washing
ton Federation of Churches cele-l
brated Reformation Sunday with
a special Festival Of Faith last
night at Uline Arena.
The Rev. DR.. Joseph r. Sizoo.
former minister Of the New York
Avenue Presbyterian Church and
now president of the New Bruins
wick Theological Seminary in New
Brunswick, N. j.. described the
issue raised by President Truman
as disturbing" and cruelty
divisive force" in America.
He declared:
I'VE protest the approval Of all
this because 1t disayows the prin-
ciple OF the separation Of Church
and State. In our Constitution
every expression of religion is freel
to do its work. Neither is helped
or hindered by government"
Sees Equal Rights Endangered.
He said that when one group
is singled out for special favor,
something happens to the equal
rights of all churches"
This formal diplomatic rela-
tion on this level with the Vatican
is with the head of church. Of
fering it confidence and entrees
which are denied to others. Very
solemn responsibilities rest upon
Congress. May God in His infinite
wisdom grant them wisdom
rightly to divine the word of
truth"
DR.. SiZoo said that Protestant
ism affirrns the separation Of
Church and State. 1T is inevi-I
table consequence following upon
the right of man to worship God
as his conscience Dictates" he
said.
We protest this proposal be-
cause it introduced into Ameri-I
can life a cruelty devisive force.
There is just one thing that will
defeat Communism. 1t is the
unity of the democratic world.
1t is the one weapon it fears most.
Fears Comfort to Enemy.
Now there has been introduced
an issue which will divide us
deeply. The only good that can
come out of it is to give COM
fort to the enemy who lives with
n philosophy to divide and con-
quer.
Just at a time when we ought
to close our ranks and hold fast
to one another and show the
world that in democracy people
can live together. there has been
introduced this cruel issue which
puts in jeopardy the very unity
we believe"
DR.. Sizoo said that to some itl
would seem that this is alto
gether a fuss over nothing, some
thing which a group Of pious and
well-meaning and other worldly
busybodies are getting excited
about"
Let no one mistake the mind
Of the Protestant Church." he de-
clared. Those who are register
ing the protest are among the
most distinguished citizens of our
country. Every official group Of
Protestant fellowship in the
United States has spoken out
against it."
Hymn Singing Opens Meeting. |
The Festival of Faith opened
with a half hour Of hymn sing
Ing with music by the National
Lutheran Chorus. The Invocation
was given by the Rev. William
H. Jernagin. minister of the
Mount Carmel Baptist Church.
The Rev. Frederick E. Reissig,
executive secretary Of the Wash
inston Federation of Churches,
made an appeal for the assem-
bly, to support the drive to COL
lect clothing for relief of the
South Koreans made homeless by
the war. Outside the arena, a.
truck was parked to receive do
nations of clothing and hundreds
OF persons placed bundles in it
before going into the meeting.
Reformation Sunday celebrated
the 434th anniversary of Martin
Luther's posting of his 95 theses
on the door of the Cathedral at
Wittenburg.
DR.. sizoo opened his address by
declaring:
I'VE are here to bear out wit
ness. We are Protestants. We have
come to reaffrm those things
which we most surely believe. and
proclaim them to the world un-
afraid and unashamed."
Freedom Of Worship.
He said the fundamental affirm
ations Of Professionalism are the
right Of man to worship God ac-
cording to the dictates of his con-
science.
I'VE are the children of God
and have free access to Him. No
.