Evening star., 1952-06-22
The Week in Religion
BY Religious News Service

concern of church groups in this
country and Europe.
Religious leaders in the United
States are seeking to raise the
general level of politics by calling
upon all church members to vote,
by attempting to get candidates
to declare themselves on moral
tissues and by encouraging active
church laymen to run for Office.
A number of church councils
are sponsoring "get out the vote"
drives. The Ohio Council Of
Churches has appealed to the
5000 churches it represents to
Organize such campaigns for the
November elections. The council
estimates only one-third Of the
States church people take time
to vote"
The Ohio drive and other
church-sponsored campaigns do
not intend to influence voters for
or against particular candidates.
The assumption is that the best
candidates will be elected if
church members apply their reli-
|gious principles, think through
their choices-and. then vote.
Sitter Service Sought
Churches have been urged by
the Ohio council to create women's
and youth committees to provide
transportation and "baby sitter"
services on election day.
Other church groups, such as
the United Christian Citizens Of
Maryland, are sponsoring screen
ing service for voters. They query
candidates on their attitude to-
ward issues of special interest to
churchgoers. The answers are cir
culated to church members or
made public.
In some areas, religious groups
are undertaking an even more
ambitious program to change the
political picture. The Church Fed
Grafton of Greater Chicago has
Just issued a 30-page booklet for
use by churchgoers as a "measur-
ing stick" on political aspirants.
The booklet lists the qualities
political parties and candidates
should have to win approval Of
church people and outlines code
for public officials and political
organizations.
Urged to Join Parties.
The federation calls upon
churchmen to join political parties
and, "assist parties" in registra-
ton, getting out the vote and
serving as election watchers and
officials. 1t criticizes the "inde-
pendent voter" for not declaring
party and participating in party
organization.
Thus far, there has been no
general movement in this country
for clergymen to enter politics. In
Europe, however. ministers have
been entered for high political Of
fees.
Lutheran Bishop Bjarni Jonsson
of Reykjavik is running for presi-
dent of Iceland as the coalition
candidate of the Conservative and
Progressive Parties in the election
of June 20. Bishop Jonsson. IS,
has had no previous political back
ground. His principal opponent
is former Premier Asgeir Asgeirson.
a Social Democrat.
Activity in Finland.
In Finland. Lutheran Bishop
Elmo Sormunen of Kuopio is
emerging as a possible successor
to President Juho K. Passikivi, 81,
who is expected to resign in the
fall. The bishop may be put up
by the Agrarian Party which
shares the present government
with the Social Democrats.
The general assembly of the
Presbyterian Church in Ireland has
decided a minister of the denom-
|ination may become a parliament
tary candidate only with the con-
sent of his own presbytery. Sew
eral active Presbyterian clergy
men are members of the Northern
Ireland Parliament.
In the debate preceding the gen.
Ieral aSsembly's action some dele