The Omaha guide., 1955-10-07

The churches-"the most segregated institutions in America
are. working hard today at the difficult task of bringing about inter
racial worship, says the October issue of Harpers Magazine.
Louis Cases and Lee Nichols, two Washington press associa-
ton reporters, write that segregation in the churches is lone of the
sorest spots in Americas Christian conscience"
They continue: "The churches are bringing up the rear in a
battle they should have led. While racial barriers have been crumb[
ing in sports, in the theater, in trade unions, In schools and III the
military services, the worship Of God is still being conducted-n
almost any community you can name-on a predominantly Jim Crow
basis.
Before we condemn the churches for hypocrisy, however, we
must in fairness cite two facts in their defense: first, they face a
more difficult task than secular Institutions; second, and most i'm
portant, many of them have confessed the sInfulness of segregation
and are now working hard at repentance"
Defending the churches in their difficult task, a Negro theolo-
gian, DR.. Frank I. Wilson of Howard University School of Religion, is
quoted as saying: "The churches will take longer to achieve integra-
ton because they are undertaking a much greater accomplishment
Worshipping together is a more personal thing than riding trains or
attending movies together. Tolerance is not enough here; it must be
real brotherhood or nothing"
Pronouncements opposing continued segregation have been
adopted by various UNCONVENTIONAL conferences and conventions, the
article reports. The groups include the 1854 Southern Baptist Con-
vention. governing body of the largest Protestant denomination in the
South: the 1852 General Conference of the Methodist Church, the
Congregationahsts, Northern Presbyterians, Disciples Of Christ, the
Evangelical and Reformed Church, the Episcopalans, the Northern
Bapists, and several small denominations. The Catholic Church mas
taken a bold Lead in the Deep South, the article reports, citing the
fact that authorities in North Carolina and Louisiana have ended
segregation outright by ecclesiastical fiat, and many Catholic par
ishes elsewhere have ended segregation without a public pronounce
ment. Protestant Spokesman are reported as pointing out that the
Catholics face a somewhat different problem than theirs, both because
of the relatively small numbers of Negroes involved and because OF
the much greater authority that Catholic priests and bishops exer-
else over church affairs.
mo Protestant bishop could successfully end segregation in a
diocese by edict," the article continues. "a Protestant clergyman
bent on breaking down racial barriers In lis own cnurch muS d
not only the personal courage and determination to do SO, but also
the leadership to carry with him the laymen who, through vesries,
presbyteries, boards of deaconS or congregational meetings, haV Tie
final word on church policy"
The sticking point for many congregations IS the social inter
minging, the article reports.
"Some white Christians who would gladly share a pew with
Neqroes have a deepseated dread of social intermmgling-at church
suppers in youth groups, at the Ladies' Guild meetings" it says