Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland

Reformed in Doctrine, Worship, and Practice

“Thou hast given a banner to them that fear thee, that it may be displayed because of the truth.” Psalm 60:4

  • Contact Us
  • Español
  • 中文
  • About Us
    • Who We Are
    • What We Contend For
    • What We Believe
    • How We Worship
    • How We Are Organised
    • Important Documents
    • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • BKonline Course
    • Scripture and Catechism Exercises 2025-26
  • Publications
    • Free Presbyterian Magazine
    • Young People’s Magazine
    • Gaelic Supplement – An Earrann Ghàidhlig
    • Synod Reports
    • Religion and Morals Committee Reports
    • Tracts
  • Audio
    • Sermons
    • Theological Conferences
    • Youth Conferences
    • Psalmody
  • Congregations
    • Places of Worship
    • Current Ministers
    • Galleries of FP Churches
  • International
    • Zimbabwe Mission
    • Other International Congregations
    • Translation Work
    • Metrical Psalms in Various Languages
    • Chinese website (中文)
    • Spanish (español) website
  • History
    • History of the FP Church
    • Congregational Histories
    • Deceased Ministers and Probationers
    • Obituaries and Synod Tributes
    • Moderators of Synod etc.
    • Timeline of Scottish Church History
  • Spiritual Help
    • How to Find Spiritual Help
    • How may a sinner be saved?
    • How may someone know if they are truly saved?
    • Spiritual Mindedness
  • Bookshop
Home » Publications » Free Presbyterian Magazine » 1942 » February 1942 » Vatican Religious Politics (Present, Past and Future)

Vatican Religious Politics (Present, Past and Future)

By Dr. A. HUTTON-ASHKENNY, M.B., Ch.B., B.Sc.

BRITISH and other Roman Catholics, as well as Anglo-Catholics, throughout the world should note that the Vatican supports the enemies of their own and our political and religious freedom. Thus “Free France” of 6th September, 1941, states that Radio-Lyons announced that the French Cardinals and Archbishops of Occupied and Unoccupied France have published a declaration that “the churches in France shall assist in the work of national reconstruction of Maréchal Pétain.” “The Evening Standard” correspondent on 9th July, 1940, stated that the Vatican organ “Osservatore Romano” in an editorial praised Pétain’s reorganisation of France. “The Daily Telegraph,” on 5th September, 1940, reported that on 4th September, 1940, the Pope, addressing a Committee of Cardinals and Vatican officials on the fifth anniversary of “Catholic Action,” said that it should collaborate with the Vatican and be willing to make the supreme sacrifice in obedience to Mussolini’s laws. The Vatican supported Italian aggression in Abyssinia and the Franco-Italian-Hitler aggression against the Spanish Republican Government. In Roman Catholic Ireland, Cardinals, Bishops and priests indirectly dictate a policy of helping Hitler and Mussolini to starve Britain and bring it to its knees. These and other mysterious secret Vatican influenced political actions all indicate its bitter underground war to maintain its supremacy in every part of the world, especially in Great Britain, the mother nation of world Protestantism and democracy. These mysterious underground actions necessitate a magnificent powerful political sacerdotalism everywhere, a closed Bible, a misinterpreted Christian theocracy, saint and image worship, slavish obedience to an infallible Vatican, secret confessionals, opposition to freedom of worship and thought—in fact, Hitlerism in religion.

On 9th June, 1941, the “Daily Telegraph” published an article headed “One Religion for Spain,” “Pact with Vatican.” This announced an agreement for a new war on Freedom of Worship by the Vatican, which had obtained power over Franco to the effect “that the Roman Catholic religion shall be the exclusive religion of the Spanish nation.” Is the Pope recommending the Spanish Inquisition of Torquemada by threatening Franco with the wrath of heaven, e.g., loss of Spanish Roman Catholic political support, excommunication and persecution? This agreement means that non-Roman Catholic Christian minorities, including the Church of England, will be refused freedom of worship on equal terms with Roman Catholics. It also reveals the chief cause of civil and international wars, because this is one of the many examples proving that the Vatican creates in every part of the world religious and civil jealousies, animosities, and conflicts with carefully adjusted, peaceful, social, national and international organisations.

This Spanish agreement illustrates the cryptic meaning behind the hallowed wording of the fifth Vatican peace point (Pope Pius XII), which paraphrased demands that “peoples and their rulers” must make their laws (human statutes) comply with the dictates of the “sacred and inviolable standards of the laws of God” (Vatican). The Vatican claiming to be the sole infallible interpreter of God’s laws and Word (Bible). The fifth point therefore reasserts centuries old Vatican supremacy and dictatorship over the State even to the extent of ordering the use of the State’s armed forces against any and everyone of its opponents. This power was used by Torquemada during the Spanish Inquisition. It is important to note that although this fifth point claims Papal supremacy over England, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York of the lawfully established Protestant Church in England have signed agreement with it. The Bishops and Anglo-Catholic clergy who approve this action are trying to induce the British Government to sell Britain to the Vatican, the avowed enemy of freedom of worship. This in spite of the fact that Roman Catholic clergy are prohibited from having communion, or praying, with our Bishops, who are treated as heretics.—The Reformer, December 1941.

Upcoming Events (DV)

Jul 23
23 Jul - 27 Jul

Communions: Cameron, Struan

Jul 30
30 Jul - 3 Aug

Communion: Dingwall

Aug 6
6 Aug - 10 Aug

Communions: New Canaan, Somakantana

Aug 27
27 Aug - 31 Aug

Communion: Stornoway, Zenka

Sep 10
10 Sep - 14 Sep

Communions: Halkirk, Munaka, Portree

View Calendar

Latest Articles

  • Youth Conference in Australia
  • June 2026 Magazines online
  • Valuing the Gospel Ministry
  • UK Youth Conference 2026
  • Asia Pacific Youth Conference Lectures

Recently Added Audio

  • Jesus and His resurrection 21 Jun 2026
  • Jesus and His death 21 Jun 2026
  • “Many believed” 14 Jun 2026
  • Christ as a surety for strangers 14 Jun 2026
  • A vain cry in a time of trouble 7 Jun 2026
  • Redemption through the precious blood of Christ 7 Jun 2026
  • Waiting for the Lord 13 Jun 2026
  • Coming to yourself 12 Jun 2026
  • Throwing away an inheritance 11 Jun 2026
  • He will come to the feast 10 Jun 2026

View All Sermons

Download Latest Issues:
The Free Presbyterian Magazine
Young People’s Magazine

Free Presbyterian Places of Worship

Browse the Church Bookshop

Back to top

Website Contact

Rev Caleb J Hembd
caleb.hembd@gmail.com

Moderator of Synod

Rev K D Macleod BSc
11 Auldcastle Road
Inverness, IV2 3PZ
United Kingdom
E-mail: kdmacleod@gmail.com

Clerk of Synod

Rev Keith M Watkins
Free Presbyterian Manse, Ferry Road, Leverburgh, Isle of Harris, HS5 3UA, UK.
kmwatkins@fpchurch.org.uk

General Treasurer

Mr William Campbell
133 Woodlands Road, Glasgow,
G3 6LE, UK.
william.campbell@fpcoffice.org

Copyright © 2026 Free Presbyterian Church of Scotland · Log in · Subscribe via RSS · Privacy Notice