Roman Catholic Church Controversy over Legend.
Last December during what is called the “Christmas” season, there arose quite unexpectedly a Roman Catholic campaign against the legend of Santa Claus, popularly referred to as “Father Christmas,” who is supposed to bring presents to children. This R.C. attack on the unreality of Father Christmas began in Australia through a wireless broadcast talk, in which children were told there was no such person, which of course is quite right. But this caused general annoyance and consternation among parents and others. Later the matter became a centre of controversy among dignitaries of the Roman Catholic Church in France as reported in the press. Their ranks were split on the question as to whether “Father Christmas” should be abolished. The R.C. Archbishop of Paris, Maurie Feltin, said, “The Christian significance of Christmas is debased by this legend (of Santa Claus) originating in the dense Saxon forests.” A Canon of Dijon, the Rev. Felix Kir, said, “I see no harm in this custom
—on the contrary, since it pleases the children.” There were other R.C. opinions, for and against, reported as well; but Canon versus Archbishop will suffice here. Now why this pious outburst at this late date against this legend? It may be that it originated behind the “Iron Curtain”; or that “Father Christmas” is attracting increasingly too many people, young and old, their money and their time, away from “Father Priest” and masses, during the season of the year concerned. We cannot for a moment imagine the R.C. Archbishop of Paris objecting to legend because of being legend. His Church’s fabric is built on legend and supported by legend. The infallibility of the Pope is legend, the power of the priest to absolve from sin is legend, and along with a host of other legends the assumption of Mary is legend, being the most recent one fabricated by the R.C. Church.
Princess to Visit Heathen Temple.
Princess Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh are to make an offering of gold sovereigns at the Buddhist “Temple of Tooth” at Kandy when they visit Ceylon during this month, on their way to Australia. It is learned also that they have agreed to take off their shoes when they enter the temple. One of Buddha’s teeth is among so-called relics enshrined there. With all due respect to our heir to the Throne, and her husband, this will be shameful, uncalled for and unnecessary pandering to paganism and idolatry, on the part of such exalted personages of our Christian nation, they themselves professing the Christian faith. Who are they to offer the gold sovereigns to? What kind of “holy” ground are they to tread when required to put off their shoes? The whole arrangement is obnoxious, dangerous and sinful in the view of serious Christians in this our nation. Who are the evil advisers behind our young Royal couple? What concord hath Belial with Christ? “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (I Cor. x. 14).
Roman Catholic Marriage Pledges.
A famous singer, Gracie Fields to name, is soon to marry a Roman Catholic in Italy. She has been nominally a Protestant. The press has published the following information regarding the marriage:—
“Rome, 3rd January, 1952.
“The priest made them sign an undertaking that (1) Any children would be brought up as Catholics; (2) the Catholic spouse would be free to practise his own religion; (3) the Catholic spouse would endeavour to convert the other partner to Catholicism; (4) they will not celebrate another wedding before a minister of another sect.—Express News Service.”
We print this to refresh the memories of our readers on the methods and requirements of Rome regarding mixed marriages.
An Interesting Diversion of Money.
A Mr. Wallis, of Weybridge, England, was responsible for war-time inventions, and was awarded by the Royal Commission on Awards, £10,000. But he immediately put it into a trust fund to help educate sons and daughters of men who died in the Royal Air Force. He said he would never touch such money for himself. He was asked why, and he said: “. . . go and read your Bible. Turn up II Samuel, chapter 23.” Our readers will find there the story of David and his desire for “a drink of the water of the well of Bethlehem which is by the gate,” and how David disposed of the water when brought to him by the three mighty men. This interesting narrative came to hand in a cutting from a periodical called John Bull, of 1st December, 1951, given to us by a friend.