Questionable Methods of Roman Catholic Propaganda
Recently a friend received through the post the gift of a new booklet dealing with an Old Testament subject. On the book being opened there was a printed card found in it detached from the booklet. It was a Catholic Enquiry Centre propaganda advertisement, bearing on one side the picture of a Romish clergyman holding the Communion Cup, described as saying what they call Mass, albeit the Roman Catholic laity never get the wine in this sacrament contrary to the Word of Christ. The publishing firm will no doubt be well paid for this, unless an influential member of the firm is a Roman Catholic. The firm is Arrow Books Ltd., Great Portland Street, London. Then to the surprise of the Editor of this magazine, we received at the beginning of August, a letter from the Catholic Enquiry Centre, London, the envelope addressed in our name, and the enclosed letter beginning with our name, and continuing thus—”I am very glad to receive your request for details of our Course of Leaflets, ‘The Catholic Faith.’ I am sending you herewith” etc., etc. The letter was signed by Rev Michael O’Connor, Director. Of course we never dreamt of sending such a request, and never did send such a request, and never needed to send such a request as we have volumes of the most authentic information regarding the wicked Popes of the dark ages, of the evil organisation of the Jesuits which was banned by one Pope, of the absurd blasphemy of the Mass, and of the fiction of the Infallibility of Popes and of Mary’s Assumption, etc., etc. But of course, our explanation may be that some person has written a card of request in our name. If that person was a Roman Catholic then they might well be better of a Course to explain what deceit means and on the other hand what honesty means.
The Roman Catholic Church in Cuba
Reliable reports state that the Roman Catholic Church is meeting with strong anti-Catholic opposition in Cuba. So much so that the R.C. Archbishop of Havana threatened to close all Roman Catholic Churches in Cuba, unless the Government guaranteed freedom of worship, including protection for those who attend R.C. Churches. There is a loud cry here for protection but where has been the protection of Protestants in Columbia from Roman Catholic persecution of which the world now knows? Where is the freedom of worship for Protestants in Spain under the oppression of Roman Catholicism? Indeed, we do not need the services of any R.C. Enquiry Centre. We know too much already. Where now is the vaunted power and influence of Rome as against Communism, when this other great evil thrives where Bishops and priests have for long had all the say? It appears to Protestants that Communism is being a great scourge to the Roman Church. Rome the great bulwark against Moscow! The greatest modern fallacy!
Roman Priests and Franco of Spain
It has been authentically reported that the Vatican is concerned over the increased friction between sectors of the Spanish clergy, especially the younger element and the Franco regime. There have been incidents between Franco police and R.C. clergy who are frequently accused of working with anti-Franco forces. This is indeed a new phase in Spain and probably arising from the people with modern liberal views in this modern world of ours. There was great concern recently regarding a report that, during a police round-up in Barcelona prior to a visit by Franco to the port, a Protestant sect headquarters was raided and 4,000 Bibles seized. The Bibles were described as “subversive propaganda.” This is something for the Catholic Enquiry Centre to explain.
Proposed Personal Armorial Symbol for Moderator
In the proposed new symbol for use of the Moderator of The General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, there appears along with the Burning Bush, the St. Andrew’s Cross, a large number of Tassils, what appears to be a cardinal’s hat and a bishop’s crozier. But let the Church of Scotland Minister of St. Giles’ Cathedral, Edinburgh, speak on this new Anglican play-thing and toy. Rev Dr. H. C. Whitley wrote in “The Scotsman” last August as follows:—
Sir,—There appeared in your columns the statement that a personal symbol, which will distinguish the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland among the heads of other Churches, was being prepared. The new symbol incorporates the Burning Bush and a traditional ecclesiastical hat.
If this is an inspired statement, who inspired it? If such a decision has been made, who made it?
The Moderator of the General Assembly is not the Head of the Kirk, and is simply the chairman of the supreme court when it is in session. Any insignia given him as Moderator are but a fiction, and any title that would raise him in rank or order above his brethren is contrary to the Declaratory Articles of the Church, which recognise only the headship of Christ and the parity of ministry.
It would be an interesting exercise in this fourth centenary year of the Reformation to discover who hatches such ideas.—I am, etc., H. C. Whitley, Minister of the High Kirk of St. Giles.
The World Council of Churches and the Vatican
The Central Committee of the World Council of Churches met at St. Andrew’s, Scotland, last August. At one of its meetings, the Rev Dr. Franklin C. Fry, of the United Lutheran Church, reported that the Vatican had set up a Secretariat with the dual purpose of helping non-Roman Catholics to follow the work of the Second Vatican Council, and helping Churches, not in communion with Rome, to arrive at unity with the Roman Catholic Church. Dr. Fry further stated that this Secretariat did not mean that any of the fundamental differences between the Roman Catholic Church and the Churches in the World Council had been solved. The Rev Dr. continued: “The opportunity for conversation is to be grasped, but it means that the real problems will come to the fore.” He said more to the same effect; and one would think that Dr. Fry and those listening to him were dealing with a Church (Rome) with whom they had some differences, serious maybe, but which could be discussed on an equal footing. Dr. Fry knows little of the real character, temper and methods of the Vatican, or he is along with others in the notorious World Council of Churches, endeavouring, slowly but definitely, to lead the World Council of Churches back to the superstition and darkness of Rome. The solving of differences referred to will not be accomplished by even prolonged discussion if ever the Vatican agreed to that, but by those who are presently non-Roman Catholics accepting unreservedly the blasphemous Mass and all the rest of Rome’s doctrines and delusions. Any interest the Vatican may tend to show for the World Council of Churches movement will have in view drawing Anglicans, Presbyterians, Baptists, Congregationalists, etc., nearer to Rome and into the Pope’s organisation. And at this Central Committee meeting where the Vatican was so well kept to the forefront (by a “Lutheran” forsooth!) the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, Rev Principal, J. S. Burleigh, conveyed greetings from the Church of Scotland for the success of the committee’s meeting. And it is probable that Principal Burleigh will be the leading figure at his Church’s commemoration of the Reformation of 1560, in Scotland, to be held this month—October. But not a word in criticism of Dr. Fry’s references to the Vatican. In another connection we were recently charged with writing without warrant and without charity. But again with good reason and charity in a fitting manner to the case, we state that the aforesaid facts expose as rank hypocrisy the part that some dignitaries will take in the Church of Scotland commemoration of John Knox’s work of Reformation 400 years ago. We live in days when few indeed are not ashamed and not afraid to hold to the Truth, and the whole Truth, without compromise and hypocrisy.
Dr. McGries Life of John Knox
The Publications Committee expect to have a reprint of this valuable and much needed book in circulation by October. It will not contain appendixes, etc., as in original issue but will be otherwise complete. It is very desirable that this reliable historical work be widely circulated to counteract the false accounts of Knox, and the wicked anti-protestant literature circulated to belittle this year’s Fourth Century of the Reformation.
Copies can be had, as of other publications, from Mr J. Grant, 4 Millburn Road, Inverness, and various congregation treasurers: price 8/- (postage extra).
W. Grant, Convener.