A New Pope
The conclave of Roman Catholic Cardinals appointed Cardinal Albino Luciani to be the new Pope. He has taken the name Pope John Paul. The choice of Cardinal Luciani was unexpected as he had not held office in the Roman Curia, the controlling body of the R.C. Church. It may indeed have been this very fact that contributed to his election. He will be dependent on the present holders of office in the Curia for advice and he has, in fact, confirmed them in office. This will allow them to carry on their present policy of seeking an accommodation with the Communist Governments of Eastern Europe.
From all appearances Pope John Paul is more like Pope John than Pope Paul, who were his predecessors. This will make him all the more dangerous as the ecumenical movement received a strong pro-Romanist bias during Pope John’s reign. Pope John Paul has already expressed himself as clearly committed to ecumenism. The danger to Protestantism from this source is very real, especially in view of the present weak state of the Protestant Churches.
Church Notes
Presbytery Meetings (D.V.)
Northern: At Bonar Bridge, on 17th October, at 3 p.m.
Skye: At Portree, on 24th October, at 11 a.m.
Western: At Laide, on 24th October, at 12 noon.
Southern: At Glasgow, on 21st November, at 6 p.m.