Religious Freedom in Russia
President Reagan during his visit to the Soviet Union visited a newly restored Russian Orthodox Church. While there he renewed his appeal for religious liberty in the Soviet Union, calling for thousands of closed churches to be reopened and for banned congregations to be allowed to practise their religion freely. Leaders of the Russian Orthodox Church told President Reagan that religious life in Russia was being increasingly freed from past restrictions.
It would be well if the Russian authorities listened to President Reagan’s plea but it is hard to be optimistic about this when thousands of churches remain closed and thousands of professed believers remain in labour camps on account of their beliefs. The Communists allow certain government controlled churches to operate and use them as show pieces to make visitors believe that there is a measure of religious toleration. The poor people of Russia need deliverance, not only from the power of communism, but also from the idolatry and false teaching of the Russian Orthodox Church.
Anglo-Catholic Pilgrimage
The annual pilgrimage by more than 5000 Anglo-Catholics to the shrine of the Virgin Mary at Walsingham, took place recently amidst the protests of Protestants who accused the pilgrims of popery. A Press report described the scene: “The lineage of the Virgin appears, bobbing above the crowd, and before her go men in white carrying ornate crosses and waving silver censers that give off clouds of incense. The tension rises as the 2ft wooden doll, with the infant Christ on her knee, suddenly comes to a halt in the middle of the square. Over a hundred clerics in magnificent blue velvet cassocks chant around her beneath a cacophony of protest. As the evangelicals sing “Crown Him” with increasing fervour — referring to Christ — the pilgrims sing Ave Maria.”
How sad it is to find this taking place in what was once Protestant England. Is it any wonder that Archbishop Runcie is confident that the Anglican bishops Conference this summer will authorise further steps towards unity with the Roman Catholic Church? The place of the Pope in a united church is a contentious matter but even this might be surmounted in view of a declaration by some Anglican Evangelicals that they were prepared to contemplate a united church headed by the Pope provided his powers were scaled down. How far reaching this would be for the nation if it ever took place. May the Lord in His mercy prevent it.