| Transcript |
An Easter scene at Trinity
Shown in background is thc
Metropolitan seemed neit able to recall
what hael he-en said by him regarding
the- American churches, it was suggested that certain quotes be read.
The Metropolitan replied that the
days of the- Korean War hail been dif-
ficult for everybody; that what had
l»'iii saiel during those- days hael best
be forgotten since nenv a ne-w era of
Understanding had begun.
Christians Accused
To this erne- eil the- members e>f the
deputation replied that it would not
be- easy to forget that American Christians hael been called murderers; that
the-y hail be-e-u accused of supporting
tin- alleged practice of germ warfare
in the- Korean War. "We- cannot forget,
but we can forgive," it was said. "We
fefer to this unhappy past in the spirit
of Christian love. We have come a
long way to show how e-ager we are to
teach a basis of understanding, but
this understanding can best be
reached as we face the facts of history, anil correct the misinterpretation
of the past."
Still another member of the deputation insisted that the World Peace
Council continued to be- dominated by
the Communists. It was pointed out
that the conditions for peace set forth
by the- World Peace Council corresponded in every essential respect tei
Un- pulieie-s of the USSR; that the- few
churchmen from the- We-st who had
collaborated with the World Peace
Council did not have the confidence
of, nor were they representative of,
WIDE SS-ORLD I-1IOTO
monastery, near Moscow.
Russian Orthodox Church.
their churches.
Metropolitan Nicolai replied, saving: "Let's not argue about the World
Peace Council, but rather find com-
me)n ground. Le-t us now and for the
future try to find a basis for common
activities. I speak to you not as a
member of the Worlel Peace Council,
but as an Orthodox Christian. If elur-
ing the Korean War we erred somewhat, that is now long ago. anel it is
all over." To which it was replied that
hereafter, when future- reference is
made to the American churches, it
would be- better lo ascertain the facts.
Saiel Bishop She-nil]: "We have traveled a long way, not for superficial
conversations. We must speak the
truth — in love. If we eliel not care for
understanding, we would neit have
come so far."
Churches for Justice and Peace
The second round of discussions on
the peace and war issue teiok place -it
a later se-ssie>n. Metropolitan Nicolai
read a statement saying he welcomed,
"with jew anel brotherly love, the-
Christian spirit of Dr. Van Kirk's statement given in the name of the delegation of the- National Council of
Churches, and its assurance that 'the
churches comprising the National
Council firmly support a policy leading to the- establishment of peace and
justice throughout the world.'" The
American conferees teieik special note
of the- fact that the Metropolitan hael
linked together in his statement, the
concepts of pi-ace- anel justice-. The
Metropolitan asked each of his Russian colleagues whether they agreed
to the points set forth in his paper.
Each one expressed agreement, the
Baptist saying: "I would not add a
word, or take away a word."
Dr. Van Kirk, after consultation
with members of the National Council's deputation, presented a comment
on the Metropolitan's paper. Here
again, as earlier, stress was laid upon
considerations of justice, freedom, and
human rights. The deputation also requested that all of the formal presentations on the peace question be
published together.
Bishop Sherrill introduced this item
of the agenda. He explained the meaning of the separation of church and
state in the United States. He spoke
of the manner in which churches in
the- United States are supported: policies respecting religious instruction in
either than church schools; taxation in
relation to the churches; administration of church institutions in areas of
education, health, and charitable en-
eleavors, and participation of church
members in the political community,
stressing particularly the variety of
political opinions and the freedom
with which choices are made on the
political level.
Churches Have Responsibility
"Clergymen differ as elei either citi-
ze-ns in their political allegiance to one
party or the other," said Bishop Sherrill. "There is no clerical party in the
United States and no church uniform-
it) in the use of the ballot. . . . The
churches acting severally, and many
times in unison, do not hesitate tei
criticize actions of government, some-
tinie-s on local or again em state or on
the- national level. The churches have
a prophetic function, a responsibility,
when needed, tei be the conscience of
the- nation. . . ."
Protopresbyter Nicolai Koltchitsky
eif the Russian Orthodox Church, in
speaking to this question said, in part:
"It is necessary that our guests understand that the- mission of our Church
is to bring our brothers closer to God.
Religious life is closely connecteel with
ele-e-els. Our Russian Orthodox Church
holds that the clergy must not only
teach, but be an example.
There arc se-ve-n Sacraments, but the
meist important are confession and
communion. They form a close bond
between the believer and the pastor.
The- spiritual life of a Christian is e-\-
pre-sse-el in that he is in close- touch
I-'m is Forum News, December. 1956
Page 37
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