Part 13 (2/2)

Therefore, for a Christian there can be no such a thing as despising another race or a member of another race. Moreover, when G.o.d chose to reveal Himself in human form, the Word became flesh in One of a race, then as now, widely despised... <98> Against racial pride, racial hatreds and persecutions, and the exploitation of other races in all their forms, the Church is called by G.o.d to set its face implacably and to utter its word unequivocally, both within and without its own borders. There is a special need at this time that the Church throughout the world should bring every resource at its command against the sin of anti-Semitism...

The recrudescence of pitiless cruelty, hatred, and race-discrimination in the modern world (including most notably anti-Semitism) is one of the major signs of its social disintegration. To these must be brought not only the weak rebuke of words but the powerful rebuke of deeds.

For the Church has been called into existence by G.o.d not only for itself but for the world; and only by going out of itself in the work of Christ can it find unity in itself.” [243]

An immense effort was made, notably in the Anglo-Saxon world, to bring home the message of the Conference to the rank and file of the Churches.

The message was referred to by Church leaders when the fight against anti-Semitism intensified as, for instance, by the 170 ministers in the city of New York, 1941, [244] and Rev. Bertrand in France, in his circular letter of June 11, 1942. [245]

Many Church leaders who were present at the Oxford Conference were to denounce anti-Semitism vehemently and publicly, during the Second World War.

We mention: Dr. Visser 't Hooft, the General Secretary; the Archbishop of York (Dr. Temple); the Bishop of Chichester (Dr. Bell); Archbishop Eidem, of Sweden; Bishop Fuglsang-Damgaard, of Denmark; Archbishop Stephan, of Bulgaria; Dr. Samuel Osusky, Czechoslovakia; the Rev. Marc Boegner, France; Prof. Emil Brunner, Switzerland; and Dr. Samuel McCrea Cavert, the United States.

Another statement to be recorded in this chapter was adopted by the World Alliance for International Friends.h.i.+p through the Churches, on its meeting at Larvik (Norway), in August, 1938:

”The Council appeals to its members to do all they can to awaken public opinion in their own countries to the great evils involved in the systematic ostracism and persecution now being directed against the Jewish race and against thousands of Christians who have kins.h.i.+p with the Jews.

Whilst acknowledging the weakness, hesitancy and failure of Christians in this matter, it is appalled by the growth of racial and religious intolerance throughout the world. <99> It holds it to be a total denial of faith in the fatherhood of G.o.d and the brotherhood of men as revealed in Jesus Christ and it calls upon all Christians to unite their efforts so that in a distracted and divided world Christ may be made manifest 'Who is our peace. Who made both one and hath broken down the middle wall of part.i.tion between us'.” [246]

In 1938, two great Ec.u.menical Movements - Faith and Order and Life and Work - a.s.sociated together in forming a Provisional Committee of the World Council of Churches (in process of formation). The World Council of Churches was officially const.i.tuted in Amsterdam, in 1948.

On November 16, 1938, Dr. Visser 't Hooft, General Secretary of the World Council of Churches, H. L. Henriod, General Secretary of the World Alliance for International Friends.h.i.+p through the Churches and Adolf Keller, Director of Inter-Church Aid sent the following letter to the member Churches:

”At the moment when the terrible persecution of the Jewish population in Germany and in other Central European countries has come to a violent climax, it is our duty to remind ourselves of the stand which we have taken as an ec.u.menical movement against anti-Semitism in all its forms.

The World Alliance at the meeting of its Executive in Sofia in 1933 and at its recent a.s.sembly at Larvik in August 1938, and the Conference on Church, Community and State at Oxford in 1937 have unequivocally expressed the Christian att.i.tude on this point and called upon the Churches to help those who suffer from racial persecution.

We suggest that at this time all Churches should take immediate action based on these statements. The most practical action would seem to be: 1. Corporate prayers of intercession.

2. An approach to the Governments of the various countries requesting that they should act immediately.

a. in order to allow a larger percentage of non-Aryan refugees to enter provisionally or definitely into the country concerned; b. to further without delay the plan proposed by the Evian Conference [247]

for securing a permanent settlement of a large number of actual and potential non-Aryan refugees.

3. Undertake as a Church the responsibility of the maintenance of some non-Aryan and Christian families and particularly of at least one non-Aryan pastor or theological student. <100> We put ourselves at your disposal for further information on any of these projects.” [248]

We know that Church leaders in the United States made the requested ”approach to the Government”. [249]

The International Missionary Council held a large international conference at Tambaram, Madras, in December, 1938. It reiterated the Vienna (1937) statement of the International Committee on the Christian Approach to the Jews on anti-Semitism [250], expressed ”its deep concern about the increasingly tragic plight of the Jews”, and urged ”that this const.i.tutes a claim of first importance on the Christian Church”. It recommended:

1. That prayer should be regularly made in Christian Churches, and particularly on Good Friday and the Jewish Day of Atonement, for all Jews and non-Aryans who are suffering persecution.

2. That individuals, Churches and Christian Councils in countries suitable for the reception of immigrants should use their influence, wherever possible, to secure an open door for refugees.

3. That Christian people in all countries should make a special effort to welcome and help such of their refugee brethren as arrive in their country.

4. That an appeal be made in all churches for help for recognized refugee funds...” [251]

In January 1939, at the First ordinary session of the Provisional Committee of the World Council of Churches, the Bishop of Chichester proposed that the Council create a special department to deal with refugee problems.

”He felt that the time had come to aid the entire ma.s.s of non-Aryans. He meant not only the non-Aryan members of the Church but also the others, albeit there being a special responsibility towards members of the Christian Church. Soon afterwards Dr. Adolf Freudenberg was appointed the first secretary of this new Department for Aid to Refugees.” [252]

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III

DURING THE WAR

19 HISTORICAL EVENTS, 1939-1945

1939 Sept. 1 Germany attacks Poland.

Sept. 3-4 Great Britain and France declare war upon Germany.

Sept. 17 Russia invades Poland.

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