Episcopal Split on Fighting Pope

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 11, 1915

Episcopal Split on Fighting Pope

IN a report on the first page of the New York Times of October 27, under the heading “Episcopal Split on Fighting Pope,” it is stated that—

five High Church dignitaries resigned yesterday from the Protestant Episcopal Board of Missions after a heated debate, in which they had tried vainly to stop that body from sending delegates to the Pan-Protestant Congress at Panama, on the ground that such action would be an affront to the Roman Catholics.

Bishop Weller, of Wisconsin, is quoted in the same article as saying:—

I say here that we will not join in fighting against another part of Christendom. We will rather walk on the other side of the line. It is true that with certain difficulties we have kept the fellowship for four centuries. I want to say to you candidly that when it comes to joining with Protestantism against Roman Catholicism, there are some of us here, if you make us, who would take our place on the other side.

We are glad, however, that the spirit of real Protestantism still prevails in the Episcopal Board of Missions, and that delegates are to be sent to the Panama Protestant Congress even if plans to carry the gospel of Christ to the people of Latin America are displeasing to the Papacy.