The German Church Crisis In the course of his address
to the Convocation of Canterbury on Wednesday the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke firmly and wisely regarding the ordeal of the Confessional Synod in Germany. Some fear has been entertained by German Protestants lest the effect of such declarations as that of the Archbishop of York— entirely just and timely in itself—welcoming Herr Hitler's recent speech should lead the Nazi authorities to assume that there was no danger of the persecution of German Christians alienating the sympathy of English Church leaders. Dr. Temple himself, the Bishop of Chichester, and Dr. Sidney Berry on behalf of the Free Churches, have in letters to The Times completely dis- pelled that idea, and it is well that Dr. Lang should have said clearly and openly that official attacks on the Protestant or Roman Catholic Churches in Germany would be regarded as a menace to Christianity throughout the world. The meeting of the Confessional Synod at Augsburg this week is a critical occasion, and though its opening has been signalized by the release of eighteen imprisoned pastors a new clash with Nazi forces stimu- lated by the growing and dangerous pagan movement headed by Dr. Rosenberg is still not unlikely. But there is a strong moderate section in the Cabinet, and with opinion among Herr Hitler's advisers thus divided the representations of responsible Christian leaders in this and other countries will have their weight.
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