Rome - Canterbury - Moscow

The election of two Popes within the brief space of fifty days focussed world attention on the Vatican. The colourful ceremonies which are part of the ritual on these occasions were flashed on television screens all over the world. Rome employed all the skills of modern propaganda to carry her message and her bogus claims to countless millions. It is a sobering thought that all this spectacular ritual is devoid of divine authority, yet multitudes are impressed by it and ensnared in the errors on which this powerful system is based.

Pope John Paul II, formerly Cardinal Karol Woityla of Poland, is the first non-Italian Pontiff to be elected head of the Roman Catholic Church for 450 years. Apparently his elevation to that office was a complete surprise. At their conclaves the Cardinals are completely cut off from the outside world. Their deliberations are said to be conducted in complete secrecy~ Notwithstanding, there has been widespread conjecture as to what influenced their choice on this occasion. A question foremost in the minds of many, for differing reasons, is, Why did they elect as head of their Church, and as its authentic voice, a Prelate who has been such a firm critic of Communist government? More on this later.

Another question widely discussed by observers is, What influence will the new Pope have on Church policy internally and in the sphere of ecumenism? On the day of his election he made a brief statement to the effect that he would follow the lead of his two predecessors. He would oppose excessive reforms and conservative traditionalists, in other words he would adopt a 'middle of the road' policy. Be that as it may. Born-again believers who have followed press reports will have noted with dismay the new Pope's re-affirmation of one of the gravest of the heresies propounded by the Roman Catholic Church - adoration of the Virgin. Addressing the crowd in St Peter's Square he said, "I was afraid to receive this nomination but I have done it in obedience to our Lord and faith in His mother, the Holy Virgin. I present myself to you, I confess our common faith, our hope, to the Mother of Christ, and also to begin a new road in the history of the Church with the help of God and of mankind". Error is no less error because asserted by a man authorized to speak for 700 million Roman Catholics. The crucial question is, Whence this authority? Is it of man or of God? Readers of this magazine who love the Holy Scriptures will give no uncertain answer to that question.

Among the 'great' ones of the earth who flocked to Rome to pay homage to the new Pope was Dr Coggan, Archbishop of Canterbury. By his presence, and much more by his patronizing utterances on that occasion, the Archbishop gave offence to many Anglicans. One writer in a contemporary magazine deplores "the most degrading spectacle of the Church of England's 'courting' of the Roman Catholic Church". One does not need to question the sincerity of Dr Coggan in his apparent devotion to the cause of ecumenism. He is, obviously so enamoured of reunion with Rome that such grave error as that referred to above does not deter him. But the heretical dogmas of Rome will not bear the light of God's word, and it is little wonder that the Archbishop's 'courting' of that Church is deeply offensive to many Bible-loving Anglicans. Rome will welcome reunion only on her own terms.

We conclude with a brief reference to the Vatican-Moscow aspect of this unexpected turn of events. In his native Poland the former Cardinal, now at the helm of the Roman Catholic Church, was outspoken on Church-State relations. The editor of the Roman Catholic newspaper Universe commented, "He is not soft on Communism, but he is probably very understanding towards Communists". The question now being debated in political circles is, Will he harden in opposition to Communism or seek an accommodation with it? Time alone will provide an answer to this question. It is of special interest to students of Biblical prophecy. It is clear that at the end-time there will be a worldwide Religious-political-commercial combine. It could be that these developments are a further step along that road.

End of the year thought

"Who serve Thee with a quiet mind, find in Thy service rest" (J. N. Darby).

As 1978 closes the world is in turmoil. "Be of good cheer", said our Lord to His troubled apostles, "I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).

unknown | Dec 1978
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