The current issue of Cantuarian, the magazine of King’s School, Canterbury, carries an attack on the “Red” Dean of Canterbury, Dr. Hewlett Johnson.
The dean, 83, is chairman of the school governors.
Strong feeling was aroused in the school last term over Dr. Johnson’s views on the Russian invasion of Hungary. A petition, signed by nearly 200, was presented to the dean, deploring his attitude over Hungary.
Then came the editorial:
“Profoundly moved as we all are by the outrage the Russians have committed, the statement which the dean has made on the subject of Hungary has caused particular distress. This is not the first occasion on which we have felt strong disagreement with the dean’s views, nor the first time that we have regretted that such pronouncements should be made by a high dignitary of the Church of England and the chairman of our board of governors.
“We have not so far taken issue with the dean in these pages out of respect for his office; and, like everyone else, he has the right of his own opinions and the right to express them. But there comes a point when we, too, have the right to say what we think of views he has so publicly expressed and when, considering his official connection with us, we have a duty to do so.
“The Hungarian people know what Fascism is. They suffered under it both before and during the war. But the dean claims to see a resurgence of Fascism in a rising which has been made nationwide. And what must we think when we are told that an action which cannot be condoned from a moral point of view can be justified politically?
“It is true there are people who believe this, unfortunately even among those who do not otherwise share the dean’s views, but one is sorry to find such teachings coming from a minister of God.”
While we pray for peace, we need moral clarity about this war.
As my doubts about his teachings grew, so did a secret fascination with Jesus.
When I married into a Jewish family, antisemitism hit home. Now, the holy day reminds me of our future hope.
