Freedom on a Hinge

A “wait-and-see” attitude prevailed at three Protestant meetings held last month to discuss the future status of minority religious groups in predominantly Roman Catholic Spain.

While signs supporting hopes for greater freedom were noted, said Religious News Service, reports from Protestant gatherings in Madrid, Alicante, and Tarrasa indicated minority denominations are withholding optimism pending action on a proposed law to ease restrictions.

A law proposed by Foreign Minister Fernando Maria Castiella y Maiz calls for a definition of the status of minority religious groups and at the same time asks safeguards against proselytizing.

Adoption of any form of “legal status for the non-Catholic denominations” in Spain, Señor Castiella has said, will hinge on “the express agreement of the Holy See.”

Though a draft document on religious freedom has been prepared for the Second Vatican Council, it is doubtful that the bishops will get to it during the current session.

At the Protestant meetings in Spain, according to spokesmen for a “Committee of Defense” for minority denominations, major concern centered on the distinction between the concepts of proselytism and “evangelization.”

While there was general agreement that effort should be made to reach an agreement on proselytism with Catholic bishops, it was hoped that Protestants could print and distribute devotional works in their own denominations.

It was noted that several Protestant churches have been allowed to reopen this year and a primary school operated by the Plymouth Brethren at Cartagena opened this fall.

At the same time, reports were received from Algeciras that local authorities had ordered the closing of a Bible school which was training Protestant leaders.

The Protestant minority in Spain is made up mainly of Baptists, Brethren, and Methodists. They total an estimated 20,000 in a population of 30,000,000. Their ranks are reported to be showing modest growth despite a long history of adverse government attitudes toward them.

A Welcome Message

Protestant missionaries in Vietnam are hopeful of a free hand under the new regime. Largest missionary force in the country is the Christian and Missionary Alliance with more than 100 missionaries. Alliance headquarters in New York reported receiving a cable following the coup saying that all missionaries were safe.

Conservative Baptist Dismay

Dr. Vincent Brushwyler, whose name had become synonymous with the Conservative Baptist Foreign Mission Society, submitted his resignation last month as its general director. He has held the post since it was established nineteen years ago.

Brushwyler’s action came after the administrative committee of the society’s board of trustees had sought to implement a reorganization of the society that changed Brushwyler’s position to home director. Three departments have been created: home, financial, and foreign, each (including two sections of the foreign department) reporting directly to the board’s administrative committee. Envisaged is greater efficiency and more control in the hands of the board.

Available soundings indicate a marked degree of dismay among Conservative Baptists over these developments. Many do not believe a four-headed organization will work. And more oppose the loss of Brushwyler’s considerable abilities. Last month’s CBFMS eastern regional meeting called on the board to reconsider, citing the views of some that the board exceeded its constitutional authority in “putting into effect provisionally its proposed reorganization.” The meeting also paid tribute to Brushwyler’s leadership, under which the society has enjoyed “remarkable growth.”

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