DEMONSTRATION AT CHURCH SERVICE

Chronicle (Levin), 31 December 1946, Page 8

DEMONSTRATION AT CHURCH SERVICE

LONDON, Dee. 20. Fi i't v members of Ihe Nationnl i nion of Prolestants sliouted down Dr. Martin, Bishop of Liverpool, at West Derbv Cliureh, Liverpool. The llishop waited half an hour in the pulpit and then relurned to the clioir stalls and advised ihe viear (Rev. Franlc Sanson) to eiul the serviee. The demonstral ors re.mained seated during the opening hymns and prayers, bnt wlien the ltislio[) was about to announee the text oue sliouted: 11 We reprove you for allowing lligh Mass. We protest against 1 liis illegal practice. '' The Bishop replied: "Thi.s sort of beliaviour will do your eause 110 good, my friend. " - The demonstrators ehanted: ''We wou't have the Mass.'J The Bishop 's voiee was lost in the uproar. The organist played to drown the ehanting, luit the demonstrators overpowered the eougregation and stood and sang Ihe National Antliem. The demonstrators, after ihe service, sliowered with leaflets the elergy and J ehoir moving 111 procession to the vestrv. Two demonstrators and oue meinber of the eougregation scuffled. iMany women were in the eougregation. Mr. .M. A. Perkins, the seeretary of the uniou, wliose headquartei's are in Limdon, said: "This is the beginning of an intensive eanqiaign we have jilanned for the Merseyside. This ehureh is the most extreme Xnglo-Catholie oue 111 I he eity. We intend to follow the ( Bishop around in "future wherever the illegal fulV,, RoTjiatij^- .Uatbolie A.lass is eel ebrat ed . ' *' 'L'a ' - j . > i