1939: Vatican, The

The Vatican Palace in Rome is the administrative center of the Catholic Church. Not intended and built as a residence, nevertheless it has served that purpose continually since 1870 for the Pope, the Papal Secretary of State, the highest court officials in attendance upon the Pope, and some scientific and administrative officials. Most of the palace is used in the interest of art and science, or is employed for the administration of the affairs of the Church.

The term 'Vatican' also generally epitomizes the activity of the Church, especially in world affairs. This activity has been greatly accelerated in 1939 due to complications in the international sphere. An indication of the importance of the Vatican as a great moral force in the world is the increased number of foreign representatives accredited to the Holy See. Of the thirty-eight countries represented at the Vatican, the following have ambassadorial rank: Italy, France, Spain, Germany, Poland, Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Belgium, Colombia, Peru and Rumania.

Towards the close of 1939 President Roosevelt announced the appointment of Myron C. Taylor as his personal representative at the Vatican, to serve with the rank of ambassador, but without portfolio, in the interests of world peace.

The other countries represented at the Vatican are: Bolivia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Estonia, Great Britain, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Yugoslavia, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Monaco, Nicaragua, Panama, Portugal, Rumania, Salvador, San Marino, Santo Domingo, Slovakia, Uruguay and Venezuela. The Order of Malta also has a representative.

The Vatican is represented in the principal countries of the world by an apostolic nuncio, internuncio, chargé d'affairs, or by an apostolic delegate. Apostolic delegates are representatives of the Holy See without diplomatic character, who ordinarily concern themselves solely with spiritual affaires, as in the United States, Great Britain and Japan. A nuncio or internuncio is the dean of the diplomatic corps in the country where he represents the Holy See, as in Argentina, Belgium, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Ecuador, Estonia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Holland, Honduras, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liberia, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Rumania, Salvador, Santo Domingo, Slovakia, Spain, Switzerland, Uruguay, Venezuela, and Yugoslavia.

Vatican City, a part of the former papal states, is ruled as an independent state by the Holy See since the signing of the Lateran Treaty with Italy in 1929. With extra-territorial possessions, mostly churches and palaces, together with Castel Gandolfo, the property amounts to approximately 160 acres. The population numbers about one thousand, of whom the greater majority are of Italian origin. The legal system is based on Canon Law, with a court of first instance for civil and criminal cases. The administration of Vatican City and its civil offices is entrusted to a commission of Cardinals.

1939: United Church Of Canada, The

The United Church of Canada, composed of the Congregational Churches of Canada, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, and the Methodist Church (Canada), in 1939 raised a total fund for all purposes of $11,671,147. The membership stood at 707,264 with 1,742,622 persons receiving pastoral oversight, divided into 7,422 congregations. The total value of property owned is over $86,101,391.

The most important events in the life of the United Church during the year were the establishment of a new national church paper named The United Church Observer under the editorship of Rev. A. J. Wilson with a circulation to date of 32,000; agreements entered into with the Church of England in Canada and the Presbyterian Church in Canada to cooperate in home missionary work at frontier points; the sending of Dr. Jesse H. Arnup. Foreign Missionary Secretary, as a delegate to the Madras Conference in India; the retirement of two veteran Home Mission Superintendents of 40 years service in the persons of Dr. G. A. Wilson and Dr. S. S. Osterhout; the sending of 1968 bales of clothing to the drought areas of the West; the adoption and publication of a new Youth Hymnal and the setting up of a Committee to study a plan to provide for better ministerial stipends.

At the outbreak of war in September, 75 ministers of the United Church declared themselves as conscientious objectors to the war. On the other hand the Church immediately set up a war Service Committee to provide material aid for Canadian soldiers at home and overseas. Nearly 1,000 units have been established to date by various congregations. Six United Church ministers were commissioned by the Department of National Defense to serve as Chaplains with the First Division now overseas, including Rev. H. A. Kent who was appointed Senior Chaplain of the Division. United Church ministers were appointed as Senior Chaplains of the Military Districts of St. John. Montreal, Toronto and Regina.

The work of the Church was steadily maintained in Canada and Newfoundland. Apart from closing the Honan Mission in China due to war conditions, foreign work was maintained at full strength in Japan. North Korea. Trinidad, West and South China, Central India and Africa.

1938: United Church Of Canada, The

The United Church of Canada, merging the Congregational Churches of Canada, the Presbyterian Church in Canada, the Methodist Church (Canada), in 1938 raised a total of $11,500,000 for all purposes. The membership, divided up into 7,423 congregations, stood at 700,000, with 1,800,000 persons receiving pastoral oversight. The total value of property owned is over $110,000,000.

During the year the most important events in the life of The United Church were the adoption of the constitution of the proposed World Council of Churches; the decision to amalgamate The New Outlook and The Church Record so as to form a new national Church paper; an agreement with Presbyterians who did not enter union in 1925, enabling them to use legally the name 'The Presbyterian Church in Canada'; a provision to change the tenure of the Moderatorship from two years to one year to enable pastors to occupy the office; the launching of a campaign to raise $4,000,000 in order to wipe out an accumulated deficit on the Missionary and Maintenance Fund and to increase the reserves of the Pension Fund.

At the General Council held in September, the Rev. John W. Woodside of Ottawa was elected Moderator; Rev. Charles Endicott was appointed Acting Secretary of the Missionary and Maintenance Committee; Rev. J. R. Mutchmor was chosen to head the Board of Evangelism and Social Service. The Rev. Jesse Arnup represented the Church at the International Mission Council at Madras.

The United Church of Canada has increased confidence in the purpose which over thirteen years ago brought about Church union. In spite of a severe economic depression every area of settlement in Canada and Newfoundland has received the ministrations of the Church during the year. The Foreign Missionary enterprises have also been maintained in South China, West China, Central India, North Korea, Trinidad, Honan and Africa.