Philbrick: Planted Ministers

When Representative Harold H. Velde announced that he might investigate churches, the indignation from churchmen was, as might be expected, righteous. Religious leaders reasonably maintained that the publicity of such an investigation would only undermine the position of churches at a critical time.

But Herbert Philbrick has testified that there are eight underground agents of Moscow acting as ministers in the Boston area. Philbrick, an F.B.I. agent who posed for years as a communist to gather evidence of subversion, has shown the Congressional committee substantial proof of his claim. The existence of communist ministers is a reality and a dangerous one. When a man chooses the ministry, he accepts even more stringent responsibilities than does a teacher. He is free to evaluate and propound ideas, but they must be concepts compatible with his calling. That a man of God should profess a Godless doctrine is an impossible paradox.

The eight ministers were, according to Philbrick's testimony, planted by communist cells. The congregations of these men deserve to know their identity for until the names are released, every man is free to make his own accusations in an atmosphere of suspicion. The ministers who have defended liberal causes in the past are now the most convenient prey form attack, while Philbrick's accused but unnamed communist agents may well slip by the committee, under the cover of past political silence.

The job of uncovering communists in churches should now fall to the F.B.I. After substantiating Philbrock's testimony, they should notify the authorities of churches with communist ministers. In churches such as the Unitarians and the Congregationalists, which require a vote of the entire congregation to remove a minister, the church members should be notified.

By presenting the names of these eight, the F.B.I. would allow church authorities to reach a decision without the publicity of a Congressional investigation. If the churches remove these proven communists, the loyal ministers who constitute the other 99 per cent of Boston religious leaders will remain free to speak out on any issue without fear of accusation. Permitting the churches to take the initiative will reaffirm the ability of church leaders to check any communist threat.