CHRISTIAN DIALOGUE WITH MARXISTS

BY A STAFF REPORTER A"CONSULTATION" between 15 members of the British Communist Party and 15 members of the Christian Churches will take place next weekend in Stepney, East London.
'l'he conference, entitled "What Sort of Revolution?" is being jointly sponsored by the International Department of the British Council of Churches and the editorial
monthly journal of the Communist Party.
Joint secretaries will be Mr. James Klugmann, editor of the journal, and the Rev. Paul Oestreicher, associate secretary of the International Department of the B.C.C. Chairman will be the Rev. Alan Eccleston, vicar of Darnell. Sheffield, and a member of the C.P. since 1948. He will be the only person taking pact who is both a Christian and a Communist.
MANY MEETINGS
Among the 15 Christians taking part are seven Catholics —Fr. Thomas Corbishley, S.J.; Mr. Adrian Cunningham of Slant magazine; Mr. Neil Middleton, Mr. Peter Worden, Mr. Stephen Whittle, Mr. Theo Westow and Mr. Oliver Pratt.
Among the Communists are Mr. Ted Hinley, secretary of the Culture Committee; Mr. Sam Aaronovitch, a member of the Executive Committee, and Dr. Tony Chater,, a scientist and also a member of the Executive.
The consultation will be one of many meetings in various countries. Its findings will be presented to an international Consultation of Christians and Marxists in April 1968, planned by the World Council of Churches.
A joint statement by the B.C.C. and the Communist Party said that the consultation had been given its title because revolution is at the heart of Communist belief, yet today is a subject possibly more often heard in the mouths of Christians the world over than of Communists.
"It is doubtful if either side is today really clear about what they mean when they use the word. A clarification of its political and theological meanings must be an important part of the Christian-Marxist dialogue."
"PLACE IN SOCIETY" The first half of the discussion will be devoted to the subject "Man and His Place in Society". After brief opening statements from each side, the day will be spent in open discussion of the practical economic and social problems, with the emphasis on necessary social change in our own community, related of course to the world situation.
The afternoon will then be devoted to discussing world political problems and our common responsibility for the promotion of peace.