Difference between revisions of "George Bell (bishop)" - New World Encyclopedia

From New World Encyclopedia
Line 2: Line 2:
 
{{otherpeople|George Bell}}
 
{{otherpeople|George Bell}}
  
−
'''George Kennedy Allen Bell''' ([[February 4]], [[1883]] – [[October 3]], [[1958]]) was an [[Anglican church|Anglican]] [[theologian]], [[Dean of Canterbury]] , [[Bishop of Chichester]], member of [[House of Lords]] and a pioneer of the [[Ecumenical Movement]].
+
'''George Kennedy Allen Bell''' (February 4, 1883 – October 3, 1958) was an [[Anglican church|Anglican]] theologian, Dean of Canterbury , Bishop of Chichester, member of House of Lords and a pioneer of the [[Ecumenical Movement]].
  
 
==Biography==
 
==Biography==
−
Born in [[Hayling Island]], [[Hampshire]], Bell's earlier career was shaped by his appointment as chaplain (meaning private secretary) to [[Randall Thomas Davidson|Archbishop Randall Davidson]], one of the key figures in twentieth century church history. Bell subsequently wrote the standard biography of Davidson.  
+
Born in Hayling Island, Hampshire, Bell's earlier career was shaped by his appointment as chaplain (meaning private secretary) to Randall Thomas Davidson|Archbishop Randall Davidson, one of the key figures in twentieth century church history. Bell subsequently wrote the standard biography of Davidson.  
  
−
Later he became [[Bishop of Chichester]].  
+
Later he became Bishop of Chichester.  
  
−
After [[1933]], Bell became the most important international ally of the [[Confessing Church]] in Germany. He was a close friend of [[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]], who often informed Bell of what was going on in Germany. Bell used his authority as a leader in the Ecumenical Leader and since 1938 as [[Lord Spiritual]] to influence public opinion in Britain and the Nazi authorities in Berlin.  His public support is said to have contributed to Pastor [[Martin Niemoeller]]'s survival.
+
After 1933, Bell became the most important international ally of the Confessing Church in Germany. He was a close friend of [[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]], who often informed Bell of what was going on in Germany. Bell used his authority as a leader in the Ecumenical Leader and since 1938 as Lord Spiritual to influence public opinion in Britain and the Nazi authorities in Berlin.  His public support is said to have contributed to Pastor Martin Niemoeller's survival.
  
 
In winter 1938/39 he helped 90 persons, mainly Pastors' families, to emigrate from Germany to Great Britain who were in danger because they had Jewish ancestors or were opponents of the Nazi regime.  
 
In winter 1938/39 he helped 90 persons, mainly Pastors' families, to emigrate from Germany to Great Britain who were in danger because they had Jewish ancestors or were opponents of the Nazi regime.  
  
−
During [[World War II]] Bell repeatedly condemned the Allied practice of [[area bombing]].
+
During [[World War II]] Bell repeatedly condemned the Allied practice of area bombing.
−
He informed [[Anthony Eden]] of the German resistance movement and tried in vain to gain the British government's support for them.  
+
He informed Anthony Eden of the German resistance movement and tried in vain to gain the British government's support for them.  
  
−
As a member of the [[House of Lords]], he was a consistent parliamentary critic of area bombing along with [[Richard Stokes]] and [[Alfred Salter]], [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party]] [[Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament]] in the [[British House of Commons|House of Commons]]. In November 1939 he had published an article stating that the Church in wartime should not hesitate
+
As a member of the House of Lords, he was a consistent parliamentary critic of area bombing along with Richard Stokes and Alfred Salter, Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament in the British House of Commons|House of Commons. In November 1939 he had published an article stating that the Church in wartime should not hesitate
 
:''"... to condemn the infliction of reprisals, or the bombing of civilian populations, by the military forces of its own nation. It should set itself against the propaganda of lies and hatred. It should be ready to encourage the resumption of friendly relations with the enemy nation. It should set its face against any war of extermination or enslavement, and any measures directly aimed to destroy the morale of a population."'' <ref> Johnson, Paul,"A History of Christianity", New York : ''Atheneum'', 1976 ISBN: 9780689107283, p493. Retrieved 15 June 2007</ref>
 
:''"... to condemn the infliction of reprisals, or the bombing of civilian populations, by the military forces of its own nation. It should set itself against the propaganda of lies and hatred. It should be ready to encourage the resumption of friendly relations with the enemy nation. It should set its face against any war of extermination or enslavement, and any measures directly aimed to destroy the morale of a population."'' <ref> Johnson, Paul,"A History of Christianity", New York : ''Atheneum'', 1976 ISBN: 9780689107283, p493. Retrieved 15 June 2007</ref>
  
−
In 1941 in a letter to ''[[The Times]]'', he called the bombing of unarmed women and children "barbarian" which would destroy the just cause for the war. On February 14, 1943 - two years ahead of the [[Bombing of Dresden in World War II|Dresden raids]] - he urged the House of Lords to resist the War Cabinet's decision for area bombing. As a close friend of the German pastor [[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]] Bell knew precise details of German plans to assassinate [[Adolf Hitler]]. So in 1942 he asked [[Anthony Eden]] to declare publicly the British would make a distinction between the Nazi regime and German people. After July 20, 1944, he harshly criticised the British government, as having doomed German resisters against Hitler to fail. That year, during debate, he again demanded the House of Lords to stop British area bombing as a crime against humanity and asked:  
+
In 1941 in a letter to ''[[The Times]]'', he called the bombing of unarmed women and children "barbarian" which would destroy the just cause for the war. On February 14, 1943 - two years ahead of the [[Bombing of Dresden in World War II|Dresden raids]] - he urged the House of Lords to resist the War Cabinet's decision for area bombing. As a close friend of the German pastor [[Dietrich Bonhoeffer]] Bell knew precise details of German plans to assassinate [[Adolf Hitler]]. So in 1942 he asked Anthony Eden to declare publicly the British would make a distinction between the Nazi regime and German people. After July 20, 1944, he harshly criticised the British government, as having doomed German resisters against Hitler to fail. That year, during debate, he again demanded the House of Lords to stop British area bombing as a crime against humanity and asked:  
 
:''"How can the War Cabinet fail to see that this progressive devastation of cities is threatening the roots of civilization?"''{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
 
:''"How can the War Cabinet fail to see that this progressive devastation of cities is threatening the roots of civilization?"''{{Fact|date=February 2007}}
  
−
In 1944 the [[Archbishop of Canterbury]], [[William Temple (archbishop)|William Temple]], died after only two years in that post. Bell was considered a leading possibility to succeed him, but in fact it was [[Geoffrey Fisher]], [[Bishop of London]], who was appointed. Bishops of the Church of England were chosen ultimately by the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister]], and it is known that [[Winston Churchill]] strongly disapproved of Bell's speeches against bombing. It has often been asserted that Bell would otherwise have been appointed, but this is debatable: there is evidence that Temple had thought Fisher a likely successor anyway. In hindsight, many Anglicans wish that Bell had been appointed, which has tended to colour opinions.
+
In 1944 the Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple (archbishop)|William Temple, died after only two years in that post. Bell was considered a leading possibility to succeed him, but in fact it was Geoffrey Fisher, Bishop of London, who was appointed. Bishops of the Church of England were chosen ultimately by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister, and it is known that [[Winston Churchill]] strongly disapproved of Bell's speeches against bombing. It has often been asserted that Bell would otherwise have been appointed, but this is debatable: there is evidence that Temple had thought Fisher a likely successor anyway. In hindsight, many Anglicans wish that Bell had been appointed, which has tended to colour opinions.
  
 
==Bibliography==
 
==Bibliography==

Revision as of 01:08, 16 June 2007


For other persons named George Bell, see George Bell (disambiguation).

George Kennedy Allen Bell (February 4, 1883 – October 3, 1958) was an Anglican theologian, Dean of Canterbury , Bishop of Chichester, member of House of Lords and a pioneer of the Ecumenical Movement.

Biography

Born in Hayling Island, Hampshire, Bell's earlier career was shaped by his appointment as chaplain (meaning private secretary) to Randall Thomas Davidson|Archbishop Randall Davidson, one of the key figures in twentieth century church history. Bell subsequently wrote the standard biography of Davidson.

Later he became Bishop of Chichester.

After 1933, Bell became the most important international ally of the Confessing Church in Germany. He was a close friend of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who often informed Bell of what was going on in Germany. Bell used his authority as a leader in the Ecumenical Leader and since 1938 as Lord Spiritual to influence public opinion in Britain and the Nazi authorities in Berlin. His public support is said to have contributed to Pastor Martin Niemoeller's survival.

In winter 1938/39 he helped 90 persons, mainly Pastors' families, to emigrate from Germany to Great Britain who were in danger because they had Jewish ancestors or were opponents of the Nazi regime.

During World War II Bell repeatedly condemned the Allied practice of area bombing. He informed Anthony Eden of the German resistance movement and tried in vain to gain the British government's support for them.

As a member of the House of Lords, he was a consistent parliamentary critic of area bombing along with Richard Stokes and Alfred Salter, Labour Party (UK)|Labour Party Member of Parliament|Members of Parliament in the British House of Commons|House of Commons. In November 1939 he had published an article stating that the Church in wartime should not hesitate

"... to condemn the infliction of reprisals, or the bombing of civilian populations, by the military forces of its own nation. It should set itself against the propaganda of lies and hatred. It should be ready to encourage the resumption of friendly relations with the enemy nation. It should set its face against any war of extermination or enslavement, and any measures directly aimed to destroy the morale of a population." [1]

In 1941 in a letter to The Times, he called the bombing of unarmed women and children "barbarian" which would destroy the just cause for the war. On February 14, 1943 - two years ahead of the Dresden raids - he urged the House of Lords to resist the War Cabinet's decision for area bombing. As a close friend of the German pastor Dietrich Bonhoeffer Bell knew precise details of German plans to assassinate Adolf Hitler. So in 1942 he asked Anthony Eden to declare publicly the British would make a distinction between the Nazi regime and German people. After July 20, 1944, he harshly criticised the British government, as having doomed German resisters against Hitler to fail. That year, during debate, he again demanded the House of Lords to stop British area bombing as a crime against humanity and asked:

"How can the War Cabinet fail to see that this progressive devastation of cities is threatening the roots of civilization?"[citation needed]

In 1944 the Archbishop of Canterbury, William Temple (archbishop)|William Temple, died after only two years in that post. Bell was considered a leading possibility to succeed him, but in fact it was Geoffrey Fisher, Bishop of London, who was appointed. Bishops of the Church of England were chosen ultimately by the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|Prime Minister, and it is known that Winston Churchill strongly disapproved of Bell's speeches against bombing. It has often been asserted that Bell would otherwise have been appointed, but this is debatable: there is evidence that Temple had thought Fisher a likely successor anyway. In hindsight, many Anglicans wish that Bell had been appointed, which has tended to colour opinions.

Bibliography

  • "A Brief Sketch of the Church of England", 1929
  • "Life of Archbishop Randall Davidson." Biografie, 2 Bände, 1935
  • Bell, G, "Christianity and World Order",Harmondsworth, Middlesex, Eng., New York, Penguin books 1940. OCLC: 4558309. Retrieved 15 June 2007
  • "The Background of the Hitler Plot", in: Contemporary Review 10, London 1945
  • Bell, G, "The Church and Humanity", London, New York [etc.] Longmans, Green 1946. OCLC: 1245136. Retrieved 15 June 2007 (contains: "The Church's Function in Wartime." November 1939)
  • "The Task of the Churches in Germany", London : S.P.C.K. : Sword of the Spirit 1947. OCLC: 22254052. Retrieved 15 June 2007
  • Bell, G, "Christian Unity: The Anglican Position",London, Hodder and Stoughton, 1948.OCLC: 840145. Retrieved 15 June 2007
  • " The Kingship of Christ: The Story of the World Council of Churches",Penguin, 1954. OCLC: 59003511. Retrieved 15 June 2007
  • "Die Kirche und die Widerstandsbewegung (Politisch-historische Vorlesungsreihe der Universität Göttingen), in: Evangelische Theologie (Zeitschrift) 7, 1957.

Edited (together with J. 0. Cobham):

  • "The Significance of the Barmen Declaration for the Oecumenical Church", London, Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, 1943. OCLC: 3795580. Retrieved 15 June 2007

References
ISBN links support NWE through referral fees

This article needs additional references or sources for verification.
Please help to improve this article by adding reliable references.
Material not supported by sources may be challenged and removed.
This article has been tagged since February 2007.
  • Johnson, Paul,"A History of Christianity", New York : Atheneum, 1976 ISBN: 9780689107283, p493. Retrieved 15 June 2007

Further reading

  • Hildebrandt, Franz(Ed.), "'And other Pastors of thy Flock': a German tribute to the Bishop of Chichester", Cambridge,University Press, 1942, OCLC: 3740387. Retrieved 15 June 2007
  • Jasper, Ronald C. D.: "George Bell, Bishop of Chichester." London ; New York "Oxford University Press, 1967.OCLC: 1902379. Retrieved 15 June 2007
  • Slack, Kenneth: "George Bell". London,SCM Book Club 204, 1971. ISBN: 9780334000938. Retrieved 15 June 2007
  • Foster,Paul (Ed.): "Bell of Chichester: A Prophetic Bishop." Chichester, West Sussex : University College Chichester,Otter Memorial Paper No. 17, February 2004, ISBN 0-948765-84-4. Retrieved 15 June 2007
  • Chandler, Andrew: "Brethren in Adversity. Bishop George Bell, The Church of England and the Crisis of German Protestants, 1933-1939". Woodbridge, Boydell Press , 1997.iSBN:9780851156927.Retrieved 15 June 2007
  • Bethge,Eberhard : "Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Eine Biographie." Christian Kaiser Verlag München, 1978, ISBN 3-459-01182-3
  • Winkler-Nehls, Annegret/ Nehls, Andreas: "They find themselves between the upper and the nether millstones". Bischof Bells Nachlass zum Problem nichtarischer Flüchtlinge, 1933-1939. Eine Dokumentation. Beiträge zur Diakoniewissenschaft 152, Heidelberg 1991.
  • Garrett, Stephen A.: "Ethics and Airpower in World War II. The British Bombing of German Cities." New York 1997
  • Hein, David: "George Bell, Bishop of Chichester, on the Morality of War." Anglican and Episcopal History 58 (1989): 498-509.
  • http://www.spartacus.schoolnet.co.uk/GERbellG.htm
  • http://www.joric.com/Conspiracy/Bell.htm

Footnotes

  1. ↑ Johnson, Paul,"A History of Christianity", New York : Atheneum, 1976 ISBN: 9780689107283, p493. Retrieved 15 June 2007


Credits

New World Encyclopedia writers and editors rewrote and completed the Wikipedia article in accordance with New World Encyclopedia standards. This article abides by terms of the Creative Commons CC-by-sa 3.0 License (CC-by-sa), which may be used and disseminated with proper attribution. Credit is due under the terms of this license that can reference both the New World Encyclopedia contributors and the selfless volunteer contributors of the Wikimedia Foundation. To cite this article click here for a list of acceptable citing formats.The history of earlier contributions by wikipedians is accessible to researchers here:

The history of this article since it was imported to New World Encyclopedia:

Note: Some restrictions may apply to use of individual images which are separately licensed.

Retrieved from https://www.newworldencyclopedia.org/p/index.php?title=George_Bell_(bishop)&oldid=325929

Content is available under Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of Use for details.
Copyright Logo
Powered by MediaWiki