wfn.org | National Black Presbyterian Women adopt resolution

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

29-June-1996 
 
GA96006 
 
 
    National Black Presbyterian Women adopt 
    resolution condemning black church burnings 
 
LAKE TAHOE, Nev.--Responding to the series of  burned African American 
churches nationwide,  the newly-organized National Black Presbyterian Women 
(NBPW) adopted a statement of concern condemning the fires and directing 
the appropriate agencies to continue to take action during their June 21-23 
meeting. 
 
    Nearly 40 black churches have been burned since January 1995, with 25 
of the blazes determined as arson, according to the Center for Democratic 
Renewal (CDR), an Atlanta-based human and civil rights organization. 
 
     Meeting in conjunction with the annual retreat of Presbyterian Women 
in Northern and Southern California, 150 NBPW members discussed the church 
burnings and other issues pertinent to the lives of African Americans and 
black Presbyterian women. 
 
    In the one-page statement, the group calls upon church leaders to 
"speak upon the ashes" as anti-slavery activist Sojourner Truth did, and to 
"continue to speak out with love and compassion against the evil forces 
which would try to hold back God's people." 
 
    The statement calls on the Justice Department, the FBI, ATF and local 
law enforcement agencies to aggressively investigate the church fires. It 
also asks that particular entities cease investigating church leaders as 
the perpetrators of the blazes and casting defamations against the black 
church leadership. 
 
    According to Amy Sweet, NBPW moderator, this is because historically in 
the African American community, the church is paramountly respected and the 
sanctuary offers a solace to all. 
 
    "[The burning of churches] is foreign to our very being," Sweet said. 
"It is the church that has provided our nurture in times of trouble." 
 
    The NBPW statement praises the efforts of the CDR, the National Council 
of Churches, the Southern Poverty Law Center and other organizations that 
have been working to bring the church burnings to the public's attention. 
NBPW also expressed gratitude to the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for its 
pastoral concern to the victimized congregations and assistance through 
Presbyterian World Service. 
 
    "We acknowledge the present climate in this country which gives 
credence to racist behavior which provokes white supremacist groups and 
individuals to fire bomb African American churches," Sweet said. "We will 
continue to use our resources to engage the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 
and the ecumenical community in justice issues and thereby help to create a 
climate of acceptance of all people. 
 
    "As people of faith, we stand by the African American church leaders 
and offer our support," Sweet said. "May this test of our faith bring us 
closer in these special days ahead." 
 
    On June 26 in Washington, the Senate unanimously approved legislation 
to stiffen penalties for arson at places of  worship and expand federal 
authority to investigate. The 98-0 vote sent the measure to the House June 
27, where it was passed and sent to President Clinton for his signature. 
 
    The legislation doubles the maximum prison term for church arson to 20 
years and extends the statute of limitations from five to seven years. The 
measure envisions additional funding for federal law enforcement agencies 
designed to help them train local and state authorities in investigating 
suspected arson at churches. The measure also authorizes $10 million in 
federal loan guarantees for reconstruction of arson-gutted, underinsured 
churches. 
 
    Further fighting arson, the Federal Emergency Management Agency has 
launched an arson-prevention initiative to protect houses of worship. Up to 
$45 million in public funding has been allocated for the plan. A toll-free 
telephone number (1-888-603-3100) has been established for information on 
arson prevention. 
 
 
Julian Shipp 

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