wfn.org | Church burnings denounced

[PCUSA.NEWS@ecunet.org]

03-July-1996 
 
GA96050 
 
Church burnings denounced 
 
ALBUQUERQUE--A commissioners' resolution decrying the recent burnings of 
African-American churches was adopted without a dissenting vote late 
Tuesday afternoon by the National and Urban Issues committee. It will come 
to the floor of the Assembly when the committee makes its report Thursday 
afternoon. 
 
    Eight resolutions had been forwarded on this issue to the committee, 
which chose to modify one (96-38) and allow it to speak on the issue to the 
Assembly. 
 
    The resolution condemns the recent "willful burnings of 
African-American sanctuaries for worship across the United States" as 
crimes of "racial hatred." It further urges the church to commit itself to 
"vigilant prayer and concrete ministry" for victims and perpetrators. 
The committee rejected a resolution calling for creation of a reward fund 
in connection with these burnings, heeding the advice of General Assembly 
staff that such a fund would be virtually impossible for the church to 
administer. 
 
    The committee also disapproved a resolution that called for the General 
Assembly to investigate Preferred Risk Insurance Company, the carrier 
endorsed by the denomination, over allegations that it had not renewed 
coverage for churches that recently had been burned. Preferred Risk insures 
approximately 3,500 PC(USA) churches, and more than  40,000 churches 
nationwide. 
 
    Pat Goff of the denomination's Corporate and Administrative Services 
told the committee that the denomination already is carefully checking any 
concerns with the company. 
 
 
Nancy Borst 

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