wfn.org | National Black Presbyterian Women Adopt Statement Condemning Burned

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Black Churches 23-July-96 
 
 
96255           National Black Presbyterian Women 
         Adopt Statement Condemning Burned Black Churches 
 
                         by Julian Shipp 
 
LAKE TAHOE, Nev.--Responding to the epidemic burning of African American 
churches nationwide, the newly organized National Black Presbyterian Women 
(NBPW) adopted a statement of concern during its June 21-23 meeting, 
condemning the fires and urging the appropriate agencies to continue to 
take action to stop the arson attacks. 
 
     Nearly 40 black churches have been burned since January 1995, with 25 
of the blazes determined as arson to date, 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 black church 
leadership. 
 
     According to Amy Sweet, NBPW moderator, the church is highly respected 
historically in the African American community, 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 and provokes white supremacist groups and 
individuals to firebomb 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." 
 
     President Clinton signed into law July 3 a bill expanding federal 
jurisdiction over church burnings and strengthening federal penalties for 
such attacks. Congress approved the legislation June 6 and 27. 
 . 
     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. It also authorizes $10 million in federal loan 
guarantees for reconstruction of arson-gutted, underinsured churches. 
 
     In further efforts to fight 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. 

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