wfn.org | STATEMENT BY ROBERT EDGAR, NCC GENL SECY ABOUT ELIAN

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org (CAROL FOUKE)]

Title:Statement by Robert Edgar, NCC Genl Secy about Elian 
Gonzalez

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
Email: news@ncccusa.org  Web: www.ncccusa.org

New York, NY       
January 8, 2000

A STATEMENT BY ROBERT EDGAR, 
GENERAL SECRETARY, NATIONAL COUNCIL OF CHURCHES, 
REGARDING ELIAN GONZALEZ

The National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA 
(NCC)  regrets that Rep. Dan Burton of Indiana wants a six 
year-old boy to appear before Congress.  Little Elian 
Gonzalez deserves to be reunited immediately with his 
biological father and closest family members in Cuba.  The 
longer this whole process drags on, the more disconnected 
this small child becomes from those who have raised him and 
who love him.  Using delaying tactics to prevent this child 
from going home is unseemly and it isn't fair to use him as 
a pawn in a political dispute.

As a former Representative in Congress, I will use the 
knowledge gained through 6 terms to discover if a logical 
and compassionate solution can be found.  This is a time 
when people of good will should focus on the needs of one 
little boy rather than on how he can be useful for some 
other purpose.  

I'm hopeful that this tragic situation can have a positive 
effect.  Throughout the generations, children often have 
pointed the way to a new way of looking at things.  The 
Bible says that "a little child shall lead them."  Elian 
Gonzalez could be the catalyst for a changed relationship 
between the peoples of Cuba and the U.S.  His safe return 
should mark a commitment to finding ways to be more caring 
and generous with each other.

The NCC became involved in this concern through an 
invitation from the Cuban Council of Churches, with whom we 
have had a relationship of trust and understanding for many 
decades.  At their request, I sent a mission to Cuba to 
determine the worthiness of the father and family to receive 
the child.  In that mission was my immediate predecessor as 
General Secretary, Rev. Joan Brown Campbell, and Rev. Oscar 
Bolioli, head of the NCC Latin America and Caribbean office. 

The report of my team was conclusive: Juan Miguel Gonzalez 
is a loving and good father and the grandparents and 
extended family wish Elian to be returned to them now.  Rev. 
Bolioli and Rev. Campbell have told me that this is the just 
solution and that the boy should be returned home to his 
family who love him.   The team continues to be in touch 
with the family on behalf of the NCC and the team will 
assist in the return of the boy, as they were requested to 
do by the family, should the Immigration and Naturalization 
Service decide that the NCC can play a useful role.  

Our involvement is in keeping with our long-standing concern 
for the children of Cuba who receive humanitarian assistance 
from us in the form of medicines, school kits and health 
kits.  It also is in accord with our long history of 
sponsoring family reunions for Cubans separated over the 
years.   

I pray that this little boy can become a symbol for 
affirming the humanity in each person, wherever they live.  
Make no mistake, The National Council of Churches is 
unequivocally in favor of reuniting the boy with his father 
and closest family members.  This child needs his father and 
he needs him now.  He must be taken home.
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