You are currently subscribed to the PCUSANEWS listserv of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
=========================================================== This story located at: http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/2006/06347.htm
06347 July 10, 2006
NCC, WCC urge U.S. not to ban Cuban aid through church group
by Jerry L. Van Marter
LOUISVILLE - The National Council of Churches in the U.S. and the World Council of Churches have denounced proposals to tighten U.S. government sanctions on Cuba by banning humanitarian aid to Cuban citizens through the Cuban Council of Churches (CCC).
The CCC and one of its prominent member churches - the Presbyterian Reformed Church in Cuba - are longtime partners of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
The proposals, contained in the report scheduled to be released today (July 10) by an advisory committee headed by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice, a Presbyterian, include a recommendation to "tighten regulations for the export of humanitarian items, other than agricultural or medical commodities, to ensure that exports are consigned to entities that support independent civil society and are not regime administered or controlled organizations, such as the Cuban Council of Churches."
The NCC and its related humanitarian agency, said "these new restrictions are alarming because they would infringe upon religious freedom and jeopardize the Cuban people, especially children, by limiting aid to reach those most in need."
"We have had an ecumenical relationship with the Cuban Council of Churches for a long time, as have churches and councils of churches around the world," said Dr. Antonios Kireopoulos, associate general secretary for international affairs and peace at the NCC.
"If these recommendations are accepted by President Bush it would indicate that this administration is trying to dictate who our church ecumenical partners can be and how our humanitarian agencies can deliver aid to people who need it. That is an incredible intrusion into free exercise of religion," said Kireopoulos.
In a letter to President George W. Bush, the Geneva-based WCC's general secretary, the Rev. Samuel Kobia, said the idea represented "a gross violation of religious freedom."
"We strongly feel that it is completely inappropriate for the U.S. government, or any government, to determine who is and who is not a legitimate national council of churches, and to restrict or deny Christian fellowship and humanitarian assistance to any particular national church council, including the Cuban Council of Churches," said Kobia.
The WCC said it is urging churches and national councils of churches to express their solidarity with the Cuban Council of Churches, and to articulate their concern about these restrictions either directly to the U.S. Department of State or through their nearest U.S. embassy.
=========================================================== You are currently subscribed to the PCUSANEWS listserv of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.).
To unsubscribe, send a blank message to
mailto:PCUSANEWS-unsubscribe-request@halak.pcusa.org.
To update your email address, send your old email address and your new one to mailto:PCUSANEWS-owner@halak.pcusa.org.
For questions or comments, send an email to mailto:PCUSANEWS-owner@halak.pcusa.org.
To learn more, visit http://www.pcusa.org/pcnews/
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) 100 Witherspoon Street Louisville, KY 40202 (888) 728-7228