wfn.org | NCCCUSA LEADERS CONCERNED FOR "PASTORS FOR PEACE" CUBA FAST

[CAROL_FOUKE.parti@ecunet.org]

National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A.
Contact: Carol J. Fouke, NCC, 212-870-2252
Internet: carol_fouke.parti@ecunet.org

42NCC4/25/96                   FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NCC HEAD, CHURCH LEADERS EXPRESS THEIR CONCERN
FOR LUCIUS WALKER AND THE "PASTORS FOR PEACE" FAST
FOR CUBA

 NEW YORK, April 25 ---- National Council of the
Churches of Christ in the U.S.A. (NCC)
General Secretary Joan Brown Campbell
today made public her concern for the welfare and well-
being of the Rev. Dr. Lucius Walker and others now
in the 67th day of the "Pastors for Peace" fast
protesting the U.S. blockade of Cuba.

 Since last Friday, the Rev. Dr. Campbell has
been in daily contact with Dr. Walker to express her
own prayerful concern along with that of the heads
of the NCC's 33 member denominations, who included
attention to this matter as one of several points on
the agenda of their April 18 meeting by conference
telephone call.

 "With Dr. Walker growing weaker, we are deeply
concerned," Dr. Campbell said.  "His deteriorating
condition makes us anxious.  His spiritual
commitment is deeply moving."

 Dr. Walker and three others began their
liquids-only "Fast for Life" after U.S. agents
seized 26 medical computers that the "Pastors for
Peace" were sending to Cuba as humanitarian aid.
The U.S. government's strict policy of isolating
Cuba has not been waived for the shipment of the
medical computers.

 The protest started in southern California at
the U.S.-Mexico border, then moved to Washington,
D.C.  A tent of witness stands on the United
Methodist Building property at 100 Maryland Ave.
N.E., adjacent to the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court
buildings.

 Dr. Campbell has shared the NCC's concern for
Dr. Walker with both the U.S. Treasury Department,
where Customs issues reside, and with the State
Department.  She also has worked with the leadership
of the Progressive National Baptist Convention, the
church body in which Dr. Walker is a leader, to
resolve the government policy/spiritual conviction
impasse.  No resolution has yet been achieved.

 Drawing on policy commitments by the NCC's 33
Protestant and Orthodox member communions, Dr.
Campbell said the NCC's opposition to the Cuba
blockade parallels that of "Pastors for Peace," even
though the two groups' protest strategies differ.
The NCC sought and obtained a special Treasury
Department license under which it sends humanitarian
aid to Cuba; "Pastors for Peace" has chosen not to
seek a special license.

 "We know that our licensed gifts of
humanitarian aid is a policy with which Lucius
Walker and 'Pastors for Peace' differ," Dr. Campbell
said.  "But we respect his integrity and appreciate
his commitment to justice rooted in the Christian
gospel."

 "We believe Dr. Walker has once again spoken to
our consciences on behalf of so many Cuban people
who suffer daily," she said.  "The blockade must be
ended.  It violates moral principles and makes no
international sense.  Practically alone among the
nations, our country -- largely for domestic
political reasons -- keeps alive this outworn
remnant of 'cold war' diplomacy."

 "Contact, prayers and daily concern for Lucius
Walker and his colleagues will continue," Dr.
Campbell concluded.  "This issue, I believe, is not
simply the computers.  It is this inhuman blockade.
The blockade must end.  Relationships must be built
between us and the Cuban people.  On that we all
agree."

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