wfn.org | Disciples minister visits imprisoned

["Disciples Off. of Communication"<wshuffit@oc.disciples.org>]

journalist in Peru
Date: June 9, 1999
Disciples News Service
Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Contact: Clifford L. Willis
E-mail: CWillis@oc.disciples.org
on the Web: http://www.disciples.org

99b-43

	INDIANAPOLIS (DNS) -- The Rev. William J. 
Nottingham, retired president of the Division of 
Overseas Ministries of the Christian Church 
(Disciples of Christ), was part of an interfaith 
delegation who May 26 visited an American 
journalist imprisoned in Peru. 
 
	Nottingham of Indianapolis, along with Rabbi 
Marcelo Bronstein and Sister Eileen Storey of the 
Sisters of Charity, both of New York, visited for 
one hour with Lori Berenson. The 29-year-old 
woman  received a life sentence by a hooded 
military court in January 1996. The pastoral 
visit was arranged through the U.S. Embassy in 
Lima and the Peruvian authorities.  

	The former Massachusetts Institute of Technology 
student was imprisoned for alleged ties to the 
Tupac Amaru Revolutionary Movement (MRTA). The 
Peruvian government describes MRTA as a pro-Cuban 
terrorist movement.   

	The Inter-American Human Rights Commission is 
currently reviewing Berenson's case. Her sentence 
could be challenged if the international court 
based in Costa Rica determines that she did not 
receive due process during the trial. Peruvian 
President Alberto Fujimori has said, however, 
that the decision of the court would have no 
effect in that country.

	"Lori Berenson is the kind of person we (DOM) 
sent overseas for years," Nottingham said. "This 
young woman is innocent of terrorism or violence, 
even if as an aspiring  journalist it appears 
that she knew some of the persons involved with 
the MRTA.  
	"She continues to have a deep concern for the 
poor of the Third World which should make us 
conscious of responsibilities we all share for 
global peace and justice."

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