wfn.org | [PCUSANEWS] Protestants in Venezuela oppose missionary expulsions

[PCUSA NEWS <PCUSA.NEWS@ECUNET.ORG>]

Note #9021 from PCUSA NEWS to PRESBYNEWS:

05612
Nov. 11, 2005

Protestants in Venezuela
oppose missionary expulsions

Chavez challenged to prove allegations of CIA link

by Chris Herlinger
Ecumenical News International	

NEW YORK - Pentecostal and Protestant groups in Venezuela are demanding an
investigation into allegations President Hugo Chavez made last month about a
U.S. missionary group the government intends to expel.

	Chavez said he wants New Tribes Mission USA expelled from Venezuela,
calling the Florida-based organization an example of "imperialist
infiltration" and alleging that it has ties with the Central Intelligence
Agency.   

	Leaders of the Evangelical Council and Pentecostal Evangelical
Federation of Venezuela have asked for a meeting with Chavez to discuss the
allegations, Religion News Service reported this week, citing a report from
the Latin American and Caribbean News Agency (ALC). 

	The religious groups said they will support the expulsion if the
allegations are proven, but demanded a full investigation, according to the
report. The government has yet to respond.  

	Chavez offered no proof of his allegations against New Tribes, which
has worked in Venezuela for nearly 60 years. The group has denied the
charges, saying that it has "not and has never been connected in any way with
any government agencies."  

	Chavez, a one-time army officer and leader of a failed coup, is a
controversial figure whose critics call him a demagogue. His supporters
counter that he is a champion of the poor. He has long battled with the
nation's Roman Catholic hierarchy and has been an outspoken critic of U.S.
economic policy - most prominently at the Summit of the Americas in Argentina
early this month.

	Hundreds of indigenous Venezuelans reportedly took part in
demonstrations in late October in defense of the missionaries, saying that
they have done more to help them than the government has.

	Tensions have also been reported between Venezuela's government and
the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, which announced recently
that about 200 foreign missionaries were leaving the country because of visa
problems.  

	Chavez became embroiled in a dispute with Pat Robertson, the U.S.
evangelical leader and broadcaster, in August. Robertson had suggested that
the United States should assassinate Chavez.

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