Christian Church(Disciples of Christ)
Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
Contact: news@cm.disciples.org
96b-14
March 9, 1996
MEMPHIS (DNS) -- African American clergy of an Indianapolis-
based church group have supported a call by the National Council
of Churches for a full investigation into a spate of church bombings
across the South.
The more-than-150 clergy of the Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ), meeting here Mar. 5-7, expressed "profound shock,
sadness and outrage" over the Tennessee and Alabama
bombing incidents. The ministers' group convened at
Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) for
the 22nd annual Black Ministers' Retreat.
In a March 6 news conference, the NCC summoned federal law
enforcement officials to "investigate aggressively" the upsurge
in firebombings, including the Jan. 8 firebombing of Inner City
Church in Knoxville. The Rev. Reggie White, an All-pro defensive
lineman for the Green Bay Packers, is assistant pastor of the
congregation.
The council also pressed for law enforcement protection of
pastors receiving death threats and recognition of the racist
nature of the attacks. For example, graffiti sprayed at the Inner
City Church declared "Kill the niggers" and "White is Right."
These acts are "contrary to our understanding of love, justice,
peace and community," reads the document. The Disciples
ministers joined the NCC "and others of goodwill," in calling
for a "full investigation of these acts of violence resulting in the
apprehension of the terrorists behind them.
The black ministers' group also called on Disciples across the
United States and Canada to pray for congregations and
communities affected by the atrocities, "the perpetrators
themselves, and for our societies as a whole."
Representatives of the National Council of Churches, Center for
Democratic Renewal and New York City-based Center for
Constitutional Rights (CCR) spent March 5-6 in Knoxville
investigating the firebombings. They also participated in a
worship service with members of Inner City Church, who
temporarily are using a local school.
*Editors' note: The text of the statement follows:
Statement Concerning Church Bombings
We, the participants in the 22nd Annual Black Ministers' Retreat of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the U.S. and Canada,
meeting in Memphis, Tenn., March 5-7, 1996, do hereby express
our profound shock, sadness and outrage over the recent series
of bombings of African American churches in the states of Alabama
and Tennessee.
We believe that these acts, rooted in hatred and nurtured by
cowardice, are contrary to our understanding of love, justice,
peace and community, all of which are non-negotiable elements
of our Christian faith.
We join the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA
and others of goodwill, in calling for the highest levels of the
federal government, including the FBI, to conduct a full investigation
of these acts of violence resulting in the apprehension of the
terrorists behind them.
Furthermore, we call on the office of General Minister & President
and the Regional offices of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
to encourage Disciples in all places to pray for those congregations
and communities affected by these bombings, the perpetrators
themselves, and for our societies as a whole, that all persons of faith,
goodwill and courage will live and work together in peace, justice,
wholeness and integrity.
The Ministers' Fellowship
National Convocation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
in the U.S. and Canada
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