‘Overwhelming’ Vote Approved Policy Change : Church to Study Guerrilla Aid Requests

The foreign missions board of a mainline Protestant denomination, in a major policy change, has decided to consider requests for humanitarian aid from “movements engaged in resisting oppression”--even if they are resorting to violence in their struggle.

Under its previous policy, the United Church of Christ’s Board for World Ministries would disqualify any request from an organization known to be engaged in armed resistance.

The denomination’s board does not now have pending relief requests from such groups, but William Winslow, a spokesman for the New York-based denomination, said the church will probably hear from groups such as the African National Congress, a guerrilla organization seeking the overthrow of the South African government.

The vote approving the policy change was “overwhelming,” Winslow said. The decision was made by the nearly 225 members of the Board for World Ministries meeting late last week in Pasadena.

Acknowledging that the policy change will be a “touchy matter” with some conservative members of the denomination, Winslow said the denomination plans to explain the reasons for the policy change to its 6,400 churches.

The Rev. Scott S. Libbey, executive vice president of the board, said that although the church is “absolutely” opposed to any support of violence, “programs of merit should not be disqualified because sponsoring organizations also support the use of force against tyranny.”

Jeanne B. Barnett, board president, said the board’s long-range goal was “to increase the possibilities for nonviolent conflict resolution.” But in the meantime, she said, “we must minister to the victims of oppression and institutional violence.”

Groups requesting aid will be evaluated as to whether they advocate “democratic principles,” support “fundamental civil and human rights” and are concerned for the “genuine self-determination and liberation of their country’s people.”

Church officials said that in considering requests for aid they will consult with partner churches overseas as well as with other United Church of Christ leaders.

About 500 members of the denomination’s domestic and world mission boards and other church officials were in Pasadena when the Oct. 1 earthquake hit. Two days later they collected $3,400 in a special offering to be used for earthquake victims being helped by local churches.