'LIBERATION THEOLOGY' IS BIG ISSUE AS UCC MEETS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP90-00806R000201090013-5
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 1
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: June 25, 2010
• Sequence Number: 13
• Publication Date: June 28, 1985
• Content Type: OPEN SOURCE

Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/25: CIA-RDP90-00806R000201090013-5
A?tW1-E APPEARED
ON PAGE
WASHINGTON TIMES
28 June 1985
`Liberation
theology' is
big issue as
UCC meets
Kristen Burroughs
SPECIAL TO THE NNSHI TON TIMES
AMES, Iowa - A majority of the
delegates at the 15th biennial United
Church of Christ convention here
appear to favor controversial "liber-
ation theology" proposals, but the
real test will come Tuesday when
they decide whether to make those
proposals official church policy.
Before the official opening of the
convention yesterday, the 725 dele-
gates heard denominational leaders
speak on U.S. policy in Central
America.
The United States' foreign policy
is a particularly poignant issue for
the United Church members
because of their owii involvement in
liberation theology, which encour-
ages resistance among groups that
consider themselves oppressed.
Since liberation theology is com-
patible with some aspects of Marx-
ism, the church is supportive of the
Sandinista government in Nicara-
gua and is opposed to the United
States' support of the resistance
fighters, or Contras.
The convention, which ends 'Ilies-
day, will set church policy on U.S.
actions in Central America and
South Africa, and on economic and
social issues in the United States.
Ricardo Espinoza, a counselor in
the Nicaraguan Embassy, and Adis
Vila from the State Department's
Office of Inter-American Affairs,
will present opposing sides of the
issue to the delegates before the
policy vote.
One proposal, submitted by the
United church for Board Ministries,
e resident ot the nit
States to reinstate t ateral ne oti-
ations with Nicaragua, withdraw
vetoes of multilateral loans,
a e
World Court rulings, stop covert or
overt at tote Contras, and to use
his office to support the
peacemaking efforts of the onta-
ora countries."
Dlegate; are expected to
approve this non-binding proposal,
which would thus become church
policy. Individual churches can be
encouraged, but not forced, to
accept and promote official church
policies.
In a congregational denomination
like the United Church of Christ, dis-
senting churches can affect policy
by refusing to give money to specific
programs.
The Rev. Leonardo Boff, a leading
proponent of liberation theology, has
described its goal as the realization
of the "kingdom of God on Earth, a
kingdom consisting of perfect jus-
tice, fraternity and peace:' He was
recently censored by the Roman
Catholics because his views "endan-
ger the sound doctrine of the faith "
This definition of a kingdom of
God accessible through human
effort worries orthodox United
Church of Christ members because,
in practice, liberation theologians
are supportive of some aspects of
Marxism.
Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2010/06/25: CIA-RDP90-00806R000201090013-5