Contact: Joretta Purdue (Release # 329) July 1, 1996
WASHINGTON (UMNS) -- The United Methodist Church's Board of Church and Society submitted testimony to the U.S. Senate's Judiciary Committee regarding the burning of black churches in the South.
Prepared by the Rev. James M. Shopshire, a professor at Wesley Seminary, one of 13 United Methodist theological schools, the material was presented in late June by the Rev. Thom White Wolf Fassett, top staff executive of the board.
The testimony supported extending the government's ability to prosecute the burnings as hate crimes, encouraged making the federal Crime Statistic Act a permanent part of U.S. law, and urged support of black churches as sources of social justice and social service activities, leadership development, and inspiration.
Clarification of Constitutional questions related to separation of church and state was advocated also.
NOTE TO EDITORS: A copy of the testimony is available from Shanta Bryant at the board; phone (202) 488-5630.
Produced by United Methodist News Service, official news agency of the United Methodist Church, with offices in Nashville, Tenn., New York, and Washington.
| Top | Church Fires | Fire/Rebuilding News | Advance Special | Links |