Major Protestant and Roman Catholic Denominations Oppose Aid to Contras
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WASHINGTON — Major U.S. Protestant and Roman Catholic denominations are continuing to oppose military aid to rebels in Nicaragua as promoted by President Reagan.
With his initial proposals defeated in the House of Representatives and a compromise being sought, various church bodies reiterated their stand against such aid.
It “simply intensifies the conflict, has contributed to several thousand deaths and does not serve a useful political or humanitarian purpose,” said Msgr. Daniel F. Hoye, general secretary of U.S. Catholic bishops.
Episcopal Presiding Bishop Edmond Lee Browning wrote President Reagan, saying his references to the rebels as “freedom fighters” obscure the issues and corrupts “the language of our democracy.”
The United Methodist social-action board charged that the rebels, known as contras, have inflicted “terror, torture and death upon innocent civilians.”
Both Catholic and Protestant groups urge support for a diplomatic solution as backed by most Central and South American countries.
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