Disciples of Christ OK Contribution to Controversial Anti-Apartheid Fund

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has decided to contribute to a controversial anti-racist fund on the ground that South African authorities do violence by oppression, not those who violently resist it.

In a 12-5 vote, directors of the denomination’s overseas board decided to contribute $1,000 in 1986 to the World Council of Churches’ Program to Combat Racism special fund for Southern Africa.

The grant was among the first by an American denomination in more than a decade to the fund, a target of sharp attacks by critics for its grants to the militant, anti-apartheid African National Congress, outlawed in South Africa.

The fund has been financed mainly by West European governments and churches, but not by American churches. The aid to exiled liberation forces is limited to health, education, food, housing and legal services.

Directors of the overseas ministries division of the 1.2 million-member Christian Church overruled staff recommendations in taking the action after about three hours debate, declaring:

“In voting these funds, we have taken an action which may create anguish in the church. Yet, in doing so, we believe we have been faithful to the call God has placed upon us.”