12 Relief Workers, 4 From U.S., Held by Salvadorans

Twelve foreign relief workers, including four Americans, were detained by Salvadoran authorities after they took refuge in a Lutheran church following the murder of six Jesuit priests, church officials in the United States said today.

Kathryn Lee, a Lutheran church official in Chicago, said that Salvadoran agents entered a Lutheran church Thursday evening and seized the 12.

She identified two of the Americans as Tom Gabriel, a nurse, and Paula Brentlinger, a medical worker. Both are from Seattle.

Lee said the agents also had detained Brian Roude, a Canadian Lutheran who had been working in an orphanage outside San Salvador.

Dennis Frado, a church official in Washington, said the two other Americans were lay workers for the church. He did not identify them.

Frado said he was told by the State Department that all 12 were charged with lack of or inappropriate documentation.

“They were internationals seeking shelter,” Lee said. “We’re very concerned.”

Sporadic fighting continued in San Salvador’s suburbs today, but a leftist guerrilla offensive, now in its sixth day, appeared to be faltering.

British journalist David Blundy of the Sunday Correspondent died after being shot during cross fire in the northern neighborhood of Mejicanos, scene of some of the heaviest exchanges between the rebels and government troops.

Hospital officials said a bullet struck his arm, heart and spinal cord.

Pope John Paul II sent a message from the Vatican today to Salvadoran Archbishop Arturo Rivera y Damas, condemning the “barbarous assassinations” of the six Jesuit priests in San Salvador.

Appealing for peace and saying he hoped the deaths of the six early Thursday would not be in vain, the Pope said:

“I renew my urgent appeal for responsibility and harmony . . . while praying that the sacrifice of those assassinated will induce all to renounce violence and respect the lives of their brothers.”

The guerrillas pulled back overnight from areas they had occupied Thursday in Mejicanos and the eastern suburb of Soyapango.

Some fighting continued in the north and eastern suburbs. Since the offensive began Saturday night battles have raged over a third of the city.