VOLUME • 72 NUMBER • 9 SEPTEMBER 1989

publication. m El Salvador: and A people crucified reuse Ann Robb Smith for required Permission DFMS. / Church Episcopal the Libya: America's of No. 1 scapegoat Archives 2020. Bishops, buses

Copyright and the Bible William B. Spofford Letters

women priests hear it often. Some In 'Catch 22' position Educate the middle people will only seek the pastoral care The Beverly Harrison interview in the I would like to say that your June issue they need from a woman, just as some June issue is the most sensible I have was excellent, balanced and sound, deal- will seek it only from a man. Would read thus far in addressing the issues of ing with abortion from a number of im- those who oppose ordaining women ethical responsibility, reproductive portant perspectives. Also there was an deny this care to those seeking guidance choice and abortion. Abortion is not, has awareness of the complexity of the issue. and spiritual advice and comfort? So many of the people on both sides never been an isolated, single issue. How ironic that this example of a are talking past each other. We can't So often when I have exposed myself uniquely women's ministry should ap- reach the fanatical Right-to-Lifers, but as pro-choice I have been labeled anti- pear in an issue containing letters attack- can, I think, convince many perplexed life/pro-abortion. Nothing could be far- ing the elevation of Barbara Harris to the publication. people in the middle — particularly lib- ther from the truth. Pro-choice goes so episcopate. much further than the abortion issue, as eral Roman Catholics — who have and The Rev. Bea Blair positive attitudes about sexuality and Harrison has pointed out. The right to New York, N.Y. contraception but are troubled by ques-

reuse choose also includes the right to choose not to have an abortion. It includes the tions of when a human person actually for right to choose not to be sexually active appears in the reproductive process. Is RCAR address sought — for both men and women. It includes passage through the birth canal that Thank you for the excellent issue on required the right to choose not to have children point or does it occur before — or even abortion. Many of your authors were at all. after in the case of some gravely de- from the Religious Coalition for Abor- The female in our culture is in a formed infants doomed to half lives of tion Rights (RCAR). I could find no ad- "Catch 22" position from birth. Even as dehumanized existence. dress for this group. Could you please Permission a small child she is encouraged by our The only fresh comment I have heard print it? culture to be cute, coy, flirtatious and recently was made by a biologist who Leonora Holder

DFMS. seductive toward males. When this gets said that had those in his profession done Long Beach, Cal. / her into a compromising position with a an adequate educational job in recent (RCAR, composed of 30 national Protes- man later in life she is the one who is years, few people would confuse an tant, Jewish and other faith groups Church expected to put a halt to possible sexual early fetus with a human person. which have joined together to preserve activity. Then she may be called every Now sadly, we must devote time, the legal option of abortion, can be manner of obscene name for being money and energy to the cause — re- reached at 100 Maryland Ave. NE, Suite "fickle." Sometimes this ends in rape or Episcopal sources one wishes could be put to other 307, Washington, D.C. 20002. Tel. 202- at the very least unwanted sexual activ- purposes and needs. With every good the 543-7032 —Ed.) ity. She is taught to defer to the male so of wish and gratitude for your good work. when she does not, she feels, or is made The Rt. Rev. George W. Barrett to feel, guilty, which can lead to sexual Santa Barbara, Cal. Abortion capital crime

Archives activity which she does not want or feels There are so many statements in the June is inappropriate. issue that I don't agree with that it's hard

2020. It is time that we teach our male chil- Uniformly excellent to know where to begin. I expect many dren (and adults) that they have just as I found your issue on reproductive free- of the people who support abortion are much responsibility for avoiding sexual dom uniformly excellent. I write about against capital punishment, which seems

Copyright activity which may result in pregnancy Elizabeth Maxwell's short piece in par- highly ironic. Capital punishment is a as do females. No woman (with one pos- ticular. Although describing one young good phrase for what happens to the hap- sible exception) ever got pregnant with- woman's decision, she at the same time less person in fetal form who makes the out the presence of male sperm, but the makes one of the most powerful argu- mistake of being unwanted. How in woman is usually the one who takes the ments for ordaining women. I seldom heaven's name people who profess to abuse, and if abortion is not the choice see this mentioned, yet it is irrefutable. love God and be followers of Jesus can she makes, she is the one whose life will The high school senior came to see support this form of capital punishment most probably be affected negatively. Maxwell because "I saw a woman's is incomprehensible. Our God is a God Judith P. Yeakel name on the sign outside." of mercy. Where is the mercy in the Langley, Wash. This is not an isolated experience. We June WITNESS?

THE WITNESS It isn't an either/or question — either a endanger fetal life?" from the 1984 special issue commemo- miserable mother or the death of a child This observation is not limited to rating women's ordination was repeated yet to be born. There are many other "men." Margaret Thatcher led the Brit- in Julie Wortman's article and it has a possibilities. For the love of our Savior, ish to war with Argentina and opposed new meaning for me: I found that the think! the recent, more progressive movement symbol for woman at the center re- Virginia M. Jones, MSSW in NATO for disarmament led by minded me of Barbara Harris as the Oak Ridge, Tenn. Helmut Kohl. Also, all men do not fit bishops laid hands on her in Boston, and this bill. I have a hard time seeing how the rest of the design represented the Cancel sub this statement about "men" fits someone bishops. Its black-and-whiteness also The June WITNESS nauseates and scan- like Gandhi or Martin Luther King, Jr., reminded me of the way in which our and for that matter, myself. differences of color can be united and publication. dalizes my religious sensitivities. I could hardly believe that the Episcopal Church If you expect individuals to be con- interwoven in spiritually moving and and would be for abortion — murder of a liv- scious of the use of inclusive language, momentous events such as that consecra- as you should, should you not guard tion.

reuse ing "fetus" — under the guise of "pro- against such sexist stereotypes as im- But I must take exception to the title,

for creative freedom." Please remove my name from your subscription list imme- plied in this question? "Still prophets without honor." The spirit diately. May God forgive all of you. The Rev. Raymond F. Person, Jr. of the Philadelphia Eleven is often found Durham, N.C. in groups where women are continuing required Margaret R. Fox Washington, D.C. (Perhaps it would have been more objec- the struggle. Their ordination may not be tive to phrase the question, "Politically, put forward in political arenas, but per- don't men generally ..." But the point haps that is to be expected. In matters of

Permission Female PB next? is that women are still second class citi- strength and spirit, however, I believe Your issue on procreative freedom took a zens — ruled by or locked into patriar- that each of them is honored and not for- sensitive issue and handled it well. chal power structures and institutions — gotten. DFMS.

/ Bravo! the world over. Until this system of Beatrice Pasternak As a feminist male, I am overjoyed at doing things changes, oppression and in- St. Louis, Mo. the gains made by women so far and I justice will continue.—Ed.) Church hope to see even more. How about a fe- Dog ate letter, too? male Presiding Bishop someday? Lauds summer issues Did the dog eat our letter, too? You won- Keep up your co-creative work with The June issue on procreative freedom is Episcopal God. Remember that those chastised in dered "if the dog ate the homework" in superb. I cannot praise you too much. your editorial, "Shell shock and other the God's name will be comforted by our It's gorgeous and is bound to make an of loving Creator. 815 surprises." Then in your comments imprint on the church. I wish you all about our letter responding to that edito- Patrick Schwing success with it. Hurrah! Cincinnati, Ohio rial in the July/August issue you enjoyed Archives And the July-August issue also moved the correctness of your conjecture. Did me. The Pittston strike reenacts every- the dog eat the following sentences from 2020. Male bashing offensive thing we went through back in the early our last paragraph? twenties! Old Bill Spofford would cry I take offense at the male-bashing that I We sought to use the power of our with joy to read this issue. Thanks to all sometimes find in THE WITNESS, es- ownership responsibly; we did so in

Copyright who took part in it. pecially since I generally share your pro- concert/conjunction with other Joseph Fletcher churches and other pension funds both gressive editorial views. Let the follow- Charlottesville, Va. within and without this country. Per- ing words, from the editor herself, suf- (More letters, pro and con, on our issue haps you will enjoy as we did the fice. In the interview with Beverly Harri- irony that among the members of the son, the following question is asked: about War in the Coal Fields in Octo- ber; plus an update on the strike. —Ed.) coalition (who owned shares of Royal "Politically, don't men take it for Dutch) listed by the ICCR was the Di- granted that they can exercise their own ocesan Investment Trust of Newark. power in society over life and death is- Not without honor Having held before us in your editorial sues — conduct wars, build nuclear mis- In looking over the July/August issue I siles, engage in toxic experiments which was struck that the WITNESS cover Continued on page 20

September 1989 THE THE WITNESS

Editor Mary Lou Suhor umnESS Assistant Editor Susan E. Pierce Promotion Manager Lynne Hoekman Editorial Assistant Susan Small

Sr. Contributing Editor Robert L DeWitt

Contributing Editors Barbara C. Harris Carter Heyward James Lewis Manning Marable J. Antonio Ramos William W. Rankin publication. Publisher Episcopal Church Publishing Co. and

reuse ECPC BOARD OF DIRECTORS for

Chair J. Antonio Ramos Table of Contents required Vice-Chair Carman St. J. Hunter El Salvador: A people crucified Secretary Gloria Brown 6 Ann Robb Smith

Permission Treasurer Robert N. Eckersley Libya: America's No. 1 scapegoat John H. Burt Alice Callaghan 10 Jim Lewis DFMS.

/ Otis Charles Migdalia DeJesus-Torres Reflections from a prisoner's journal William R. MacKaye

Church 12 Sam Day Nan Arrington Peete William W. Rankin Chester L. Taiton Bishops, buses and the Bible Chris Weiss Episcopal 15 William B. Spofford the

of An interview with Sarah Weddington THE WITNESSS (ISSN0197-8896) is published monthly except July/August by The Episcopal 18 Jan Nunley Church Publishing Company. Editorial Office:

Archives P.O. Box 359, Ambler, PA 19002. Telephone Integrity dialogue hopes thwarted (215) 643-7067. THE WITNESS is indexed in 22 Louie Crew

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Copyright Ml 48106, reproduces this publication in micro- form: microfiche and 16 mm or 35 mm film. Printed in U.S.A. Copyright 1989. SUBSCRIP- TIONS: $20 per year, $2.50 per copy. Foreign subscriptions add $5 per year. CHANGE OF ADDRESS: Please advise of changes at least 6 weeks in advance. Include your label from the magazine and send to: Sub- Cover graphic by Sr. Helen David, design by TSI Visuals; graphic p. 7, Sr. scription Dept., THE WITNESS, P.O. Box 359, Helen David; graphics p. 9, 15, Lee Miller; graphics p. 10, 11, IFOR's Reconciliation Ambler PA 19002. International; graphic p. 17, Len Munnick, WCC's Forum.

THE WITNESS Editorial

The making of a stacked Supreme Court Our guest editorial this month is by Martin Schram, syndicated columnist with United Features. ©1989 United Features Syndicate, Inc. Reprinted by permission.

Oorry to say, the Supreme Court's providing abortion counseling. Only President Bush could wind up naming whittling of abortion rights is the ulti- 26% of us backed the Reagan decision. replacements for all three. Also Justice mate pro-choice decision. Yet, here we are, stuck with a care- Byron R. White, a Kennedy appointee publication. Pro-choice — as in our choice. We fully stacked court that has given us just who has turned out to be one of the and made our choice in 1980, again in 1984, what we don't want. The Rehnquist court's most conservative justices, is 72 and for good measure we reaffirmed it in court has dropped on us a neutron bomb and has talked of retirement. If Bush reuse 1988. We made it even though we knew ruling: It left standing the shell of Roe v. winds up picking successors to Marshall for we would someday regret it. Wade but wiped out the vitals that were and White, we will have a Supreme We made our choice when we elected inside. Court comprised of justices chosen en- and reelected Ronald Reagan, despite his Abortions are not illegal — yet. But tirely by Republican presidents. required repeated warnings to us that he intended by upholding a Missouri law that bars The true legacy of the Reagan years is to pack the Supreme Court (in fact, all public employees and public funds from that he bequeathed to us a Supreme our courts) with judges who would abort being used in abortions unless the life of Court that will rule our lives and those

Permission the precedent-setting decisions that af- the mother is endangered, and by invit- of our children and grandchildren in firmed a woman's right to have a safe ing each state to set its own laws, the ways that are not to our liking. For this, abortion. Supreme Court has struck hardest at we have only ourselves to blame — that DFMS.

/ It's perverse but true: We pick our those who can least afford it. is ourselves and Walter Mondale and presidents these days even though we This will be the result: America will Michael Dukakis, who never could focus may disagree with them on fundamental become a land of safe abortions for the public perceptions on the danger we Church issues. We chose Reagan, for example, well-to-do. Poor women will be left to faced from an all-conservative court. even though we disagreed with him on their own devices — and those of Just this past week, the news reminded most issues — the deficit, defense quacks. Safe abortions will still be avail- us of all there was to know about the Episcopal spending, the environment and espe- able for women who can afford to pay Reagan presidency and why we wound the cially, abortion. private physicians and hospitals, or who up with government policies we op- of Polls show that we have for years be- can afford to shop from state to state un- posed. There was the sentencing of Ollie lieved women have both the right to til they find one that will permit a safe, North and the scandals of HUD — re- have an abortion and the right to make publicly assisted abortion. minders of all our president never cared Archives for themselves this very personal deci- As our TV weathermen say, there is to know. There was the Supreme Court's sion that affects their bodies. A recent no relief in sight; in fact, it just figures abortion ruling — a reminder of all we 2020. Gallup Poll showed that 58% of Ameri- to get worse. Three of the four dissenting never cared to know about what his deci- cans did not want the court to roll back justices in the latest abortion decision sions could to do us. its 1973 Roc v. Wade decision, which are the court's only octogenarians. Jus- But then there was that news report Copyright (as the pollster phrased it for those inter- tice William J. Brennan, Jr., an Eisen- about Reagan himself — a reminder of viewed) "ruled that states cannot place hower appointee who turned out to be a why he'd captured our spirit and our restrictions on a woman's right to an court moderate, is 83; Justice Thurgood votes in the first place. Ever-heroic, he abortion during the first three months of Marshall, a Johnson appointee who is the was riding the range at age 78 when the pregnancy." Just 37% wanted the ruling court's only liberal vote, is 81; Justice horse bucked and landed him first on the overturned and 5% were undecided. Harry A. Blackmun, a Nixon appointee ground and briefly in a hospital. "My Also, in another Gallup survey last who proved to be a court moderate and own private rodeo," Reagan reportedly October, a whopping 66% of us opposed the author of the original Roe vs. Wade quipped. the Reagan Administration's decision to ruling, is 80. What a guy. That's what we like in withhold government funds from clinics Actuarial tables tell us it's possible our presidents.

September 1989 El Salvador: A people crucified by Ann Robb Smith

HeLer name is Carmen. Her face, to visit them. wrapped in sacks. His name was Em- framed by waves of black hair, is infi- One of the women said, "For nine manuel." nitely sad. She is Rachel, weeping for years we have suffered — disappear- She spoke his name clearly and her children. She is Mary, keeping vigil ances, jailings, assassination. Seventy slowly. It was important to speak his at the death of her son. She is one of the thousand civilians have died. Thousands name. It was his memorial. Comadres of El Salvador — a mother of have been assassinated by the death "What did he do?" we asked. the disappeared... squads. Between 1980 and 1983 some- "He was a carpenter." times we would see 25 to 30 bodies publication. We had come to El Salvador to learn "What can we do?" and to see for ourselves what was hap- along a roadside. The Comadres search "Ask the United States to stop military and pening there. We were participants in a for the disappeared. Many have never aid to El Salvador," Carmen said. "The been found. Our struggle is to find out aid does not help us. It just makes the reuse travel seminar, sponsored by the Lu- what happened to them and to get them for theran Theological Seminary in Phila- bombardments possible and pays the delphia in conjunction with the Center back alive. There are secret jails and death squads. Take our message to the for Global Education at Augsburg Col- they might be hidden there." women in the United States. Tell them required lege, Minneapolis. Our assorted group "Who is arrested? What have they not to allow their sons to come to El included seminarians, several pastors, a done?" we asked. Salvador." theology professor, a seminary dean, a "Union members, human rights work- The U.S. sends $1.5 million per day

Permission community organizer, a church worker ers, church people and priests are threat- into El Salvador, making that tiny coun- and a child psychiatrist. We were a long ened and arrested. CRIPDES (the Chris- try — the size of Massachusetts — one way from home. tian Committee for Displaced Persons) of the top five world-wide recipients of DFMS. / The Comadres came together as an or- was attacked. They accused us of being Washington's generosity. As a result, the ganization at the suggestion of Roman guerrillas because we organize to stop Salvadoran army grew in the last decade

Church Catholic Archbishop Oscar Romero, oppression. One of our leaders was ar- from a force of 10,000 to 56,000 troops. who was murdered by death squads, as a rested just a few days ago. We are pro- In spite of this massive aid, 70% of the way of redeeming their suffering and the testing. One of our members has been population remain under or unemployed

Episcopal loss of their loved ones. Their office was captured four times, tortured and ac- and the per capita income has dropped. the in a little house on a side street in San cused of being a guerrilla. We expect the "Where do the dollars go?" we asked a of Salvador, lined with pink and cream situation to get worse because the lead- U.S. embassy official. He replied that, in stucco row houses. The street looked ers of the new government are also the addition to the military, humanitarian quiet in the morning sunshine, but there leaders of the death squads. We ask you and economic aid, we also give cash for Archives were sandbags around the doorway to to be alert. We expect more captures," the balance of payments owed to the she said. 2020. the Comadres' house and we were urged United States. to go in quickly. The house had been "Why are you here? Why do you "In other words," we said, "the cash dynamited two years ago. Recently there stay?" we asked. given by the U.S. government to El Sal-

Copyright have been renewed threats. When the woman named Carmen an- vador goes back into U.S. banks." We met with Carmen and two other swered we heard in her voice the age-old "That's right," he answered. women in the small front room. They mourning of a mother for her child. It was tense the entire time we were in "saluted us for our humanity" in coming "I have been here since my son was El Salvador. We had been warned that assassinated in July 1979. We found him we might have difficulty entering the Ann Robb Smith is in her final year at the Lu- five days after he disappeared. He was country. However we were admitted theran Seminary in Philadelphia and is a candi- missing his tongue and his eyes. One of without incident and breathed a sigh of date for holy orders in the Diocese of Pennsyl- his legs had been cut off. We found him relief when we passed through immigra- vania. She traveled in El Salvador and Nicara- gua in May and June of this year. with two of his friends. They were tion. Our relief was short-lived.

THE WITNESS Our travel seminar guides from the The two small boats that brought us, had lage, only older men and little boys. A Center for Global Education gave us a playful, holiday look to them with their woman and two elderly men greeted us. strict instructions. No photographs of striped awnings of pink and blue. The They had been chosen by their commu- soldiers or military installations. No, pho- lake was wide and beautiful, rimmed nity to be their leaders. tographs of any of the people we inter- with the high peaks of volcanos. There "We understand that you are coming viewed unless specific permission was were women bathing and washing here to find out about our reality," they given. We were to keep our voices low. clothes on the beach when we landed said to us. "We are glad that you are We were told not to say dangerous and children splashing in the water. It here. Because that is how other countries words like Cuba, Nicaragua, Marxism, was an idyllic, pastoral scene — belying will know. The government speaks of guerrilla, Lutheran Church or FMLN the horror that had brought these people democracy but actually there are cap- (the guerrilla front). We were warned we here. For they were victims of the war tures and assassinations each day. Day would be under surveillance, that all that has ravaged El Salvador. Their for- by day people are taken from their long-distance calls were monitored, and mer villages have been destroyed. Many homes. Later they are found dead." we were to mention no names over the of their husbands, sons and fathers have They showed us the village. There publication. telephone. We were told to keep any been killed. were neat, new houses, built of corru-

and posters or pamphlets that we might re- We did not sec young men in the vil- gated metal roofs and walls of black ceive out of sight, and our Bibles too. reuse Church people who work with the poor for are suspected of being sympathetic to the guerrilla movement so Bibles could be considered subversive. We were told required not to go out at night because it was not safe. The night we arrived in El Salvador, a Permission group of urban guerrillas attacked the barracks of the First Army Brigade as

DFMS. well as three other targets in the city. / Reports varied as to whether three or eight guerrillas had been killed. The Church army claimed they had received no casu- alties. We heard gunfire almost every night. Episcopal We spotted the first man watching us the at breakfast the first morning we were in of El Salvador. He stood on a street corner across from the hotel, clearly visible

Archives through the open window. Our group of 16 people was watched by two men. Something 2020. They were not very subtle in their sur- totally new is veillance. It was quite obvious to all of us. They also searched the suitcases in being born among tfxe Copyright our hotel rooms. suffering and dying We left the city to visit a little village people in Soutrt and established for war refugees by the Lu- Central America theran Church in El Salvador. It was lo- cated on the site of a former coffee plan- and it is Uiat new [ift tation and a few of the original buildings thai is being given to us still stood. for our conversion!' It was an hour's ride across a lake in the early morning mist to the village. Henri Nouwen

September 1989 plastic over wooden frames. Children has played an active role in empowering through an army roadblock before we were everywhere. They told us there the poor with a sense of their own self- could go on to his house. We were re- were 35 families in the community, 150 worth as children of God and their right quired to get out of our van while the adults and 300 children. Many of the to a better life. In the Base Christian soldiers searched through our pocket- children were war orphans, adopted by Communities, attitudes have changed books and briefcases. village families. from a passive acceptance of the hard- Bishop Gomez greeted us warmly. The woman's name was Angela. The ships of life as "God's will" to an active "We need your visit most in terms of lines by her eyes and mouth were as demand for justice. solidarity," he told us. "It is very impor- fragile looking as a spider web, but her Archbishop Romero was a martyr in tant because the government does not back was straight. She sat and talked this movement for justice and is now re- like the presence of many foreigners with us on the long, low porch of an garded as a saint by the people. His tomb here. It bothers them and they wish you adobe building overlooking the lake. It in the Metropolitan Cathedral has be- would not come. In spite of all the talk was hot and dusty on the porch. Chick- come a shrine, covered with messages, of democracy, we got a letter from the ens scratched in the dirt nearby and pigs testimonials, flowers and surrounded by military telling us to discourage visits rooted in the brush. from foreigners." The bishop smiled. publication. candles. A steady stream of people come We asked Angela, "Is it unusual to to kneel and pray. "So we thank you. Return and send oth- and have a woman as a community leader?" Lutheran Bishop Medardo Gomez car- ers to visit. Your presence signifies life. Solidarity is not just a theory, but is very reuse "Before, many times, women were ries on the Gospel imperative "to preach practical. You who come will feel affec- for afraid to speak in front of men," she told good news to the poor and to set at lib- us. "But through our suffering we have erty those who arc oppressed." We were tion for the Salvadorans. Affection is learned our rights. In most communities invited to have lunch with him. born here. Then, return home to generate required there arc many widows. Therefore they The bishop's home is located near the more solidarity." become leaders." First Army barracks so we had to pass Gomez's life has been threatened and Angela is one of the widows. She told Permission us that the army came to her community El Salvador Statistics in 1979. The men had not run away to Population: 5.5 million. budget rose from 14% in 1980 to 28% in

DFMS. hide because they had done nothing

/ 1 million refugees, most in the United 1988. wrong and had no reason to be afraid. States. Angela told us that the soldiers took the 600,000 displaced within El Salvador. Housing

Church men and killed them near their homes. 70,000 civilians killed and 7,000 disap- 63% of the population lives in below stan- peared since 1979. dard housing. "This happened to many of us," she Housing deficit estimate: 700,000 units. said. "Our husbands didn't run away and Labor force: 2.2 million. Episcopal so they got killed." 1.4 million working Salvadorans earn Social the Angela told us about the massive re- minimum wage or below. 650,000 school-age children do not attend of Unemployment: 32.5%. school. cruitment of young men into the army. Underemployment 44%. One out of four children is malnourished. "They take away our sons, who are the 25% of children die before five years. Income Infant mortality is 71 per 1,000.

Archives only source of money for their mothers," Annual per capita income: $700. 2.9 physicians per 10,000 people. she said. "They take them away to de- Minimum daily wage: $3.60 for urban Average life span of industrial workers

2020. fend the country, they say. But we know workers, $2 for rural workers. and peasants is 40 years. it isn't true. They only defend what be- 66% of the population cannot meet basic needs. U.S. aid longs to the big millionaires. The army is $3.3 billion since 1980. Copyright the sons of poor mothers. We raise them Economy El Salvador is the fifth largest recipient of on a fistful of beans and salt to become Gross National Product: $4 billion. U.S. aid in the world, and first in Central canon fodder. No one knows what hap- Inflation is 25%, up from 16% in 1979. America. Exports fell from $1,132 million in 1979 to FY1990 request: $97.6 million in military pens to them." $580 million in 1987. aid; $108.4 million in economic aid; and But in the face of tragedies like Imports rose from $955 million in 1979 to $180 million in economic support funds. $985 million in 1987. Angela's, the people still find the Foreign debt grew from $939 million in — Margarita S. Studemeister strength to endure. The church, in the 1979 to $2.3 billion in 1987. Washington Center broadest sense of that term, including Defense spending as part of the national for Central American Studies both Catholic and Protestant churches,

THE WITNESS abuses, including the murder of Arch- bishop Romero in 1981. We learned later that the strike had lasted two days and had been 95% effective in halting all traffic. We would not have been able to leave our hotel. But in spite of the tension, in spite of the intimidating presence of the military throughout the city and the threat of cap- ture and torture, the people are filled with a courage and a strength that is founded upon their faith in a righteous he is accompanied now by a "body- political connotation," Gomez replied. and loving God who is on the side of the guard," a young U.S. citizen named Al- "We call it a Theology of Life because it poor. Theirs is a spirit reminiscence of publication. ice. Alice is one of a corps of interna- is the faith of the people. It explains the the earliest Christians who faced perse- and tionals living with Salvadorans who are presence of God every moment. It is the cution and martyrdom with grace and under death threats. They believe that testimony of those who suffer. So we courage and unshakeable faith. reuse the presence of foreign observers will don't use the term, 'option for the poor,' Carmen, Emmanuel, Angela, Alice, for inhibit the death squads from carrying but rather, 'attention to the most needy.' Medardo. Only Medardo Gomez is a real out their threats. God attends most especially to the poor name. He is already a marked man in El because they are the most needy. Just as required For a man under the threat of death, Salvador. The others may not yet be Gomez seemed remarkably calm. He is a in the parable of the Prodigal Son, the marked — therefore their names have handsome man with a serene expression parent loves all the children equally, but been changed in order to protect them and a face unlined by worry. He gave us attends most specially to the most needy from threat, capture or assassination. Permission a simple lunch of fried chicken and po- one. This is how we see God working (Next month Part II: How Low Intensity tato salad. among our people." Warfare strategy affects Nicaragua.) DFMS.

/ Gomez told us that the poor of El Sal- "What are you accused of?" we asked. vador die from hunger and the lack of "Of being a communist, a guerrilla basic necessities. They live in sub-hu- sympathizer. Do you remember when Barbara Harris: Church man conditions, "worse than animals in the Pharisees accused Jesus of being pos- Bishop the homes of rich people," he said. sessed by the devil, Beelzebub? In mod- Order a copy of the historic April "We decided to work with those most ern form, it is said you are a communist. issue of THE WITNESS com- Episcopal in need," Gomez explained. "This is to Jesus was bothered by the accusation memorating the Feb. 11 conse- the cration of the first woman bishop of respond to our reality. We can't ignore against him. He said that blasphemy is the suffering of our people, so we go the only sin that cannot be forgiven. This in the Episcopal Church and An- with them and we receive more from is solace for us." glican Communion. 1 to 5 copies: $3.00 each Archives them than we can give. The church is Gomez smiled. "When I am accused 6 and over: $2.00 each strengthened — not in numbers, but in of being a communist, then I know it is 2020. faith. By being with the people we the spirit of God working in me." Enclosed is a check for $ . understand what incarnation is. God be- Because of the turmoil in the country, Please send copy/ies of the came human to understand human we had to cut short our visit to El Salva-

Copyright April WITNESS to: beings and to serve them better. The dor by one day. The FMLN called for a church has to do this — incarnate itself general transportation strike to protest Name within reality, by telling the story of the the June 1 inauguration of President- people. This gives life to the congrega- elect Alfredo Christiani, a member of Street Address tion." the right-wing ARENA party. ARENA "Is this liberation theology?" we was originally established as an anti- City asked. communist paramilitary organization "I don't like the term liberation theol- and has been linked to some of the ogy because our enemies have given it a country's most brutal human rights State Zip Code

September 1989 Libya: America's No. 1 scapegoat by Jim Lewis publication. and reuse for required Permission DFMS. / Arabic script centering on the Name of God and God's titles of Giver of all Gifts

Church and Most Compassionate One.

he big jet was hardly off the ground flight. In Rome, I, along with nine other Episcopal when a stewardess walked down the Americans, would take a plane bound the aisle handing coupons to the passengers. for Libya where we would live for six of T Each blue card had six boxes to days, guests of the Libyan government. scratch. Taking a quarter from my The trip, sponsored by the Fellowship

Archives pocket I scratched mine to see if I was a of Reconciliation (FOR), a peace and winner. The prizes consisted of such justice organization with a long track

2020. things as a free drink, a free movie head- record in civil rights and peacemaking, set, and a first-class round trip ticket. As had a much harder time getting off the I uncovered the squares on my card, the ground than our three-hour-delayed

Copyright man me behind said to his companion, flight. "With my luck, I'll probably win a trip Back in January, in the twilight hours to Libya." of the Reagan administration, a nasty She laughed and so did I. This flight I exchange took place between U.S. and had boarded from Kennedy in New York Libyan fighter planes in the Gulf of to Rome was, in fact, only a connecting Sidra, an inlet off the Mediterranean Sea, on the northern coast of Libya. Lib- The Rev. Jim Lewis is Director of Social Minis- yan planes were shot down in the ex- tries for the Diocese of North Carolina and a change of fire.

10 THE WITNESS This action by our government fond memories of our country despite now agree that Syria was the headquar- sparked discussion on the part of the the hostility he felt as a non-white per- ters for the bombers. FOR Middle East Task Force, on which son. Qadhafi's yard was full of pieces of I serve. After an hour and a half confer- Later in Tripoli, I met people with exploded U.S. bombs and a plane that ence call, FOR leadership decided to relatives in Atlanta and Detroit — many was shot down. Shattered glass was pursue contacts at the Libyan Mission to had graduated from major U.S. universi- strewn about among the flowers in a the United Nations in the hope that a ties. One woman had a daughter study- small garden. Some pictures still hung U.S. delegation could counter what ing at Berkeley. on the wall. Qadhafi's bed, his child's looked like an explosive last hurrah by One man told me he had difficulty ex- bed, remained in place. our trigger-happy President. plaining the United States to his son. He Later we spoke with people in the After two postponements, our delega- said when President Reagan authorized neighborhood who lost friends and chil- tion gathered in New York prior to de- the bombing of Libya on April 15, 1986, dren in the bombing raid. One man in parture for Tripoli, to be briefed by Dr. killing as many as 100 civilians and our delegation apologized for what the Ali Treiki, Libya's delegate to the wounding hundreds, the child was panic- United States had done. publication. United Nations. The FOR team consisted stricken. He cried for his uncle, living in I recalled the Bible story from Luke. the United States, because he was sure and of peace activists from Virginia, Califor- The disciples, James and John were an- nia, New York, Washington, Missouri that he would be killed since the Ameri- gry at the hostility shown them by a Sa- reuse and North Carolina. We were accompa- cans must hate Libyans. maritan as they questioned Jesus, "Do for nied by Dartmouth College professor Every Libyan I met was eager to re- you want us to call down fire from Dirk Vandewaale, an expert on Libya. new a relationship with the United heaven to burn them up?" Jesus rebuked Our task was simply stated. We were them, repudiating revenge for all time. required going to make contact with Libyans so Most Libyans I spoke with were con- that we could show our concern by lis- vinced that U.S. military might was di- tening carefully to their concerns about rected against Libya because it is a small Permission U.S.-Libyan relations. Beneath it all was country that has said "no" to the United the intent, on the part of grass-root peace States.

DFMS. activists, to reduce the tensions between Libya has said "no" to our military / As-Salam: The Peace — one of the 99 our countries by putting a human face on Arabic names for God presence there by kicking out our bases. the enemy. They have said "no" as well to our ma-

Church r Boarding the plane in Rome, I met a nipulation of the oil production to U.S. Libyan woman, dressed in traditional States, a relationship which, they said, advantage. Libya, in actuality, is an easy garb, on her way home from Italy. I dis- deteriorated during the Reagan years. scapegoat for American frustration and Episcopal covered that she has a brother in Char- They hoped that President Bush would hostility. It is slightly larger than Alaska the lotte, who does construction work there. restore contact and end their isolation. with a population of only about four mil- of She was as excited as I about this con- There is still shock and anger at the lion people. Roughly 90% of that popu- nection. She'd like to visit him someday. 1986 bombings. The Libyan-Arab Com- lation live on the Mediterranean coast.

Archives I told her I hoped that day would come mittee for Solidarity and Peace, in Such a concentration leaves this country soon. She was the first of many Libyans charge of our trip, scheduled us to see a sitting duck for any serious military 2020. I would meet who have connections in one of the targets of that bombing — the operation. "Why, you'd never strike the United States. home of Muammar Qadhafi, Libya's Syria like you do Libya," said one When we arrived in Benghazi, we leader. The attack caused Qadhafi's fam- woman. "They're much more dangerous Copyright were warmly received by Libyan offi- ily to flee and resulted in the death of his but not so easy. So you pick on us." cials from the Peace and Solidarity 16-month-old adopted daughter, Hanna. In the 16th chapter of Leviticus, an Committee. Television and press people President Reagan justified the air raid outline is provided for the ritual slaying recorded our arrival. by linking Libya to an April 5 bombing of sacrificial animals. One of the ani- One of the men in the Libyan entou- of the La Bella discotheque in West Ger- mals sacrificed was the goat, the scape- rage wanted to talk with me about the many. The explosion killed one Ameri- goat, killed in the name of Azazel. Klan. He had attended the University of can soldier and injured 60 others. Later When Jesus was brought before the Oklahoma and was interested in racial it was shown that Libya had no connec- high priest, Caiaphas, he became the conflict in the United States. He had tion with the explosion. Most experts Continued on page 21

September 1989 11 What's a nice guy like Sam Day

Suppose you are a respectable, 62-year-old middle class citizen who disagrees with U.S. nuclear policy — particularly with the fact that the government has strewn missile silos all over your beloved Midwest. Suppose, further, you de- cide to do something about it. You edit a book called Nuclear Heartland, exposing the location of the secretly placed silos so people will realize they are in their backyards. And you participate in a "peace planting" (non-violent civil disobedience) with a group of other anti-nuclear activists, scattering seeds in- side a Missouri missile silo in a symbolic act of reclaiming the land. Now the government is very unhappy, and sentences you to six months in prison. That's what happened to Sam Day, promotion consultant of THE WITNESS

publication. and co-director of Nukewatch, who has been behind bars since late March. What is life in jail like for Day? Who are his cellmates? Here are excerpts from and Day's journal detailing his experiences with the U.S. criminal justice system. Sam Day reuse for L/ife in the Lafayette County Jail in through a window. To make matters friends concocted after graduating from Lexington, Mo. has been quite an expe- worse, our one telephone to the outside the University of Missouri and failing to rience. When I arrived, I was taken world is controlled by a small faction of find work in their field. Two other Nige- required aback by the noise, the smells, the dirt prisoners who pass it from hand to hand rians share the cell with us. and the squalor. A guard gave me a torn during the occasional times we have ac- Sam, who stole from the post office to mattress and a filthy blanket, ushered me cess to it. satisfy his cocaine addiction, is a gentle

Permission into a cellblock, and told me to find a Despite the unpleasantness of these soul whom I have watched read the same bunk. In the dim light, everything looked conditions — or perhaps because of it — letter from his wife night after night, his

DFMS. full to me. But I found an upper bunk I have found this place to be not only en- eyes brimming. / piled high with magazines. durable but enjoyable at times. The key Tony, from the Kansas City ghetto, I had a cold when I arrived here, so to my successful adjustment has been beats me regularly at chess and has the

Church the first few days were difficult because my fellow prisoners and my outside sup- mind of a genius. He is also a career of the tobacco smoke and the fumes porters. criminal. "Man, I just love money," he from the open toilet just a few feet from At first the other prisoners didn't know explains. Episcopal my nose. I was appalled by the close what to make of me. At 62,1 am at least Without letters from friends and loved the quarters; seven of us in a metal cage one or two generations older than every- ones I would succumb to the loneliness of about 10 by 20 feet. one else. "Hi, Gramps," said one as I and boredom that nibble away at the mo- A boom box two cells away blared groped my way into the cell, where I rale of every prisoner. They nourish and

Archives reggae all day long competing with the was also only one of two whites. And, sustain the emotional attachments that noise from the TV set in the "bullpen," unsurprisingly, I was the only "political" are lacking here. And the letters remind

2020. where we take our meals. Through the prisoner. The others had never encoun- me of the good I am doing simply by evening and into the pre-dawn hours, tered any one screwy enough to let the being here. The value lies in serving as bouncing against the inner walls of this cops come and get him at the scene of an example to others and demonstrating

Copyright metal drum in which we live, came the the crime. that jail, with all its loneliness and hard- voices of other exuberant young prison- "Couldn't your lawyer get you no ships, can nevertheless be an endurable ers, some still in their teens — arguing, bond, buddy," one of my cellmates experience offering a political activist cussing, sometimes just shouting for the asked in bewilderment. the time and opportunity to enhance and hell of it. My short time here has bonded me to strengthen his or her work. It also bothered me that I was isolated men who belie the stereotype of the jail On the morning of May 3, the cell- from friends and loved ones. Only one inmate. Eddie, from an upper-class fam- block gate clanged open and the voice of 40 minute visit is permitted each week, ily in Nigeria, is here because of a Paula, our friendly jail matron, cut and it has to be conducted by telephone fraudulent credit card scheme he and his through the TV din: "Mr. Day, get all

12 THE WITNESS doing in prisons like these?

your things together, you're goin' all the On the afternoon of May 10, I was the plane to take off, I noticed that no way." taken from the hole, led down into the one was wearing seat belts. I pointed this Three hours after leaving Lexington in bowels of the prison, stripped, searched, out to a marshal and remarked, half-jok- the company of two Federal marshals, I reclothed, handcuffed and chained, then ingly, that failing to fasten seat belts is a found myself in handcuffs and leg herded into a pen with about 20 others violation of FAA regulations. chains, climbing the long flight of from all parts of the penitentiary. Ac- The marshal reddened and replied, marble steps leading to the front door of companied by guards equipped with ra- "There's the strap. You can put it on the U.S. Penitentiary at Leavenworth, dios on their belts, we filed through the yourself if you want." His tone implied Kansas. The scene was straight out of vast main lobby and down the marble that seat belts were a frill for the faint- Hollywood: a domed, colonnaded build- stairs. As I stepped blinking into the hearted. When I pointed helplessly to my

publication. ing looming behind a high fence topped bright sunlight, careful not to trip over handcuffs, he leaned over curtly and with razor wire rolled in menacing coils. the chains that bound my ankles, I be- snapped the seat belt for me. and I rubbed my eyes in disbelief. Could this held an amazing sight: Fanning out from My travels on the prison airlift re- reuse be me, a mere nuclear protestor, walking the prison bus were half a dozen U.S. sumed the next morning after an over- for into the maw of the biggest of the big night stay at the Federal penitentiary in joints? El Reno, Okla. which serves as the hub My stay at Leavenworth lasted only a "The value of being here lies in of the Federal air prison transportation required week. I was a "holdover," a prisoner in serving as an example to others system. For the next seven hours the transit, locked into a dormitory that also and demonstrating that jail, with plane flew 2,000 miles back and forth serves as the "hole" for the nearby Leav- all its loneliness and hardships, across the Midwest, picking us up and

Permission enworth prison camp. can nevertheless be an endurable dropping us off like so many mail sacks. Compared with the bedlam of the experience offering a political ac- While marshals patrolled the aisles, we tivist the time and opportunity to DFMS. Lafayette County Jail, the Leavenworth shifted uncomfortably in our seats, / hole was a piece of heaven. I had a real enhance and strengthen his or trying to ease the pressure of the cuffs on mattress to sleep on, a good light to read her work." our sweating wrists and ankles. Accom- Church by, fresh air to breathe. I could look out plishing bodily toilet functions in these the window and see the sky. The food, marshals at parade rest with shotguns on restraints was a task I found impossible, brought to us by orderlies and eaten on their hips, pointed skyward. Did they so I took no liquids on the long flight. Episcopal our cots, was plentiful and tasty. I felt think one of us would hobble off and Our plane flew first to Springfield, Mo.; the like a bird in a gilded cage. disappear too quickly to be tackled by a then to Terre Haute, Detroit and Chi- of Security was tight. Whenever I left the burly guard? cago. Finally I was dropped off at Roch- hole, which was seldom, I had to back I was soon to learn the shotgun de- ester, Minn.

Archives up to the door and put my arms through ployment is as inherent to prisoner trans- It wasn't until the marshals sorted us a slot so a guard could apply handcuffs. portation as handcuffs, ankle and waist out on the Rochester airstrip and herded

2020. We went everywhere — to the TV room, chains, and strip-searching. A shotgun me into a van that I learned my new to sick call, to the exercise yard — with posse awaited us when we drove into a prison home was to be Yankton, S. D. our hands locked behind our backs. On remote corner of the Kansas City Airport Yankton Federal Prison Camp is one of Copyright two occasions, I was taken with other to board the prison plane, and when we the newest institutions in a penal system prisoners to a small courtyard for an alighted later at Oklahoma City. that is expanding at the rate of 800 in- hour's exercise. And there, once again, I The prison plane flew in from the east mates a month and expected to double in was in Hollywood — pacing to and fro and disgorged a load that included two population in the next few years. It under the watchful eyes of guards in dozen young soldiers handcuffed for- opened last summer on the former cam- towers atop the high stone walls, nod- lornly in their dress uniforms. We filed pus of Yankton College, and the Federal ding to the other convicts, listening to into the plane through the tail ramp. Our government, as the new owner, sent a the pigeons and swallows which freely cabin attendants were marshals outfitted small cadre to begin converting the col- come and go at Leavenworth. in blue jump suits. While we waited for lege into a prison camp. By the time I

September 1989 13 arrived, the population had risen to about solved by the welcome news that there Washington. On the right, Abraham Lin- 200. Our job was to help prepare the was no tumor. The blindness had been coln. Next to him, a square-set jaw and way for another 300. caused by a vascular occlusion, which bristling mustache identify Teddy We slept four to a room in a nicely damaged the optic nerve. The medical Roosevelt. appointed, unlocked dormitory. We ate people gave me a clean bill of health. But it's the fourth figure that holds my on tablecloths in a dining hall that With that I drafted a letter to the attention each time I shuffle with my fel- served meals as varied and as tasty as I superintendent declaring my noncoop- low prisoners, plastic cup and spoon in have enjoyed in my home town. The eration and my intention to leave the hand, into the mess hall. The high cheek camp had a library, tennis courts, gym, prison camp the next day. I had in mind bones, flaring nostrils and jutting lips on pool tables, TV and laundry rooms. Ex- a prison version of symbolically "cross- the face where Thomas Jefferson's ought cept for occasional head counts, our time ing the line." I had the good sense to to be suggest a Lakota warrior. was our own from midafternoon until af- show the draft to inmate friends who Approximately a quarter of the in- ter midnight. I soon had to begin re- pointed out that such an act could pre- mates here are Native Americans, who minding myself I was a prisoner. It felt cipitate a charge of attempted escape, constitute the largest ethnic minority in publication. more like being at Phillips Exeter Acad- which could lengthen my prison sen- South Dakota. At meal time they cluster

and emy, the prep school where I spent four tence. They urged me to stick to the idea at a table near the painting. Most have years as a boy. of refusal to work. So I wrote a second stayed here many times. reuse Inmates at Yankton are so well treated draft. One them is Yellow Earring, a young for and so highly motivated that some vol- The decency of the Yankton staff man whom I have come to know be- unteered for extra work on weekends. I made this a difficult decision. It would cause I share a cell block with him and was assigned by chance to one of the five others. Joining his group for lunch required have been easy for me to fade into the choicest jobs — healthy, non-taxing woodwork and do my time without one day, I asked him how many of his 28 work with the landscape crew. But by trouble. But in the end I succumbed to years he had spent in captivity. that time I had made up my mind to the urge to confront the dishonesty of a Yellow Earring made a quick mental Permission cease cooperating with the institution. prison masquerading as a prep school. calculation, adding up the years of re- Even before my conviction for violat- As I pointed out in my letter to the form school, jail and prison. "Eleven,"

DFMS. superintendent, I can't cooperate with / ing laws sanctioning nuclear annihila- he said. tion, I had mused about noncooperation the system that imprisons me for refus- A friend from across the table volun- in prison, a concept that flows logically ing to cooperate with the larger system teered that his total came to seven. But Church from noncooperation with nuclear pol- of nuclear annihilation. he explained, as if in mitigation, that he icy. My thoughts on this had begun to Yankton Federal Prison Camp lost no was only 21. crystallize in Lafayette County Jail, but time expelling me. Within two hours I This South Dakota bastille is clean, Episcopal before thought could lead to action I was was on my way to Yankton City Jail, spacious and modern. Through the bars the

of diverted by another matter. where I found myself in the more com- of my cell window I can see cars and A day after arriving at Leavenworth, I fortable setting of iron bars, an iron bunk people coming and going, the neon had awakened to discover I could no and the ever-murmuring TV. It's a lights of a Chinese restaurant, the ap-

Archives longer see out of my right eye. The eye prison that looks, sounds and acts like a proach and retreat of majestic summer needed medical attention, but because I prison — the proper place for an anti- thunder clouds. The daily connectedness 2020. was in transit I was unable to get it nuclear activist to be. with the outside world makes this a liv- looked at until a few days after my arri- I spent 16 days in Yankton City Jail able place. val in Yankton. The physician's assis- until my transfer to the Minnehaha My connectedness is also reinforced Copyright tants at the prison camp were most help- County Jail, which, in addition to being daily with the arrival of cards and letters ful. They arranged for me to be exam- the largest in South Dakota, also serves from friends and loved ones, and from ined by two ophthalmologists, who or- as a way station for Federal prisoners all over the country and the world. A jail dered a CAT-scan because they were like me. clerk has meticulously removed the post- concerned about the possibility of a tu- In the place I take my meals, the mas- age stamp and flap from each letter as a mor causing pressure on the optic nerve. sive profiles of the Presidents, chiseled precaution in case the sticky stuff con- Facing the possibility of immediate from the granite bulk of Mt. Rushmore, tains LSD. transfer, I deferred further thought of look down on me from a mural that Letters come almost daily from my at- noncooperation. My indecision was re- dominates the room. On the left, George Continued on page 16

14 THE WITNESS Bishops, buses and the Bible by William B. Spofford

Rerecently, I received an invitation to a bars and a borrowed church building or row County; past the Umatilla Indian conference on evangelism. The brochure two, seemed to get things rolling. Reservation and into the Blue Moun- noted that the gathering would be at a These men used shanks-mare, horses, tains; down into the Grande Ronde and fine and historic conference center in the "tin lizzies" and, when attending na- Baker valleys and over into the Snake lovely North Carolina hills. The leader- tional church events, the railroads. The River Breaks at Farewell Bend, which ship seemed promising and there ap- aim, then as now, surely was to win the countless trappers and migrants from St. publication. peared to be enough workshops to get souls of humanity to the Way and Wit- Joe, Mo., made famous; and on into and persons mixed and sharing. Besides, ness and Kingdom of Jesus Christ. Boise, along a developing 40 mile strip- there was a good deal on air fares. But, often, in our fly-over era, when city. reuse Right after I received the invite, I had church leaders bump around the planet Thinking of the invitation to the evan- for to travel from Salem, Ore. to Boise, as members of innumerable frequent gelism conference, I got to reflecting Idaho and I went by bus. The bus ride flyer programs, it does appear that all of about those who were riding with me.

required got me to thinking about how the church us talk to each other rather than to those There was a very weary great grand- today practices evangelism. persons, whom, presumably, we are mother who had suffered an over-ex- Most of my two decades in the episco- reaching out to in the name of the Lord. tended wedding and reception. We pacy have been spent in the vast geo- Now, I assure you I have been as shared a seat and she was delighted to be Permission graphic regions of the Pacific northwest. guilty as the next person. But then I had going back to her one-bedroom flat in a And, since retirement, I have also served to ride the Salem to Boise night bus — rural town. She was not a great conver-

DFMS. in the Dioceses of Nevada and Alaska, sationalist nor could she sleep. At one / decidedly a local — as it wandered into where communities tend to be small, each highway and byway of my old ju- point, I remarked on the full moon and ethnic and separated by miles of desert risdiction. The trip went up the lovely she said "We're both too old for that!" Church or frozen tundra. Columbia River Gorge, glistening in the At about 2 a.m. she offered me a potato These are the areas where, in the past, light of the full moon; through the irri- chip from a most most crackly package. bishops of note helped to give form to gated wheat and row-crop areas of Mor- When she got off at 4 a.m., she said it Episcopal the current church. There was Frederick had been a pleasant trip, which come to the think of it, it had been. of Wister Morris, Bishop of all Oregon. There was Daniel Sylvester Tuttle, who There was a Native American prior to moving into the Presiding who was going to a summer job

Archives Bishop role, covered much of the old with the U.S. Forest Service in Northwest Territory; and Peter Trimble Wallowa County; at least, he 2020. Rowe who, as first bishop of Alaska, ca- hoped there was a job. He was met noed, dog-sledded and hiked over moun- by a young guy in a Forest Service tain passes to establish the church in that uniform in LaGrande. Copyright land of great wildness and beauty. And I enjoyed listening to the four the first Bishop of Eastern Oregon, pickers who, after shopping in Robert Paddock, went into isolated com- Portland, got off at Hood River to munities of the High Desert and, by see if they could work the apple gathering folks in community halls, local crop there, even though the indus- try was down because of the pesti- cide scare. A lithe wind-surfer also The Rt. Rev. William B. Spofford, Jr., retired Bishop of Eastern Oregon and retired Assistant got off and, after collecting three Bishop of Washington, lives in Salem, Ore. boards out of the storage bay, dis-

September 1989 15 appeared into the night. Hood River is worked away at Ephesians. Any other there would be jobs available for them the nation's wind-surfing capital. divine references I heard were of a pro- when they arrived. Those are not, I am There were three young mothers, one fane variety coming from some cowboys sure, issues which give us much space with a three-week old infant, who were who had closed a bar in Pendleton until for evangelistic lingo. But they were the on their way to visit home or grandpar- the bus arrived and were going over to concerns of these "targets" of evangel- ents in Birmingham or Mobile, which Vale to see about getting work out in the ism. And, friends, at 3 a.m. at a bus stop, seemed a long, long way from rural Ore- Owyhee and Jordan Valley areas. much of the ecclesiastical news we ab- gon. In Boise, after picking up my back- sorb and the mail we get seem as pack, I walked up to the Cathedral, strange and foreign as trying to make There were two young fathers, each where 20 years ago I had been the dean, sense out of events in Iran or Beijing. with two kids, who seemed to be manag- for a celebration of Holy Communion. Bus riders seem preoccupied with their ing all right and were obviously single There were friends there, of course, but aching feet and backs, their burdensome parents. And there was a goodly coterie they seemed to have very little relation- kids, and where the jobs are, if any. of us senior citizens, some of whom had ship to the community of bus riders. Because of calendar restraints, I will publication. been on the bus trip for a week or two The point is, I guess, that we ought to, probably fly to the next three services of .. . tough oldsters, those. and on occasion, ride the bus. Nobody on the episcopal ordination I attend. But I Throughout the night, the bus driver bus seemed at all concerned that a num- might lay episcopal hands on a little bet- reuse was grumpy but efficient. He would ber of Episcopalians were meeting in ter if, instead of arriving in a crowded, for wake us up at every stop and tell us the Fort Worth, Tex. because they were con- gleaming airport, I got off at the bus ter- amount of time we had. The younger cerned about the gender of ordinands. minal, usually located in the middle of, passengers went to buy fast-food; the required One rider mentioned Texas in light of or near to, the local Skid Row. I have yet oldsters lined up at the inadequate lava- the savings and loan scandal. That was to find any Episcopal Church within tories. And, like lemmings, the minority one of the times of creative swearing, I comfortable walking distance of those of smokers dashed off to get their fix, recall, having to do with why those shy- depots. However, I usually find the Sal- Permission snuffing out their cigs just as they got sters should live off the backs of guys vation Army office and the mission of a back to the bus door. like him! But church stuff ... no, I group of non-orthodox believers. DFMS.

/ The trip took 15 hours, overall. As we didn't hear much. May the conference on evangelism be crossed the Snake River where Idaho No one seemed interested in much all that you — and God — want it to be, breaks off from Oregon, it was Sunday more than getting to where they were friends. I won't be using your kind offer Church morning. The bedraggled man in the seat going, whether they had enough cash to of contracting a trip with the official air- opposite opened his Living Bible and manage it, and, in some cases, whether line. If I come at all, it will be by bus. t£3 Episcopal the Day ... Continued from page 14 of despair and bitterness of prisoners by the Federal prison system. torney, marked "Special Mail: Attorney/ hundreds stacked like cordwood in an As editor of the project, I have utilized Client privilege. Open only in presence airless glass and concrete tower designed my banishment from work camp as an

Archives of inmate." These mailings are special to hold half as many. opportunity for work of my own. Instead indeed. The affidavits they contain are From the hole at the Federal prison of a broom I push a stubby lead pencil. I 2020. chapters for a peacemakers' guide to camp in Oxford, Wise, to which he was watch the clock not in longing that time jails and prisons being written by friends consigned for refusing to submit to the might pass more quickly, but in panic and colleagues incarcerated as I am for indignity of daily strip-searching, Jerry over the swift approach of each new Copyright breaking laws sanctioning nuclear anni- Zawada, a Franciscan priest, tells how deadline. Rather than ruing the boredom, hilation. two burly guards grabbed him and pulled isolation and spartan sterility of a county From the Federal women's prison at his shorts down. lock-up way out in the middle of no- Alderson, W.V., Bonnie Urfer sends These and other stories will be pub- where, I am thankful for chance to do pen-and-ink sketches to illustrate her lished in a Nukewatch book, "Prisoners my thing in peace and quiet. own and other stories about penal life. on Purpose," a work entirely written, il- (At press time Day was being transferred From his skyscraper cell at the Metro- lustrated, and edited from prisons and to the Federal prison in Sandstone, politan Correctional Center in downtown jails. Its purpose is to demystify incar- Minn. "Another night, another jail," he Chicago, Duane Beane writes about the ceration by "telling it like it is" in the wrote.—Ed.)

16 THE WITNESS Short Takes

U.S. Role in El Salvador Izzy's legacy Salvadoran military sources estimate I really owe my success to being a pa- that for each U.S. military adviser there riah. It is so good not to be invited to re- is at least one other U.S. adviser work- spectable dinner parties. People used to ing in intelligence or security, often with say to me, "Izzy, why don't you go down ties to the CIA, the Defense Intelligence and see the Secretary of State and put Agencia (DIA) or the National Security him straight." Well, you know, you're not Council. One such source estimated the supposed to see the Secretary of State. current number of military advisers at He won't pay any attention to you any- 300 which would bring the total U.S. in- way. He'll hold your hand, he'll commit country personnel directly involved to you morally for listening. publication. 600. To be a pariah is to be left alone to see

and Among that number one can no longer things your own way, as truthfully as you include former U.S. defense and army The fire next time? can. Not because you're brighter than The Galileo shuttle is scheduled to carry reuse attache George Maynes, who recently anybody else is — or your own truth is so

for retired from the U.S. Army to work as a 50 pounds of plutonium. valuable. But because, like a painter or a private, full-time consultant to the DNI, The House Subcommittee on Energy, writer or an artist, all you have to contrib- the shadowy National Directorate of In- Conservation and Power conducted inves- ute is the purification of your own vision, required telligence at the nerve center of the tigations under Edward Markey of Massa- and add that to the sum total of other "special operations" war in El Salvador. chusetts, on the risks of plutonium carry- visions. To be regarded as nonrespect- Special operations is the catchall phrase ing shuttles after the Challenger accident. able, to be a pariah, to be an outsider, for unconventional narrowly targeted ac- But Markey was replaced as chair by this is really the way to do it. To sit in Permission tions ranging from disappearing key ac- Philip Sharp of Indiana, and there has not your tub and not want anything. As soon tivists of the urban popular movement to been a continuation of this inquiry. as you want something, they've got you!

DFMS. long range patrols in FMLN zones of Yet despite the Challenger disaster, I. F. Stone 1907-1989 / control. NASA plans to launch shuttles in 1989 The Nation 7/10/89 According to Salvadoran Col. Juan and 1990 that will carry enough radioac-

Church Orlando Zepeda, DNI receives most of tive plutonium to kill every person on Success is simply a matter of luck. its aid from the CIA. earth. The plutonium is not required for Ask any failure. — Earl Wilson Sara Miles and Bob Ostertag propulsion, but will be used to supply on- board electric power for instrumentation, Episcopal NACLA Report on the Americas Rich get richer as well as heat for the instruments on the the July 1989 Average change, since 1977, in the an- Jupiter probe. of nual federal taxes paid by the richest 1% Jesus was political threat Many scientists who are experts in the of American families: minus $44,000; av- The hunger of human becoming is never field of radioactivity are apprehensive. erage change, since 1977, in the annual Archives satisfied by receiving. Nor does one They see three possible disaster scenar- federal taxes paid by the remaining 99%, come to human maturity and fulfillment ios. The first, a launch pad explosion in plus $212. 2020. by some sort of insulated inner event, which the shuttle's liquid fuel would ignite, Harper's database serenely detached from the social, his- with plutonium released, to contaminate of fascinating facts torical, painful and conflictual demands Cape Canaveral and environs. Second, a

Copyright of the total human situation. Had Jesus Challenger-like explosion in the upper at- Future tense himself been able to maintain such se- mosphere would disperse the poisonous At a June conclave in Ohio, it was re- rene detachment and uninvolvement in plutonium over a broader area. Third, any ported by the Corps of Resigned Priests the social and political and conflictual di- serious space mishap within the Earth's United for Service (CORPUS) to the 250 mension of human tragedy, he would 22,000 mile gravitational pull could spread married Roman Catholic priests gathered surely not have been crucified as a politi- the uranium derivative even more widely that 18,000 priests have resigned and cal threat. over the earth. married in the United States, 100,000 Monica K. Helwig Prof. Karl Grossman worldwide. And 10% of America's 20,000 Eucharist and the Hunger of theWorld Quoted by Women's International parishes lack a resident priest, 43% Quoted in St. Clement's Circle, NYC Coalition to stop Radioactive Waste worldwide.

September 1989 17 An interview with Sarah Weddington: Supreme Court abortion decision

Before the Supreme Court issued its opinion in Webster v. Reproductive Health Services July 3, Sarah Weddington says she spent 10 mornings in a row "dress- ing up" in anticipation of a ruling. Weddington is the Austin, Tex. attorney who argued Roe v. Wade before the Court almost 17 years ago. She's had a distin- guished career as a Texas legislator and aide to President Jimmy Carter. With the Webster decision, she fears the privacy rights she fought for in Roe could be

publication. even further eroded by the Reagan-era Court. Jan Nunley, a National Public Radio reporter, interviewed Weddington for THE WITNESS after Webster was and handed down. reuse for NI. ow that you've had a chance to litigation will we find out what the the "right-to-life" movement. look at the Webster decision, what con- Supreme Court's more definitive view required clusions have you drawn about it? really is. In the meantime, what it means What role do churches and synagogues I think that the Webster decision creates is a tremendous effort in the political and religious institutions in general many questions that we frankly just realm, involving a lot of money, time have on both sides of this issue? Permission don't know the answer to. It's a confus- and energy, which, frankly, I wish we I think there are a number of appropriate ing opinion to an attorney who is trying could be spending on some of the other roles. Certainly those persons who are

DFMS. to predict what the future is, because it social problems of today. religious have a right to state their public / gives no guidance whatsoever in terms opinion and try to persuade others. But of the outside limits of what a state Are you discouraged to think that the those who oppose abortion tend to cloak Church could do to interfere with a woman's question is being thrown back to legis- themselves in religiosity and suggest right to make her own decisions — her latures which seem to be largely anti- they have the only answer and anyone right to privacy — and still be within the choice, regardless of the prevailing who disagrees is not following the will Episcopal Constitution. opinion of their constituents? of God. I think it's very important in this the It's hard to know where the legislatures debate that we hear from a variety of

of On the one hand the majority says, "We trust that the legislatures will not are in the various states. For the last 16 voices. resort to the archaic laws we used to years, the people who've been most or- This is a matter of great diversity in

Archives have," and yet now in the state of Lou- ganized and effective in pressuring legis- Jewish, Protestant and Catholic faiths, isiana there is a move to simply reinstate lators have been those opposed to abor- and there is no one agreed upon answer 2020. the law that was in effect before 1973. tion for any reason. What remains to be among people who are "religious." I Would the Court consider that archaic? seen is how we are able to mobilize the think for too long we have left it to those Would it prevent the implementation of great majority of citizens who do believe who feel that there's only one way to Copyright such a law? The difficulty is that the that it ought to be a woman's choice. If interpret the Bible, only one way to love Court does not give us any way to pre- we can do that effectively, I think we the Lord, and only one way to feel about dict where the appropriate guidelines or can offset some of the fear legislators are abortion. boundaries of legislation would be. And feeling about how people may vote so I think what you'll see is all kinds of against them if they believe in a The pro-choice religious groups don't legislation introduced that would inter- woman's right to choice. We've got to seem to be as vocal as the other side. fere in a most basic way with a woman's convince them that the consequences of It's clear that the official Catholic right of privacy, and only through a lot voting against that right of choice are Church — certainly not all Catholics — of very expensive and time-consuming much more severe than voting against and some of the fundamental Protestant

18 THE WITNESS 'confusing' says Roe v. Wade attorney

groups have made abortion their primary observing the distinction between gov- focus and do have an organizational ad- ernment and religious belief. vantage. When you can reach people ev- ery Sunday or during prayer meetings What did the Court mean when, in during the week and tell them who Webster, it refused to rule on the pre- they're supposed to call and what they're amble to the Missouri law which states to do and hand out literature, that is a that life begins at conception? publication. tremendous advantage. It's a much I don't think the Court itself knows. The

and harder organizational task to reach the majority opinion says that it may mean majority, who are going about their gro- that the state only meant that to apply to reuse cery shopping and jobs and raising their tort and property laws. They were really for families, with the message that abortion reaching over backwards to adopt a pos- should be an individual decision and that sible interpretation that would not inter- one person's religious faith should not fere with Roe v. Wade or the cases that required be forced upon everyone else. followed it. I feel convinced that the state meant it to set a basis for trying to How did your upbringing as the argue in the future that all human rights Permission daughter of a Methodist minister in- apply at conception. The consequences fluence the formation of your con- of that are so far-reaching, they're hard

DFMS. science on the issue of abortion? to imagine at this point. / My father preached what I would call a Sarah Weddington doctrine of Christian social concern,

Church Are we talking about a revamping of which said we should be concerned advisor or with significant family mem- our whole legal code? about what's happening to people around bers, but it should not be the gov- We are, and it's totally opposed to the us. I think it's hypocritical to say every ernment's decision. Episcopal entire tradition of our legal history. We woman should carry every child to term, I do think that Americans United for the have never treated a fetus as being a per- and then to turn our backs on those chil- Separation of Church and State, who of son, and I think to do so now would have dren already here who are without ade- filed a brief with the Supreme Court, untold complications. quate housing and clothing and so on. So were trying to look at this issue and find

Archives my upbringing made me much more where the religious principles were. aware of the difficulties and injustices. What they said is the whole concept of What alternatives are available to 2020. It is also necessary to look at what "when does life begin" is a concept that women in case Roe v. Wade is over- abortion laws were doing in terms of various religions treat differently, and turned or gutted? their impact — not only the fact that that to impose a view that all life begins I think all of us would prefer to see the Copyright abortion was the number one cause of at conception is to impose one religious law remain what it is, with abortions injury and death to women at one point view on everyone else. There is no safe and legal. There's really a four- in our nation's history, but also that the agreement within the religious commu- pronged approach. The first is to prevent whole concept of dignity is one that is nity, or within law, or medicine, or sci- the legislatures from passing bills that based on a loving God who made us ence or any of the other fields. The Re- would change the law. The second is with consciences and the ability to make ligious Coalition for Abortion Rights and trying to look at how to present more decisions on our own. Women should be several other groups, are trying to focus effective arguments. Somehow we're allowed to make those decisions. Often on how individual people can have the just not getting across that this is really it will be in consultation with a moral freedom to state their own views while about who gets to make the final deci-

September 1989 19 sion — the government or the individ- That's a right that's really been under Letters ... Continued from page 3 ual. A third effort would be trying to attack by this Court, with the 1986 the model of the Diocese of Newark for look at alternatives, but my own focus Hardwick v. Bowers decision on sod- responsibility in investments, were you would be on the legal, which is the omy laws, and now Webster. How far reluctant to name them among the other fourth. There are three abortion cases the do you think they intend to go? owners of Royal Dutch/Shell? Or did the Court has already accepted for the fall. I don't think anybody can really say. editorial principles which permitted the When Robert Bork was suggested for a use of quotation marks for a statement What are your plans? seat on the Court, he said that there was alleged to have been made in a publica- My role will be as a back-up, doing legal no right of privacy; it's not in the tion of the CPF but not found there ex- education. Most people hear a two-sen- Constitution and it just doesn't exist. On tend to the omission of our words with- out indicating that any deletion of abbre- tence statement from one side or an- the other hand, in the Webster argument viation had taken place? other, because that's what TV gives us. the Solicitor General on behalf of the Yung Hsuan Chou What I want to do is explain to people United States government argued there Donald E. Bitsberger the issue of privacy and some of the le- was a right of privacy, but it applied Church Pension Fund publication. gal considerations involved. only to the field of contraceptives. You (The original CPF letter ran two and and may remember Connecticut at one point one half pages of single spaced type, far made the use of contraceptives, even for too long for our pages. Every publica- reuse married couples, a criminal offense, and tion reserves the right to edit letters to fit for the Court overturned that in Griswold v. available space. Ellipses are not indi- Connecticut. In Roe, they said that right cated simply because they would take up more space. Letters to the Editor of required of privacy also applies to abortion, and THE WITNESS stand a better chance of the Court at least at this point is saying being printed in full if they are not more the Roe still exists. than four or five single-spaced typewrit- One of the questions (Justice) ten paragraphs. — Ed.) Permission Pro-choice issue available O'Connor asked at the hearing on the • Procreative freedom - the June issue Webster case was that if there is no right

DFMS. Study guides to prison

/ of privacy, what would keep a state with of THE WITNESS, gives a comprehensive I am director and professor of a graduate theological and social analysis of repro- an overpopulation problem from requir- degree program offered by New York ductive freedom. Features penetrating in- ing women to have abortions? The So- Church terviews with Faye Wattleton, president Theological Seminary at SingSing Cor- of Planned Parenthood, and Beverly licitor General said, well, you couldn't rectional Facility. I want to use your Wildung Harrison, feminist theologian. do that because that would involve force. study-action guides Must We Choose Also, an African-American male view- But I think his answer is incorrect. Episcopal Sides and Which Side Are We On with point by Faith Evans, president of the What would happen if there was a law our Long Term Prison class. Can we the Religious Coalition for Abortion Rights, of and articles addressing pastoral and leg- that said if you already have one or two have 15 of each, hopefully, as a gift? islative implications. children and have another child, you The students pay no tuition and cost would then be guilty of a criminal of- NYTS nearly $60,000 a year. Archives Please send me your issue on procrea- fense — in other words, forcing women George W. Webber tive freedom. I have enclosed $2. (Pre- New York, N.Y. to have abortions by making the preg- 2020. paid orders only.) (We are delighted to furnish these Study nancy illegal? I think there are a lot of Guides [see back cover] to the seminary ramifications. If we had a situation for its prison program, and count on the where we needed more children — as Copyright Name kindness of friends and strangers to help one Presidential candidate suggested, to us fulfill such requests, through our an- Address help pay off the national debt and sup- nual fundrais ing appeal. — Ed.) port an aging population — what would City happen if a state tried to require women MOVING? of childbearing age and ability to have Keep THE WITNESS coming by sending State Zip more children? Right now none of that a corrected mailing label from a recent is- could happen because of the right of pri- sue to: THE WITNESS, P.O. Box 359, Send to THE WITNESS, P.O. Box 359, Ambler, PA19002. Please send it at least Ambler PA 19002. vacy. But without it, I think it raises six weeks before you move. questions. tft?

20 THE WITNESS Libya ... Continued from page 11 under King Idriss. technocratic jobs. A visit to a modern sacrificial offering. He was seen as a Before that time, the Bedouin tribes hospital rehabilitation center revealed a subversive threat to the entire sacrificial that inhabited the region had been occu- majority of the staff from Poland and system surrounding the Roman empire pied and suppressed by the Roman em- Czechoslovakia. and Jewish religion. Thus Caiaphas re- pire, the Ottoman Empire, and most re- Despite Qadhafi's efforts, Libyans are marked, "This man must die for the cently the Italians, from 1911 through still struggling to move from Bedouin good of the nation." Jesus became World War II. tribal existence into a modern socialist Azazel, the scapegoat. Under Italian rule, half the population state. When George Shultz, Reagan's Secre- of Libya was either killed or forced out Students and faculty I spoke with at tary of State, said, "We have to put of the area. Al-Fateh University in Tripoli wanted Qadhafi in his box and close the lid," he Following W.W. II, the area was so exchange and dialogue with Americans. became Caiaphas, the high priest of po- poor that the leading export was scrap Government officials were hopeful for a litical assassination. And Qadhafi, the metal from wartime bombing. It was softening of U.S. attitudes, a chance to man from the desert, became Azazel, the only in 1958, with the discovery of valu- come out from the "terrorist nation" tag publication. scapegoat, who must die for the good of able low sulfur oil, that the Libyan econ- hung on them during the Reagan years. the United States — Rome reincarnated. and omy turned around. Islamic leaders expressed a desire for Qadhafi and the Libyan people have Today whole segments of the land are mutual conversations with Jews and reuse become, in every sense of the word, the corodoned off because there are esti- Christians in search of common unity. for great American scapegoat over the past mated to be hundreds of thousands of Before he died, Albert Camus wrote, eight years. What made that possible? active W.W. II land mines. Dozens of "Over the expanse of five continents The answer to that riddle lies in the people are killed each year from mines. throughout the coming years an endless required fact that Libya is a Bedouin country and In September of 1969, Qadhafi led a struggle is going to be pursued between Qadhafi is Bedouin to the bone. Ameri- military coup which abolished King Id- violence and friendly persuasion . . . cans need to study the man in order to riss' monarchy, beholden to U.S. inter- Henceforth the only honorable course Permission understand the people. ests. U.S. military bases were forced to will be to stake everything on a formi- Qadhafi grew up in a desert tent, lis- leave. Libyan oil was nationalized as dable gamble; that words are more pow-

DFMS. tening to radio broadcasts out of Egypt. Qadhafi sought to claim Libya for Liby- erful that munitions." / His hero was Egypt's Gamal Abdul Nas- ans. The longer I work at a world peace ser, who called for a united Arab world The Qadhafi revolution has been re- effort, whether it be in Central America, Church to counter Zionist forces and a Western markable in many ways. Health care Israel and the Occupied Territories, or imperialism which threatened Arab in- quality is high and free. Women, still Libya, the more I realize that human tegrity. He longed for the day when he constrained in domestic roles, are assum- contact and conversation between people Episcopal could lead Libya into independence from ing a larger role in professional life and at odds with one another are crucial. the outside colonial forces. governmental decision-making. A new Years ago, as a U.S. Marine, I sang of Qadhafi embodies a Bedouin spirit. commission is beginning to address hu- "From the halls of Montezuma to the Fiercely independent, reclusive and stub- man rights abuses. The educational sys- shores of Tripoli, we will fight our

Archives born, frugal in his lifestyle, restless and, tem provides free education for all citi- country's battles on the land and on the therefore, impulsive, he is a child of the zens. Libya is no longer a poor country. sea." In those days I carried a pistol. Just 2020. desert. He sees life mystically, in simple But all is not well. Sub-Saharan blacks recently I went to Libya disarmed and idealistic terms. His view is not always migrated north into Libya to do the work disposed to meet the "enemy," in search practical, but it is certainly creative. His Libyans now refuse to do, like road of a spirit which has the power to dispel Copyright fits of anger and his moments of charm building and the multitude of service doubt and restore faith. Faith in the come directly out of the desert. work necessary in a modern society. power of love which, Jesus promises us, Libyans are relentlessly fighting the Ironically, it was the sub-Saharans who can bring down the walls separating one indignities and humiliations of Western were planting gardens and preparing Tri- human being or one nation from another. colonial rule. Americans are called to poli for the 20th anniversary of the revo- Given the new overtures for peace in remember a few basic facts about Lib- lution in September. Central America and the Middle East, yan history. Eastern Europeans were easy to spot. one can only hope that Libya will be Libya was not even a country until They came in large numbers to do the included in discussions around the table 1951 when three provinces were unified middle level service, managerial and and not bombed under it. W

September 1989 21 Integrity dialogue hopes thwarted by Louie Crew

ML,y educators taught me that integ- responsive to the call of the Stand- in the same post with his letter came a rity equates with honesty and establishes ing Commission on Health and Hu- copy of a warning from his bishop, the "a good reputation." Used car salesmen man Affairs "to find a non-judg- Rt. Rev. William Beckham of Upper boast huge quantities of it. Even bishops mental occasion to listen and talk" South Carolina: like others to ascribe integrity to them, . . . strongly urges each diocese and / have learned over this past week- as if integrity is respectability's Gold congregation to provide opportuni- end that you have received a letter Card. ties for open dialogue on the subject from Dr. Louie Crew of Orangeburg "How absurdly they name them- of human sexuality, in which mem- on the content of General Conven- publication. selves!" our critics sometimes mumble bers of this church, both heterosex- tion Resolution 120. Some of you about Integrity, the group founded for and ual and homosexual, may study, have called the Diocesan Office and by lesbian and gay Episcopalians. pray, listen to and share their con- somewhat dismayed by the letter, its reuse "What homosexuals have integrity? We victions and concerns, their search expectations and even its tone. for despise them. How could we respect for stable, loving and committed re- Please know that, while we cer- them?" lationships, and their journey to- tainly urge study and discussion on The Episcopal Church desperately ward wholeness and holiness .. . a Christian response to the whole required needs to restore its own integrity. Gay To test this resolution, I wrote the fol- subject of human sexuality, we are and lesbian experience reveals many lowing letter to every parish in both dio- not sponsoring Integrity nor even ways the church violates its wholeness. ceses of South Carolina — South Caro- requesting that you invite gays and Permission Why do church commissions discuss lina and Upper South Carolina — where lesbians to come in and make a us, yet exclude us as members? When I I lived this past year: presentation. In fact, we don't think

DFMS. asked the Presiding Bishop, who has General Convention has asked all that the resolution calls for this. / proclaimed "There will be no outcasts in congregations to listen to lesbians Failure to invite "special guests" the church," he explained to me, gently, and gays tell our stories. Please does not do violence to inclusive- Church that he lacks the authority to appoint lay suggest some dates which would be ness. people and clergy to the commissions. agreeable for you to receive us. Rather what is called for is open Every year each diocese in our church We can accommodate a variety of and honest dialogue within the Episcopal convenes and has at least one guest formats. Please advise us about Christian community in a manner the speaker. In the 15 years Integrity has what best engages your people. which enables us to share concerns of been in existence, our 120 dioceses have General Convention Resolution 120 and hear those of others. invited approximately 1800 guests to stressed that you should provide Note also that Resolution 120 af-

Archives speak at diocesan banquets, but not one non-judgmental space. Do not be firms the biblical and traditional has featured a lesbian or gay male Chris- put off if that is impossible for some teachings on chastity and fidelity.

2020. tian speaking -to our issues. Few hear of your people . . . Admittedly, this is an explosive is- about us; almost no one hears from us. Results: not one invited us. Most did sue which can do much to divide us. Yet the church has proclaimed an not answer their mail. For that, and for many other rea- Copyright interest in dialogue on the issue of Five or six priests in each of the two sons, do what you think best and in homosexuality. At the 1988 meeting in dioceses wrote to admire my courage. such a manner that does not alien- Detroit, General Convention passed Two said that they hoped they might ate parishioner from parishioner nor Resolution D-120, which stated: even have their congregations ready for any from you. Resolved that this 69th Convention, dialogue within a couple of years. One Human sexuality is certainly im- even bragged that as chaplain he had al- portant but it is not the primary is- ready arranged such dialogue, but he sue of the church nor does Resolu- Dr. Louie Crew is the founder of Integrity and was recently appointed Associate Professor of would not even chat with me when I tion 120 intend it to be. Academic Foundations at Rutgers University. called for a follow-up, perhaps because Those who want to discredit you will

22 THE WITNESS often go for your style or tone. Mother continually creating the clearing which the audience gasped audibly, but at the always taught me to say "please" and to makes it possible to see the nature of the Eucharist, Methodist Bishop Melvin respect people's right to say "no" or, soil in which we hope to plant a fresh Wheatly, much more experienced in preferably, "no thank you." I had said, crop of life. I am increasingly aware of such matters, nodded to me directly say- "Please suggest some dates which would the work that is before us if gay men and ing, "He's right. Before we can talk be agreeable for you to receive us." lesbian women are to have the possibil- about healing, we all have some guilt Mother also taught me what men, and ity of growing to fullness as God has work to do here, in facing our sin of she did not use that pronoun generically, created us. What I experience is more homophobia, our sin of exclusion." Two mean when they say things like, "For like being under a heavy blanket of wet of the canons of the Cathedral would not that, and for many other reasons, do leaves and having to push through — even speak to me. what you think best and in a such a man- maybe I'll make it and maybe I won't This past spring, I sent the following ner that does not alienate . . ." Among and in any case I'm twisted, stunted and message by EPINET, the electronic mail good ole boys down home in the South, discolored and lacking typical blooms service of the Episcopal Church, to the that translates as "Take him out back »» Rev. Wayne Schwab, Director 6f the Of-

publication. and beat the bejesus out of him (prefera- She that has ears to hear, let her hear fice of Evangelism Ministry at the Epis- bly physically, but spiritually will do) if what the Spirit says to the churches: copal Church Center: and that pleases you but don't dare get Twist and stunt resemble disintegrate, Can you give me a statement re-

reuse caught or say I told you to." not integrate. The church, the gay bishop garding your office's work to evan- for I sent a copy of my letter and Bishop implies, conspires to violate his integ- gelize among lesbians and gays? Beckham's response to all bishops on rity. I am preparing my address for the Integrity's honor roll — those who have The Diocese of Upper South Carolina Integrity convention this July, at required said that they cannot abide by the House has sponsored several forums on AIDS, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco. I of Bishop's resolution asking them not yet made no effort to inform Integrity/ will note Integrity's own mission to to ordain lesbians and gays. One bishop South Carolina of them. Such policies over 20,000 persons during our first

Permission replied, "I really was not surprised to seem to say, "We want a reputation for 15 years. Am I correct that this read the contents of Bishop Beckham's compassion. Why don't you decently go makes us the largest new ministry letter. I'm afraid that he conveniently on and get AIDS? Then we will show within the Episcopal Church during DFMS. / missed the point of Resolution 120. You you how properly we can love you." that period? are absolutely correct in your interpreta- I raised this point at a conference at 1 want to applaud others in our Church tion of it. I hope you favor the Presiding Trinity Cathedral in Columbia. Many in church who have evangelized among Bishop with copies of the materials you lesbians and gays. Please help me sent me ..." document that work, especially ef- Episcopal The letter penetrated the under- forts by your own office.

the To potential whelming silence of most others. But I have a hunch that "The Episco- of note what the bishop does not say. He WITNESS pal Church welcomes everyone" has does not say, "I deplore Bishop authors been one of our church's strongest

Archives Beckham's interpretation and have appeals, even where we should called the Presiding Bishop to say so." THE WITNESS will now accept manu- emend the claim to " — well, almost

2020. Nor does the bishop write, "Obviously scripts on computer disks, either 3 1/2" everyone." I take great pride that or 5 1/2" floppies. The word processing the church most identified with the Bishop Beckham has not delivered the program must be DOS compatible. House's promises." Instead he says, "I Acceptable programs are WORDSTAR powerful actually tries, at least in

Copyright was really not surprised." 3.3 and above. WORDPERFECT. some places, to embrace the lowly, Did any other bishop think that the MICROSOFT WORD. MICROSOFT WIN- that in our church sometimes the DOWS WRITE, XYWRITE III, MULTIMATE last are first and the first last. church would heed Resolution 120? The and DCA files prepared with IBM DIS- secular world judges harshly those who PLAYWRITE3, SAMNAWORD, VOLKS- I would appreciate your reflec- knowingly write bad checks. Another WRITER 3, and WORDSTAR 3000. Do not tions in these regards. friend, a gay bishop, replied: "The send original disks. We cannot be re- sponsible for damage in transit. Send a I did receive a letter in return from bishop's response to your letter ... is, I copy and a hard copy print-out. Schwab, but sadly it detailed no concrete expect, representative of all too many efforts by this church to spread the Good Episcopalians. And, God bless you for News to the lesbian and gay community.

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