30 years ago — February 10, 1986
More than 100 Protestant, Anglican, Orthodox and Roman Catholic leaders met … in Washington, D.C., to attempt to create a united effort of churches in the United States in opposing apartheid in South Africa. The meeting grew out of the emergency meeting called by the World Council of Churches in December in Zimbabwe.
At the Zimbabwe meeting church leaders issued the Harare Declaration. This declaration calls for the end of the state of emergency in South Africa, the release of Nelson Mandela and all political prisoners, the lifting of the ban on all banned movements and the return of exiles. It also calls on the church to continue praying for the people of South Africa to observe June 16, the 10th anniversary of the Soweto uprising, as a World Day of Prayer and Fasting to end unjust rule in South Africa.
The document also asks for the prevention of the extension, rollover or renewal of bank loans to the South African government, banks, corporations and para-state institutions and to apply immediate and comprehensive sanctions on South Africa.
From the news article “U.S. Churches Urged To Take More Action Opposing Apartheid” by Marj Carpenter for PNS
