Masabalala Bonnie Yengwa: World Church Support for Liberation Movements
(Extracts from a Report Provided by M.B. Yengwa on the Role of the World Church Movement in the Fight Against Imperialism, Racism, Colonialism and Apartheid, 9 February 1971).
“During the past year (1970) world church and religious leaders have moved significantly in their opposition to apartheid and they have taken some far-reaching decisions to assist those who struggle against it. Strong resolutions condemning racism taken at the international level have been followed up by action to help eliminate it, representing a welcome change from the traditional pious condemnation and learned sermonizing of the past.
“Of special importance is the decision of the World Council of Churches (W.C.C.) Central Committee last September to allocate grants to liberation movements including the African National Congress. This step triggered off a world-wide debate on the morality of the use of violence to resist race oppression. The discussion rages yet, and Archbishop Ramsey, who ought to have learnt better on his South African tour has now come out in opposition to the W.C.C. decision. Others have shown a similar faintheartedness, but the W.C.C. has stood firm and we have no doubt that its position will come to be accepted in time by most of its affiliates.
“There were no hesitations in the ranks of the liberation movements or among the racially oppressed peoples who congratulated the W.C.C. on this co
