The Detroit tribune. (Detroit, Mich.) 1935-1966, 1954-05-01
stants Protest R. {. Persecution!

Continued from Page 81
.coI oMBIAN PROTESTANTS ASK AID
OF UN AND OAS"!
iBv Staff Writer Latin American Affairs for the
Christian Science Monitor. Friday April is).
tour Emphasis)
Colombian Protestants carrying their fight for re-
~ freedom in that South American country to both the
IIed Nations and the Organization of American States
The Evangelical Confederation of Columbia has called
~ the UN use its influence obtain the liberties of
Universal Declaration of Human Rights for Colombian
..ants" Article Is of the UN declaration proclaims
right to manifest ones religion sin private public
: ,eschns worship, practice and observance"
The GAS Declaration of the Rights and Duties of Man
,0ed in Bogota, Columbia, 1s4s that every per-
has the right freely to profess religious faith and
manifest and practice it both in public and private.
SIX YEARS IN TROUBLE
The Protestant church has been active in Colombia for
nearly century. Until six it experienced
|,nzed opposition During the past six years, however,
Proestants have been slain, 43 churches and chapes
.royed and 116 primary schools closed, according
khe confederation.
The organization made pleas in June and August of
year President Rojas PnilIa to restore religious lib
ty These followed by series of orders further suppress
us Protesantism and restricting religious liberty.
Protestants in that country also concerned by
recommended changes in the Colombian Constitution.
assembly is scheduled to meet in May this
The two articles eliminate all reference religious
L,.edom and place nom Roman Catholic Christians in
oiton of inferiory and civil disability, the confedera-
ION says.
NEW CURBS SEEN
THE Commission on Constitutional Studies changes
we're proposed by the Roman Catholic hierarchy and if in
rpoated into the Constitution would deny Protestant
Christians liberty of press, liberty of public assembly, and
liberty of education" the confederation declares.
with the removal of present constitutional freedoms
and of the heirarchys proposed restrictions
.Cdombia's Protestant community approximate con-
,tuency 100 00O) would be prohibited Cd from making
of its religious faith outside of churches
apart for its GU from having religious
btherngs in homes; (3) from publishing magazines,
books or papers; (4) from using the public radio
bro.d,astng facilities, and (5) from teaching freely in
Protestant educate institutions.
seven Protestant schools in the Colombian islands of San
Andres and Provdenca The schools had been function
4 Ing for about 40 years without interruption.
One thousand islanders sent petition to Bogota urg
the Minister Education to permit the Protestant pri-
waite schools to function No reply received.
N San Andres and Providenca Islands predominant
and have been for generations The Colon
fsn Government and the Roman Catholic clergy have
nounced program religious unihcaton in the islands
MORE PREMATURE DEATHsl
William Executive dies-4l.
Was elder in Crosse Pointe Presbyterian Church and
Cub Scout Master Was Public Relations Director Prior
10 that had been an Assistant Personnel Director
Surviving are his wife, 2 sons, and his parents Was
L.. :k.I