World Vision campaigns

Press, 9 May 1985, Page 12

World Vision campaigns

Sir,—World Vision’s assistance to the opponents of the Homosexual Law Reform Bill is clearly a political action. How many other times have they assisted political pressure groups without the public’s knowledge? World Vision is more concerned with its “image,” with maintaining its relationships with oppressive governments and with spreading its gospel, than with making a real commitment to the poor. In 1979, Corso was accused of being political after expressing concern at the growing number of poor in New Zealand. Newspaper editors and the Government were quick to condemn. Can we expect editorial comment from “The Press” on this latest episode from World Visjon? Corso’s politics stems from its concern for the under-privileged everywhere. World Vision’s actions are part of a punitive attack against a section of our community already discriminated against. — Yours, etc., R. PALMER (Ms'). April 30, 1985.

[Mr Alan Bell, the World Vision director, replies: “World Vision never has, and never will, release to any organisation or individual its donor list. Ms Palmer’s comments arise from the release of our churches’ mailing list. This list contains information that is available from telephone directories, newspaper advertisements and other published sources. It is, therefore, public information. However, as a result of this experience, we have decided that the churches’ list will now be subject to the same restrictions as our donor list. We do not believe Ms Palmer’s claims about our so-called political orientation are valid.”]