Attitude to South Africa

Press, 4 July 1985, Page 20

Attitude to South Africa

Sir, — In a press statement of July 1, church leaders in New Zealand sought cancellation of the All Black tour on the basis of what appears to be straight propaganda from the South African Council of Churches, an organisation seeking to replace the teachings of Jesus Christ with those of Karl Marx. Did our church leaders speak to Christian leaders in Africa — Bishop Mokoena, of Soweto, or the Bishops of Mashonaland and Matabeleland and others? All would have enlightened them on the S.A.C.C., and the fate of Christians under Marxism. Do the Governor-General-designate and other church leaders believe we can serve God, pay allegiance to the Queen, and actively support athiestic Marxism, all at the same time? — Yours, etc., BERT WALKER. July 1, 1985.

Sir, — I heart agree with your correspondent, Bill Tolhurst (“The Press,” June 29) on the anti-South African political stance taken by the Dean of Christ-church on radio recently. The National Council of Churches seems bent on destroying any hope of compromise within South African and in its dogmatic way ignores the barbaries way of life in most other African States. It would be interesting to know what effect the article “I killed 350 people,” also in “The Press,” on June 29, had on our pious gentry. Perhaps the present day empty churches are a reflection of those of us disgusted with the N.C.C.’s political performance. — Yours, etc ? " 1 J. PHILLIPS. July 1, 1985.