Inquiry into political groups may take year

Press, 18 February 1986, Page 16

Inquiry into political groups may take year

PA Wellington An examination by the National Council of Churches on a possible link between Right-wing political groups and Christian groups who are rigidly conservative on social and ethical questions could take up to a year.

The inquiry is being done by the N.C.C.’s Church and Society Commission, the research arm of the council which reports on issues confronting the Church.

The commission’s secretary, Ms Doreen Hatch, said the research was long term and results would probably not be seen for another year.

The N.C.C. is concerned about news media reports of attempts by such groups to take over school boards, councils and committees. Asked if the fundamentalist Christians of the Concerned Citizens Coalition were regarded by the N.C.C. as an extreme

Right-wing group, Ms Hatch said that it could be. “We’ve not actually defined who the extreme Right wing might be. It’s difficult to do that when we have member churches covering a wide spectrum of beliefs which they are entitled to have.” But she conceded it was more the fundamentalists the N.C.C. was concerned about. “There has been a concern expressed by our own members and constituents from members* churches about definite statements made by these people that they wished to influence the course of education. They’ve been quite open about that. They say they wish to influence defence as well.” Ms Hatch said no names were being mentioned by the commission: “It’s not, people we’re interested in, but the influence they have.” Asked what the N.C.C.

would do if it found such influence on school bodies, she said any action would be decided at the time. A coalition spokesman, Mr Barry Reed, responded: “We do not mind any investigation. But I do feel that this is not really what people give their money to the National Council of Churches for. “Churches should be getting on with their spiritual work. It’s up to individual Christians to be politically involved if they want to.” He believed the coalition was not Right wing but occupied the middle ground. Since December 15 it had held 55 meetings in different parts of New Zealand. “We’re very definitely trying to influence education and get on school boards, councils and committees — but in a democratic way, we’re not trying to take them over." The coalition wanted its voice heard, he said.