Church Leaders Seek Assurance On Browne
Episcopal News Service. November 21, 1985 [85233]
LONDON (DPS, Nov. 21) -- Anglican leaders here have cabled Liberia's president in hopes of dispelling fears over the safety of Anglican leaders in that country following a recent failed coup attempt.
Archbishop George Browne, primate of the Anglican Province of West Africa and Bishop of Liberia, and Rudolph Grimes, chancellor of the Diocese of Liberia, are the primary focus of the concern expressed by Archbishop of Canterbury Robert Runcie and Anglican Consultative Council secretary general Canon Samuel Van Culin in telegrams sent Nov. 18 to Browne and Liberian President Samuel K. Doe. Browne heads the Liberian Council of Churches, which has been critical of some of Doe's policies, and Grimes is reportedly a member of the opposition party.
Concern over the two -- and other Christian leaders -- surfaced quickly when Doe closed the country's borders and communication while crushing a botched coup staged by a dissident general. Now, a week later, American church officials are still unable to get a clear picture of the fate of the leadership, although most churches have received word that their field missionaries are safe and continuing work.
Among early rumors were reports that Browne was in hiding; that he had been arrested, questioned and released; that Grimes had been arrested and his wife injured when he was taken.
Responding to these, Runcie cabled Doe that he was "deeply disturbed to hear reports of grave trouble in your country. On behalf of the worldwide Anglican Communion, I urge you to use your office to halt unnecessary violence and bloodshed. I hope members of the Anglican Church are safe -- in particular, Archbishop Browne and Mr. Grimes. Be sure of my prayers for you and your people at this difficult time."
Runcie and Van Culin also cabled directly to Browne to assure him "of our prayers at this difficult time and hope that you and your family are safe and well."
The Archbishop is a member of the standing committee of the Anglican Council. Grimes is the principal author of the constitution under which Doe won election as president recently. Liberian authorities have maintained that any people who have been jailed have been held "for their own protection."