Grant Made to Assist Diocese of Puerto Rico in Mining Concerns
Diocesan Press Service. September 25, 1974 [74249]
GREENWICH, Conn. -- The Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico was given a grant of $25,000 by the national Executive Council at its meeting here September 24-26, to support the diocese "in its effort to postpone mining in Puerto Rico " for the protection of the people of the area.
The recommendation from the Council's Social Ministry and Concerns Committee cited ecological, economic, human, and cultural reasons for opposing the proposed copper and nickel mining project by American Metal Climax, the Kennecott Corporation, and the Government of Puerto Rico.
For some time the Episcopal Diocese of Puerto Rico has sought to cause a postponement of the mining project until there can be a guarantee that the interest and well-being of the Puerto Rican people can be protected.
The $25,000 grant, according to Bishop Francisco Reus of Puerto Rico, and chairman of the Social Ministry and Concerns Committee, will be used to help the diocese with its legal fees, consultants, publicity and aid to displaced sharecroppers. The grant will be taken from the income of the Constable Fund.
Bishop Reus reported that the Episcopal Church has been almost alone among religious groups in Puerto Rico opposing the mining venture. He said that officially no other church communion supports the Episcopal position.
Dupuy Bateman, Jr., Pittsburgh, Pa., said that he questions "whether the Episcopal Church can determine how mining should be carried on in Puerto Rico." He said that the church would have more credibility if it "avoided simplistic solutions for complex problems." He said he had misgivings about the Council financing dioceses in their legal actions. " I would rather give the money to the Sub-Sahara region where millions are starving," he said.
The resolution was supported by the Council's National Commission on hispanic Affairs.