Council of Churches Urges Reagan to Press for South Africans’ Release

WASHINGTON —  The National Council of Churches has urged President Reagan to scrap his policy of “constructive engagement” with South Africa and urged him to seek the release of black activists, including the Rev. Allan Boesak and Nelson Mandela.

“We believe it is in the interest of the United States government to help the South African government move toward prudence and sound judgment through the scrapping of the policy of constructive engagement and the signing of legislation supporting economic sanctions against the Republic of South Africa,” the ecumenical agency of 30 Protestant and Orthodox church bodies said in a telegram sent to Reagan on Wednesday.

“We also urge the release of Allan Boesak and all other detainees, including Nelson Mandela,” the council’s telegram said.

Message to Congress

The council joined a wave of international religious protest against Tuesday’s jailing of Boesak, president of the World Alliance of Reformed Churches, and Wednesday’s arrest of the Rev. Abel Hendricks, twice a past president of South African Methodist Church.

In addition to the telegram to Reagan, the National Council sent telegrams to all members of Congress urging them to protest Boesak’s arrest and to demand his release.

“Congress must remain resolute on the issue of sanctions and be prepared, if the need arises, to override a presidential veto,” the telegram said. “We fervently believe that this is one of the only options available in the struggle to bring about peaceful change in South Africa.”

Planned to Lead March

Boesak, a leader of the United Democratic Front, was arrested Tuesday, a day before he was scheduled to lead a march of 20,000 people on Poolsmoor prison near Cape Town where black national leader Mandela has been imprisoned for 23 years.

On Wednesday, Hendricks and 14 other people were arrested by police as they gathered at the march site.

The World Methodist Council, in a statement issued from its headquarters at Lake Junaluska, N.C., expressed “the indignation of Methodists the world over at his arrest and incarceration.”

‘Immediate Release’

“We urge his immediate release and restoration to his ministry in Cape Town and ask the support of all governments in his behalf,” the statement said.

The council, which represents about 24 million Methodists in 90 countries, also said it is “equally troubled and concerned at the arrest of Allan Boesak, who heads a sister world communion.”

The statement was signed by Bishop William Cannon of Atlanta, chairman of the international body, and the Rev. Joe Hale, the group’s general secretary.

The National Council, in a separate telegram to Boesak in South Africa, expressed its “strong support for any peaceful activity that seeks the eradication of apartheid.”