321.1163/17

The Ambassador in Colombia (Lane) to the Secretary of State

No. 2175

Sir: With reference to my despatch no. 2170, of May 24, 1943,65 with regard to opposition in Colombia to Protestant missionary activity, I have the honor to enclose a copy of a letter66 addressed to me by the Archbishop Primate of Bogotá,67 expressing the deep concern felt, not only by himself, but also by all the other Bishops of Colombia at the possible results of the intensive propaganda now being carried on in this country by Protestant missionaries. The Archbishop’s letter was delivered to me by the Papal Nuncio68 who stated that he had himself been requested by the Archbishop to address a protest to the Embassy, but had declined to do so since he realized that it was my duty as Ambassador of the United States to protect all legitimate activities of American nationals in Colombia and that I could not be expected to interfere on behalf of Colombian interests with such activities.

It will be noted that the Archbishop recognizes that I have pointed out to him that the activities of the missionaries are not directed nor encouraged by the Government of the United States, but that he feels nevertheless that the gravity and importance of the situation should [Page 81] be brought to the attention of the American Government in order that it may consider whether it might not be desirable and advisable to take some action.

It will be noted also that the Archbishop warns that he and his fellow Bishops, having considered the matter at the conference of Bishops called together last week at El Ocaso, near Bogotá, consider it essential to the fulfilment of their most sacred duties “to sound a note of alarm in defense of the religious faith of the people, and to take the necessary precautions to counteract the Protestant propaganda.” “The fulfilment of this duty,” he adds, “may occasion, against their intention and will, lamentable difficulties and disturbances of internal public order much more disastrous now than in any other circumstances.”

That the possibility of such disturbances is only too actual is evidenced not only by the riot at Fontibón reported in my despatch under reference, but by reports just received of a riot on May 23 at the village of Duitama in the Province of Boyacá.* In the course of a religious procession around the public square of this village, several members of the procession finding themselves passing by the door of the local Protestant mission took the occasion to throw stones at the building. They were immediately imitated by others, and a general attack on the mission developed. Doors were broken down and furniture and church property damaged. The head of the mission, Olger Quanrud, an American citizen, reports that he was struck by stones but not injured. According to press reports the local police force was unable to quell the riot and order was restored only after the arrival of forces from Paipa and Tunja, the capital of the Province. In the course of the riot one police agent was wounded by a gunshot and a second was stabbed. Various civilians received minor injuries from stones. Following the arrival of the forces from Paipa and Tunja some forty-two persons were arrested.

[Here follows a report by an opposition newspaper on the disturbances in Duitama.]

I have thought it advisable for the moment to acknowledge the Archbishop’s letter in writing only briefly. (A copy of my reply is enclosed with this despatch.69) I have taken occasion, however, to call on the Archbishop and to point out to him that I have an obligation to protect the interests of all United States citizens in Colombia, regardless of their religion or creed, and that when my fellow nationals are [Page 82] carrying on activities in accordance with the guarantees extended by the Constitution of Colombia and not in violation of the laws of the country, my Government would expect me to support their requests for protection from violence with which they may have been threatened by individuals of other religious faiths.

At the same time I recalled to the Archbishop that as I had on several past occasions explained to him and to the Nuncio, I have warned my fellow citizens who are carrying on missionary activities in Colombia to comport themselves with the greatest tact and correctness and to respect the religion and traditions of the country of which they are privileged to enjoy the hospitality. Such a course of conduct, I stated, was in my opinion obligatory on them not only as good Christians but as citizens of a nation which desires to maintain the most friendly and close relations with the sister Republic of Colombia.

The Archbishop received me cordially, but while he freely admitted the existence of Constitutional guarantees and the entire legality of the activities of the Protestant missionaries, he nevertheless persisted in his view that these activities were disruptive of the religious life of Colombia and should be restricted if possible. He seemed particularly to resent the Protestant missionaries’ alleged practice of hiring ignorant and simple “indígenos” to carry on the work of proselytizing among their fellows.

[The remainder of this despatch is concerned with the attitude and views of several parties more or less interested in the conflict.]

Respectfully yours,

Arthur Bliss Lane
  1. Not printed; the Ambassador reported the prevalence of anti-Protestant propaganda and indicated that Dr. Edward G. Seel, Chairman, Committee on Legal Affairs of the Conference of Protestant Mission Officers in Colombia, agreed that the missionaries should not be allowed to increase their number (321.1163/15).
  2. Not printed.
  3. Ismael Perdomo.
  4. MonSeñor Serena.
  5. With regard to anti-Protestant sentiment in Duitama, see the Embassy despatch no. 2074 transmitting anti-missionary leaflet which, it is understood, has been handed out at church by the local priests. [Footnote in the original; despatch not printed.]
  6. Not printed.