The close involvement of black clergy in Unification Church-sponsored activities is prompting a backlash of opposition in black churches, reports the Washington Post (July 25).
As increasing numbers of black clergy have participated in activities sponsored by the Unification Church, there have been a rash of firings and threats of dismissal of ministers involved in these events, particularly in the South, writes Hanna Rosin. Some clergy have been called to denounce Moon and his claims of being the messiah. As many as 35 black ministers have been voted out of office by church boards that object to any affiliation with Sun Myung Moon and the U.C.
Much of the furor is over black clergy’s involvement in a clergy association involved with Moon’s recent tour of the U.S. The association, called the American Clergy Leadership Conference (ACLC), is independent of the UC, but its formation appears to have aroused suspicion of Moon’s influence in the ranks of the clergy.