Arizona Rural Human Services Network
PO. Box 11971, Tucson, AZ 85734
Phone: (520) 682-7166 Fax: (520) 682-7026
A Community Resolution:
To censure and boycott the menace of the Pima County Interfaith Council (CPCIC) and its Annual Political Convocation and Economic Development Summit. Adopted by the Arizona Rural Human Services Network (ARHSN) on February 19,1997.
To Whom it May Concern:
The Arizona Rural Human Services Network (ARHSN), a grassroots community-based organization, strongly censures and thereby boycotts theupcoming Annual Pima County Interfaith Council's Political Convocation.
Network members have cited that this meeting is nothing more than an orchestrated show put on by a small but vocal core of religious fanatics bent on destroying the established and proven social service delivery system and replacing it with one subject to their religious and middle class value system.
Furthermore, the Network deplores the tactics of PCIC, which in order achieve their demands, have intimidated and harassed local elected of officials and organizations demanding they give in to PCIC, or face the consequences.
The Network also deplores PCIC tactics of preying upon the poor and luring them to join their solidarity group in order to receive desperately needed social services and jobs. which PCIC rarely delivers.
Also, the Network asserts that PCIC's Accountability Convocation is a misnomer as they have been unable to give accountability for the money they have received. The Network further cites that PCIC has no track record in social service delivery and is unqualified to do so.
The Network feels that the Convocation is a staging point for planning attacks on local government, social service organizations, neighborhood groups, schools, etc. They seek to intimidate and then take over.
Fortunately, most of our local officials are astute enough to realize that PCIC does not represent but a fraction of the local churches and the poor they claim to represent.
In fact, most area churches condemn the PCIC movement and its methodology as contrary to scripture.
They cite Luke 12 33-34: trial clearly states the church role is to "sell what you have- and give alms to the poor." They also fear that PCIC will drag their it churches into question on the issue of taxation of property and Constitutional issues of Church and State. Issues that any local government best weigh before funding PCIC as there will certainly be legal challenges.
Unfortunately, PCIC emerged on the scene as a disruptive force, which comes at a time when we need true unity if we are to counteract the disastrous effects of Welfare Reform. It is ironic that some of the same churches that support PCIC were responsible for pressuring Congress into these devastating cuts in social services, which caused the crisis PCIC claims to champion.
Finally, if PCIC and its Political Accountability Convocation wish to have a legitimate place in the War on Poverty, they must be accountable and bring their church resources along with a spirit of cooperation to the table. Only then can we believe that PCIC is being accountable and worthy of our trust.
The above resolution was passed unanimously at the February 19th Network meeting.