321.1163/24

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

No. 2799

Sir: With reference to the Embassy’s despatch no. 2730 of September 13, 1943, I have the honor to report that in the course of a conversation on September 27 with President López, he told me he had received a great number of telegrams in recent days protesting against Protestant missionary activities in Colombia, so many, in fact, that he had not yet been able to look through all of them. I told the President that I had recently discussed the growing wave of anti-Protestant demonstrations with Monsignor Brigard, Secretary General and Vicario Apostolico of the Bogotá diocese, and that he had admitted that agitation against missionaries had grown more serious of late but was inclined to disclaim responsibility on the part of the Catholic hierarchy and to claim that the agitation came primarily from political sources. I told the President that I felt that the Catholic clergy in Colombia should show more patience and understanding with regard to the activities of Protestant missionaries, and should take into consideration that although the United States had always been predominantly Protestant, Catholic activities were in no way interfered with there, and the number of Catholics had steadily increased until it was estimated that nearly one-third of the population was now Catholic. The President assented but made no suggestions as to any practical measures which might be taken to improve the situation in Colombia. He indicated, however, that his Government was determined [Page 85] to afford the missionaries all necessary protection as long as they kept within the limits of Colombian law.

I enclose for the information of the Department, a copy of a circular entitled “La Libertad de Cultos”,77 which is being circulated by the Catholics in Bucaramanga.

Respectfully yours,

Arthur Bliss Lane
  1. Not reprinted.