02/05/10

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) _ Officials at the Southern Baptist
Convention have appealed to President Barack Obama to help get
medical treatment and spiritual counseling for 10 Baptists arrested
in Haiti.

A letter to Obama from three top SBC officials on Friday asks
for the president to ``arrange for a representative from their
churches or from the Southern Baptist Convention, or both, to visit
them in Haiti as soon as possible.''

The group, comprised mostly of Southern Baptists, was acting
independently when its members were arrested on Jan. 29 while
trying to take 33 children out of Haiti. Even so, Vice President of
Convention Relations Roger Oldham said there is concern the faith's
long history of relief efforts could be tainted in some people's
minds.

The Americans were charged with kidnapping on Thursday.


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