</s>104-10129-10342 APPROVED FOR RELEASE 1993 UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CIA HISTORICAL REVIEW PROGRAM Memorandum JFK ACT ST-134-69 TO Director: Domestic Contact Service DATE: 19 February 1959 Attn: Carroll Delaney FROM : Chief, St. Louis Office RELEASE SUBJECT: Condemnation of CIA by Dr. Nels F. S. Ferre, Prominent Theologian 1. From 9-12 Feb 69, the Southern Baptist Convention Directors of State Student Departments from 18-19 states held a regional, the St. Louis, Missouri. During an address at the regional, Newton Theologiall F. S ., Ferreprominent theologian and publicist of the Annexe, Dr. Neils concern with associated with Wooster (Ohio) College, Expressions of said that the Agency "director" of the CIA in the US. As an example, he Martin Luther King and Senator Robert Kennedy, and had been involved in the death of President John F. Kennedy. 2. As this rationalization for the King assassination, Ferrie claimed that the Johnson Administration has become concerned that King would lead- another, the American Washington during an election year, and therefore had ordered the Agency to Washington, during the election year. (Scotland Yard, had Agency was hired chained when King. In an aside, he said that the armed their hired assassin, James Earl Ray, after CIA believed he had been safely spirited abroad. Ferrie's rationalizations for the believed he who has a PhD in Harvard. remarks apparently were challenged by the Baptist student directors who 3. Because of his prominence-he is listed "Who's Who," Ferrie' s remarks separately were not challenged by these structures and appeared to be quite concerned by the charges. These structures and responsible for the Southern Baptist activities include the Southern and college campuses in their respective states, primarily in the southern and have dealt with the past DCS offices, including the St ., Louis office. 4. This information is forwarded as being of possible interest. Approximately Ferre's remarks were not reported in the local St.Louis news- papers. to Jos and offrecuentand W.W.L.C.Lick J.Wardin/e/eo.com for the presernting COIN L. SCHURBERT File: Rev. J. Kenneth Bryant American Youth Foundation 3460 Hampton Avenue, St . Louis, No. 63139 2-26-06669

Summary  
This memorandum from the CIA’s St. Louis Office dated 19 February 1959 details remarks by Dr. Nels F. S. Ferre, a theologian associated with Wooster (Ohio) College, made at a Southern Baptist Convention regional meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, during 9–12 February 1969. Ferre condemned the CIA, alleging it was responsible for the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy and civil rights leader Martin Luther King Jr. He claimed the Johnson Administration ordered the Agency to act against King during an election year, leading to his death. Ferre also suggested the CIA had hired James Earl Ray, the alleged assassin of King, and believed Ray had been safely spirited abroad after the assassination. The document notes that Ferre’s remarks were not widely reported in local St. Louis newspapers and were not challenged by Southern Baptist student directors, who appeared concerned about the charges.  

Key People  
- Dr. Nels F. S. Ferre: Theologian and publicist associated with Wooster (Ohio) College, made controversial statements about CIA involvement in assassinations.  
- James Earl Ray: Alleged assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., reportedly hired by the CIA according to Ferre’s claims.  
- Senator Robert Kennedy: Mentioned as a figure associated with the CIA’s alleged activities, though not directly referenced in the document.  

Key Locations  
- St. Louis, Missouri: Site of the Southern Baptist Convention regional meeting where Ferre’s remarks were made.  
- Wooster, Ohio: Home institution of Dr. Nels F. S. Ferre.  

Key Events  
- Southern Baptist Convention regional meeting (9–12 February 1969): Event where Ferre delivered his controversial address.  
- Assassination of President John F. Kennedy (1963): Alleged CIA involvement as per Ferre’s claims.  
- Assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. (1968): Alleged CIA involvement, with James Earl Ray as the hired assassin.  

Key Organizations  
- Southern Baptist Convention: Organization whose state student directors were reportedly concerned about Ferre’s remarks.  
- CIA (Central Intelligence Agency): Subject of Ferre’s condemnation for alleged involvement in assassinations.  
- American Youth Foundation: Mentioned in contact information at the end of the document.

RFK Declassified Files

00291996_memo_re_condemnation_of_c_104-10404-10391.pdf

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