THE MARYKNOLL FATHERS
-14 Stundey Village lid-Stand, Hung Kung. Tel H-93357, H-93634
28th January, 1982.
Sir Philip Hadden Cave
Central Government Offices
Lee House St.
Hong Kong
Dear Sir Philip Hadden Cave,
We have been made aware of the pending deportation of Ms. Christine Vertucci, and we were dismayed to hear of such a turn of events. Our purpose in writing to you is not to interfere in the internal affairs of the Hong Kong Government, but rather to avert what appears to us from our knowledge of Ms. Vertucci - a grievous mistake. Upon discussion of this matter, it was determined by our committee that we should alert you to our understanding of this situation.
When Archbishop Runcie was here recently, he expressed the common concern of the Christian Churches for the questions of human rights, emphasizing the role of Christians in giving voice to the poor and voiceless. We mention the Archbishop's visit because his views explain the motivation and the actions taken by Ms. Vertucci these past four yeurs. Her interests in the working places of Asia and Hong Kong are but the carrying out of the concerns of the common social teachings of the Christian Churches.
Because Christine Vertucci has never impressed us other than a deeply motivated Christian carrying out her lay ministry and because we are unaware of her having done anything contrary to the laws of Hong Kong or to the liberal traditions of English humanitarian reform, we feel that some mistake has taken place. Could unrelated materials have been placed in her file by mistake? Could she be the victim of some slanderous plot to remove her from the Hong Kong scene?
We would petition you to ensure that her appeal gets serious attention. Also we would hope that the charges against her could be made public for all of our benefit, and that she be given the opportunity to defend herself according to the fine traditions of English common law. We would hope that this matter could be dispatched as quickly as possible and that Ms. Vertucci be allowed to extend her visa and continue her work here in Hong Kong.
Sincerely yours,
Maryknoll Fathers Justice and Peace Committee Maryknoll-Fathers
Tom Peyton, M.M.
Co-chairman
Jack Clancey
e.c. Sir Murray MacLehose
Governor
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