</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," Ferre'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. apparently Ferre is remains not reported in the local St.Louis news- papers. to Los and ofrecuentand W.W.L.C.R.E. J.Wardin/e/e.C/o.R/e, for the pres. J.F.S. File: Rev. J, Kenneth Bryant American Youth Foundation 3460 Hampton Avenue, St . Louis, No. 63139

Summary  
The memorandum details remarks by Dr. Nels F. S. Ferre, a theologian associated with Wooster (Ohio) College, during a Southern Baptist Convention regional meeting in St. Louis, Missouri, held February 9–12, 1969. Ferre condemned the CIA, alleging it was responsible for the assassination of President John F. Kennedy and Martin Luther King Jr., claiming the Johnson Administration ordered the agency to eliminate King during an election year. He suggested the CIA hired James Earl Ray as an assassin, who was believed to have fled abroad after the murder. Ferrie also referenced Scotland Yard’s involvement in the case. The Baptist student directors present reportedly challenged his claims, but the Southern Baptist Convention structures, including state-level offices and college campus representatives, did not publicly address or refute the allegations.  

Key People  
- Dr. Nels F. S. Ferre: Theologian and publicist associated with Wooster (Ohio) College; made controversial remarks about CIA involvement in JFK’s assassination and MLK’s death.  
- James Earl Ray: Alleged assassin of Martin Luther King Jr., reportedly hired by the CIA according to Ferrie’s claims.  
- Southern Baptist Convention Directors of State Student Departments: Regional representatives who attended the meeting and reportedly challenged Ferre’s assertions.  

Key Locations  
- St. Louis, Missouri: Site of the Southern Baptist Convention regional meeting where Ferre’s remarks were made.  
- Washington, D.C.: Implied as the location of the Johnson Administration’s alleged orders to the CIA.  

Key Events  
- Southern Baptist Convention regional meeting (February 9–12, 1969): Event where Ferre addressed the audience and made his allegations about the CIA.  
- Alleged assassination of Martin Luther King Jr.: Framed by Ferrie as a result of CIA actions under Johnson’s orders during an election year.  
- JFK assassination: Cited by Ferre as another instance of CIA involvement, with references to Scotland Yard’s role.  

Key Organizations  
- Southern Baptist Convention: National organization overseeing state-level student departments and college campus activities in the South.  
- CIA (Central Intelligence Agency): Target of Ferre’s condemnation; alleged to have orchestrated both JFK’s and MLK’s assassinations.

MLK Declassified Files

00459879_memo_re_condemnation_of_c_104-10129-10342.pdf

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