Operation Blessing International Responds To Malicious "Mission Congo" Allegations With Statement On Its Website

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Sep 12, 2013, 03:00 ET

Virginia Beach, VA (PRWEB) September 12, 2013 -- Operation Blessing International (OB) has issued a detailed statement in response to the malicious allegations in the film Mission Congo. The statement from organization spokesman Chris Roslan can be read at http://www.OB.org.

Writes Roslan, “The premise of the so-called ‘documentary,’ Mission Congo, is based on alleged events of almost 20 years ago. Indeed, the film relies heavily on reports from 1) one local newspaper whose reporter has never, to our knowledge, even stepped foot in the region in question, and 2) is also based on interviews with individuals who were either not directly involved with the charity’s operations or not aware of the intricacies of those operations.”

Roslan continues, “We find it necessary to respond to not only the overall theme that Pat Robertson somehow profited “on the back of a non-existent aid project,” as was erroneously reported in the media, but also to clear up specific falsehoods about Operation Blessing’s activities and other malicious and defamatory comments that have been made in the film by the filmmakers.”

The statement contains a point-by-point refutation of some of the major misstatements in the movie and associated media reports, in addition to links to historical documents including:

  • A report issued by the Virginia Attorney General's office stating they had conducted an exhaustive study of the allegations and found no evidence of wrongdoing by Pat Robertson or Operation Blessing. The report was jointly signed by four Deputy and Assistant’ Attorneys General.
  • A letter written by the Commissioner of the Department of Agriculture and Consumer Service of the Commonwealth of Virginia, dated July 21, 1999, to the Editor of the Virginian Pilot who published the article from which the film-makers heavily relied on to make the film. The letter criticized the newspaper for its “inaccurate” reporting and falling “far short” in its coverage.

To read the statement and view the links, please visit http://www.OB.org.

ABOUT OPERATION BLESSING INTERNATIONAL:
Operation Blessing International (OBI) is one of the largest charities in America, providing strategic disaster relief, medical aid, hunger relief, clean water and community development in 23 countries around the world on a daily basis. Currently, Forbes ranks OBI as one of its “100 Largest Charities” with an efficiency rating of 99%, and Consumers Digest also named OBI as one of “America’s Top Charities” in 2012. Founded in 1978, Operation Blessing International has touched the lives of more than 255 million people in more than 105 countries and 50 states, providing goods and services valued at over $3.3 billion to date.

Chris Roslan, [email protected], 212-966-4600, [email protected]