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| Nelson Mandela Photo: SACBC |
On Friday, 6 December 2013, the president of
the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Stephen Brislin,
sent this message on behalf of the Southern African Catholic Bishops. The message is entitled “May They Meet In Heaven”.
“We heard of the death of Rolihlahla Nelson Mandela with great sadness.
Nonetheless we cannot help but call to mind the words of Scripture:
“Let us now sing the praises of famous men, great men in their
generations….They ruled their governments wisely, were known for their valour.
Their counsel displayed wisdom, they saw things from afar.” (Ecclesiasticus
44:1-3)
With these words we, the Catholic Church in Southern Africa, express
our gratitude to uTata Mandela for the sacrifice he made for all peoples of
South Africa and for the leadership and inspiration he gave in leading us on
the path of reconciliation. He never compromised on his principles and vision
for a democratic and just South Africa where all have equal opportunities, even
at great cost to his own freedom. Despite great suffering throughout his life
he did not answer racism with racism and his words at the treason trial still
inspire:
“I have fought against white domination and I have fought against
black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society
in which persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities”.
When Tata was released on 11th February 1990 the country was in
turmoil and blood was being spilt almost daily. Through his leadership at that
time, reinforced when he became President in 1994, he led the country on the
path of reconciliation and peace, calling on South Africans to throw all arms
of destruction into the sea. For this we shall always be indebted to him.
As with all people he made mistakes and had shortcomings – we all
have sinned and fall short of the glory of God (cf. Romans 3:23). Thus, we
commend him to the Lord and pray that he will rest in peace. May perpetual
light shine on him.
We assure you, his family, friends and colleagues – as well as all
South Africans – of our prayers for you and for our country. May you be consoled.
The greatest way we can acknowledge the life of Nelson Mandela is to
strive for the ideals he cherished: freedom, equality and democracy, and to
defend these ideals from those who would corrupt them.
Lala kakuhle Tata, sobonana kwelizayo.
+ Stephen Brislin
Archbishop of Cape Town
President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference”
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| Archbishop Stephen Brislin Photo: The Catholic Register |
“Pope Francis also sent a message on hearing of the death of Nelson Mandela. He has appointed Cardinal Peter
Turkson as his special envoy to former President Nelson Mandela’s Memorial
Service on the 10th December 2013 at FNB Stadium, Johannesburg. Cardinal Turkson is the President of the
Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace.”
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| Cardinal Peter Turkson Photo: Wikipedia |
Today the Southern African Catholic Bishops’
Conference also sent out a request to all Southern African Catholic churches that they ring their church bells at midday on Wednesday
the 11th of December 2013 in honour of the late former president
Nelson Mandela.
Wouldn't it be great if all church bells, regardless of religious denomination, were to join in and ring their bells at the same time.
Wouldn't it be great if all church bells, regardless of religious denomination, were to join in and ring their bells at the same time.
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