wfn.org | Truth and Reconciliation Commission supported by Anglican Diocese of

[George Conklin <gconklin@igc.apc.org>]

Cape Town

Media release by the Office of the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, the
Most Revd Njongonkulu Ndungane, Cape Town, Sunday 23 November 1997

Issued by Quo Vadis Communications
on behalf of the Archbishop of Cape Town.
Media contact: Theo Coggin 082-900-0168

For immediate release
___________________________________________________

The work of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission was strongly
supported today at the Synod of the Anglican Church's Diocese of Cape
Town, as speaker after speaker reflected their own pain and hurt as they
sought reconciliation.

The debate was marked by a broad participation of representatives from
all walks of life and a recognition that while the TRC could deal with
violations of human rights and other issues at national level,
individuals and institutions such as the Church needed to provide the
opportunity for this to be done at a personal level.

The Synod particularly welcomed the emphasis of the TRC on survivors and
victims, "and the acknowledgement of human rights violations which have
been perpetrated against and dehumanised the people of southern Africa."

It called on the Church to continue the work of healing and
reconciliation at the local level by encouraging people "to tell their
stories about their own failures and triumphs in their struggle with
oppression, racism and sexism and other hurts".

It was noted that real reconciliation could only begin as people were
able to face one another, tell their stories, and experience
forgiveness.

Ends statement