wfn.org | (CPSA Synod) Truth and Reconciliation Commission Report

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Anglican Church of the Province of Southern Africa

by Raphael Hess

Dr. Pityana addressed the Provincial Synod on the theme of
"Reconciliation after the Truth and Reconciliation Commission
(TRC)".

Barney Pityana offered members of Synod a wide ranging, hard
hitting and dispassionate appreciation of the work of the TRC.

Whilst recognising and appreciating the good work done, he pulled
no punches in making his listeners reflect more deeply on the
shortcomings of the process.

"The TRC Commission Report cannot be the final word" on the
subject of reconciliation, he said.

He suggested that the TRC went too far in trying to please and
accommodate its "cultured despisers".

"The TRC was so anxious to be even handed thaat they bent so far
backwards as to be biased against those who resisted the
Apartheid regime", he said.

Dr. Pityana also gave a very sound and challenging definition of
reconciliation which communities of faith have to understand and
teach in their own contexts.

He said "One has to be careful that one never give the impression
that there is something mechanical about reconciliation".

Reconciliation is a process and it has to be a journey of faith that
people who were previously enemies have to work to reach a
measure of reconciliation.

[The full text of his address is available at the CPSA web site.]

[This afternoon Synod will debate the following agenda items:
- Violence against Women
- Reparations for Victims of Apartheid
- Taxation]

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Item submitted by the CPSA Provincial Synod Media Team
Synod meeting in Durban, Diocese of Natal, South Africa

Tel  +27 (31) 260 2445  --  Fax  +27 (31) 260 1633
http://www.cpsa.org.za/ -- cvd@letterbox.com
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