TRC Episode 24, Part 03

Summary

In a historic confession at the Truth Commission hearings in Paarl, the Stellenbosch circuit of the Dutch Reformed Church, which has long ties with apartheid education, confronted its past. The church openly confessed its silence and failure to protest against the injustices and racist attitudes during apartheid. Theologians admitted their timidity in opposing the regime and highlighted moments of personal introspection and confession. Emphasizing the moral responsibility shared by all, they acknowledged their complicity by staying silent. Bishop Desmond Tutu hailed the confession, calling on other churches to follow this courageous example.

Highlights

• The Stellenbosch circuit openly confessed their silence during apartheid's injustices. 🕊️
• Three theologians presented a heartfelt confession at the Truth Commission. 💔
• Admitted their timidity in opposing the apartheid regime. 🚫
• Acknowledged moral responsibility in their community by keeping silent. 🤐
• Bishop Desmond Tutu praised the church's brave example and encouraged others to follow. 🌟

Key Takeaways

• The Stellenbosch Church publicly confessed their past inaction against apartheid. ⛪️
• The confession recognized the church's complicity by silence during apartheid's injustices. 🤫
• Theologians at the hearing welcomed personal introspection and confession. 🧠
• The statement was seen as a milestone in the Truth Commission's human rights hearings. 📜
• Bishop Desmond Tutu endorsed the confession, urging others to emulate them. ✊

Overview

The dutch reformed church of Stellenbosch, a historic institution intertwined with South Africa's apartheid history, made a groundbreaking confession this week. During the Truth Commission hearings in Paarl, the church's representatives confessed their longstanding silence and hesitancy to oppose the unjust apartheid regime. For many, this act represented a significant step towards addressing historical injustices.

The confession was not just a public admission but a personal one too. The church leaders acknowledged their past failings, expressing regret over their inaction during key moments of South African history. They confessed to the complicity of silence, admitting that their failure to speak out contributed to the perpetuation of racism and injustice in their community.

Bishop Desmond Tutu, who witnessed the confession, lauded the courage shown by the Stellenbosch circuit. He highlighted the importance of such acts in the healing and reconciliation process, urging other churches to mirror this brave step. The confession signaled a powerful moment of reflection and accountability, moving the church from a past of silence to a future of active advocacy.

Chapters

• 00:00 - 00:30: Introduction and Background The chapter titled 'Introduction and Background' discusses the Dutch Reformed Church of Stellenbosch, one of the oldest churches in the country and a significant landmark in the university town of Stellenbosch. It highlights the connection between the church and Stellenbosch University, where many apartheid-era prime ministers were educated and attended church services. The chapter marks a significant moment when the Stellenbosch circuit of the Dutch Reformed Church made a public confession at the Truth Commission hearings in Paarl, symbolizing a critical moment in history.
• 00:30 - 01:00: The Confession at Truth Commission The chapter 'The Confession at Truth Commission' details a poignant moment during the human rights violations hearings conducted by a truth commission. It highlights the appearance of three theologians, associated with the national party and integral to its ideological foundation, making confessions. Their participation is depicted as a significant event, particularly taking place before parliament in Stellenbosch, reflecting on the interplay of theology and nationalism in the political landscape.
• 01:00 - 02:00: Silence and Inaction during Apartheid The chapter discusses the impact of silence and inaction by Christians during the apartheid era. It highlights how over time, this silence contributed to an insensitivity towards the injustice and suffering inflicted by apartheid policies on nearby communities. The chapter reflects on the lack of vocal opposition against injustice and racism, particularly in Stellenbosch, indicating a failure to challenge these issues within the church and wider society.
• 02:00 - 02:30: Personal Confessions of Theologians The chapter discusses instances when theologians have not spoken out enough against violations of human dignity during significant unrest periods, such as the Sweta rise of 1976 and other country-wide unrest. Despite passing vague resolutions, there was a notable lack of strong protest against ongoing human rights violations. The theologians confess their silence during times they should have been vocal.
• 02:30 - 04:00: Dr. Bethel Muller's Reflection Dr. Bethel Muller's reflection reveals a confession of the timid and careful approach taken when protesting against unjust treatment. While there were attempts to critique the system, these efforts were often hesitant and fell short of outright condemnation of the system itself.
• 04:00 - 05:00: Acknowledgment of Indirect Complicity This chapter reflects on instances where indirect complicity occurred because people failed to persist in their opposition to injustice. Despite recognizing the need for truth and justice, fatigue led to silence. It acknowledges these shortcomings publicly, particularly towards the people of Stellenbosch, and includes personal confessions. Dr. Bethel Muller, a former head, is mentioned in this context.
• 05:00 - 06:00: Faith and Accountability The chapter titled 'Faith and Accountability' discusses the personal transformation of an individual affiliated with Stellenbosch University's theological department. Initially, the individual's heart and mind were closed due to the systemic influences and information they received. However, a significant opportunity arose that challenged them to move away from taking the easy path of silence, suggesting a moment of awakening and moral responsibility.
• 06:00 - 07:00: Bishop Desmond Tutu's Remarks In this chapter, the focus is on Bishop Desmond Tutu's reflections, as he shares his thoughts and concerns. He discusses the concept of non-physical harm and burden, as he emphasizes that while people may not physically harm others, actions and words can carry a heavy emotional and moral weight. He invokes the Bible to highlight the significance of this non-physical impact.

TRC Episode 24, Part 03 Transcription

• 00:00 - 00:30 the dutch reformed church of stellenbosch is one of the oldest in the country for more than 300 years the historic mother church has been a landmark of this university town most of the apartheid prime ministers were educated at stellenbosch university and as students attend a church here it was therefore no ordinary happening when the stellenbosch circuit of the dutch reform church made a public confession at this week's truth commission hearings in powell it was a truly symbolic moment
• 00:30 - 01:00 when these three theologians made their way to the truth commission stage this week coming from the church seemed to have been the theological backbone of the national party their confession before the people of parliament stellenbosch was a meaningful milestone in the commission's human rights violations hearings elsewhere the ideology of nationalism in the
• 01:00 - 01:30 course of time left a substantial imprint on christians ways of thought it made us insensitive to the injustice and suffering inflicted by the policy of apartheid about many of those living in close proximity to us the overall result has been that we in stellenbosch did not speak out enough against injustice in our society did not speak out enough against racist attitudes among our church members did
• 01:30 - 02:00 not speak out enough against the impairment of people's true human dignity during the sweta rise of 1976 and in nine country-wide unrest that followed vague resolutions were passed concerning the state of affairs but very little process was voiced against ongoing gross violations of human rights we confess that we kept silent at times when we should have spoken out
• 02:00 - 02:30 clearly in testimony we confess that although we did at times try to protest against the unjust treatment of people we often did so only with great timidity and circumspection we did at times commence critically but we often in doing so shrank from speaking out against the system itself
• 02:30 - 03:00 what is small we often gave way to the opposition we encountered at the very times when we should have continued to speak out clearly for the truth and against injustice we grew tired and gave up protesting today we confess these things are new before the many people of stellenbosch and vicinity they also were moments of intimate personal confession dr bethel muller is the former head of
• 03:00 - 03:30 stellenbosch university's theological department my heart was closed not only my eyes also my heart was closed because of the system it was all the information we received and rather to take the easy way out and that is to keep quiet and this is why this was an opportunity for me
• 03:30 - 04:00 which weighs heavy on my and other people's heart is we do not physically murder people we did not physically assault anybody we do not physically put anybody into prison but the bible says
• 04:00 - 04:30 that if i allow something to happen to my brother that which is an un justice then i am also part of that action and then i must also account to god it was a privilege but it was not easy at all because you have to look deep into your own heart and you see the evil in your heart and we just want to give thanks to that
• 04:30 - 05:00 god who makes us humble and he's a goddess i think who's got a sense of humor i'm sure i mean god is laughing now i mean you know looking at us say what did you think you know what did you think this is my world this is my world and
• 05:00 - 05:30 it will be okay allah coming in god's way and i want to say i give thanks to god for you because all of us know it is not easy to say sorry and certainly not to say sorry publicly
• 05:30 - 06:00 after the submission a clearly emotional bishop desmond tutu called on other churches to follow the example he said it has long been his view that when afrikaners are converted there is nothing that can stop them