Catholic Bishops of South Africa respond to Xenophobic attacks in honest and courageous words.

_*Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference*_

CALL FOR PEACE AND CALM

It is with dismay that we take note of the recent upsurge in violence against foreign nationals, starting two weeks ago in the Johannesburg CBD, last week in Pretoria, and this week again in the Johannesburg CBD, Malvern, Turffontein and Krugersdorp.

Once again we receive reports of the authorities doing very little to protect the victims. We received report of police standing by idly in Pretoria while shops were looted and people attacked. Not a single arrest was made on that day.

Once again the authorities resort to the old explanation: that this is not xenophobia, but the work of criminal elements.

Let us be absolutely clear – this is not an attempt by concerned South Africans to rid our cities of drug dealers. And this is not the work of a few criminal elements. It is xenophobia, plain and simple. If it was about drugs, why are South African drug dealers not being targeted as well? Are we really to believe that there are none? And why are drug addicts who rob people in our city centres to get money to buy drugs not being targeted? If it is the work of a few criminal elements, why are South African owned businesses not being looted as well?

The teaching of the Church is direct and uncompromising. More than 80% of South Africans claim to be Christian. What are our religious leaders teaching the multitudes that fill our Churches every Sunday? Galatians 3:28 says: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” By the same token, there is neither South African nor Nigerian nor Ethiopian. We are all one in Christ Jesus.

God makes it absolutely clear that He has a special concern for refugees, migrants and strangers. Deuteronomy 10:18 says: “He defends the cause of the fatherless and the widow, and loves the foreigner residing among you, giving them food and clothing.” He isn’t just concerned about the foreigners. He loves them.

Jesus goes even further. Matthew 25 says: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me”.. He identifies directly with strangers. By welcoming a refugee or migrant, we are welcoming Jesus Himself.

In his scathing attack on the inactivity of people of good will to do anything against the Nazi tyranny in Germany, Pastor Martin Niemoller said:
First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a socialist.
Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a trade unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

Let us take heed of this. We are facing a rising tide of hatred and intolerance, no different to the rising tide of hatred in Nazi Germany. If we do not take urgent action to stop it, there will be nothing left.

I appeal to all people of faith, and all people of good will, to speak out and take action. In the words of St Francis: “Make us channels of your peace”.

My prayer is that God will fulfil his promise made in Ezekiel 36:26:” I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit in you; I will remove from you your heart of stone and give you a heart of flesh.”

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI

Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Office for Migrants and Refugees

Contact:
Fr. Patrick Rakeketsi CSS
Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference
0027-73 380 5629

Source: Fr. Sabinus Iweadighi's Facebook wall

Toh

This man is real man of god

Wow this highly recommendable, kudos to him, kudos to the Catholic church in SA

Let us be absolutely clear – this is not an attempt by concerned South Africans to rid our cities of drug dealers. And this is not the work of a few criminal elements. It is xenophobia, plain and simple. If it was about drugs, why are South African drug dealers not being targeted as well? Are we really to believe that there are none? And why are drug addicts who rob people in our city centres to get money to buy drugs not being targeted? If it is the work of a few criminal elements, why are South African owned businesses not being looted as well?

The dumb people kept hammering on drugs. Did anyone forced them to be drug addicts Am a Nigerian, I have never seen coke or heroine before. I only watch them in foreign films. So what is this whole noise about Nigerians being drug peddlers Am not in support of Nigerians selling drugs .South Africans should abstain from substance abuses too. If you don't want to take drugs, there is no way anyone can force you to buy.

That's bishop speaking


If na pentecostal they will paint thee gospel black and blue.

sharrapu....!!

sharrap....!!

miracle workers my foot....
prophets my middle finger....

sharrap....!!

perform your miracles and bring back lifes killed....!!

and i repeat sharrrrrrrap....!!

Nothing but the truth !

Iamgrey5:
Nothing but the truth !

uhhhh....!!

you dont mean it do you....!!??

wharever....

justtoodark:


uhhhh....!!

you dont mean it do you....!!??

wharever....

Yes, I do.

Even if South Africans expell all Nigerians from their country, crime rate will still continue to grow because of the corruption within the South African police.

Meanwhile, South Africans partake in various criminal activities themselves. i.e raping, robbery, gang banging, human trafficking, computer fraud etc.

I hear you Bishop!!!

Not mincing of words..

God bless the Bishop

The message has been sent to South Africans by Nigeria, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. And it was well received by them.

Iamgrey5:
Yes i do

park....park very well....am the wrong person to even try that religion bullshitt on....

where were they all this while....??

where....??

where is Desmond tutu?

Make dem park well!!! Medicine after death.

The only set of people that are reasonable.

Make the Bishops tie their zuzulu goats abeg

justtoodark:


park....park very well....am the wrong person to even try that religion bullshitt on....

where were they all this while....??

where....??

This isn't about religion but humanity.

justtoodark:
sharrapu....!!

sharrap....!!

miracle workers my foot....
prophets my middle finger....

sharrap....!!

perform your miracles and bring back lifes killed....!!

and i repeat sharrrrrrrap....!!

use ur head and learn to read b4 commenting...these bishops have spoken the bitter truth

AKA needs to learn how to outrightly condemn his people's hate. This is how it's supposed to be done!

naijacentric:
Make dem park well!!! Medicine after death.

after so many killed na just now they trust to say something....

where were they all this years while that bullshitt was going on....??
they useless as a morafvcker,i tell you....

This is how to be a man of God!

lastempero:
The only set of people that are reasonable.

and their comedian,Travis also made valid points

Absolutely nothing but the truth ..