FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA STATEMENT Tuesday, 13 July 2021 (Click here to download)  “WHOLESALE DESTRUCTION MOCKS LIBERTY”   Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways! (Proverbs 3:31) The continued and escalating violence in South Africa is of grave concern. Violence always begets more violence. Violence causes immediate and long-term suffering to all and will not address the pertinent issues that need to be urgently addressed in this country. South Africa has long been on a precipice. What we witness is symptomatic of a number of factors that cannot be ignored. The country’s tragic history, endemic corruption, political infighting, moral decay, disregard for the law, and the unfavourable global economic conditions, exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, are among them. However, the burning, looting and destruction of property will not bring about change, it will deepen the crisis. The words of the great prophet and champion of the oppressed ...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA STATEMENT Wednesday, 27 May 2020 (Click here to download)  Opening Places of Worship The Jesuit Institute South Africa has noted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that places of worship may reopen with a limit of 50 people or less when the country moves into Level 3 on 1 June 2020. We wholeheartedly support the call for a National Day of Prayer on 31 May, Pentecost Sunday. Many people of faith have suffered the loss and pain of not being allowed to gather in their respective communities for worship. We know this. Refraining from gathering was seen as a way of religious communities actively choosing to care by temporarily stopping a core practice ­­­– gathering for worship ­– for the common good. We do not need to open churches right now to practise our faith. Prayer, acts of kindness, reading sacred texts and service of neighbour can continue without ...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA STATEMENT 14 May 2020 (Click here to download)   Postponement: Winter Living Theology and Visiting Scholars It is with deep regret that we write to inform you that Winter Living Theology 2020 (WLT) has to be postponed due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. Fr Carlos Alvarez Mendoza, OP, our guest speaker, who was to talk on Suffering, resistance and hope in an era of violence, can no longer travel to South Africa. We, therefore, have to postpone Winter Living Theology until 2021. He was to travel to South Africa, eSwatini and Gaborone. However, Fr Alvarez has communicated his willingness to come in 2021 should the prevailing conditions change and travel be allowed. By cancelling WLT, we, in turn, will have to cancel bookings made around the country which will result in loss for some of our church-run institutions. This is a sad and harsh reality for us all as we know that many ...
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