South African
President, Jacob Zuma visited Durban’s Emmanuel Cathedral on 19 April to pay
tribute to Archbishop Denis HURLEY’S contribution to South Africa’s liberation
struggle by laying a wreath on his tomb. This was part of a national program of
visits to various parts of South Africa to mark the centenary of the ANC’s
foundation. The brief ceremony at the Cathedral began with Cardinal Wilfrid
Napier, OFM, and other religious leaders greeting the President and his party
at the entrance to the Cathedral and then escorting them to the Archbishop’s
tomb in the Lady Chapel.
Amongst the
leaders present were Bishop Rubin Phillip of the Anglican Church, Bishop
Michael Vorster of the Methodist Church, Reverend Ian Booth of the United Congregational
Church, Rev Thabani Masikane of the Uniting Presbyterian Church, Ms Nomabelu
Mvambo- Dandala of the Diakonia Council of Churches and Mr AV Mahomed of the
Juma Musjid Mosque. At the tomb, the national anthem was sung and the Cardinal read
a message of welcome in which he said: “Denis Hurley, whom you have come to
honour today, was a prime example of humble Christian service. He put God, his
Church and his Country first. My prayer and wish is that Archbishop Hurley will
pray for our leaders of today that they may follow his example of selflessness.
“Mr. President,
my prayer for you is that you too will put God, his People and our Country
first in all that you do. ... Thank you for coming to Emmanuel Cathedral to
honour our late Archbishop. God bless you.” In his response, the President paid
tribute to Archbishop Hurley as “one of our heroes, well known not only in
South Africa but around the world.” He said the Archbishop was a fine example
of someone who had put words “into concrete action”. He said that Archbishop
Hurley and many other church leaders should be acknowledged for their important
role in the liberation struggle.
Auxiliary Bishop
Barry WOOD read the Good Friday prayer for political leaders: “that God may
guide their minds and hearts so that all may live in true peace and freedom.” A
brief curriculum vitae of the archbishop was then read and wreaths laid on the
tomb by the President, Ms Baleka Mbete, National Chair of the ANC, Mr Willies
Mchunu KZN MEC for Transport, Community Safety and Liaison, and Mikaela York, a
niece of Archbishop Hurley. The ceremony concluded with the Cardinal showing President
Zuma a model of the Cathedral and the new Denis Hurley Centre, which has been
specially prepared for a forthcoming exhibition. As the religious leaders and the
President’s party left the Cathedral, Ms Pinkie Mtshali, Music Director, led
the singing of “Plea for Africa”. Immediately after the Cathedral ceremony, an
ecumenical service honouring Archbishop Hurley was held at St Paul’s Anglican
Church next to the central Post Office. This was organised by the Diakonia
Council of Churches which was founded by the archbishop in 1976. In addition to
thanksgiving prayers for the achievements of the liberation struggle and prayers
of concern and commitment about the aspects of liberation still needing
attention, slides of Archbishop Hurley were shown, highlighting his multi-faceted
work to promote a just South Africa. (Oblate
Connections, Anglo-Irish Province, May 2012)
