TRC Final Report

Volume 5

Chapter 8

Subsection 8

■ FAITH COMMUNITIES

32 Faith communities enjoy a unique and privileged position in South African society. They are widely respected and have far-reaching moral influence. As such, they should play a key role in healing and reconciliation initiatives.

Healing

33 The Commission recommends that:

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES ORGANISE CEREMONIES DESIGNED TO ENABLE PEOPLE TO ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR DIFFERENT LEVELS OF INVOLVEMENT IN THE HUMAN RIGHTS VIOLATIONS OF THE PAST. THESE SERVICES SHOULD BE HELD AT DENOMINATIONAL, ECUMENICAL AND INTER-FAITH LEVELS AND SHOULD BE ORGANISED LOCALLY, REGIONALLY AND NATIONALLY.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES EXPLORE THE POSSIBILITY OF JOINING WITH OTHER ORGANISATIONS OF CIVIL SOCIETY IN SETTING UP TRAUMA CENTRES AND COUNSELLING INITIATIVES.

Redistribution of skills and resources

34 The Commission recommends that:

RELIGIOUS GROUPS UTILISE THE SKILLS ENJOYED BY OF MANY OF THEIR MEMBERS, TO PROVIDE TRAINING AND LEADERSHIP SKILLS TO DISADVANTAGED COMMUNITIES.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES FROM DIFFERENT RACIAL AND CLASS GROUPS SEEK WAYS OF SHARING MATERIAL RESOURCES.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES UNDERTAKE A ‘LAND AUDIT’, IDENTIFYING LAND IN THEIR POSSESSION (INCLUDING GLEBES) WHICH CAN BE MADE AVAILABLE TO THE LANDLESS POOR.

WHERE RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES HAVE ACQUIRED LAND AS A RESULT OF APARTHEID LEGISLATION, THIS LAND BE RETURNED TO ITS RIGHTFUL OWNERS.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES CONSIDER CREATING A GENERAL FUND, TO BE FINANCED IN PROPORTION TO THEIR RESOURCES, THAT CAN BE USED FOR THE VICTIMS OF PAST ABUSES.

RELIGIOUS COMMUNITIES EXPLORE WAYS, IN CONSULTATION WITH GOVERNMENT, OF RESUMING THEIR INVOLVEMENT IN EDUCATION, HEALTH CARE AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT, AS PART OF A COMMITMENT TO NATION BUILDING.