THE DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH AND THE TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION COMMISSION

  • Piet Meiring Department of Theology and former Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission University of Pretoria

Abstract

For the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk [Dutch Reformed Church (DRC)] in South Africa, the church that supported the policy of apartheid for many years, engaging the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was a painful and in the end also a liberating experience. In his article Piet Meiring, who served on the TRC, chronicles the dialogue between the TRC and the DRC, leading to the events of the the Faith Community Hearing in November 1997 when the DRC, together with all the other faith communities in South Africa, appared before the TRC to explain its role during the apartheid years, as well as its commitment towards future reconciliation. Meiring discusses the expectations as well as disappointments that surfaced during the truth and reconciliation process, with regard to the Dutch Reformed Church, offering a number of comments on viewpoints adopted and actions taken by the church.

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Published
2013-06-12
Section
Articles