Edited by: Audrey R Chapman and Bernard Spong. 2003. Philadelphia, PA: Templeton Foundation Press. ISBN: 1-932031-28-6.
 
Reviewed by Gregory Strong


This book is the result of a collaborative project of the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the Human Rights Program, and several South African partners, particularly the Centre for the Study of Violence and Reconciliation (based in Johannesburg). These major partners were involved in the work of the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). Upon completion of the TRC’s final report in October 1998, they initiated a multidisciplinary study to better understand the interrelationships between truth-finding and reconciliation in South Africa. Part of this study focused on the role of religious communities in the process of and prospects for reconciliation. and relied heavily on a series of in-depth interviews with a cross section of key persons in various religious communities conducted by the AAAS.

The bulk of this book is made up of accounts of the interviews with leaders in a variety of religious communities in South Africa. These accounts are sandwiched between an introduction to issues of religion and reconciliation in South Africa at the beginning and two essays of analysis and reflection on the issues at the end. Appendices provide supplemental materials.

The interviews explored the personal perspectives of religious leaders on the role of religion with respect to reconciliation in South Africa in the post-apartheid period. Bernard Spong, former Director of Communications of the South African Council of  Churches, conducted the interviews over a twelve-month period beginning in August 1999. Each person received the same interview instrument, which is included in the book. Respondents included persons from Protestant, Roman Catholic, African indigenous,  Orthodox, Jewish, Muslim, and other religious traditions. Their responses are reproduced in this lengthy section of the book.

Two analytic and reflective essays follow the interview accounts. In the first, Hugo van der Merwe observes that, in many ways, the witness for justice during apartheid seemed a much simpler task for South African churches than did development of a new role in post-apartheid society. Nevertheless, reconciliation goes to the heart of many religions, and churches have a vital role to play in helping their societies to pursue reconciliation. The key work of reconciliation lies in overcoming divisiveness and in building relationships. Van der Merwe uses the interviews to examine ways in which the church interacted with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC). He builds on this to explore how that interaction affected the approach of the church in addressing the challenge of reconciliation after the closure of the TRC.

In the final essay, Audrey Chapman remarks that the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) was notable in at least two ways. First, it emphasized both truth and reconciliation. Second, religious thinkers and clergy played major roles on the TRC. Thus, South Africa’s post-apartheid context and the experience of the TRC provide an opportunity to examine the process of reconciliation in a transitional society and the efficacy of various strategies for promoting reconciliation. The TRC model also raises issues about how to conceptualize reconciliation and its requirements. Chapman explores all of this through consideration of political and religious approaches to reconciliation, forgiveness, confession, restitution, and economic justice.

 

 

April 2005