A Healing Church: The Church in South Africa's post-Apartheid Era

An introduction to the struggles of the South African Church to assist work in Education of South Africa's Roman Catholic in rural areas of the country.

Materials

Videos:

Program Fourteen: A Healing Church: the Church in South Africa's Post-Apartheid Era

Website:

Magazine:

  • Missions Today (the magazine published by the Propagation of the Faith/English Canadian Branch. Online version.

 

Study Guide

Goal

The goal of Program Fourteen is to introduce students to the struggles of the South African Church in the post-Apartheid era. Interview with Port Elizabeth's Bishop Michael Coleman.

Steps

1. Show the internet TV DVD Program Fourteen: A Healing Church: the Church in South Africa's Post-Apartheid Era

2. Ask students to form small groups to describe the following:

  • Describe some aspects of South Africa's problems in the post-Apartheid era.
  • Describe the efforts of the Roman Catholic Church to help out in a variety of South Africa's current difficulties.
  • Describe how Canada's Pontifical Missions Societies tries to help out the Church in South Africa.
  • What is your favourite comment from South Africa's Bishop Coleman? Explain why.
  • What can the Canadian Church learn from the South African Church?
  • Give three reasons why Canadian Catholics should support the work of the Church in South Africa.

3. Option for Take-Home Assignment

Via the Internet find more facts about:

  • The Church in South Africa and how its population fits into the overall religious character of the country.
  • Describe how students can help Propagation of the Faith support Catholics and their work in South Africa.
  • Locate all the dioceses and archdiocese of the South African Catholic Church on a map of South Africa.

In groups, make presentations to the class about any or all of the above.