Members of the media are invited to attend the 30th anniversary of the Kairos Document taking place between the 18th and 20th of August, at the University of Johannesburg (Bunting Road Campus). See attachment for programme.

This week Kairos chapters from around the world together with priests, pastors and theologians from, amongst others,  South Africa, Palestine, Sweden, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Norway, USA, Malwai, India and South America will be celebrating 30 Years of the Kairos Document. Guest speakers at the 30 year anniversary include Father Albert Nolan, John de Gruchy, Reverend Frank Chikane, Reverend Alan Boesak, Reverend Mitri Raheb (Palestine), Ms. Hind Khoury (Palestine) and various others.

DATE: Monday - Thursday (17 - 20 August)

TIME: All-day

VENUE: School of Tourism, Bunting Road Campus, University of Johannesburg

PROGRAMME: See attachment (to attend as media please call 0847351835)

DATE: Tuesday (18 August)

TIME: 7pm

VENUE: Regina Mundi Church, Mkhize Street, Soweto

PREACHERS AND SPEAKERS: Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana, Dr Frank Chikane,  Dr Alan Boesak and others

 

The Kairos Document (KD) was a theological statement issued in 1985 by a group of black South African theologians based predominantly in Soweto. The exact names of the authors of the Kairos Document have never (officially) been released to the public. Many believe it was a conscious decision to make the document anonymous, perhaps for security reasons since the Apartheid regime frequently harassed, detained, or tortured clergy who opposed the government. It is widely thought though that Frank Chikane, a black Pentecostal pastor and theologian, and Albert Nolan, a white Roman Catholic priest and member of the Dominican Order, were the authors.

The statement challenged churches' response to what the authors saw as the vicious policies of the Apartheid state under the State of Emergency declared on 21 July 1985. The KD evoked strong reactions and furious debates not only in South Africa, but world-wide.

The KD is an example of liberation theology in South Africa, and has served as an example for similar documents and writings in several other countries and contexts including in Latin America, Palestine, Zimbabwe and India. Click here fore more information on the Kairos Document.