St George's Cathedral, Cape Town

The People's Cathedral

A contribution from the late E.L. King, Dean of St George's Cathedral 1958-1988

Cathedrals are not usually political powerhouses, but in as much as they stand as witnesses to the Lord who is Lord over all human activity, they are meant to show in deed as well as word that justice and righteousness are at the heart of religious faith. St George's Cathedral had inevitable colonial beginnings and was political insofar as it mirrored the beliefs and ideals of the British Empire. These were limited by the conviction that white people were, in unspecified ways, superior to other races and 'lesser breeds without the law', as Kipling wrote.

The cathedral and the anti-apartheid struggle

What were hidden presumptions became outward law when the National Party came to power in 1948. It now became apparent and specific that what had been prejudices were becoming laws of oppression which were bent on uprooting communities, diminishing possibilities of advancement and using race and colour to impede people from enjoying opportunities in education and social life.

From the nineteen-fifties onwards the cathedral community spoke up against this, at first advertising clearly outside the building that it was open to all people of all races at all times. That this should be necessary now seems extraordinary — but such were the times. It must also be said that not all cathedral members were happy about such 'political' statements. As more oppressive laws were passed, the cathedral's attitude also hardened until it became a place where protest vigils took place and evil policies could be denounced. The SABC insisted on vetting sermons for political content before they were broadcast. On principle the Dean refused and the cathedral was taken 'off the air'.

  

There were occasions of high drama when the police surrounded the cathedral, even storming it on one occasion to drive out protesting students and others. Week after week it was packed with protesters and opponents of the government to be addressed by Archbishop Desmond Tutu and speakers from all spectra of political opposition. The cathedral became a focus of opposition and on occasion could be seen surrounded by barbed wire, police vans and water-cannons. Once a large number of squatters whose homes had been demolished found sanctuary in the cathedral and were cared for with their babies and children over the weeks as they fasted in protest.

Through all this time the regular worship of the cathedral went on and eucharist and choral evensong of the highest musical quality rose up from the church militant here on earth. These years were a rare opportunity to strive for justice and mercy, and although we could all have done more, we rejoice that we were able to try to become 'the people's cathedral' and witness for a gospel concerned for the whole of human life.

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