Podcast: A reflection on the Police raid on refugees in the Central Methodist Mission in South Africa with Rev Paul Oosthuizen

This story has rightly generated a great deal of concerned interest from persons across the globe.

Thanks so much to those who have sought to understand and express varying points of view in understanding the complexity of the elements of human suffering that this brings to the fore.

I had the joy of sitting with the Rev Paul Oosthuizen this morning, a Methodist Minister who has been extensively involved in justice work in the Church in South Africa, this morning.

The conversation centered around his experience of working with Zimbabwean (and other African) refugees. And also in considering the responsibility and role of the Church in responding to such needs and concerns.

Of course we also discussed last night's police raid on Bishop Verryn's Church, the Central Methodist Mission in Johannesburg.

Paul's insights are challenging, and also encouraging!

So, here's the podcast entitled 'Refugees Central Methodist Church 31 Jan 2008.mp3' it is 12.6MB in mp3 format.

Please feel free to continue to leave comments and feedback. I will do my best to respond and fit in where I can. Things are a little pressed at the seminary at the moment.

Technorati tags: Central Methodist Church, Police Raid, Bishop Paul Verryn, Zimbabwe, refugees, Paul Oosthuizen, Dion Forster

Comments

[Steven Jones]

Hi Dion - I've just been listening to the podcast - some thought-provoking stuff!

Moneyweb (www.moneyweb.co.za) and its sister site, Politicsweb (www.politicsweb.co.za) are interested in interviewing Bishop Paul Verryn on last night's raid, so hopefully they can put that together and publicise the issues even wider.

I've taken the liberty of forwarding the link to the podcast to them as well. If they should wish to make use of it, please let me know what the "protocols" are (such as permissions, etc).

God bless you for highlighting this issue. May I make a copy of the podcast and play it in our local Society?