#FeesMustFall, but peacefully – bishop tells students

Auxiliary Bishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg, Duncan Tsoke has condemned all forms of violence that have become synonymous with the #FeesMustFall protests.

Tsoke delivered this message during his homily at the Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Braamfontein where a mass was held to pray for peace at universities. “As the church, we believe that the student protests have a foundation but we do not condone the violence, looting, vandalism of property by students and the use of force by the police.”

With the continued tension between protesting students, police and university management, Tsoke called on all parties to engage in dialogue, despite the differences they have. “There is always the danger that two people with firm identities and the inability to be open to the other will fight instead of having a dialogue.

“We participate in dialogue to meet each other, not to fight. Dialogue involves asking the other, ‘Why do you think this?’ or ‘Why is that culture, authority this way or that?’ Then listen to the response. First, listen; then, talk. That’s uniqueness.”

The bishop also commended Father Graham Pugin for his courageous act. Pugin is the priest who was shot in the face with rubber bullets by police during a standoff with protesting students. “Father Graham [Pugin] you are a true soldier of Christ. You are truly an ambassador of Christ. You now bear a scar that represents the struggles of university students for a fee education.”

With his wound still visible, Pugin committed that his church will continue to act as a sanctuary in times of conflict. The priest also mentioned that they will continue to support the call for negotiations. Pugin quipped,”We make the call for peace and negotiations, perhaps we must call it #FeesMustFallPeacefully.”