Hostname: page-component-cd9895bd7-fscjk Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-12-22T10:42:20.197Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Silence, Disobedience, and African Catholic Sisters in Apartheid South Africa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 October 2013

Catherine Higgs
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Abstract:

This article considers the choices made during the apartheid era by Catholic sisters who were members of one of the largest orders for African women, the Montebello Dominicans, based in KwaZulu-Natal, and one of the smallest orders, the Companions of Saint Angela, based in Soweto, the sprawling African township to the southwest of Johannesburg. The Montebellos took an apolitical stance and embraced “silence,” but they could not avoid the political tensions that defined KwaZulu-Natal. The Companions became activists, whose “disobedience” brought them into direct confrontation with the state. History, region, ethnicity, and timing help explain what it meant for African women religious to be apolitical, and what it meant to be politicized, in the context of state repression so effective that every action could be interpreted as a political act.

Résumé:

Résumé:

Cet article évalue les choix des soeurs catholiques pendant l'Apartheid, qui étaient membres d'un des plus grands ordres pour les africaines, les dominicaines de Montebello, basées dans le KwaZulu-Natal, ainsi que l'un des ordres les plus petits, les compagnes de St Angela a Soweto, le township tentaculaire du sud ouest de Johannesburg. Les sœurs de Montebello restèrent neutres politiquement, et adoptèrent un statut “silencieux,” tout en ne pouvant éviter les tensions politiques qui régnaient dans le KwaZulu-Natal. Les compagnes s'engagèrent alors politiquement, et leurs actes d'insubordination les poussèrent à un état de confrontation directe avec l'état. Le contexte historique, régional et ethnique, ainsi que l'époque permettent de comprendre la signification d'un choix de neutralité ou d'engagement pour les religieuses africaines, dans un état de répression si percutante que tout acte risquait d'être interprété comme un acte politique.

Type
Research Article
Information
African Studies Review , Volume 54 , Issue 2 , September 2011 , pp. 1 - 22
Copyright
Copyright © African Studies Association 2011

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

References

Archival Sources

ACAD (Archive of the Catholic Archdiocese of Durban, South Africa)

N.d. Outline of the history of the Dominican congregation of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary, Montebello. p.1. In Dominicans—Montebello, Constitution, History. Dominican Sisters of Montebello. Archival File No. 1.Google Scholar
1959. Archbishop Denis Hurley to the Pro-Prefect of the Sacred Congregation of the Propagation of the Faith, Rome. November 19. In Correspondence 1960. Dominican Sisters of Montebello. Archival File No. 2.Google Scholar
1970a. Hurley to Mother Euphemia Ruf. September 20. In Correspondence 1969–1970. Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 2.Google Scholar
1970b. Hurley to Dr. Clare Fichtner, May 27. In Correspondence 1969–1970. Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 2.Google Scholar
1971. Visitation at Montebello. October 1971. Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1972a. General Chapter—1972. Visitation—1972. Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1972b. Report on Visit to Montebello: September 12–14, 1972. September 26.Google Scholar
Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1972c. Archdiocese of Durban. Diocesan Congregation of the Queen of the Most Holy Rosary of Montebello. Report on General Chapter. July. Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1972d. Hurley to Alfredo Poledrini, Apostolic Delegate. July 19. In CorrespondenceGoogle Scholar
1972. Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1973. Sacred Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or the Propagation of the Faith. Decree by Agnelius Cardinal Rossi. October 25. In Correspondence 1973. Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1974. The Most Rev. Martin Elmar Schmid, Bishop of Marianhill to Sacred Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples or the Propagation of the Faith. April 10. In Correspondence 1974. Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1975a. Schmid to Mother Oblata. January 20. In Correspondence 1975. Dominican Sisters of Montebello Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1975b. Schmid to Cardinal Rossi. March 7. In Correspondence 1975. Dominican Sisters of Montebello Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1975c. Schmid to All Sisters, Dominican Congregation of the Holy Rosary, Montebello. July 12. In Correspondence 1975. Dominican Convent Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1975d. Mother Fromunda Zimmerman to Hurley. July 18. In Correspondence 1975. Dominican Sisters Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1975e. Poledrini to Hurley. July 25. In Correspondence 1975. Dominican Sisters Montebello, Archival File No. 3, ACAD.Google Scholar
1975f. Hurley to Schmid. July 16. In Correspondence 1975. Dominican Sisters Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1975g. Zimmerman to Hurley, October 7. In Correspondence 1975. Dominican Sisters Montebello, Archival File No. 3.Google Scholar
1977. Curriculum vitae of Judith Mdluli (Sr. Michael). August 12. Accompanying her application for an eight-month study leave in Rome. Dominican Sisters of Montebello, Archival File No. 4.Google Scholar
1981a. Proposal for the employment of a sister to work half-time nationally in the field of justice and Reconciliation. In General 1981: Justice and Peace 1981.Google Scholar
1981b. Report on a Seminar for Sisters living in the Eastern Province, Border, Transkei and Ciskei Regions. In General 1981: Justice and Peace 1981.Google Scholar
1981c. Meeting of National full-time J&R Workers. 2 September. In General 1981: Justice and Peace 1981. Minutes.Google Scholar
1981d. Circular letter from Sr. Bernard Ncube. October 5. General 1981: Justice and Peace 1981. Correspondence.Google Scholar
1985. Brigid Rose Tiernan to Shelagh Mary [Waspe[. May 7. Regarding Sisters' Project. In General 1985: Justice and Peace 1985. J/P Correspondence.Google Scholar
1987. Marilyn Aitken to the AMA (Netherlands), reporting on expenditures on the Sisters' Project. January 1983–February 1985. April 27. In General 1987: Justice and Peace 1987. Correspondence.Google Scholar
1986. Association of Women Religious. Justice, Faith and Life Sub-committee. “Journeying Together.” [pamphlet].Google Scholar
UWHP (University of the Witwatersrand, Historical Papers, Johannesburg, South Africa) Google Scholar
1983a. Kairos Foundation. AG 2918/2.1.3.6. Circular letter from SACBC [regarding arrest of Sr. Bernard Ncube.] May 18.Google Scholar
1983b. Kairos Foundation. AG 2918/2.1.3.6. “Sister Bernard Arrested: stripped, searched and interrogated.” In JR News (Autumn): 3.Google Scholar
1983c. AK 2166: 68. “State vs. Sister Mary Bernard.”Google Scholar
1983d. Institute for Contextual Theology (hereafter ICT). AG 2843. F2. [Ncube], Sr. Bernard. “Black Women's Liberation Theology.” In “Black Theology Revisited.” Conference Report. Wilgespruit, 16–19 August. Braamfontein: The Institute for Contextual Theology.Google Scholar
1985. ICT. AG 2843. G3. Kairos Document. Signatories 1985–1987.Google Scholar
1986a. Kairos Foundation. AG 2918/2.1.3.6. Mono Badela. “Cops hold Fedtraw's Sister Berndard Ncube.” In City Press. January 12.Google Scholar
1986b. Kairos Foundation. AG 2918/2.1.3.6. “‘Prayers Answered’ as Nun is Released.” In City Press. October 25.Google Scholar
1987. Justice and Peace Collection. AG 2613. H42. Other Organisations: Ecumenical. “Interview between Sr. Bernard Ncube and Sr. Biddy Rose [Brigid Rose Tiernan].” In J & P Newsletter. November. [Insert, 3 pp.]Google Scholar
1990. ICT. AG2843. H5. November 1990 Speaking Tour Featuring Sister Bernard Ncube.Google Scholar
Aitken, Marilyn, 2009. Interview with author. Digital recording. July 14. Reichenau Mission, Underburg, KwaZulu-Natal. CD copy deposited in the Killie Campbell Library, University of KwaZulu Natal, Durban, South Africa.Google Scholar
Devine, Immaculata. (Sister). 2005. Interview with author. Digital recording. October 5 and 24. Pretoria, South Africa. CD copy deposited in the Archive of the Religious Sisters of Mercy, Johannesburg, South Africa. MSA 2/11.Google Scholar
Dlamini, Theodora. (Sister). 2009. Interview with author. Digital recording. July 19. Welkom, Free State, South Africa. CD copy deposited in the Archive of the King William's Town Dominican Sisters, Johannesburg, South Africa.Google Scholar
Fantisi, Bernard. (Sister). 2008. Interview with author. Digital recording. June 21. Bronville, Free State, South Africa. CD copy deposited in the Archive of the King William's Town Dominican Sisters, Johannesburg, South Africa.Google Scholar
Hlatshwako, Stella. (Sister). 2006. Interview with author. Digital recording. February 23 and 24. Johannesburg, South Africa. CD copy deposited in Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. A3259.Google Scholar
Mdluli, Michael. (Sister). 2008. Interview with author. Digital recording. July 4. Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. CD copy deposited in Archive of the Dominican Congregation Montebello, Dalton, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa.Google Scholar
Modise, Mary John. (Sister). 2005. Interview with author. Digital recording. October 26. Power Park, Soweto, South Africa. CD copy deposited in the Archive of the Companions of Saint Angela, Power Park, Soweto, South Africa.Google Scholar
Ngubane, Immaculata (Sister). 2008. Interview with author. Digital recording. June 22. Johannesburg, South Africa. CD deposited in the Leadership Conference of Consecrated Life (LCCL) Archive, Johannesburg, South Africa.Google Scholar
Tlhagale, Buti. (Bishop). 2005. Interview with author. Digital recording. October 13. Johannesburg, South Africa. CD copy deposited in Historical Papers, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg. A3259.Google Scholar
Abraham, Garth. 1989. The Catholic Church and Apartheid: The Response ofthe Catholic Church in South Africa to the First Decade of Nationalist Party Rule 1948–1957. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.Google Scholar
Anderson, Benedict. 1991. Imagined Communities: Reflections on the Origin and Spread of Nationalism. London: Verso.Google Scholar
Bate, Stuart. 1999a. “The Church under Apartheid.” In The Catholic Church in Contemporary South Africa, edited by Brain, Joy and Denis, Philippe, 151–86. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: Cluster Publications.Google Scholar
Bate, Stuart. 1999b. “One Mission, Two Churches.” In The Catholic Church in Contemporary South Africa, edited by Brain, Joy and Denis, Philippe, 5–36. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: Cluster Publications.Google Scholar
Boner, Kathleen. 2000. Dominican Women: A Time to Speak. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: Cluster Publications.Google Scholar
Borer, Tristan Anne. 1998. Challenging the State: Churches as Political Actors in South Africa, 1980–1994. Notre Dame, IN.: University of Notre Dame Press.Google Scholar
Brain, Joy. 1997. “Moving from the Margins to the Mainstream: The Roman Catholic Church.” In Christianity in South Africa: A Political, Social, and Cultural History, edited by Elphick, Richard and Davenport, Rodney, 195–210. Berkeley: University of California Press.Google Scholar
Brain, Joy, and Christensen, Mary. 1999. “Women in the Church.” In The Catholic Church in Contemporary South Africa, edited by Brain, Joy and Denis, Philippe, 265–93. Pietermaritzburg: Cluster Publications.Google Scholar
Brockman, Norbert C., ed. 1994. “Ncube, Bernard Nekie Zellie.” In An African Biographical Dictionary. www.gospelcom.net.Google Scholar
Burke, Joan F. 1993. “These Catholic Sisters Are All Mamas! Celibacy and the Metaphor of Maternity.” In Women and Missions, Past and Present: Anthropological and Historical Perspectives, edited by Bowie, Fiona, Kirkwood, Deborah, and Ardener, Shirley, 256–59. Oxford: Berg Publishers.Google Scholar
The Catholic Directory 2004–2005. 2005. Pretoria: Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference.Google Scholar
Freund, Bill. 1994. “The Violence in Natal, 1985–1990.” In Roots of Conflict in Natal: A Selection of Papers on Violence in the Colony and Province. Pietermaritzburg: Department of Historical Studies, University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Google Scholar
Gouws, Mariette. 1977. All for God's People: 100 Years of Dominican Sisters King William's Town. Pretoria: Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference.Google Scholar
Kearney, Paddy. 2009. Guardian of the Light: Denis Hurley: Renewing the Church, Opposing Apartheid. New York: Continuum International.Google Scholar
Klaaren, Eugene M. 1997. “Creation and Apartheid: South African Theology since 1948.” In Christianity in South Africa: A Political, Social, and Cultural History, edited by Elphick, Richard and Davenport, Rodney, 370–82. Berkeley: University of California Press.Google Scholar
Kusmierz, Katrin. 1996. “The Congregation of the Most Holy Rosary of Montebello: Steps towards a Black Leadership 1972–1987.” Sinomlando Project HC96B-02. The Alan Paton Centre and Struggle Archives, University of Kwa-Zulu Natal Pietermaritzburg, South Africa.Google Scholar
Magaziner, Daniel R. 2010. The Law and the Prophets: Black Consciousness in South Africa, 1968–1977. Athens: Ohio University Press.Google Scholar
Malueke, Tinyiko Sam. 2008. “May the Black God Stand Please! Biko's Challenge to Religion.” In Biko Lives! Contesting the Legacies of Steve Biko, edited by Mngxitama, Andile, Alexander, Amanda, and Gibson, Nigel C., 115–26. New York: Palgrave MacMillan.Google Scholar
Maré, Gerhard, and Hamilton, Georgina. 1987. An Appetite for Power: Buthelezi's Inkatha and South Africa. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.Google Scholar
Marks, Shula. 1986. The Ambiguities of Dependence in South Africa: Class, Nationalism, and the State in Twentieth-Century Natal. Johannesburg: Ravan Press.Google Scholar
McNamara, Jo Ann Kay. 1996. Sisters in Arms: Catholic Nuns through Two Millennia. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.Google Scholar
Modise, Mary. 2003. “Inculturation and Consecrated Life in the Catholic Church: The Companions of Saint Angela as a Case Study.” M.Th., University of South Africa.Google Scholar
Ntoagae, Patricia Ouma. 2003. “The Main Elements of the Spirituality of the Congregation of the Companions of Saint Angela Merici in the Diocese of Johannesburg.” M.Th., University of Natal, Pietermaritzburg.Google Scholar
Opland, Jeff. 1996. “Structural Patterns in the Performance of a Xhosa Izibongo.” In Comparative Literature 48 (2): 94–127.Google Scholar
Pace. 1992. “Nun but the Bold!” April, 151–52.Google Scholar
Penvenne, Jeanne Marie. 1995. African Workers and Colonial Racism: Mozambican Strategies and Struggles in Lourenço Marques 1877–1962. London: James Currey.Google Scholar
Ryall, David. 1998. “Between God and Caesar: The Catholic Church in South Africa, 1948–1990.” Ph.D. diss., University of Wales, Swansea.Google Scholar
Schäffler, Margaret Mary. 2002. “The Integration of Black and Coloured Sisters in the Congregation of the King William's Town Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena: the Past, The Present, and The Future.” M.Th., University of South Africa.Google Scholar
Sieber, Godfrey. 1999. “Religious Life.” In The Catholic Church in Contemporary South Africa, edited by Brain, Joy and Denis, Philippe, 57–96. Pietermaritzburg, South Africa: Cluster Publications.Google Scholar
Thompson, Leonard M. 2000. A History of South Africa. 3rd edition. New Haven: Yale University Press.Google Scholar
Walshe, Peter. 1997. “Christianity and the Anti-apartheid Struggle: The Prophetic Voice within Divided Churches.” In Christianity in South Africa: A Political, Social, and Cultural History, edited by Elphick, Richard and Davenport, Rodney, 383–99. Berkeley: University of California Press.Google Scholar
Waetjen, Thembisa. 2004. Workers and Warriors: Masculinity and the Struggle for Nation in South Africa. Urbana: University of Illinois Press.Google Scholar