St. George’s Cathedral, the oldest cathedral in Southern Africa located in Cape Town, serves as a gathering point for a diverse group of antiwar demonstrators every Wednesday. Imam Rashied Omar, a Muslim leader, and Megan Choritz from South African Jews for a Free Palestine are among those who join the vigil, calling for an end to Israel’s war on Gaza. These demonstrations have been taking place consistently for over 50 weeks, showing solidarity with the people of Palestine amidst the ongoing conflict.
The cathedral has a rich history of providing sanctuary and standing up against injustice, dating back to the apartheid era. Archbishop Desmond Tutu, a Nobel Peace Prize winner, was a prominent figure in the anti-apartheid struggle and compared Israel’s actions in Palestine to the oppression faced by Black South Africans under apartheid. The legacy of Tutu and the cathedral’s role in social justice issues during apartheid continue to inspire activists like Omar and Choritz to advocate for peace and justice today.
Father Edwin Arrison, a Black priest mentored by Tutu, shares a personal connection to St. George’s as a sanctuary for anti-apartheid activists during the turbulent 1980s. He was detained and imprisoned multiple times for his activism, experiencing firsthand the importance of the cathedral as a safe space for those fighting against apartheid. Arrison is now involved in the South African Anti-Apartheid Conference Steering Committee, working to dismantle Israeli apartheid and support the Palestinian cause.
The architectural significance of St. George’s Cathedral, designed by Herbert Baker in a classic Gothic style, adds to its historical importance as a provincial heritage site in Western Cape. The cathedral’s stained-glass windows commemorate icons like Tutu, symbolizing hope and enlightenment for South Africa. The cathedral continues to serve as a symbol of resistance and perseverance, hosting public demonstrations and events that bring together activists from various causes, including calls for freedom and justice in Sudan, the DRC, and Palestine.
Father Michael Weeder, a former dean of the cathedral, played a central role in organizing vigils for Palestine and advocating for a sustained ceasefire in Gaza. He faced backlash and hate messages for his stance on the Israel-Palestine conflict but remained committed to upholding the cathedral’s legacy of social justice and activism. The cathedral serves as a beacon of hope for many, keeping the spirit of activism alive and offering a space for healing and solidarity in the face of ongoing conflicts and injustices.
In conclusion, St. George’s Cathedral in Cape Town stands as a symbol of unity, resistance, and hope for activists and advocates fighting against oppression and injustice. The cathedral’s history of providing sanctuary during apartheid and its ongoing role in promoting social justice causes like the Palestinian struggle demonstrate its enduring significance as a place of conscience and activism. The weekly demonstrations for Palestine outside St. George’s reflect a commitment to solidarity and healing, bringing together a diverse group of individuals to stand against violence and injustice.
