The SACBC urges that lawful means be used to resist Apartheid

Date: 22 Feb 1962
Updated: 30 Sep 2019

On 22 February 1962 the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) issued an anti-Apartheid letter, stating that lawful means must be used to fight against injustices of apartheid rules. The Bishops wrote; "As Christian people we dare not remain silent and passive in the face of injustices inflicted on members of the underprivileged racial groups. Colour must never be permitted to offer an excuse or pretext for injustice." In February 1977, they decided to uphold the rights of conscientious objectors, expressing disturbance over reports of police cruelty and deaths in detention. Bishops called for an investigation into and protests against the provision of legal indemnity to the police. At the end of the conference, a twenty-one point action programme was issued for directions to be taken in the future.

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How we know this

01Anon, (1962), 'Catholic Bishops attack Apartheid', from The Star (Available at National Library of South Africa, Cape Town Campus) pg 19.
02Anon, (n.d.), 'Timeline - 1900s'" From South African History Online [online], Available at www.sahistory.org.za [Accesed: 26 January 2011]

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). The SACBC urges that lawful means be used to resist Apartheid. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011952

South African History Online (2011) 'The SACBC urges that lawful means be used to resist Apartheid', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011952 (Accessed: 4 October 2026).

South African History Online, The SACBC urges that lawful means be used to resist Apartheid [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011952, (accessed 4 October 2026).

"The SACBC urges that lawful means be used to resist Apartheid." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011952. Accessed 4 Oct. 2026.

South African History Online. "The SACBC urges that lawful means be used to resist Apartheid." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011952.