Reactions to martys or terrorists

by Letters Editor · Published September 20, 2009 · Updated September 14, 2009

Your editorial �Martyrs or terrorists� (August 26) relating to the memorial service for Coline Williams and Robert Waterwitch refers.

You state that all precautions were taken to avoid injury or loss of life, but in reality, while there may well have been no concrete intention to harm people, there must have been a contemplation that this could happen.

It is a principle of our common law (not statutary law, which may or may not have been unjust) that a person who commits an act well knowing that there is a possibility that it may result in the death of another, and carries on reckless as to whether death will result or not, is guilty of murder if someone dies, and at least attempted murder if death does not result. Is it not then justified to describe such a person as a murderer, or attempted murderer?

In this age, it is true, credit is given to those who are prepared to die (and to kill) for their beliefs. Even so, such �secular martyrs� as you call them, would seem to me to be far from worthy of the status accorded to Williams and Waterwitch by Archbishop Lawrence Henry: that of Christian martyrs.

Martyrdom, in the sense of being worthy, is not something you seek out; it is thrust upon you.

I condemn every act of bombing, whether carried out by the IRA, the ANC, ETA or some insane suicide bomber, and no matter for what purpose, �noble� or otherwise.

It will always be the innocent that suffer from such acts. I feel that the Church in its stance against a culture of death is absolutely right and in this context, as a simple layman not versed in the finer points of theology that may be accessible to the archbishop, I cannot avoid the belief that such acts are sinful, not saintly.

Michael Hennessy, Johannesburg

Robbie & Coline were martyrs

Robert Waterwitch: terrorist or martyr?

Some of your readers appear to be grieved by the special service that was held recently by Archbishop Lawrence Henry for the Catholic martyrs, Coline Williams and Robert Waterwitch.

It is most unfortunate that 15 years into our democracy, we still have people who do not understand what others had to endure in order to liberate our country.

Your readers make no mention of the deaths of Imam Haroun, Anton Lubowski, Ahmed Timol, Steve Biko, Matthew Goniwe, Ruth First, the �Pebco Three� or the �Gugulethu Seven�.

These courageous activists were brutally murdered during some of the darkest days under the apartheid regime. Can we therefore not also label those allegedly linked to these murders as �terrorists�?

The crime of apartheid is defined by the 2002 Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court as inhumane acts of a character similar to other crimes against humanity �committed in the context of an institutionalised regime of systematic oppression and domination by one racial group over any other racial group or groups and committed with the intention of maintaining that regime�.

The Catholic Church should be commended for the role it played in guiding Coline, Robert and others with its social justice teaching. The service that was held was a fitting tribute to these two who gave their lives, like the martyrs who perished before them, by paying the ultimate sacrifice for their unwavering faith and belief.

Colin Arendse, Cape Town

Investment in violence

Archbishop Henry�s tribute to Catholic Activists refers. Few of your readers would not agree that South African society owes a deep gratitude to those activists who helped bring about the changes that have led to the democracy that we are today so proud to be part of.

Unfortunately, much of the activism had a huge investment in violence. In mitigation of the horror of this violence it is argued that it was necessary in view of the violent and repressive regime that held power. But two wrongs don�t not make a right. One could add to this the dictum violence begets violence and more violence begets more violence.

Coline Williams and Robert Waterwich died in an explosion of their own making. They may not have intended to kill or harm anyone, they could easily have done so. Instead, they killed each other.

In honouring these misguided activists Archbishop Henry has as good as glorified the planting of explosives and violence as an acceptable means of bringing about change.

Let the archbishop explain when it is acceptable for Catholics to plant bombs. Would the same apply to other repressed people such as Palestinians? Would the archbishop have honoured these activists if a few innocent bystanders had also been killed in this misguided and foolish incident?

Alan Hartmann, Somerset West

Motivated by their faith?

Martyrs or terrorists indeed! It is preposterous to suggest that these two misguided people were �motivated by their Catholic faith�. Do you believe� that our Lord Jesus Christ�s teaching encouraged such a deed?

There are of course those labelled �terrorists� who fight to kill in wars worldwide, such as in Afghanistan, Iraq or on the Israeli border. These wars , as history has often taught us, can seldom if ever be won, nor the countries involved be forcibly occupied for years by foreigners. When this occurs, it is never without pain, suffering, and lasting hatred. When will we learn?

James Harkness, Cape Town