South African priest will speak at OKC church

The Rev. Michael Lapsley, a South African Anglican priest and noted anti-apartheid activist, will discuss ways that people can begin their journey of forgiveness and healing during a presentation set for 7 p.m. Oct. 21 at Fair view Missionary Baptist Church, 1 700 NE 7.

The University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma' s Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher Center for Social Justice and Racial Healing will present the event as part of its efforts to develop effective methods to bridge sociocultural divisions in Oklahoma.

Co-sponsored by Fair view Missionary Baptist Church, Lapsley's talk will be free and open to the public.

“Anyone can learn from the powerful lessons that Father Lapsley brings with him,” said Tonnia Anderson, USAO associate professor of history and American studies .“Beyond his incredible dedication and personal sacrifice in the struggle against apartheid, he continues to tirelessly spread his message of good will, love and tolerance to audiences of every creed across the globe.”

Just three months after Nelson Mandela's release from prison in 1990, a terrorist group in South Africa targeted Lapsley with a letter bomb f or his anti- apartheid activism, which he survived despite losing both hands and an eye in the blast. He later founded the Institute for Healing of Memories based on a methodology he developed while working at the Trauma Center for Victims of Violence and Torture in Cape Town, which assisted the South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission, chaired by Archbishop Desmond Tutu.

Since then, Lapsley has facilitated workshops that seek to contribute to lasting individual and collective healing that makes a more peaceful and just future possible.

In addition to his public address, Lapsley will speak directly to USAO students.

He also will work with a select group of students and other activists from across Oklahoma in a Healing of Memories workshop, which encourages both victims and victimizers to share their stories in an atmosphere of confidentiality and respect as a first step toward healing and wholeness.

For more information, call Anderson at 574-1312 or email her at tanderson@usao.edu.