Father Michael Lapsley is one of my heroes. I met him in Toronto years ago, when my AfricaFiles friends invited him to share his experiences. I was deeply moved by this man's ability to forgive, while he faces reminders of the assassination attempt on his life constantly. The letter bomb that was intended to kill him took both his hands and one eye.
Father Lapsley has adapted very well physically. Holding a coffee cup, or turning his notes, he's adeptly adjusted to his physical challenges. What is more impressive, however, is his spiritual adaptation. Beyond living out his personal healing journey and forgiveness, which must have been greatly aided by his spiritual practice as a priest, Father Lapsley has devoted his life to bringing together perpetrators and survivors of South Africa's apartheid regime to face their own darkness, past, wounds, and seek forgiveness. He shared that after intense weekend encounters together through his Institute for the Healing of Memories, people who entered the same room with trepidation on Friday night, leave with hugs on Sunday. Miraculous transformations have begun.
Reflecting on the anniversary of the attack last week, Father Lapsley shared his story in the South African Times. I encourage you to read it (see the link below) - it is a true testament to peace.
Father Lapsley writes, "As I came to terms with permanent major physical disability I came to the conclusion that whilst not always visible; incompleteness, brokenness and disability and not perfection, is the norm of the human family. I stopped striving for total independence and focused on a healthy level of interdependence which I understand to be at the heart of the African world view."
"Incompleteness, brokenness and disability and not perfection, is the norm of the human family. I stopped striving for total independence and focused on a healthy level of interdependence." - Father Michael Lapsley, founder, Institute for Healing of Memories.
Today, as he reflects on South Africa's Freedom Day, he believes the nation's soul needs healing. "Yes, the physical injuries, but, much more importantly, the spiritual and moral injuries that are still in need of healing. When human beings act contrary to their consciences, to what they know to be right and wrong, they damage themselves."
I agree that we need collective, as well as individual healing. Canada embarked on collective healing several years ago modelled after South Africa's Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in which we asked forgiveness from the First Nations people for forcibly displacing their children into residential schools. This led to the Indian Residential Schools Settlement Agreement, and hours of testimony and accountability.
We all face emotional or physical traumas. Periodically, we need to delve deeper into the healing of our own memories, so we can become "wounded healers" to others.
Read more:
- April 28 2015, one day after South Africa's Freedom Day, was the 25th anniversary of my bombing (Sunday Times, May 3, 2015)
- Institute for the Healing of Memories
- Canada's Truth and Reconciliation Commission
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