"Denis Hurley was not born in a lighthouse as some people imagine. His father was the keeper of the lighthouse at Cape Point, the guardian of the light that warns the sailors of dangers and guides them away from destruction. Now the son did not follow in his father's footsteps. But he became a lighthouse keeper too; the guardian of the light that warns of dangers and saves us from destruction. The lighthouse has become a symbol of light and hope and our Archbishop has been doing this work of warning and guiding for the greater part of his [life]. And he has done it with great faithfulness for which today we give thanks." - Alan Paton, author of
Cry the Beloved Country
(Vintage, 2002)
Born in Cape Town in 1915 of Irish parents, Dennis Hurley became the youngest Catholic bishop in the world in 1947 at 31 and would later come to be regarded, along with Desmond Tutu, as one of the South African state's "most wanted" political opponents. His inspiring life as a courageous opponent of South Africa's apartheid regime for over 50 years and as a champion of the reforms and spirit of Vatican II is chronicled in this indispensable work.