Plea over SA military service

THE SOUTH AFRICAN government should allow conscientious objection to military service, according to a statement signed by nine Christian leaders, including Archbishop Denis Hurley of Durban.
Archbishop Hurley is president of the Southern African Catholic bishops' conference.
The churchmen, representing the Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Congregational and Methodist churches, asked the government "to regularize the position of conscientious objectors through the provision of alternative non military forms of national service" and to exercise "the humanity that should be characteristic of a Christian society" toward conscientious objection.
Currently South Africa does not legally recognize conscientious objection.
"Through the pastoral ministry of the church and through other sources, it is well known to us that there are many young men facing this same dilemma: that is whether to undertake military service in conflict with their conscience, or to suffer the harsh penalty of refusal. This even leads some to leave the country," the statement said.