Condolences are pouring in for religious and human rights leader Paddy Kearney. Kearney was a fierce anti-apartheid cleric.
He died from heart failure at Gateway Hospital in Durban aged 76.
As a champion of the poor Kearney spent a life fighting political oppression and subjugation. He founded the Diakonia Council of Churches and the Denis Hurley Centre.
Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize Pays Tribute to struggle veteran
Paddy KearneyIt is with shock and sadness for us to pay tribute and bid farewell to Patrick Paddy Kearney whom we have known for almost forty years as a director at DIAKONIA in Durban, and also as a leader and a friend pic.twitter.com/4TmRxMglwV
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) November 24, 2018
Kearney frequently provided shelter for fleeing activists during apartheid.
He closely interacted with the late Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and Prof Fatima Meer.
The cleric wrote a book on Archbishop Hurley’s letters.
Kearney was awarded a special medal by Pope Francis recognising his services to the Catholic Church over several decades.
He promoted the idea of a just society, serving the poorest and most marginalised citizens.
Minister of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Dr Zweli Mkhize described Kearney as a kind, quiet and soft spoken person with a warm and generous spirit who had a vision for a non-racial and transformed nation.
Mkhize adds that Kearney was a giant of the liberation movement in KwaZulu-Natal.
Paddy was a giant who epitomized a nonracial future and unity of our people determined to transform society to usher in a united caring and compassionate South African nation. #PaddyKearney
— Dr Zweli Mkhize (@DrZweliMkhize) November 24, 2018
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