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Camden New Journal - by DAN CARRIER
Published: 3 May 2007

Father Christopher Cawrse with Father Michael Lapsley at King's Cross Church

Clergyman tells how he lost hand and eye during apartheid

THE story of how a South African secret agent tried to assassinate a churchman who was fighting apartheid was revealed at a King’s Cross Church on Sunday.
Father Michael Lapsley, who lives in Cape Town, visited the Holy Cross Church in Cromer Street and told a 50-strong congregation of how one morning he opened a parcel containing a theological magazine he wrote for – and lost both hands and an eye when the package exploded.
He had been working as the chaplain to the African National Congress when he was targeted by the South Africa government in 1990.
Father Michael, who has worked for reconciliation in South Africa, and given talks in Chechnya, Northern Ireland and Rwanda, said: “No one has ever told me who did it.
“They cannot give me my hands back, but they could help me live with my disability.”
He added: “Sometimes it is not enough just to say sorry, you have to do something to make amends.”
Parishoner Stephen Hargrave, who organised the sermon, said: “He was inspiring to hear, and he was impressed with our church.”
The crypt is used by a charity working with drug users, asylum seekers and people who are suffering from long-term illnesses such as HIV.
Vicar Father Christopher Cawrse said: “He came with was a simple message and that is why it was so good.”

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