Namibia Churches Independence Contributions

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Namibia Churches Independence Contributions

The Namibia Churches Independence Contributions. Even though it was estimated that about 90% of the Namibians were Christians, black people were not given the opportunity to become pastors or priests. This encouraged the church leaders to contribute to the struggle of their country. Since black people were prevented from taking part in any church affairs, they decided to set up their own independent churches in Namibia.

Namibia Evangelican Churches' Contributions to Independence

From 1946 many black people decided to break away and establish their own churches such as the Rhenish Mission Lutheran Church, the African Methodist Episcopal Church (AMEC), Oruuano Unity Church, Evangelican Lutheran Church (ELC) and Evangelican Lutheran Ovambo-Kavango Church (ELC).

In 1960 the Evangelican Lutheran Ovambo – Kavango Church (ELOC) elected their first black Bishop, Leonard Auala, who played an important role in voicing the grievance of the Namibian people this is the beginning of the Namibia Churches Independence Contributions or the contribution of churches to the attainment of the Namibia Independence.

Namibia Roman Catholic Church's Contributions to Independence

The Catholic Church also played an important role in the struggle of the country by setting up medical services and schools, for example, Dobra High School. Already in 1924 the Anglican Church started its mission in Namibia. It also spoke out against the injustice towards the Namibia people.

The government of South Africa was against the churches and began to limit their work. Some church leaders as well as missionaries were expelled and their work was restricted. The government tried hard to bring disunity among churches in Namibia. They even destroyed churches properties. In 1973 they sabotaged the ELOC’s printing press at Oniipa in Ovamboland (northern Namibia) and they attacked it again in 1980.

Elcin became the voice of the voiceless Namibians who were oppressed and deprived. Elcin church stood firm and condemn the disappearance of Namibians and call for South Africa to with draw from Namibia in 1988 while in 1971 Eloc and Renish-delk send an open letter to P.W. Botha under the leadership of Bishop L. Auala and Moderator P. Gowaseb.

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