THE Denis Hurley Centre annually hosts ‘Hurley Weekend’ on the dates closest to the death anniversary of Archbishop Hurley (13 Feb 2004). The weekend involves prayerful and musical tributes in honour of the South African hero.

Denis Hurley was a courageous opponent of South Africa’s apartheid regime for 50 years. As well as being a significant figure in the Struggle in South Africa, he also had great international influence within the Catholic Church. He was an instigator and then a champion of the ecclesiastical and liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council which he attended in the 1960s and regarded as the highlight of his life.

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Hurley Weekend takes place this weekend, starting on Saturday, February 11. Here’s what’s in store:

On Saturday, February 11 at 14:00, in the cathedral, there will be an exceptional musical event.  Former organist at Grahamstown Cathedral AJ Bethke will be playing the cathedral’s recently restored organ and will be accompanying talented singer Nozuko Teto for a spectacular musical performance. There will be no admission charge, but a collection will be taken for the cathedral’s fundraising.

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A stakeholders’ meeting will follow at the Denis Hurley Centre at 15:00, and then the first Memorial Mass for Archbishop Hurley will take place in the cathedral, led by two visiting Jesuit priests.  The Mass will end with a candlelit procession to Hurley’s shrine.

Then on Sunday, February 12, in the cathedral, there will be two more Memorial Masses at 07:45 (in English) and at 10:00 (in Zulu). They will be led by Right Reverend Neil Frank, newly installed Bishop of Mariannhill, who as a fellow Oblate, knew Hurley closely, and he will be sharing his thoughts on this legacy.

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