Thanks to a Congolese-Luxembourg collaboration :
First African-language edition of Michael Lapsley’s Autobiography
In addition to the original English-language edition (“Redeeming the Past: My Journey from Freedom Figther to Healer”), there are now a dozen language editions of Michael Lapsley’s autobiography. Healing of Memories Luxembourg has been involved in the production of several of these: the Spanish (3 editions), French, German and Arabic versions. This book is an important tool for raising awareness of the Healing of Memories approach throughout the world.
At the beginning of July 2024, a new edition saw the light of day: thanks to a collaboration between our association and Groupe Martin Luther King (Goma, DRC), a partner in the training program for French-speaking Africa, this book was published in Kiswahili, the most widely spoken African language in the world, by Éditions Smart Publishing, Goma (DRC).
The covers of the 13 editions of Michael Lapsley’s memoir
In 1990, Fr Michael Lapsley, an Anglican priest and monastic from New Zealand, exiled to Zimbabwe because of his anti-apartheid work in South Africa, opened a package and was immediately struck by the blast of an explosion. The bomb– suspected to be the work of the apartheid-era South African secret police – blasted away both his hands and one of his eyes. His memoir tells the story of this horrendous event, backing up to recount the journey that led him there – particularly his rising awareness of the radical social implications of the gospel and his identification with the liberation struggle – and then the subsequent journey of the last two decades. Returning to South Africa, Lapsley saw a whole nation damaged by the apartheid era. So he discovered his new vocation – to become a wounded healer, drawing on his own experience to promote the healing of other victims of violence and trauma.
“Reading Michael Lapsley’s book I not only respect, as I always have, the religious faith of others, I stand before his in deeply grateful recognition of the great achievement it has brought about in his conquest of unspeakably brutal conditions … A uniquely alive, wonderful narrative.”
Nadine Gordimer, Nobel Laureate for Literature
“This story will inspire suffering people across the globe who long for freedom and hope.”
Helen Clark, Prime Minister of New Zealand (1999-2008)
“The Church often thinks it knows what the world wants from it – inspiration, ‘leadership’, clear teaching. But surely what the world is most hungry for is the simple knowledge that healing is possible – not by forgetting or minimising outrages and sufferings but by sheer, obstinate, costly commitment to work with the grain of grace. This is what Dr Michael has demonstrated in so many contexts across the globe, and this book is a wonderful testament to what the gospel can make happen.“
Rowan Williams, Archbishop of Canterbury (2003-2012)
“Father Michael Lapsley’s memoir is a memorable story rich with spellbinding detail, but it is its rendering with grace and empathy that makes this book such an extraordinary masterpiece.”
Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela, member of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission and author of ‘A Human Being Died that Night’