A Schoolteacher's Rational Faith
In mid-September the Catholic Church proclaimed a South African schoolteacher a martyr for his faith. The word "martyr" evokes lions in the Roman Colosseum or Blackrobes being tomahawked by bloodthirsty Iroquois. But Benedict Daswa, who was beatified on September 13, is our contemporary. He died only 25 years ago and is a thoroughly modern figure who drove cars and watched television.
What is unique about him is that, in addition to being declared a martyr for his faith, Daswa could just as appropriately have been declared a martyr for science. In his case, not only the church but also the world of science had cause to celebrate and honor him.
Daswa's...
