AN EVESHAM methodist minister launched his memoirs in grand setting of the House of Lords at the invitation of the former Bishop of Oxford.
The Rev David Haslam, an associate minister at Evesham Methodist Church, launched ‘A Luta Continua’in the ministry on the Parliamentary estate thanks to Lord Harries.
The book contains a clarion call to practice a more radical Christian faith and tells the tale of the author’s life engaged in struggles for justice such as the Anti- Apartheid Movement, the Churches Commission for Racial Justice and the campaign against caste discrimination.
He was also Chair of the Christian Socialist Movement for several years alongside preaching and pastoral work in local congregations in Coventry, Southampton and London.
The book has the title of the battle cry of the campaign against apartheid, ‘A Luta Continua’ and argues ‘struggle’ is a fundamental characteristic of the Christian life, its outworking is the fight for justice, which is the collective form of love.
Speaking at the event, host Lord Harries said: “David has wonderful campaigning powers, in the anti-apartheid days he got me a share in Barclays bank and I then had the experience of asking questions at the Bank’s AGM which were distinctly unpopular.
“More recently he involved me in active work with the Dalits, who represent over a quarter of the world’s poor,” he added.
In support, Father Olu Abiola of the Aladura International Church and a former President of Churches Together in Britain and Ireland, said: “He fought for us, especially families threatened with deportation, on racial violence and to get the truth about black deaths in custody.
“We enjoy rights now because of him,” he added.
After the launch in London, a local event was held at All Saints Church House to promote the book.
‘A Luta Continua’ is available from all good booksellers, on the internet or discounted from the author, via [email protected]
