St George's Cathedral faces backlash as it defends rave event

The St George's Cathedral has defended the church’s decision to permit a Rise and Rave event that saw revelers gather for a dance event on Youth Day.

The decision, however, has ignited outrage and shock among clergymen from across the Western Cape, who labelled it an "abomination" and a blasphemous act.

The church’s Facebook account following the event was flooded with comments of outrage from the public after photographs of the rave were posted, showing people dancing and raving.

But in defence of the decision, Very Reverend Terrence Lester, the 16th Dean of Cape Town and Rector of St George's Cathedral, said the church was an ideal venue for an expression of freedom and was inclusive of accepting the youth.

“This cathedral church has always sought to be a welcoming space for all and any across gender, race, religious conviction, non- judgmental and safe to gather space,” Reverend Lester said. 

“A gathering here of dance and music, open to all, safe, in daylight hours in an iconic space which had trumpeted the cause of Peace and Justice...respectfully cordoned off from the chancel and sanctuary, in the Nave where God’s people gather weekly and have done so for decade after decade, to sing and celebrate – why should these not take place here in the same space and place where we have lamented our past and the tragedy of what humans do to humans."

In closing he added: “It was a first, and we need to get young people into these spaces rather than drive them away into ones where risk and danger may lurk.”

Cape Town’s Anglican Church Archbishop Thabo Makgoba’s office said he was not available for comment and referred the Cape Argus to the Dean’s office.

But Father Mike Williams of the Anglican Catholic Church said the church it was sacred ground.

“The stone on the wall dedicates the building to God, how many of the folk had God in their minds when romping around on sacred ground.”

Bishop Elroy Meyer from the Ethiopian Catholic Church said: "It is holy ground, a few days ago they had an ordination there, what about the holy communion, that is sacred in the Tabernacle, it is totally unacceptable, that these things must happen in God’s church.”

Pastor Craig Ian Wentzel of Athlone said as the world evolved, the church was not to lose sight that it is a place of worship.

“Yes we can draw in people by being seeker sensitive, or by allowing the world in to do what they feel is right. Yet the fact remains that the church is a place of worship and should always be,” he said.

Pastor Deon Malan, former leader of the Baptist Union of Africa in Morocco said: “This Rise and Rave event at St George's Cathedral, Cape Town on Youth Day is nothing short of blasphemous and irreverent. This is contrary to the worship of Christ - who should be the audience of our worship."

The event was guided by live electronic female DJ act Kerstin de Beer (KDB).

According to Rise and Rave’s Instagram account, KDB is listed as its founder.

But on Thursday, when the Cape Argus approached de Beer for comment via her mobile phone, she claimed it was the incorrect person.

Numerous calls, text messages, email and Instagram messages were sent to Rise and Rave for their response, but to no avail.

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Cape Argus