Hieronder is een deel van de preek gegeven door de eerwaarde John da Costa in de kathedraal van Salisbury, Rhodesië op 8 september 1978. De gehele preek staat bekend als 'The deafening silence'.
This bestiality, worse than anything in recent history, stinks in the nostrils of heaven. But are we deafened by the voice of protest from nations which call themselves "civilised"? We are not. Like men in the story of the good Samaritan. They 'pass by on the other side'. One listens for condemnation by Dr David Owen, himself a medical doctor, trained to help all in need. One listens, and the silence is deafening. One listens for loud condemnation by the President of the United States, himself a man from the Bible-Baptist belt , and once again the silence is deafening. One listens for condemnation by the Pope, by the Archbishop of Canterbury, by all who love the name of God. Again the silence is deafening.
Over welke ramp en tegelijkertijd, meest beestachtige misdaad, die plaatsvond op 3 september 1978 gaat dit en wie waren de daders?
"Academics, people who know the word for coal in seventeen languages but gape and stammer when asked to lay a fire."