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LEADER PAGE
The Southern Cross, March 9 to March 15, 2011
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Conversion, prayer, penance
Editor: Günther Simmermacher
The ghosts of racism
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LMOST 17 years after South Africans stood in long queues to officially bury apartheid, the ghost of racism continues to haunt us. The reported observation by government spokesman Jimmy Manyi that the “over-supply” of coloureds in the Western Cape is a supposed economic disadvantage should alarm us not only for its content. The idea that coloureds should leave their ancestral homes in the Western Cape to satisfy the policies of the government (and Mr Manyi has said he was “only articulate[ing] the government’s view”) is patently absurd. Mr Manyi’s remark— which he made, crucially, as the powerful director-general of the Department of Labour—reflects notions of social engineering that would not have been foreign to the apartheid regime. The ANC’s equivocation over the Manyi issue suggests that his opinions are not unique within the party. By rights, a government spokesman who has expressed racist views should be immediately dismissed—unless he was indeed articulating, as he has claimed, the government’s views. His limp apology through a third party for the offence people have taken, rather than the content of his remark, should constitute another firing offence. The forthright response to Mr Manyi by Trevor Manuel, minister in the presidency, is therefore welcome. In a letter to Mr Manyi, the former finance minister wrote: “I now know who Nelson Mandela was talking about when he said in the dock that he had fought against white domination and that he had fought against black domination. Jimmy, he was talking about fighting against people like you.” Despite the stinging criticism of his own government—the minister suggested that “racism has infiltrated the highest echelons of government”—Mr Manuel has saved the ANC some face and may have succeeded in tempering people’s outrage. He has done his party a great service, for which he is unlikely to be thanked. Coloured people, meanwhile, will be concerned that Mr Manyi’s rhetoric does in fact reflect the government’s thinking. Since the fall of apartheid, it has been a common complaint that the ANC has failed to acknowledge the very real suffer-
ing of coloureds under apartheid, and itself discriminates against that group now. More than that, the language of displacement hits a raw nerve in a community still suffering the devastating social effects of forced removals under apartheid. The Manyi episode has brought South Africa’s fragile state of race relations into focus again. Two years ago Afrikaans singer Steve Hofmeyr issued what amounts to a white supremacist rant in which he appeared to claim personal credit, by virtue of his DNA, for the accomplishments of white people in Europe centuries ago. The entertainer doubtless articulated the zealous views of some obtuse whites, but they were neither accurate nor helpful in a dialogue on race. Mr Hofmeyr’s career seems not to have suffered on account of his repulsive tract, with even mainstream television offering him continued high profile exposure. And therein resides a fundamental problem: South Africans are so tolerant of racism that the expression of racist views tends to have no serious repercussions. More than that, both Mr Manyi and Mr Hofmeyr will claim that their statements are not racist. Certainly, neither regards himself as a racist. On racism, South Africans are well-guided by the social teachings of the Catholic Church. The bishops of the United States expressed that teaching most forcefully in a 1979 pastoral statement: “Racism is a sin; a sin that divides the human family, blots out the image of God among specific members of that family, and violates the fundamental human dignity of those called to be children of the same Father. Racism is the sin that says some human beings are inherently superior and others essentially inferior because of race. It is the sin that makes racial characteristics the determining factor for the exercise of human rights.” It seems that in 2011 there is still a place in South Africa for racial chauvinists and their loathsome views, be they white supremacists or the proponents of a narrow black hegemony. This was not the promise of 1994, and it is not a tribute to those who sacrificed so much for the promise of a South Africa free of bigotry.
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FOUND the recent articles by Fr Patrick Noonan (January 5 and 12) concerning the sexual abuse scandal very helpful. Like many Catholics, I have frequently been asked by non-Catholics how I feel about the scandal. I have been trying to formulate a reasoned, honest response. Fr Noonan’s candid and comprehensive articles I find to be in marked contrast to Chris Moerdyk’s recent column “Defend your Church” (January 2). I was deeply disappointed by Mr Moerdyk’s take on the issue. His attitude seems to be that of a victim feeling unfairly picked on, and responds by pointing to the specks in other offenders’ eyes. I have heard this victim mentality from other Catholics. Fr Noonan’s article puts this in perspective—showing that in fact the media has been of service to the
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N a recent commendable and refreshing letter (Homosexuality and the Bible September 1, 2010), for our edification and in compassion for our gay Catholic brethren, John Lee gave us examples of multiple variants in human relationships from the Bible. Our brothers and sisters with same-sex orientation, who are in many respects the outcasts and lepers of our day, have the heaviest of crosses to carry and often lead lives of quiet desperation and anxious secrecy. They are entitled to friendship, perhaps even more than heterosexuals are, for they cannot look forward to the companionship of marriage and the joy of having children. I consider it utterly preposterous that Peter Throp (February 2) should accuse Mr Lee of “promoting same-sex unions” by showing compassion for those with same sex orientation, as Jesus surely would, in their difficult and lonely Christian pilgrim walk. John Ahern, Port Alfred
Bad sermons
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HE quality of the homilies delivered in many South African parishes is of a very low standard. In some cases they are very poorly researched. Sunday after Sunday the priest or deacon “rabbit” on and on, explaining the readings and the gospel. All they are doing is telling the congregation something they already know. They should listen to EWTN and learn how to deliver a sermon. Albert Vianello, Vosburg, Northern Cape
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Reservations:
Church, exposing things which otherwise may have remained hidden. After having spent some time in Ireland over the last few years, I can vouch for the deep anger and disillusionment felt by Irish Catholics towards Church authorities concerning the way the scandal was handled. Ordinary people did not need to be told by cynical journalists to feel outraged—once the government-sponsored Murphy report into child abuse was released, the truth was plain to see. I think Pope Benedict’s call to repentance to the Church should be taken seriously. I found the Holy Father’s words on the subject last year very moving: “The Church has a profound need to relearn penance, to accept purification, to learn on the one hand forgiveness but also the necessity of justice. And forgiveness does not substitute justice. We have to relearn these essentials: con-
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The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special circumstances and at the Editor’s discretion. Name and address of the writer must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered.
Father Xico with partially completed church building
082 450 9930 Trevor 082 444 7654 Piero 082 506 9641 Anthony
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IDEEN Gonlag (February 9) asks for clarity from the newly-established (in South Africa) movement “We Are Church”, which is affiliated to the international movement IMWAC. As yet, no spokesperson has been elected. I do not presume to give anyone clarity on where the movement stands on controversial issues. However, I can state that: • we want and work for the will of Christ; • we are not a movement in opposition to the Church’s teaching authority, but we want dialogue and inclusion; • we are all loyal members of the Mystical Body of Christ. The world may very well be hostile to our faith because of institutional, as well as individual, faults and failings, but we will never be hostile towards the “People of God”. Asking less than a hundred concerned Catholics for clarity on critical issues such as same sex unions and abortion on demand is like asking for fruit from a sapling. We are also, I might add, not a local clone of IMWAC. Rosemary Gravenor, Durban
Call to be obedient
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OW refreshing to read Bishop Hugh Slattery’s comments in your report “New initiative helps the person and the family” (February 23). It’s a breath of fresh air to read solid-based traditional, truthful and obedient Catholicism. This humble, faithful priest is clearly in tune with our Holy Father in Rome. Perhaps all thinking Catholics will seek out Pope Benedict’s book
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version, prayer, penance.” My response as an ordinary Catholic therefore, is to acknowledge that terrible harm and suffering have been caused by the sinful actions of several thousand priests in various countries. Despite this, the Catholic Church continues to be a major provider of education, health care and welfare services throughout the world. In Southern Africa, through the work of the SACBC Aids Desk, the Church is second only to Government in providing HIV/Aids care and treatment. There are still thousands of religious pouring their lives out in service to the poor—unseen and unheard, often in rural, isolated places. Millions of ordinary Catholics, especially in the poorest areas of the world, continue to live meaningful lives of faith and service, inspired and supported by their local parish. These actions all speak louder than any words. Stephen Carpenter, Botha’s Hill, KZN Light of the World and thus become au fait with the Lord’s true message given to his Church and magisterium through the successor of the fisherman, Peter. I salute Bishop Slattery and will pray along with him for the success of the Foundation of the Person and the Family. Peter Throp, Cape Town
Our Lady statue
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UR congregation, church of St James the Great in Klawer, is a parish within the Anglican diocese of Saldanha Bay on the West Coast. Most of our congregation are seasonal workers and poverty is rife within our wider community. Our parish is involved in both spiritual and community activities and strives to uplift the people who have been committed to our care. Amid all of this, 2011 is a historical year for our congregation as we will be celebrating the 85th anniversary of its existence. As part of the celebrations we would like to erect a statue in honour of Our Lady. If you by chance have an unused or redundant statue or know of a school, parish, convent or monastery who are willing to donate a statue, I ask you to kindly contact me on 027 216 1242 or 072 202 4417, or e-mail elsieskid@ yahoo.com. Rev Craig Abrahams, Klawer Opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in Letters to the Editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in particular is a forum in which readers may exchange opinions on matters of debate. Letters must not be understood to necessarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or policies of the Church accurately.
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