130814 by The Southern Cross

The

S outher n C ross

August 14 to August 20, 2013

When is violence justified?

Page 9

www.scross.co.za

R6,00 (incl VAT RSA)

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

Two popes against the tide

No 4836

Why we need to know the Bible

Page 5

Page 7

‘Use Constitution and ethics to fix SA’s problems’ BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

HOSE who fought for a democratic South Africa “got what we were fighting for”, and now the democratic structures must be used to fight corruption and inequality, according to retired Constitutional Court judge Albie Sachs. Addressing a round table discussion on leadership of service, hosted by the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office, Mr Sachs said: “We’ve got the constitution that we fought so many years for. It alone won’t solve issues of inequality and corruption, but the structures it provides will.” Mr Sachs was in exile in Mozambique where he served the constitutional committee and the national executive committee of the African National Congress. After the movement’s unbanning, he played an active role in the negotiations which led to South Africa becoming a constitutional democracy. In his address, he recalled his work with Oliver Tambo, president of the ANC in exile during the 1980s. “OR [Tambo] had the greatest influence on my life, yet he is barely known outside of this country; only as an airport,” Mr Sachs told the group of civil society leaders. He said Nelson Mandela played a “fantastic” role in the country’s democracy, but “he didn’t create the movement, he didn’t create the values, he didn’t create the culture”. “All the qualities that people admire in Nelson Mandela were in Albert Luthuli [ANC president from 1952-67]. They were in Oliver Tambo [1967-91]. When it’s three people in a row, it’s not a coincidence; it’s a culture.” Trevor Manuel, minister in the presidency, said he had a “problem with the beatification of Nelson Mandela”. Mr Manuel was also speaking at the Catholic event. He said there was a difference between leadership and authority of office. “Leadership is behavioural and it happens whether one is in office or not.” Mr Manuel called for coherence of intention and action. He said a public representative needed to have inner core values. The minister pointed out that ethics and law are not the same thing. Referring to the Gauteng freeway improvement scheme, he said in the context of the constitution, one cannot just make decisions because it would eventually undermine the democracy of the constitution. In light of eTolling, the minister said the government had taken the decision to not tax everyone but only those who choose to

Trevor Manuel, Zubeida Jaffer, CPLO director Fr Peter-John Pearson, and Albie Sachs. use their private vehicles on the roads. It was an issue of ethics, he said. “We have to ask constantly whether steps have been taken to ensure they are in line with our ethics. It’s a matter of checks and balances—with ethics on the one hand and law on the other.” The round table also included a presentation by award-winning journalist Zubeida Jaffer. Speaking on leadership and service, Ms Jaffer said South Africa had a long history of service, faith and education. “We have a strong sense of right and wrong, a strong conscience. Why, if we have it in our blood are we seeing so many straying off that path?” Ms Jaffer said for many it was an attitude of “it’s the way of the world”. This, she said, is corroding our future. The journalist said that South Africans have not transitioned from a war-time attitude into peace-time attitude. “We only know how to march and protest. We don’t know how to be during peace-time.” She said this is an area where faith-based organisations can make a difference. “Interfaith organisations must be in the business of hope. We need to learn to transform ourselves before transforming the country. Interfaith communities can help achieve this.” Mr Sachs said it was sad that South Africans don’t fully recognise how great the country is. “It’s good that we take so many things for granted, but at the same time it’s sad.” He concluded: “Leaders come and go; we should not worry about the personalities we see, but the institutions—those are important. Those are there forever.”

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier signs copies of the book A Story Worth Telling, a collection of essays about the Southern African Church edited by Frs Anthony Egan SJ and Stuart Bate OMI, at its launch in Mariannhill. The book is dedicated to the cardinal.

Catholics: Mugabe win not quite fair, but at least peaceful BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

INE elections and nine wins for Robert Mugabe—some of them marred with violence, some considered undemocratic. And the latest election has been met with mixed reactions. “This time round there was little or no intimidation and violence,” said Fr Seán O’Leary of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute, one of the observers representing the Southern African bishops. Fr O’Leary said political rallies in the runup were not using hate speech but instead could be described as “robust campaigning”. Even before the election, Fr O’Leary noted that the voters’ roll was seriously flawed, with security forces being able to vote where they were based, not where they were registered, and the list of voting centres made public only two days prior to the elections. “It seems rigging has replaced violence and intimidation for these elections,” Fr O’Leary told The Southern Cross. The Church in Zimbabwe was concerned about the significant number of voters who could not find their names on the voters’ roll despite having registered to vote. In Mutare, for example, 433 people were turned away. Similar incidents were also reported in Gokwe and Hwange. The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ) and the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops in Southern Africa (Imbisa) noted the positive achievements in

mostly peaceful voting conduct which was described as an improvement of previous elections. But Bishop Alexio Muchabaiwa, chairman of the commission, said by the close of polls, the CCJPZ had identified 47 incidents, including intimidation or coercion near polling stations, irregular or inconsistent vote-counting, and a number of observers being denied access to polling stations. Other issues included unexplained shifting of ballot boxes and ballot booklets with inconsistent serial numbers. Fr Peter Chimombe, general-secretary of the Zimbabwean bishops’ conference, noted that many analysts felt the absence of violence alone does not render an election credible since there are many other issues which needed to be addressed. These include “the short time for campaigning by political parties” after President Robert Mugabe unilaterally declared the election date; the shambolic voters’ roll which the opposition parties lambasted for having “ghost voters” and was made available for inspection a day before the elections; state media bias in favour of the ruling party; and the “intimidating role of chiefs in rural areas which gave Zanu-PF an edge over the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)”. However, even if the voting procedure was entirely democratic, Fr Chimombe suggested that the MDC’s Morgan Tsvangirai might have still lost the election owing to “his soft stand on the issue of homosexuality”. Continued on page 3

HOLY LAND YOUTH PILGRIMAGE 5 - 14 July 2014 Led by Fr SAMMY MABUSELA (SA national youth chaplain) Accompanied by Claire Mathieson of The Southern Cross

A TIME OF FAITH, FELLOWSHIP, FRIENDSHIP AND FUN!

For itinerary or to book phone Gail at 076 352 3809 or 021 551 3923 info@fowlertours.co.za www.fowlertours.co.za

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

LOCAL

New grotto for Our Lady STAFF REPORTER

ISHOP Thaddaeus Xolelo Kumalo of Eshowe has officially blessed and opened the grotto at Christ the King parish in Nongoma. The artificial cave houses a statue of Mary that is kept for veneration. “The statue that is kept at this grotto is the one that was in the Benedictine Hospital chapel in which Sr Reinolda May OSB used to pray,” parish priest Fr Sifiso Ntshangase told The Southern Cross. Sr Reinolda experienced apparitions at Ngome wherein Mary asked that she be called the Tabernacle of the Most High. “This marks the interconnection between Christ the King and

Ngome,” said Fr Ntshangase. The colourful celebration started off with Mass officiated by Bishop Kumalo, concelebrated by Fr Ntshangase and Fr Louis Tapole, the assistant parish priest. The parish choir conducted by Sr Bernadette Nkosi and Leonard Dlamini playing the organ gave the whole celebration “such a high note of praise”. The celebration was attended by local parishioners as well as priests and nuns from Ngome. In his homily, which was based on Martha and Mary (Luke 10:3842), Bishop Kumalo called on Catholics to have both characters in themselves. The celebration continued after the special blessing with a festive dinner which was prepared by

Catholic Women’s League member Thandeka Xulu and her crew. Fr Ntshangase said the grotto would foster prayerfulness and dedication to our Lady. “Moreover, as we had this special statue at hand, we had to build this grotto. Having such a statue and a grotto in our parish is like reinforcing the interconnection between Ngome shrine and Nongoma parish.” Fr Ntshangase said the grotto was important for parishioners who now have Mary in their midst. One old parishioner was grateful that she will not miss out on her Marian devotions because she can no longer travel to Ngome. “I will come to this grotto for my Marian devotions; I will be like all who can reach Ngome.”

The grotto at Christ the King parish in Nongoma was blessed by Bishop Thaddaeus Xolelo Kumalo of Eshowe.

Women’s weekend: free, Catholics on Zim election faithful and feminine STAFF REPORTER

WOMEN’S weekend in Wellington, Western Cape, attended by 217 women from 17 parishes, encouraged and inspired women to host retreats and women’s weekends away for bonding and spiritual renewal. The weekend, organised by a team of women from Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Durbanville, ran under the theme “Faithful, Feminine and Free”. The weekend included “touching” and “inspiring” presentations from Tony dos Santos who shared his testimony and Denise Boltman who spoke on the meaning of the different names of God in the Old Testament. “This gave us some understanding of the different facets of God: such as ‘Abba’ meaning ‘daddy’, ‘Elohim’ meaning ‘Creator God’ and other names that describe God as provider and healer, for example,” said Catherine de Valence. “Fr Ralph de Hahn took this a step further by saying that we cannot even name God, as this would limit His greatness.” Fr de Hahn

also explained the Holy Eucharist in a way the women could really appreciate. Fr Peter-John Pearson, vicar-general of the archdiocese of Cape Town, gave the women an uplifting message “comparing our lives to those of the women in the Bible, encouraging us to step up as they did, and made us feel worthy to be servants of God,” said Ms de Valence. She said the weekend also saw a lot of healing and “God’s spirit was moving in people’s hearts. We were all encouraged to light a candle and to put forward written prayer requests”. The women also spent time reflecting on their surroundings—the “beautiful landscape of Bainskloof”. Ms de Valence called the weekend a success and thanked all involved for inspiring the archdiocese’s women. “Most of all we thank God for his presence with and through us this weekend, and our Blessed Mother Mary for being our role model, teaching us to be faithful, feminine and free.”

Continued from page 1 Mr Tsvangirai had advocated for tolerance of those of different sexual orientation during the constitutionmaking process, said Fr Chimombe. “This in my view was a mistake of monumental proportions to the Zimbabwean environment where traditional culture and Christian values forbid homosexuality.” He said Christian bodies in Zimbabwe are “united against homosexuality and naturally their members chose to disagree with [Mr Tsvangirai] through the ballot”. While some are concerned with the elections, others are questioning the future for Zimbabwe. Mr

Ursulines Ursulines of of the theBlessed Blessed Virgin Virgin Mary Mary We VirginMary, Mary, Weare arethe theUrsulines Ursulines of of the the Blessed Blessed Virgin called througheducation educationofofgirls, girls, calledto toserve serveChrist Christ through women and servants, pastoral and social work. women and servants, pastoral and social work. Do you feel God’s call? Join us. Do you feel God’s call? Join us.

Contact Vocation directress: Ursuline Sisters PO Box 36 Ngqeleni 5140 Cell: 072 958 2111 OR Box 212 Libode 5160 Contact Vocation directress: Ursuline SistersTel: Mount 047 Nicholas 555 0018

PO Box 212 Libode, 5160, E Cape Tel 047 555 0018 Cell: 072 437 4244 or 078 354 2440

MICASA TOURS

Precious Blood Sisters celebrated their jubilees in Mariannhill. (From left) Srs Stella Makoro (25 years), Cassiani Theiss (60), Margaret von Ohr (60), Gereon Custodis (50), Ursula Starker (50), Bernadette Maria Tabernig (50), Yvonne Sefoloko (50), Marco Gneiss (50).

Pilgrimage to Poland & Medugorje led by Fr Victor Phalana 4-18 May 2014 Pilgrimage of Grace to Israel and Italy 30 Aug-12 Sep 2014 Pilgrimage to Poland led by Fr Stanislaw Jagodzinski 3-17 June 2014 Pilgrimage to Israel led by Fr Jerome Nyathi 29 June-9 July 2014 Pilgrimage to Israel & Medugorje led by Fr Sammy Mabusela 31 Aug-13 Sep 2014 Pilgrimage of Thanksgiving to Italy & Medugorje led by Fr Maselwane 7-20 Sep 2014 Pilgrimage to Medugorje led by Fr Donovan Wheatley 21 Sep-9 Oct 2014 Pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago Compostela and Lourdes, Paris & Nevers 28 Sep-11 Oct 2014 Pilgrimage of Healing to Lourdes for Disabled pilgrims and families led by Fr Emil Blaser 11-19 Oct 2014 Contact: Tel: 012 342 0179/072637 0508 (Michelle) E-Mail: info@micasatours.co.za

Read The Southern Cross on-line or on your tablet, exactly as it appears in print.

Only R312 a year!

Mugabe, who is 89, has yet to name a successor. “The key question for Zimbabwe’s future, therefore, becomes not what the electoral outcome has been, but who will come after Mugabe,” said Jesuit Father Gilbert Banda. Some suggest the successor could be found in defence minister Emmerson Mnangagwa, who was the former head of Zimbabwe’s Central Intelligence Organisation. He is seen by many as a ruthless figure likely to continue Mr Mugabe’s policies and opposition to reform. Alternatively, the current vice-

Receive the print edition in the post every week in SA for only R416 a year

SUBSCRIBE NOW!

www.scross.co.za/subscribe or e-mail

subscriptions@scross.co.za

president Joyce Mujuru, is thought to be a more moderate proposition, but she may lack support within the ruling party. Fr Banda said Zimbabwe’s urban voters, most of whom would support the opposition, are approximately 1,8 million, while rural voters, most of whom endorse Zanu-PF, number up to 4 million. This means that even if all the people in the urban areas voted for the opposition, they could never outweigh the rural voters. “Our hope is that Mr Mugabe may see this term as his one last opportunity to right his wrongs and exonerate himself,” Fr Banda said.

Kevelaer jubilee

EVELAER Mission, situated in Donnybrook, diocese of Mariannhill, is celebrating its 125th jubilee. Established by Abbott Francis Pfanner of Mariannhill in 1888, it was named after the famous place of pilgrimage in northern Germany. On August 17-18 Bishop Pius Mlungisi Dlungwane will preside over the celebration marking the jubilee.

Tony Wyllie & Co. Catholic Funeral Home

Personal and Digniﬁed 24-hour service 469 Voortrekker Rd, Maitland Tel: 021 593 8820 48 Main Rd, Muizenberg Tel: 021 788 3728 Member of the NFDA

(Please leave your contact details in case of donations)

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

LOCAL

Catholic healthcare at a crossroads BY STAFF REPORTER

ITH funding, particularly from government, becoming a continual struggle and with a limit to how much clinics can charge poor or unemployed patients, the question must arise as to how sustainable the Church’s work in healthcare is. The conundrum drew 26 representatives of religious nursing congregations and other Church organisations including CATHCA and the Aids Office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference to a two-day workshop in Durban. The questions facing participants ranged from what was currently being done in Catholic healthcare, where it stood now, and what would happen if nothing more was done, to letting themselves envision where Catholic healthcare could be in twenty years’ time. The workshop was facilitated by Raymond Perrier of the Jesuit Institute, with financial and logistical support from CATHCA. According to Cathca director Yvonne Morgan, Catholic healthcare in South Africa consists of several rural clinics offering basic primary healthcare; many small, rural home-based care projects, most of which also look after hundreds of orphans and vulnerable children; one district hospital, St Mary’s in Mariannhill, owned by the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood and mainly government-funded; and a scattering of hospices, orphanages and homes for the disabled. “We are far removed from the days of the early missionaries when

Catholic healthcare workers gathered for a workshop in Durban, facilitated by Raymond Perrier (second front row, left). they introduced Western medicine to the country—despite many of them being without medical qualifications, under primitive medical conditions—founding the first hospitals and dispensaries,” said Ms Morgan. These hospitals, she explained, are now part of the government health system, and “where the Church was offering institutional health, it is more and more concentrating its efforts and resources on rural community health where there is still a great call for its serv-

ices”. “When we look at the many assets of Catholic healthcare in this country—with a richness of healthcare experience, strong spiritual values, land and buildings, skilled volunteers and a high-quality holistic health service developed over many years and in trying situations—it would be, as one bishop phrased it, ‘a betrayal’ of our healthcare heritage.” It would also let down “the support we have received over the years from donors and communities

Members of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL) pray the rosary at a retreat held at the De Mazenod centre in Germiston, Johannesburg. The retreat was in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the CWL in Johannesburg. (Photo: Ida Steyn)

Priest ‘nurtured by blood’ R

Fr Gilbert Bafana Hlatshwayo CSsR celebrates his jubilee with Fr Larry Kaufmann (right) ..

EDEMPTORIST Father Gilbert Bafana Hlatshwayo celebrated his silver jubilee year of prieshood at his childhood parish of St Peter’s in Tlhabane, Rustenburg diocese. Among those present was Bishop Kevin Dowling, also a Redemptorist, and Fr Larry Kaufmann, the order’s provincial. Different parishes from around the diocese and around the country were represented, and many friends and family. The theme of the jubilee was “Vocations”, and the need to plant and nurture the seed of vocations in our families and parishes. In his homily Fr Hlatshwayo recalled Fr Gilbert Conroy CSsR, who baptised him. Fr Conroy was murdered in 1980 while driving

home to Modimong from celebrating Holy Mass in the outstations. Fr Hlatshwayo said his faith and vocation have been nurtured “by the blood” of Fr Conroy. Fr Hlatshwayo is well known as a preacher of Redemptorist parish missions and retreats throughout the Southern African region and in most of South Africa’s 11 official languages. He has introduced inculturation to mission preaching, taking missions to the townships and rural areas. He said: “25 years ago the mission team was made up of priests from Europe; today we have our brothers from other African countries making the mission team. Where are our South African children? Is God not calling them?”

alike, to relinquish it without seeking new ways to live out our Catholic values through healthcare”, Ms Morgan told The Southern Cross. Participants at the workshop were asked to present their vision of Catholic healthcare in 20 years’ time in South Africa. In a very “positive spirit” they saw Catholic healthcare as being the leaven in society, integral to the Church’s mission, and consolidating and integrating its services. This would include two or more religious congregations pooling

their resources. It was also suggested that Catholic healthcare return to home-based care and communitydriven projects which operate on a smaller scale, instead of institutional health care. However, should a future need for the Catholic health network arise, it would be a pity if by then we had no primary health clinics still operating, and “perhaps an effort should be made to keep some of these. It was also important to maintain sufficient flexibility and mobility to allow health care professionals to respond to needs as these arise, rather than be tied to buildings,” said Ms Morgan. “We need to move into providing an active health ministry at parish and diocesan level, and into mentoring and skills transfer, to make the most of our human resources, while the idea of Catholic nursing colleges, that could produce nurses trained in moral and ethical values to serve the sick on a spiritual, physical and emotional level was also explored,” Ms Morgan said, adding that these need not be attached to Catholic hospitals but could be the leaven in the public health system. “Church healthcare should demonstrate transparency and accountability in all its work,” she said. Ms Morgan said Catholic healthcare was not in a palliative state, but instead it had the capacity and the will to continue to serve the poor and disadvantaged in the spirit and service of Christ, whatever form that may take, in response to the call of the Gospel. “It will be exciting to be part of this process as it develops and adapts.”

For information or a registration form, e-mail admin@jesuitinstitute.org.za or call 011 482 4237 / 076 420 9856

Join South Africa’s national Catholic weekly and Catholic radio station on a pilgrimage to the ceremony of the

Canonisation of Bl Popes John Paul II & John XXIII led by Fr Emil Blaser OP

The exciting programme will include the canonisation ceremony in St Peter’s Square, papal audience, sightseeing in Rome (incl. the Sistine Chapel), Castel Gandolfo and visits to Assisi and other sites associated with St Francis. Dates: TBA

For further information or to book contact

Gail at 076 352 3809 or 021 551 3923 info@fowlertours.co.za www.fowlertours.co.za

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

INTERNATIONAL

Pope: Share faith with others, respectfully BY CINDY WOODEN

N a world that often seems dark and full of suffering and violence, Christians can offer hope by sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Pope Francis wrote in a message for World Mission Sunday 2013, which is celebrated on October 20. “It is necessary to proclaim courageously and in every situation the Gospel of Christ, a message of hope, reconciliation [and] communion, a proclamation of God’s closeness, his mercy, salvation and a proclamation that the power of God’s love is able to overcome the darkness of evil and guide us on the path of goodness,” the pope wrote. The message for his first Mission Sunday since becoming pope is filled with phrases and ideas that have been featured prominently in the speeches and homilies Pope Francis has given during the first four months of his pontificate, including at World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. Pope Francis’ message emphasised the obligation of all Christians

to share the faith with others and do so with respect. He also pointed to the stifling damage done to the Church by the failure to evangelise and the sacrifices made by many Christians around the world currently facing oppression or even persecution because of their faith. “Everyone should be able to experience the joy of being loved by God, the joy of salvation,” he said. “It is a gift that one cannot keep to oneself, but it is to be shared. If we want to keep it only to ourselves, we will become isolated, sterile and sick Christians,” the pope wrote. Each Christian has a responsibility to share the gift of faith with others, he said, and the strength of one’s faith “can be measured by the ability to communicate it to others, to spread and live it in charity, to witness to it before those we meet and those who share the path of life with us”. Pope Francis said he knows some people today hesitate sharing the faith because they somehow think it will limit other people’s freedom,

when in reality faith empowers people and frees them from despair and from chasing pleasure or material possessions that cannot last and, therefore, cannot make them happy forever. A true Christian does not try to impose the Christian faith on anyone, but proclaims the Good News through word and deed with respect, the pope wrote. “The Church’s missionary spirit is not about proselytising, but the testimony of a life that illuminates the path, which brings hope and love.”

n his message, the pope offered thanks to and prayers for the many Christians in different parts of the world who “experience difficulty in openly professing their faith and in enjoying the legal right to practise it in a worthy manner.” They are “courageous witnesses” of the Gospel, he said. Pope Francis’ message also was filled with praise and thanksgiving for priests, religious and laypeople who have left their homelands to

In his message for World Mission Sunday, Pope Francis says that every Christian has a responsibility to share the gift of faith with others. (Photo: Stefano Rellandini, Reuters/CNS) spread the Gospel. He asked those, especially from traditionally Catholic countries, to make sure that in their letters and visits home, they tell others of their experience so that they can help people at home “rediscover the enthusiasm and joy of sharing the faith.” He thanked the churches in traditionally mission territory, such as Africa, for their willingness to send

priests and religious to other countries, including in Europe and North America. “Sending missionaries is never a loss, but a gain,” he said. Pope Francis urged all Catholics to take responsibility for the Church’s missionary activity, including by giving financial support to the Pontifical Mission Societies.—CNS

S. Sudan rebel in service of ‘foreign govt’ Archbishops quit over scandal

COMMITTEE of religious and civic leaders said a South Sudanese rebel leader was being supported by a foreign government in an effort to destabilise the young nation. The committee also urged rebel leader David Yau Yau to accept the government’s offer of amnesty, because his actions were undoing efforts to keep peace in Jonglei state. For years, Jonglei has been subject to ongoing tribal conflicts based on, among other things, cattle. “Disarmament had taken place, but Yau Yau triggered rearmament. He introduced weapons into the area again for his own forces, and some communities then sought weapons to protect themselves,” said the

statement, signed by Anglican Archbishop Daniel Deng Bull of Sudan and South Sudan, chairman of the Committee for National Healing, Peace and Reconciliation. Yau Yau’s fight “is the battle of a single disaffected leader and his supporters against the nation of South Sudan, and it seems clear that he is being supported by a foreign government to destabilise the nation,” the statement said. It did not name the foreign government. “We are also concerned that some political interests within South Sudan may be manipulating the situation,” it said. The statement said South Sudanese and UN forces had been unable to protect citizens in the area,

and human rights abuses had been committed by all parties in the conflict. It also said the “peace dividend” promised in the 2012 Jonglei peace agreement had not materialised— “the government failed to provide roads and other necessary infrastructure”—creating a window of opportunity for Yau Yau, an ethnic Murle who began an insurrection after losing an election for a state assembly seat in 2010. “We do not wish to accuse nor demonise David Yau Yau,” said the statement. “But we wish to advise him that in the newly independent nation of South Sudan, violence is no longer acceptable as a means of solving disputes.”—CNS

Franciscan Sisters Servants of the Holy Childhood of Jesus

BY CAROL GLATZ

WO Slovenian archbishops, including the president of the country’s bishops’ conference, resigned because of their connection to multimillion-dollar financial losses by the archdiocese of Maribor. Pope Francis accepted the resignations of Archbishops Anton Stres, 70, of Ljubljana and former auxiliary in Maribor, who also resigned as president of the bishops’ conference, and Marjan Turnsek, 58, of Maribor, under the terms of canon law that cover “ill health or some other grave cause”. Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ confirmed that their resignations were in connection

HOLY SITES TRAVEL

DIVINE MERCY PILGRIMAGE TO POLAND - July 2014 In the footsteps of the Saints Let us kneel to pray where they prayed St Maximillian Kolbe - St Faustina – Blessed John Paul Contact Elna, Tel: 082 975 0034 E-mail: elna@holysites.co.za

Do you feel called to the Franciscan way of life? Are you called to join us to love God, in praising Him in Prayer and serving Him, as we care for people in need, especially children? Write, phone or visit us

Holy Childhood Sisters P.Bag 553 Eshowe, 3815

Sr. Teressa Zungu Phone: 035 -4744242 Cell: 082-0932002 E-mail: awerresh@netactive.co.za

Mbongolwane Convent P.Bag 506 Eshowe, 3815

Sr. Bongiwe Xulu Phone: 035-4766262 Cell: 076-3064446

Contact: Brother Evenie Turner O.F.M. 082 599 7718, PO Box 914-1192, Wingate Park, 0153, 082 409-1457/ 012 345-1172

Email: evenieturner63@gmail.com

with a financial scandal. The archdiocese of Maribor, together with two other dioceses, had been co-owners of a number of private holding companies that fell into financial ruin because of about 700 million euros in losses. The companies reportedly made highrisk investments and took out unsecure bank loans over the years. The archdiocese had tried to prop up the companies’ mounting debt by putting a number of its real estate assets up as collateral. Archbishop Franc Kramberger, who had led the archdiocese since 1980 and was blamed for being largely responsible for the economic catastrophe, resigned in February 2011.—CNS

Pope slams the ‘poison’ of consumerism BY FRANCIS X ROCCA

OPE Francis has denounced consumerism as a poison that threatens true happiness, which comes from membership in the Church. “The encounter with the living Jesus, in the great family that is the Church, fills the heart with joy, because it fills it with true life, a profound goodness that does not pass away or decay,” he said at an Angelus in St Peter’s Square. “But this experience must face the daily vanity, the poison of emptiness that insinuates itself into our society based on profit and having [things], that deludes young people with consumerism. “Young people are particularly sensitive to the emptiness of meaning and values that surrounds them. And they, unfortunately, pay the consequences,” he said. “True wealth is the love of God, shared with one’s brothers, that love that comes from God and makes us share among ourselves, and makes us help one another,” the pope said. “He who experiences this does not fear death, and receives peace of heart.”—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

Santiago de Compostela Camino mustn’t be ‘touristic’

Two popes against the tide

HE spiritual meaning of the Way of St James pilgrimage— the famous Camino de Santiago de Compostela in northern Spain—must not be reduced to a mere touristic and ecological route, said a Spanish agency charged with promoting the Church's cultural heritage. The ancient pilgrimage route was discussed during a meeting of the National Conference of Cultural Heritage of the Church, which is composed of bishops, Spanish national heritage officials and other advisors. They recognised that the 800km path to the cathedral of Santiago de Compostela is popular as a touristic and ecological route because of the historical and artistic works and the beautiful scenery it contains. However, viewing the pilgrimage route merely in these terms “would be to strip the pilgrimage of its main spiritual element: we would mutilate it and leave it without authentic meaning”, conference members cautioned. The experience of the Camino is a treasure of great value that includes the propagation and celebra-

tion of the faith, the exercise of charity, familiarity with the artistic styles of the history of the Church in Spain, appreciation of local customs and more, they said. All of these aspects are “like signs that lead us towards a goal, the life of grace to which all men are called”. The very concept of pilgrimage has a deep spiritual meaning that is reinforced through the sensory experience of the pilgrim, they added. “Throughout the Way, art makes visible to us what we will one day see clearly at the end of our pilgrimage, reinforcing in us interiorly the faith of the pilgrim Church in the world.” The Camino can become an experiential school, in which architecture speaks of the presence of God, interaction with neighbour fosters charity and the visual surroundings point to the invisible, the agency members continued. “The Way becomes like a beatific vision of salvation,” they said, as well as “an instrument for the New Evangelisation through being a living element in our journey of faith”.—CNA

A shell hangs from the walking stick of a pilgrim on the way to Santiago de Compostela, where the remains of St James the Greater are believed to be entombed. A conference has warned that the Camino not be reduced to a tourism and ecology route. (Photo: Felix Ordonez, Reuters/CNS)

BY FRANCIS X. ROCCA

T a weekly public audience earlier this year, the pope underscored one of his characteristic themes: the countercultural implications of membership in the Church. “Belief in God makes us bearers of values that often do not coincide with the fashion and opinion of the moment, and calls on us to adopt standards and behaviours that do not belong to the common way of thinking,” he said. “The Christian should not be afraid to swim against the tide to live his own faith, resisting the tendency to conform.” More recently, the pope used similar language when urging young Catholics to commit to the sacrament of marriage. “In a culture of relativism and the ephemeral, many preach the importance of enjoying the moment,” he said. “I ask you, instead, to be revolutionaries, I ask you to swim against the tide; yes, I am asking you to rebel against this culture that sees everything as temporary and that ultimately believes you are incapable of responsibility, that believes you are incapable of true love.” The first quotation is from Pope Benedict XVI, at the Vatican in January; the second from Pope Francis, in Rio de Janeiro on July 28. Of the many strands of continuity between the two men’s pontificates, none is clearer than their common conviction that Christian faith puts the believer at odds with the materialist “idols” of today’s secular society. On that basis alone, one might have expected these avowed countercultural leaders to attract similar degrees of hostility, or at least disdain, from the dominant culture. But, in fact, their experiences in this regard have been starkly opposed. Throughout Pope Benedict’s eight-year pontificate, secular media outlets routinely portrayed him as backward or bigoted for his defence of traditional Catholic teaching, particularly on moral questions. By contrast, it is hard to imagine any pope today enjoying better

How Church should deal with media

ATHOLICS should see the secular media as an opportunity to evangelise and more effectively reach “people who need heroes and need the Gospel”, said the head of the US branch of Catholic Voices, a communications organisation. “Look to media as an apostolic opportunity. Call reporters, be their friends. Let them in on the Gospel,” said Kathryn Jean Lopez, director of Catholic Voices USA. “You don’t have to agree with everything they say or get them converted on day one. Have some patience. Respect their freedom. Share the truth. Be for real,” said Ms Lopez, herself a journalist. “I know it is remarkably tempting to complain about the media, to see what is wrong. But oftentimes the coverage is hostile because hosts, reporters, producers, don’t know about Catholicism, they may know that bad

experience, or their bad catechesis, or a caricature,” she said. Ms Lopez’s comments came at the 2013 Napa Institute Conference in Napa, California. The annual conference brings together Catholic leaders to discuss how to build Catholic culture in a secular society. She offered several tips for responding to criticism and controversy about the Catholic faith. “Look for the positive intention behind the criticism,” she advised. “There’s often a Christian value to appeal to. Speak to it.” She advised Catholic communicators to “shed light, not heat,” and to help “open doors to the sacraments”. “People won’t remember what you said as much as how you made them feel,” she stressed. In addition to concise speech that “speaks to the heart with solid content,” modern media includes the ability to use “images

and video that capture attention like words don’t”. Ms Lopez also emphasised the importance of storytelling in sharing the faith, saying it is “one of the best things you can do to get people listening”. “It’s not about you. It’s about Christ. That can actually be tremendously liberating,” she said. “God must increase, I must decrease.” “We have to be willing to walk with people where they are, showing them Catholicism in its fullness. Show joy and sacrifice and rigor too. Be for real, making clear that we live in the real world.” It is important to remember that the cultural mainstream views God and religion as only a “safe harbour”, a consolation for the dead and the sick, but not as something that should be “infecting other areas of life”, she said.—CNA

576AM HOLY LAND CAMINO

Walk on the Jesus trail on two unique

870

www.radioveritas.co.za streaming live

SMS 41809 MASS followed by Mass Intention 41809 VERI followed by comments PO Box 4599, Edenvale, 1610 (t) 011 663-4700 (f) 011 452-7625 eblaser@radioveritas.co.za

HIKING PILGRIMAGES

especially designed by and for Fowler Tours. AUGUST 2014: wiTh FR ChRiS TOwNSeND SEPTEMBER 2014: wiTh FR RuSSell POlliTT SJ

Let us design a Holy Land Camino for your parish or hiking club! Contact Gail at 076 352 3809 or 021 551 3923 info@fowlertours.co.za www.fowlertours.co.za

Pope Francis greets Pope emeritus Benedict. Both popes have called on Catholics to swim against the tide. (Photo: L’Osservatore Romano via Reuters/CNS) press than Pope Francis, especially in normally unsympathetic quarters. Time magazine recently celebrated him on its cover as the “people’s pope,” and a blogger for Esquire—a fashion magazine dedicated to the sort of aspirational consumerism that the pope deplores—pronounced in a headline that “It’s Time to Admit: Pope Francis Is Kind of Awesome”. This difference in reception is partly explicable as a matter of personal style. Pope emeritus Benedict is a shy, introverted scholar, whose talks and writings, though never needlessly obscure, were formally composed and intellectually demanding, and made frequent and wide-ranging reference to the cultural heritage of the West. Pope Francis, on the other hand, is gregarious and spontaneous, with a conversational style of preaching that draws heavily on proverbs and folk wisdom. Though he is not in any sense a media creation, his personality and manner are better suited to the age of social media, which tends to be suspicious of traditional authority and impatient with complex arguments.

et the strikingly different responses that the two popes have drawn from secular culture are not just a consequence of how they communicate, but also of what they have chosen to say. Pope Benedict was most reviled when he spoke out on questions of sexual and medical ethics, invoking natural law and Church teaching to deny what secular culture has come to assert as practically unlimited personal freedom.

In these areas, Pope Francis is hardly more in sync with prevailing values than his predecessor was. In 2010, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio called same-sex marriage an “anti-value and an anthropological regression”, and said the immorality of abortion should be clear on scientific evidence alone, even in the absence of religious faith. But since he became pope, he has been notably reticent on these matters. In his homily at a Vatican Mass dedicated to pro-life causes in June, Pope Francis did not refer to abortion, euthanasia or any other specific threat to life. During his visit to Brazil in late July, he said nothing about the country’s recent legalisation of same-sex marriage or moves to liberalise abortion, explaining to reporters on the plane back to Rome that the “Church has already expressed itself perfectly on that”. When, during the same in-flight press conference, the pope cited the Catechism of the Catholic Church to denounce the marginalisation of gay people, he did not also cite the catechism’s statement on the immorality of homosexual acts. Pope Francis has been more assertive and explicit when denouncing social injustice, as when he described the condition of textile workers in Bangladesh as “slave labour”, or condemned “ideologies which uphold the absolute autonomy of markets and financial speculation”—statements with discomfiting implications for the consumerism of rich Western nations. Yet, except for calls to greater austerity by bishops and priests, the pope has not focused his criticism on the personal lifestyles of his listeners. For instance, he has not repeated his words to an interviewer, a few months before his election, denouncing the billions wasted on cosmetics and “idolised” household pets in a world where children in underdeveloped countries starve to death. It is hard to believe that Pope Francis, who has moved boldly and swiftly to reform the Vatican bureaucracy surrounding him, is avoiding certain topics in public Continued on page 11

SAFE, SECURE, CATHOLIC RETIREMENT Nazareth House, Johannesburg

is an oasis of peace and safety in Yeoville and has a variety of accommodation available right now. From double rooms to a penthouse and ﬂats in the larmenier Retirement Village, Nazareth house has everything you would wish for. holy Mass twice daily, safe and spacious gardens, free parking and many other amenities.

For further information please contact The Social Worker: socialworker@nazarethhousejohannesburg.org Tel: 011 648 1002

Explore the Kruger Park with

VIVA SAFARIS See the richness of South Africa’s wildlife close-up with VIVA SAFARIS. Look for the Big Five in the company of our trained rangers, take a guided bushwalk you will never forget, and after dinner around a fire relax in our chalets – or in a treehouse. We offer a wide spectrum of affordable programmes for backpackers and bush connoisseur alike. For young people, we offer VOLUNTEER SAFARIS (see www.volunteersafaris.co.za)

www.vivasafaris.com for options, photos and videos

RESERVATIONS: 082 450 9930 (Trevor) 082 444 7654 (Piero) 082 506 9641 (Anthony) or e-mail vivasaf@icon.co.za

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

A ban on spanking?

PROPOSED law that would ban parents from administering corporal punishment to their children is inevitably controversial. If enacted, South Africa will join 24 other nations that outlaw spanking, including Sweden, Germany, Poland, Hungary, Croatia, Greece, Bulgaria, Kenya, Tunisia, Venezuela and Costa Rica. Many South Africans, likely a majority, will argue that the administration of a spanking is a valid option in correcting a child’s conduct. The old mantra, based on Proverbs 13:24, “spare the rod, spoil the child”, retains a certain measure of currency in South African society. Consequently there is widespread concern that this approach to pedagogy might be criminalised. There is also an objection that the state has no business telling parents how to raise children, that the proposed law is an intrusion into the private sphere by a “nanny-state”. Some parents may feel powerless in confronting misbehaving children without resorting to corporal punishment, or at least the threat of it. They might refer to their own childhood experiences and the corrective effects on them in mother’s common threat of “wait till your father comes home”. Without the threat of a spanking, they fear, children who know their rights will misbehave with impunity. Criminalising it might even give rise to certain forms of manipulation, especially in cases of domestic conflict. These concerns have some merit, even at an age when great numbers of parents elect to raise their children without recourse to beating them. To reasonable minds, the thought that parents might be charged with assault should they use a flat hand on their child’s bottom must be preposterous. The proposed law should not be aimed at parents who administer the occasional mild spanking. Its primary intent must be to protect children from abusive parents or guardians who dispense beatings harshly and regularly. Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini has said that the proposed law intends to protect such brutalised children. Indeed, the rights of physically abused children—of whom there are many, especially in bru-

talised societies such as South Africa—must precede the parental right to corporal punishment. Parents who frequently beat their children, especially in ways that cause physical injury, must be deterred from doing so by the law, or be held legally accountable for their actions. However, the law will need to be defined in such a way that the mother who in a moment of stress hits her toddler’s backside does not risk legal repercussions. The law will have to be explicit in defining which acts of parental violence are to be criminalised, and which are exempt from prosecution. Safeguarding children from parental abuse is a matter of human rights. It also serves society if it helps to break the cycles of brutalisation which form the continual patterns of aggression and violence in South Africa. Violence breeds violence. While it does not follow that children who were beaten will invariably grow up to be violent themselves, it is evident that children who are not subjected to regular parental beatings grow up more likely to seek non-violent means of resolving disputes than those who are. And it isn’t only parental violence that calls for our concern. The proposed law would by force exclude non-violent forms of parental cruelty and humiliation, some of which have devastating effects on children, but which are impossible to prove. Legislation governing private conduct is notoriously difficult to enforce. To illustrate: spousal abuse is illegal in South Africa, yet wives are still being assaulted by their husbands in great numbers. This is not a good reason to fail to enact such legislation, of course. Ideally, the proposed law should serve not only as a deterrent to cruel parents but, more so, as a framework for effecting a modification of behaviour in society—and, of course, as a means to take legal action when circumstances require. A necessary component of the proposed law would be the facilitation of public education which is needed to advocate for alternative means of dispensing corrective discipline: verbal persuasion, non-violent forms of correction (such as withdrawal of privileges) and positive reinforcement. The churches can play an important role in this.

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.

Prayers to Mary, patroness of SA RE we as Church in South Africa Couldn’t the South African praying enough for our country, Church, that is, every parish and reA its people and its future? And who ligious community in the country, better to inundate with prayers from South Africa than South Africa’s very own patroness, Mary Assumed into Heaven? South Africa is so blessed to have Mary, such a powerful intercessor with God, as its patroness to intercede on the country’s behalf. Why does the Church community in South Africa not make better “use” of such an influential mediator on its behalf with God?

How to judge

LTHOUGH I am not an active member of the We Are All Church SA (WAACSA) movement, I am concerned to hear and read about how this movement is treated by a Church which itself has so many problems. If this movement has transgressed in some way, the instructions of Jesus are very clear. In dealing with such “perceived” transgressions, Jesus tells the disciples (shepherds, bishops?) how to proceed with those who do “stray”. If the wrongdoer “does not listen” to one or two accusers, he must then be “reported to the community”. However, before this can happen, “the evidence of two or three witnesses is required to sustain the charge”. Although Jesus is talking to the disciples, he does not give them the authority to judge the wrongdoer. He very clearly states the steps to be taken. Firstly, the “accused” must be confronted on a one-on-one basis, then by one or two others, and finally a judgment must be handed down by “the community”. According to the Jerusalem Bible, one of the powers conferred on Peter (Mt 16:19) “Whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven”, is also conferred on the community (ekklesia) when addressing brotherly correction (Mt 18:18). To the best of my knowledge, the “evidence” of any misdemeanour, or charge, has not been reported to the community. Yet, in spite of no reasonable or credible evidence being provided, or discussed, or tested by “the community”, the movement has been summarily and unfairly condemned; and for three years has been treated like “a gentile or a tax collector”. “Suppose a man has a hundred sheep and one of them strays; will he not leave the ninety-nine and go in search of the stray?” Not in South Africa. Here the “shepherds” not only wrongly condemn their sheep but one even bans them from their own pasture.

as a united body, as a critical mass, introduce in its Prayers of the Faithful at every Sunday and weekday Mass a permanent petition to Mary Assumed into Heaven, patroness of South Africa, asking her to intercede very specially to God for South Africa and its people? Surely such united petitioning to Mary as our patroness to intercede in prayer to God for our country, and especially this prayer raised as Sadly, the Church of today seems to have regressed to the days of old where Lord Yahweh says in Ezekiel: “You have failed to bring back [perceived] strays or look for the lost. On the contrary, you have ruled them cruelly and harshly.” Have faith WAACSA, “for where two or three meet in my name, I am there among them”; and God bless the Methodist Church for its nonjudgmental Christian sense of ecumenism in accommodating the movement’s meetings. Tony Meehan, Cape Town

Keeping our minds open

T a talk on migratory birds in his environment, a speaker noted that there had been significant changes in numbers, mostly downward. At question time one of the first questions asked was, “Are the changes due to global warming?” “I don't know” was his answer. His attitude was that if any one had evidence to support the idea he and his group would be happy to discuss with a view to try to reach an accurate conclusion. That was refreshing; open minds are desperately needed in today's world if we are to get anywhere at all. There seems to be a never-ending number of correspondents to this newspaper who are determined to cling to past ideas and beliefs at all costs while all around there is evidence that they could quite easily be wrong. Pope Francis seems to be trying to lead the Church into the 21st 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. Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

THE HOLY LAND TREK

‘Simmermacher has captured the essence of the pilgrim’s Holy Land.’ – Pat McCarthy, NZ Catholic

‘Simmermacher marshalls a mass of material, presenting it simply and vividly. – Paddy Kearney, The Southern Cross ‘An interesting and funny look into the places of the Bible.’ – goodreads.com

SPECIAL: Buy The Holy Land Trek AND Owen Williams’ Any Given Sunday for only R215 and GET DELIVERY FREE (SA only)

century. At the rate at which congregations see the need for change his voice may end up being another call “in the wilderness”. What do you think? Deryk Bayman, Durban

There was an answer

CONTROVERSY reigned recently in the choir of our parish for about three weeks as a sector wanted to introduce the secular song “Let it Be” by the Beatles into the Mass on a day of particular significance to Our Lady. I had the words and the chords of the song typed up. Although “Let it Be” was practised once or twice— I think to fob me off more than anything else—the lobby against having secular songs was so strong that I gave up. Then the Sunday, a feast day dedicated to Our Lady, arrived and I listened to the priest’s sermon, talking about Mary’s famous words, let it be. This woke the choir up and reminded them of the special feast day! No one had remembered. When I heard the sermon I knew how appropriate the song “Let it Be“ would be on this day and hauled out from my file the copies I had made and carried around for three weeks prior. Since the hymns included none that specifically focused on Our Lady, the environment softened to the acceptance of the song—although one guitarist did sit out— and “Let it Be” ended the Mass in style; reverently and beautifully sung in tune. A parishioner came up at the end of Mass and asked if the choir group had composed the song, as it was so beautiful. When we told her it was by The Beatles, she said she had never heard it before but would buy the CD. We had excellent comments about the rendition from other parishioners after Mass. Personally I think our Lady organised the rendition as I had definitely given up. Mary Ann Murray, Cape Town

MONK?

An itinerary of the great holy sites of the holy land and Jordan by Günther Simmermacher.

R150 (plus R 15 p&p in SA) from books@scross.co.za or www.holylandtrek.com or call 021 465-5007

part of our daily eucharistic liturgies nationwide, will help South Africa be a nation of leaders and citizens at the service of God and neighbour, and a nation where love, goodnes, peace, truth and justice reign. Such a permanent, united prayer campaign would be easy to implement nationwide and would surely be a highly efficacious form of prayer for our beloved nation, thousands of South Africans’ prayers raised in unison to God daily through the intercession of our patroness, Mary Assumed into Heaven. Ornella Pasqua, Pretoria

CASA SERENA The retirement home with the Italian flair. 7A Marais Road, Bedfordview, Jhb. Provides full board and lodging, medical services and transport. Senior citizens wishing to retire in this beautiful Home, please phone

011 284 2917 www.casaserena.co.za

YES! NOAH OLD AGE HOMES

We can use your old clothing, bric-a-brac, furniture and books for our 2nd hand shop. Help us to create an avenue to generate much needed funds for our work with the elderly. Contact Ian Veary on 021 447 6334 www.noah.org.za

If you are seeking God …And you desire to live a life of prayer and personal transformation …And you are able to live the common life… Perhaps you have the vocation to do so as a Benedictine Monk

For more information contact:

The Abbot Inkamana Abbey P/Bag X9333 Vryheid 3100

The Prior Benedictine Abbey Subiaco PO Box 2189 Pietersburg 0700

PERSPECTIVES

Setting faith to music F IFTY years ago this year one of the most remarkable non-classical Catholic albums was recorded: jazz legend Mary Lou Williams’ Black Christ of the Andes. As the title suggests, the album was dedicated to St Martin de Porres, with the Peruvian saint honoured in a six-and-a-half minute a cappella jazz hymn of extraordinary innovation, with simple yet profound lyrics written by Williams’ confessor, Jesuit Father Anthony Wood. The album, released in 1964, was the product of a spiritual journey which Williams had begun a decade earlier, when the great jazz musician came out of a Paris club where she had been playing, disillusioned with the sins of the world. It was a visit to a church in Paris around the time that persuaded the always generous and sensitive musician to give her life to God. The beginning of her spiritual quest put on a brief hiatus the astonishing career of a principal female pioneer in jazz. Born in 1910 in Atlanta as Mary Scruggs, she played with the great Duke Ellington at the age of 15. The same year, 1925, she was jamming at Harlem’s Rhythm Club when Louis Armstrong came in. He listened to the young girl on the piano, picked her up and gave her a kiss. An accomplished jazz singer, pianist, composer and arranger, Mary Lou Williams went on to write and arrange for the likes of Ellington, Benny Goodman, Earl Hines and Tommy Dorsey. She also mentored a galaxy of future jazz legends, among them Miles Davis, Charlie Parker, Thelonious Monk, Art Blakey and Dizzy Gillespie.

1956. Subsequently she to devoted herself to helping addicted musicians, so that they might return to performing. It was a selfless, immensely generous task, but it posed the question of why Williams herself should not return to performing herself. A coalition of Dizzy Gillespie, his friend Fr John Crowley and Fr Woods persuaded Williams to make music again—or, in the words of Fr Crowley, to “offer your playing up as a prayer for others”. She recorded a few temporal jazz albums before spending much of the 1960s in the pursuit of producing, as one LP title put it, “Jazz for the Soul”. In 1968 she composed a Lenten Mass, which had been especially commissioned by the archdiocese of New York, and the following year she travelled to Rome to perform it there. Plans to have it used in a Mass for Pope Paul VI fell through, much to Williams’ distress, which was not soothed by its concert performance after a Mass, without the pope. It was a consolation that the secretary of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, Mgr Joseph Gremillion, provided

fter finding God, she recorded an album in 1955 and that, she thought, would be it. From here on in Williams would devote her life to God’s work: praying, preaching and doing acts of charity. She first found spiritual refuge in the Abyssinian Baptist Church in Harlem, but it was a nocturnal visit to the nearby Our Lady of Lourdes church which brought her to the Catholic Church. Williams converted to Catholicism in

Catholic jazz great Mary Lou Williams

Günther Simmermacher

Point of Music

her with the framework for her third and most famous Mass, a splendid work now commonly known as “Mary Lou’s Mass”, which in 1975 provided the liturgical music to a Mass in New York’s packed St Patrick’s cathedral. The recording of the mass featured another female jazz pioneer and devout Catholic, Carline Ray, who died this year on July 18 at the age of 88.

ut the musical highpoint in Williams’ Catholic journey is Black Christ of the Andes. The album’s best cut, perhaps, is the closing track, “Praise The Lord”, with Williams rapping lyrics inspired by the psalms and by Archbishop Stephen Langton’s 13th century prayer, while saxophonist Budd Johnson is burning hot and the rhythm section drives the beat with holy fervour. On another track, she invests the 14th century “Anima Christi” prayer (“Anima Christi, sanctifica me. Corpus Christi, salva me. Sanguis Christi, inebria me...”) with a jazz-blues waltz. The album made an explicit religious statement, but not all songs are in a spiritual vein. The set, for example, includes a version of George and Ira Gershwin’s “It Ain’t Necessarily So” from Porgy and Bess, in which the unsavoury protagonist challenges biblical statements. And by combining in the album’s title the words “black” and “Christ”—even if they alluded to a 16th century Peruvian saint—Williams made a strong, unambiguous political statement at the height of the civil rights movement in the United States. But for Williams, the religious, political and secular became one when they were performed with and for God. And when you name the album in honour of a Catholic saint, even a tune referring to the jazz-loving heiress Doris Duke can serve to “offer up a prayer for others”. Mary Lou Williams died at the age of 71 on May 28, 1981, after a two-year battle with cancer. Her funeral Mass was held at St Ignatius of Loyola church in New York. Dizzy Gillespie played, and portions of “Mary Lou’s Mass” formed part of the liturgy.

Why we need to know the Bible I HAVE known Bible Sunday to be a day when the Catholic Church celebrates the Bible together with other churches. I have also known it to be a Sunday when the money collected in honour of the Bible is shared with other churches. This year Bible Sunday in Zimbabwe was a very special day. I was at St Joseph’s church in Hatfield, Harare. On this day the worshippers were given a deeper understanding of the Bible, and the role of the Bible in their lives. The celebrant was Fr Thokozani, the assistant parish priest. Fr Thokozani started by walking several times round the church holding palms which he dipped into holy water, spraying all the worshippers with the water. As he did this the congregation was singing a special “Kyrie” (Lord Have Mercy), confessing that they were born in sin and asking the Lord to purify their souls. The next stage was the presentation of the Bible to catechumens. These are people, both young and old, who are preparing for baptism and will be baptised more than six months later at Easter 2014. Each catechumen held the Bible while the priest said words that can be roughly translated as follows: “Receive the Holy Bible. Let it guide you and be your light until you reach eternal life.” The response of each was: “I receive your Word, Lord. Help me to be faithful to it all my life.” The next stage was even more inspiring. The first two readings were read by young parishioners. Then a big group of young children came up to the altar and faced the congregation. I was told the group was made up of children between ages of 3 and 10. Their role was to teach the catechumens and the congregation about the Bible. Their leader, a girl of about eight years of age, was holding a microphone and asking the children to answer questions

Emmanuel Ngara

Christian Leadership

If we don’t read the Bible, we will be “spiritual paupers”. about the Bible. The following are some of the questions: What are the two main divisions of the Bible? Name the books that make up the Pentateuch. Name all the books of the Prophets. How many books make up the New Testament? How many Gospels are there, and name them? List all the letters of St Paul. What is the last book of the Bible? I was fascinated, not only by the questions, but also by the answers. I was amazed to hear little children naming the following as the books that make up the Pentateuch: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers and Deuteronomy. It was equally fascinating to hear children of that age giving a list of the letters of St Paul: Romans, 1 Corinthians, 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and so on.

When I was a school child, Catholics were taught to memorise the catechism, but knew very little about the Bible. One of the weaknesses of the Catholic Church today is that many Catholics have a feeling of inferiority when they discuss the Bible with Protestants. As I listened to the St Joseph’s children going through their question and answer session, I said to myself, if we could instil in our children the love of the Bible when they are this young, Catholics would see themselves as the equals of their Protestant brothers and sisters in discussing the Bible. Fr Thokozani’s sermon completed the lessons of the day on the Bible. He explained how, when we get visitors, we tend to behave like Martha in the gospel’s story of Martha and Mary. We worry so much about what food to give our guests, and forget to give them the spiritual food that comes from the Bible. In our daily lives, we are keen to read the newspapers, but hardly spend any time reading the Bible. He compared us to a domestic worker whose master left her great wealth in his will, but because she could not read she died a pauper as she did not know the contents of the will. The Lord has given us everything in the Bible, but because we do not read the holy book, we remain spiritual paupers.

n In the Southern African conference region—South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland—Bible Sunday is observed annually on the last Sunday in August; this year it falls on August 25.

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

Michael Shackleton

Open Door

Sacraments and sacramentals According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, sacramentals are “sacred signs which bear a resemblance to the sacraments. They signify effects, particularly of a spiritual nature, which are obtained through the intercession of the Church. By them men are disposed to receive the chief effects of the sacraments, and various occasions in life are rendered holy” (1067). Can you make this confusing definition more understandable to me? How are the sacramentals related to the sacraments? P Evans

HE seven sacraments of the Church are liturgical celebrations. They are visible signs and instruments instituted by Christ to spread his saving grace throughout the Church, which is his body. For instance, in baptism the visible sign of washing with water is also the instrument of the spiritual cleansing from sin. Because only God can forgive sin, it is clear that baptism is the work of Christ himself through the mediation of human agents. Another example would be the sacrament of ordination to the priesthood. The visible sign is the imposition of the ordaining bishop’s hands on the head of the ordinand, designating this person as a sharer in Christ’s eternal priesthood. Only Christ can do this, so it is he who effects the sacrament through the ministry of the bishop. Unlike the sacraments, sacramentals do not have a divine origin, nor are they effected by Christ’s direct action. They were instituted by the Church in the course of time, and include blessings of persons, meals, objects and places in Christ’s name, accompanied by the sign of the cross. When sacred vestments or vessels are blessed for their function in the liturgy or when a sacred image or statue is blessed to be given a place of honour in the church or home, a prayer is included asking God for that blessing. This prayer is the Church’s prayer and so we can have confidence that God hears it. For example, when a priest blesses a motor car he will pray in the Church’s name, asking God to protect from danger all who travel in it, and to bring them safely to the joyful end of their life’s journey. Sacramentals are related to the sacraments because they contain a spiritual benefit that is due to the Church’s prayer of intercession. They dispose those who use them to be more sensitive to the awesomeness of the sacred, and so approach the sacraments with more reverence. The blessing by which men and women are consecrated to the religious life is an example of rendering persons holy in the service of the Church.

n Send your queries to Open Door, Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000; or e-mail: opendoor@scross.co.za; or fax (021) 465 3850. Only published questions will be answered.

Attorneys • Notaries • Conveyancers

Call Shari on 011 029 6050

www.ohagan.co.za

021 531 0550 086 628 4499

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

COMMUNITY

WORLD YOUTH DAY RIO 2013

A group of pilgrims from Pretoria archdiocese gather before departing for Rio. Katlego Ramoshaba of the group said of his experience: “ WYD is an encounter with our Lord like no other.”

Pilgrims kneel in prayer during the closing Mass of World Youth Day on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: Tyler Orsburn/CNS)

Denzel Swarts, Candice Brink and Shànee Adams were among 60 000 youths who volunteered for this year’s World Youth Day.

Pilgrim prays during a eucharistic adoration service in Rio de Janeiro. (Photo: Emily Albert, The Catholic Witness/CNS)

A group of pilgrims from St Michael’s parish in Rondebosch, Cape Town. The flag they are holding has been to World Youth Day in Sydney in 2008, Madrid in 2011 and Rio this year.

An estimated 3 million people attended the closing Mass—one of the largest crowds in the history of World Youth Day. (Photo: Stefano Rellandini, Reuters/CNS)

Denzel Swarts of St Timothy’s in Tafelsig, Cape Town, was also a volunteer at World Youth Day in Madrid in 2011.

St Joseph’s Catholic parish

(Amatikwe, Inanda north of Durban) is building its first outstation church building in Inanda. The growing congregation of 1 000 is currently using a corrugated structure and kindly appeals for any donation ie fundraising ideas, flea market material, building material or money. The total cost of the project is R1,8m. For more info please contact the parish priest Fr Albert Sithole on cell: 071 119 8068 email:revamsithole@gmail.com, or Protas Madlala on tel: 031 308 9906 email: Protas@seda-ethekwini.org.za

Young people from Lesotho, Swaziland, Cape Town and Johannesburg gathered at Bosco Youth Centre in Johannesburg to celebrate World Youth Day in solidarity with their brothers and sisters in Rio.

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

Contact your nearest office for more information on Courses and Training Programs

www.catholicbible.org.za

JHB: 011 435 7488 DBN: 031 3031919

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

FOCUS

Can violence ever be justified? Jesus told us to turn the other cheek, but can violence ever be justified? Fr RAYMOND MANGWALA OMI discusses six checks and balances that must apply before violence in defence of self and others is permissible.

HE use of violence is common both locally and on the international scene. Media reports of crimes involving the use of violence are a regular feature in this country. In fact, for some people, South Africa has become synonymous with violence. Violence seems to be used by law enforcement agents as by criminals: violence was the cause of death of the activist Andries Tatane; police violence at Marikana is under the spotlight. Is it true that war and violence are just other forms of politics? While criminal activity of any sort cannot be justified, what about violence committed by the state? Is there any legitimate form of violence? What conditions make violence morally justified? Trying to justify the use of violence in the present South African climate is a difficult and, indeed, hazardous undertaking. For one, it might be taken to mean a support of the indiscriminate use of violence which results in the loss of life. This is not what is intended or meant here. Any use of violence is undesirable. In fact, the opposite is my intention: I want to argue that sometimes it is justifiable to use violence to prevent the unnecessary loss of life, that is, in defence of life. My argument is that self-defence or the defence of another against an unjust aggressor is a condition that justifies the use of violence. Unfortunately, the argument of self-defence has been perverted and used in circumstances that clearly do not meet the conditions of self-defence. Since the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States and the 2003 inva-

sion of Iraq debate on the use of war in self-defence or what others have called pre-emptive war, has characterised international politics. For some, prevention is a form of defence, but I find this argument hard to sustain. Self-defence must meet certain well-defined criteria. In their 2008 book, Defending Humanity: When Force is Justified and Why (Oxford University Press) on the use of war in self-defence, George Fletcher and Jens David Ohlin identify six elements of legitimate self-defence. I find what they propose helpful in thinking about how violence may be morally justified. Fletcher and Ohlin call these six elements “the general principles which govern the structure of self-defence”. These are divided into two categories, three bearing on the nature of the attack and the other three on the requirements of permissible defence. Those bearing on the nature of the attack are: 1) the attack must be overt; 2) the attack must be unlawful and; 3) the attack must be imminent. The three elements bearing on the means are 1) the violence must be necessary; 2) the violence must be proportional and; 3) the subject must know or intend the response as self-defence.

The attack must be overt Before one can speak of using violence in self-defence something must happen that is perceived as an attack. The attack or perceived attack must happen in the real world and not just in the minds of those who fear an attack. The precise actions which constitute an attack are, however, difficult to pin down. In international relations, massing of troops on the border, violating air space, preparing missiles for attack are acts that are preliminary to an actual attack. They thus constitute an overt intention to attack. On the personal level, what constitutes such an overt intention to attack, carrying a dangerous weapon, approaching another in an aggressive manner? A debate on this first element concerns the perception of the subject facing imminent attack; should the belief of the subject be reasonable or is it sufficient for the subject

defence, that is, that an attack should be repelled by the least costly method available. Violence can only be used as the last resort. Where other possibilities, such as dialogue are available, the use of violence is not permissible or justified.

The defence must be proportionate

Fr Raymond Mangwala argues that self-defence against an unjust agressor justifies the use of violence, but only when governed by strict criteria. (Photo: Jason Redmond, Reuters/CNS) to believe to be under attack? This was at the centre of the recent trial in Florida of George Zimmerman in the killing of Trayvon Martin. There are those who believe that in the use of violence as a means of self-defence, objective elements must be the basis of acting. It is argued that since human beings are capable of making grave mistakes in perception, violence cannot be justified based merely on perception or belief. What looks like an attack may in fact not be one at all. Others, however, argue that subjective beliefs are a sufficient basis for action. One cannot wait to defend oneself until one has been attacked; it might be too late to do anything at this stage. One reason why this element is important, even though it is difficult to apply in practice, is that using violence, which in many instances leads to the death of another, is too serious a matter to be justified only by the perception of the subject. There must be some external, observable facts that lead to the conclusion that an attack is about to take place and that the use of violence is necessary.

The attack must be unlawful The second principle follows from the idea that acting in self-defence must be lawful under certain circumstances. And so, to permit violence in a situation in which violence is

Pre-school to Grade 12

INDEPENDENT SCHOOL FOR BOYS AND GIRLS YOUR CHILD CAN:

Since violence in self-defence is justified in relation to a potential harm, proportionality between the force to be employed and the possible harm must be established. This requires a balancing of competing interests. The rights and interests of the defender must be balanced against the rights of the aggressor. In some instances, however, the interests of the victim outweigh those of the aggressor. A question: May a woman kill to prevent a rape?

* be educated in an English-medium Christian school * receive affordable private education * mix with boys and girls in small classes * never need to change schools * enjoy school life in an atmosphere of love, care and mutual respect

lawfully used is contradictory. Self-defence cannot, therefore, be invoked against an attack that is itself lawful. The use of violence against a law enforcement agent who is acting within the law would thus be unjustified.

The defence must be an intentional or knowing response Necessity and proportionality point to the objective characteristics of using violence in self-defence, the final element points to the subjective element in the act. The consensus among Western legal systems is that the defender must know about the imminent attack and must act with the intention of repelling it to legitimately invoke self-defence. In other words, self-defence is a privilege that can be properly exercised only by people who know the relevant facts. This eliminates the indiscriminate use of violence under the guise of self-defence. In conclusion, my aim is not to argue for the indiscriminate use of violence either by law enforcement agents or by individuals, but rather to show that violence, used as the last resort, in self-defence or in defence of another against an unjust aggressor, should be subject to the six elements described above to be considered justified. A society free of violence is, of course, the ideal, but owing to sin we have to struggle with imperfect conditions. n Fr Raymond Mangwala OMI is the dean of studies at St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal.

The attack must be imminent This principle requires that the attack has not yet occurred and also that the defender cannot wait for the attack to take place. It distinguishes self-defence from the illegal use of force in two ways. First, it distinguishes between retaliation and self-defence. Retaliation is acting after the act of aggression has been completed. This is normally considered to be a punishment for some past attack. This should not be confused with self-defence. Secondly, this element distinguishes between self-defence and a preemptive attack against a perceived aggressor. Preemptive attacks are notoriously difficult to justify.

The defence must be necessary Violence is only justifiable when it is necessary or as the last means. Unfortunately, necessity is not easily defined. According to Fletcher and Ohlin, the word “necessary” when used in relation to self-defence raises the possibility of using less costly means of

Kolping Guest House & Conference facility

Situated in a tranquil garden in the centre of Durbanville, Cape Town, with pool and braai facilities, we offer both tastefully decorated B&B and S/C as well as a full English breakfast and dinner by arrangement. Conference and wheelchair facilities available, within walking distance of shops, restaurants, banks and close proximity to Catholic church, tennis courts, golf course and wine routes. 7 Biccard Street, Durbanville, 7550 Tel: +27 21 970 2900 Fax: +27 21 976 9839 info@kolpingguesthouse.co.za www.kolpingguesthouse.co.za

FRIENDS FOR EVER PILGRIMAGE

NEW FOR 2014 9 TO18 NOV

Formerly Ngome Friends Pilgrimage Visiting the Vatican city, Rome and Assisi for the 9th time and also Istanbul (Old Constantinople) with Rev Fr Bongani Sithole Cost from R16500

Tel: (031) 266 7702 Fax: (031) 266 8982 Email: judyeichhorst@telkomsa.net

Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary WISH TO SHINE YOUR LIGHT FOR GOD’S CHILDREN! Then as a Daughter of the Immacualte Heart of Mary this is your chance to rekindle the light of LOVE and of the GOOD NEWS to the: n Youth and Children

n Sick n Aged n Outcast and Neglected

Corner: Cussonia Ave & Pretoria Street, Pretoria Tel 012 804 1801 Fax 012 804 8781 Email admissions@cbcpretoria.co.za

Feel God’s Call

For more information contact The Vocation Directoress

P.O. Box 17204 Witbank, 1035; Tel: 013 656 3708; Cell: 082 838 5428 lekgala.m@gmail.com

P.O. Box 864, Glen Cowie, 1061 Cell: 076 923 8319

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2013

Popes against the tide Continued from page 5 merely out of fear of upsetting people. It is more plausible, and more consistent with his style of communication, that he is making overtures to those who have closed their minds and hearts to the Church. “When leaders in various fields ask me for advice, my response is always the same: dialogue, dialogue, dialogue,” the pope told Brazilian political, economic and cultural leaders. “A country grows when constructive dialogue occurs between its many rich cultural components: Popular culture, university culture, youth culture, artistic and technological culture, economic culture, family culture and media culture,” he said. If the pope sees the Church as a counterculture, then he sees it as one necessarily in dialogue with the cultures to which it is opposed, all of them part of

Community Calendar

To place your event, call Claire Allen at 021 465 5007 or e-mail c.allen@scross.co.za (publication subject to space) Mass at 9:30 am at the SaCAPE TOWN: cred Heart church in SomerMimosa Shrine, Bellville set Road, Cape Town. Mass (Place of pilgrimage for the is followed by a vigil and Year of Faith) Tel: 076 323 procession to Marie Stopes 8043. August 15: The Asabortion clinic in Bree sumption of our Lady 7:00pm Rosary, 7:30pm Street. For information conHoly Mass. September 12: tact Colette Thomas on 083 Most Holy Name of Mary, 412 4836 or 021 593 9875 7.00pm Rosary, 7.30pm or Br Daniel Manuel on 083 Mass. September 14: Exal544 3375. tation of the Holy Cross, St Paul’s in Somerset West 9.00-10.00am Holy hour are holding a music and and Benediction, confession flower festival on Septemavailable. September 26: ber 29 at 2:00. Proceeds go 7.30pm Rosary. to Archbishop’s building Padre Pio: Holy hour 15:30 fund. pm every 3rd Sunday of the KWAZULU-NATAL: month at Holy Redeemer parish in Bergvliet. Mariannhill diocese is holding a pilgrimage on 17-18 Helpers of God’s Precious August at Kevelaer Mission, Infants meet the last SaturDonnybrook. Call 031 700 day of the month except in 2704. December, starting with

what he calls a great “culture of encounter”. To reach out in this way follows naturally from his call that the Church evangelise all those on its “existential peripheries”. The extraordinary curiosity and good will Pope Francis has elicited in his first few months could now offer the Church an unprecedented opening for such a process, which, like any honest dialogue, will inevitably entail the expression of hard as well as happy truths.—CNS

Southern CrossWord solutions

CLASSIFIEDS

Births • First Communion • Confirmation • Engagement/Marriage • Wedding anniversary • Ordination jubilee • Congratulations • Deaths • In memoriam • Thanks • Prayers • Accommodation • Holiday Accommodation • Personal • Services • Employment • Property • Others Please include payment (R1,25 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

DEATH

SOLUTIONS TO 563. ACROSS: 4 Freedom, 8 Humble, 9 Scandal, 10 Nicked, 11 On show, 12 Election, 18 Sadducee, 20 Subdue, 21 Grille, 22 Furious, 23 Bustle, 24 Heather. DOWN: 1 Thunder, 2 Smacked, 3 Albert, 5 Reckoned, 6 Ernest, 7 Orator, 13 Insecure, 14 Acolyte, 15 Jezebel, 16 Future, 17 Addict, 19 Darius.

Liturgical Calendar Year C Weekdays Cycle Year 1 Sunday, August 18, 20th Sunday Jeremiah 38:4-6, 8-10, Psalm 40:2-4, 18, Hebrews 12:1-4, Luke 12:49-53 Monday, August 19, St Louis Ezekiel 34:11-16, Psalm 23:1-6, John 10:11-16 Tuesday, August 20, St Bernard Judges 6:11-24, Psalm 85:9, 11-14, Matthew 19:23-30 Wednesday, August 21, St Pius X Judges 9:6-15, Psalm 21:2-7, Matthew 20:1-16 Thursday, August 22, Queenship of the BVM Isaiah 9:1-6, Psalm 113:1-8, Luke 1:26-38 Friday, August 23, St Rose of Lima Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22, Psalm 146:5-10, Matthew 22:34-40 Saturday, August 24, St Bartholomew Revelation 21:9-14, Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18, John St Rose of Lima 1:45-51 Sunday, August 25, 21st Sunday Isaiah 66:18-21, Psalm 117:1-2, Hebrews 12:5-7, 1113, Luke 13:22-30

O RFO R D

CONSTRUCTION

ESTABLISHED 1982

Professional Supervision

Project Management Specialists in:

New Houses • Renovations • Alterations • Additions • Painting • Plumbing

• Property Management and Care For Advice call Julian Orford B.Sc. (Civ.Eng) Tel: (021) 788 9321 Fax: (021) 788 4401 Cell: 082 493 0563 E-mail: julian@orfordconstruction.co.za www.orfordconstruction.co.za

ST. KIZITO CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME St. Kizito Children’s Programme (SKCP) is a community-based response to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children, established through the Good Hope Development Fund in 2004 in response to the Church’s call to reach out to those in need. Operating as a movement within the Archdiocese of Cape Town, SKCP empowers volunteers from the target communities to respond to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) living in their areas. The SKCP volunteers belong to Parish Groups that are established at Parishes in target communities. Through the St. Kizito Movement, the physical, intellectual, emotional and psycho-social needs of OVCs are met in an holistic way. Parish Groups provide children and families with a variety of essential services, while the SKCP office provides the groups with comprehensive training and on-going support. In order to continue its work, SKCP requires on-going support from generous donors. Funds are needed to cover costs such as volunteer training and support, emergency relief, school uniforms and children’s excursions. Grants and donations of any size are always appreciated. We are also grateful to receive donations of toys, clothes and blankets that can be distributed to needy children and families.

If you would like to find out more about St. Kizito Children’s Programme, or if you would like to make a donation, please contact Shirley Dunn on (021) 782 2792 Email info@stkizito.org.za. Donations can also be deposited into our bank account: ABSA Branch: Claremont, 632005; Account Name: Good Hope Development Fund; Account Number: 4059820320 This advertisement has been kindly sponsored

MBOMBO—It is with great sadness that we announce the passing of our mother Dr Ozma on July 30th, 2013. A memorial service will be held on the 7th of August at St Francis Hall in Langa at 18H00. Her funeral service will be on the 17th of August, here in Cape Town at St Anthony’s Parish. Mbombo Family

IN MEMORIAM

FALLER—Emil. Died August 18, 1990. Lovingly remembered by his fourteen sons and daughters and their families in South Africa, Australia and Spain. May he enjoy the fruits of a life of loving service. HERHOLDT—Berty. Passed away on August 22, 2005. Eight years ago you departed from us, but you will always be remembered in our thoughts and our prayers. You will always be missed by your wife, Lorna, your sons, Albert, Harry, Gary and Paul and all their families. May your soul rest in peace. YOUNG—Berry. Passed away August 19, 2009. You had such a unique sense of humour and outlook on life, that we still smile fondly when we think of you. Remembered by Ramona, Virginia and Carlotta. Rest in peace Mamma.

PERSONAL

ABORTION WARNING: The pill can abort (chemical abortion) Catholics must be told, for their eternal welfare and the survival of their unborn infants. NOTHING is politically right if it is morally wrong. Abortion is evil. Value life! TAXATION SERVICES—Tax & Vat Returns prepared and e-filed by SARS Registered Tax Practitioner (45 years SARS experience now on your side) Contact Mike 082 929 9874 / 033 396 5471, mikewhite1@ telkomsa.net

PRAYERS

O JESUS, Who hast said, ask and you shall receive, seek and you shall find, knock and it shall be opened to you, through the intercession of Mary. Thy Most Holy Mother, I knock, I seek, I ask that my prayer be granted. (Make your request) O Jesus, Who hast said, all that you ask of the Father in My name, He will grant you through the intercession of Mary, Thy Most Holy

Mother, I humbly and urgently ask Thy Father in Thy name that my prayer be granted. (Make your request) O Jesus, Who has said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away but my word shall not pass” through the intercession of Mary, Thy Most Holy Mother, I feel confident that my prayer will be granted. (Make your request). In thanksgiving for prayers answered. (This Novena is to be said at the same time every hour for nine consecutive hours – just one day) Andre. REMEMBER O most

gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that anyone fled to your protection, implored your help, or sought your intercession and was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, we fly unto you, O Virgin of virgins our Mother. To you do we come, before you we stand sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not our petitions, but in your mercy, hear and answer us. Amen. Andre.

BALLITO: Up-market penthouse on beach, self-catering, 084 790 6562. FISH HOEK: Self-catering accommodation, sleeps 4. Secure parking. Tel: 021 785 1247. KNYSNA: Self-catering accommodation for 2 in Old Belvidere with wonderful lagoon views. 044 387 1052. MARIANELLA: Guest House, Simon’s Town: “Come experience the peace and beauty of God with us.” Fully equipped with amazing sea views. Secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. Special rates for pensioners and clergy. Tel: Malcolm Salida 082 784 5675 or mjsalida@gmail.com SEDGEFIELD: Beautiful self-catering garden holiday flat, sleeps four, two bedrooms, openplan lounge, kitchen, fully equipped. 5 min walk to lagoon. Out of season specials. Contact Les or Bernadette 044 343 3242, 082 900 6282. STELLENBOSCH: Christian Brothers Centre. 14 suites (double/twin beds), some with fridge & microwave, others beside kitchenette & lounge, eco-spirituality library. Countryside vineyard/forest/mountain views/walks; beach 20 minute drive. Affordable. 021 880 0242. www.cbcentre.co.za Email: cbcs tel@gmail.com STRAND: Beachfront flat to let. Stunning views, fully equipped. One bedroom, sleeps 3. Seasonal rates. From R600 p/night for 2 people—low season. Garage. Ph Brenda 082 822 0607.

PATRICK & SONS PLUMBING

CONSTRUCTION AND MAINTENANCE

YOU, O eternal Trinity, are a deep sea into which, the more I enter, the more I find. And the more I find, the more I seek. O abyss, O eternal Godhead, O sea profound, what more could you give me than yourself? Prayer of Awe—St Catherine of Siena. Andre

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

LONDON, Protea House: Single per/night R300, twin R480. Self-catering, busses and underground nearby. Phone Peter 021 851 5200.

Contact Office 021 554 2609 Cell 083 453 3457 or 083 290 8146 patrick.s@telkomsa.net UPHOLSTERER

More than 50 years of experience guarantees you satisfaction.

Tel: 021 447 4727

after hours 021 393 4344 The Southern Cross is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations of South Africa. Printed by Paarl Coldset (Pty) Ltd, 10 Freedom Way, Milnerton. Published by the proprietors, The Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Co Ltd, at the company’s registered office, 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001.

The Southern Cross is published independently by the Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Company Ltd. Address: PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000. Tel: (021) 465 5007 Fax: (021) 465 3850 www.scross.co.za Editor: Günther Simmermacher (editor@scross.co.za), Business Manager: Pamela Davids (admin@scross.co.za), Advisory Editor: Michael Shackleton, News Editor: Claire Mathieson (c.mathieson@scross.co.za), Editorial: Claire Allen (c.allen@scross.co.za), Mary Leveson (m.leveson@scross.co.za) Advertising: Elizabeth Hutton (advertising@scross.co.za), Subscriptions: Avril Hanslo (subscriptions@scross.co.za), Dispatch: Joan King (dispatch@scross.co.za), Accounts: Desirée Chanquin (accounts@scross.co.za). Directors: C Moerdyk (Chairman), Archbishop S Brislin, C Brooke, P Davids*, S Duval, E Jackson, B Jordan, M Lack (UK), Sr H Makoro CPS, M Salida, G Simmermacher*, Z Tom

Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, staff or directors of The Southern Cross.

Pregnant?

Help is as near as your telephone

Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 • 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001

079 742 8861 031 201 5471 072 148 8324

www.birthright.co.za Donations and volunteers and prayers always welcome

Tel: (021) 465 5007 • Fax: (021) 465 3850

Editorial: editor@scross.co.za

Advertising: advertising@scross.co.za

Website: www.scross.co.za

21st Sunday: August 25 Readings: Isaiah 66:18-21, Psalm 117, Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13, Luke 13:22-30

OD’S priorities are not, regrettably enough, always the same as our priorities, and the people whom God finds acceptable are not, alas, always People Like Us. The first reading, almost at the end of the long adventure that is the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, sees God as being on the point of inviting all those horrid Gentiles, who have caused the People of God so much suffering: “I am coming to gather all the nations and languages—and they shall see my glory.” Not only that, but “I shall put a sign among them”. This is no longer a private treat for God’s people. Instead, foreigners and people of a different religion “who have not heard my hearing or seen my glory—and they are going to proclaim my glory among the nations!” Then the prophet envisages a truly shocking sight: Every kind of vehicle that you could possibly imagine, and “they shall bring your kinsfolk from all the nations, as an offering to the Lord, on my holy mountain, Jerusalem, says the Lord”. And more astonishing than this, he continues: “And even some of them I am going to take as priests and Levites, says the Lord.” It is hard to imagine the shock and offence that this will have caused; but try and think of that race, or family, or school, or district that you hate the most, and then think of God giving them special favours. Our God is bigger

•

Business manager: admin@scross.co.za

•

Subscriptions: subscriptions@scross.co.za

Digital edition: www.digital.scross.co.za

•

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thescross

Adopt God’s view Nicholas King SJ

Sunday Reflections

than anything that our narrow envy can possibly imagine. The psalm for next Sunday shows a similarly broad-minded view. It is the shortest hymn in the Psalter, and we are not surprised when it starts with an invitation to “praise the Lord”, for that is what psalms do. Then however we get a shock when we realise to whom it is addressed: “All you nations!” And it gets no better: “Give him glory, all you peoples.” But it comes from the profound recognition that “God’s faithful love is great over us, and the Lord’s integrity is for ever.” That insight is far more important than our trivial tribalisms, and our too-narrow categories of the kind of people that count as acceptable. We have to learn and re-learn the essential lesson that God is far bigger and wider than anything that we can possibly imagine. The second reading continues the rapid pass

through the Letter to the Hebrews that we have been following for a while. The audience of the letter, whoever they may be, are clearly a bit baffled by their experience of persecution, and they have forgotten the message: “My son, don’t despise the Lord’s discipline, and don’t grow weary when you are punished by him.” In our day we are a bit baffled by the supporting argument, that “those whom the Lord loves, he disciplines; and he whips every son whom he acknowledges”. So it seems that when these rather alarming things happen to us, it is a sign of God’s love, “for what son is there whom his father does not discipline?” Therefore, he exhorts us, possibly aware that not all of us regard physical punishment as a sign of affection, “straighten up your drooping morale and your paralysed joints and make straight paths for your feet”. There is hope here, if only we shall allow ourselves to see things as the Lord sees them. In the gospel reading, we are following Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem, “through cities and villages, and making a journey to Jerusalem”; we are already aware that it is not plain sailing, and we have been told that death lies at the end of it. So we are not surprised when someone questions him: “Lord, is it just a few who are

Give to the poor for your sake W

E need to give to the poor, not because they need it, though they do, but because we need to do that in order to be healthy. That’s an axiom that is grounded in Scripture where, time and again, we are taught that giving to the poor is something that we need to do for our own health. We see this truth expressed in many religions and cultures. For example, a number of indigenous North American people practiced something they called “potlatch”. This was a festival, sometimes attached to the celebration of a birth or wedding, at which a rich person gave away gifts to the community. Its primary purpose was to ensure a certain distribution of wealth, and also to ensure that wealthy individuals stayed healthy by being solicitous in terms of not accumulating too much wealth. Too much excess, it was believed, left a person unhealthy. This has been a perennial belief in most cultures. In Christianity we have enshrined this in the challenge to be charitable to the poor and we have classically seen our giving to the poor as a virtue, and rightly so. Charitable giving is a virtue; but, for a Christian, perhaps it’s more obligation than virtue. When we look at the Law of Moses in Scripture, we see that a certain amount of giving to the poor was prescribed by law. The idea was that giving to the poor was

Classic Conrad

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

an obligation, not a negotiable moral option. Simply put, the Law of Moses obligated people, legally, to give to the poor. Scripture abounds with examples of this. Consider, for example, these precepts and laws: • First of all, the Law of Moses assumed that everything we have belongs to God and is not really ours. We are only its stewards and guardians. We may enjoy it at God’s pleasure, but ultimately it’s not ours. (Leviticus 25:23) • Every seventh year, all slaves were to be set free and each was to take with him or her enough of the master’s goods to be able to live an independent life. (Deuteronomy 15:14). • Every seventh year all economic debts were to be cancelled (the original meaning of the “statute of limitations”). • Every seventh year one’s land was to lie fallow and enjoy its own Sabbath. During that year, the land’s owner not only didn’t sow anything, he or she didn’t reap anything either. The poor were to reap whatever the fields and vineyards produced that year.

• And, at all times, landowners were forbidden to reap and harvest the corners of their fields, with the intent that these edges were to be reaped by the poor. • Finally, even more radically, every fiftieth year all lands were to be restored to the original tribe or household who had first owned them. One’s “ownership” of property had a certain time limit. Things weren’t yours forever. Moreover, doing all of this was not considered as virtue; these were laws, legal obligations. And there was a double intent behind these laws. They were intended for the health of the one who was giving something away to the poor. At the same time, they were an attempt to ensure that the poor did not become so destitute so that they would have to steal what they needed in order to live. We have much to learn from this as a society. For the most part we are generous and charitable people. We give away some of our surplus and, despite warnings from professionals who work with street people that this isn’t helpful, our hearts are still moved by those begging on our streets and we continue to slip them money (even as we don’t believe their claim that they need money for food or busfare). For the most part, our hearts are still in the right place. But we tend to see this as something we are doing purely for someone else without realising that our own health is a vital part of the equation. Further, we tend to see this as virtue more than as obligation, as charity more than as justice. And perhaps it’s for this reason that, despite our good hearts and our generosity, the gap between the rich and the poor, both within our own culture and within the world as a whole, continues to widen. Millions and millions of people continue to fall through the cracks without getting the benefit, in law, to reap the corners of our wealth and have their debts forgiven every seven years. We need to give to the poor because they need it, admittedly; but we need to do it too because we cannot be healthy unless we do this. And we need to see our giving not so much as charity but as obligation, as justice, as something we owe. On this deathbed, St Vincent de Paul is reputed to have challenged his followers with words to this effect: It is more blessed to give than to receive—and it is also easier!

083 640 5848

being saved?” His response offers not much grounds for facile optimism: “Compete to enter through the narrow gate, because, I’m telling you, many will be looking to get in, and won’t be able to.” Then he presents his interrogator with the image of a house that is padlocked and chained, with the burglar alarms set, and people outside banging on the door and saying “Lord open up for us!”, and getting the daunting response: “I have no idea where you come from.” Then we hear these people claiming to be old friends: “We ate and drank in your presence, and you taught us in our piazzas,” but getting a pretty powerful rebuff: “I have no idea where you come from: get away from me, all you who do wicked deeds.” Jesus offers those complacent people (ourselves, thinly disguised, you understand) a sharp reminder of how narrow their vision is: “There will be weeping and gnashing of teeth, when you see Abraham and Isaac and Jacob and all the prophets in the Kingdom of God, and you lot flung outside.” Any idea that we have rights over the kingdom needs to crumble in the face of the breadth of God’s vision: “They will come from East and West, North and South, and they will lie down to eat in the Kingdom of God. And look! They are last who are going to be first, and they are first who are going to be last.” We listen uneasily and prepare to expand our hearts.

Southern Crossword #563

ACROSS 4. Emancipation that begins gratis (7) 8. Having a low opinion of yourself (6) 9. Sad clan turns to infamy (7) 10. Pinched and notched (6) 11. Open to the public (2,4) 12. Choice for a new pope (8) 18. One who says there is no resurrection (Mt 22) (8) 20. Overcome reversing bus due (6) 21. A bar for cloistered nuns (6) 22. Really angry (7) 23. Subtle commotion (6) 24. The hare twists into a plant (7)

DOWN 1. James and John were named its sons (Mk 3) (7) 2. Slapped, like Jesus was (7) 3. The Great Dominican (6) 5. Calculated (8) 6. The man who sounds serious (6) 7. Preacher (6) 13. Rescue in being unprotected (7) 14. One who assists the priest (7) 15. Ahab’s wife (1 Kg 16) (7) 16. What is yet to come (6) 17. Mad dictator hides being on drugs (6) 19. King named at the start of the prophecy (Hg 1) (6)

Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

WOMAN was getting her affairs in order. She prepared her will and made her final arrangements. As part of these she met with her priest to talk about what type of funeral service she wanted. She told her priest she had two final requests. First, she wanted to be cremated, and second, she wanted her ashes scattered over Pick n Pay. “Pick n Pay!” the pastor said. “Why Pick n Pay?” “That way I know my daughters will visit me twice a week.” Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.