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Blessing of the Fishing Fleet

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SA journalist recalls St John Paul II adventure

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SA woman priest is excommunicated By stUart GraHaM

A Bishop Zolile Petros Mpambani of Kokstad ordained nine deacons, mostly from Mariannhill, at abbot Francis House in Merrivale, near Pietermaritzburg. From left: Mike Mwale OP, alistair thembinkosi Gogodo, Joakim Pinji, Bhekimpilo Chuma, tamsanqa Njiela, Fernando Chilequene, similo Ncube, Kevin Mapfumo and Mthokozisi Madlala tOr. (Photo: Mauricio langa)

Pope Francis eyes 2015 trip to France

By ElisE Harris

A

NNOUNCING Pope Francis’ schedule for his visit to the European Parliament next month, the Vatican also revealed that he intends to return to France in 2015 for a longer visit.

“In the context of the publication of the schedule of the pope to the European Parliament and to the Council of Europe that will take place November 25, I can now say that the Holy Father intends to make an apostolic voyage to France in the coming year 2015,” Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ said in a statement.

The announcement of Pope Francis’ projected visit to France marks his second international trip set for 2015, the first being a

January 12-19 visit to Sri Lanka and the Philippines.

For his trip to Strasbourg, Pope Francis will leave Rime at 8:00, land in the French city around 10:00, and address the European Parliament at 10:35.

After his speech to the parliament, the Pope will pay a visit to the European Council at noon, where he will also give an address. He will head to the airport after the meeting, and is expected to arrive back in Rome just before 16:00.

Shortly after his visit to the European Parliament, Pope Francis will travel to Turkey in order to celebrate the feast of St Andrew, who is the founder of the Eastern Church and patron of the Orthodox world.—CNA

MOTHER of four who was ordained as South Africa's second woman “Catholic priest” has incurred an automatic excommunication from the Catholic Church.

Pretoria canon lawyer Mgr Marc de Mûelenaere said Mary Ryan, 60, who holds a doctorate in theology from the University of South Africa, was excommunicated latae sententiae the moment she was ordained at the Volmoed retreat centre outside Hermanus, Western Cape.

“According to canon law she is automatically excommunicated, and the person who ordained her is also excommunicated,” he said.

Mrs Ryan, who declined to be interviewed

by The Southern Cross, was ordained by Patricia Fresen, a former nun who was excommunicated and separated from the Dominican order, to which she belonged, after being ordained a priest in Barcelona in 2003.

Mgr Mûelenaere said any service presided over by Mrs Ryan and Ms Fresen would not be considered a valid Mass in canon law.

“People are free to go to their services if they want to go, but it would not be considered as fulfilling a Sunday obligation,” he said.

“However, if a person were to throw their lot in with the lady and attend Mass only with her, you could consider that the person had joined her and this could be grounds for [automatic] excommunication.”

Mrs Ryan and Ms Fresen, who now takes the title “bishop”, are members of Roman Catholic Women Priests (RCWP), an international movement which started with the ordination of seven Catholic women by Argentinian bishop Romulo Braschi in 2002 According to RCWP, around 180 priests have been ordained into the movement in ten countries. Some 150 members of the or-

ganisation live in the United States.

“We women are no longer asking for permission to be priests. Instead, we have taken back our rightful God-given place ministering to Catholics as inclusive and welcoming priests,” the organisation says on its website.

Ms Fresen was a Dominican sister for 45 years before her excommunication. She had taught at both St Augustine College in Johannesburg and St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria.

According to the Mail & Guardian, Ms Fresen told the packed chapel: “We know that the only way to change an unjust law is to break it. And that is what we are doing today.”

The Catholic Church holds that “the Church has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly ordination on women”, according to Pope John Paul II’s 1994 apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacerdotalis.

The apostolic letter concluded “that this judgment is to be definitively held by all the Church’s faithful”.

Pope Francis addressed the issue last year in his apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium.

“I readily acknowledge that many women share pastoral responsibilities with priests, helping to guide people, families and groups and offering new contributions to theological reflection,” he wrote.

“The reservation of the priesthood to males, as a sign of Christ the spouse who gives himself in the Eucharist, is not a question open to discussion, but it can prove especially divisive if sacramental power is too closely identified with power in general.”

The idea that ordination equals power not only robs the Church of valuable contributions from women, he said, it presents a misguided view of the priesthood and the sacraments.

Boko Haram has destroyed nearly 200 churches since August

By PEtEr DaDa

N

EARLY 200 churches in the Maiduguri diocese in north-eastern Nigeria have been destroyed or razed by Boko Haram insurgents since August, a diocesan official said.

Fr Gideo Obasogie, director of social communications in the diocese, said that violence has affected 186 churches in 14 parishes in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

Some parishes lost as many as 25 churches and worship sites, Fr Obasogie said. “As a Church, we are really going through a severe moment of persecution,” he added.

The diocese attributed the violence to Boko Haram, an Islamist militant group with a somewhat undefined leadership and structure. The organisation is in the fifth year of a violent campaign that has included bombings, attacks on churches, assassinations and abductions in an effort to overthrow the

Nigerian government and create an Islamist state.

The recent raids also have displaced local government officials, throwing the region into chaos as the insurgents have taken over government buildings.

The violence has forced thousands of Catholics to flee the region and has delayed the start of the school year, Fr Obasogie said.

He was also troubled by the health conditions of Christians in displacement camps.

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The statement offered no solution to the crisis in the region, but said that the problems posed by the insurgent movement must begin to be addressed globally.

Boko Haram terrorist activity has now spread into Cameroon.

Bishop Bruno Ateba of Maroua-Mokolo told Christian charity Aid to the Church in Need that armed soldiers now accompany missionary priests when they celebrate Sunday Mass.—CNS/CNA

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the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

LOCAL

Church must educate on ebola By stUart GraHaM

T

HE Church has to play a role in informing West African villagers about the dangers of the spread of ebola, Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria has said.

“One of the problems out there is that people believe that ebola is contracted through witchcraft,” the archbishop said.

“Some relief workers are being killed by villagers. The Church has to be involved in informing people, helping them understand that medical people are trying to help people and are not spreading the disease.”

Fr Kitzito Gugah of cuts the cake for Malmesbury parish’s 150th anniversary celebrations.

SA’s third-oldest parish celebrates 150 years

By DylaN aPPOlis

S

AINT Francis de Sales parish, said to be the third-oldest in South Africa, celebrated its 150year anniversary in Malmesbury, near Cape Town.

The anniversary started with a colourful and spirit-filled Mass that was presided over by Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town.

In attendance were some of the past priests who served at the parish over the years—Frs Frank Whyte, Michael van Heerden, Ralph de Hahn, David Rowles, Nicholas Rick-

etts, John Malayil and Peter Ziegler.

Other clergy who attended the celebration were the vicar-general Fr Peter-John Pearson, the dean of the West Coast deanery Fr Ivanhoe Allies and Deacon Sylvan Pather.

St Francis’s parish priest Fr Kitzito Gugah praised Fr Ziegler, whom he succeeded at the beginning of this year. The preparations Fr Ziegler took to make the anniversary a memorable day of celebration was important for him and the parish in the life of the Catholic Church in South Africa.

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HE 2014 Family Conference—organised by the SACBC Family Life Desk and cohosts Radio Veritas, Salesian family, MARFAM and the Johannesburg Family Life Department–—went off well, although with a smaller attendance than had been hoped for and some funding concerns.

It was held at Bosco Centre in the Johannesburg archdiocese and the participants were mainly from sectors already involved in supporting family life.

The keynote speakers, Ruth Busschau and Odilon Molapo, addressed relevant aspects of family life from their personal perspectives.

Presenters from diocesan family desks, family movements and spe-

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The pope’s call comes as fear mounts about the disease spreading through Europe and the United States.

A nurse, who tested positive for the virus at the start of October, her husband, and two other people are being closely monitored in hospital in Madrid. Another man is being treated for the disease in Dallas, Texas.

“The Church has to be involved in informing people,” said Archbishop Slattery. “We have to get people to understand that there is a way of dealing with this and if they don’t they will die.”

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Some 3 400 people have died in the latest ebola outbreak, most of them in West Africa.

Pope Francis has pleaded with the world to pray for victims of Ebola.

In a meeting with bishops from Ghana, the pope said: “I pray for the repose of the souls of all who have died in this epidemic, among whom are priests, men and women religious and health care workers who contracted this terrible disease while caring for those suffering.

May God strengthen all health care workers there and bring an end to this tragedy.”

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cialists presented talks on a variety of topics dealing with family relationships as well as some of the social challenges facing them.

Fr Francois Dufour SDB and Toni Rowland gave a small history and purposes of the conference, one of which was to pick up from 20 years ago at the first conference at the Bosco centre.

This event was to promote the 2014-16 priority focus on families of our bishops, as well as the extraordinary Synod on Families and the 20th anniversary of the International Year of the Family.

The second day, a family faith and fun day, began as overcast and quite cold, but things warmed up with the Mass, a picnic, swimming

and soccer, making for a very pleasant day.

The whole event will hopefully be repeated in different dioceses and communities.

If family life is to truly be strengthened, as everyone would wish, we will all, clergy and lay family people, need to continue this campaign, Mrs Rowland said.

Family breakdown can be prevented with good marriage preparation and the maintenance needed for all aspects of family life.

“Committed families lead to a healthy society” was the slogan and the overall message that needs to be applied in the parish church and the domestic church of the home, she said.

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LOCAL

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

3

Blessing of the Fleet celebrates 25th year

By DylaN aPPOlis

T

One of the boats taking part in the annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet at the V&a Waterfront in Cape town.

HE annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet celebrated its 25th anniversary at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town, led by Bishop Frank de Gouveia of Oudtshoorn, a former priest of the archdiocese.

The blessing of the fleet is a global tradition of fishing communities to pray for a safe and bountiful season.

The events that are part of the ritual range from a simple ceremony to a multi-day festival including Mass, parades, pageantry, dancing, feasts and contests.

The blessing brought the Cape Town Portuguese community together at the V&A Waterfront dockside to give thanks for their blessings.

The procession, with the statues

Holy Cross diamond jubilee By staFF rEPOrtEr

P

AST pupils and past staff members joined Holy Cross Sisters at Victory Park in Johannesburg to celebrate the diamond jubilee of Holy Cross convent.

The event commenced with a Mass in the parish church, celebrated by Fr James Ralston OMI. Pupils and parents, past and present, participated in the liturgy.

“When the Holy Cross anthem was sung at the end of the Mass, it proved very touching for a number of the past pupils and there were many tears shed,” a statement from the Catholic Schools Office said.

After the Mass, a wooden cross and bench were blessed in the primary school garden before guests were treated to a lunch in the hall.

Sr Monica Madyembwa, the Holy Cross Provincial, welcomed the guests with a story of the Holy Cross Sisters’ arrival in Victory Park in 1954.

She recounted how Sr Mary Ita Bermingham, now in her 90s and in the Holy Cross Nursing Home in Lady Selborne, Pretoria, was appointed the first principal.

Sr Ita was unable to attend the celebrations.

Holy Cross sisters and the parish community at st Charles in Victory Park, Johannesburg, celebrated the sisters’ diamond jubilee.

Sr Roswitha Pelle, a past principal, flew from Windhoek to be at the jubilee celebration.

“Her past pupils were de-

lighted to see her and some of the other sisters and teachers who had been part of the school, the CSO said.

Grade 5 and 6 pupils, directed

by Bev Elgie, enacted a “Journey of the Holy Cross Sisters”.

“These young pupils told the story of the arrival of the sisters in South Africa and their early days in the country,” she said.

Val Thornton, who had been a pupil at the school from 195566, told guests what life at Holy Cross Convent had been like in the “olden days”.

“Three of her classmates were also present and there was plenty of chat about with all the other past pupils.”

Graham Hopkins, a past parent, told of his experiences working with the Holy Cross Sisters in Katima Mulilo when he was a young man doing his army training in the area.

From its very small beginnings in 1954, Holy Cross Convent has merged with De la Salle College to become the well-known and highly sought-after De la Salle Holy Cross College with its excellent academic results and its strong Catholic/Christian ethos.

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of Our Lady of Fatima and St Peter the Fisherman, started at the main street of the Waterfront as participants prayed the rosary.

The Eucharist was celebrated on the pier, and participants boarded the fishing boats for the procession at sea and blessing of the boats, the fishermen and the sea—a public demonstration of the faith that God is present and active in our world.

Before the blessing, Mass was celebrated by Fr Roman Viveros, one of the organisers from the Portuguese Welfare Society, at the Waterfront. After the ceremony, festive entertainment kept visitors enthralled, with Portuguese food being sold.

Bishop de Gouveia stood in for Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town, who was at the Synod

on Family in Rome.

“It was an honour for me to be invited to participate in the 25th anniversary of the annual Blessing of the Fishing Fleet,” Bishop de Gouveia said.

“I was particularly moved by the way those who work on the fishing boats received the blessing with the sign of the cross. Clearly their experience of drawing their livelihood from the sea has brought them to know God as provider and protector,” Bishop de Gouveia said.

“It called to mind a poster I once saw of the wide open sea with a fisherman in a little boat at the bottom right-hand corner and underneath the words of the fisherman’s prayer: ‘O God, your sea is so great and I am so small!’ I think we can all say ‘Amen’ to that,” he added.

Brittany Ward of Holy rosary High school in Edenvale, Johannesburg, came third out of 47 contestants worldwide in the regazza Cinema OK, an international pageant for aspiring actresses held in rome. Brittany also won the “Elegance” title. to participate in the competition participants must have skills in the various artistic disciplines such as acting, singing, dancing, fashion and so on.

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4

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

INTERNATIONAL

Synod speakers: ‘Gay Brazilian priests ran for office man is still our son’ By lisE alVEs

By FraNCis X. rOCCa

T

A

MARRIED couple told Pope Francis and the Synod of Bishops on the family that Catholic parishes should welcome same-sex couples, following the example of parents who invite their son and his male partner to their home for Christmas.

“The Church constantly faces the tension of upholding the truth while expressing compassion and mercy. Families face this tension all the time,” Ron and Mavis Pirola of Sydney told the synod.

“Take homosexuality as an example. Friends of ours were planning their Christmas family gathering when their gay son said he wanted to bring his partner home too. They fully believed in the Church’s teachings and they knew their grandchildren would see them welcome the son and his partner into the family. Their response could be summed up in three [sic] words, ‘He is our son.’“ “What a model of evangelisation for parishes as they respond to similar situations in their neighbourhood,” the Pirolas said.

While Catholic teaching insists homosexual people should not be discriminated against, it holds that homosexual acts are always immoral and that marriage can only be a union between one man and one woman.

The couple are participating in the synod as non-voting auditors.

Pope Francis (also inset) leads a session of the extraordinary synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNs) The Pirolas also spoke of a divorced friend who “doesn’t feel fully accepted in her parish” yet “turns up to Mass regularly and uncomplainingly with her children. For the rest of her parish, she should be a model of courage and commitment in the face of adversity.”

The couple called for emphasising the positive dimension of Catholic teaching on sexuality.

“Marriage is a sexual sacrament with its fullest expression in sexual

intercourse. We believe that until married couples come to reverence sexual union as an essential part of their spirituality it is extremely hard to appreciate the beauty of teachings such as those of Humanae Vitae,’“ they said in reference to the 1968 encyclical by Pope Paul VI that reaffirmed the Church’s teaching on contraception.

“We need new ways and relatable language to touch people’s hearts,” the Pirolas said.—CNS

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HE general elections in Brazil this minth featured more than 22 000 candidates vying for the posts of president, governors, senators and federal and state representatives—and 23 of those candidates were Brazilian priests, according to Brazil’s Superior Election Court.

The Brazilian bishops’ conference has repeatedly stated that it is against priests who join a political party and run for public office.

“According to the Catholic Church, this is not the role of a priest,” says Denilson Geraldo, canon law professor at São Paulo’s Catholic University. The professor quotes canons 285 and 287, which prohibit priests from being affiliated with a political party; in Brazil, candidates must be linked to a party to run for office.

Several bishops told Catholic News Service that they temporarily suspend priests from publicly carrying out their religious duties when they run for or hold office.

A spokesman for the archdiocese of Paraiba, who asked that his name not be used, said the five priests who had decided to run in this year’s election have been forbidden to celebrate Masses, hear confessions, hold funerals and celebrate weddings.

“Archbishop Aldo Pagotto follows the canon law to a T,” said the spokesman.

In Roraima state, Fr Máriton Benedito de Holanda, better known as Fr Ton, was running for governor

Nuns wave during a campaign rally in são Paulo, Brazil. (Photo: Nacho Doce, reuters/CNs) of the state, after serving as mayor of Alto Alegre dos Parecis and as a federal representative in Brazil’s capital, Brasilia. He is serving in a parish at this time.

“It is up to the local bishop to decide whether to enforce the code,” said Mr Geraldo, adding that most bishops do not look kindly on priests participating in an election campaign while performing their religious duties.

“The Church is not a political stage,” agreed the Paraiba spokesman.

The priests who won in this year’s elections have been relieved of their duties until 2019, when their political term ends, and those who do not may have a chance to return to their religious responsibilities.

“Coming back also depends on the local bishop,” said the Paraiba spokesman. “If he feels that they will only be back until the next election, he may opt to keep them as a substitute instead of the main priest at the parish.”—CNS

Security analyst warns: ISIS threat against pope is real By siMONE OrENDaiN

A

PHILIPPINE security analyst said the country should take “very, very seriously” the threat of Islamic State fighters on Pope Francis’ life, especially during his visit there in January.

Rommel Banlaoi, executive director of the Philippine Institute for Peace, Violence and Terrorism Research, said security officials should not be complacent “because ISIS already declared a fatwa about the need to attack the pope”.

“The pope is a symbol of a ‘Crusader’. ISIS wants to elevate the narrative into religious war —a war between the Muslims and the Christians,” Mr Banlaoi said at a forum on radicalisa-

tion in Manila.

The same week as the forum, the head of the armed forces of the Philippines, General Gregorio Catapang, said “there is no terror threat” to the pope and that the military was more concerned with Pope Francis possibly getting mobbed by the crowds and being injured.

The general said the military has not monitored any groups posing a threat to the pope, including the Islamic State fighters. Both the government and analysts said allegations of Islamic State group recruitment in the Philippines are still being verified.

Last month the military announced it would add about 1 000 troops who had just returned from a UN peacekeeping

The

MARIST

tour of the Golan Heights to the pope’s security contingent.

Egdon Liscano, a retired senior intelligence police officer, expressed concern that there is no definitive confirmation on whether there are Islamic State fighters in the Philippines. Mr Liscano helped to uncover an assassination plot against St John Paul II by al-Qaeda operatives during the 1995 papal visit.

Mr Liscano told Catholic News Service the similarities of the Islamic State warning against Pope Francis and what happened 20 years ago are “striking, and it’s feeling uncomfortable until you have some degree of information”.— CNS

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INTERN ATIONA L

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

5

Synod-speak: ‘Graduality’ sexual and medical ethics

By FraNCis X rOCCa

I

Civilians and a member of forces loyal to syrian President Bashar assad make their way through rubble and debris of destroyed buildings near Damascus, after the forces regained control of the area from rebel fighters.

(Photo: Omar sanadiki, reuters/CNs)

Pope advises bishops: Choose priests wisely

By CarOl GlatZ

M

ANY of the problems in the Church today come from accepting men who are unsuitable for the priesthood, Pope Francis told the Congregation for Clergy.

The vocations crisis and lack of priests have meant that “we bishops are tempted to take in, without discernment, the young men who present themselves. This is bad for the Church”, he told those taking part in the congregation’s plenary assembly meeting at the Vatican.

“We have to think of the good of the people of God,” which means taking the time to screen and “study” those seeking a vocation, he said.

“Examine closely whether he belongs to the Lord, if that man is healthy, is balanced, if that man is capable of giving life, of evangelising, if he is capable of forming a family and turning that down in order to follow Jesus,” he said in offthe-cuff remarks.

“Today we have many problems, and in many dioceses, because of this error made by some bishops to take those who come—sometimes thrown out of other seminaries or religious institutes—because they need priests.”

The Church does need priests and there is a lack of vocations, he said, but the solution cannot come at the expense of the faithful.

Proper formation of candidates and priests is like polishing “a diamond in the rough” so that “they

shine in the midst of the people of God,” he said in his prepared written remarks.

As such, proper formation is an ongoing task that takes time, care, patience and respect for the conscience of the person, he said.

But most of all, formation is a relationship that demands consistency and discipleship; it is not just about passing on “theological or spiritual notions”.

“Jesus didn’t say to those whom he called, ‘Come, I’ll explain it to you,’ or ‘Follow me, I’ll instruct you.’”

Jesus formed his disciples through his invitation of, “‘Come, follow me. Do as I do.’ And this is the method that the Church wants to adopt for her ministers today as well,” he said.

Priests are called to grow in their awareness that they are “shepherds invited to be in the midst of their flock, to make the Lord present through the Eucharist and to impart his mercy,” the pope said.

“It’s about ‘being’ priests, not limiting themselves to ‘doing’ what a priest does, while also being free from any “spiritual worldliness”, he said.

The pope said it is wonderful to see priests who are full of joy and radiate an inner peace even during moments of hard work or struggle and pain. But none of that comes “without prayer from the heart and in dialogue with the Lord, who is, if you will, the heart of priestly life”, he said.—CNS

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N their discussions of sexual and medical ethics, participants at the Synod of Bishops on the family gave emphasis to the concept of “graduality”, as a way of thinking about morality that allows for human imperfection without compromising ideals.

In an address to the assembly, Cardinal Peter Erdo of EsztergomBudapest, Hungary, said that Humanae Vitae, the 1968 encyclical

by Pope Paul VI that reaffirmed the Church’s prohibition of artificial birth control, “needs to be considered in light of the law of graduality”. He suggested that it was unrealistic to expect immediate acceptance of the widely flouted teaching.

The cardinal quoted Familiaris Consortio, a 1981 apostolic exhortation by Pope John Paul II on the role of the Christian family in the world that was inspired by the last synod on the family in 1980. According to John Paul, each person is a historical being who “knows, loves and accomplishes moral good in stages of growth”.

Several bishops referred to graduality in their remarks during an afternoon session dedicated to the theme of “God’s plan for marriage and the family”.

“Despite serious flaws that we always identify in Western culture, we also have to discern and to declare what the steppingstones are for Christian wisdom,” one bishop said, according to Basilian Father Thomas Rosica, an assistant to the Holy See Press Office, who did not identify the bishop in accordance with synod rules.

Discussing the Church’s attitude towards “irregular” relationships, such as those of civilly married or cohabitating Catholic couples, another bishop drew an analogy with the Catholic understanding of other Christian churches. While the Church is said to subsist fully only in the Catholic Church, other Christian communities are believed to possess important elements for sanctification.

By the same token, “there is a full and ideal vision of the Chris-

archbishop ignatius ayau Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria, walks next to Joan Clements, auditor from australia, and stephen and sandra Conway, auditors from Johannesburg, as they leave a morning session of the extraordinary synod of Bishops on the family at the Vatican. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNs)

tian family, but there are absolutely valid and important elements even of sanctification and of true love that may be present even when one does not fully realise this ideal,” the bishop said, as paraphrased by the Vatican spokesman, Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi.

C

ardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster, who also spoke at the session, told reporters that the “law of graduality” is a “law of pastoral moral theology which permits people, all of us, to take one step at a time in our search for holiness in our lives.”

The cardinal, who attended the 1980 synod as a priest assisting a participating bishop, recalled that Pope John Paul II had made an important point on the subject at the conclusion of the synod.

“He said, yes, there is a law of graduality, but it should not be confused with a graduality of the law,” Cardinal Nichols said. “He was saying the vision, the teaching of the Church is consistent and is offered to everybody. So it’s not as if there’s one law at this time in

your life and another law later in your life, but there is a pathway on which we’ll walk.”

Another synod father, Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and Freising, Germany, told reporters that the idea of graduality could help the Church develop a new way of speaking about sexuality.

“We cannot have always 100%, and I would say good and bad, that’s not so easy to make the difference,” the cardinal said. “There is a development, a way, in the biography or in a relationship and so on.”

Cardinal Marx, chairman of the German bishops’ conference, also said that the “great majority” of German bishops support German Cardinal Walter Kasper’s controversial proposal to make it easier for divorced and civilly remarried Catholics to receive Communion, even if they have not obtained annulments of their first, sacramental marriages.

“I think it is very important to see that we have ways or that there is a graduality also in the way to the sacrament,” Cardinal Marx said.—CNS

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6

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

Guest editorial: Michael Shackleton

Mission Sunday’s bishop

M

ISSION Sunday should be taken seriously by African Catholics in general and Southern African Catholics in particular.

The reason is not only because of the debt we owe to courageous missionaries from other lands who planted and watered the faith on this continent, but also in a special way to the influence African bishops had on Vatican II’s Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church.

At the time of Vatican II in the 1960s, bishops from places beyond the mainstream Church in the developed Western world were sized up by Europeans as being simply “missionaries”. This implied that they were too immature to have much influence in the deliberations of an ecumenical council, as if the Church and its missionaries were not one and the same.

This attitude came to light when in 1964 the council’s secretariat decided against preparing any declaration on the vocation and duty of the Church to spread the gospel into territories known as missionary. Instead, it proposed a summary of the Church’s mission apostolate in a series of thirteen Propositions, to form a sort of catechism of missiology.

It was reasoned that such a plan would save a lot of time and duplication, since the essence of the Church’s mission work was already contained in other conciliar documents. Hence, no decree on the importance of the Church’s missionary outreach was required.

It appeared that the Holy Father, Paul VI, had tactfully shown his approval of this move and the secretariat believed the council fathers would favour it.

The bishops of Southern Africa were stunned, as were the others from Africa and places far from Rome where missionaries needed to feel that the Vatican Council backed their labours to the full. They could not fathom how the Council could treat them like junior partners who were expected to do what they were told.

It was Carmelite missionary Bishop Donal Lamont of Umtali, Rhodesia (now Mutare, Zimbabwe) who led the charge against the Propositions.

With the support of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference and many others concerned, including influential cardinals, he addressed the assembly in a memorable way.

He emphasised that the bishops were expecting more than “dry bones”, using the imagery of the prophet Ezekiel.

They expected something that would encourage and boost the morale of missionaries in their apostolate.

Breaking from the accepted pedantic form of address in the council chamber, he asked the council fathers cheekily if the Propositions had inspired any of them to make any new sacrifices on behalf of the missions. If not, how could they expect them to have any impact on missionary orders and congregations of religious?

Bishop Lamont’s oratorical intervention fell on fertile ground and cries of “Bravo” followed.

The Propositions were withdrawn and a fully comprehensive document on the missionary activity of the Church was promised for the Council’s next session.

The Decree on the Missionary Activity of the Church went through a turbulent debate in the council’s final session in 1965.

Many voices had to have their say, but Pope Paul VI eventually promulgated it by the skin of its teeth on the council’s last working day.

On this Mission Sunday, at a time in history when the Church’s mission has been virtually overshadowed by scandals, wars and threats of wars, we need to remember Bishop Lamont’s determination to bring the whole Church into complete appreciation of its generous members who sacrifice so much to carry the love of Christ to others in places far afield.

Non-stop prayers, sacrifices and donations to promote the missions are essential, for the Church must teach all nations.

When Bishop Lamont thanked the council fathers for passing the decree, he closed with these significant words: “No people is so primitive as to be unfit for the gospel, and none is so civilised as not to need it.”

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.

Terror and abortion closely tied

T

HE majority of South Africans were shocked and stunned recently at the decapitation of an American journalist. The executioner, known as Jihadi John, was shown sawing into his victim’s neck on a public video.

Moments later, the severed head is unceremoniously placed on the dead man’s body. Although I have not seen the video, the above was extensively covered in the world’s media.

Understandably, the majority of South Africans were shocked. However, earlier this year, this same majority voted in a government which is as culpable as the world’s terrorists.

In South Africa, a mother whose baby is less than 13 weeks into gestation can have it murdered and sucked from her womb and the body

No row with Holy family sisters

T

HE article “Row over sale of Holy Family land” (September 17) frames the relationship between the sisters and Holy Family College as “a bitter battle”. This is not true.

The school has cordial relations with the sisters and we are not poised for a bitter battle.

In my interview with Stuart Graham I never said that the sisters had acted, as he put it, “unscrupulously”. I also never said that the sisters are “keen to make a buck”.

In my brief telephonic interview I said that we thought we were still in the negotiation phase and that a decision had been made by the sisters, which we thought was deceptive. In referring to the reason for the sale of part of the property I said that the sisters needed to raise funds for their work in Rwanda and Uganda, as well as for the care of the aged sisters.

In terms of the reference to legal action, I said that the entire process could be reviewed in a court, but that we were unlikely to go to court.

The article was framed in terms of an acrimonious battle between the school and the sisters which is not true. It is a pity that the full story was not captured.

Mark Potterton, principal of Holy Family College, Johannesburg

Gospel truths

F

OLLOWING the adage that “fools rush in”, perhaps I can add some remarks relating to the authenticity of the Gospel narrative.

Once one starts querying whether Jesus’ words were accurately reported, where does it end?

Does one accept the words of the institution of Communion (Lk 22:19-20) or Christ’s claim to be the

Daughters of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Loving in Suffering. Mission: We evangelise • nurse the sick and aged • catechise youth, children and old, outcast and neglected

incinerated. No reason is required.

If a baby is between 13 and 20 weeks of life and proving to be inconvenient for the mother, he or she can be destroyed. If, in the mother’s opinion, her economic and social situation is not conducive to giving birth, a doctor (protector of life?) will abort the baby, both tearing and cutting it into pieces. Because the skull is too large to be suctioned through the tube with the other body pieces, it will be crushed with forceps and then removed.

Unfortunately, many South Africans are quite happy with this situation because the Constitution, as interpreted by the High Court of South Africa, has determined that the “right to life” only applies to people and not to foetuses. How Son of God (Lk 22:70)?

If Patrick Dacey (September 10) thinks that Lazarus was merely “suffering depression” when Christ raised him from the dead, would he say the same of the girl Jesus raised up, as reported in Luke 8:50-56?

As a philosopher friend of mine said many years ago, there is no way one can prove that Christ said what the Gospels record.

Another person interprets the words of our Lord on healing the man born blind: “Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents, but that the works of God should be made manifest in him” (Jn 9:1-5), as proof of reincarnation. Do we?

Peter A Onesta, Johannesburg

Moses an african

I

T is so important for Africans to realise that one of the key figures in the plan of salvation, as directed

by God, was an African. Moses, according to the Bible, was born in Egypt, and Egypt is in Africa.

Africa today is one of the great growth areas of the Christian faith.

In the history of the Bible, Catholic edition, we note that Moses was born in the year 1300 BC. In the year 1750 BC Jacob and 70 descendants entered Egypt (Gen 46:27). In a space of only 450 years they multiplied to over 600 000, a nation (Ex 12:37).

As South Africans we can understand a timespan of 450 years, with 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

naïve! What quibbling over semantics! What else can they be? What would they become if they were allowed their “right to life”?

If the dullards are uncertain, why don’t they give the babies a chance to prove that they are, in fact, “people”? It will only take a few months.

Surely, this would be fairer than the cold-blooded murder of a real person who has been technically condemned to death by words in a constitution and, in my opinion, the wrongful interpretation thereof.

Jihadi John killed a man and the world was appalled.

However, there can be no more horrific and sinful a deed than for a mother to kill her own child; and moreover, for a government which promulgates and supports such morally despicable conduct.

Tony Meehan, Cape Town the coming of the original white settlers to this country.

We see how we have developed during that timespan.

Moses was an African believer in the concept of one God. The Egyptians considered their pharaohs or kings as their “god”. Hence there was conflict.

Once again, South Africans can relate to this as they also came to this land because of “conflict”.

Was Moses black? We do not know. We also do not know if the original descendants of Jacob, who intermingled with the local Egyptians, were black people. We can, however, assume that there was a lot of African blood within the Israelite community (Ex 12:38).

Moses was an Israelite African.

Just as Nelson Mandela was a Methodist South African.

Ken Hanna, Johannesburg

SaBC and us

I

APPRECIATE your editorial of August 27 with regard to Catholics standing up to the SABC, which reneged on its promise to broadcast the pope’s Christmas Eve Mass.

There is no doubt that the SABC has made a gravely wrong decision, nevertheless I believe we should rather “turn the other cheek”, not to be slapped but to know that our Church stands on holy ground wherever we are. Jesus never asked his disciples to react to any unfair actions of the authorities of his time because he knew that evil turns in upon itself.

Instead of us demanding that the SABC adhere to the agreement of broadcasting the Christmas Eve Mass, let us make sure we are present in church taking part in that Christmas Eve Mass.

Sheila E Szczawinski, Port Elizabeth

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PERSPECTIVES

The sigh of the oppressed creature Mphuthumi Ntabeni I N all the things I’ve heard about the tragedy of the Nigerian Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos, I’ve missed reference to the motives of the 110 South African visitors.

I understand the journalistic instinct to never blame the victim. Hence the greater portion of the blame has been put on the pastor, T B Joshua, rightly so. The onus was on him to ensure the safety of the structure he was building.

Both the Nigerian and South African governments have also been dealt a portion of the blame. If governments fail in their mandates of providing basic services to the people, the argument goes, then people seek solutions from self-professed prophets and charlatans who rob them blind of their meagre earnings in the name of God. It’s a fair argument.

To complete the diagnosis of this tragedy, so as to avoid similar incidents in the future, we need also to talk about the apparent gullibility of our people who become religious fanatics.

When you have pastors telling people to eat grass, drink petrol and holy water in the form of the pastor’s semen—and they do it gladly—then we have a problem of gullibility and dangerous ignorance. Authentic religion does not require hypnotic, unthinking fanaticism.

I know a church in Maitland, Cape Town, of similar building arrangements to the one that collapsed in Nigeria. Whenever I see it bursting at the seams, especially during its monthly all-night vigil, I see a tragedy waiting to happen. I mentioned this to a friend as I dropped him off there once, but things turned uncomfortable. In the end I was accused of many things, including xenophobia (the pastor is not South African).

These churches are filled by desperate people looking for quick fixes in their lives.

Most of them are foreign nationals, but some are South Africans looking to turn their financial situations around through the promises of the prosperity theology these pastors preach. Some are single parents in desperate need; some go there looking for life partners (the churches are also notorious marriage factories); others go for spiritual comfort.

They all give colour to the Marxist criticism of religion being the opium of the masses.

Karl Marx wrote: “The religious world is

but the reflex of the real world.” The materialist take on religion is that it can only be understood in relation to other social systems and economic structures of the world.

Hence according to Marx, “religion is the sigh of the oppressed creature” and the “heart of the heartless world”. These churches nourish his assertion. Of course, religion is also much more than that, especially since it is obvious that opiates too fail to fix injury.

C

hrist didn’t deny that our spiritual lives have a connection to our material conditions. Instead, looking at the evidence before him, he claimed that the poor are blessed, as the prostitutes and tax collectors were bombarding the gates of heaven.

He even gave stern warnings against false prophets and priests who overburden people with yokes they themselves are not willing to carry. He was harsh in judgment against the blind guides who strain at a gnat but swallow a camel. They are led by dishonest gain.

Through the prophets of old—mostly Isaiah, Malachi and Jeremiah—God insists that judgment be left to him who sees all things.

Our own responsibility is to make sure the inner light we are led by is not dimmed; else we’ll end up being duped by false prophets. And it is by their fruits, we are urged, that they are to be judged.

We may blame governments for failing to provide basic needs for our people, but don’t tell me someone who can afford a plane ticket to Nigeria lacks basic needs.

They might be desperate in some other ways—we have heard that some MPs also visit the church.

If as a so-called man of God you lead many to death, and instead of repenting— as any authentic man of God would when such a thing happens—you bribe journalists to cover up the story, then your fruits are before us to judge.

Desperation is not an excuse for blinding that eye. It is also, according to Christ, the faithless generation that is always seeking signs and wonders.

rescuers amid the rubble of tB Joshua’s the synagogue and Church of all Nations in lagos, Nigeria, after the building collapsed, causing many deaths and injuries. among the dead were 84 south africans. (Photo: 91.3 FM the Voice of the Cape)

with comforting words; we are there in the mission when we share our faith with others in our daily lives; and we are there in the mission when we allow our children to live out a missionary vocation.

A parish community that is not supportive of the mission misses its purpose. The Church is by its nature missionary. What happens in Egypt, Kenya, Syria, Ukraine or Haiti concerns Christ, and thus concerns us too. To support missions in the world is a universal call; failing to respond to it is to fail the Christian faith.

Once I asked a young lady from Mamelodi West, the Pretoria township, why she is a Catholic and yet her parents and siblings are Zionists. She explained it was because of a Catholic family that “has been good to us since we relocated to this place”.

In particular, “their daughter has been a good sister to me”.

The welcoming generosity of that Catholic family moved this youngster.

Many converts have come to the Church because their lives have been touched by the goodness of men and women who live Christ’s teachings in their ordinary lives.

People have been more committed in their lives because of what they’ve seen in

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Point of reflection

committed Christians.

In this age of SMS, Whats-App and Facebook, the Gospel message can also be communicated to many people at once.

I know of a young chap who writes on Facebook about his reflections on next Sunday’s readings.

He is a soldier in barracks, and yet he makes time to announce Jesus through Facebook. Is this not fantastic?

Mission is for the tout picking up people at taxi ranks, mission is for the driver commuting from Johannesburg to Durban, mission is for the miner in Marikana many metres underground, mission is for the cashier at your local supermarket.

When all these people in their different circles of life become missionary-minded— even by acts of kindness or decency—our world will be better because they inject the Gospel values of love into society.

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7

Michael Shackleton

Open Door

Pushing the Boundaries

Everybody is a missionary now Anthony P Gathambiri OPE Francis in his message for World Mission Sunday last year pointed out that “faith is a gift that one cannot keep to oneself, but it is to be shared”.

“If we want to keep it only to ourselves,” he wrote, “we will become isolated, sterile and sick Christians.”

None of us are exempt from the call to respond to the mission of sharing faith with others. There is no such thing as a junior Christian. We are all on an equal footing in the eyes of God, and called to respond to Christ’s mandate of spreading the gospel to the whole world.

Mission Sunday is not just about moving from rural Bavaria to rural Zululand, or from South Africa to Mongolia to announce the good news. It also presents an opportunity for all who call themselves Christians to renew their participation in mission.

Mission Sunday is a time of grace for every Christian, a time to ask: “How am I participating in the mission of the Church?”

We are there in the mission when we drop some money into the basket for evangelising purposes; we are there in the mission when we pray and encourage our brothers and sisters working near and far

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

No power over heaven and hell In his homily a priest said, inter alia, that as an ordained minister he has the power to pray for people to enter heaven or to be sent to hell. This shook the foundations of my cradle Catholicism. Would he be praying to the most merciful God or Satan for our condemnation?

BAA Bailey

I

T would have been helpful if you had provided some more information about the “inter alia” part of the homily.

Presuming that you understood him correctly, one has to ask, what was the context that prompted his remark? Did he betray a hint of vengeance in regard to some particular individual or group? Did he imply that, because he is an ordained priest, he has the “power” to bless and to curse? I am in ignorance about this, so I shall make only general comments.

You don’t need to be a priest to pray that someone will be given the grace to enter heaven.

We can all do that. But no one, not even a priest, can dare to challenge God and request him or tell him to curse someone and damn them to hell. The priest’s vocation is to work for the salvation of souls, not their condemnation.

At his ordination, the new priest is commissioned by the bishop to strive to discharge the priesthood in a praiseworthy manner: “A priest’s duties are to offer sacrifice, to bless, to govern, to preach and to baptise.” These are the priestly “powers”. They are all positive and for the good of souls, not otherwise.

St Paul was pretty clear. In Romans 12 he discourses on loving one another. “Bless those who persecute you. Bless and do not curse them”, he urges.

Then he reminds the Romans: “Never avenge yourselves but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord’.” And he closes by writing: “Do not be overcome by evil but overcome evil with good.”

It is likely that in your experience you have heard bitter comments from an individual who really hates another, and goes to the extreme of expressing the wish that they may “rot in hell”.

Said unthinkingly in a moment of blazing anger, this frightful curse may be excusable.

Said with cold deliberation as a prayer, it indicates a dismal lack of the kind of love Jesus taught us: “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you; bless those who curse you; pray for those who abuse you” (Lk 6:27).

These words are directed to us all, clergy and lay alike.

n Send your queries to Open Door, Box 2372, Cape Town,

8000; or e-mail: opendoor@scross.co.za; or fax (021) 465 3850. Anonymity can be preserved by arrangement, but questions must be signed, and may be edited for clarity. Only published questions will be answered.

CONGREGATION OF OUR LADY OF CHARITY OF THE GOOD SHEPHERD “ONE PERSON IS OF MORE VALUE THAN A WHOLE WORLD” ARE YOU CALLED TO SHARE IN OUR MISSION OF RECONCILIATION?

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FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: SR. ZELNA @ 082 968 8493/ 072 265 0735, www.buonpastoreint.org

8

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

COMMUNITY

Fifty-one students of springfield Convent in Cape town were confirmed at st Michael's parish in rondebosch by archbishop stephen Brislin in a Mass concelebrated with Frs Charles Prince, John Christopher Jesudhason saC and Manuel Fernandes saC.

Holy rosary High school in Johannesburg pupils were confirmed at st therese parish in Edenvale, Johannesburg, by archbishop Buti tlhagale. (Back, from left) Danielle Fletcher, robyn Patmore, Veronica Gordon, Jessica Whelan, alexia D’alessio, Danielle Francis, abigail Park, Bronagh Buchholtz, Ornella Varanini, roberta scognamiglio, Gabriella Di Gaspero, Gemma Bradford and Jamie Kench; (front) Nancy Faria, Claudia Ceresa, stefania Benigno, Chisha sitamulaho, tyla symonds, tarryn shnier, teal alves, Monica Farinha, simone Kell and sabrina rodrigues.

Fr Mohohlo Maselwane, of st Peter Claver parish in Pimville, Johannesburg, with Deacon abednigo thokoane and Mme Machepa, regional member of st anne’s sodality, during the blessing of the sodality’s newly accepted members.

Send your photos to pics@scross. co.za with information about the event and names of the people in the photos

the men of st Michael’s parish in redhill, Durban, held an acts retreat. they are pictured on their return at Mass.

a Heritage Day service was held at sacred Heart mission in Qoqodala, diocese of Queenstown. the main celebrant was parish priest Fr Matthias Nsamba. He was surrounded by a happy crowd of youth in tribal outfits, singing and dancing and praising the lord for their Xhosa heritage.

Mario thomas rankin, son of Marcel and Denise, and Jasmine ramiah, daughter of leslie and Vanita, were married at immaculate Conception parish in Pinetown, Durban. Frs Justin stirton and albert Danker OMi officiated.

DE La SaLLE BrOTHErS

Gareth Christopher rankin, son of Marcel and Denise, and ruth Elizabeth samaai, daughter of rev Cierigh and Gwen, were married at immaculate Conception parish in Pinetown, Durban.

Bishop Barry Wood OMi, anglican Bishop ruben Phillip of Natal and Fr albert Danker OMi officiated.

L ove demands a new way of being in the world Our mission has always been to give human and Christian education to the young, especially to the poor. Saint John baptist De La Salle gave a new meaning to the school by making it accessible to the poor and offering it to all as a sign of God’s kingdom and as a means of salvation. Today, De La Salle Brothers , in addition to teaching in school, are also involved in educational ministry.

Br Patrick Letswalo, De La Salle Brothers Po Box 35687, Northcliff 2115 078 344 8238, pmerdiner@yahoo.com

THE MISSIONARY SISTERS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD

BE STRONG….

Contact: Sr Alphonsa CPS, Mariannhill Convent, Pvt Bag x12, Ashwood, 3605, Tel: 031 700 2411

BE FILLED WITH JOY..

DARE THE UTMOST… BELIEVE IN GOD’S UNCONDITIONAL LOVE….

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

MISSION

9

Can religious life be saved?

Most of the old models of religious life are on the verge of dying out. But where there’s death, there’s new life, as Father rayMOND MWaNGala OMi explains.

C

AN religious life be saved? This is a question which will receive considerable attention during the coming year.

At a meeting with the Union of Superiors General in November last year, Pope Francis announced that the period from October 2014 to November 2015 would be a year dedicated to the consecrated life.

This Year of Consecrated Life will coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, particularly with the promulgation of the Constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, on November 21, 1964.

According to the prefect of the Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, Cardinal João Braz De Aviz, the commemoration of the year of consecrated life has three objectives: To make grateful remembrance of the recent past of consecrated life; to embrace the future with hope; and to live the present with passion.

For the Church in Southern Africa, the coming year is a great opportunity to examine the local situation with regard to the consecrated life and to respond to the question of its survival.

Providentially, the August 2014 edition of Grace & Truth, the journal of St Joseph’s Theological Institute, focused on the religious life from within the Southern African context.

I would like to refer to two essays in the journal as an interpretative key for what is going on in our region and also to propose an answer to the question about the future of religious life in this country.

Fr Albert Nolan OP’s essay, “Religious life as prophetic witness”, pro-

vides the theological framework for the understanding of the consecrated life.

Br Michael Burke CFC’s essay, on the other hand, provides a key for understanding what is going on in Southern Africa and other parts of the world as well.

Much has been written on the changes that have happened in the religious life in the last 50 years. Fr Nolan provides a focused reading of the nature and identity of this form of life.

Noting the dramatic changes that have occurred since Vatican II, Fr Nolan states an often forgotten truth about the religious life: “Theological religious life is not a form of ministry; it is a way of life.”

This means that being comes before doing; the ministry done by consecrated persons is meant to flow from who they are as consecrated persons.

Unfortunately, in many instances, emphasis has been placed on ministry, on doing, before on being. But with the changes which came in the wake of the cuncil, when it became clear that many of the ministries previously done only by religious could also be done by the laity, many religious and congregations experienced a crisis of identity.

What is it that is unique to the religious life, many found themselves asking?

S

econdly, with an ageing and diminishing membership, many congregations and orders have been compelled to give up many of the institutional ministries with which they had been identified historically.

Again, many have found themselves asking what it means to be religious.

Some congregations and individuals are still battling with this question.

This is probably the most obvious sign of death.

According to Fr Nolan, the key interpretative concept for understanding religious life is that of prophetic witness. He summarises it as follows.

Religious consecrate their lives to God with vows or promises in order to make their way of living a wit-

ness—a witness to the reality of God and the good news of Jesus Christ.

They are witnesses even before they take on any ministry at all. A vowed life can speak louder than any number of words.

As we look back at the last 50 years, we need to ask ourselves honestly how individual religious and communities have been prophetic witnesses.

No doubt there are many examples we can cite of priests, brothers and sisters who have embodied this.

But there are also many examples of failure in this regard. In all, we remember the past with gratitude.

Br Burke begins his essay with these words: “Numbers are falling steadily; and the average age keeps rising.” This is true, not only of North America and Europe, but also of most congregations and orders in this country.

For some years already observers and commentators have been speaking of the death of certain groups and congregations. Some groups have even chosen death, by deciding not to take in any new members.

One wonders who gave them the right to choose death!

Without offering an analysis of why these changes are taking place— which is important in itself—Br Burke offers an interpretation of the situation against the background of the Paschal Mystery.

He sees the diminishing numbers, closures of certain institutional ministries and the withdrawals as signs of death (Good Friday). But, death can be the end of it all or it can be paschal—transformational—“not as an ending but as a transition to a ‘beyond’”.

While the fact that some groups are dying cannot be denied and should not be ignored, the difference in whether the death will be the end of all or paschal depends on how the present is lived.

E

ven as death is taking place something new is emerging. The religious life as a life form will not cease to exist with the death of some congregations and orders.

some old models of religious life will die out, but new forms will emerge, Fr raymond Mwangala argues in his article. (Photo: Claire Mathieson) New life is sure to come; new manifestations of religious life will definitely emerge!

The new life might come from members joining local groups from beyond the borders of our country.

But this could also mean denying the reality of death and prolonging our existence for a few more decades.

The new life could also mean incorporating lay people into existing groups and allowing them to share in the charism of existing congregations. It may also mean existing congregations adopting radically new ways of being, which only the future will reveal and which must be received as a gift of the Spirit.

In the meanwhile, what do we do? Recommit ourselves to the core of our life—prophetic witness.

Br Burke suggests two areas where this should take place: community prayer and meal times. In proposing a way of doing this he asks several important questions which merit serious meditating and discussing: l How can we make our community prayer and meals into quality times, not just merely unreflective routines? l How can we broaden and deepen what our table conversations and our prayer embrace? l Who else might we invite into our circle and to our table? l How do we move beyond saying prescribed prayers to praying our lives?

l How can we share our simple day-to-day experiences of God with each other? l How can we listen to one another so well that we enable the baring of our hearts? l How can our prayer-times and meal-times help us set our hearts on God’s dream?

In the close to ten years that I have spent ministering at Cedara, I have noticed that the number of local vocations has been steadily dropping.

At present, some of the groups with students studying at the theological institute do not have any South African-born members among their numbers—a real sign of death.

Also, at a meeting of major religious superiors and formators in Lesotho, held in July 2013, I was alerted to a similar dynamic taking place there. At this meeting the superiors and formators discussed what is happening and why it is happening.

As an animator at the gathering, I could sense a certain sense of desperation and also a need for renewal. Renewal has to start with individuals.

My conclusion is that religious life, as we know it, is dying in this country and in many others.

However, it will live on in a radically transformed manner. n Fr Raymond Mwangala, a priest of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, lectures at St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal.

Would you like to be a witness to the JOY of the Gospel in Africa?

Let us not be robbed of the joy of evangelisation!

(Pope Francis)

THE SISTERS OF NOTRE DAME DE NAMUR, their Associates and co-workers, invite YOU to join us in showing God’s Goodness to our world.

For more information, contact sndsa@telkomsa.net, or Sr Gertrude: 056 218 1654

Benedictine Sisters of St Alban

MISSIONARIES OF AFRICA

P.O. Box 10057 Edenglen 1613 South Africa

Tel.: 011 452 5283 Vocation Director: 072 987 2990 Email: mavocsa@gmail.com

Visit our international website: www.africamission-mafr.org

“Listen my daughter… with the ear of your heart”

(Rule of St Benedict, Prologue)

Do you feel called?

 to glorify God in prayer and work?  to be a witness of God’s presence in the world of today?

To know more about us please contact: St Benedict’s Convent, Box 2424, Elukwatini, 1192, Mpumalanga. Tel/Fax: 017 883 2379, Mobile: 076 592 3120 or 082 535 5625 srantondu@gmail.com or stbenedict@lantic.

10

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

MISSION

Priest’s murder brought redemption A hundred years ago this week, a remarkable missiionary to Natal and Swaziland was murdered. Fr HENry ratEriNG CMM recounts the life of Fr Franz Mayr.

I

N January this year the bishops of Southern Africa gathered in Swaziland to mark the centenary of the presence of the Catholic Church in that country.

This week marks the centenary of the violent death of a pioneer in that mission, one who might have greatly contributed to the development of Catholic mission in Swaziland.

Catholic historian Prof Joy Brain calls Fr Franz Mayr “one of the most interesting missionaries in Southern Africa, who deserves to be known better”.

Fr Mayr’s life story was published in German in 2004 under the title Adieu, meine lieben Schwarzen, written by the Austrian scholar Clemens Güti. This work also included the vast correspondence between him and his benefactress, Countess Maria Theresia Ledochowska (died Rome 1922), the foundress of the Sodality of St Peter Claver for African Missions.

It also includes, in English, an article Fr Mayr, then based in Pietermaritzburg, wrote for the international magazine Anthropos in 1907, titled “The Zulu of Natal— with illustrations”.

Franz Mayr was born into a farmer’s family in Tyrol, Austria, in 1865. In 1888 he was ordained a priest for the diocese of Brixen, now in northern Italy but then part of

Catholics in Pietermaritzburg in around 1900. Fr Franz Mayr is the smaller of the two priests in front. Fr Mayr was murdered by a robber a hundred years ago, on October 15, 1914—but even in tragedy, there was redemption. the Austrian empire.

After two years of pastoral work he decided to follow the call of his compatriot Franz Pfanner, the founder of the Trappist abbey of Mariannhill, to offer his services to the mission among the Zulus.

At that time it was not unusual for diocesan priests to enter a religious order (Pfanner himself did so), or to volunteer for mission work in Africa.

In 1890 Abbot Pfanner received Fr Mayr as Fr Vincent into the community of semi-Trappists, which he had created for those not physically strong enough to follow the rigorous Trappist rule, with its demands

for arduous physical work. Fr Mayr was physically handicapped; he was a hunchback and was extremely short.

Abbot Pfanner called these semiTrappists “Franziner”, a kind of Associates of the Trappist, with a milder rule and Franciscan spirituality.

F

ather Mayr’s first assignment was St Michael’s mission which Bishop Charles Jolivet OMI of Natal had by that time entrusted to the Trappists of Mariannhill.

However, Fr Mayr soon experienced the heavy demands of mission work in a rural area for which he was not fit. With full cooperation of Abbot Pfanner, Fr Mayr offered his services to Bishop Jolivet.

The bishop knew of the linguistic gifts of Fr Mayr who had mastered English and Zulu to perfection, and sent him to Pietermaritzburg to look after the needs of the Zulus who were steadily moving to the town.

Outside Pietermaritzburg Fr Mayr established a Christian village called Maryvale with schools for children and adults. In his missionary work Fr Mayr relied on some excellent catechists, one of whom, Jacob Mlaba, was at the same time “mayor” of Maryvale Christian village.

In 1900 Fr Mayr, together with the first Zulu priest Fr Edward Mganga—whose vocation was the fruit of Abbot Pfanner’s vision—travelled to Europe.

Fr Mganga was to address

audiences in Europe and report in various languages about his country and the Zulus, with the intention of raising funds. Fr Mayr spoke about the Anglo-Boer War, and at a Catholic congress in Paris he unpacked a “little museum” which he carried along for the purpose of propaganda.

That frail body housed an amazingly creative, fertile mind which he applied to the study of anthropology. He also published devotional books in Zulu.

Around 1908 he made, using nascent technology, recordings of Zulu music, church hymns, war songs and wedding songs.

He studied indigenous plants and their medicinal properties.

Both endeavours have enriched the world of academia.

His music recordings have been made available on two compact discs by the Academy of Sciences in Vienna, Austria, and the Herbarium of the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal in Pietermaritzburg has a section of special plants which Fr Mayr collected.

With all these manifold activities Fr Mayr, a diocesan priest not living in community with confreres, might have at times felt lonely. So when he heard of the separation of Mariannhill from the Trappist order in 1909 he considered joining this new enterprise.

Quite readily he accepted the request of Abbot Wolpert, the provost of Mariannhill, to work in the new mission in the north of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.

Abbot Pfanner had acquired a piece of land of 20 000 acres, which would become the mission of Triashill, in 1894 from Cecil John

Rhodes, whom he met in Mount Ayliff, Eastern Cape.

Rhodes and Pfanner: two empire builders, one working for a worldly empire from country to country, and the other for “a kingdom without boundaries”.

In the short time that he lived at Triashill Fr Mayr learned the Shona language and published a catechism and Bible stories in that language, printed at Mariannhill.

Again he had to move when Abbot Wolpert asked him to go back to Europe.

The new Congregation of Missionaries of Mariannhill had established a house of formation, St Paul, in the Netherlands. Fr Mayr willingly went there to teach the novices English and Zulu, so that they would be well prepared for their future missionary task. Alas, the cold and damp climate of the Low Countries did not suit Fr Mayr’s frail constitution; he missed the sun and the warmth of Africa, so once again he packed his few belongings and returned to South Africa. What to do now? Where to go?

Bishop Henri Delalle OMI, successor of Bishop Jolivet, had asked the Servite Order to start a mission in Swaziland which at the time belonged to the vicariate of Natal.

Fr Mayr had heard about this new venture and offered his services. In January 1913 Fr Mayr, together with Austrian Servite Father Gratl, arrived in Mbabane. A year later he founded St Joseph’s mission at Bremersdorp, today Mzimphofu.

At St Joseph’s the rich life of Fr Mayr came to a tragic end on October 15, 1914.

Fr Mayr had gone shopping with his donkey cart. On his return home he was robbed and brutally murdered, 49 years old. The Swazi nation was stunned when they learnt of the terrible news.

The murderer, Mfanyana Mdluli, was caught by local people and handed over to the authorities. He was found guilty and sentenced to death.

But this was not the end of the missionary’s story. While awaiting execution by hanging, Mdluli was prepared by Fr Gratl for baptism, which took place the day before the execution on April 12, 1915.

Thus the murderer of Fr Franz Mayr became one of the first Catholics of Swaziland. He received the baptismal name Franz-Joseph.

This was also the name of the old Emperor of Austria who in 1914 had to witness the outbreak of the Great War. Fr Franz Mayr was a man of new beginnings; with all his talent and in spite of his poor physique, he was available wherever there was a need.

In this sense he was a man after Fr Franz Pfanner’s heart: “If no one goes, I will go.”

THE CAPUCHIN POOR CLARE SISTERS We are called to prayer, Adoration to the Blessed Sacrament, silence, penance, manual labour and joyful community life.

Through this way of life, we join our lives to Jesus redeeming love, praying for the world and remaining hidden in the heart of Holy Mother Church.

For more information contact: Adoration Monastery "Bethania", P.O Box 43, Swellendam, 6740 Tel:( 028 ) 514-1319, Email: capuchin@telkomsa.net

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the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

11

12

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

MISSION

Pope Francis effect lets lay missionary tell her story Sharing an ethnicity with Pope Francis gave a lay consecrated missionary from Argentina an opportunity to speak about her work to the media, as PaUl saNCHEZ reports.

T

HE election of Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio as Pope Francis on March 12, 2013, made the former archbishop of Buenos Aires a global star.

Another proud Italian-Argentine, this one from Brooklyn in New York, has become something of a star in her own right.

Seven of Argentinian-born Natalia Fassano’s eight great-grandparents were Italian immigrants to Argentina. After Pope Francis’ election she found herself thrust into the spotlight.

Ms Fassano is a lay consecrated missionary who has dedicated her life to the France-based Catholic volunteer movement called Heart’s Home (www.heartshomeusa.org), an organisation that brought her to New York in late 2010 to serve as its communication director.

First, on the evening of Pope Francis’ election, the New York City affiliate of the ABC network did a news segment on the Brooklynbased missionary. That television news segment was followed by an

article in Oggi, the only Italian-language daily newspaper in the US. The Oggi article went out on the wire and was picked up in publications in Italy; it even appeared prominently in Libero Gossip, a prominent celebrity gossip tabloid in Italy, placing the missionary among stars such as Nicole Kidman, George Clooney, Paris Hilton and Bono.

Other coverage included articles in The Tablet, weekly newspaper of the diocese of Brooklyn, and several Spanish-language newspapers throughout the US, as well as interviews on CBS radio and on Net Catholic TV. The requests for interviews still continue even now, to some extent.

Ms Fassano and her family have always been proud of their Italian heritage. The oldest of six children in Santa Fe, northeastern Argentina, the Italian influence was part of her upbringing.

“My dad has more of an Argentinian-Italian character: outspoken, extroverted. My mum would tell me stories about her own grandmother and her immigration from Naples to Argentina. Tales of the Italian heritage on both sides of my family were a major part of my upbringing, as it is for most Italian-Argentine families,” she said.

Ms Fassano attended the only Catholic school in her area, participating in her parish choir from primary school until she was 18. Every Christmas she would participate in the live Nativity, which was extra

special for Italian-Argentines, as a character on the crèche or part of the singing/narrating team or playing the flute.

During her high school years, the future missionary participated in Catholic Action, taught catechism, and helped to organise and lead retreats.

In Santa Fe she became acquainted with the missionary volunteer organisation Heart’s Home (Puntos Corazon in Spanish). Her previous missionary work with Catholic groups had shaped her faith and changed her life forever.

“As much as I loved my family and friends, my boyfriend, my parish community, my profession and my students, this missionary life was much greater! The Lord was concretely present, provoking me to follow always further, through the faces of these poor people who came into my life, what the essential in life was. His cross and his resurrection were obvious concrete facts to us there,” Ms Fassano said.

After earning a degree in education and foreign languages and working in education for several years. she joined Heart’s Home in 2004.

Upon joining Heart’s Home as a volunteer and completing training, the Italian-Argentine was thrilled to learn she would be sent to the organisation’s mission in Naples, the ancestral land of her great-grandparents.

Afterwards she served back home in Argentina and in Brazil, com-

HOLY CrOSS SiSTErS

In the Cross is Salvation

are an International Congregation whose members try to live the Paschal mystery and creating life in the midst of limits.

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arE YOU iNTErESTED iN SErViNG OTHErS?

Natalia Fassano is a lay consecrated missionary for Heart’s Home, a worldwide community that serves the suffering. as an argentinian with italian roots, she became something of a media star in New york, where she serves, because of her shared ethnicity with Pope Francis. pleted a one-year programme in philosophy and theology in France, and in December 2010 arrived in New York.

F

ounded in 1990, Heart’s Home is an international Catholic volunteer organisation in which young Catholics devote at least 14 months to helping the poor and the most suffering in the world.

Heart’s Home has 46 mission centres in 24 different countries, in places such as Peru, Ecuador, Senegal, Thailand, Romania, Ukraine, Philippines, Germany and Japan.

Since its founding, it has trained more than 1 400 volunteers of 38 different nationalities.

Community life includes daily rosary and daily Mass. Its goal is to act as friends to the most suffering and most lonely people.

In contrast to many other Catholic volunteer programmes, Heart’s Home accepts volunteers at any time during the year.

After serving as a Heart’s Home volunteer for two years, Ms Fassano decided that she wanted to stay on with Heart’s Home as her life’s vocation and joined their lay consecrated fraternity.

Many volunteers in the past 24 years have wanted to continue in Heart’s Home, so in addition to a lay consecrated fraternity, an order of nuns was formed, the Sisters of God’s Presence, as well as a fraternity of priests, the Sacerdotal Molokai Fraternity.

All three of these branches of permanent Heart’s Home missionaries work alongside the young Catholics who volunteer.

Currently, Ms Fassano is in her third year of missionary work at Heart’s Home in Brooklyn, a mission that started in the Bronx in 2003 and moved to Brooklyn in 2008.

While the New York mission of Heart’s Home has mostly minis-

tered to Spanish-speaking people of various nationalities, Ms Fassano is the first Latino missionary as most of the missionaries in the New York community have been from France.

Lourdes Renero Alvarez, a Hispanic resident of the Bronx, is very familiar with Heart’s Home and their outreach to help poor Hispanics. She said: “I always found it touching that French missionaries came to the US, the largest Englishspeaking country in the world, to help poor Spanish-speaking people who come from so many different nations and live in the poorest urban area of the US.” When Cardinal Bergoglio was chosen as pope, Ms Fassano was shocked to learn that the new pope was not only Argentine, but even a fellow Italian-Argentine. “It was like winning the World Cup,” she said.

She was immediately taken by the new pope’s statement that “the Church of Rome needs to be the first example of charity to the rest of the churches around the world”.

She felt that this statement by Pope Francis was very telling: “This charity, this faith, this hope reflects what Italians brought to Argentina throughout the last century, let us humbly and graciously bring it back ‘Argentinised’ to the city where charity, hope and faith are called to be the ‘culture’ to be exported worldwide.”

Since Pope Francis immediately edged out football star Lionel Messi as the most famous Italian-Argentine, Natalia Fassano has carved out her own niche as a famous ItalianArgentine, an example of “the Francis effect”.

She enjoys the interviews she gives to both the Catholic and secular media because it allows her to speak about her life as a Catholic missionary in a way to inform other young people about volunteering as a Catholic missionary serving the poor.

THE REDEMPTORISTS

were founded in Italy by Saint Alphonsus Liguori in 1732. Our aim is to preach the Good News to the most abandoned.

A close reading of our history shows that the ‘abandoned’ to whom Alphonsus reached out were rural shepherds who had been neglected by the ordinary ministry of the church.

Today we continue to seek out those who find themselves marginalised, not only by society but sometimes even by the church.

This picture shows a Redemptorist, Father Cyril Axelrod CSsR, who has given his life to caring for the abandoned. Being both deaf and blind his ministry spans the entire globe preaching missions to the disabled. Next to him is Father Larry Kaufmann CSsR who accompanied him to receive the OBE (see medal pinned to his habit) from Queen Elizabeth II.

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

MISSION

13

Is a self-reliant Church in SA possible yet?

The bishops of Southern Africa have made it clear that with diminishing overseas funding, the local Church must become selfreliant. Fr rEGiNalD tariMO aJ, a missionary in Kimberley diocese, finds that the time is not ripe yet.

I

HAVE been a priest for 14 years now, and currently serve at St Gertrude church in the Kalahari.

For six years now I have lived in a place called Heuninglvlei in the diocese of Kimberley.

I have no knowledge about how urban churches work. Before coming to South Africa I lived in the diocese of Kotido in the rural Karamoja region, deep in Uganda, bordering Sudan on one side and Kenya on the other.

There are some similarities: for example, both the people of Karamoja and the Kalahari are nomadic.

In my meditation, people always raise the question: “Will the churches be proudly self-reliant?”

I am proud that people are taking part in contributing to churches, but their numbers are not as big as would be necessary.

Some older Catholics maintain the mistaken belief that there are funds provided to the bishop that help run the parish’s daily work.

So few contributions come in from parishioners, and sometimes the priest has to resort to forceful language to raise some income.

Those older members who always contribute to the parish are getting older and have stopped coming to church.

Meanwhile parishioners of the younger generation say they don’t have any money, because they do not have jobs.

You rarely see these young people in the church today. They are too busy looking for jobs and getting RDP houses in town—if you are lucky you will see them during Easter season.

Sometimes I would pray for them rather than giving them money.

As young people leave their homes, they forget all about the Church and you see them only when they are having problems.

Of course, as a priest you have to have mercy on them and help them, not abandon them.

Even if you teach them the A-Z of the catechism, some of the youth look for “cheaper” churches, so you find that in a Catholic family four or five members are going to different parishes.

Some of our parishioners are very poor. When I visit them and see their impoverished lifestyle I rather return their contribution to the parish to them.

and personal body care?

In my experience, priests serving at least in my area will experience a bit of a hell if they think they can manage a parish on selfreliance. We need support from somewhere.

I

n Karamoja, my old Ugandan region, the church is lively and is filled with youth singing and praying. You don’t find many people going to nightclubs.

In the Kalahari the church benches are empty. You will find only elderly people and a few children attending Mass. Most of the people are not using the church to show their faith to God. Some of

W

hen it comes to fundraising or community work, most people don’t help. The only people who do are the parish council, catechist or children.

When people are blessed with wealth and change in their life, usually they don’t come back for prayer or worship—they don’t even think about the parish. Some of them believe the parish is for beggars and the poor.

Then there are those who receive sacraments, including baptism, first Holy Communion, confirmation and burials of family members, and, once they have done that, move on to the next church.

If there are no funds being contributed to the parish, how is a priest going to run the parish paying for petrol and maintenance for parish cars, maintain food, pay electricity, pay the caterers and their assistants, run the parish office, pay insurances, hospital bills

Catechumen in Karamoja, Uganda. according to Fr reginald tarimo: “When they have faith, they have real faith; they do not change.”

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Catechumen in the Kalahari. While there are many who remain faithful to the Catholic Church, even more become inactive Catholics or join Pentecostal churches. the youth end up going to nightclubs, or to Pentecostal churches.

That is the difference between Karamoja and Kalahari.

My personal worry is that we will confidently talk of self-reliant churches in the rural areas of

South Africa when self-reliance is not possible, especially in the Kalahari.

“Where there is a will there is always a way,” the saying goes— but we just have to be patient, it will take time.

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the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

MISSION

The pope took my hand and gave a message to SA On October 22 the Church will observe the first feast day of St John Paul II. To mark the event and the 100th anniversary this year of the death of Bl Joseph Gerard OMI, veteran journalist WiNNiE GraHaM recalls the pope’s 1988 visit to Southern Africa.

I

T’S 2014: exactly 100 years since Fr Joseph Gerard died, I tell my son, Bruce. “Remember him?” To my surprise, he replies that, of course, he remembers.

Fr Gerard was the Oblate priest whom Pope John Paul II beatified in 1988. He was also Southern Africa’s first saint.

“How could you think I’d forget when you talked of nothing else for six months?” he adds. “Remember how I persuaded the headmaster of my school in the Eastern Cape to let our class attend the beatification? In spite of the rain, we got to the church in Roma [in Lesotho] before the Holy Father—and I had an aisle seat,” Bruce recalls. “I could have touched him as he entered the church and walked past me.”

Memories come flooding back as we recall the beatification of the French missionary who had dedicated his life to the people of Lesotho and who, perhaps more than anyone, is responsible for the mountain kingdom’s large Catholic population.

He was an extraordinarily holy man who had to overcome all sorts of imponderables in his mission to “teach people the things about God and help them to become good”.

In 1988 I was a reporter at The Star in Johannesburg and, because I was a Catholic, I was assigned to cover Pope John Paul II’s historic visit to Southern Africa.

The papal tour caused an outcry among some Catholics at the time because the Holy Father was visiting all the neighbouring countries—but was not scheduled to visit South Africa, then still suffering under the apartheid regime. Why not us, they wanted to know?

To join the papal entourage, press photographer Ken Oosterbroek and I had to fly to Rome and link up with the international press group on the flight to Southern Africa.

The plane took off from Rome early one morning and midway through the flight, the press were informed that the Holy Father would join us for a quick question-and-answer session.

Unaware of how these press sessions worked, I stayed where I was while the journalists around me scrambled over seats to get close to the pope. I wanted to ask John Paul why he had not included South Africa but wasn’t quick enough. The professionals around me were pelting the Holy Father with their questions.

Then, as the session ended, I saw Dr Joaquín Navarro-Valls, the Vatican’s press attaché, steer a path through the 200-plus journalists towards me. The next moment the Holy Father had taken my hand in his and said: “Please tell the Catholics of South Africa, I want to come.”

I finally found my voice and asked: “When?”

St John Paul II replied: “These trips have to be arranged and that takes time, but I will come. Please tell the people of South Africa I have not forgotten them. I will come.”

I noticed his long slender fingers holding my hand but, overawed, was struck dumb. A smile, and he was gone.

Every journalist wanted to know from me why he had singled me out.

It was an amazing moment that I cherish—despite my incoherence at the time.

Travelling with the pope was a pretty hectic experience. Most days we were up at 5am, and in bed after midnight. In an age when there were no cellphones or laptops, we competed for facilities (never as good as they could have been) in the various press rooms provided by our hotels in Zimbabwe, Botswana, Swaziland and Mozambique.

There was Mass every day, celebrated by the Holy Father. Who could ever want to miss that? Most journalists usually left as soon as the homily had been delivered. I could never resist staying till the end—

st John Paul ii kisses the ground on one of his many foreign trips. in her article on covering the pope’s 1988 visit to southern africa, journalist Winnie Graham recalls a special encounter with the pontiff. then rushing to get my “story” through. It was exhausting, and sleep was a luxury. But what an amazing experience nonetheless.

T

ravelling with one of South Africa’s top press photographers, Ken Oosterbroek, was another sort of experience. He was a superb photographer, and a totally unconventional young man. Tragically he died at only 31 while covering unrest in Thokoza just over a week before our first democratic elections in 1994.

We had no sooner landed in Rome on our outward flight than he headed for St Peter’s to take pictures.

But he was never allowed inside the magnificent basilica.

When I arrived there an hour later, I found him sitting on the steps outside the church. He had been refused admission because he was wearing very short shorts. The Romans would have none of that.

The next morning he was in trouble again. With the help of an Oblate priest, we’d arranged inexpensive accommodation in Rome at a small hotel run by Italian sisters.

Ken turned up at the reception desk on our first morning with a small bundle of clothing he wanted washed. The sister thought he was

asking her to do it, and was highly indignant.

“Rinse your undies in your bathroom basin,” I hissed at him. “We’ve been here less than 24 hours. You don’t need a laundromat yet.”

Ken, a night owl, regularly overslept and was invariably the last person on the bus. One morning, he followed the irritated Vatican group leader on to the vehicle and dropped a pair of trousers on my lap.

“He went off with my case before I could pack it,” Ken explained.

“Please put it in your hand luggage.”

I did—with embarrassing consequences.

The next morning I was having breakfast with an Italian journalist when I heard a commotion at the dining room door. The head waiter was refusing Ken entrance because he was in his very short shorts, again.

The next moment Ken was standing next to my table. “You’ve got my trousers,” he told me within earshot of the entire press corps. I could only mutter: “Next time collect your clothing before you get off the bus!”

There were some great moments too. I hadn’t seen my son Bruce for some weeks before leaving on the Vatican trip—he was at boarding school in the Eastern Cape—but he

found me at my hotel. So did both my daughters who’d arrived with a contingent of Catholics from Johannesburg—and my son Stuart who, after a night on the bus from Johannesburg, came straight to my hotel room for a bath.

Leotho was the climax of the trip—and the most dramatic. We could not land in the rain because the airport lacked certain safety facilities, so we continued to Johannesburg where the press were not allowed off the aircraft.

We did not know that Pik Botha, then South Africa’s foreign minister, had heard of the unexpected turn of events and that the Holy Father was at Jan Smuts Airport (now OR Tambo International).

Mr Botha had made a dash for the airport to welcome Pope John Paul while we were left sitting in the plane. That was the big story of the tour—and the press contingent could not report on it until the excitement was over.

We fretted as we waited to be “released”. Then started the scramble for South African currency needed by an anxious press corps wanting to make international calls from public telephones. It was already too late.

The most exciting story of the tour had been told by land-based journalists.

Finally we were bundled into a convoy of cars (with Pope John Paul’s vehicle leading the way) and were taken to Lesotho for the final leg of the tour. We were now in Father Gerard’s terrain where more drama awaited—but also spiritually uplifiting moments.

Among those sharing Communion at the Mass was Florina Phakela’s two daughters. Florina was cured of blindness through the intercession of Fr Gerard, a miracle accepted by the Church as one of several to continue the process of having the missionary declared a saint.

More than a quarter of a century has elapsed since that incredible tour but travelling with the Holy Father was not only the journalistic highlight of my career but an experience permanently etched on my heart.

What a trip it was—Pope John Paul II, Ken Oosterbroek and all.

PRIESTS OF THE SACRED HEART “Here i am Lord” Vocation Office: P.O. Box 630 Hilton 3245 South Africa

Dominican Sisters of St. Catherine of Siena of King William’s Town

We are a multi-cultural, prophetic community of Dominican women, Aware of the interconnectedness and sacramental dimension of all life in a dynamically evolving universe.

With God as our source, we respond creatively and compassionately to the cry of the wordl, witnessing to the unconditional loving-kindness of God.

Cell: +27 71 823 6295 E-mail: vocation.office@dehonafrica.net

Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood (Mthatha Eastern Cape) MISSION STATEMENT Our Mission Field is God’s Kingdom which has no boundaries; we are Missionaries everywhere.

Is God calling you to become a Vowed Religious sister, an Associate member, Lay Dominican or Volunteer?

For more information contact us at clt@kwtdominicans.org Sr. Mary Tuck marytuck@kwtdominicans.org Sr. Nobululi Bulurelo 076 365 0647

Glen Avent Convent P.O. Box 261 MTHATHA 5099 047 5350701

Or

Sr. Patricia Mary Ndongeni CPS Bizana Convent P.O. Box 23 BIZANA 4800 039 2510042 / 0729340886

“Are you called to make the Precious Blood fruitful”?

Write or visit Vocation Promoter

CLASSIFIEDS

Friars of the Renewal founder dies

F

ATHER Benedict Groeschel, who was a founder of the Franciscan Friars of the Renewal, a leading US pro-life figure and popular author, retreat master and preacher, died on October 3 at 81.

“We are deeply saddened by the death of Fr Benedict. He was an example to us all,” said Fr John Paul Ouellette, who is also a Franciscan friar and the order’s community servant.

Fr Groeschel published a number of books on spirituality and pastoral counselling and founded the Trinity Retreat, a centre for prayer and study for clergy. He

taught at Fordham University, Iona College and Maryknoll Seminary.

At the time of his death, he was writing a memoir to be published

by Our Sunday Visitor called “The Life of a Struggling Soul”. He also wrote numerous articles for various periodicals including First Things and Priest magazine.

For more than 30 years he was a regular on various programs on the Eternal World Television Network. He was host of EWTN's “Sunday Night Prime” television for many years. His outreach to the poor was legendary and he founded many homes for needy people from all walks of life.—CNS

Schoenstatt shrines across South Africa

O

UR October 1 feature on the Schoenstatt shrines in South Africa omitted the Hanover Park shrine in Cape Town. The full list of five shrines follows.

• Bedfordview, Johannesburg 33 Florence Avenue, Bedfordview 4008, Johannesburg Phone: 011 455 5146 Fax: 011 455 2626 E-Mail: ehr_cusa@ global.co.za • Cathcart House Schoenstatt 22 Rhodes Street Cathcart Eastern Cape 5310 Phone: 045 843 1045 E-Mail: sr.m.kath leen@gmail.com

• Constantia, Cape Town Constantia Main Road, Constantia, 7806 Phone: 021 794 5100 Fax: 021 704 6624 E-Mail: schfamct@ xsinet.co.za • Hanover Park, Cape Town (Maryland) Summit Rd, Hanover Park, 7780, Cape Town Phone: 021 692 1180 Fax: 021 691 3344 E-Mail: schoenstattsa @xsinet.co.za • Villa María, Cape Town 1 Kloof Nek Road Cape Town 8001 Phone: 021 423 8136 Fax: 021 423 8137 E-Mail: villamaria @isdial.net

Southern CrossWord solutions

SOLUTIONS TO 624. ACROSS: 1 Apples, 4 Deacon, 9 Short sentence, 10 Earmark, 11 Burse, 12 Cliff, 14 Peace, 18 Outer, 19 Prosper, 21 Profitability, 22 Rosary, 23 Aegean. DOWN: 1 Answer, 2 Poor relations, 3 Extra, 5 Entebbe, 6 Contraceptive, 7 Needed, 8 Seeks, 13 Farrier, 15 Copper, 16 Appal, 17 Crayon, 20 Olive.

MICASA TOURS

the southern Cross, October 15 to October 21, 2014

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 (R1,37 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

IN MEMORIAM

Fr Benedict Groeschel, the late founder of the Franciscan Friars of the renewal. (Photo: Karen Callaway/CNs)

Word of the Week Miracles, apparitions: Generally a miracle is used to refer to physical phenomena that defy natural explanation, such as medically unexplainable cures. An apparition is a supernatural manifestation of God, an angel or a saint to an individual or a group of individuals.

VERGOTTINI—laura Celestine. Passed away October 24, 2005. We know that you do not sleep, our precious mommy. you run barefoot on the sand, beside the breaking waves.

We hear your voice in a thousand winds that blow. you are the diamond glints on the gentle autumn raindrops and the sunlight on ripened grain. When we awaken in the early morning's hush, you are the swift, uplifting rush of birds in flight. We see you in the twinkling stars at night. in spirit you are always with us. We love and miss you our dearest Mommy. love anthony, alfred, Wendy and family.

PRAyERS

CATHOLIC LAdy, 35 years old from Zimbabwe, holding a primary school teaching diploma (Foundation phase) is looking for a job as a classroom assistant, Grade r/pre-school teacher. Phone 083 612 7459.

Year A • Weekdays Cycle Year 2

Pilgrimage to Lourdes and Nevers led by Father allan Moss OMi 01-09 april 2015

Pilgrimage to Fatima, Garabandal, Lourdes, dozulè, Liseux and Paris

O star of the sea, help me and show me herein that you are my Mother, O Holy Mary Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth, i humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to secure me in my necessity. there are none who can withstand your power, O show me that you are my mother. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. thank you for your mercy towards me and mine. amen.

THANkS be to thee, my lord Jesus Christ, For all the benefits thou hast won for me, For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful redeemer, Friend, and Brother, May i know thee more clearly, love thee more dearly, and follow thee more nearly, For ever and ever.

EMPLOyMENT WANTEd

Liturgical Calendar Sunday, October 19, 29th Sunday Isaiah 45:1, 4-6, Psalm 96:1, 3-5, 7-10, 1 Thessalonians 1:1-5, Matthew 22:15-21 Monday, October 20 Ephesians 2:1-10, Psalm 100:2-5, Luke 12:13-21 Tuesday, October 21 Ephesians 2:12-22, Psalm 85:9-14, Luke 12:35-38 Wednesday, October 22, St John Paul II Ephesians 3:2-12, Isaiah 12:2-6, Luke 12:39-48 Thursday, October 23, St John of Capistrano Ephesians 3:14-21, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 1112, 18-19, Luke 12:49-53 Friday, October 24 Ephesians 4:1-6, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 12:54-59 Saturday, October 25, Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary Ephesians 4:7-16, Psalm 122:1-5, Luke 13:1-9 Sunday, October 26, 30th Sunday Exodus 22:20-26, Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51, 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, Matthew 22:34-40

PERSONAL

HOLy ST JudE, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. to you i have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. Help me now in my urgent need and grant my petitions. in return i promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. amen. rC. O MOST beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, blessed Mother of the son of God, immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity.

ABORTION WARNING: the pill can abort (chemical abortion) Catholics must be told, for their eternal welfare and the survival of their unborn infants. see www.epm.org/ static/uploads/downloads/ bcpill.pdf NOTHING is politically right if it is morally wrong. abortion is evil. Value life! www.abortioninstru ments.com is the graphic truth that will set you free.

SuPPORT Golden Children’s Home by purchasing Christmas cakes or puddings. Percentage of profit goes to Mater Home.

Phone Jean 076 500 7794.

TAXATION SERVICES: tax & Vat returns prepared & e-filed by sarsregistered tax practitioner, (45 years’ sars experience now on your side).

MONK?

led by archbishop Buti tlhagale OMi 10-23 May 2015

YES!

Pilgrimage to Italy-Shroud of Turin, Passion Play in Sordevolo, Milan, Rome, Verona, Venice led by Father Victor Phalana 09-21 June 2015

Holy Land Pilgrimage

led by Father Christopher townsend 31 august -09 september 2015

Pilgrimage to Fatima, Lourdes, Rome and Assisi led by Father robert Mphiwe 07-19 september 2015

Contact: Tel: 012 342 7917/072 637 0508 (Michelle) E-Mail: info@micasatours.co.za

(Please leave your contact details in case of donations)

admin@stanthonyshome.org

15

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

Or

The Prior Benedictine abbey Subiaco PO Box 2189 Pietersburg 0700

Contact Mike 082 929 9874, 033 396 5471. mike white1@telkomsa.net

HOLIdAy ACCOMMOdATION

LONdON, Protea House: single ₤30, twin ₤45 per night. self-catering, busses and underground nearby. Phone Peter 021 851 5200, 0044 208 7484834.

BALLITO: Upmarket penthouse on beach, selfcatering, 084 790 6562.

CAPE TOWN: Fully equipped self-catering 2bedroom apartment with parking, in strandfontein. r500 per night (4 persons). Paul 021 393 2503, 083 553 9856, vivilla@ telkomsa.net kNySNA: self-catering accommodation for 2 in Old Belvidere, with DstV and wonderful lagoon views. 044 387 1052. kNySNA: s/c accommodation for 2/3 on dairy farm in gorgeous valley. Winter special r600. 084 458 8397.

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. Malcolm salida 082 784 5675, mjsalida@ gmail.com SEdGEFIELd: Beautiful self-catering garden holiday flat, sleeps four, two bedrooms, open-plan 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, ecospirituality library. Countryside vineyard/forest/ mountain views/walks; beach 20-minute drive. affordable. 021 880 0242. www.cbcentre.co.za Email: cbcstel@gmail.com uVONGO: south Coast KZN: immaculate holiday accommodation, well secured and lock-up garage in complex. sleeps six.

082 767 0228, 011 764 4917 a/h

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

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: stuart Graham (s.graham@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, P Davids*, s Duval, E Jackson, B Jordan, sr H Makoro CPs, r riedlinger, M salida, G simmermacher*, r shields, Z tom

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

Unplanned pregnancy?

NPO044-227

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Box 2372, Cape town, 8000 • 10 tuin Plein, Cape town, 8001

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Advertising: advertising@scross.co.za

Website: www.scross.co.za 30th Sunday: October 26 Readings: Exodus 22:20-26, Psalm 18:2-4, 47, 51, 1 Thessalonians 1:5-10, Matthew 22: 34-40

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Fr Nicholas King SJ

sunday reflections

We should be listening carefully at this point, as we are forbidden to take people’s clothes as a pledge. And the fundamental reason is that “if the person cries to me, I shall hear them, for I am merciful”. That last idea, “mercy”, is right at the heart of the Old Testament definition of the mystery of God. The psalm for next Sunday is well aware of this mystery of God: “I love you, Lord my help”, the poet sings, and follows this with a series of military metaphors, describing the Lord as “my Rock, my Fortress, my Deliverer…my Strong Rock…my Shield, the Horn of my Salvation, my Stronghold”.

The singer knows that he can “call upon the Lord…and be saved from my enemies”. Then

here is a huge leap to the end of the poem (which is admittedly rather long), and the psalmist proclaims: “The Lord lives; blessed be my Rock; may the God of my salvation be exalted.” This God is mysterious indeed.

The second reading for next Sunday, from the earliest document in the entire New Testament, rather expands the mystery of God, since it now includes both Jesus and, remarkably enough, the teaching of St Paul; we learn that the Thessalonians “received the word with much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit” (widening the mystery yet further).

The result (in the power of God) is that “the word of God has echoed out from you in Northern and Southern Greece [Macedonia and Achaia], and beyond”, for the Thessalonians are now well-known for the rapidity with which they turned to God, “away from slavery to idols towards the living and true God, and to wait for his Son from Heaven, the one whom [God] raised from the dead, Jesus, the one who is delivering us from the coming wrath”.

We need to sit with this remarkable understanding of the mystery of God.

Sacred permission to be human S

OMETIMES certain texts in the Bible make you wonder: Is this really the word of God? Why is this text in Scripture? What’s the lesson here?

For example, we have verses in the psalms, in passages that we pray liturgically, where we ask God to bash the heads of the children of our enemies against a rock. How does that invite us to love our enemies?

We see passages in the Book of Job where Job is in despair and curses not on only the day he was born but the very fact that anyone was born. It’s impossible to find even a trace of anything positive in his lament.

Similarly, in a rather famous text, we hear Qoheleth affirm that everything in our lives and in the life of this world is simple vanity, wind, vapour, of no substance and of no consequence.

Then, in the Gospels, we have passages where the apostles, discouraged by opposition to their message, ask Jesus to call down fire and destroy the very people to whom they are supposed to minister.

Hardly an exemplar for ministry!

Why are these texts in the Bible? Because they give us sacred permission to feel the way we feel sometimes and they give us sacred tools to help us deal with the shortcomings and frustrations of our lives.

They are, in fact, both very important and very consoling texts because, to put it metaphorically, they give us a large

Conrad

We welcome prayers, volunteers and donations.

Delving into the mystery of God

W

HO is God for us? And what is this God like? We have again and again to approach this question, as we must always go deeper into the mystery of God. Most mysterious of all about God, and yet it makes admirable sense once you think about it, is that ours is a God who demands that we should be kind to the oppressed, as our first reading indicates: “The immigrant you shall not wrong, and you shall not oppress them: for you yourselves were immigrants in the land of Egypt.”

Likewise there is the “widow and orphan”, and the reason is that “if you do evil to them, and they cry out to me, then I shall certainly hear their cry, and my anger shall burn, and I shall slaughter you with the sword”.

This is not what you expect from a “god” in the ancient world, or in any world, come to that, and we should sit up and take notice.

Likewise we are forbidden to exact interest when we lend money (though we have found a good many ways of getting around that particular injunction); and the reason is that they are “my people”.

•

www.birthright.co.za

Business manager: admin@scross.co.za

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final reflection

enough keyboard to play all the songs that we need to play in our lives. They give us the laments and the prayers we need to utter sometimes in the face of our human condition, with its many frustrations, and in the face of death, tragedy, and depression.

T

o give a simple example. A friend of mine shares this story: Recently he was in church with his family, which included his seven year-old son, Michael, and his own mother, Michael’s grandmother.

At one point, Michael, seated beside his grandmother, whispered aloud: “I’m so bored!” His grandmother pinched him and chided him: “You are not bored!”, as if the sacred ambience of church and an authoritative command could change human nature. They can’t. When we’re bored, we’re bored! And sometimes we need to be given divine permission to feel what we’re spontaneously feeling.

Some years ago, for all the noblest of intentions, a religious community I know wanted to sanitise the psalms that

they pray regularly in the Divine Office, to rid them of all elements of anger, violence, vengeance, and war. They had some of their own scripture scholars do the work so that it would be scholarly and serious.

They succeeded in that: the product was scholarly and serious, but stripped of all motifs of violence, vengeance, anger, and war what resulted was something that looked more like a Hallmark card than a series of prayers that express real life and real feelings.

We don’t always feel upbeat, generous, and faith-filled. Sometimes we feel angry, bitter, and vengeful. We need to be given sacred permission to feel that way (though not to act that way) and to pray in honesty out of that space.

My parents, and for the most part their whole generation, would, daily, in their prayers, utter these words: To you do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley of tears.

Our own generation tends to view this as morbid, as somehow denigrating both the beauty and joy of life and the perspective that faith is meant to give us. But there’s a hidden richness in that prayer. In praying in that way, they gave themselves sacred permission to accept the limits of their lives. That prayer carries the symbolic tools to handle frustration; something, I submit, we have failed to sufficiently give to our own children.

Too many young people today have never been given the symbolic tools to handle frustration, nor sacred permission to feel what they are feeling. Sometimes, all good intentions aside, we have handed our children more of Walt Disney than the gospel.

In the Book of Lamentations we find a passage that, while sounding negative on the surface, is paradoxically, in the face of death and tragedy, perhaps the most consoling text of all. The text simply states that, sometimes in life, all we can do is put our mouths to the dust and wait!

That’s sound advice, spoken from the mouth of experience and the mouth of faith.

The poet Rainer Maria Rilke once wrote these words to a friend who, in the face of the death of a loved one, wondered how or where he could ever find consolation: What do I do with all this grief?

Rilke’s reply: “Do not be afraid to suffer, give that heaviness back to the weight of the earth; mountains are heavy, seas are heavy.” They are, so too is life sometimes, and we need to be given God’s permission to feel that heaviness.

That was something that Jesus’ opponents were not prepared to do, as we see in the gospel for next Sunday.

He has just silenced the Sadducees, who had asked him a silly question that purported to demonstrate the absurdity of the idea of Resurrection; now the Pharisees have a go, and “one of them, a lawyer, interrogated him, to see what he was made of”.

The interrogation concerns the tricky question of which of the [613!] commandments of the Law really mattered.

Jesus does not hesitate for a second, and indeed offers them two for the price of one: “First ‘you are to love the Lord your God…’.

This is Important and Number One. The second is like it: ‘You are to love your neighbour as yourself’.”

Then Jesus offers an editorial comment: “On these two commandments depends the whole of the Law and the Prophets.”

If we reflect, as we should this week, on this remarkable gospel, we shall recognise the profound sanity of the revelation of the mystery of God. It is a mystery that our world needs to hear.

Southern Crossword #624

aCrOSS 1. Are they in Adam’s garden?

(6) 4. Father O’Dea confines the cleric here (6) 9. A few words the judge pronounces lightly (5,8) 10. Designate listener and evangelist (7) 11. It contains the corporal cloth on the altar (5) 12. Steep rock face (5) 14. The angelic choir wants it on earth (5) 18. Space for the spaceman (5) 19. Public relations prose will flourish (7) 21. Parish bazaar hopes for this capacity for financial gain (13) 22. Prayer over many decades (6) 23. Sea of Greeks and Turks (6)

DOWN 1. Respond (6) 2. Inferior family members who tell stories badly? (4,9) 3. A mile to go freely (5) 5. Bee bent on seeing African city (7) 6. Art piece on CTV will stop production (13) 7. Required (6) 8. Tries to find (5) 13. He shoes the horse (7) 15. Policeman finding metal (6) 16. Papal way to horrify (5) 17. Colouring stick in the classroom (6) 20. The peaceful branch (5)

solutions on page 15

CHURCH CHUCKLE

N atheist went on holiday to Loch Ness in AScotland.

While out in a boat fishing, the Loch Ness monster reared up and hissed at him. The atheist cried out: “O my Lord, Help!”

A voice from heaven came down and said: “I thought you did not believe in me!”

Replied the atheist: "A minute ago, I didn’t believe in the Loch Ness monster either.” send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to the southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape town, 8000.