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The Southern Cross, August 2 to August 8, 2017
NEWS FEATURE
Dominican men mark 100 years in SA
This year marks the centenary of the Dominican friars first coming to South Africa. FR EMIL BLASER OP looks at some of the contributions made by Dominicans in this region.
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AST year the Dominicans celebrated the 800th jubilee of their foundation; this year the male Dominicans are celebrating the centenary of their presence in South Africa. To mark the 100 years, a gala celebration will take place in Springs, Gauteng, on August 5. The Dominican life is based on four pillars: community life, study, contemplation and preaching. The latter activity gives the Dominicans their real name, the Order of Preachers, which is what the letters OP stand for behind our names. But there is another thread woven into the Dominican DNA: to be pioneers, or, so to speak, “voortrekkers”. And this is evident in the many Dominicans over the last 100 years in South Africa. There are a good number of “firsts”. The first bishop to reside in South Africa was a Dominican, Bishop Raymund Griffith, appointed vicarapostolic of the Cape of Good Hope in 1837, who worked as a bishop for 24 years, until he retired in 1861. Over 100 years ago, Dominican sisters were invited to the country and have now blossomed into five congregations. The Dominican friars came out in 1917 to help in the formation of Dominican sisters. Many priests today were formed on the theology of St Thomas Aquinas, another Dominican. But few realise that the English text of Aquinas’ famous Summa Theologiae was actually translated by Dominican Fr Lawrence Shapcote in the sacristy of Boksburg Catholic church. The Dutch Dominicans were great pioneers. The original Afrikaans apostolate was started in Stellenbosch before spreading to
other places. In the days when the Catholic Church was known as the “Roomse gevaar” (“Roman danger”), Dominicans in Stellenbosch were in dialogue with the university there and leading theologians of the Dutch Reformed Church. The Afrikaans Catholic magazine Die Brug was an initiative of the Dutch Dominicans, as was The Open Door, a Catholic advice bureau in the city centre of Johannesburg. The Dutch Dominican Fr Norbert Jansen worked with other Dominicans on a correspondence course in theology, known as TEE, Theological Education by Extension. The first bishop of Kroonstad diocese in the Free State was a Dominican, Bishop Gerard van Velsen (previous to Kroonstad being a diocese, the vicar-general was a Spiritan, Bishop Leo Klerlein). Bishop Van Velsen, who headed the diocese from 1951-75, was much ahead of his time and spearheaded the permanent diaconate after the Second Vatican Council. He was also a great proponent for appointing viri probati (proven married men). The training of deacons is a ministry which continues today in Kroonstad diocese. Bishop Van Velsen was succeeded by another Dutch Dominican, Bishop Johannes Brenninkmeijer, who led the diocese from 1977 till his death in 2003.
Training future priests Several well-known and muchloved Dominicans such as Fr Oswin Magrath and his brother Damian, and Fr Finbarr Synnott, were very much involved in the formation of diocesan priests at Pevensey in KwaZulu-Natal, and later at St Peter’s Seminary in Hammanskraal. Many South African bishops were formed here and Fr Oswin took great pride in them. Later Fr Dominic Scholten succeeded Fr Oswin as rector. Practically the entire staff of St Peter’s was Dominican. Fr Scholten also served the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference as secretary-general in the 1970s; later, in the ’90s, I had the
A new generation of Dominicans, seen here with novice master Fr Albert Nolan, in 2014. They will build on a history of Dominican friars who came before them over the past 100 years. The male Dominicans are celebrating their centenary of arriving in South Africa with a Mass in Springs, Gauteng, on August 5. privilege of serving the bishops’ conference as associate secretary-general. One cannot underestimate the magnificent work done at the SACBC in the area of justice and peace by Fr Synnott, who spurned privilege and embraced a simple lifestyle in solidarity with the suffering masses. He too made a great impact teaching at the seminary. Later he was succeeded by Dominican Fr Mike Deeb, who did magnificent work at the SACBC and was plucked from the country by the Dominican master-general to be the order’s permanent representative at the United Nations—another first from South Africa. In addition to this onerous task, Fr Deeb was given that of being the international promoter of justice and peace for the Dominican Order. The Dominicans have been pioneers in Catholic broadcasting in South Africa, and it is here where I
have played a part. In 1985 I pioneered a weekly television programme and also provided the English commentary on TV for Pope John Paul II’s Mass at Gosforth Park, Johannesburg, in 1995. In 1999, with Olinda Orlando, we spearheaded the birth of Radio Veritas as Veritas Productions. Radio Veritas began broadcasting on medium wave (576 AM) in 2012 after years of struggling for a licence. The radio station functions under the auspices of the Dominican Order and has now been joined by another Dominican, Fr Brian Mhlanga OP, as associate director.
Justice and peace work Dominicans have always been enmeshed in justice and peace, and have made significant strides. Think of the great work done by Fr Joseph Falkiner in Young Christian Workers. Many of the young people formed
through him are now in leading positions in the trade unions. And how could one forget the significant contribution made by Fr Albert Nolan? He pioneered the Young Christian Student movement, many of whose members have over the years been involved in leadership in politics and business. As a world-renowned theologian and author, he promoted contextual theology and wrote much about it. His interest in the historical Jesus gave rise to his bestseller, Jesus before Christianity, written in 1976 and translated into 15 languages. It has become a textbook in many seminaries worldwide. His other important book is Jesus Today. There are many other “voortrekkers” among the Dominicans in South Africa, and brothers of the order played their part. Br Dominic Chihota spearheaded a project for orphans on the East Rand which today provides for over 300 needy children. The project is government-aided but funds need to be raised continuously. Br Philippe Denis has for years raised abandoned children who today are married. He has done much pioneering work in the area of the “memory box”, facilitating and recording the memories of those touched by HIV/Aids. Br Denis is also a leading professor in Church history at the University of KwaZulu-Natal. Another major apostolate, which needs funds too, is the deaf. Fr Mark James studied the deaf language, ministers to the deaf at university, and cares for them in South Africa, Lesotho and Swaziland. The pioneering work continues. Fr Chaka Motanyane saw the need for a chaplain in the SA Police Service. Today he has seven police stations under his care, and has become a professional counsellor. Healing is another ministry in which two of our brothers, Frs Seboka Mokete and Sikhosiphi Mgoza, play a leading part. Where there is a need Dominicans have always been ready to step in and become involved.
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