180131 by The Southern Cross

The

S outher n C ross www.scross.co.za

January 31 to February 6, 2018

10 ways to combat racism this Lent

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

No 5069

New column by Fr S’milo Mngadi

Page 3

Page 7

R8,50 (incl VAT RSA)

St Josephine Bakhita (feast on Feb 8)

Interview with veteran Vatican II bishop

Page 9

Bishops sorry for Church’s past failures STAFF REPORTER

HE president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) has apologised for the local Church’s historical failures in the colonial and apartheid eras, as well as for the sexual abuse of minors by Church personnel, over the 200 years since the Catholic Church was established in South Africa. Addressing the bishops’ January plenary in Pretoria, Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town said: “We…apologise unreservedly for incidents of sexual abuse of minors which have occurred in the Church of Southern Africa. Thank God, today we have committed ourselves to rooting out this evil and to protecting children.” He expressed the Church’s “remorse for the times when we remained silent about— or even worse, were part of—the negativity of colonialism and apartheid”, acknowledging that “people have been hurt by the Church in this regard, and in other matters”. He called on Catholics to remain hopeful about South Africa despite current problems, and to work for the country they want. This, he said, includes confronting the problems of racism and economic injustice. He stressed that dealing with racism is “an essential ingredient to the healing and reconciliation that is needed in our country, without which I do not believe we will ever be able to achieve any true peace”. Archbishop Brislin strongly condemned corruption, noting that there is a general feeling of helplessness and despair. “If this is true, then the crime is enormous and those responsible should be brought to account and face the legal consequences,” he said. “Leaders in whom the electorate placed their trust have betrayed the country, and most especially betrayed the poor, for their own selfish and greedy interests.” Acknowledging the need to correct economic imbalances, Archbishop Brislin said that “we must accept and help others to ac-

The

cept, and it will involve sacrifices on the part of some”. He pointed out that besides state-capture, corruption is rife in South Africa, referring to massive corruption in the corporate environment. “The corrupt include people who sit on the pews of churches, mosques, temples and synagogues for their weekly worship,” he noted. The Church needs to raise awareness among the faithful about corruption and challenge them where it occurs, he said. This also means that the Church must be transparent and accountable in its finances, stressing that “we use our temporal resources honestly, wisely and in the service of evangelisation”. Archbishop Brislin also addressed the formulation of a new draft Pastoral Plan for the local Church with a vision of an “Evangelising Community Serving God, Humanity and All Creation”. This, he said, has eight themes: evangelisation; laity formation and empowerment; life and ministry of priests and deacons; marriage and family; youth; Justice and Peace and non-violence; healing and reconciliation; and care of creation. Citing Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, he said that priests are called to “accompany and support people, even if their life situations do not reach the ideal”. He emphasised the importance of the work done at the grassroots level, which he said is one of the Church’s strengths. With a view to the current bicentennial jubilee, which will culminate in countrywide celebrations in June, Archbishop Brislin said: “Together, as the Catholics of this country, united in our faith in Jesus Christ, we continue the tradition handed on to us over the past 200 years. “Because we believe, we continue to speak, to evangelise and to glorify God, in anticipation of the Resurrection and our meeting once again at the side of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.”

Fr Fannie Raymond Msiza of Pretoria with family and parishioners after his ordination by Archbishop William Slattery at Ekangala Community Hall. Fr Msiza celebrated his first Mass the following day at St Bartholomew church in Ekangala, which is about 60km from Pretoria. (Photo: Mathiebela Sebothoma)

More Dead Sea Scrolls decoded

HE Dead Sea Scrolls, which are among the oldest extant biblical manuscripts, have been a topic of interest since they were discovered in the Qumran caves in the occupied West Bank in 1946. More recently, Israeli scholars have pieced together some of the last fragments of the ancient documents, revealing new information about the scrolls. Dr Eshbal Ratzon and Prof Jonathan BenDov of Haifa University decoded 60 previously unread fragments over the course of a year to discover a festival marking each changing season which was celebrated by the Jews. The researchers also found the name for the festival: the Hebrew word tekufah, meaning “period”. These fragments, some of which were smaller than a centimetre, identified the seasonal celebrations, which included the festivals of New Wheat, New Wine, and New Oil, which are linked to the Jewish festival of Shavuot. These celebrations were based on the 364-day Jewish calendar. Additionally, the researchers found that a second scribe made additional notes on the scroll, correcting some mistakes and omissions made by the original author. According to Dr Ratzon, these notes made it easier for them to decode the ancient scrolls. “What’s nice is that these comments were

A facsimile of Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran in the West Bank, where some of the oldest extant biblical manuscripts were found. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher) hints that helped me figure out the puzzle— they showed me how to assemble the scroll,” said Dr Ratzon, according to the BBC. The writing of the ancient texts are attributed by many to the Essenes, a Jewish sect who lived in the desert. The scrolls, around 900 in number, contain Hebrew, Greek, and Aramaic writing, and are thought to date to between 300 BC and AD 100.—CNA

S outher n C ross FAITH OF AFRICA PILGRIMAGE Martyrs of Uganda & Our Lady of Kibeho, Rwanda 30 May - 7 June 2018 Led by Father S’milo Mngadi

For information or to book contact Gail at 076 352-3809 or info@fowlertours.co.za

www.fowlertours.co.za/africa

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

LOCAL

Catholic students’ silver jubilee this year BY NEREESHA PATEL

HE Association of Catholic Tertiary Students (ACTS) is set to celebrate its silver jubilee this year. The celebration is expected to take place in early July after the conclusion of the 25th annual national conference in Gauteng. ACTS president Kabelo Segapo told The Southern Cross the association is excited about reaching this milestone. “We can never be grateful enough to all those who have made this association what it is now because of their service, commitment and determination,” Mr Segapo said. “We invite all current members, non-members, associate members and alumni to be part of this big celebration.” ACTS was established in Johannesburg in 1993 after both the Catholic Students’ Association (CASA) and the National Catholic

ACTS members at Mini World Youth Day in Durban. The tertiary students’ association is due to celebrate its 25th anniversary. Federation of Students (NCFS) at historically black and white campuses respectively, were dissolved

to form a united body. Describing themselves as a student-driven faith community,

ACTS is located within, and works closely with, the Catholic chaplaincies of the universities. It has established branches at various universities, technikons and teacher training colleges around South Africa. According to ACTS’ constitution, the association seeks to empower youth spirituality towards the development of the Church within the context of South Africa, and is driven by the principles of ecumenism, non-racialism and non-sexism. Programmes and activities are intended to respond to “signs of the times”. These include holding rallies at campuses nationwide in support of the ABCD Lifestyle campaign—to raise awareness around HIV/Aids—and organising a “No Means No” march in 2013 to protest against gender and domestic violence. ACTS also has an outreach programme in place that sees the as-

sociation working with companies to generate funds towards community and social development. Mr Segapo said the goal is to continue developing these programmes to promote the spiritual growth of its members and to make a positive impact in the community. “We speak of seeing growth in the year 2018,” he said. “The intention is to go back and find our roots as an association, implement the identity of the association through our branches, involve young people from all corners of the country, and continue to be witnesses to Christ’s love as we have done for the past 25 years.” Alumni and associate members are encouraged to donate a minimum of R300 towards raising funds for ACTS’ silver jubilee celebration and the national conference. This initiative closes on May 31. n For information on banking details, visit the ACTS Facebook page.

Chaplains help unpaid seafarers W

Gregory Bennette is a long-time seller of The Southern Cross at All Saints parish in Ennerdale, Johannesburg, and parishioners say he’s “passionate” about promoting the paper, and always “humble and caring”. We love receiving your photos of parishioners selling The Southern Cross—and so do our readers! Please keep them coming. Send photos to pics@scross.co.za

HEN a group of seafarers were left in limbo in the port of Durban after their ship was detained following the non-payment of wages, Catholic charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) came to the rescue. The crew from tug/supply ship PSD2 had not been paid for up to 15 months. They also needed food and fresh water, and two crew members were in need of immediate medical attention. The Tanzanian-flagged vessel, which arrived in Durban from Mozambique, was also found to be infested with rats and cockroaches. AoS and chaplains from other organisations in Durban port have been providing assistance to the 11 seafarers, one of whom is Catholic. AoS Durban port chaplain Fr Herman Giraldo said conditions were quite dire and there was an atmosphere of hopelessness when he first visited the crew to bring them food. “They were tight-lipped and did not want to speak about their situation. We eventually found out that they were owed nine months’ wages; one hadn’t been paid for 15 months. Apparently the company kept delaying payment, promising to pay ‘next week’ but never doing so,” Fr Giraldo said.

Durban port chaplain Fr Herman Giraldo of Catholic sailors’ charity Apostleship of the Sea stands next to seafarers’ graffiti on the tug/supply ship PSD2, detained in Durban, whose crew have not been paid for many months. After not being paid, seafarers desperately needed money to send home to their families. AoS was able to secure an emergency grant of about R17 000 from the international body The Institute of Marine Engineering, Science and Technology for medical bills, food and sanitation. “A pest-control firm was brought in to fumigate the ship,” Fr Giraldo said, “and a doctor came on board to treat the two crew members who

GET YOUR CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER EVERY WEEK

The Southern Cross mailed to you in the post or

ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD on your computer or tablet in digital format

OUR GIFT TO YOU!

Subscribe now to the digital or print edition, for yourself or for someone you love, and we will send you a beautiful

Olive-Wood Jerusalem Rosary made by Christians in the land of Christ in Jerusalem.

*Offer valid while stocks last. For new subscriptions only.

Go to www.scross.co.za/subscribe Or e-mail subscriptions@scross.co.za or telephone 021 465-5007

SUBSCRIBE NOW WHILE OLD RATES STILL APPLY!

Digital subscription R385 a year Postal subscription R450 a year (SA rate)

needed medical attention. One had a heart condition but his medication was out of date, while the other had burnt his arm and could not be treated as their first-aid kit was almost empty.” Repatriation of the crew will follow as soon as their passports have been renewed. “Arrangements are being made for the vessel to be sold and the men are expected to get paid when this happens,” Fr Giraldo said.

Tlalane Manciya of St Anthony’s parish in Langa, Cape Town, is a great fan of author Fr Ralph de Hahn. “His stories are among my most treasured books. Congratulations to Fr de Hahn on his diamond jubilee! God is good!” says Tlalane.

St Joseph’s April academic conference to focus on youth

T JOSEPH’S Theological Institute will hold its fifth academic conference from April 5-7 at its campus in Cedara, near Pietermaritzburg. This year’s theme is “Formation for Mission and Ministry”, relating to the Synod of Bishops on Young People, the Faith and Vocational Discernment to be held in Rome in October. The preparatory document for the synod makes a number of points which will inform the Cedara conference’s discussions, said research officer Fr Stuart Bate OMI. These include: • Faith is the source of vocational discernment, because faith provides vocational discernment with its fundamental contents, specific development, personal style and pedagogy. • Vocational discernment is not accomplished in a single act…It is a long process unfolding over time, during which one continues to monitor the signs used by the Lord to indicate and specify a vocation that is very personal and unique. • Accepting the mission implies the willingness to risk one’s life and to travel the way of the cross, in the footsteps of Jesus, who firmly set out on his journey to Jerusalem (Lk 9:51) to offer his life for humanity. Only by giving up being selfishly occupied

with one’s needs does a person become open to accommodate God’s plan in family life, the ordained ministry or consecrated life. “The document also points out areas of ecclesial activity which help youth discover and deepen their Christian vocation and commitment,” Fr Bate said. “These include parishes, universities, Catholic schools, social activity groups, volunteer work, associations and ecclesial movements, as well as seminaries and houses of formation.” The collaborative research group of St Joseph’s is working on a number of themes for the conference. These include: • Formation for ordained ministry in different churches; • Faith formation training for catechists at parish level; • Training youth in mission and ministry, with insights from the Young Christian Workers movement; • The impact of the Internet and social media in formation. St Joseph’s Theological Institute is inviting authors, academics and others to submit abstracts of papers they would like to present at the conference. The deadline is March 1. n For more information e-mail scbate@sjti.ac.za or conference2018 @sjti.ac.za or visit www.sjti.ac.za.

LOCAL

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

10 anti-racist actions for Lent T

HE Justice and Peace Commission (J&P) of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have taken various messages from the bishops’ pastoral letter on racism and racial divisions and transformed them into ten activities that can be performed as part of our Lenten observance. In the 2016 pastoral letter, the SACBC said that “we need to have a candid conversation on racism and its manifestation in order to adequately and seriously address racism and racial divisions”. This challenges us, as followers of Christ, to play an active role in dismantling racism and fostering racial reconciliation in southern Africa, said J&P director Fr Stan Muyebe OP. Lent begins this year on February 14 with Ash Wednesday. Easter is on April 1. As part of Lenten observances this year, J&P suggests these ten activities: • Make friends with people of different races, ethnicities, and nationalities. Make a new friendship with at least one person from a different race, ethnic group, or nationality. Remember that “we should refrain from loving only people who are just like ourselves”. In loving only those who share

our racial and ethnic backgrounds, we fall short of fulfilling the demands love which the Gospel calls for. • Pray for healing and transformation. On every Friday, say a prayer asking God to heal and transform the difficult racial relationships in our country—as a family, as a parish, as a sodality, as a religious congregation, and as a choir or youth group. Remember that “the task of reconciliation…requires watchfulness and ardent prayer on the part of each” (SACBC Pastoral Letter on Racism). • Make an apology for your complicity in individual and systemic racism. During Lent, this year, apologise to at least one person who has been a victim of your racist remarks, jokes and behaviour. Follow the example of our bishops, who themselves have asked for forgiveness: “In humility, as St Peter confessed, we your pastors, prostrate before God and before all who are in pain, ask for forgiveness for our historic complicity with racism in the Church.” • Work on your prejudices and biases. Be aware of the prejudices that you hold against people of different races, ethnic groups, and nationali-

The cover of a booklet on Lenten activities to fight racism and prejudice, issued by the bishops’ Justice & Peace Commission. ties. Resist stereotyping. Do not generalise. During Lent this year, judge individuals based on your personal experiences with them and not on how you believe people from a particular racial group, ethnic group or nationality behave. • Take a stand. Do not remain silent. Silence is complicity. During Lent this year, speak out and challenge at

Praise for Mini World Youth Day STAFF REPORTER

HE apostolic nuncio commended the bishops of Southern Africa for giving such importance to the ministry to youth. Youth ministry was on the bishops’ agenda, especially with the worldwide Synod of Bishops in the Vatican in October focusing on youth. Addressing the bishops at their plenary session, papal nuncio Archbishop Peter Wells also emphasised that they should be vigilant in ensuring that the safeguarding of children and protection of minors is one of their main priorities, as the Church continues to stand strong and unshaken against the abuse of the vulnerable. National youth chaplain Fr Mthembeni Dlamini CMM reported back on Mini World Youth Day, which was held in Durban in December. In spite of challenges that arose, Fr

Dlamini said the general feeling of young people was that MWYD went very well and that they appreciated the experience they were given. He said there was a widespread wish that an event of the same nature be organised soon. Fr Dlamini also thanked the organising teams which worked hard for two years to stage MWYD. The bishops thanked Fr Dlamini and the organisers. Some of the bishops who were at MWYD voiced their appreciation of the good work done by the SACBC secretariat and others. Fr Dlamini said the SACBC now has to give attention to World Youth Day, to be held in Panama in January 2019. He also appealed to the bishops to value young Catholics by choosing the best chaplains for them, so that there is good cooperation between the SACBC Youth Office and diocesan youth ministries.

Pregnant? Need Help? WE CARE

081 418 5414, 079 663 2634 DBN 079 742 8861 JHB

We welcome prayers, volunteers and donations.

www.birthright.co.za

Pilgrimage to Greece And Turkey Led Fr Zane Godwin

Thessaloniki, Philippi, Kalambaka, Delphi, Corinth, Athens, Patmos, Kusadasi, Istanbul 16 – 30 September 2018 R 38 995.00 incl. Airport taxes

Pilgrimage to Poland and Medjugorje

Led by Father Charles Rensburg OMI Krakow, Czestochowa, Wadowice, Lagiewniki, Auschwitz, Wieliczka Salt Mine, 2 October live Apparition in Medjugorje and much more 22 September – 5 October 2018 R 37 995.00 incl. Airport taxes

Pilgrimage to Medjugorje Bishop Victor Phalana

Attend the live apparition On 2 October, visit the visionaries for a talk and much more… 26 September – 07 October 2018 R22 995.00 incl. Airport taxes Tel: 012 342 0179/Fax: 086 676 9715 info@micasatours.co.za

least one person who makes racist remarks and racist jokes in your family, workplace, religious congregation, school, social media platform, or parish. • Recognise and resist systemic racism. Start a conversation in your family about “race, power, and privilege”. Interrogate privilege, including your own. Take a stand against what the bishops termed “economic inequalities present in our society as a result of past racial discriminatory laws and practices”. • Address racial tensions in farming areas. In rural communities where there are commercial farms, work with those of different races to tackle the following problems: the killing of white farmers, as well as the unfair living and working conditions of black farm workers. • Receive the sacrament of reconciliation at least once during the Lenten Season. Repent and ask God’s forgiveness for your complicity in the sin of racism and racial divisions. Remember that, as the bishops said, “while reaching out to one another, in open and honest dialogue, the Sacrament of Reconciliation becomes especially important and meaningful because

through it we come in our sinfulness to our all merciful Father for healing and forgiveness”. • Take part in at least one group discussion on racism. Make sure that your Small Christian Community, parish, religious congregation, sodality, choir group or youth group organise at least one group discussion on racism. “We realise that this is not an easy conversation, one that many of us may prefer to avoid,” the bishops said. “Our invitation to such a dialogue may in itself evoke a range of emotions, including self-justification and self-righteous feelings; or, guilt and denial; on the other hand, feelings of anger and sadness. Dialogue, rational and respectful, is necessary so that we open ourselves to receive God’s healing.” • Become a bridge-builder in your parish, workplace, and neighbourhood. Where there are divisions based on race, ethnicity or nationality, step up and play the role of a mediator. Build bridges of hope and tolerance. Destroy the walls of fear and anger. Efforts at racial reconciliation within our parishes, workplaces, and communities should be grounded on the need to restore hope and justice. Mgr Barney McAleer, the popular Irish priest who currently is the coordinator of the SACBC Foundation, holds a framed “Certificate of Appreciation” from the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference as he stands next to SACBC president Archbishop Stephen Brislin. Mgr McAleer, who has served in South Africa for half a century, was the coordinator of the bishops’ Department for Evangelisation until recently. (Photo: Mathiebela Sebothoma)

OPEN O N DAY Y

24 4 FEBRUAR ARY A Y 0 09h00 - 12h00 00

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

INTERNATIONAL (Left) People wait for Pope Francis’ arrival at an encounter outside the shrine of St Alberto Hurtado in Santiago, Chile. (Centre) The pope prepares to greet a blind woman who is 99 years old along the parade route in Trujillo, Peru. (Right) Pope Francis performs an impromptu wedding ceremony for Latam Airlines employees Carlos Ciuffardi Elorriaga and Paula Podest Ruiz aboard the pontiff’s flight.

Pope tackled tough issues on Chile and Peru visit BY BARBARA FRASER

OPE Francis tackled politically charged issues during his weeklong visit to Chile and Peru, decrying human trafficking, environmental destruction, corruption and organised crime in speeches before audiences that included political leaders. At the same time, he called for unity, dialogue and coexistence in each of the two countries, which have been marked by political tension and sometimes-violent conflicts. Invoking Mary, he called for compassion, which he also demonstrated as he blessed a Chilean prisoner’s unborn baby and consoled people who lost their homes in devastating floods a year ago on Peru’s northern coast. He also acknowledged that the Church must address its own problems, including sexual abuse, corruption and internal divisions. “The kingdom of heaven means finding in Jesus a God who gets involved with the lives of his people,” he said. Pope Francis arrived in Santiago, Chile’s capital, for a three day visit where he met with young people outside the capital, celebrated Mass

among indigenous people in the southern city of Temuco, and travelled to the northern desert city of Iquique, which has been a magnet for migrants. In Peru he celebrated Mass in Lima and travelled to the northern coastal city of Trujillo, which suffered disastrous flooding a year ago, and Puerto Maldonado, in the heart of the Peruvian Amazon. In both countries, the pope met with indigenous people and youth, clearly with an eye towards the Synod of Bishops on youth, scheduled for October at the Vatican, and the synod for the Amazon in 2019. He repeatedly referred to the importance of the earth, calling it “our common home”, as he did in the encyclical Laudato Si’. “The defence of the earth has no other purpose than the defence of life,” he said.

he trip was the pope’s fourth to South America. It came at a time when politics in the region increasingly polarised, and political and economic problems have prompted many people, particularly from Haiti, Venezuela and Colombia, to seek better opportunities in other countries, where they often face discrimination.

Various countries, including Peru, are also reeling from revelations of corruption, especially multi-million dollar bribes and kickbacks from the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht. Speaking to an audience of diplomats and politicians that included Peruvian President Pedro Pablo Kuczynski, who had narrowly escaped impeachment a month earlier because of accusations of influence peddling, Pope Francis called corruption a “social virus, a phenomenon that infects everything, with the greatest harm being done to the poor and mother earth”. He warned political and civic leaders in both countries against the seduction of the “false gods” of money and power, and urged them to maintain unity by listening to their people, including native peoples, with their ties to the earth, as well as youth, migrants, the unemployed, children and the elderly. The pope stressed the inextricable bonds between humans and the environment, telling leaders in Chile that “a people that turns its back on the land, and everything and everyone on it, will never experience real development”. Both countries have seen violent clashes in recent years over large-

scale development projects in indigenous territories. Speaking in Puerto Maldonado to some 2 500 people from more than 20 indigenous groups, Pope Francis responded directly to the accusation that indigenous people were blocking development in the Amazon, which has been repeated by government officials and industry executives in other countries. “If, for some, you are viewed as an obstacle or a hindrance, the fact is your lives cry out against a style of life that is oblivious to its own real cost,” he said. “You are a living memory of the mission that God has entrusted to us all: the protection of our common home.” He urged indigenous people to work with bishops and missionaries to shape a Church with “an Amazonian face and an indigenous face”.

he pope also linked environmental destruction to social problems, mentioning unregulated gold mining that has devastated forests and been accompanied by human trafficking for prostitution and labour. He called attention to violence against women, urging his listeners to combat the violence that happens “behind walls” and “femicide”, the murder of women because they are

women, usually perpetrated by men. At every stop along his route, the pope was greeted by enthusiastic young people, many of whom were volunteers helping with organisation and logistics. In a moving encounter with youngsters in a home for abandoned and orphaned children founded and directed by a Swiss missionary priest in Puerto Maldonado, the pope asked their forgiveness for “those times when we adults have not cared for you, and when we did not give you the importance you deserve”. In Chile, Pope Francis met privately with sex abuse survivors. He drew public criticism, however, for his defence of Bishop Juan Barros of Osorno, who has been accused of covering up sex abuse by his former mentor, Fr Fernando Karadima. The Vatican sentenced Fr Karadima to a life of prayer and penance after he was found guilty of sexually abusing boys. The pope told reporters that there was no evidence that Bishop Barros knew of the abuse by his mentor, and that the accusations were “slander”. The pope has since apologised for the remarks, saying: “To hear that the pope says to their face, ‘bring me a letter with proof’, is a slap in the face.”—CNS

1: People wait for Pope Francis outside the Shrine of Our Lord of the Miracles in Lima, Peru. 2: Pope Francis blesses a pregnant prisoner as he visits the women’s prison centre in Santiago, Chile. 3: Pope Francis greets dancers upon his arrival at the international airport in Trujillo, Peru. 4: Nuns cheer as Pope Francis arrives for a meeting with priests, religious and seminarians at the metropolitan cathedral in Chile. 5: Indigenous People walk away after presenting offertory gifts to Pope Francis during Mass at Lobito beach in Iquique, Chile. (All photos: Paul Haring/CNS)

17 FEBRUARY 2018

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

Bishops slam killings of Church protestors D

EMOCRATIC Republic of Congo’s bishops condemned the “excessive and disproportionate use of force” by security forces that dispersed protesters demanding President Joseph Kabila hold fresh elections in line with a Church-brokered accord. The bishops’ conference said in a report that “peaceful marches” had been “violently repressed and smothered with tear gas and bursts of fire” in 95 Catholic parishes, leaving six dead and 127 injured, some by police bullets. It added that peaceful protests had been prevented after Masses in more than 60 other parishes, while 210 Catholics had been detained; most were freed after a few hours. “Once again, the Church deplores the excessive and disproportionate use of force against demonstrators with nothing in their hands but bibles, rosaries and palms,” the bishops said. In a “technical note” the Vatican embassy in Kinshasa said security forces had surrounded parishes, used tear gas and “shot with real bullets” in Kisangani, Goma, Bukavu, Lubumbashi and Mbuji-Mayi. It added that two Congolese police had been killed by stray bullets in Kinshasa, and “at least one priest” had been wounded and “at least three others” arrested in the capital. A spokesman for the UN Stabilisation Mission confirmed the organisation had recorded six deaths and dozens of injuries in Kinshasa when

Riot policemen fire tear gas to disperse a priest and demonstrators during a protest organised by Catholic activists in Kinshasa, DRC. (Photo: Kenny Katombe, Reuters/CNS) demonstrations were staged after Masses. The Church’s lay coordinating committee organised the demonstrations. Agence France-Presse reported a 24-year-old female religious novice had been killed when police fired on St Francis de Sales church in the capital’s Kintambo suburb. It added that similar violence had erupted outside Notre Dame cathedral and in many of the city’s 160 Catholic parishes, as protesters, accompanied by clergy, waved crucifixes and rosaries. At a news conference parties in the DRC’s governing coalition criticised the Church for organising a

“democratic aberration” and said most Catholics had not supported its “useless and vain initiative”. The Catholic Church makes up half the 67,5 million inhabitants of the DRC and has pressed Mr Kabila to step down since his second and final term expired more than a year ago. A Church-brokered accord in December 2016 allowed the president to stay in office, alongside an opposition head of government, pending elections by the end of 2017. However, in November, the DRC’s electoral commission said the ballot would be postponed until December 23, 2018. The DRC bishops’ conference condemned “violent and bloody repression” of similar protests in December in which eight people were killed. The bishops also demanded action against those who “deliberately profaned churches and holy places”. Pope Francis urged DRC leaders to “do everything possible to prevent further violence and seek solutions to the common good”. He led a minute’s silence for victims. The Association of Bishops’ Conferences of Central Africa pledged solidarity with Catholic efforts “to achieve a state of law”. Muslim and Protestant leaders had backed the Catholic demonstrations in weekend statements and urged officials not to use force.—CNS

Pope: Do you share fake news? BY CINDY WOODEN

EOPLE have a responsibility to check the source of what they share on social media to ensure it is not “fake news” designed to further prejudices or increase fear, Pope Francis said. Fake news grabs people’s attention “by appealing to stereotypes and common social prejudices, and exploiting instantaneous emotions like anxiety, contempt, anger and frustration”, Pope Francis wrote in his message for World Communications Day 2018. The message is a reflection on the theme, “‘The truth will set you free’. Fake news and journalism for peace.” World Communications Day will be celebrated on May 13 at the Vatican and in most dioceses. It used to be observed in Southern Africa in September. Fake news is so effective, the pope said, because it mimics real news but uses “non-existent or distorted data” to deceive and manipulate. The first to employ the fakenews tactic was the serpent in the Garden of Eden who convinced Eve she would not die by eating

the fruit of the forbidden tree, he said. The Bible story shows that “there is no such thing as harmless disinformation; on the contrary, trusting in falsehood can have dire consequences”, the pope said. Pope Francis praised educators who teach young people how to read and question the news and the information they see presented on social media. He encouraged efforts to develop regulations to counter fake news and he praised tech and media companies for trying to improve ways to verify “the personal identities concealed behind millions of digital profiles”.

ut, he insisted, individuals always will have the final responsibility for discerning what is real news and what is helpful to share on social media. “We need to unmask what could be called the ‘snake tactics’ used by those who disguise themselves in order to strike at any time and place” like the serpent in the Garden of Eden did. The snake’s power grows as people limit their sources of information to one outlet, especially if that outlet is a social media platform

whose algorithms are based on providing users with more information like they have just read, the pope said. “Disinformation thus thrives on the absence of healthy confrontation with other sources of information that could effectively challenge prejudices and generate constructive dialogue,” he wrote. People who repost or retweet such false information, the pope said, become “unwilling accomplices in spreading biased and baseless ideas”. One way to know if something should be checked and not be shared, he said, is if it “discredits others, presenting them as enemies, to the point of demonising them and fomenting conflict”. In the modern world, with the rapid and viral spread of news and information—both real and fake— lives and souls are at stake, he said, because the “father of lies” is the devil. True discernment, the pope said, means examining information and keeping what promotes communion and goodness, while rejecting whatever “tends to isolate, divide, and oppose”.—CNS

Pope to imam: True believers want peace in Jerusalem BY CINDY WOODEN

HRISTIANS, Muslims and Jews who are sincere about their faith must be committed to protecting the special character of Jerusalem and to praying and working for peace in the Holy Land, Pope Francis wrote in a letter to the grand imam of Egypt’s al-Azhar University. Only a special, internationally guaranteed statute on the status of Jerusalem “can preserve its identity and unique vocation as a place of peace”, the pope wrote. And only when the city’s “universal value” is recognised and protected can there

be “a future of reconciliation and hope for the entire region”. “This is the only aspiration of those who authentically profess themselves to be believers and who never tire of imploring with prayer a future of brotherhood for all,” Pope Francis wrote. Iman Sheikh Ahmed El-Tayeb hosted a meeting with Christian and Muslim clerics and political leaders from 86 countries in reaction to US President Donald Trump’s decision in December to recognise Jerusalem as the capital of Israel The pope wrote in his letter, “I as-

sure you, I will not fail to continue praying to God for the cause of peace—a true, real peace. “In particular, I raise heartfelt prayers that leaders of nations and civil and religious authorities everywhere would work to prevent new spirals of tension and support every effort to make agreement, justice and security prevail for the populations of that blessed land that is so close to my heart,” the pope said.—CNS

The late Fr Gabriele Amorth, “Vatican exorcist”, is featured in a documentary directed by William Friedkin, who directed The Exorcist movie.

The Exorcist director documents the real deal

DOCUMENTARY called The Devil and Father Amorth on the ministry of the late Fr Gabriele Amorth, popularly known as the “Vatican exorcist”, will be released in April. The film was directed by William Friedkin, who is also director of the 1973 movie The Exorcist. The film follows Fr Amorth during the events surrounding the exorcism of an Italian women in 2016. Fr Amorth died in September 2016 at 91, shortly after filming was completed. “I had been curious to meet Fr Amorth for many years, and when he granted permission to meet and film him in Rome last May, it was the opportunity to complete the circle and see how close that film came to reality,” Mr Friedkin said. During filming, Mr Friedkin was present at an exorcism, which he said he had not previously seen personally, despite his work on The Exorcist. “In the early 1970s when I directed The Exorcist, I had not wit-

nessed an exorcism but I wondered how close I had come to portraying reality,” he said in an interview with Variety. The documentary interviews Fr Amorth about the exorcism of an Italian woman, referred to as “Rosa”, who, Fr Amorth said, struggled with demonic mood swings and convulsions, which were reportedly heightened on Christian holidays like Easter. It includes a video recording of the event. Fr Amorth was born in Modena in northern Italy on May 1 1925. Twenty years later, he joined the Congregation of the Society of St Paul, and was ordained a priest in 1951. In 1985, Fr Amorth was appointed an exorcist by Cardinal Ugo Poletti, vicar-general of the diocese of Rome. Fr Amorth is said to have performed thousands of exorcisms. He was the author of An Exorcist Tells His Story and An Exorcist: More Stories.— CNA

Dog saves nuns from fire A DOG named Rambo lived up to his “action hero” name, when his barking alerted sleeping religious sisters that a chapel next to their convent was on fire. In the early morning hours a fire destroyed the Virgen de la Candelaria chapel in the town of Calafquen, Chile, next to the home of the Carmelite Missionary Sisters. Police suspect the fire was caused by arson. Fr Alejandro Gutiérrez, pastor of San Sebastián parish, which includes the chapel, told a local radio station: “A much greater tragedy could have happened there if the dog’s barking hadn’t alerted them. The fire would have spread to the convent and we would be grieving over a much more serious incident.” Fr Gutiérrez explained that the chapel was 80 years old, and the sisters there worked mainly in education. “This just creates a new opportunity to continue serving Jesus Christ and to strengthen our faith,” the priest said. Sources told the ACI Prensa news agency that at 3:30 am, a group of masked arsonists broke a window in the rear of the church and threw a fire bomb inside. Four companies of firefighters ar-

rived on scene to fight the flames. With the help of neighbours they were able to keep the fire from spreading to the nuns’ convent. Panguipulli fire chief Rodolfo Zúñiga said that the electricity to the church was shut off at the junction box, so the fire was probably caused by a third party. “Unfortunately for our town, arson is already becoming routine, the situation is lamentable, but once again today we had one of the most beautiful chapels in the area reduced to rubble,” the fire chief said. Carmelite superior Sr Maria Daniela said that she believes the fire was intentional, though the sisters had not received any kind of threat. “We are women of peace. This is an oasis of peace,” the sister explained. “I never would have imagined that people would come and do something bad.” Sr Maria Daniela sent a message to those responsible: “You need to place yourselves in the presence of God. It’s sad to know that there are people dedicated to doing evil, because the world does not progress with evil.” Two other churches in Panguipulli were also recently attacked and two received threats, including the town’s main church.—CNA

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

How to be truly pro-life

HIS week 21 years ago the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, which legalised abortion-on-demand in South Africa, came into effect. For the Catholic Church, this law is a stain on our democracy because abortion kills God-made life, which is sacred. So Catholics mourn the 70 000-90 000 unborn lives that are legally extinguished in South Africa every year, and the many that die in still-widespread illegal abortions. No political party of any significant support in South Africa proposes to change the law, so abortion-on-demand is here to stay, and is in the process of further liberalisation. While the Church and other pro-life groups must register their opposition to the Act, an emphasis must also be placed on engaging with government to make available alternatives to abortion. The Catholic Mater Homes and similar facilities which support pregnant women in difficult circumstances provide good examples of the types of alternatives which the government should help fund. Of course, we must also pray for a conversion of hearts which might lead to pro-life policies. But, more than that, we must lead by example of being truly pro-life. Being consistently pro-life inevitably means to be at odds with positions, policies and ideologies on all sides of the political spectrum. Abortion and euthanasia are not the only issues that define being pro-life. Indeed, the meaning of pro-life is distorted when those who claim that label are taking positions that are contemptuous of human life in other areas. One cannot stand for the protection of the unborn in the womb but be indifferent, or even hostile, to those who have been born. How can we mourn the aborted child but tolerate the humanitarian crises which produce images like that of Syrian threeyear-old Alan Kurdi, whose escape from civil war ended with his drowned body washed up on a beach in Turkey? Indifference or hostility to refugees and other migrants, especially children, is at odds with being pro-life. How can we mourn the aborted child but tolerate inadequate or unaffordable health services to the poor and the aged? One cannot be pro-life when

one is willing to tolerate people dying in the absence of accessible and competent health services, and affordable medicine. How can we mourn the aborted child but tolerate policies which result in children going hungry, or even starving? One cannot be pro-life when one supports the withdrawal of social welfare for the poor, or stops migrants from trying to leave conditions of abject poverty. How can we mourn the aborted child but tolerate agitation for military action or war, be it for geo-political or exploitative reasons, in which civilians are killed or otherwise harmed? It is not possible to be pro-life while also supporting unnecessary military conflicts and the weapons industry which produces the means by which innocent people, including children, are being killed. Policies and practices which directly or indirectly lead to the avoidable death of human life or grave harm to innocent people are by definition anti-life. One cannot be pro-life when one adopts anti-life positions or tolerates policies that harm human dignity. To advocate against abortion while also consenting to policies which harm or kill innocent lives is not being pro-life but merely anti-abortion. The Church refers to the consistent life ethic, or the Seamless Garment principle. Accordingly, our concerns must include issues such as abortion, euthanasia, capital punishment, migration, militarism, human trafficking, social and economic injustice and so on. These require a consistent application of moral principles that value the sacredness of human life. The Seamless Garment is in essence the proper practice of Catholic Social Teaching. While we must beware of moral equivalence—the denial of a minimum wage is not as intrinsically immoral as abortion, for example—we may not be selective about which lives we deem sacred, exempting those whom we consider dispensable from our concerns because to do so is ideologically convenient or profitable. Like Christ’s seamless garment which the soldiers could not divide, so is our call to protect all human life indivisible. To God and his Church, each human person, without exception, is sacred. We therefore can do no other than to be pro-life on all fronts.

Why are some unable to change? OME people, also in the Church, with the English translation on the Srequires resist any reform, especially if it left page. The result was a race to changing themselves. keep up with the priest, which inIsaac Newton stated the physical law that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The same applies to every change. Some get left behind, others try to reverse decisions made, showing they do not understand or accept the changes. I remember Cardinal Owen McCann returning from a session of Vatican II and announcing to a group of young priests and seminarians: “The next heresy will be a liturgical one.” I wondered what he was referring to, having not yet heard of the traditionalist Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. At one time I tried to assist people who asked for a Latin Mass, until I realised that, for some, Mass in the vernacular was “invalid” (therefore they would never attend) or that the New Rite was invalid (they would not attend even the Latin version of it). Latin was also defended as “more reverent”. Now, I have been a member of the Church for 86 years, and an ordained priest for 62 years, and I give a contrary witness. After World War I there were strong efforts to popularise the use of Latin. They succeeded in only a few places (such as Holland, surprisingly). It was recommended that all Catholics have their own missal,

Changes to words of the Our Father

HERE has been quite some speculation recently, even by the pontiff, about what may be a better translation for the secondlast line of the Our Father. I propose the following for the penultimate line being a far more positive request to our Maker: * and lead us away from temptation * and deliver us from evil. To whom would it be correct to suggest my proposed version? Also, thank you so much for the fantastic, informative Christmas edition (December 13). I will keep it as a souvenir. Replying to the letter in the same edition by Fr Joseph Falkiner OP, who wrote that he has difficulty with the word “ordinary” as in “Ordinary Time” in the missal, I suggest the following titles for the green season: Teachings Time, or Lessons Time, or Preachings Time. These things are what Jesus did during his ministry years on earth. Or we may even use two different titles for the times and the themes before and after Lent, if this suits. Frans van Neerijnen, Johannesburg

PRICE CHECK For the price of one issue of The Southern Cross you get half a cup of coffee (tip excluded) The

Southern Cross www.scross.co.za

January 24 to January 30, 2018

If you want to lead, always start with ‘why’

Young priest dies in tragic acident

Page 7

Page 2

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

No 5068

R8,50 (incl VAT RSA)

BY JUDITH SUDILOVSKY

VEN when a situation is hopeless, people must not lose hope, Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town told parishioners at the Gaza Strip’s only Catholic parish. Concelebrating Mass at Holy Family parish in Gaza, the president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference encouraged Gazans to hold on to hope, despite the difficult conditions they have lived under for a decade. Israel has blockaded Gaza since the election of the Hamas-controlled government in 2007. Egypt also has imposed restrictions at its border crossing. Archbishop Brislin was in Gaza as part of the annual Holy Land Coordination, in which bishops from North America, Europe and South Africa meet with Israeli and Palestinian groups to promote dialogue and peace. This year the focus is on education and young people, and the importance of education for building peace in the region. In the occupied West Bank and Israel The bishops met with young Israelis and Palestinians. Canadian Bishop Lionel Gendron noted that young people on both sides want justice and peace. “They are all looking for a way to achieve that. There is probably more hope for that in Israel than in Palestine. In Israel, they have everything, and the [Palestinians] have practically nothing,” he said. Archbishop Brislin said speaking to young people from both sides had been a “real eyeopener”. “Palestinians see a bleak future with a lack of opportunity and very high unemployment rate. I think Israeli young people quite often feel trapped. I don’t think they are happy with the situation, but are in a quandary about what they can do about it. Growing up in Israel must be quite stressful—it is a secure-

ratic state,” he said. On his third visit to Gaza, the archbishop noticed more movement along the Gaza-Israeli border and more reconstruction since the 2014 war. But he said the people he spoke with expressed more frustration than in the past. “The young people feel they must decide between staying in Gaza or leaving to find schools and jobs in other parts of the world. This affects the Christian community. The young people who stay in Gaza are the real heroes. They are willing to sacrifice in order to create families and Christian life in Gaza.” Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, expressed concern at the shrinking number of Christians in Gaza, noting that only 130 Catholic parishioners remain. Not long ago, there were 1 700. Despite the dwindling Christian community, the three Catholic schools do a tremendous job serving as a bridge between the tiny community and the 1,7 million Muslim majority of the Gaza Strip, he said. Most students attending these schools are Muslim. “They create a bridge of understanding between Christians and Muslims, teaching a Catholic world view and the dignity of the human person, which is so important,” said Bishop Cantu. The perseverance of the Christian community in Gaza, with its Christian tradition as the place where the Holy Family passed through on their way to Egypt, is an imperative, said Archbishop Brislin, whose archdiocese is dedicated to the Flight Into Egypt. He called for new job opportunities, new skills and cultural projects for young people. “Basically, people are imprisoned {by the Israeli blockade]. It can feel very claustrophobic...for young people with a lot of dreams and hopes and potentials. And these potentials are broken because of the lack of opportunities.”

T Bl Benedict Daswa, who was martyred on February 2, 1990. He was beatified—the final step before canonised sainthood—in September 2015.

The

If all is forgiven, what of hell?

HAVE always admired reading the articles by Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI. Most are excellent and some brilliant, however I was very disappointed to read his article “How we get God wrong” (January 3), because I think such articles do far more harm than good. My two brothers and I grew up on a farm in England, and I could not have had better parents. We were expected to work hard after school and often before going to school, and we were taught what was right and what was wrong. I then served with the British Royal Marines and really learnt what discipline was all about. I learnt that punishment must fit the crime, and I have never regretted or forgotten what I was taught. One of the reasons I became a Catholic is because I admired the Church’s discipline and the fact

The LARGesT Catholic online shop in south Africa!

We specialise and source an extensive variety of products, some of which include: *Personalised Rosaries *Priest Chasubles *Altar Linen *Church Items *Bells *Chalices *Thuribles *Personalised Candles, etc. Tel: 0124605011 | Cell: 0797624691 | Fax: 0123498592 email: info@catholicshop.co.za

Page 10

NEW FOR 2018

ONLy 5 seATs LeFT! BOOkINGs CLOse 15TH FeB

PILGRIMAGE OF GRACE

Archbishop Stephen Brislin greets a boy after concelebrating Mass at Holy Family church in the Gaza Strip. (Photo: Marcin Mazur, Bishops' Conference of England and Wales)

Liturgy of the Hours. The celebrations will begin on January 31 from 16:00 to 18:00 with a period of silent adoration, prayer, and reflection in the church of Our Lady of Fatima at Shayandima, an outstation of Thohoyandou parish. This period of immediate preparation is intended as a time of grace, reconciliation, and healing. In the church, people will be encouraged to spend time in silent adoration of the Blessed Sacrament and prayerful reflection for examination of their conscience. Priests will be available for confession. After confession, participants will be encouraged to spend some quiet time in thanksgiving in front of the Blessed Sacrament,

Southern C ross

in association with the Diocese of Klerksdorp

that it continued teaching me and others the dangers of an immoral and ill-disciplined life. What amazes me is the way our beloved Catholic Church is like the pendulum, as described by Lenin. It has swung from the extreme right and is now on the way to the extreme left. If we as average people, living in a world steadily becoming depraved and obsessed with greed, are now being told even by our Church that we should not worry unduly because God will forgive us anyway, then what is the point of hell? We only have to plead for forgiveness and all will be well. Is that not the reason why our Church has had so many problems, even with some priests who have succumbed to such evil ways? I can always remember a fine priest who used to preach a fire-andbrimstone sermon, and who became a wonderful friend. I pray that I will see him again, if I am good enough to be admitted to heaven. We know we are constantly in the presence of a loving and forgiving God, but we need to be reminded not to ignore his commands—they were not suggestions—–and to be made aware of the existence of heaven and hell. Roy Glover, Tzaneen

VIVA SAFARIS KRUGER PARK with

St Francis de Sales, patron of journalists

29 MAY TO 10 JUNE

Feast day at shrine of OUR LADY OF KNOCK, 17-28 PAPAL MASS in Dublin*, August 2018 and much more...

thanking Bl Benedict for the example of his holy life and asking for his prayers and help in living more faithfully as Jesus’ disciples. The exposition will close with Benediction. On the feast day at Tshitanini Village, there is opportunity for the veneration of Bl Benedict’s relics from 7:00 to 9:00. During those two hours, priests will be available for confession. At 8:15 laity will lead the Rosary (The Luminous Mysteries). From 9:00 to 11:00 Bishop Joao Rodrigues of Tzaneen will preside over the feast day Mass, followed by the veneration of the relics of Bl Benedict in procession. Those who are unable to attend the celebrations are encouraged to celebrate the feast in their parishes.

CATHOLIC IRELAND A pilgrimage with Bishop Victor Phalana

For information contact Gail at 076 352-3809 or info@fowlertours.co.za * subject to confirmation

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. Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

Fr de Hahn: 60 years a priest

What will happen on 2018 Daswa feast HE theme for this year’s feast of Bl Benedict Daswa is “Called to be Jesus’ disciples like Bl Benedict Daswa”. The celebrations of the feast day will take place on February 1 at Tshitanini Village near Ṱhohoyandou, the site where the 2015 beatification took place and where the future shrine and pilgrimage centre will be located. Prior to the feast day, a novena is running from January 23-31. The novena booklet is available online in various languages from the official Benedict Daswa website (www.benedict daswa.org.za). The Vatican’s Congregation for Worship and Sacraments has officially approved proper liturgical texts for the feast’s Mass and the

variably he won, because he was gabbling. Many were content to “keep pace” with their rosary beads. I remember a priest boasting. In a mission church, the roof at the back collapsed, resulting in shrieks and turmoil—but he continued the Mass without even looking round to see. He was talking to God, and people must not interrupt. As altar servers we learnt to rattle off the Confiteor and the Suscipiat, as reciting a mindless rote. I had 12 years of formal instruction in Latin, as if we were solving crossword puzzles. But the function of language is to convey meaning. Scrupulous priests went through agony, overpronouncing essential words, or repeating phrases “less perfectly” enunciated. Now I glory in the fact that people can hear me, and if I mumble or slur the words in languages where I am liturgically competent, they can correct me. Don’t misunderstand me: I love Latin. A high point has been chanting Evening Prayer in the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, with the Franciscan friars. That’s what I was trained for. Once Latin was “the language of the people”. But it is so no longer. Some people are arguing that the priest should again turn his back on

people—ad orientem—and that sanctuary rails should be installed again. Early Christians used to meet at dawn (or earlier, see Pliny’s letter to Trajan). They had no church structure. They faced east because the rising sun was taken as a symbol of the resurrection of Jesus. For that reason, the first churches were often built to face eastwards. But as cities developed, the limitations of the building site prevented that orientation. In recent centuries the phrase came to mean “facing the tabernacle”—which itself was an innovation. Recently I have seen Catholic writers arguing against the priest facing the people, as allowed by the Second Vatican Council, saying it is better for priest and people to “face Christ” together. Where is Christ? In the tabernacle? Yes, but also (and equally) in the community (Mt 18:20). We, together, are Christ, the whole Christ, not divided from our head. We are in our Father’s house. Pope Francis has denounced the tendency of “clericalism”, which means separating priests from the people they serve. And is receiving Communion on the tongue really more respectful? Only if you believe it so, having been taught so. One good Sister protested to her bishop: “But, my Lord, my hands might have been used to sin!” He replied: “And your tongue? Has that never been party to sin?” Mgr Vincent Hill, Pretoria

2øæ¸Ø "ı̇øßº̋ø̋¸"¬Æß̶"

Keep hope, Brislin tells Gaza Catholics E

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.

www.fowlertours.co.za/ireland

Feed your soul with The

S outher n C ross

IT’S WORTH IT!

Visiting Old Constantinople, Dubrovnik and Medugorje. Organised by Mrs Annie Dierx Cost from R17900

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

send your overseas friends and family on an unforgettable safari with VIVA sAFARIs

www.vivasafaris.com Bookings: vivasaf@icon.co.za or 071 842 5547

PERSPECTIVES

How can SA’s Church brand itself? NEW COLUMN T HIS year marks 200 years of Catholicism in South Africa. However, after so many years, there is no symbol, image or any such which says “Catholic Church” to any South African in the street. One might suggest that the logo of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) does that. I beg to differ. The logo has very low visibility. It largely remains visible within high official circles and not on the ground. It is not even seen at bishops’ ordinations, anniversaries and funerals. However, for me, the most fundamental challenge of the SACBC logo is not just its levels of communication but what it represents. Firstly, the SACBC covers Botswana, South Africa and Swaziland; three lands with little in common, historically and visionary. It is a forced marriage. Secondly, the SACBC is a bishops’ body. Bishops are only one ministry in the Church (an oversight ministry). They are not the Church, though. The Church is the whole People of God, as Vatican II reminded us. The designation of “bishops’” by definition makes the SACBC exclusive. The rest of us do not identify with its logo, at least from the branding point of view. Thirdly, the SACBC is a “conference”. Though the dictionary admits the definition of a conference as “an association”, which is the meaning of the word in the SACBC, in common parlance it conveys a “meeting” of a temporary nature. Thus, many understand it as some “meeting” of

bishops that has nothing to do with the rest of us. Now, where else can we look? I can safely say that, in South Africa, the rosary somehow represents Catholicism. It rings “Catholic” in many people’s minds, though it is increasingly becoming just a common fashion accessory. What does this point to? Mary represents the Catholic brand. However, this “Marian” branding perpetuates a wrong impression of the Catholic Church. Mary is not the Church but a member of it. She is the perfect model of discipleship within the Church. Though in her Assumption title Mary is the patroness of South Africa, she is not our identity. We do not worship Mary. What represents Catholicism then? I propose that it is the Eucharist—God’s

The SACBC logo is seen in a photo with the bishops’ conference’s president, Archbishop Stephen Brislin, and vice-president Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha.

Fr S’milo Mngadi

Collared & Content

paschal gift to us in which the risen Christ is really and fully present for our salvation. This should be the core of Catholic branding and clearly represented in the logo, with some specifically Southern African symbolism. A Marian symbol is welcome and may even be necessary in the logo as well. However, as it represents the Star, it should not overshadow the risen Son, Jesus Christ our Lord who is our only Sun. There is so much talent to produce this logo in South Africa. The logos of the sainthood cause for Bl Benedict Daswa, Mini World Youth Day and Radio Veritas have been designed by gifted local artists. A competition with a clear brief will give a wide variety of logos that the bishops, after seeking consensus of Catholics in the country, can choose from. Blessed 200th anniversary, Catholicism in South Africa! We are looking forward to the grand national celebration of this milestone. n Join Fr Mngadi on The Southern Cross’ pilgrimage to Uganda and Rwanda in June. See www.fowlertours.co.za/africa for details.

That fascination with their majesties Nthabiseng I Maphisa AM not close to any members of any royal family on earth. I am neither a duchess nor an empress. As far as my knowledge can stretch, I am not a princess, though I have dreams of living like one some day. I am not a countess nor have I ever dated a count. No, there’s certainly nothing regal here. As far as titles go, I have spent my life placing the word “Miss” in front of my name. Dream as I may I do not think that “Her Majesty, the Great and Awe-inspiring Nthabiseng” will ever stick. Monarchies are fascinating to watch. They are a piece of ancient and medieval history that has been zapped into the modern world. Monarchs have sparkling crowns, fur crimson robes and sceptres made of gold. They have carriages drawn by horses that gallop their way on cobblestones to magnificent castles and palaces. Some have a gross number of wives and concubines. Others have abdicated the throne for the sake of true love. Some have dynasties that have built great walls while others, so fearful of being unprepared for the afterlife, have built pyramids. As always, some are saints and some are sinners. All around the world, there are remnants of their reigns left for the world to ponder. No greater is there than that of the British royal family. Theirs is a kingdom that has been fraught with tyranny, divorce and an insatiable need for power. It is also a kingdom that is dearly loved by its people. But as time walks its path and empires rise and fall, the relevance of monarchies

Pop Culture Catholic

Actress Meghan Markle and Prince Harry: Nthabiseng Maphisa asks: Why are we so attracted to royal fairy tales? is being questioned. I am still to discover how it came to be that one family rose to power and now resides in pools of luxury while the rest of the country lies waistdeep in tax bills and matchbox houses. In a few months time, actress Meghan Markle will marry Prince Harry. Millions around the world will tune in for hours to feast on this spectacle.

ince many countries are governed through democracies, I am bewildered that there would be such a fascination, and at times obsession, with any royal family. Is this slice of humanity secretly wishing it were them tiptoeing out of a carriage? No, I would say it is much deeper than this. I would put forward that the wideeyed and awestruck faces that will be plastered to TV sets are waiting to witness a glimpse of eternity. They wish to see what a never-ending sovereignty looks like.

It is the vision of white lace cascading down a red aisle. It is the echo of church bells being swayed into sound. It is the gentle waft of incense floating across the nostrils. It has the taste of butter icing and vanilla sponge cake. I am not fooled. Beneath the mindless chatter about glitter and designer clothes, there is a restless yearning for this grand and auspicious feast to carry on. Meghan will be presented to her groom to be united to him, and both will indulge in an everlasting banquet! Perhaps the party won’t last forever but you get the idea. “Oh, that it would last forever,” they’ll say. They will ponder a joy that will never cease and a banquet to go on for all time. This must surely sound familiar. When the candles are blown out and the confetti is swept away, the teachers, cleaners, cashiers, flight attendants, waiters and the rest of us “commoners” will switch off our TV sets and return to the ordinariness of our lives. In our eyes we may not be seen as royals. But Jesus Christ holds us close to his heart. It is through him that we have a great inheritance. We can hope to live one day as princes and princesses of the man who is truly King.

Mater Domini Launches the Circle of Friends “100 Club” Planned Giving initiative.

Mater Domini is well known for its good work across the Cape Peninsula, providing vital services to Women in Crisis Pregnancy. Join the 'The Mater Domini Circle of Friends 100 Club'. – donate at least R100 per month Please join hands with us and help us to make a strong start to this initiative! For more details on how you can be a part of The Circle of Friends “100 Club” visit our website: www.materdomini.net and ﬁll in the form under the 100 Club tab in the menu. Or contact us at: E-mail: communications@materdomini.net Tel: 021 6716008 - Cell: 079 8916749

OMI sTAMPs

yOUR UseD sTAMPs can help in the education of South Africans for the PRIesTHOOD at St Joseph’s Scholasticate, Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal. Please send them to: OMI stamps, Box 101352, scottsville, 3209

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

Michael Shackleton

Open Door

Communion: What is pope’s position? Jesus taught that divorcees who marry a second time commit adultery (Mk 10:11). The Church has followed this teaching. Divorcees may not receive Communion. Yet Pope Francis, in his exhortation Amoris Laetitia, is accused by some of now letting them receive Communion. I would appreciate some clear insight on what Pope Francis’ position is. Hildegaard

OPE Francis’ position is no different from the teaching of Christ. A validly married person is not free to enter into a second marriage as long as the spouse is alive. To do so is to commit adultery, a sin against the divinely established moral order, which you refer to in Mark’s gospel. Persons who find themselves in this position are guilty of breaking the law. The law is like a recipe. It is predictable and rigid. It must be applied according to the dictates of strict justice. In other words, it does not permit the guilty one to receive the Eucharist, which is the sacramental sign of our being one body altogether with Christ as our head (1 Cor 12:27). Pope Francis cannot change or modify this prohibition. But he shifts the focus from the impersonal demands of the law to the personal disposition of a penitent soul caught in the grip of a spiritual and moral impasse. Some Catholics who divorce and remarry may not have given sufficient thought as to how this new union will negatively affect their relationship with the Church, the body of Christ. Perhaps an annulment is circumstantially neither possible nor desirable, particularly if the second union is stable. Yet they yearn for forgiveness and reconciliation. Pope Francis, conscious of the way modern marriage and the family are under huge pressure, wants us to consider taking a merciful view of a sincere but troubled soul’s dilemma. Mercy has no recipe dictating how it should be applied. Its quality is described in Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, when Portia tells the court of justice: “It droppeth as the gentle rain from heaven upon the place beneath.” She soon adds these telling words: “It is an attribute to God himself. And earthly power doth then show likest God’s when mercy seasons justice.” Pope Francis maintains the justice of the law but he wants to remind the Church that its role is to be the compassionate Christ in the world. Each particular application to receive Communion must be thoroughly investigated. The applicant must understand that the Church cannot change its teaching but it can attempt in individual cases to consider the needs of a repentant and tortured soul and possibly permit access to the sacrament, so that mercy seasons justice.

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.

Tweet us twitter.com/scrossZA

instagram.com/southerncrossmedia

facebook.com/thescross

www.scross.co.za

Reg. number 012-905 NPO

SCREEN PRINTING

Commemorate your special occasion, PRINT your logo and event on T-SHIRTS! Contact Alledene Cupido for a quotation at PRISON CARE AND SUPPORT NETWORK Monday to Friday between 09:00-13:00. 021 697-4174 (Tel/Fax) or 086 628 4499 e-mail: prisoncare@mweb.co.za WE OFFER REASONABLE RATES!

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

COMMUNITY

Assumption Convent School in Germiston, Johannesburg, and teacher Janet Brown welcomed the new Grade 1 class of 2018.

Fr Tom Segami OMI, parish priest of St Peter Claver church in Pimville, Soweto, presented Alphoncina Maputsoe with a crucifix and blessed her after she completed her threemonth probation period in the St Anne Sodality. (Photo: Sello Mokoka)

Members of the Legion of Mary in Cape Town archdiocese held a day of talks at Mater Dei parish in Parow Valley. Parish priest Fr Craig Holmes gave a talk on “Mary the Undoer of Knots” and Br Robert Febana on Vatican Council II’s reflections on Our Lady. (Submitted by Felicity Febana)

As is tradition, the 2018 matrics of Holy Rosary High School in Edenvale, Johannesburg, visited the Grade Rs on the first day of school. For the matrics, it is their “last first day”, and for the Grade Rs and the Grade 1s, their “first first day”.

Little Eden, which cares for the severely intellectually disabled, held a thank-you lunch at Oakfield Farm in Honeydew, Johannesburg, for donors, helpers and friends. Little Eden communications officer Nichollette Muthige (second from left) is pictured with some of the Mamba Strike Force guests at the lunch.

send your photos to

pics@scross.co.za St Francis of Assisi parish in Richards Bay, Eshowe diocese, treated elderly parishioners to a senior citizens’ party, with a buffet lunch and gifts to take home for their grandchildren. The event was organised by the Nest of Faith sodality this year under the leadership of Fr Sebastian Bongani Xulu. (Submitted by Kamogelo Nkwatle)

Bernard and Paddy Sheridan (right) and Bobbi Morgan-Smith (left), from St Anthony’s parish in Sedgefield, Oudtshoorn diocese, attended a retreat for extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion at the John Bosco Youth Centre in Dysseldorp. The retreat was given by Fr David Dettmer (second from left). (Submitted by Yvonne Morgan-Smith)

Become an Associate - Your contribution makes a difference The Associates Campaign is an integral support to The Southern Cross ensuring that it continues its apostolic outreach, developing the means of transmitting our Catholic values in the new forms of media and safeguarding its future in these uncertain economic times.

By BeCOMING OR ReMAINING AN AssOCIATe yOU WILL:



SELECT

M PA I G

• Safeguard the future of The Southern Cross. The Associates Campaign is a bedrock in which the existence of The Southern Cross is rooted. • Enable us to develop our presence on the constantly evolving technological platforms to meet young Catholics where they are. This is a substantial but absolutely essential undertaking which our income from sales and advertising simply cannot cover. • Support our apostolate to prisoners to help them convert to a life with Christ. As St Paul admonishes us: “Keep in mind those who are in prison, as though you were in prison with them… since you too are in the one body” (Heb 13:3). Our outreach currently serves 24 prisons as well as six army bases; it is funded entirely by the Associates Campaign. • Ensure that all our seminarians may have access to The Southern Cross so that they remain in touch with the events and thinking of the local and worldwide Church. • Help us give young journalists a foundation in religious reporting at a time when the secular press covers our Church only in relation to bad news.

□ Cardinal Owen McCann Associate - annual contribution is R1500 or □ □ □

more. Cardinal Owen McCann Associates will receive a free postal or digital subscription to The Southern Cross st Maximilian kolbe Associate - annual contribution of between R500 and R1499. st Francis de sales Associate - annual contribution of R100 or more. Once-oﬀ payment

Title............... Name.....................................................................

Address........................................................................................ .................................................................................Code ........... Tel/Cell.......................................................................................... E-mail..........................................................................................

Banking details: standard Bank, Thibault square Branch (Code 020909), The southern Cross, Acc No: 276876016 (please fax or e-mail deposit slip or conﬁrmation) l Fax Number: 021 465-3850, email: admin@scross.co.za

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

INTERVIEW

Vatican II veteran on today’s Church Canadian Bishop Remi De Roo is one of the last bishops alive to have attended all four sessions of Vatican II. Now 93 years old, he tells ALICIA VON STAMWITZ about his view of the Church in the era of Pope Francis.

N 1962, Fr Remi De Roo was the pastor of a parish in the Canadian city of Winnipeg, Manitoba. Then, early one morning while he was presiding at a weekday Mass, Pope John XXIII announced that he had selected the 38-year old priest to be the bishop of Victoria, British Columbia. Six days later, Bishop De Roo was on his way to Rome to attend the first session of the Second Vatican Council. Pope John XXIII called De Roo his “Benjamin”, because he was the youngest of the North American Council Fathers. Today, Bishop De Roo, who retired in 1999 and will turn 94 on February 24, is one of the last surviving bishops to have attended all four sessions of the council, an experience that “radically altered” his outlook. For more than 50 years, he has lectured throughout the world, sharing his enthusiasm and insights on the vision of the council. “I feel that I owe it to the people to keep telling the story of Vatican II,” he explained, “because its teachings impact everybody.” I understand you met Pope Francis a few years ago? Yes, I travelled to the Vatican for the canonisation of Popes John Paul II and John XXIII—who, of course, called the Second Vatican Council. When I travel these days I use a wheelchair as a precaution because occasionally I have problems with my balance. A young priest wheeled me right next to the popemobile, so as the pope was approaching I called out to him in Italian, “Sono padre del concilio vaticano!” (I am a Vatican Council Father!). Well, Pope Francis’ face lit up. He came over and said words to the effect of “What a wonderful experience you must have had!” Then he took my hands and held on to both of them for the longest while, as he continued talking. I don’t remember half of what he said because I was totally engrossed by his presence. But to my amazement, he bowed down and kissed the Vatican Council ring on my right hand. There aren’t many times in Catholic Church history that the pope has kissed a bishop’s ring.

That was a few months after the 2013 publication of The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium). What did you think of the pope’s first apostolic exhortation? It is possibly the best updated summary of the meaning of Vatican II. In a sentence, it’s an invitation to begin a new chapter of evangelisation, and the invitation is for all of us. That’s a point that Pope Francis has stressed many times. I hope that we are going to wake up to that message because after 50 years of lecturing on Vatican II, I’m still not persuaded that most Catholics have really heard the message. Can you remind us of that message? One of the main rediscoveries of Vatican II is the reclaiming of the ancient teaching that takes us right back to the beginning of the Church: the baptismal priesthood of the laity, which is the foundation of all the other gifts and charisms we receive in the Church. We need to reverse the model that has put one supposedly elite group at the top of the pyramid and all the rest in descending roles, with ordinary people of faith down at the bottom. That pyramid is the exact opposite of the Gospel. The Gospel says, and the council emphasised, that every single member of the Church is equal in dignity and in the capacity to serve. It’s critical that every one of us, without exception, picks up the message of the council and of Pope Francis and achieves the joy of knowing the Gospel, living by the Gospel, and sharing the Gospel with others. We sometimes forget that ultimately our faith is a way of life. We’re not in the world to capture converts or persuade people to believe exactly what we believe. Yes, there are truths that are important; but don’t forget that the early Christians were known as “followers of the way”. It was the way they lived, much more than what they believed, that was critically important. How does Pope Francis communicate this—that faith is a way of life? By reaching out to people on the margins, and by keeping his mind and his heart open. I love that time he said, “Who am I to judge?” Because if there’s one weakness in the Church today, it’s precisely that so many people are judging one another. I think one of the reasons why this pope is so popular is [because] he’s showing everybody that he loves them all. He reaches out to the untouchables, and he’s showing in his daily life what the Gospel’s all about. So when he writes something or says something profound, we know it’s coming from lived ex-

Bishop Remi De Roo speaks in Vancouver in 2016. The bishop is one of the few still-living Council Fathers of Vatican II. When Pope Francis heard that, he kissed the bishop’s ring. (Photo: Sarah Scali, St Mark’s College/CNS) perience, not just theory. We’re not short of theory in our Church. We have many scholars and lay theologians, but they are not responsible for the Church. We are all responsible, because we are the Church. It sounds like Pope Francis has given you hope for the Church. Yes, but there is a danger in that we’ll get into a new and refined form of paternalism in this era of Pope Francis because we’re proud we’ve got such a great pope. We think the pope is the Church, and that he can do it all. He’s not and he can’t. So I hope we’ll take the pope’s words seriously and live them by accepting our own responsibility to move the Church forward. We can’t just applaud from the sidelines. Not everyone applauds Pope Francis, though. How do we address

Günther Simmermacher

THe HOLy LAND TRek

Let Günther Simmermacher guide you with insight and humour through the great sites of the Holy Land and Jordan on a virtual itinerary, examining the great sites of the region and their history. Only R150 (plus R25 p&p)

Chris Moerdyk

MOeRDyk FILes

A collection of the best Southern Cross columns by one of SA’s most popular writers. Read about the day Nelson Mandela was sentenced, what the great thurible swinger did at Mass, why a 400km detour was made to save the parents’ blushes, and much more... Only R150 (plus R25 p&p)

Owen Williams

ANy GIVeN sUNDAy

An anthology of the best columns written by the late Owen Williams, The Southern Cross’ long-time contributor. First published in 2004, Any Given Sunday is a wonderful way to spend time with a ﬁrst-class raconteur and man of deep faith. Only R80 (plus R25 p&p)

Order from books@scross.co.za

Southern Cross BOOKS

or call 021 465-5007 or buy at 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town

those who believe he’s taking the Church in the wrong direction? Any good executive of any major corporation knows very well that you’ve got to work with your people, and you have to have their support if you want your dreams and ideals to be realised. The problem is that sometimes people don’t know their own history. You often find that people who take narrow-minded stances are uninformed, or they are reacting out of a negative emotion, like fear. What to do? Continue loving them, and don’t get into arguments. Psychologists will tell you that you never get unity through the head; unity comes through the heart. Brains are made to sort and file, divide and make distinctions; so arguments get you nowhere. In fact, they may harden others, and you may lose your good relationships with them.

Instead, take time to bring yourself up to date on where the Church is, so that you have solid answers to people’s questions. Invite others to explain to you why they think the way they do, and try to explore with them the deeper, substantial teaching of the Church, and the work of the Spirit. Lovingly, firmly, doggedly, keep asking questions. You were investigated by the Roman curia many years ago. Can you tell us about that? In 1986, in Washington, DC, I made a declaration at a conference that I have repeated many times since. I said the question of the ministries of women is of such importance that it requires the communal spiritual discernment of the whole people of God, not just the hierarchy. And I’m not limiting ministry to the priesthood or to ordination: that’s only one aspect. I mean ministries in the broader sense of the word—the variety of roles women can assume to help transform the patriarchal Church into a community of equal disciples. After the conference, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger [the future Pope Benedict XVI; then prefect of the Vatican’s doctrinal congregation] called me to Rome to explain my position. But the president of the Canadian Catholic Conference supported me and suggested the investigation be terminated. Now, I see that Pope Francis has repeatedly said we need “a very serious study” of the roles of women, and I’m encouraged by that. What do you hope will be the takeaway from this interview for our readers? I would like to see more people take an objective, serene second look at the substantive and deep teachings of the Second Vatican Council. I especially trust that we will all reclaim our baptismal priesthood. I invite all believers to explore and ponder the Council’s teachings about revelation, the fullness of which is found in the person of Jesus Christ—both the messenger and the message. I hope they will recognise that other Christian Churches can also serve as instruments of grace: that all believers have seeds of the Divine planted in their hearts. Finally, I hope Christians everywhere will reclaim the notion of sacramentality as applying to all of creation—something Pope Francis has taken up in his encyclical Laudato Si’. Modern science warns us that our planet is fragile and in grave danger because of our carelessness, our arrogance, and our aggressive exploitation. May we all heed the Church’s call to a deeper spiritual, cultural, and ecological conversion! n See also Bishop De Roo’s website: www.remideroo.com

MONASTERY RETREAT HOUSE PO Box 11095, Mariannhill 3624

Individual, directed or private retreats can be arranged for periods of 2-8 days throughout the year. Diocesan, Parish and Church meetings and workshops should be booked well in advance Reception: 031 700 2155 Fr Urs Fischer 031 700 2890 Fax 031 700 2738 email: monretreat@saol.com

For Bookings:

Cellphones: 083 963 3848 083 544 1504 082 730 7180

Fr Urs Fischer Bro Crispin Mrs N Qupa

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

CHURCH

The Catholic Church and apartheid The Catholic Church’s response to apartheid was based on the Catholic Social Teachings, but its condemnation of the racist system was at times cautious, as FR ANTHONY EGAN SJ explains.

HE Catholic Church’s concerns about political and social questions in early 20th-century South Africa were expressed through Catholic Social Teaching. Modern Catholic Social Teaching, although drawing on the Church’s moral traditions, is rooted in a series of crises in the late 19th and early 20th centuries—crises that stripped the papacy of political power, challenged the Church’s claims to represent the poor, and even in the crisis of how Christians understood faith itself. Modelled and governed from the European Middle Ages along the lines of a feudal monarchy, the rise of liberal democracy was seen by the Catholic Church first as a threat, later as a challenge and—in the wake of Nazi and Soviet totalitarianism—finally as the “least worst” option in global society. Though the Church maintained to a significant degree its traditional governance structures internally, it accepted democracy as the better option in the world as a whole. Modern capitalism and social-

ism, with the rise of trade unions, also destabilised and challenged the Church’s thinking. Though both systems had elements which resonated with Catholic thinking about economics, at their extremes neither found official favour. After a period of hostility to these features of modernity, the Church under Pope Leo XIII (the pontiff from 1878-1903) applied its theology to the new, irreversible social context, setting up in the process a critical (and, it hoped, constructive) dialogue with society. Termed Catholic Social Teaching (or Thought), Pope Leo and his successors initiated a critical and everevolving dialogue with the world. On matters of governance, this meant a growing but not uncritical acceptance of liberal democracy as the better form of government; the defence of property rights balanced increasingly against the rights of workers to a just wage; the defence of human rights against dictatorship; and the promotion of human freedom.

Key principles Underlying all these moral teachings—issued periodically by popes, by bishops’ conferences and occasionally by individual bishops—was an application of key moral principles to changing social contexts. These included: • human dignity and solidarity, • dignity of work and rights of workers, • participatory democracy (including the importance of subsidiarity in government),

• stewardship of creation, and • the option for the poor and vulnerable. In secular terms, one might say that Catholic Social Teaching adopted (and still holds to) a kind of ecologically-conscious social democratic vision not unlike the thinking of philosophers like John Rawls. Within this broad tradition, some individuals gave its tenets different ideological spins: more free market-oriented Catholic philosophers stressed more heavily capital and property rights, while liberation theologians emphasised its socialist dimensions. Above all, at local levels Catholic Social Teaching was applied to specific contexts. In this and in future articles, I shall illustrate how it was applied by the Church in South Africa. Bishop Franz (or Francis) Hennemann, a Pallottine priest who was bishop of the then Western Vicariate (centred in Cape Town), was something of a prophet in the 1930s. While many bishops equivocated about segregation and apartheid, Bishop Hennemann drew on Catholic Social Teaching to issue a remarkably prescient warning— twice. On March 24, 1939, he issued a letter to priests in his vicariate on “the various schemes for what is known as ‘Segregation’”, warning that it might cause “strife and bitterness”. He stressed that human rights were “inherent” in every person and that legislation based solely on race should be “opposed and condemned as unjust”. Christian principles of justice and charity demanded opposition to any laws attempting to restrict opportunities for employment, property ownership, development of abilities and faculties, and insisted that “we consider all men (sic) as our brethren, and treat them with one consideration”.

Apartheid ‘noxious’

Left: Bishop Francis Hennemann, an early opponent of racist policies in South Africa, headed the vicariate of Cape Town from 1922-49. Right: Pope Leo XIII, who headed the Church from 1878-1903, initiated the development of modern Catholic Social Teachings.

Tony Wyllie & Co. Catholic Funeral Home Personal and Digniﬁed 24-hour service

469 Voortrekker Rd, Maitland, Tel: 021 593 8820

48 Main Rd, Muizenberg, Tel: 021 788 3728 carol@wylliefunerals.co.za andrew@wylliefunerals.co.za Member of the NFDA

Responding nine years later—on September 2, 1948—to the triumph of the National Party and its programme to introduce apartheid, Bishop Hennemann reiterated what he had previously said with even greater vigour, and was specific in his condemnation of restrictions and plans of Prime Minister D F Malan’s government, notably restrictions of “non-Europeans” in use of Cape railways and the planned disenfranchisement of coloureds in the Cape Province. Calling apartheid “noxious, un-

Journey Through The Fifth Gospel

Holy Land & Cairo Led by Fr Keith Gordon-Davis

7 - 19 May 2018 Contact Gail now at info@fowlertours.co.za or phone 076 352-3809 or 021 551-3923

www.fowlertours.co.za/gospel

“Here I am Lord”

The Southern Cross in 1948 quotes Bishop Francis Hennemann’s view of apartheid as “noxious, unchristian and destructive”. christian and destructive”, the bishop denounced in particular its implementation “in the name of Christian civilisation”. Cited by the National Party as a means to counter communism, Bishop Hennemann warned that they were equating Christianity with whiteness. “The truth is, there is no such thing as ‘white civilisation’, and there never was,” he said. “If it is ‘white’ exclusively, it is not Christian, and if it is Christian, it is not ‘white’.” He warned that apartheid and its “white civilisation” could in fact “open wide the doors of South Africa to the world’s most formidable enemy to-day: communism.” Bishop Hennemann’s language is significant. He drew on the human rights discourse of Catholic Social Teaching to insist that all South Africans had rights regardless of race, that representation and access to property, and personal growth through dignified work, was something to be promoted and extended rather than curtailed. His warnings about the promotion of communism by the state’s actions were not simply a reflection of the wider Catholic Church’s global fear of communism but also a recognition that by equating segregation with Christianity and African nationalism with communism, the state was in fact promoting communism among those on the receiving end of segregation. The latter was a trope found explicitly and implicitly in successive South African Catholic political discourse: the more the state reduced freedom for all, the more radical opposition would become.

Cautious criticism Written after the 1950 Suppression of Communism Act and during the turbulent period of protests in the 1950s, which started—significantly—with the 1952 Defiance Campaign, the SACBC’s 1952 “Statement on Race Relations” and 1954 “Pastoral Letter” (on mission schools, which I will discuss in a later article) were exercises in cau-

tious criticism. The situational analysis in 1952 stressed historical circumstances that led to apartheid, against a background of human sinfulness, deep division brought about by white prejudice, black resentment and the common liberal trope of the times, that “non-Europeans” were “in various stages of cultural development, of which the majority is still totally unprepared for full participation in social and political life patterned after what are commonly called Western Standards [sic]”. The solution the SACBC envisaged was “prudent and careful planning and in the practice of charity and justice”. The tone then was cautious, even patronising—a significant step back from Bishop Hennemann’s more forthright statements. Much of the statement is rooted in classical Christian virtues (like justice and charity) mitigated by the virtue of prudence. The latter, clearly echoing the Dominican philosopher Thomas Aquinas’ insistence that prudence—careful thinking that balances extremes to attain a good and workable course of action—interprets other virtues, fitted well into the white liberal (and the then Liberal Party) prognosis for the country: gradualism. Egregious discrimination based on race was unacceptable; summed up in the phrase “(c)harity and justice must supply the driving force, prudence will be the guide”, the statement called for gradual evolution towards full participation for “non-Europeans”. The explicitly theological condemnation of apartheid that would appear in 1957 (as I described in a previous article) was absent, or at least made circumspect by the language of prudence. It was, however, a first, tentative step in the journey of institutional opposition to apartheid by the Catholic Church in South Africa n This article was produced by the Jesuit Institute in association with The Daily Maverick. In the second part next week, Fr Egan will discuss how Church opposition to apartheid grew.

www.catholic-pe.co.za/stpius

Cell: +27 72 769 7396, or +27 83 471 6081 E-mail: vocation.office@dehonafrica.net www.scj.org.za

Our bedrooms accommodate up to 58 - Plus 20 for dormitories - Small, medium & large conference facilities Dining rooms with full kitchen facilities - Full catering or self-catering - Very competitive rates - Situated in the suburb of Cambridge - Multidenominational Chapel.

CLASSIFIEDS

Fr Johannes Rankel SAC

ALLOTTINE Father Johannes Rankel, formerly of Oudtshoorn, died suddenly in Germany on January 12 at 87. He had been a Pallottine for 58 years and a priest for 54. Johannes Rankel was born on October 26, 1930, in Fürstenberg, then a German town in what is now Poland. In February 1945 the family was expelled from their home by invading Soviet forces. They fled west and finally settled in Limburg in the Hesse region. Together with his younger brother Paul, Johannes attended the Pallottine High School in Limburg. Both would become priests serving in South Africa; Fr Paul died in 2010. A third brother became a Trappist monk. Johannes entered the Pallottine novitiate in Olpe, Westphalia, in 1957. He and his brother Paul were ordained to the priesthood on July 16, 1963. Fr Rankel’s wanted to be a missionary priest, and he was sent to England to learn English, and to do pastoral theology training. On June 9, 1965, he sailed from Antwerp, Belgium, to Cape Town. Fr Rankel was moved to Oudtshoorn to study Afrikaans. His first missionary assignment was in Calvinia in the

Great Karoo. There was, as yet, no presbytery there, so he had to begin by renting a small dwelling for himself. His enthusiasm knew no bounds as he laid the foundations for his missionary parish. Together with parishioners he learned to make bricks. Fr Rankel was then transferred to Dysselsdorp near Oudtshoorn. The town had a small prefab church. A practical man, Fr Rankel set about overcoming the water and electrical problems in this dry area of the Little Karoo. Next came the construction of a church. Dedicated to St Conrad of Parzham, the church was consecrated in 1975. A large adult educational and training centre was built for all, without regard to their religion.

Fr Rankel always had the advancement of the coloured community he served at heart. When a minor seminary was established in Dysselsdorp, the bishop of Oudtshoorn placed it in the care of Fr Rankel. Next to his parish work, Fr Rankel devoted himself to young people in The Marianum, which offered additional educational training to young people. Fr Rankel was also the Kolping Society’s national head from 1989-93. In 1993 he was elected the regional rector of the Pallottine priests and brothers in South Africa and moved to the Pallotti Farm, near Queenstown. He set about enlarging the facilities for training and education—for Catholics and other groups. This became an important source of income for the Pallotti Farm. For the wellbeing of his spirit Fr Rankel built a hermitage which consisted of a chapel and a small one-room dwelling about 2km from the main farm buildings. With his health deteriorating, in 2010 Fr Rankel was transferred to the frail-care section of the Mission House in Limburg, where he died in his sleep on January 12. His Requiem Mass was celebrated in Limburg on January 18.

EWCASTLE Dominican Sister Flora (Catherine) McGlynn of Marian House, Boksburg, a former regional superior of her congregation, died on January 9 at the age of 82. Sr Flora was born one of five children on April 13, 1935, in Roscommon, Ireland. She entered the Dominican novitiate in Rosary priory, England, in January 1952. She completed her religious training there in August 1956. Sr Flora then began her teacher training at Maria Assumpta College in Kensington, London. On completion of this diploma, she was sent to South Africa in September 1957. She began her teaching career in Benoni Convent, now known as St Columba’s convent, for 12 years. Sr Flora’s great enthusiasm for spreading the Gospel found her in Rome doing a four-year theol-

ogy degree in Sacred Scripture. On her return from Rome, Sr Flora was assigned to St Dominic’s Academy in Newcastle, KwaZulu-Natal, where she spent the next seven years teaching as well as serving as the prioress of the convent. In January 1980, Sr Flora was reassigned to St Dominic’s in Boksburg as principal, where she held this position until she was elected regional prioress in 1987, a position she held for 12 years.

When her term of office was completed, Sr Flora went to Ireland and England for a well-deserved sabbatical. On her return to South Africa in 2001, she was assigned to Pax Christi in Newcastle, assisting in the parish with catechetics, a subject close to her heart. Due to failing health, Sr Flora was assigned to Marian House in Boksburg where she lived and was lovingly cared for until her death. Sr Flora was a very talented, wise, gentle and gracious lady, never looking for recognition for the many projects she initiated in her capacity as principal of her congregation’s schools and as regional superior. The presence of so many priests, religious, friends and past pupils, plus her two nieces and nephew from Ireland and England, was a fitting tribute to Sr Flora. She was interred in Marian House Cemetery. Sister Audrey and Sisters

Liturgical Calendar Year B – Weekdays Cycle Year 2 Sunday February 4, 5th Sunday of the Year Job 7:1-4, 6-7, Psalms 147:1-6, 1 Corinthians 9:16-19, 22-23, Mark 1:29-39 Monday February 5, St Agatha 1 Kings 8:1-7, 9-13, Psalms 132:6-10, Mark 6:53-56 Tuesday February 6, St Paul Miki & Companions 1 Kings 8:22-23, 27-30, Psalms 84:3-5, 10-11, Mark 7:1-13 Wednesday, February 7 1 Kings 10:1-10, Psalms 37:5-6, 30-31, 39-40, Mark 7:14-23 Thursday February 8, St Josephine Bakhita, St Jerome Emiliani 1 Kings 11:4-13, Psalms 106:3-4, 35-37, 40, Mark 7:24-30 Friday February 9 1 Kings 11:29-32; 12:19, Psalms 81:10-15, Mark 7:31-37 Saturday February 10, St Scholastica (pictured above) 1 Kings 12:26-32; 13:33-34, Psalms 106:6-7, 19-22, Mark 8:1-10 Sunday February 11, 6th Sunday of the Year Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46, Psalms 32:1-2, 5, 11, 1 Corinthians 10:31--11:1, Mark 1:40-45

CLASSIFIEDS

THANKS

THANKS to St Jude for prayers answered. Mrs Martin.

DEATHS

POTHIER—Leonard. Beloved brother and brother-in-law of Adele & Alec Dawson & Val & Richard Matten, and uncle of Lisa, Carmen & Paul passed away peacefully after a long illness, on January 24, 2018. He will be greatly missed. Our sincere condolences to his wife Val and son David, and our thanks to them for their love and caring of him. May he rest in peace. POTHIER—Leonard. Passed away 24 January after a long illness borne with faith and dignity. Cared for with great dedication by his wife Val and deeply loved by his son David, daughter-in-law Louise and grandson James. He will be greatly missed by all of his extended family who will always remember him and his commitment to others with pride. RIP.

O VIRGIN Mother, In the depths of your heart you pondered the life of the Son you brought into the world. Give us your vision of Jesus and ask the Father to open

PERSONAL

our hearts, that we may always see His presence in our lives, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, bring us into the joy and peace of the kingdom, where Jesus is Lord forever and ever. Amen.

LORD GOD, this candle that I light here today reminds me of the light that you enkindled in me at my Baptism. Renew the flame of your Love in me. Let it burn away all my egotism, my jealousy, my pride and my failure to love. Let me have a warm and generous heart. Lord, I am not able to remain here in this church very much longer: I have to go. So, please accept this candle in my place. Let it be like a part of me that I give to you. Here, before the image of Blessed Mary, Mother of God, and imploring her powerful intercession, I ask you, as I offer you this humble candle, to allow my prayer to penetrate every activity and every facet of my life, so that everything will be shaped and formed by the burning flame of your Love. I ask this for Jesus’ sake. 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.

Southern CrossWord solutions

ABORTION WARNING: The truth will convict a silent Church. See www.valuelife abortionisevil.co.za ABORTION WARNING: The Pill can abort. All Catholic users (married or cohabiting) must be told, to save their souls and their unborn infants. See www. epm.org/static/uploads/ downloads/bcpill.pdf HOLY SPIRIT CENTRE: 161a Coronation Street, Maitland, Cape Town. We offer food and accommodation 70+ guests (school/tour/ youth groups, and so on). Booking manager on 021 510 2988, cell 083 723 0293, e-mail hscentre@ telkomsa.net

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

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 KZN DURBAN: Self-catering guest house close to churches, shopping malls and beach. Tel 083 263 2174. MONTAGU: Self-catering cottage in central area. Sleeps 3 in lovely garden setting. Braai patio and secure parking. Pets and children welcome. Phone 082 975 8049.

Our bishops’ anniversaries

Retirement Home, Rivonia, Johannesburg Tel:011 803 1451 www.lourdeshouse.org

Traditional Latin Mass

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel 36 Central Avenue, Pinelands, Cape Town

SOLUTIONS TO 796. ACROSS: 3 Jerusalem, 8 Ambo, 9 Dominance, 10 Wisdom, 11 Cyrus, 14 Drape, 15 Sago, 16 Noble, 18 Wolf, 20 Trace, 21 Yokel, 24 Divine, 25 Folk music, 26 Saul, 27 Obedience. DOWN: 1 War widows, 2 Abysmally, 4 Edom, 5 Unity, 6 Abacus, 7 Etch, 9 Dozen, 11 Cabal, 12 Samaritan, 13 Foretells, 17 Ethic, 19 Forked, 22 Elude, 23 Comb, 24 Disc.

Word of the Week

Acolyte: A clergy member in the highest of the four minor orders, or a lay person who performs some or all of the same duties, which include lighting altar candles, preparing wine and water for Mass.

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 (R1,80 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

PRAYERS

Sr Flora McGlynn OP

The Southern Cross, January 31 to February 6, 2018

This week we congratulate: February 1: Bishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara CMM of Ingwavuma on his 61st birthday

Frail/assisted care in shared or single rooms. Independent care in single/double rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Rates include meals, laundry and 24-hour nursing. Day Care and short stay facilities also available.

Call 071 291 4501 for details. Email: sspx.capetown@gmail.com The

Southern Cross

Published independently by the Catholic Newspaper and Publishing Co since 1920

Editor: Günther Simmermacher Business Manager: Pamela Davids Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000

10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001 Tel: (021) 465 5007 Fax: (021) 465 3850

Editorial: editor@scross.co.za News editor: news@scross.co.za Business manager: admin@scross.co.za Advertising: advertising@scross.co.za Subs/Orders: subscriptions@scross.co.za Website: www.scross.co.za Digital edition: www.digital.scross.co.za Facebook: www.facebook.com/thescross

Subscriptions:

Digital: R385 p.a. (anywhere in the world) Print by mail: R450 p.a. (SA. International rates on enquiry)

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, Local News: Erin Carelse (e.carelse@scross.co.za), Editorial: Claire Allen (c.allen@scross.co.za), Mary Leveson (m.leveson@scross.co.za), Advertising: Yolanda Timm (advertising@scross.co.za), Subscriptions: Michelle Perry (subscriptions@scross.co.za), Accounts: Desirée Chanquin (accounts@scross.co.za) Directors: R Shields (Chair), Archbishop S Brislin, S Duval, E Jackson, B Jordan, Sr H Makoro CPS, J Mathurine, R Riedlinger, G Stubbs, Z Tom Editorial Advisory Board: Fr Chris Chatteris SJ, Kelsay Correa, Dr Nontando Hadebe, Prof Derrick Kourie, Claire Mathieson, Fr Lawrence Mduduzi Ndlovu, Palesa Ngwenya, Sr Dr Connie O’Brien I.Sch, John O’Leary, Kevin Roussel, Fr Paul Tatu CSS

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

the

6th Sunday: February 11 Readings: Leviticus 13:1-2, 44-46, Psalm 32:1-2, 5, 11, 1 Corinthians 10:31-11:1, Mark 1:40-45

HAT is the worst thing that can happen to you? We each have our private nightmare; but in the ancient world it might have been the dread disease of leprosy, which, like Aids today, had the effect of cutting you off from all human contact. It is leprosy of which our first and last readings speak; and the important point to notice in both readings is the sense that God can cope, and (more importantly perhaps) that God cares about the sufferer. So in the first reading, God “speaks to Aaron and Moses” about what to do if someone “has on their skin a swelling, a rash or a discolouration, they shall be brought to Aaron the priest or to one of his descendants, the priests”. In other words, this awful disease is something that it is permissible to bring within the sphere of religion. But the reading ends (omitting a good deal of distasteful detail which would put you off your lunch) with exclusion from the community: “He is unclean, and the priest shall declare him unclean.” Not only that, but he has no place in the community: “His clothes shall be torn and his head bare…and he shall cry out, ‘Unclean, unclean’…he shall live apart, outside the camp shall be his dwelling

S outher n C ross

Jesus up to all situations place.”. This would be, no doubt, a great relief to the community, but not much fun for the person thus excluded. But God never leaves exclusion as the final verdict, and so the psalm for next Sunday sings: “Happy the person whose sin is forgiven…happy the one whom the Lord does not hold guilty, and there is no deceit in his spirit.” Then we hear the word for “unclean” which came so often in the first reading: “My uncleanness I made known to you, my sin I did not hide.” And there is the all-important moment of confession: “I said, ‘I shall make known my sins to the Lord’, and you forgave the guilt of my sin.” We should notice this great confidence that the Lord can deal with the very worst things about us. In the second reading, Paul is well aware that God comes into every aspect of our lives. He is dealing here with an issue that was quite a problem for his Corinthians, namely whether or not it is permissible to eat food that has been sacrificed to other gods in their temples in Corinth (the meat would then be sold off in the market, a cheap way of getting protein). You may, of course, feel this is not precisely your problem today.

What matters for us is the nature of Paul’s solution: “Whether you are eating or drinking or whatever you are doing, do it for the glory of God.” And we have always to think of the impact on others “not giving offence to Jews and non-Jews—and to the Church of God”. Then Paul outlines his policy: “In every respect I satisfy everybody, not looking for my own advantage, but that of the greater number, that they may be saved.” And Paul is not shy about drawing attention to his own example: “Become imitators of me, as I have become an imitator of Christ.” And that is not a bad mantra, whether we are dealing with a horrid disease, or with people’s religious scruples. And how does Jesus behave when faced with these problems? That is what next Sunday’s Gospel deals with. At the end of a long day, Jesus is greeted by a leper; and the expectation would be that he would recoil with a shudder (though perhaps you might have guessed, even after less than a chapter of Mark’s gospel, that this is not quite Jesus’ style!). The leper “begs him and genuflects and says, ‘If you want, you can make me clean’.” Quite remarkably, Mark tells us that Jesus “was gutted, and stretched out his hand and

Conquer what divides us W

E live in a world of deep divisions. Everywhere we see polarisation, people bitterly divided from each other by ideology, politics, economic theory, moral beliefs, and theology. We tend to use over-simplistic categories within which to understand these divisions: the left and the right opposing each other, liberals and conservatives at odds, pro-life vying with pro-choice. Virtually every social and moral issue is a warzone: race, the status of women, climate change, gender roles, sexuality, marriage and family as institutions, the role of government, how the LGBTQ community is to be understood, among other issues. And our churches aren’t exempt; too often we cannot agree on anything. Civility has disappeared from public discourse even within our churches, where there is now as much division and hostility within each denomination as there is between them. More and more, we cannot discuss openly any sensitive matter, even within our own families. Instead we discuss politics, religion and values only within our own ideological circles—and there, we mostly end up feeding each other in our biases and indignations, thus becoming even more intolerant, bitter and judgmental. Scripture calls this enmity hatred, and indeed that’s its proper name. We are becoming hate-filled people who both fuel and justify our hatred on religious and moral grounds. We need only to watch the news on any night to see this.

he real answer, I believe, lies in an understanding of how the cross and death of Jesus brings about reconciliation. The author of the Letter to the Ephesians tells us that Jesus broke down the barrier of hostility that existed between communities by creating one person where formerly there had been two—and he did it this “by reconciling both [sides] in one body through his cross, which put that enmity to death” (Eph 2:16).

He’s never been the same since he returned from the Le Mans Thurible Championship.

Classic Conrad The

How is this to be overcome? At the macro-level in politics and religion, it’s hard to see how these bitter divides will ever be bridged, especially when so much of public discourse widens division. What’s needed is nothing short of religious conversion, a religious change of heart—and that’s contingent on the individual. The collective heart will change only when individual hearts do. We help save the sanity of the world by first safeguarding our own sanity, but that’s no easy task. It’s not as simple as everyone simply agreeing to think nicer thoughts. Nor, it seems, will we find much common ground in our public dialogues. The dialogue that’s needed isn’t easily come by; we haven’t come by it yet. Generally what happens is that even the most-well intended dialogue quickly degenerates into an attempt by each side to score its own ideological points rather than to genuinely try to understand each other. Where does that leave us?

Nicholas King SJ

Sunday Reflections

touched him” (quite against the rules), “and said to him, ‘I do want—be made clean’.” The result is instantaneous and decisive: “Immediately the leprosy left him, and he was made clean.” Then it gets a bit more complicated: “He snorted at him and immediately threw him out” (as so often in Mark, we are not quite clear who is being referred to here). Then (now it is quite clearly Jesus who is talking) he says to him: “Go and show yourself to the priest, and make an offering about your cleansing, what Moses prescribed, as a witness to them.” So we return to the story of our first reading, but the story ends in an unexpected flourish of talk: “But he went out and began to proclaim many things and to spread it abroad, so that he could no longer go openly into a city, but was outside in desert places. And they were coming to him from all sides….” The precise details of the story are no longer very clear: was it the ex-leper or Jesus who had to retreat to the wilderness? What is clear is that there is no situation with which God in Jesus cannot deal.

Southern Crossword #796

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

How does the cross of Christ put enmity to death? Not through some kind of magic. Jesus didn’t break down the divisions between us by mystically paying off some debt for our sins through his suffering, as if God needed to be appeased by blood to forgive us and open the gates of heaven. That image is simply the metaphor behind our icons and language about being washed clean of sin and saved by the blood of Christ. What happened in the cross and death of Jesus is something that asks for our imitation, not simply our admiration. What happened in the cross and death of Jesus is an example for us to imitate. What are we to imitate? What Jesus did in his passion and death was to transform bitterness and division, rather than to retransmit them and give them back in kind. In the love which he showed in his passion and death Jesus did this: he took in hatred, held it inside himself, transformed it, and gave back love. He took in bitterness, held it, transformed it, and gave back graciousness. He took in curses, held them, transformed them, and gave back blessings. He took in paranoia, held it, transformed it, and gave back big-heartedness. He took in murder, held it, transformed it, and gave back forgiveness. And he took in bitter division, held it, transformed it, and through that revealed to us the deep secret for forming community, namely, to take away the hatred that divides us by absorbing and holding it within ourselves, thereby transforming it. Like a water purifier which holds within itself the toxins and gives back only pure water, so must we hold within ourselves the toxins that poison community and give back only graciousness to everyone. That is the only key to overcome division. We live in bitterly divisive times, paralysed in terms of meeting amicably on virtually every sensitive issue of politics, economics, morality, and religion. That stalemate will remain until one by one, we each transform rather than enflame and retransmit the hatred that divides us.

CATHOLIC Feast day at shrine of IRELAND OUR LADY OF KNOCK,

ACROss

3. From Bethany Jesus headed out to here (Jn 12) (9) 8. Pulpit confusion in Moab (4) 9. Comedian at North Pole has the upper hand (9) 10. King Solomon’s tooth? (6) 11. Persian king whom God called shepherd (Is 44) (5) 14. Hang the curtain (5) 15. Goa’s pudding mix (4) 16. Aristocrat (5) 18. Creature to be kept from your door (4) 20. React about this faint sign (5) 21. Son of the soil who’s born in the parish? (5) 24. Godly theologian? (6) 25. It may be sung at a popular Mass (4,5) 26. First king of Israel (4) 27. Religious vow (9)

Solutions on page 11

DOWN

1. They are bereaved in the soldiers’ battles (3,6) 2. As by all my movement, very badly (9) 4. Genesis 36 lists the kings of this kingdom (4) 5. Oneness, like in the Trinity (5) 6. It’s not a rosary but you count beads on it (6) 7. Engrave (4) 9. Group of apostles talk nineteen to it (5) 11. Secret faction in Africa ballet (5) 12. Luke’s charitably good man (9) 13. Predictably, explains what’s going to happen (9) 17. I enter 7 down with moral principle (5) 19. Like lightning on the dinner table (6) 22. Evade (5) 23. Hair stylist? (4) 24. Circle among discalced friars (4)

CHURCH CHUCKLE

AKING advantage of a balmy day, four priests swapped their clerical garb for polos and khakis and time on the golf course. After several horrible shots, their caddy asked: “Are you guys priests?” “Actually, yes,” one replied. “Why?” “Because,” said the caddy, “I’ve never seen such bad golf and such clean language.”

S outher n C ross

in association with the Diocese of Klerksdorp

For information contact Gail at 076 352-3809 or info@fowlertours.co.za

PAPAL MASS in Dublin* and much more... * subject to confirmation

A pilgrimage with Bishop Victor Phalana 17-28 August 2018

www.fowlertours.co.za/ireland

For all your sand and stone requirements in Piet Retief, southern Mpumalanga

Tel: 017 826 0054/5 Cell: 082 904 7840 email: sales@eskaycrushers.co.za