190814

The

S outher n C ross

August 14 to August 20, 2019

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

Bishop: Get out of the sacristies

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No 5148

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How to make things right with Mary

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Where the homeless tell their stories

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The bishops and diocesan administrators of vacant dioceses of Southern Africa with special guest Fr Hans Zollner SJ (front, third from left), apostolic nuncio Archbishop Peter Wells (front centre), and SACBC and nunciature officials during their mid-year plenary session in Mariannhill. The bishops come together twice a year to discuss issues of the Church and society. Their next meeting will be in late January/early February in Pretoria.

Bishop on abuse: Repent!

STAFF REPORTER

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WO bishops called their colleagues to collective repentance over the Church’s sexual abuse scandal Bishop Duncan Tsoke, auxiliary in Johannesburg, told the mid-year plenary of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) that “the damage that the abuse has done to the Body of Christ is so deep that a mere adherence to the policies and protocols will not restore the trust in the Church”.

He said the bishops need to make visible their repentance for the failures in dealing with sexual abuse by Church personnel.

“Over and above the protocols and press statements that we make, the victims of abuse are waiting for this repentance. They are waiting for a repentance that enables us to see that healing their pain is more important that protecting the institutions in the Church,” Bishop Tsoke said.

“As bishops, if we have repentance in our hearts, we shall start to hold one another to account,” Bishop Tsoke urged.

“The crisis that we now face as a Church will lead to purification, if we open up to

this form of repentance.”

The abuse crisis was at the centre of the bishops’ plenary session in Mariannhill. Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, a pointman in the Vatican on addressing the crisis, addressed the bishops before going to South Africa’s archdioceses to share his insights.

Fr Zollner spoke to the bishops not only about safeguarding measures but also urged them to offer pastoral care to those who have been abused.

SACBC president Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha said that the ordination of priests who are guilty of the sexual abuse of minors should be automatically rendered invalid.

“If one abuses children, he is obviously defective material for the sacrament of priesthood. He cannot be acting in persona Christi when he abuses children,” said Bishop Sipuka, who in February represented the SACBC at the Summit on the Sexual Abuse of Minors in Rome, called by Pope Francis.

“So for a child abuser, it will not be a question of him being laicised, but a declaration that [they] never were priests in the first place, but sick men who were mistak-

enly ordained, and therefore incapable of sacramentally representing Christ,” he said.

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t the same time, Bishop Sipuka counselled that “we must spare a thought for those priests who are falsely accused”.

While eliminating abuse from the Church is necessary, “we can be so engrossed in protecting victims of sexual abuse to the point of neglecting falsely accused priests. They too need our compassion.”

The SACBC president also addressed the issue of sexual abuse of religious Sisters by priests, which is believed to be a crisis issue in many regions throughout the world.

While this crisis has not “significantly” affected the SACBC region, Bishop Sipuka said, the bishops are discussing the issue with the Leadership of Consecrated life in Southern Africa.

These discussions also include “the phenomenon of friendship between priests and nuns that sometimes extends to mutual sexual intimacy with no problem of conscience about being sexually active”, the bishop said.

When the nun becomes pregnant, he observed, she “has to bear the consequences

by having to quit religious life while the priest continues with his life and work as a priest”.

Bishop Sipuka also addressed the question of clericalism, noting that often lay people are also complicit in it.

Defining clericalism as the “use of clerical status or power for selfish reasons and getting away with it”, Bishop Sipuka noted suggestions that “trusting and collaborating with lay people is a solution to the problem of clericalism”.

“Yet lay people themselves also contribute to the culture of clericalism by according priests exaggerated deference and honour, which make them unable to challenge the priests and to call them to account,” he said.

He said that some cases of alleged abuse have stalled “because the parents do not want to expose the priest by allowing the case to follow the normal procedure. They prefer to settle the matter privately, or culturally.”

“It is these two attitudes that must be tackled in fighting clericalism; abuse of clerical power and unhealthy deference by lay people,” Bishop Sipuka said.

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The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

LOCAL

Church leaders told: Get out of the sacristies STAFF REPORTER

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HE president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has called on Church leaders to come out of the sacristies and be with the people who are left alone in desperate situations—not leaving it to the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) alone to articulate the concerns of the poor.

Addressing the SACBC’s midyear plenary meeting in Mariannhill, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha, said that Church leaders had “retreated to the sacristies and occasional pastoral statements” instead of being present to people who are left alone in desperate situations.

He noted the prevalence of violent protests throughout South Africa, saying that those who protest often undermine their cause and look unreasonable because they “destroy facilities they have in order to get another facility. If they want a road, they will destroy a clinic, and if they are angry against crime they burn a school”.

“Part of this violence is due, I think, to our absence as Church leaders. When people are left alone in desperate situations, they resort to emotionally desperate and destructive measures,” he said.

Bishop Sipuka said that Church leaders can play a role, as they did during the apartheid years.

As it was in the struggle against apartheid, he said, some protests which are potentially destructive can become constructive if Church leaders accompany the people to “facilitate a more constructive engagement with elected leaders”.

The SACBC president said that South Africa’s economic system “is failing to reduce poverty [and], except for the EFF, we are afraid to robustly deal with it”.

“There is a tendency to accept the system of economy as something about which nothing can be said, as something sacrosanct. This reluctance to deal with the skewed economic system manifested in the recent debates on whether the Re-

The children of St Benedict School’s preprimary in Pinetown, Durban archdiocese, marked their 100th day at school by dressing up as 100year-old people, counting out 100 cereal rings to thread and make a necklace, and making 100-day crowns.

Bishops Sithembele Sipuka and Duncan Tsoke at the mid-year plenary of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Mariannhill.

(Photos: Fr Paul Tatu CSS) serve Bank should concern itself from us a message of hope. We only with the stability of the rand should not disappoint them,” he or to also include provision for it to told his brother bishops.

“They want an assurance from play a role in development and emus, as bishops, that, although we are ployment,” Bishop Sipuka said.

“I am not clued up about the in a state of technical recession and merits or demerits of changing the political uncertainties, God has not mandate of the Reserve Bank, but abandoned us. God is walking with us as a nation, both durone thing that is clear to ing the daytime and night everyone, is that the present system of economy to ‘When people time.”

During apartheid and which the Reserve Bank is closely linked is benefit- are left alone now 25 years after the first democratic election, ting very few people and in desperate “God has been patient the majority are left out,” he said. situations, with us as a nation”, Bishop Tsoke said.

“Given the enormity He listed some of the of economic inequality in they resort to current offences against the world, and with our emotionally God committed by South country counted among those with the widest gap desperate and African society: “The sins of greed and corruption, between the rich and the poor, there should be no destructive the sins of hostility to immigrants and racism, the institution that is insumeasures’ sins of destruction of enlated from dealing with vironment and culture of this problem,” he said.

In light of the Catholic Church’s violence, the sins of lack of respect long tradition of social teachings, for life and culture of abortion, the the Church “must make a contribu- sins of materialism and worship of tion on the debates about possibili- wealth.”

But, Bishop Tsoke noted: “Alties of an economy that is though we have sometimes made inclusive,” Bishop Sipuka said.

“The concerns about the econ- efforts to self-destruct as a nation, omy cannot be allowed to be the God has not destroyed us. To echo domain of the Economic Freedom the words of Pope Francis, although we are tired of asking for God’s forFighters alone.” giveness, God is not yet tired of forishop Duncan Tsoke, auxiliary in giving us, cleansing us and healing Johannesburg, called on the us as a nation.

Church to give people hope in their “And this should be the message experience of economic hardships. of hope that we as bishops should “They are waiting to receive announce to the nation,” he said.

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Bishop backs way for spiritual youth

BY ERIN CARELSE

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ISHOP Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp has been promoting the Taizé Pilgrimage of Trust happening in Cape Town in September, as it is his wish to have “a spiritually conscious youth.”

“The Taizé Brothers have organised on a spiritual level an event that could help our youth to selfintrospect, to have a deeper connection with God, and to tap into vast spiritual exercises that could warrant a life of grace,” Bishop Phalana said.

He is aware that the youth of his diocese are exposed to much recreation and fun-filled life, yet there is a certain dimension of their being that is left with a serious emptiness: desolate, malnourished, and starving.

“This dimension of their being, the ‘spiritual aspect’, is the most fundamental part of their lives which should be fed,” Bishop Phalana told The Southern Cross. The Taizé event “is a glimmer of hope in answering the spiritual needs of the youth”.

The Cape Town Taizé Pilgrimage is expected to draw up to 5000 young adults aged 18-35. The local youth will be joined by others from Africa and abroad. They will be accommodated in parishes and local communities.

The pilgrimage, which is intended to help young people in their search for God, will encourage them to have a profound trust in themselves and in others. They will be invited to be attentive to the signs and people of hope present around them and encouraged to take up responsibilities to become bearers of peace and trust in churches and society.

“It has come to light and is more evident that the youth no longer come to church with a quest to have fun but they come because they need spiritual nourishment.

This endeavour by the Taizé Brothers is highly welcomed because it could help remedy the spiritual ailments and their side-effects suffered by our youth,” Bishop Phalana said.

“I envisage a spiritually conscious youth as a primary objective and fruit of the pilgrimage. The diocese longs for a youth who would be united more fervently by the prayerful spirit, communion in the sacramental life of the Church, and a deeper understanding of being part of the mystical body of Christ,” the bishop said.

The international Taizé Meeting will be taking place in Cape Town from September 25-29. The deadline to register is August 17. For details contact the Taizé Brothers at CapeTown@taize.fr

Anglican primate hails Ignatian exercises

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NY Christian who has done the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola “can never give up hope”, because in these exercises “we encounter the incarnational Christ”, Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba told the Jesuit Institute’s annual Ignatian Day in Johannesburg.

More that 150 people attended the day at which Archbishop Makgoba was the keynote speaker. The topic of his address was “Finding God in South Africa today”.

Archbishop Makgoba said that his experience of doing the 30-day retreat helped him realise what an “incarnation theology” really is.

“I could have read books and academic papers, but doing the Spiritual Exercises invited me to see, taste, touch and feel the Gospel, Christ, in a very real way”.

Archbishop Makgoba did the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius at the Jesuit Retreat House, St Beuno’s, in Wales.

He spoke about how, when doing the Spiritual Exercises, he was struck by the three questions which St Ignatius puts before the one doing the retreat: “What have I done for Christ? What am I doing for Christ? What will I do for Christ?” He said that these questions should

Fr Russell Pollitt SJ, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, Dr Annemarie Paulin-Campbell, Puleng Matsaneng and Rev Michelle Pillet at the annual Ignatian Day in Johannesburg.

(Photo: Ursula van Nierop) be on the heart and mind of every Christian today.

He told those gathered that it is God’s desire that all have life in abundance.

“This is what St Ignatius wants us to learn, that God desires we have life in abundance,” he said, quoting John 10:10.

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he Anglican primate of South Africa lamented that after 25 years of democracy, the country has made little progress.

“The sons and daughters of the elite have access to life in abundance, while the sons and daughters of the poor

have no access to life in abundance.”

He went on to say that state capture is still "very much with us” and that the Church should now be involved in a new struggle, “a new struggle for a new society, more equal, a society which realises the values embedded in our Constitution”.

“We need to heal the past but ensure that democratic values take root now,” he said.

Archbishop Makgoba also spent some time talking about the importance of education and his concern about the “shockingly high levels

of violence in schools”.

He called on all Christians in South Africa not to hide in churches or rituals but to be visible signs of hope in a time in which so many need hope, desperately.

“We must engage, we must be signs of hope, we must do what we can, in small ways, for in so doing we will find God in all things,” he said.

Fr Russell Pollitt, SJ, director of the Jesuit Institute, thanked Archbishop Makgoba for his “words, encouragement and sharing”, and especially for his leadership and witness.

“When we needed a religious leader to speak out, a man of faith to step up and speak truth to power, you did. Thank you for your courage on behalf of the Christian community in South Africa,” Fr Pollitt told Archbishop Makgoba.

After the keynote address participants were able to choose to do three of 14 different workshops on offer.

Workshops included topics like “Finding God online”, “Positive psychology and Ignatian Spirituality”, “Finding God in art”, Finding God in film" and “The spirituality that shaped the ecclesiology and vision of Pope Francis”.

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

LOCAL

3

J&P strikes court victory for sick gold miners

BY ERIN CARELSE

the class action attorneys is resolved.

They considered their dispute a matter that should be taken to the Constitutional Court, which meant the disputing parties would go back to court to argue their matter for possibly another ten years.

J&P intervened in the form of a mediation of disputing parties. As a result of the mediation, the parties resolved their dispute and submitted the letter to the judge as a confirmation of the resolution of their dispute.

The judges then decided to proceed with the confirmation of the compensation agreement in favour of the sick miners.

J&P is now working on justice and compensation for the sick miners in the coal-mining sector.

The test case is already in court concerning SASOL. Before the end of the year, summons will be submitted for another two or three coal mining companies.

“Since ex-miners no longer enjoy the protection of the trade unions, we have assisted the sick miners to organise themselves into social movements,” Fr Muyebe said.

“Our role has been to provide pastoral and legal accompaniment as a way to stand in solidarity with the social movements and their struggle for justice.”

In September or October, the social movements will host their mining indaba as well as demonstrations at the headquarters of various coal mining companies, “as a way to shine a light on their struggle for justice,” Fr Muyebe said.

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Bishop Frank Nubuasah of Gaborone, Archbishop Dabula Mpako of Pretoria and Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg at Mass during the mid-year plenary of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Mariannhill. (Photos: Fr Paul Tatu CSS)

Hurley, Kearney ‘reunited’ STAFF REPORTER

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RCHBISHOP Denis Hurley and his late friend and biographer Paddy Kearney are united again at a Dominican priory in England.

A new bench was dedicated to Mr Kearney beneath an oak dedicated to the late archbishop at Rosary priory in Bushey Heath, near London.

Archbishop Hurley died on February 13, 2004; Mr Kearney passed away suddenly on November 23 last year.

“After Archbishop Hurley’s funeral I brought back some acorns from South Africa and planted them” at the priory, Dominican Sister Marie-Henry Keane told The Southern Cross.

“They did not take, so I tried again with seedlings from the New Forest in England. I planted two of them in a pot. They took,” she said.

“When Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg came to visit us, he transferred the young Hurley oak.

It now stands over 9m high.”

The members of the Londonbased Denis Hurley Association then decided to dedicate a bench to Paddy Kearney and put it under the Hurley oak.

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The bench dedicated to the late Paddy Kearney before it was moved to stand beneath an oak dedicated to Archbishop Hurley.

“There they stand in memory to two magnificent, godly men,” Sr Keane said.

The plaque on the bench describes Mr Kearney as a “brave and humble man who opened doors for others; the poor, the disenfranchised, and those discriminated against in South Africa”.

nication”.

Marija Ruygrok, a spiritual director, entrepreneur and life coach, will title her talk “Leap of faith”.

Phumelele Ndumo, a successful financial advisor and author of the South African bestseller From Debt to Riches, will be speaking about “seven fears that every woman should not have about money”.

The Women’s Day event will be held on August 24 from 10:30 to 15:00 at Our Lady of Lourdes hall in Rivonia. Tickets cost R120. n To book or for more information contact Busi Mmutle on 082 777-6348 or busimay17@gmail.com.

Healing retreat in Pretoria

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PARISH in the archdiocese of Pretoria is offering a healing retreat weekend.

The retreat from August 23-25 is offered by Good Shepherd parish in Meerhof, Hartbeespoort, at the Good Shepherd Retreat Centre.

Led by Fr Colin Bowes, it will begin on Friday, August 23, at 18:00 and close in the evening of Sunday, August 25.

Accommodation is available at a discounted rate at the Good Shep-

Justice & Peace Commission coordinator Fr Stan Muyebe OP J&P made two interventions to ensure that there were no further delays.

The first was a submission to the High Court, stating it was a matter of moral and legal necessity that the court confirms the settlement agreement as a matter of urgency.

“In the ruling, the judges indicated that they had taken into consideration the submission, and at an informal level, they indicated to the lawyers that they appreciated the moral voice of the Church on this matter, which in turn influenced their positive decision,” Fr Muyebe explained.

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he second submission was while the court was considering whether or not to confirm the settlement agreement.

An organisation made a submission asking the court to disregard the settlement agreement until such a time that their dispute with

GABRIELLE PHILLIP

Women speak to women EVERAL speakers are lined up for a Women’s month event at Rivonia parish in Johannesburg on August 24.

The event, hosted as a fundraiser by the parish’s Catholic Women’s League, takes as its theme, “Women: No fear, No Favour.”

Speakers will include theologian Dr Nontando Hadebe and family activist Mahadi Buthelezi.

Dr Hadebe will speak on the theme, “Brought low yet rising: The stories of women—drawing from our own wells”. Ms Buthelezi, a Southern Cross columnist, will speak on “Marriage, Family and Commu-

HE High Court in Johannesburg made a ruling that will open up a way for thousands of sick miners to receive compensation, thanks to an intervention by the Justice & Peace Commission (J&P) of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

The ruling, which pertains to sick miners working in the gold mining sector, will see the workers receive compensation ranging from R50 000 to R500 000 over a period of 12 years. The role of J&P was to ensure that there are no further delays in the access to compensation for the miners.

In May last year, the gold mining companies and lawyers for the sick miners entered into an agreement designed to suspend court proceedings and provide a R1,5 billion settlement.

J&P director Fr Stan Muyebe OP said that if the court proceedings had continued, it could have protracted for another 15 years to the detriment of the sick miners.

“Many sick miners have died while awaiting the conclusion of the case. If the case were to continue for another 15 years, we would have had a situation in which hundreds more would have died without receiving any compensation,” he pointed out.

Although the settlement agreement was made in May 2018, there were still delays in offering compensation. By December 2018, the compensation process had not yet commenced.

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The retreat is open to Catholics and non-Catholics.

Bookings should be received by August 20.

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The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

INTERNATIONAL

Pope writes to priests: Keep strong

BY HANNAH BROCKHAUS

I

N a six-page letter to the world’s priests, Pope Francis called on the clergy to remain steadfast and prayerful during this time of purification after revelations of abuse by Church personnel, so that there may be a renewal of holiness in the priesthood.

“I am convinced that, to the extent that we remain faithful to God’s will, these present times of ecclesial purification will make us more joyful and humble, and prove, in the not distant future, very fruitful,” the pope wrote in the letter.

He said the letter is for all priests, both diocesan and religious, and he sent it “to thank you in the name of the holy and faithful People of God for all that you do for them, and to encourage you never to forget the words that the Lord spoke with great love to us on the day of our ordination. Those words are the source of our joy: ‘I no longer call you servants...I call you friends.’”

Pope Francis wrote about the pain felt by victims of sexual abuse, abuse of power, and abuse of conscience by priests, and noted that “this pain has also affected priests”.

He said that in his pastoral visits in Rome and in other meetings and personal conversations, many priests have shared their outrage at the abuses committed and their frustration that even if they have been faithful, they must confront the damage done, and “the suspicion and uncertainty to which it

The

has given rise”.

“Without denying or dismissing the harm caused by some of our brothers, it would be unfair not to express our gratitude to all those priests who faithfully and generously spend their lives in the service of others,” Pope Francis said.

“Countless priests make of their lives a work of mercy in areas or situations that are often hostile, isolated or ignored, even at the risk of their lives,” he said. “I acknowledge and appreciate your courageous and steadfast example; in these times of turbulence, shame and pain, you demonstrate that you have joyfully put your lives on the line for the sake of the Gospel.”

T

he pope reflected at length on the theme of gratitude, especially gratitude for one’s vocation.

He urged priests to remember, especially in times of trial or difficulty, the moments when they clearly heard the Lord calling them to the priesthood, and they responded ‘yes.’

“Gratitude is always a powerful weapon,” he underlined.

He expressed his gratitude for their witness of persistence and patient endurance in ministry, for celebrating the Eucharist every day, for hearing Confessions, and for proclaiming the Gospel.

“Thank you for the times when, with great emotion, you embraced sinners, healed wounds, warmed hearts and showed the tenderness and compassion of the Good Samaritan,” he said.

“How powerful is the example

Pope Francis with priests at his papal audience in Rome. In a new letter addressed to the world’s priests, the pope offers encouragement during a time of the Church’s purification. (Photo: Daniel Ibanez/CNA) of a priest who makes himself present and does not flee the wounds of his brothers and sisters,” the pope said. “It mirrors the heart of a shepherd who has developed a spiritual taste for being one with his people, a pastor who never forgets that he has come from them and that by serving them he will find and express his most pure and complete identity.”

“This in turn,” he added, “will lead to adopting a simple and austere way of life, rejecting privileges that have nothing to do with the Gospel.”

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The pope also expressed his thanksgiving for the “holiness of the faithful People of God”, saying: “Let us be grateful for each of them, and in their witness find support and encouragement.”

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ope Francis said he has the desire to comfort and encourage priests when “faced with painful experiences”.

“The mission to which we are called does not exempt us from suffering, pain and even misunderstanding,” he said. “Rather, it requires us to face them squarely

and to accept them, so that the Lord can transform them and conform us more closely to himself.”

He said one good test of a pastor’s heart is how he confronts suffering. Whether he ignores it or draws near in the wrong way, for example, viewing it in the abstract or thinking things such as “nothing can be done”.

These attitudes prevent priests from having the compassion they need to confront both their own wounds and the wounds of others, he said.

Pope Francis recalled the importance of prayer, encouraging priests to let Jesus heal and transform them through it.

“At times of uncertainty, remember those words: ‘I have prayed for you, that your faith may not fail (Lk 22:32). The Lord is the first to pray and fight for you and for me. And he invites us to enter fully into his own prayer,” he wrote.

A relationship with Jesus is of the utmost importance for a priest, he said. He also told priests to not neglect spiritual direction.

In times of weariness, or temptation to apathy or self-pity, turn to the Blessed Virgin Mary, he urged, and “take up her song of praise”.

“May we allow our gratitude to awaken praise and renewed enthusiasm for our ministry of anointing our brothers and sisters with hope,” he said. “May we be men whose lives bear witness to the compassion and mercy that Jesus alone can bestow on us.”—CNA

US bishops stress action after deadly shootings

BY CAROL ZIMMERMANN

A

FTER a succession of mass shootings this month, several US bishops expressed outrage that these tragedies continue to occur.

Some bishops kept their reaction brief, within the 280-character confines of Twitter, but others posted links to their own statements or video responses where they were able to say more; one wrote a column for his archdiocesan website about it.

Cardinal Blase Cupich of Chicago stressed the need for a commitment to stopping the violence: “Mass shootings are not an inevitability. All human beings have the right to live without violence. To behave otherwise is to advance a lie.”

The archbishop, who lives in a city that has seen its share of gun violence in recent years, emphasised that an end to tragedies such as those in Dayton and El Paso “begins with holding accountable our elected officials who have done nothing to address gun violence”.

He also said it requires holding others accountable, “including some leaders who fuel these violent acts by

dividing humanity through hateful rhetoric. This must stop—along with the silence of our elected officials who have failed to condemn hate speech, for they are the very ones who have sworn to keep our nation safe.”

Bishop John Stowe of Lexington, Kentucky, tweeted: “More senseless gun killings...more white nationalism...more disregard for the sanctity of human life. We need to create the beloved community Jesus envisions now.”

Philadelphia Archbishop Charles Chaput spoke from his own experience. In a column posted for CatholicPhilly, the news website of the archdiocese of Philadelphia, he repeated some of his remarks from his testimony 20 years ago before the US Senate about the shooting at Columbine High School in Colorado in 1999, which at the time was the worst high school shooting in US history.

In his testimony then, he said the problem of violence stems from “a culture that markets violence in dozens of different ways, seven days a week. It’s part of our social fabric”.—CNS

DRC diocese fights ebola

BY JONATHAN LUxMOORE

A

CATHOLIC diocese in the Democratic Republic of Congo has boosted measures to protect its congregations against Ebola, after the latest outbreak was declared an international emergency by the World Health Organisation.

“The Goma diocese is joining the general preoccupation with preventive precautions,” said a statement issued by Mgr Jacques Letakamba, diocesan chancellor.

“Washing will now be obligatory for all faithful before Mass, and basins must be prepared for this purpose with chlorinated water. The call to Christ’s peace by the priest during Mass will not be accompanied by the

extending of hands,” the statement said.

The measures were implemented as Rwanda closed its border with the DRC following confirmation of a second Ebola death in Goma, a city of 2 million people.

More than 1 800 people have died of Ebola in the latest outbreak, the DRC’s tenth since 1976, with a dozen new cases reported daily mostly in North Kivu province, according to WHO. Church officials in the heavily Catholic country have called for an international strategy to contain Ebola as the nation faces political instability and multiple armed conflicts.—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

SA bishop hands over reins of peace movement

BY DENNIS SADOWSKI

B

ISHOP Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg and Marie Dennis of Washington have handed over their co-presidency of Pax Christi International to a French bishop and a Kenyan Sister.

They had led the Catholic peace movement for three terms, a total of nine years.

Loreto Sister Teresia Wamuyu Wachira of Nairobi, Kenya, and Bishop Marc Stenger of Troyes, France, hope that the organisation can boost training in non-violence, especially among young people.

They see such training as necessary so that eventually dialogue and communication become the prime options to resolve differences rather than the use of hateful words, physical attacks and even warfare. “Non-violence is very, very important,� Sr Wachira said. “We have to try. It may take a long time and we may be going against the grain, but I believe we must move in the right direction.�

Both peace leaders have promoted non-violence in their ministry roles. Sr Wachira has been a teacher and principal in Loreto-run

Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg led Pax Christi International as co-president for nine years.

(Photo: Fr Paul Tatu CSS) schools in the East Africa nation, concentrating on training young women for peacemaking and reconciliation work.

She also advises her congregation’s office at the United Nations in New York on the role of peacemaking in the world’s trouble spots.

Bishop Stenger has written on non-violence and the importance of building a culture of peace in local communities for years. His involvement with the Catholic peace organ-

isation dates to 1999, when the French bishops’ conference proposed he become president of that country’s Pax Christi body.

The bishop has also addressed the precarious situation of Christians in Iraq, and after a 2002 visit to Colombia, which then was in the midst of a long-running civil war, he called on all parties to respect human rights in order to achieve peace.

The bishop expressed concern that the world’s nuclear powers are seeking to expand their nuclear weapon arsenals after decades of reductions. Plus, he said, the widening distribution of conventional arms is destabilising societies and increasing injustice in many nations, causing people to flee for safer lands.

Bishop Stenger said the Church’s worldwide presence gives it the opportunity to share new strategies to replace policies that have failed to achieve justice for all people, especially the poor and vulnerable. “To motivate people to act and advocate, we must show them the challenges of the future in a clear way and make each Catholic discover that the commitment to peace is a missionary responsibility,� he said.—CNS

No sainthood for GK Chesterton

A

CAUSE for the canonisation of the pipe-smoking, plain-talking, moustached Catholic author GK Chesterton will not be opened, announced Bishop Peter Doyle of Northampton, England, the late writer’s home diocese.

Despite Chesterton’s inspirational writings and his role in the Catholic revival in England during the early 20th century, several obstacles stand in the way of advancing the author’s cause for canonisation, Bishop Doyle said in a letter read to a GK Chesterton Society conference in the US. The three concerns cited by Bishop Doyle are that Chesterton lacks a cult of local devotion, the lack of a “pattern of personal spirituality� that could be discerned through his writing, and charges of anti-Semitism in his writing.

Author GK Chesterton’s sainthood cause will not proceed. “I am very conscious of the devotion to GK Chesterton in many parts of the world and of his inspiring influence on so many people, and this makes it difficult to communicate the conclusion to which I have come,� the bishop said.

Gilbert Keith Chesterton was born in 1874, and became a prolific writer and staunch Catholic apologist after his conversion to the faith.

He is renowned for writing apologetic classics such as Orthodoxy and The Everlasting Man, as well as for his fictional Father Brown series, among many other works. He died in 1936.

Bishop Doyle praised “Chesterton’s goodness and his ability to evangelise�, but said he could not open the cause at this time.

In an interview with the Spanish Catholic weekly Alfa y Omega, Bishop Doyle, 75 said that it is possible that his successor could re-open the cause. “And I would not want to be an obstacle to this, beyond stating the conclusions I have reached,� he said.—CNA

Capuchin Father Emiliano Antenucci presents an image of Our Lady of Silence to Pope Francis at the Vatican. (Photo: Fr Emiliano Antenucci/CNS)

Hush hour: Humble, holy, no complaints

BY CAROL GLATZ

P

OPE Francis hung a bright red sign on his home-office door two years ago that reads, “No Complaining Allowed�.

It was a succinct reminder to guests at his residence of one of his favourite invitations: drop the “sourpuss� scowl and radiate the true joy that comes from being loved by God. Near the lifts people take to reach the papal study or meeting halls, the pope also hung a copy of the icon of Our Lady of Silence— an image of Mary with her index finger poised gently in front of her closed lips. “Just think how many Marian icons he gets—and he decides to put this one there�, said Capuchin Father Emiliano Antenucci, who commissioned the icon and gave a copy to the pope.

The preferential treatment, the priest said, shows the pope’s deep understanding of the importance of holy and humble silence.

Fr Antenucci has spent the past ten years developing and offering special courses on silence, which is an important part of Christian spirituality and mental wellbeing, but, he said, is increasingly scarce in a busy, noisy, media-saturated world.

The pope’s appeal for people to

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stop, think and not “drop bombs with their tongues� reflects the Christian understanding that people are created by God in his image, Fr Antenucci said. So smearing a person’s reputation also “sullies the face of God� and makes the world a more polluted place.

Fr Antenucci explained that silence asks people to suspend their judgment and be more merciful, “because we don’t know what is going on with the other person, what wounds they carry,� and that ignorance can lead to criticism.

Silence, like words, can be weaponised, Fr Antenucci said, like the mafia’s restrictive code of omerta or the corrosive, manipulative silence among families, friends and co-workers, when needs, problems or concerns are shunned, denied or ignored.

But, Fr Antenucci said, “in a world bombarded by noise�, everyone should experience at least 30 minutes of silence each day. “It’s good for your head, clearing your mind, and purifies your heart.�

The spirituality of silence, Fr Antenucci added, can be summed up best by “a very wise girl�, appropriately named Sofia, who told her mother: ‘If Our Lady asks us to be quiet, it’s because her son has something to tell us.’�—CNS

6

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

In all things charity

C

ATHOLICS are prone to complain that they do not receive sufficient respect from those outside the Church, especially in the secular world.

One reason for secular disregard for the Church is an incomprehension of or opposition to those teachings and disciplines of the Catholic Church that run counter to the prevailing mood.

But another reason for the lack of external respect may reside in the internal deficit in respect.

The manner of discourse in the Church often is deprived of Christian love. How then can we, the Church, demand respect from non-Catholics when we can’t even tolerate one another?

We give counterwitness to Christ’s love when we denounce, deride, insult, denigrate, scorn, misrepresent, ridicule, suspect, slander, doubt, and label one another—or even tolerate such behaviour when we observe it.

The treatment which some Catholics, including priests and even the pope, are subjected to for preaching Christ’s love (or what they sincerely believe to be expressions of Christ’s love) is nasty and destructive.

It is a bitter irony that the supposed defenders of Christ so often violate the most important of his commandment: that “you love one another as I have loved you” (Jn 13:34-35). On its most basic level, the commandment mandates us to uphold the dignity of every human being.

Disagreement need not mean discord. The followers of Christ have differed over all manner of subjects, even in apostolic times.

Peter and Paul had fundamental disagreements and debated those vigorously. But in arguing their positions they did not occupy adversarial positions, or question the other’s good faith.

Paul did not present Peter with accusations of heresy. When we feel qualified to issue the very serious accusation of heresy, we ought to be very certain that we don’t issue it falsely or even loosely. If we apply that accusation falsely or loosely, we might violate the Eighth Commandment.

Catholics will always differ with one another, even at highest hierarchical levels. They will have diverging views on what our Lord expects of us, on how to interpret and apply particular theologies, doctrines and disciplines, on how to understand the Church and

the nature of its authority.

It is arrogant to believe that one’s conclusions on such matters—in as a far as they do not challenge the deposits of our faith—are invariably beyond deliberation or reform.

If there was no debate, then there would be no room for the Church to grow. It would be static and lifeless. The principle of “Ecclesia semper reformanda est” (The Church is always in need of reform”) did not perish with the last (and ongoing) renewal of the Church.

At some points in the Church’s history, reforms were seismic: The Apostles’ reception of the Gentiles; the contests with various heresies in the Early Church; the Gregorian reforms of the 11th century; the Counterreformation with the Council of Trent; the teachings and spirit of the Second Vatican Council which find such resonant expression in Pope Francis pontificate, among others.

At other times, reforms evolve as the Church reads signs of the times and adapts accordingly, where it is possible. This requires a patient and open dialogue that acknowledges the presence of the Holy Spirit in all we do.

Healthy debate, conducted in a spirit of charity and love for the faith, does not damage the Church. Rather, it helps nourish the living body of Christ.

Some of our greatest saints in their times posed uncomfortable questions of the Church. How different our Church might be if not for the questioning, in love and charity, of St Francis of Assisi?

It is not admissible to attack the good faith of fellow Catholics, regardless of the depth of disagreement.

Whether conservative or progressive (in as far as these labels are at all meaningful), Catholics have the right to appeal to the teaching authority of the Church on matters that are not essential to our faith. That in itself does not exclude them from being in good standing with the Church— whereas to claim that they are may be an act of error itself.

Catholic discourse must be governed by the dictum often misattributed to St Augustine of Hippo but quoted approvingly by Pope John XXIII in his first encyclical, Ad Petri cathedram (1959): “In essentials, unity; in non-essentials, liberty; in all things, charity.”

Inspired by Fr Ralph de Hahn I WAS deeply inspired by Fr Ralph de Hahn reflection “Why Sacred Heart of Jesus” (June 19)—so much so that I keep the article next to my bed, leaning on my Sacred Heart of Jesus card.

Fr de Hahn gives specific reasons why the Sacred Heart of Jesus matters and I find the details awesome.

He has been writing in The Southern Cross since he was 19 years old—which means, for 71 years. (Not bad Father. Keep your head down and don’t go for the boundaries!_ He would write at Christmas time, Holy Week, Pentecost, the Ascension.

Fr Ralph and my late brother, Fr Norman Maroun (1932-76), were great friends. Fr Norman used to pray: “I unite myself with the intercessions and afflictions of Our

Lady of Sorrows on Calvary”.

So I was most inspired by Fr De Hahn’s article during Holy Week (April 10), “What Mary pondered at the Cross”. I always try to meditate as Mary stood at the foot of the Cross (Stabat Mater). Fr de Hahn says: “She will have thought how the prophecies of Scripture led up to this moment.”

Simeon told the young mother: “A sword will pierce your soul.”

Mary treasured these things and pondered them in her heart.

But Mary also treasured the joyful memories, the call to Bethlehem (Micah 5:2). The visit by the shepherds who spoke of the angels’ message. Yes the prophets spoke of the great Shepherd (Is 40:11, Ps 23).

Her Son was to face rejection and humiliation as the Prophet Isaiah predicted.

F

quire the judgment of Dr Goossens.

God’s mercy and compassion is a gift to mankind and therefore all discerning Christians are obligated and expected to love and support each other and not only those of our fallible and prejudicial choosing.

Tony Meehan, Cape Town

Who are we to judge others?

ATHER Russell Pollitt SJ in his letter “Debate merits of book: don’t trash” took J H Goossens to task for his condemnation of Fr James Martin’s book Building a Bridge (July 10).

In his reply, “Don’t confirm homosexuality” (July 24), Dr Goossens chose to continue to condemn, using rather strange pronouncements. He concluded that all homosexuals are going to hell as an “eternal consequence” of their “lifestyle”.

Further to this, he implicates Pope Francis who, he claims, questions “the traditional view of hell” and therefore makes life “a lot less worrisome” for gay people.

Pope Francis is quite clear about his stance on the subject: “Who am I to judge?”

Selectively quoting scripture may not always be wise as there is the danger of making subjective judgments. On the other hand, we can remember that Jesus asked who was prepared to throw the first stone, or how about taking the plank out of one’s eye before magnifying the speck in your neighbour’s?

Holy Scripture is a guide for us to achieve heaven and should not be used as a tool to send others to hell. Rather try to love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength and all your mind.

Added to this, we are commanded to love our white, black, female, male, lesbian, gay, heterosexual neighbour as ourselves.

There is no choice in the matter.

Gay people do not seek the approval of anyone nor do they re-

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Homosexuals are made by God

I

AM moved to express my sadness at J H Goossens’ incredible ignorance regarding homosexuality.

Anyone who still believes that there is such a thing as "sexual preference" is absolutely a lost cause in trying to achieve a world free of disgusting prejudice.

Without going into too much detail, because the scientific facts are available to anyone who is sincere enough to find them, gay people are born gay, there is absolutely no such thing as "choosing to be gay".

So the problem we—not only us Catholics but most if not all Christian-based religions—face is the acceptance in our belief that "God creates people" but not accepting that "God creates gay people".

Neil Cochran, Johannesburg Opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in Letters to the Editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in particular is a forum in which readers may exchange opinions on matters of debate. Letters must not be understood to necessarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or policies of the Church accurately.

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

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Fr Ralph de Hahn, seen on the right as a young man before his ordination in 1957.

The prophecies of old had come to pass; all is now accomplished in her Son, the unblemished Lamb of God. Ron Maroun, Johannesburg n Fr de Hahn’s articles are indeed very popular. You will be pleased to learn that next week’s edition will include an article by Fr de Hahn on the women in the Gospel of Luke.—Editor

Prove claim of Fr Martin’s dissent

Y

OUR correspondent JH Goossens (July 24) seems to have an unhealthy obsession with homosexuality, as his many letters on the subject demonstrate.

It is true that the catechism forbids the homosexual act, but the same rule also applies such prohibition to adultery or masturbation.

Maybe I missed Dr Goossens’ letters on these topics, but I don’t see similar protests against adultery or masturbation from the Catholic campaigners against homosexuality.

Do these people not notice their hypocrisy, or do they think they are safe in attacking homosexuality only because they aren’t themselves gay?

Dr Goossens makes no distinction between gays who try to be faithful to the teachings of the Church and those who are not able or willing to be celibate.

JH Goossens could present himself better as a true Christian if he were to address homosexuals with dignity and compassion, as Fr James Martin SJ does.

Dr Goossens still hasn’t shown how Fr Martin dissents from the teachings of the Church, as challenged by Fr Russell Pollitt (July 10). I doubt he has even read Fr Martin’s book, Building a Bridge.

The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches: “[Homosexuals] must be accepted with respect, compassion, and sensitivity. Every sign of unjust discrimination in their regard should be avoided.”

Instead, you constantly publish his hateful tirades. Does it have to be that way?

Paul Collins, Johannesburg

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PERSPECTIVES

As we celebrate 25 years of marriage Rob & Mahadi O Buthelezi N July 27 we celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with family and friends at The Bridge wedding venue in Johannesburg.

It was a great day to recall where we started, and also to renew our commitment and wedding vows to each other.

We look forward, God willing, to renewing our vows again in Cana on a special couples’ pilgrimage to the Holy Land next February, in the place where Jesus started to transform not just a wedding feast but the world.

Present on our 25th anniversary celebration were some of the guests who were also present on our wedding day in 1994.

We are honoured and privileged to be in a position to celebrate 25 years of marriage. It does feel like a lifetime.

We live in a world in which marriage is slowly becoming extinct. Mainstream society no longer appreciates the values of a good marriage, and good family values.

We see an increasingly individualistic society in which self-absorbed people are occupied mostly with their own rights and look out only for their own needs. We live in an era of self-importance which downgrades the needs of the community at large.

At our anniversary event, we were by no means parading a perfect marriage. But we were celebrating the grace and the love of God in our lives, which has helped us along the very difficult and sometimes seemingly almost impossible journey of our marriage.

We have learnt throughout our nuptial journey that it takes a village to help a marriage on its course—a village of loving and supportive people.

Maintaining a marriage is a difficult thing these days purely because of the social environment that we live in, which by its nature is hostile towards marriage.

We face a great challenge as well in trying to lead by example, especially because of our involvement in the family ministry of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

We are not the perfect couple which some might expect us to be. We are human beings; we make mistakes. Sometimes we even forget the conflict-resolution techniques which we teach other couples.

O

n our journey of the past 25 years we have lost family members and friends, and we have also gained new family members and friends. We have en-

Rob and Mahadi Buthelezi on their wedding day in 1994, with the late Archbishop Peter Butelezi OMI of Bloemfontein (right) and Mr J F Buthelezi.

Couples to Couples

dured pain and suffering, but also have found great joy in our lives and amazing grace and love. We can say that we’ve made it so far with lots of prayer and the support of others.

And we had a good grounding in that.

We started our marital journey with the pre-marriage class given by the late Mr Kunene and his wife Gemma.

Today we give a similar class to the couples whom we prepare for marriage. We share with them some of our own life experiences—it adds some flavour and a personal touch.

We were never alone in our journey and we are very grateful for all the experiences, good and bad, that have helped us grow in our marriage.

And we are grateful to the people who helped form us as a couple.

Special thanks are due to our parents and grandparents who raised us with strong family values and who guided us through the early stages of our marriage.

We are also very grateful to our late parish priest, Fr Michael Fitzpatrick, for his support and prayers when we faced the worst times in our marriage.

Marriage is not, as the popular wisdom rightly notes, a bed of roses—but it is the most beautiful, most challenging, and most rewarding experience of God’s love and presence on earth in our lives.

Get the story from the homeless T Raymond Perrier HE Denis Hurley Centre in Durban recently launched a campaign with the web-based news site Daily Maverick to invite South Africans to look into the eyes of homeless people and get to know their stories.

Our inspiration from this comes straight from the Gospels.

Time and again, the inspiring but unconventional itinerant preacher, Jesus of Nazareth, goes out of his way to engage with people who were marginalised by his society: women, prostitutes, tax-collectors, people with disabilities, foreigners.

He notices them, he stops, he talks to them, he hears their story and they go away transformed. In some cases—but strangely not all—he even calls them out by name: Levi, Zacchaeus, Bartimaeus.

In these encounters Jesus reminds us of a basic tenet of our faith: that we are all made in the image and likeness of God. It is the Judaeo-Christian definition of what it is to be human—regardless of our gender, the colour of our skin, our age, our abilities or disabilities, our nationality, our faith, our sexual behaviour.

Each one of us is a manifestation of Godon-earth and so each one deserving of equal respect.

When those around him—including political and religious leaders—have demoted some people to second-class citizens, or do not even see them at all, Jesus reminds his society and the individuals themselves that each of us is made in God’s likeness.

The homeless are just one group in our society who need this transformative Christian touch.

Media coverage of homeless people usually focuses on them as perpetrators of violence, of theft or of abuse. At best the media try to be sympathetic and show them as victims—of violence, of theft and of abuse.

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Faith and Society

Bongani, a homeless man, is pictured outside Durban’s city hall. His photo and story are part of a social media exhibit which invites people “to look into the eyes of homeless people and get to know their stories”. (Photo: Obakeng Molepe) Indeed, a few are perpetrators, and many more are victims. But that is only part of the story. Those of us around the country who work with the homeless know a different kind of narrative.

We encounter women and men who— despite all they have suffered—are not victims but agents. They are people who are able to transform their lives and transform the lives of others.

To begin with that, they might need some help which they receive from faithbased organisations, NGOs, ordinary citizens and occasionally government officials. But we only provide the catalyst—these men and women do the hard work for themselves.

T

he Denis Hurley Centre (which—full disclosure—I serve as its director) created a photo-essay to introduce you to some of these characters so you can look into the face of the homeless of South Africa.

There are maybe 10 000-plus homeless in each of our major cities, not forgetting

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.

those in smaller towns. Each of them has a face, and a name, and a story.

These are not the hooded shadowy figures that usually illustrate stories of homelessness. These are not the blurredout faces we sometimes see in exposé videos. They are not the “invisible men” we drive past at robots whose gaze we try to avoid as they beg for our help.

We hope that people (with homes) will look into these eyes of these people (without homes). Let them open their souls to you.

An inspiring young Johannesburg photographer, Obakeng Molepe, and an insightful copywriter, Sithembiso Shoba, have collected these words and images from the streets of Durban. But I know, from the meetings of the national network of Street Homeless Organisations, that similar stories are repeated across the country.

We invite readers to enter into their world and their words and be moved by what you see and read.

It is too easy to dismiss the homeless— they are seen as litter to be cleansed from our streets, “paras” to be dealt with by the authorities, beggars who should be satisfied with the coins we toss, druggies to be pitied or cursed.

This photo essay does not ask for your pity; it asks for your attention and your understanding.

Homeless 101 is a project in which we are inviting people to stop and learn about this social issue. The number “101” commonly describes the starting point for learning.

Continued on page 11

Couples’ St Valentine Holy Land Pilgrimage Join Rob & Mahadi Buthelezi on a special Couples’ Pilgrimage to the Holy Land led by Fr Bongani Sithole. With Wedding Vows Renewal at Cana!

13 to 22 February 2020

For more information please contact Gail info@fowlertours.co.za or 076 352-3809 www.fowlertours.co.za/couples

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

7

Cackie Upchurch

Lessons From Luke

Jesus reveals our generous God

T

HE question at the heart of the Gospel is this: “Who do you say that I am?” It is the question Jesus asks each of us, just as he asked his first followers (Mt 16:13-20; Mk 8:2730; Lk 9:18-21).

Each evangelist tried in some way to answer the question of Jesus’ identity personally, and for the community he was originally addressing.

They had all experienced the same man, heard the same teaching, accompanied him in the same series of events, and yet each evangelist offered something slightly unique. It is as when a sculpture is unveiled and each viewer appreciates some aspect of that piece in a particular way. The sculpture is the same; the impact is unique.

Readers often describe Matthew’s Jesus as the great teacher and fulfilment of expectations; Mark’s as the suffering Messiah; and John’s as the divine Son of God. These portrayals may be somewhat oversimplified but they do acknowledge the varieties in emphasis.

What do we notice about Luke’s portrayal of Jesus? Who does Luke say that Jesus is? And how does Luke reveal it?

When reading the third Gospel, and hearing it proclaimed, as we are during this liturgical year, we can appreciate the image of Jesus that emerges: Saviour of the world and compassionate healer.

These descriptions have something in common—generosity. The generosity of Jesus, his graciousness in extending himself to others, and even giving his very self, shines through the Gospel of Luke.

Mary’s prayer or canticle while she was pregnant with Jesus, the Magnificat (Lk 1), extols God’s care for those who have no voice.

Jesus’ own adult ministry is launched with similar language in his proclamation of the words of Isaiah in his hometown synagogue in Nazareth (Lk 4). There he proclaims that in him, the time is fulfilled to bring glad tidings to the poor, liberty to captives, sight to the blind, and freedom to the oppressed.

T

hese two pieces set the tone of Jesus’ mission to those on the margins of society.

Jesus embraces and heals all kinds of people whose conditions classified them as “unclean”, setting them outside the warm relationships of the community.

He heals lepers and paralytics (5:12-14; 17-1724), expels demons from those tormented by evil (6:18; 9:37-43), pardons a woman whose sinful reputation is known by all (7:36-50), cures a woman who has haemorrhaged for years, and brings life to a child reported to be dead (8:40456), heals a man suffering from dropsy (14:1-4), and restores sight to the blind (18:35-43).

When he teaches, his parables also emphasise his generosity. His stories reveal that his mission is for those on the margins, those who are lost or have been ignored.

We see this in chapter 15 with the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son. We have a sense of this broader kind of inclusion in the parable of the feast that brought in people who were cripples, blind and lame (14:15-24).

Jesus draws children to himself, and uses them to teach about the attitude required for those bound for God’s kingdom (18:15-17).

In the Gospel of Luke, written some 40 or so years after the Resurrection, we see a portrait of Jesus as one who calls all people into an experience of God’s kingdom. He works wonders for those outside the community of Judaism, or held in low esteem—healing the slave of a Roman centurion (7:1-10), dining with tax collectors such as Zacchaeus (19:1-10).

If we continue reading Luke’s second volume, the Acts of the Apostles, we discover that indeed the Gospel is proclaimed not just in the land of Israel, but to the “ends of the earth”. The followers of Jesus scatter throughout the region around the Mediterranean Sea, proclaiming God’s generous love, establishing communities of believers, and ultimately welcoming Gentiles (non-Jews) into the believing community.

For those in Luke’s community, the original hearers of his Gospel, Jesus sets out to gather a people, and they are the beneficiaries of his mercy and healing.

They know that his sacrifice in life and in death opens the doors to a faith that is not defined by race, ethnicity, or culture.

They experience Jesus as Saviour of the world, and their witness invites us to do the same. n This is the fifth in a ten-part series of articles on the Gospel of Luke produced by Little Rock Scripture Study and first published in the Arkansas Catholic.

8

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

Grade 00 and 0 girls at St Teresa’s Junior Primary School in Craighall Park, Johannesburg, joined in their Sports Day with various obstacle courses which included locomotion, ball skills and balancing. They were cheered on by their families and the Grade 3s.

COMMUNITY

Pupils at Brescia House School in Bryanston, Johannesburg, including Tinashe Kabasa (left) and Gabriella Carliell, collected hundreds of knitted and crocheted items for orphaned children and the elderly as part of Mandela Day. The school hosted a “Knit-Along Tea” for learners, parents, grandparents and residents from Nazareth House.

The feast of Our Lady of Mount Carmel was celebrated at Benoni, Gauteng, with a congregation drawn from local parishes together with all six Carmelite priests serving in South Africa. At the feast Mass, nine members made their temporary promises as secular members of the Discalced Carmelite Order, the first batch of seculars for this area. Brown scapulars were also blessed and distributed during the celebrations.

Holy Family College in Glenmore, Durban, celebrated Mandela Day in several ways, including treating maintenance staff and hosting Mary Asher and Nazareth House old age home residents. Pupils also made hampers for staff. Grade 12s are pictured presenting reprographics official Carol Johnson with her gift.

Pilgrims of St Martin de Porres parish in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town, at the chapel on the Rock at Ngome Marian shrine in Eshowe diocese, KwaZulu-Natal. The pilgrimage’s spiritual director was Deacon Arthur Arries. (Submitted by Martin Keith Julie)

CBC St John’s Parklands in Cape Town celebrated Mandela Day with several service initiatives, including a tea for the elderly, a Rise Against Hunger campaign, and painting walls at the Out of Africa children’s centre.

Among the events students at Marist Brothers Linmeyer in Oakdene, Johannesburg, engaged in on Mandela Day was preparing sandwiches for the local community.

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August 7 to August 13, 2019

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No 5147

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Priest to Jo’burg mayor: Start to clean up mess

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What it means to have freedom

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Why we can be proud to be Catholic

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Church reaction to amended polygamy law

BY ERIN CARELSE

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HILE the Church does not accept polygamous marriages, it does recognise the dignity of the first wife as a customar y union which still has to be blessed sacramentally, according to the coordinator of the bishops’ Family Life Desk.

Cabinet has passed a new Bill that provides the equal treatment of women in customar y marriages in South Africa.

The amendments to the Recognition of Customar y Marriages Act will eliminate gender-based discrimination in proprietary rights for polygamous marriages entered into before the commencement of the act in 1998.

Fr Sakhi Mofokeng, coor din ating secre tar y for the Family Life Desk of the Southern African Catholics Bishops’ Conference noted th a t th e re a r e c as e s o f C a th o li c s i n c u s t o m ar y unions.

There are several older Catholic women in customar y unions who desire to join sodalities, Fr Mofokeng said. When they are requested to bring their marriage certificate, “you hear stories”.

“Older men don’t want to have their marriages blessed, saying they can be married twice. It is only when the priest visits and discusses with the husband, that some will agree after [getting] clarity,” he explained.

In South Africa, a customar y marriage is understood as being entered into under the traditions and customs of indigenous African customary law. Certain requirements must be complied with to conclude a valid customar y marriage.

While a civil marriage is seen as a marriage concluded between two parties, and must be monogamous to be valid, customar y marriages differ, as polygamy is permissible.

Fr Mofokeng said he finds it difficult to understand that some cultures are continuing with polygamist marriages.

“Wo omen who are in this situation have no freedom from the onset. Some are forced [into such marriages], some continue their forefathers’ tradition, some are married for childbearing, and so on. These women have

limited rights in a male dominated situation.”

Fr Mofokeng added: “In my experience, some men are not showing that they are polygamists before they marr y the first wife; it is only after that they will express it.”

He noted that after the lobola, “women are still regarded as minors, leaving the “protection” of their father to be under their husbands.”

Political analyst Mike Pothier, senior researcher for the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO), said that the amendment is a necessar y and important step in an attempt to ensure that women in such marriages are not disadvantaged in terms of their right over the estate of a deceased husband.

“The Church doesn’t approve polygamous marriage, but people do enter into it,” he said.

“Regardless of what the Church may or may not see, the reality is Catholics are contracting second and third customar y marriages,” Mr Pothier noted.

The most common such situation may be “where a man and woman get married in the Church, and she might be Catholic—but th en t he h us ba n d go e s of f an d ta ke s a s e c ond or a third wife, without consulting” the first wife.

Mr Pothier explained that the customar y system was reformed in 1998 to protect the rights of the wives, but those who had been married before 1998 were still potentially left at a disadvantage.

“This amendment is just about extending the protections to marriages from before 1998. All customar y marriages will now have provisions that mean quite simply that the husband no longer has controlling right over the property belonging to marriage,” he said.

“Certainly, the Church would support the notion that all the spouses concerned have an equal right to make decisions over the property aspects and ever ything to do with the marriage—but the stipulations that the Church has around what constitutes a valid marriage will not be affected by this legislation,” Mr Pothier said.

A r c h b i s h o p P e t e r We l l s , t h e p a p a l n u n c i o i n S o u t h A f r i c a , w i t h c l e r g y a n d s e r v e r s a t t h e b l e s s i n g o f t h e n e w c h u r c h o f S t A n n e ’s a t M a t a ff i n i n N e l s p r u i t . ( P h o t o : G u g u M s i a n g o )

Surprise visit from the pope

BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES

A

N elderly religious sister who worked for many years at the Domus Sanctae Marthae, the papal residence, was at her congregation’s house recovering from surger y when she received an unexpected visit—from Pope Francis.

The pope arrived at Rome’s Regina Mundi House and greeted Sr Maria Mucci, a member of the Daughters of Charity of St Vincent de Paul, as well as members of her congregation.

Since October, Sr Mucci has been recovering from a delicate surgical procedure. Nevertheless, the elderly nun was in good spirits, especially after the pope’s visit.

“Just look! My illness has made all the sisters of the Regina Mundi House who met the pope happy,” she told L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper.

In an inter view with the newspaper, Sr Stefania, a fellow Daughter of Charity, said that Sr Mucci took great pride in her work attending to the needs of the pope at the Domus Sanctae Marthae.

Before her surgery, Sr Mucci “took care of the kitchen and was proud of personally

preparing vegetables for the Holy Father”, Sr Stefania said.

The pope spent some moments contemplating a relic belonging to his p r e d e c e s s o r, John Paul II. The relic was the bloodstained shirt worn by St Jo h n P a u l d uri n g Pope Francis blesses Sr the assassination Maria Mucci on her attempt May 13, s i c k b e d a s h e p a i d h e r a 1981.

Gemelli Hossurprise visit. (Photo: pital, where he Va ti c a n N e w s) received treatment after the assassination attempt, gifted the shirt to the Regina Mundi House for the Jubilee Year in 2000.

Pope Francis also took time to greet the other members of the Daughters of Charity, as well as employees and guests staying at the congregation’s house.—CNS

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The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

FAITH

9

How to make things right with Mary The Church has dedicated the month of August 2019 to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. Prof MICHAEL OGUNU suggests various ways in which to make the devotion meaningful.

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MAJOR theme in the message of Our Lady of Fatima is the notion of making “reparation” to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Reparation can be defined as making amends for damage done to another. To make reparation, according to the common meaning of the word, is to compensate for a wrong, an injustice, or suffering caused to someone, whether through one’s own fault or through the fault of another—or even through the fault of no one at all.

Reparation is a theological concept closely connected with those of atonement and satisfaction, and thus belongs to some of the deepest mysteries of the Christian faith.

It is the teaching of that faith that the human is a creature who has fallen from an original state of justice in which he was created, and that through the incarnation, passion and death of the Son of God, man has been redeemed and restored again, in a certain degree, to the original condition.

Although God might have condoned men’s offences gratuitously if he had chosen to do so, in his providence he did not do this; he judged it better to demand satisfaction for the injuries which man had done him. It is better for man’s education that his wrong-doings should entail the necessity of making satisfaction.

This satisfaction has made the sufferings, passion and death of Jesus Christ, made man for us. By voluntary submission to his passion and death on the cross, Jesus Christ atoned for our disobedience and sin.

We are restored to grace through the merits of Christ’s death, and that grace enables us to add our prayers, labours, and trials to those of Our Lord “and fill up those things that are wanting of the sufferings of Christ” (Col 1:24).

We can thus make some sort of reparation to the justice of God for our own offences against him, and by virtue of the Communion of the Saints, the oneness and solidarity of the mystical Body of Christ, we can

also make satisfaction and reparation for the sins of others.

Why reparation to Mary?

Why reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary? What have we done against her? How do our sins have any connection with Mary?

Reparation is made to the Immaculate Heart of Mary because of her participation in the mystery of redemption.

She participated in the act of buying the world back for God because she is the mother of the Redeemer; she prepared the Redeemer for his mission, and she united herself spiritually with the Redeemer in his act of expiation.

Consequently whatever affected her son affected Mary. All that Christ suffered, Mary felt in her heart.

Starting from the day of his birth, when he felt the chill of the cave on his tender skin, until the day that the same skin was stretched out on the cross, Mary endured with her son the cost of redemption.

Mary shared in her son’s dolorous passion. The words of the famous Lenten hymn, the “Stabat Mater” (At the Cross Her Station Keeping), sung during the Stations of the Cross, are a poignant reminder of Our Lady’s share in her son’s passion.

Every sin, mortal or venial, hampers the effects of the redemptive merits of Christ. In other words, it frustrates the divine plan of redemption in so far as those acts of sin are concerned. And just as the Sacred Heart of Jesus is injured by such offences of man, so, too, is the heart of Mary.

Besides suffering from every offence against God of whatever kind,

Immaculate Heart of Mary is depicted in the chapel church of the Carmelite convent of St Teresa in Coimbra, Portugal, where Fatima visionary Sr Lucia dos Santos lived most of her life. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher) Mary is the object of certain offences: committed directly against herself.

Among the horrendous offences committed against her are: blasphemy against her Immaculate Conception (some deny that she was conceived without original sin and say that there is nothing special about her), blasphemy against her virginity and refusal to acknowledge her divine maternity.

Other sins against the Immaculate Heart of Mary include instilling into the hearts of children indifference, scorn and even hatred against

Mary, and profaning her revered images.

How to make reparation How do we make reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary?

We can make reparation by doing the following things, among others, with the specific intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart.

• Offer Holy Mass in reparation for sins committed against the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

• Daily recitation of the Rosary

The Immaculate Heart of Mary in brief

T

HE Immaculate Heart of Mary refers to the interior life of the Blessed Virgin Mary—her joys and sorrows, her virtues and hidden perfections, and, above all, her virginal love for God the Father, her maternal love for her son Jesus, and her compassionate love for all people.

In devotional art, the Immaculate Heart of Mary is traditionally depicted pierced with seven wounds or swords, in homage to the seven sorrows of Mary. Roses or other types of flowers may be wrapped around the heart.

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While the Sacred Heart of Jesus is directed especially to the “divine heart” as overflowing with love for humanity, in the devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the focus is on the love of her heart for Jesus and for God. But it is no accident that the Miraculous Medal features both, the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

The aim of the Marian devotion is to unite humankind to God through Mary’s heart, and this process involves the ideas of consecration and reparation. The object of the devotion being to

love God and Jesus better by uniting one’s self to Mary for this purpose and by imitating her virtues.

The Immaculate Heart of Mary has scriptural foundation: In chapter 2 of his Gospel, Luke says twice that Mary kept all things in her heart, that there she might ponder over them., and recounts the prophecy of Simeon that her heart would be pierced with a sword (hence the pierced heart in devotional art).

John’s Gospel draws attention to Mary’s heart with its depiction of the Blessed Virgin at the foot of the cross at Jesus’ crucifixion.

for the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

• Saying the Prayers (Acts) of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary contained in Catholic prayer books.

• Almsgiving.

• Performing acts of penance and mortification; that is, denying ourselves of some lawful pleasures.

• Fasting and abstinence, especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays (some do so on bread and water).

• Practising the Five First Saturdays Devotion of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

This consists of going to confession, receiving Holy Communion (in a state of grace), praying the five decades of the Rosary and keeping Our Lady company for 15 minutes meditating on the mysteries of the Rosary, all with the intention of making reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary on the First Saturdays of five consecutive months.

• Faithful fulfilment of our daily duties as required by our state of life.

• Imitating the Blessed Virgin Mary by practising her virtues which include humility, purity, obedience (submission to God’s will in all things), charity and prayerfulness.

• Placing a picture or statue of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in a special place of honour in our homes or community and consecrating ourselves and our families/members of our community to her Immaculate Heart.

Message from Our Lady In the second apparition to the three shepherd children of Fatima— Lucia, Francisco and Jacinta—the Mother of God herself told Lucia: “Jesus wishes to make use of you to make me known and loved. He wishes to establish in the world devotion to my Immaculate Heart. To those who embrace it, I promise salvation. And these souls will be beloved by God like flowers placed by me to adorn his throne.”

Like Sr Lucia, let us practise and promote devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary through acts of reparation and consecration to the Immaculate Heart. n Prof Michael Ogunu is the president of the executive board of the World Apostolate of Fatima for Africa and coordinator of the Fatima Apostolate in Africa. He is also the author of the book Devotion to the Immaculate Heart of Mary: Practices and Prayers, published in 2018. To order go to www.bit.ly/2LW0UOn

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10

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

BIBLE

Why we need the Word of God August 25 will be Bible Sunday. To help us prepare, BR MIKE CHALMERS CF looks at how Scripture and the Eucharist work together to lead us to Christ.

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HAT better way can we prepare for receiving Christ in the Eucharist than to meet him in prayerful reflection on the Word of God: Scripture?

The Second Vatican Council tells us: “The Church has always venerated the divine Scriptures just as she venerated the body of the Lord, since from the table of both the Word of God and of the Body Christ she unceasingly receives and offers the faithful the bread of life, especially in the sacred liturgy” (Verbum Dei, 21).

We are called to contemplate Christ with a gaze fixed, more than ever, on the face of the Lord. But where does one concretely contemplate the face of Christ?

Christ is truly present in his Word and in the sacraments, especially in the Eucharist. Recognising him requires a gaze of faith which is acquired through the habitual reading of the Word of God. St John Paul II reminds us that living spiritually means first of all starting afresh from the person of Christ, true God and true man, present in his Word, “the first source of all spirituality.”

Holiness is inconceivable without a renewed listening to the Word of God. In his 2001 apostolic letter At the Beginning of the New Millen-

nium, John Paul II wrote: “It is especially necessary that listening to the Word of God should become a lifegiving encounter..which draws from the biblical text the living Word which questions, directs and shapes our lives.”

spoke through the prophets and the Apostles.

• God speaks to us in the events of our lives “in the ebb and flow of human interaction God truly speaks to us through others.”

The Word of God sheds light on our lives. The events of our lives throw light on the Word of God. • We find the Word of God reflected in Creation.

The link in Mass There can be no mistaking the essential link between the liturgies of the Word and the Eucharist. How fitting it is that we should be invited to celebrate these two extraordinary gifts we have received.

It is Christ himself who speaks when the Holy Scriptures are read in the Church.

It is not enough that the biblical passages are read in the vernacular, if they are not also proclaimed with care, preparation, devout attention and meditative silence that enable the Word of God to touch people’s minds and hearts.

The disciples recognise Jesus in the sign of breaking of bread. They recognise Jesus in the sign because he first enlightens their minds and enkindles their hearts, through explaining the Scriptures to them.

The Emmaus story shows us how to open up the rich mystery of the Eucharist—the importance of going to the Scriptures in a deeper way.

This year the archdiocese of Johannesburg will hold a synod. At the previous synod, in 2008, it was the youth who clearly asked for: • To enter into a deeper “personal relationship with Christ”; • To have a life-giving “encounter with Christ”; through the Word.

Five ways of the Word In his 2010 apostolic exhortation

Let Scripture speak

Verbum Domini, Pope Benedict XVI tells us that the Word of God comes to us in five different ways: Jesus, the Eucharist, Scripture, Creation and the “events of our lives”.

• When we meet Christ in the Word, Pope Benedict wrote, “we spend time with Jesus as with a friend”. Jesus Christ is truly the Word of God. • When we meet Christ in the Eucharist, “it is primarily in the Eucharist that we celebrate the presence and action of God in our lives.”

Christ himself is present in his Word, since it is he who speaks when Scripture is read in Church.

• When we go to the Scriptures in prayerful reflection, “we need time each day for personal prayer and pondering the Word of God in the Scriptures”.

The Word of God, divinely inspired, is Sacred Scripture. God

It is time now to let the scriptures speak to us. Remember that this should be a life-giving encounter with Jesus—the Word.

In the Gospel of Matthew we read: “When the Pharisees heard that he had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together, and one of them (a scholar of the law) tested him by asking, ‘Teacher, which commandment in the law is the greatest?’ He said to him, “You shall love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. The second is like it: You shall love your neighbour as yourself. The whole law and the prophets depend on these two commandments” (22:34-40).

The Law refers to the first five books of the Bible. We call them the Pentateuch. Jesus would have known them as the Law. The second part of the Hebrew Scriptures was the books of the prophets.

Many think that Jesus introduced something quite new in this teaching. He is quoting from the Hebrew Scriptures in both instances.

“You shall love the Lord, your

God, with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your strength” (Deut 6:5).

“You shall love your neighbour as yourself. I am the Lord” (Lev 19:18) The importance of “you” is emphasised. This is a two-way process.

Neighbour and self can be interchanged, just as God and neighbour can be substituted.

In Isaiah 61:1-2 we are taught how to put these commandments into practice.

“The spirit of the Lord God is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; he has sent me to bring glad tidings to the afflicted, to heal the broken-hearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to announce a year of favour from the Lord and a day of vindication by our God, to comfort all who mourn.”

You will find Isaiah 61:1-2 is used in Luke 4:18 when Jesus describes his life work.

Matthew sums up the teaching of the Law and the Prophets: “Do to others whatever you would have them do to you. This is the Law and the Prophets” (7:12).

Having spent time with the above mentioned passage, Matthew 22:34-40, read it once more, being aware of the many ways in which it touches you.

Once you become aware of God’s touch remain with that thought.

Enter into prayer using the words of Scripture.

Lord, I long to be good news to others. Set me free from the things that imprison me that I, in my turn, will set others free. n Br Mike Chalmers CF is the director of the Catholic Bible Foundation.

The Southern Cross, August 14 to August 20, 2019

Dr Rosemary Orpen

E

DUCATOR Dr Rosemary Orpen of Bethlehem, Free State, died suddenly on July 24 at the age of 86.

Southern Cross readers will be familiar with the colourful photos of the Nativity Plays of Leratong Pre-Primary School which she submitted annually for many years.

Dr Orpen was born an only child on September 6, 1932 in then-Rhodesia while her parents were there temporarily. When she was a year old when the family returned to Cape Town where she grew up, later graduating from the University of Cape Town.

One year, while travelling on a holiday to Durban, the family stopped at Matjesvlei, Bethlehem. On the spur of the moment, Rosemary penned a letter to the principal of Bethlehem School asking for a job. This resulted in her being given a post at Truida Kestell Primary School in Bethlehem, teaching Standards 4 & 5.

Rosemary later recalled that she managed to learn Afrikaans in three months.

For her, teaching was more than a job: it was a life-long vocation.

She was at Truida Kestell for two years, and then held various teaching posts in Kroonstad, Cape Town and Vanderbyl Park, as well as in England and Ireland.

Her English and Irish experience gave her the necessary background for her diploma in education with a thesis comparing the primary education systems of the Britain, Ireland and South Africa.

On her return to South Africa, Rosemary was appointed principal of the Modderpoort Primary School in the eastern Free State.

When she started in 1972, the school was on the point of being closed, as there were only eight

The late Dr Rosemary Orpen with Fr George Wagner. pupils; when she retired in 1996 the enrolment was 171.

Upon reaching retirement age, she returned to Bethlehem and asked Fr George Wagner to suggest somewhere where she could still be of use. He recommended that she join the teaching staff at Glen Ash Secondary School, and for the next 12 years, without any remuneration, she taught English to various classes, as well as being involved in cultural activities.

Her annual Christmas plays are well remembered.

W

hen the principal of Glen Ash retired in 2008, Dr Orpen also retired, and Bishop Hubert Bucher, then of Bethlehem, asked her if she wouldn’t help out at the Catholic pre-primary school, Leratong, in Bohlokong.

Again without any payment, and at the age of 75, she taught Grade R at Leratong for nine years.

Here she continued with the Christmas plays, which, as noted, were documented in photographs every year in The Southern Cross.

While at Leratong, she hurt herself in a fall while playing with the kids. This did not deter her from going every day to the school. Her injury did, however,

force her later to make use of a walker, which she called ”my 4x4”.

After Leratong, Dr Orpen spent two years helping out parttime at Tshepang Educational Centre in Bethlehem; and on three days a week, she helped two young people who run a crèche from a shack in the township.

More recently, she had been helping the foreign mentors at the drug-rehabilitation centre, Fazenda la Esperança, with their English.

Dr Orpen led a full life as a practising Catholic, rarely missing Mass, weekdays and Sundays. If her place on Sunday was empty, one knew she was chauffeuring Fr Wagner to another Mass in the town.

Another chauffeuring duty she took upon herself, at the age of 86, was to fetch Fr Menyatso from hospital after his three dialysis sessions a week.

For the past six years, she was an active participant in a small group of parishioners who get together every Tuesday for a study of the scriptures and allied topics.

The day before she died, Ms Orpen led a discussion on Cardinal John Henry Newman and his view of the laity.

Dr Orpen’s extraordinary way of living out her Christian faith did not go unnoticed, and in September 2015, Pope Francis awarded her the Bene merenti medal—she was only the second recipient in the diocese of Bethlehem.

Her Requiem Mass was concelebrated at Holy Ghost cathedral by Bishop Jan de Groef, Mgr George Wagner, Mgr Gregory van Dyk and Fr Menyatso Menyatso.

They say no one is irreplaceable, but Dr Rosemary Orpen must come very close to being so.

Rodney Moffett

Get the story from the homeless Continued from page 7 The idea of Homeless 101 also connects with Nelson Mandela’s 101st birthday this year, and reminds us of the larger social challenge we face in South Africa. Are we willing to follow Madiba’s example and step beyond ourselves and our social bubbles to encounter each person as a brother or sister, no matter how different they initially seem?

When that happens both parties are transformed. For example, like many organisations, we have tried to help homeless people at robots to switch from begging to selling newspapers. I was presenting once with Lindani, one of our vendors, and he explained his experience: “I don’t make any more money now than before when I was begging,” he admitted (a disappointment to the development professional I aspire to be!). “But the difference now is how people treat me and how I see myself.”

Before, when he was begging, he had to remove himself from his body and be as pitiful and pathetic as he could. Drivers would zoom past him, trying not to catch his eye, checking their windows were up and hoping the lights would stay green.

Now, he sees the same drivers hope the lights turn red.

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PRAYERS

PRAYERS to St Joseph of Cupertino For Success in Exams. O Great St. Joseph of Cupertino who while on earth did obtain from God the grace to be asked at your examination only the questions you knew, obtain for me a like favour in the examinations for which I am now preparing. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked. Through Christ our Lord. St. Joseph of Cupertino, Pray for us. Amen.

O ST JOSEPH OF CuPERTINO who by your prayer obtained from God to be asked at your examination, the only preposition you knew. Grant that I may like you succeed in the (here mention the name of Examination e.g. History paper I ) examination. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.O St. Joseph of Cupertino pray for me, O

Holy Ghost enlighten me, OuR Lady of Good Studies pray for me, Sacred Head of Jesus, Seat of divine wisdom, enlighten me. In return I promise to make you known and cause you to be invoked.

PERSONAL

ABORTION WARNING: The truth will convict a silent Church. See www.valuelifeabortionisevil.co.za ABORTION: Monthly Sunday Mass bidding prayer: ‘That Almighty God guide our nation to cease our muders of our unborn infants.’

VACANCY

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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

Neighbourhood Old Age Homes

but humans first and foremost. nThe stories can be read at www.denishurleycentre.org/pa ge/homeless101 or on the Denis Hurly Centre’s Facebook page.

CAPE TOWN—Looking for reasonable priced accommodation over the December/January holiday period?

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Sunday August 18, Assumption of Our Lady: Patronal feast of South Africa Revelation 11:19; 12: 1-6, 10, Psalm 45:10-12, 16, 1 Corinthians 15:20-27, Luke 1:3956 Monday August 19, St John Eudes Judges 2:11-19, Psalm 106:34-37, 39-40, 43, 44, Matthew 19:16-22 Tuesday August 20, St Bernard Judges 6:11-24, Psalm 85:9, 11-14, Matthew 19:23-30 Wednesday August 21, St Pius X Judges 9:6-15, Psalm 21:2-7, Matthew 20:1-16 Thursday August 22, Queenship of Mary Isaiah 9:2-7 (1-6), Psalm 113:1-8, Luke 1:26-38 Friday August 23, St Rose of Lima (pictured) Ruth 1:1, 3-6, 14-16, 22, Psalm 146:5-10, Matthew 22:34-40 Saturday August 24, St Bartholomew Revelation 21:9-14, Psalm 145:10-13, 17-18, John 1:45-51 Sunday August 25, 21st Sunday of the Year Isaiah 66:18-21, Psalm 117, Hebrews 12:5-7, 11-13, Luke 13:22-30

OMI STAMPS

They wind down their windows, greet him by his name (he wears a badge and has a profile on our Facebook page) and they ask him how his day is going.

“And even if they do not buy a paper,” he said, “they have made my day—because they have recognised me as a human being.”

We hope you will enjoy getting to know these human stories—homeless they may be,

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

Liturgical Calendar

SOLUTIONS TO 876. ACROSS: Mime, 3 Kangaroo, 9 Megiddo, 10 Ebbed, 11 Resurrection, 13 Rerobe, 15 Acting, 17 Antediluvian, 20 Theme, 21 Cuckoos, 22 Obsessed, 23 Ayes. DOWN: 1 Memorare, 2 Magus, 4 Atoned, 5 Goes to church, 6 Rabboni, 7 Odds, 8 Adorableness, 12 Agonises, 14 Ringers, 16 Circle, 18 Ivory, 19 Otto.

Faces of the Homeless 101 project. (Photos: Obakeng Molepe)

11

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

W

E have a desperate desire to belong; but that belonging is not something that we can force; it is a gift that God gives us. That seems to be the message of the readings for next Sunday.

The first reading is from almost the very end of the prophecy of Isaiah, where God is “going to gather all the nations and all their languages; and they will come and see my glory”.

That is the point: not “these people are all foreigners”, but “they are all God’s children”; and the upshot will be that “they will bring all your brothers and sisters from all the nations” (including “foreigners” of course!), “as an offering to the Lord”.

And these “foreigners” are going to come by every available means of transport, “to my holy mountain, Jerusalem, just like the children of Israel bring their offerings to the house of the Lord”.

And not only that, some of these “outsiders” God will “accept as priests and Levites”.

This is an astonishing welcome, a powerful statement, and very shocking to some of the prophet’s fellow-Jews, to which we shall do well to listen, that everyone belongs, no mat-

S outher n C ross

ter what nation they come from.

That is also the message of the psalm for next Sunday.

It is the shortest psalm in the book, but one of the richest, since it invites absolutely all nations to praise the Lord, without troubling to ask whether they “belong” or not: “Praise the Lord, all you nations, give him glory all you peoples.”

Then it considers the quality that might best be translated as “steadfast love”, the undying loyalty of God: “For his steadfast love is great upon us.”

After that there is another quality often ascribed to God by the Old Testament, which could be taken to mean “truth” or “reliability” or “integrity”.

It will last “forever”; and then the psalm ends with the only possible response, though it may not appear in your translation: “Praise the Lord.”

This is an invitation to all humanity. And you might spend the coming week in working for that.

The second reading continues our journey through the extraordinarily deep theological

text that is the Letter to the Hebrews, for whom Jesus is “the real thing” (which is what makes all of us “belong”).

In this context, he is arguing for the idea of “discipline”, such as athletes go in for, or fathers impose on their children. “You see, what son is there whom his father does not discipline?”

And, of course, it is precisely this discipline that makes it possible for us to “belong”, without complaining at what is inflicted upon us.

So, our author tells us: “Put right your hands that are weakening and make straight your knees that are getting paralysed and make straight tracks for your feet, so that the lame bit is not dislocated but healed.”

That is how the Lord will teach us to belong.

In the Gospel for next Sunday, we watch Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem “making his pilgrimage through villages and cities”, and someone asks him precisely that question about who “belongs”: “Are those who are being saved only a few?”

Jesus does not quite answer that question as such; instead, like the second reading, he advises us not to opt for the more comfortable

Can we neglect God? S

OME years ago at a symposium on faith and evangelisation, one of the speakers made a rather startling statement.

She, a Christian activist, ended her presentation with words to this effect: “I work for the poor and I do it out of my Christian faith. I’m committed to this because of Jesus, but I can go for three years on the streets without ever mentioning his name because I believe that God is mature enough that he doesn’t demand to be the centre of our conscious attention all the time.”

Like many others in the audience, I’d never heard a spiritual writer or preacher ever say this so bluntly. I’d heard biblical scholars speak of God’s self-emptying in the incarnation, of Christ’s burying himself into anonymity, and of God’s patience in being ignored, but I’d never heard anyone say so plainly that God doesn’t mind that we don’t give him explicit attention for long periods of time.

But is this true? Is God okay with this kind of neglect?

There’s an important truth here, though only if it’s sufficiently qualified.

Taken as it stands, this can be used to justify too many things (spiritual laziness, selfishness, excessive self-preoccupation, culpable resistance to deeper thought, excessive procrastination with what’s important, and countless other things) that are not good.

But here’s its truth: God understands!

God is a loving parent who understands the inattentiveness and self-preoccupation of his children.

Nicholas King SJ

No one is a foreigner

God has not put us into this life primarily to see if we can keep our attention focused on him all the time. God intended for us to immerse ourselves in the things of this world—without, of course, forgetting that these things are, at the end of the day, passing and that we’re destined for a life beyond this world.

We’re not on this earth to be always thinking of the eternal, though we’re not on earth either to forget about the eternal.

However, because the unexamined life is less than human, we also need to have moments where we try to make God the centre of our conscious awareness.

We need regular moments of explicit prayer, of meditation, of contemplation, of worship, of Sabbath, of explicit acknowledgement of God and of explicit gratitude to God. We do need moments when we make ourselves consciously aware that there is a next life, an eternal one, beyond this present one.

B

ut, in the end, that’s not in competition with or in contradiction to our natural focus on the things of this life— our day-to-day relationships, our families, our work, our concerns for health, and our natural focus on news, sports, entertainment, and enjoyment. These are what naturally draw our attention and, done in good will and honesty, will in the end help push our attention towards the deeper things and eventually towards God. The great mystic John of the Cross tells us that if we’re sincere and honest as we focus on the mundane things in our lives,

Classic Conrad

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Sunday Reflections

option, but “wrestle to go in through the narrow gate”, since not everyone will succeed in getting in, and may hear those terrible words, “I don’t know where you people are from.”

So at that moment, it will not be enough to say: “Lord—we belong: we ate and drank in your presence, and you taught in our squares.”

We do not want to hear those terrible words, “Depart from me, all you workers of iniquity.”

But notice that they are addressed to those who think that they have rights over Jesus and God, because there are others who “will come from East and West and from North and South and lie down to eat in the Kingdom of God”.

Because you can never tell who can safely be said to “belong”: “Look! There are lastcomers who are going to be first, and firstcomers who are going to be last.”

In the end, it is all down to the compassionate mercy of God. That is the only thing that can make us belong.

Southern Crossword #876

Final Reflection

deeper things will happen, unconsciously, under the surface and we will grow closer to God. For example, the famed monk Carlo Carretto shares this story: After living many years alone as a hermit in the Sahara desert and spending countless hours in prayer and meditation, he went back to Italy to visit his mother.

She was a woman who had raised a large family and who had gone through years of her life when she was too burdened with responsibility and duty to spend much time in explicit prayer.

What Carretto discovered to his surprise was that she was more contemplative than he was—not because all those hours of explicit prayer as a monk weren’t good, but because all those selfless tasks his mother did in raising her family and caring for others were very good.

And God understands this. God understands that we’re human, spiritually frail, busy, and instinctually geared towards the things of this world, so that we don’t naturally move towards prayer and church.

God understands that even when we are at prayer or in church, we’re generally still distracted, tired, bored, impatient, thinking of other things, and longing for prayer and church to be over with!

It’s not easy to keep God as the centre of our conscious attention; but God both knows this and is not unsympathetic.

Kate Bowler, coming at this from the Mennonite tradition, comments on what the Church calls “Ordinary time”, that is, those times during the year when, unlike the Advent, Lenten, Christmas or Easter seasons, there is nothing special to celebrate. What happens then?

Well, what happens then is that things get “ordinary”, she says. “There is no birth at the manger or death on the cross, just the ponderous pace of people singing, praying, and keeping their kids quiet during the sermon. The magic fades and reveals the church for what it is: a plain people in a boring building who meet until kickoff.”

Yes, most of the time that’s us, plain people in boring buildings waiting for the kickoff. And God understands perfectly.

ACROSS

1. Act that is beyond words (4) 3. It may leap about Australian parish (8) 9. The waters here had no silver (Jg 5) (7) 10. Moved out to sea (5) 11. It will happen generally on the Last Day (12) 13. Put on the vestments again (6) 15. Doing another’s duties on stage? (6) 17. Time before Noah built the ark (12) 20. Subject matter held by both emeritus popes (5) 21. They lay their eggs in others’ nests (8) 22. Preoccupied by sob seeds (8) 23. The votes in favour (4) Solutions on page 11

DOWN

1. St Bernard’s prayer to Our Lady (8) 2. One of the three wise men as gum (5) 4. Made amends (6) 5. Does one’s Sunday duty (4,2,6) 6. How Mary addressed Jesus (Jn 20) (7) 7. They are in the mixed bag with the ends (4) 8. Broadens seal around God’s majesty (12) 12. Aegis son worries about (8) 14. They call you telephonically (7) 16. Do the rounds (6) 18. Amos warned those who sleep on such beds (Am 6) (5) 19. Saint found in the grottoes (4)

CHURCH CHUCKLE

T

HE vain woman was making her confession: “Father, forgive me for I have sinned. Every day I sit in front of the mirror and say to myself: ‘There’s no greater beauty in the whole village than yourself.’”

“But that’s not a sin,” said the priest, “that’s an error.”

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