The
S outher n C ross
January 29 to February 4, 2020
Joy as pioneering nun turns 100
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Reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 5172
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R12 (incl Vat RSa)
Course offers healing from grief
Centenary Jubilee Year
How we are limiting our learning
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Sipuka: Why we need new Pastoral Plan StaFF REPORtER
the bishops of Southern africa came together to bless the new Khanya House, the headquarters of the Southern african Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Pretoria. a Mass was concelebrated in the Khanya House chapel by SaCBC president Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha with vice-presidents archbishop Dabula Mpako of Pretoria and Graham Rose of Dundee. the Waterkloof complex is the previous Franciscan House of Study, Santa Sophia. (Photo: Fr Paul tatu CSS).
Pius XII archives to go public BY CaROL GLatz
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FTER decades of anticipation, as of March 2 the Vatican Archives are ready to welcome scholars wishing to study documents related to the wartime pontificate of Pope Pius XII. All 85 researchers from at least a dozen countries who have requested access have been given the green light to come and sift through all the materials from the period of 1939-58, said Bishop Sergio Pagano, prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archives. The museum has been working with the Vatican Archives for more than a decade, Bishop Pagano said, ever since Pope Benedict XVI authorised the early opening of materials pertaining to the pre-World War II pontificate of Pope Pius XI. So far, Bishop Pagano said, seven experts will be coming from Israel, 14 from Germany, 16 from Italy, 20 from Eastern Europe, ten from the United States, and the rest from France, Spain and Latin America, to study the Pius XII-era archives. “But we expect an increase in requests after March 2,” he added. It took more than 12 years to sort through,
organise and catalogue the enormous quantity of information from Pope Pius XII’s long pontificate, Bishop Pagano said. The open collection also includes thousands of notes regarding Pope Pius’ charitable activity in Italy and abroad. Referring to accusations by some historians and Jewish groups that Pope Pius XII did not do enough to stop the Nazi rise to power and the Holocaust, Bishop Pagano said the pope “did speak with his efforts and then he spoke up with words, so it is not true that the pope was totally silent”. Together with what has been emerging in national archives, Bishop Pagano expects that “many prejudices against the pope will fade away, without a doubt”. But, “it will take many years to form a new opinion about Pius XII. One, two years is not enough,” said the 71-year old bishop, who has worked at the archives for more than 40 years. If studying all historical records is done objectively and critically, he said, “maybe in ten years a new impression will take shape of this pontificate, which was very remarkable and came at a very critical point in world history.”—CNS
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EW cultural and social contexts no longer “serve the living and the propagation of faith”—which is why the new Pastoral Plan launched by the bishops is so important, according to the president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha noted that the days are gone when religion was a prominent part of the school day, shops were closed on Sundays, TV and radio stations began the day with a Christian message, and so on. Titled “Evangelising Community, Serving God, Humanity and All Creation”, the new Pastoral Plan “seeks to change the way of being Church, to change the system of being Church so that it responds effectively to the changed situations of our time”, Bishop Sipuka told the assembled bishops of Southern Africa in an address. “This Pastoral Plan aims at helping us to move from a maintenance Church to a missionary Church,” he said. Bishop Sipuka quoted Pope Francis’ 2013 apostolic exhortation Evangeli Gaudium which calls for “a missionary impulse capable of transforming everything, so that the Church’s customs, ways of doing things, times and schedules, language and structures can be suitably channelled for the evangelisation of today’s world rather than for her self-preservation” (27). The bishop recalled that the need for a new Pastoral Plan was prompted by a realisation by the bishops that “as a Church in this region, we are not making an impact, both on the people we serve and in society”. “There is no growth in faith and spirituality,” he said. For many, that growth ceases with confirmation, and most Catholics don’t seem to regard “witnessing for Christ and continuing the work of evangelisation” as their task.
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“They tend to see themselves more as there to be serviced by the Church, to be served sacraments, to be preached to and to be buried,” he said. “The most they do is to fulfil the obligation of supporting the Church financially, and some of them do so grudgingly because they have no sense about the missionary nature of the Church which requires resources in order to do this missionary work,” Bishop Sipuka noted. “As a result of this attitude, our faith does not influence society; it is as if the Catholic Church does not exist. Laws, trends and phenomena emerge and the Church is simply subsumed by these developments. Even as we engage in charity and development projects, we do not have a distinct perspective that marks us as a Church and adding an evangelising aspect to what we do.” The Pastoral Plan was born out of the realisation that a large number of Southern African Catholics have yet to understand that we all—not just some—are baptised and we are all sent, Bishop Sipuka said, quoting Pope Francis’ motto for last October’s Extraordinary Missionary Month. The bishop urged that financial self-sustainability is key to the success of the Pastoral Plan. “This is something that we need to take up now in a big way because if this Pastoral Plan is to be successful, it needs resources in the form of trained and skilled personnel and finances. We need to have a planned way of sustaining ourselves as Church in the SACBC region,” he told his fellow bishops. In writing the Pastoral Plan, he said, “efforts have been made to consult all the stakeholders”. Therefore the bishops hope that “all Catholic formations, the institution, schools, dioceses, religious congregations within the SACBC [and so on] will be informed by the theme of this pastoral plan in their local pastoral plans and programmes”.
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the Southern Cross, January 29 to February 4, 2020
LOCAL
Gone solar: Sisters’ centre safe from loadshedding BY ERIN CaRELSE
L
OADSHEDDING won’t be affecting trainees at an organisation in the Eastern Cape run by the Precious Blood Sisters which, thanks to generous help, has had solar power installed. The Ikhwezi Lokusa training centre now runs on solar energy, from its lights down to its geysers, thanks to the help of the South African Lottery, St Vincent’s Group in Denmark, and the Missionsstelle of the diocese of Linz in Austria. “This has been a tremendous help to us, especially with the present loadshedding situation. We are now able to continue to operate and our skills training workshops are not affected,” manager Sr Corda Waldhör CPS explained. The Precious Blood Sisters founded Ikhwezi Lokusa School for severely physically disabled children in 1958. The need for further training soon became apparent and the Ikhwezi
Lokusa Rehabilitation and Sheltered Employment Society was founded in 1972. Then a formalised programme was offered with future job options being a goal, and Ikhwezi Lokusa was renamed a Rehabilitation and Development Society in 2004. At the training centre, young adults with physical and/or mild mental disabilities are assisted in reaching an optimum physical, mental and social level of functioning through skills training. This is achieved through workshops and ongoing help. The four workshops offered are pottery, sewing, crafts and leatherwork, and trainees are taught by experienced supervisors. Each workshop has about 16 trainees. The workshop day starts with a prayer, as the training centre is based on Catholic values and principles. After a year or two, depending on their capabilities, trainees graduate with certificates. The workshops are associated with the Department of Fashion Design at
the Ikwezi Lokusa centre in the Eastern Cape won’t be affected by loadshedding as the centre now runs on solar energy. the Walter Sisulu University in Mthatha, and lecturers evaluate their skills development.
In addition to the workshop skills, trainees can continue (for up to four years) with the Adult Basic
Education and Training programme which enables them to become more literate, especially those who missed out in the formal education sector. Basic computer skills and basic business skills are also offered. The centre offers accommodation for around 64 trainees in hostels. Residents come mostly from the neighbouring areas and further afield in the Eastern Cape. They are supervised by two housemothers. “Ikhwezi Lokusa, both the school and rehabilitation society, provide wonderful facilities for the physically handicapped to enhance their chances of living happy lives and making their contribution to the building up of the People of God,” Sr Corda said. “We try to enable our trainees to be as independent as their disability allows them to be. We believe that God’s blessing is essential for a good life.”
Parish’s course offers healing from grief
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JOHANNESBURG parish will host programmes for those needing divorce/separation or grief counselling and support next month. St John’s parish in North Riding will offer the DivorceCare and GriefShare programmes, of 13 weeks each. Claudette, who attended a DivorceCare programme, told The Southern Cross about what she called her “journey of self-love”. “I walked into the DivorceCare class a broken woman—so much so that I needed my hand held by my daughter to just get through what I thought would be the two longest hours of my life,” she recalled. She described feeling totally
shattered, embarrassed and lost, feeling like a failure for not being able to keep her family together, and disappointing both her family and God. “Little did I know that I would emerge a new whole woman in just 13 weeks,” said Claudette, who asked that her surname not be used. “I would not be where I am today if it was not for the love, support, encouragement, understanding, and shoulder to cry on received from the facilitators, and the unfailing love, mercy and grace of God and the DivorceCare programme,” she said. “I left DivorceCare as a woman who has much love, joy and forgiveness in my heart, with excite-
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ment and hope for the future, on my newfound journey of selflove,” she said. Yemuro, who also asked for her surname to be withheld, was married for two years with a baby when her husband died suddenly. “Six weeks before I turned 30, in 2018 my whole life was turned upside down,” she recalled. “I went to bed married and woke up a widow. My husband died in his sleep due to epilepsy, a condition he had battled with for years and was on medication for. He was 38 years old. Our beautiful baby girl was only nine months old.” Yemuro began her journey of GriefShare—and found that the first couple of weeks were tough.
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“I was beyond hurting and emotional, and would have meltdowns. However, God brought 13 people around me who were also grieving, and we became one family,” she said. “These sessions gave me hope as I was interacting with people going through the same pain, despite the differences in our losses,” she said. Yemuro described her grief as “drowning in an ocean”, having no idea which direction she was meant to swim. “They say the true meaning of death becomes clearer after the funeral has been attended, friends have sent flowers, and your family return to their normal lives. “I would scream for help and everyone around me didn’t know how to rescue me. Their words kept me floating and their prayers gave me hope, but I still couldn’t find the will to swim,” said Yemuro. It was in the haven of strangers—the GriefShare facilitators—that she found a team of lifesavers.
a Johannesburg parish is offering divorce/separation and grief counselling programmes. (Photo: Claudia Wolff) “They didn’t just rescue me; they held my hand, gave me a lifejacket, and then taught me how to swim. Now I can go from the shore to the middle and back again,” Yemuro said. “I believe that healing is not linear.” DivorceCare, to assist in dealing with divorce or separation, starts on February 6 at 19:00. GriefShare begins on February 8 at 10:00. The cost of each programme is R200, which goes towards the programme handbook. n For more information contact Arianna on 071 138-8401.
this year the archdiocese of Johannesburg will be sending five candidates to begin their priestly formation at St Francis Xavier Seminary in Cape town on February 6. Seen here with archdiocesan vocations director Fr Michael Seheri (third from right) are Rorisang Mbele (Protea North parish), tshepo Kgoarai (Phiri), Sicelo Ntuli (Mofolo), Senzo Mbuzwa (Cosmo City) and tshepo Motseare (Bekkersdal).
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the Southern Cross, January 29 to February 4, 2020
LOCAL
Joy as pioneering nun turns 100 BY SYDNEY DUVaL
A
T the centre of liturgical and community life in Holy Trinity church at Nkandla, KwaZulu-Natal, was Franciscan Nardini Sister Sola Schaumann celebrating her 100th birthday. Sr Sola’s Nardini companions, the hierarchy, priests, religious and parishioners gathered at the church, which shone like “shook foil” with spirited music, words, deeds and dance. It was a moment in a life of faith, service and mission that showed “how God can use an ordinary woman to do extraordinary things for others”. Known affectionately as Magogo today, Sr Sola arrived in South Africa from Germany in 1955 to commit herself wholeheartedly to healing the sick and alleviating poverty—work that has been honoured with special awards by Pope Francis and the German government. Among her treasured gifts was a photograph of her on which Pope Francis had written: “For Sr Sola with my blessing. Please pray for me. Francis.” Bishop Xolelo Kumalo of Eshowe—concelebrating with Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban, Bishop Vincent Zungu of Port Elizabeth and Bishop Siegfried Jwara of Ingwavuma—said: “Congratulations, Sr Sola, for being chosen by God to so well represent the courageous pioneers of your congregation when you left your homes and countries inspired by love of Christ. “Your many years of life in the world, together with your
Nkandla mayor thamsanqa Ntuli congratulates Nardini Sister Sola Schaumann (right) on her 100th birthday, with Sr Michaelis Schaumann next to her. (Photo: Sydney Duval) Nardini Sisters, have been a total dedication of life to God in the service of his people.” Present from the Franciscan Nardini motherhouse in Mallersdorf, Germany, were superiorgeneral Sr Jakobe Schmid and counsellor Sr Catherine Brucker. Sr Jakobe had these words for Sr Sola: “It is a consolation we all experience in life—whether joy, sorrow or pain—that all our work is never lost. All that remains is taken up into God’s eternity to bear rich fruit and great reward. For this we thank God together with you. “We also thank you for your beneficial mission work in South Africa... for your courage and the efforts you invested in alleviating the troubled people and their suffering in their various life situations. In this way
Former SA priest to head German CMMs StaFF REPORtER
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FORMER South Africa-based priest has been elected provincial of his congregation for Germany. Fr Christoph Eisentraut, 59, was elected at the chapter of the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries (CMM) in Würzburg, Bavaria. Fr Eisentraut (pictured right) served at Mariannhill from 2006-10 before being elected to the congregation’s general council in Rome. Previous to that, he had served in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, until his transfer to South Africa. In Zimbabwe he led a school for discipleship, trained permanent deacons and coordinated a correspondence theology course. From 2004 he also served as chancellor and moderator of the archdiocese of Bulawayo. Fr Eisentraut, who had joined the CMM in 1980, came to South Africa in 2006 to help establish Emaus, the place of CMM founder Abbot Franz Pfanner’s death in 1909, as a pilgrimage centre. In 2917 Fr Eisentraut was named regional superior of the congregation’s Austrian province, a position he will retain. The Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries was founded by Abbot Pfanner in South Africa. It has about 450 members worldwide, with 40 of them active in Germany.
Annual pro-life Mass
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HE Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO) will host its annual Mass to mark the anniversary of abortion becoming legal in South Africa. The Mass will be celebrated at Cape Town’s St Mary’s cathedral on Monday, February 3, at 13:10. After the passage through parliament of the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, abortion became officially legal as of February 1, 1997. “Since 1997, many thousands of unborn children have been killed, their dignity and humanity counting for nothing, the CPLO said. The Mass is a call “to pray for a change of heart on the part of all who disregard the rights of unborn children”, it said. All are welcome to attend the Mass.
you laid the foundation on which Sizanani Centre could build,” Sr Jakobe said, referring to the outreach programme established by the Nardini Sisters.
S
everal local VIP guests paid tribute to Sr Sola, including local mayor Thamsanqa Ntuli, and his predecessor, Zwelabo Zulu, both educationists. Mr Ntuli said Sr Sola was a selfless servant who had changed the life of Nkandla’s very poor people by imparting skills to ordinary housewives and children based on self-help and self-reliance. “Providing clothes to destitute families benefited me personally. My mother was handed a pair of grey trousers which I used at high school,” Mr Ntuli said. “I have seen the real evolu-
tion of our community from a volatile to an enlightened society. Many students who attended school with support by the Nardini mission are now working and contributing nationwide.” Mr Zulu, speaking on behalf of Inkosi Bhekizwe Biyela of the Mahlayizeni Traditional Authority, noted Sr Sola’s work in socio-economic development, education, and expression of the divine commission. Expecting mothers were educated to care for and feed their infants. This had saved many lives. Poverty-stricken and widowed women were trained in many skills and given materials to undertake self-help projects, enabling them to care for their families and enhance their socio-economic situation. “Schools are evidence of her contribution to education. Many people emerged to change their lives,” Mr Zuklu noted. “[Sr Sola] integrated religious calling, education and socioeconomic development so that she became true light and salt as used by Jesus on the mountain (Mt 5:13-14). She founded Sizanani Centre to coordinate projects that also created employment for social workers, community caregivers and peer educators who are living her legacy. She has brought hope where none existed.” The entertainment included dancing by Sizanani Child and Youth Care Centre; harmonising by Nkosinathi Biyela and Sanele Khanyile; and Fr Sibonelo Mbanjwa OMI singing “Ave Maria” and “Panis Angelicus”.
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Dominican wisdom for all on new app
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OU can now have the 800year wisdom of the Dominican Order in your pocket with the release of their new app. The Western Dominican Province, a province of the Order of Preachers in the US, has released a new mobile and TV app— the first developed by the Dominicans—to help Catholics and others discover the truths of life, the world and the Catholic faith. The free app, called OPWest (Order of Preachers in the West), is available to download in the Apple, Roku, Amazon and Google app stores. The app features short videos called “Truth in 60” to answer people’s questions about the Catholic faith and how to live, and introduces people to the real lives of today’s Dominicans. A South African publisher has recommended the app: “The ‘Truth in 60’ is one of the highlights for me on the app. The series of little videos are lovely and they answer questions about the Church, the faith and family life, and a variety of other things,” said Frank Nunan of SA Catholic Online Books. The video series covers topics such as “Culture and Morality”, “Religious Life”, “Religion and Spirituality”, “Tradition and History”, and “The Supernatural”. The topics break down into smaller subtopics, such as “Family Life”, and can be either watched or downloaded as audio. This free app is also packed with short-form videos addressing hard questions in society, family life, the Church, philosophy and theology. New content features and videos will be added regularly, and podcasts will be starting soon. “You can see that a lot of work has gone into this,” Mr Nunan said. n To download the app, visit www.opwest.org or find it on your app store.
CARITAS KWAZULU NATAL
CARITAS KZN COORDINATORS POST 2020
Duties include: 1. Communicating all Caritas activities to Bishops and Religious Superiors 2. Reporting twice per annum to the meeting of the KZN Metropolitan Bishops and Religious Meeting (APRIL – SEPTEMBER) 3. Coordinating all activities of the Caritas KZN in collaboration with the seven Diocesan coordinators : • Two visits per Diocese per year • Two/three workshops per year • Supporting coordinators with Diocesan plans • Keeping the Caritas KZN social media platforms active and relevant • Providing support and direction to the Bishops in the Caritas work 4. Reporting monthly to the Caritas working committee in writing 5. Preparing proposals for the funding of the Caritas work 6. Preparing annual budgets and submitting to the Archdiocesan Finance Office 7. Preparing quarterly financial updates for the committee, bishops and religious 8. Writing articles of interest to the media to promote the Caritas work 9. Attending Caritas South Africa national meetings Competencies: 1. Ability to write reports, proposals, strategic documents and prepare and manage budgets, generate financial reports 2. Ability to provide mentoring and development support to coordinators at Diocesan level 3. Understanding of capacity building and development in order to journey with individuals and groups 4. Sound communication skills and confidence to liaise with Bishops and other church leaders 5. Presentation skills especially at high levels of partners and government 6. Deep understanding of Caritas, the social teachings of the church and gospel values 7. Network with other organizations and government departments and represent the Caritas brand Must have: 1. Valid Driver license and own vehicle 2. Have good written and spoken command of English and isiZulu 3. Be an active Catholic 4. Live within KZN 5. A matric qualification is a minimum 6. A degree or further qualification in development would be an advantage
Please send your application to: jenny@caritaskzn.co.za or cihowlett15@gmail.com by close of business on 14th February 2020. If you have not heard from us by 29th February consider your application unsuccessful
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the Southern Cross, January 29 to February 4, 2020
INTERNATIONAL
Woman undersecretary a step in the ‘Holy Father’s vision’ BY JUNNO aROCHO EStEVES
the Vatican said. While acknowledging that her appointment was “an unprecedented decision” by Pope Francis that “represents an indication of an attention towards women”, Ms Di Giovanni said that her new responsibilities were connected to her work “rather than to the fact of being a woman”. “A woman may have certain aptitudes for finding commonalities, healing relationships with unity at heart,” she said. “I hope that my being a woman might reflect itself positively in this task, even if they are gifts that I certainly find in my male colleagues as well.” The Vatican announced that within the Vatican Secretariat of State’s Section for Relations with States, Ms Di Giovanni will head the multilateral sector, which deals with intergovernmental organisations and multilateral treaties. With the new appointment, the Vatican foreign ministry, led by Archbishop Paul Gallagher, will have two undersecretaries. Ms Di Giovanni will serve as undersecretary alongside Mgr Miroslaw Wachowski, who will continue to work in the area of bilateral diplomacy.—CNS
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S the first woman to hold a managerial position within the Vatican Secretariat of State, Francesca Di Giovanni said she hopes her role will “contribute to the realisation of the Holy Father’s vision” of women being “fully included in decision-making processes”. Pope Francis named Ms Di Giovanni, a long-time Vatican official, as an undersecretary in the Vatican’s foreign ministry office, making her the first woman to hold a managerial position at the Vatican Secretariat of State. In an interview with Vatican News published shortly after the announcement, Ms Di Giovanni said that there had been a need for an undersecretary for the multilateral sector, but “I sincerely never would have thought the Holy Father would have entrusted this role to me”. “It is a new role and I will try to do my best to live up to the Holy Father’s trust, but I hope not to do it alone,” she said. “I would like to count on the harmony that has characterised our working group so far.” Born in Palermo, Ms Di Giovanni
a man prays in a Catholic church in amsterdam. a Dutch Catholic newspaper warned more churches will close in the Netherlands, where half of all Catholic parishes have already been dissolved. (Photo: Cris toala Olivares, Reuters/CNS)
As Dutch parishes close, Catholics quit Church BY JONatHaN LUXMOORE
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DUTCH Catholic newspaper warned churches will continue to close in the Netherlands, where half of all Catholic parishes have already been dissolved amid plummeting Church participation. “It’s been hoped people would draw the obvious conclusion—that if you want your church to stay open, you don’t just need to support it financially, you also have to attend it more. But if you look at the numbers at Mass now and average ages, it’s obvious more churches will close in the near future,” said Peter Doorakkers, an editor at the Katholiek Nieuwsblad weekly. The paper published the results of a year-long investigation on attitudes to church closures in the 17,1 million-strong Dutch population. In a feature, Katholiek Nieuswblad said its investigation had focused on the “social and economic consequences of church closures”, especially for rural congregations. It said the Catholic population of the Netherlands had fallen by a fifth in 15 years, with just 5% of the country’s 3,7 million registered
Catholics still attending Mass, while 55% of parishes had closed. Katholiek Nieuwsblad said in an editorial it had hoped to show the disappearance of Catholic parishes had “far-reaching consequences” for local communities, but conceded that many former parish functions had instead been “effortlessly and silently taken over” by other social organisations. Mr Doorakkers told Catholic News Service the discovery that most churches were not “missed” by local inhabitants had been “unexpected and sobering”, contradicting the assumption that Catholic parishes had a “positive impact on the social fabric”. Whereas most parishioners stopped attending Mass altogether when their church closed, the editor added, some Catholics at Afferden had continued going to the local St Victor’s church after it was turned into a Buddhist temple in 2017, “without apparently noticing the difference”. Many of the most vibrant Catholic parishes are now made up of Polish and other minority communities, Mr Doorakkers said.— CNS
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Australian archbishop rejects breaking seal of confession for abusers, victims BY MICHaEL SaINSBURY
T
HE president of the Australian Catholic Bishops’ Conference is the latest of the country’s senior clerics to push back against legislation to lift the seal of confession for child sexual abuse. Archbishop Mark Coleridge of Brisbane made a submission to the Queensland state government opposing draft legislation that would see priests face up to three years in jail for failing to report confessions of child sexual abuse to the police; the penalty would be five years for “failure to protect”.
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Pope Francis with Francesca Di Giovanni, the first woman to hold a managerial position in the Vatican’s powerful secretariat of state. (Photo: Vatican Media/CNS)
In his submission, Archbishop Coleridge said a confession is between the penitent and God, and the priest’s task is to enable that dialogue. “The proposed legislation would make the priest at this vital point less a servant of God than an agent of the state,” said Archbishop Coleridge. Many priests have said they have never heard a confession from a child abuser, and some have noted that the psychopathology of many offenders is such that they do not believe they have done anything wrong.
In February 2019, Archbishop Coleridge gave the homily at the closing Mass of the Vatican summit on child protection. He said the Catholic Church needs a true conversion that places survivors, and not the institution, as the focus of its concern as it enacts measures to combat the sexual abuse of minors and vulnerable people. Still, the prelate’s insistence that the confessional should trump the state’s laws has drawn a storm of protest on social media by Catholics and other Australians, concerned that the Church is still prioritising traditions over child safety.—CNS
Papal trip to Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea possible
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VISIT from Pope Francis to Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and East Timor may happen in September, according to an Indonesian Muslim leader who met with the pope. Sheikh Yahya Cholil Staquf leads the 50-million-member Nahdlatul Ulama movement, which calls for a reformed “humanitarian Islam” and has developed a theological framework for Islam that rejects the concepts of a caliphate, sharia law, and “infidels”. Sheikh Staquf met with the pope while in Rome for a meeting of the Abrahamic Faiths Initiative, which gathers Christian, Muslim and Jewish leaders to discuss the promotion of peace and fraternity. The sheikh said that the pope
said he plans to visit Indonesia, East Timor, and Papua New Guinea in September. The Vatican has not yet confirmed such a trip. Indonesia is home to the largest population of Muslims in the world. There are 24 million Christians living in Indonesia, seven million of them are Catholic. Pope Paul VI visited the country in 1970, and Pope John Paul II in 1989. East Timor is a small country on the island of Timor. It gained independence from Indonesia in 1999, following decades of bloody conflict as the region vied for national sovereignty. The country’s second president, José Manuel Ramos-Horta, shared the 1996 Nobel Peace Prize with East Timorese Bishop Ximenes Bolo, for their efforts
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to reach a peaceful and just end to fighting in the country. More than 1 million people live in East Timor; more than 98% of them are Catholic. It is one of the few majorityCatholic countries in South-East Asia. Pope John Paul II visited East Timor in 1989. Papua New Guinea is a country of nearly nine million people on the eastern half of the island of New Guinea. Nearly all Papua New Guinea citizens are Christians, and 26% of the population is Catholic. Pope John Paul II went to Papua New Guinea in 1984. Pope Francis has long expressed interest in visiting Indonesia, and has also expressed interest in visiting Iraq in 2020.—CNA
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INTERNATIONAL
the Southern Cross, January 29 to February 4, 2020
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260 million Christians now facing persection C
archbishop timothy Broglio of the US says Mass at the Holy Family Latin parish in Gaza with the Holy Land Coordination, who visit the Holy Land each year. (Photo: Mazur/CNa)
Bishops visiting Holy Land: Apply international law
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OLLOWING a visit to the Holy Land, a group of bishops from the United States and Europe called on their countries’ governments to acknowledge the state of Palestine and to apply international law in Israel and the surrounding area in order to promote peace and justice. “We are inspired by their enduring resilience and faith in a worsening situation,” the bishops said in a statement of those who live in the Holy Land. The bishops added that the Catholic bishops of the Holy Land have “lamented the international community’s failure to help realise justice and peace here in the place of Christ’s birth. Our governments must do more to meet their responsibilities for upholding international law and protecting human dignity”. In some cases, they said, Western governments “have become actively complicit in the evils of conflict and occupation” of the West Bank by Israel. The bishops were part of the Holy Land Coordination group, which was founded by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales and comprises bishops from the US and Europe. In past years, Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town joined the group. Besides their annual trip to the Holy Land, the group promotes awareness, action, and prayer for the region. The bishops visited Christians in Gaza, East Jerusalem, and Ramallah. After their visit, the bishops said it was “painfully clear” that living conditions for the people of the Holy Land are worsening, particularly “in the West Bank where our sisters and brothers are denied even basic rights including freedom of movement” by Israeli authorities. “In Gaza the political decisions of all sides have resulted in the cre-
ation of an open-air prison, human rights abuses and a profound humanitarian crisis. We were welcomed by families whose focus is now day-to-day survival and whose aspirations have been reduced to bare essentials such as electricity and clean water,” they said. The visiting bishops said that local bishops warn “that people are facing further ‘evaporation of hope for a durable solution’”. “We have witnessed this reality first-hand, particularly how construction of settlements [by Israel on Palestinian land] and the separation wall is destroying any prospect of two states existing in peace.” The bishops encouraged their own countries’ governments to find political solutions to the conflicts in the Holy Land, including: “insisting upon the application of international law; following the Holy See’s lead in recognising the State of Palestine; addressing the security concerns of Israel and the right of all to live in safety; rejecting political or economic support for settlements; and resolutely opposing acts of violence or abuses of human rights by any side”. The Vatican recognised the state of Palestine in May 2015. The bishops also thanked the religious Sisters, priests, and laypeople in the region who are providing services such as education and healthcare to the vulnerable populations, and encouraged the increasing number of Christians making pilgrimages to the Holy Land to engage with local communities in the area on their trips. “In taking these steps the international community can meaningfully stand in solidarity with those Israelis and Palestinians who are refusing to give up their nonviolent struggle for justice, peace and human rights,” the bishops added. “We pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”—CNA
HRISTIAN persecution around the world is a growing problem, says a new report from an agency that documents abuses against Christians across the globe. Worldwide, the report states, 260 million Christians are facing persecution. This marks a 6% increase from the previous year. The annual report from Open Doors ranked North Korea first on its list of the 50 most dangerous countries in which to be Christian, the 18th straight year that the country has received that designation. There are an estimated 300 000 Christians amid the total population of 25,4 million in North Korea. Open Doors reports that if North Korean Christians are discovered, the government will deport them to labour camps as political criminals or even kill them on the spot. Meeting other Christians to worship is nearly impossible unless it is done in complete secrecy. Following North Korea on the World Watch List Top 10 are Afghanistan, Somalia, Libya, Pakistan, Eritrea, Sudan, Yemen, Iran, and India. “Christians remain one of the most persecuted religious groups in the world. While persecution of Christians takes many forms, it is defined as any hostility experienced as a result of identification with Christ. Christians throughout the world continue to risk imprisonment, loss of home and assets, torture, rape, and even death as a result of their faith,” Open Doors said in a release accompanying the report.
a new report from Open Doors, lists North Korea as the most dangerous place to be a Christian. (Photo: Christopher Rose/CNa) China featured four spots higher on the list than last year, up from number 27 in 2019 to number 23 in 2020. Christians in China experienced, among other things, an increase in attacks on churches in the past year. According to Open Doors, there are at least 97 million Christians in China. Policies enacted by the Communist Party in 2018 to “Sinicise” the Church—or adapt it to their way of thinking—have been enforced in more and more territories, resulting in the dramatic increase of persecution against Christians, the group reports. There were at least 447 verified incidents of violence and hate crimes against Christians in India. Many attacks on Christians in India are perpetrated by radical Hindus and often take the form of mob violence.
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Outside of Asia, the report took note of the plight of Christians in the African nation of Burkina Faso, which has risen 33 spots in the past year. Dozens of Catholic priests have been killed in the past year, and Protestant pastors and their families have been killed or kidnapped by violent Islamist militants. Notably, a spate of violence in churches in Burkina Faso last year led to Bishop Justin Kientega of Ouahigouya saying in December that the Western world has been ignoring the plight of Christians in West Africa and has even been selling militants the weapons they are using to kill Christians. In total, nearly half a million people were forced to flee their homes in Burkina Faso in the last five years, and more than 60 Christians were murdered by militants in the country in 2019.—CNA
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the Southern Cross, January 29 to February 4, 2020
LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editor: Günther Simmermacher
A time to get radical
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VERY time it seems that the Catholic Church is making some progress in addressing the sex abuse scandal, new revelations of alleged abuse and their cover-up emerge. Among several disturbing stories hitting the news lately, there was one that truly drove home how pervasive the culture of cover-ups still is. Ana Lucia Salazar, a 36-yearold Mexican television personality and mother of three, went public this month with her testimony of how priests from the Legion of Christ, the religious order founded by the notorious serialabuser Marcial Maciel, would sexually abuse pre-pubescent girls. The girls at the school, run by the Legion of Christ in Cancun, would be called out of class into the school’s chapel, where they would be sexually assaulted. Ms Salazar was eight when she was sexually assaulted by a priest. Her parents reported the abuse to the local bishop. Nothing was done. A teacher who raised the alarm was fired. Ms Salazar’s distressing story has been corroborated by other victims and eventually acknowledged by the Legion itself. The rape of these girls was covered up for many years. When in 2010 Pope Benedict XVI sent an envoy to uncover these and other abuses, the cover-ups continued. Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, who died in 2017, refused to investigate abusers, or hold accountable those who concealed these crimes. Appointed to uncover the cover-ups, Cardinal De Paolis covered up himself, continuing a long history of the Vatican and the Mexican bishops protecting the wealthy Legion of Christ. Ms Salazar’s revelations have changed the mood. Remarkably, the Mexican bishops’ conference has criticised the Legion’s failure to provide “a specific act of justice or reparation for the victims”. Even the apostolic nuncio to Mexico, Archbishop Franco Coppola, denounced the Legion’s inaction and called on the Vatican to investigate the “web of coverup” that protected the order. The nuncio must know that such an investigation would implicate officials close to St John Paul II, who counted Maciel among his close friends. Either the nuncio, a man versed in the art of diplomatic
prudence, is showing great personal courage, or his sentiments find an echo in the Vatican. The recurring cases of abuse and their mishandling show that the Church has yet to get a grip on a long-running scandal. More than lofty words and bold promises, we need concrete action and solidarity with the victims of abuse and its mishandling. Ms Salazar has called on Pope Francis “to get radicalised” on the question of sexual abuse, saying: “There’s only one position: to be on the side of the violated children.” Indeed, the whole Church must be radicalised on that issue. In that, it can take the lead from the Vatican’s Fr Hans Zollner SJ. The Church must also come to fully understand that the wounds on the Body of Christ were inflicted not only by abuser priests, but even more insidiously by those who cultivated cover-ups, silence and sometimes even reaction against those who alleged abuse. The Church in South Africa has not yet experienced an avalanche of abuse revelations. But there has been abuse and there have been cover-ups. There are many survivors of clerical abuse who have not reported it. There may be many reasons for that. These could include the fear of not being believed and/or condemned; reluctance to relive the humiliation of abuse; lack of understanding of what constitutes sexual abuse; low self-esteem (often caused by the abuse); and anxiety about recriminations for implicating a popular priest or bishop. In 2018, Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town issued a call for those who had been abused by Church personnel to come to report their experiences, “so that the Church can acknowledge the deep individual hurt caused by abuse and contribute, with humility, to the process of healing”. This call must be repeated and amplified, coupled with an undertaking that due action will be taken against perpetrators of abuse and cover-ups. In the meantime, after almost two decades of incessant revelations, it is overdue that the Church, on every level, become radicalised beyond mere rhetoric on the abuse scandal.
The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special circumstances and at the Editor’s discretion. Name and address of the writer must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered.
Voting for life or against life T HE records of the four Democratic Party contenders for nomination in the US presidential election this year regarding the crucial issue of abortion were not included in the article titled: “Poll shows how US Catholics may vote” (December 25). Scrutiny into the public stance of candidates concerning the fate of unborn children is essential to ensure fully-informed voters. Catholic challenger Joe Biden has dropped his support of the Hyde amendment, which means he supports federal-funded abortions. Bernie Sanders has spoken of his 100% pro-abortion voting record. Elizabeth Warren has called on Congress to enshrine the right to abortion in federal law, in case the Roe v Wade landmark Supreme Court decision falls. Pete Buttigieg supports abortion as a national right.
No proof being gay is our choice
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N his letter (January 8), JH Goossens claims to have found scientific proof to back up the theory that homosexuality is a choice. You can find evidence on the Internet to back up any theory, whether bigoted or not; or damaging, such as opponents of immunisation asserting it is harmful, resulting in measles outbreaks and deaths, or climate deniers, who put the survival of humanity at risk. I suggest that possibly the article quoted by Mr Goossens is taken out of context and I record below more accurate summaries on the Internet of the outcome of that research: “The largest-ever study of its kind has concluded that there is no single gay gene that makes a person gay and that many of them play a role. It also affirms that homosexuality is a natural variation in our species” (my emphasis). Or this research, published in Science, which “found that many genetic components play a part in same-sex sexual behaviour, combined with non-genetic factors”. Or this: “What we found is that there is no one gay gene—instead, there are many, many genes that influence a person’s likelihood of having same-sex partners,” according to Brendan Zietsch of the University of Queensland, in The Conversation. “Individually, each of these genes has only a very small effect, but their combined effect is substantial. We could be statistically confident about five specific DNA locations; we could also tell with high confi-
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dence that there are hundreds or thousands of other locations that also play a role, although we couldn’t pinpoint where they all are.” Or an article by molecular biologist Bill Sullivan in The Conversation: “Stop calling it a choice: Biological factors drive homosexuality”. Or, in the same journal Dr Goossens quotes from, Science, there are articles expressing views opposed to his, such as “The genetics of sexual orientation” by Laura M Zahn or “How do genes affect samesex behaviour?” by Melinda C Mills. The jury is still out, but strong evidence backs the truth that homosexuality is not a choice. It is the way our Creator made people. June Boyer, Johannesburg
Gap between rich and poor growing
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HE letter by Frans van Neerijnen on capitalism (January 8) refers. Capitalism is the most efficient economic system in producing wealth. The markets, however, are inefficient in redistributing wealth among a country’s population. The disparity between rich and poor has increased significantly in our country since 1994: we are the most unequal country in the world. Even some of the richest capitalists, like Microsoft founder Bill Gates, have realised that the fruits
of capitalism are shared disproportionately between capitalists and the working class. They have pledged to give the poor 90% of their wealth during their lifetimes. Comments by Bishop Sithembele Sipuka in his recent Southern Cross interview about the serious weaknesses of the capitalist system are true. It remains the best in producing wealth for the elite but fails to redistribute wealth fairly, and essentially condemns the majority of the population to poverty. Jeffrey Mothuloe, Pretoria
Musical delights
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HANK you for Günther Simmermacher’s very good article “The history of a famous Christmas carol”, on “Once in Royal David’s City” (December 18. This did indeed become a muchloved carol and, as you say, is sung as the processional hymn in King’s College Cambridge Chapel for the “Nine Lessons” service. When Roger O’Hogan worked at the SABC, this service was broadcast and what a great pleasure that was! Older listeners might recall the religious programme he broadcast each Sunday evening, “O Come Let Us Sing”, at 21:45. This always began with a seasonal hymn and a chanting of one of the settings of the psalms from the (Anglican) psalter, followed by music by composers like JS Bach, Mozart or Palestrina. I recall a wonderful Easter evensong in 1962, which I attended, with philosopher Ross Robinson, at St Aidan’s in Yeoville, where O’Hogan was choirmaster and organist. Peter Onesta, Johannesburg
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In contrast to these Democratic hopefuls, the current presidential incumbent—also expected to run—has a strong pro-life record. President Donald Trump’s tenure has seen the loss of federal funding from some 876 pro-abortion clinics. Further, the Trump administration reversed abortion-related US policy, so many children have been born who might otherwise never have been. In 2000 an election statement by bishops of the dioceses in Massachusetts called on Catholics to exercise their moral obligation to vote, and to recognise the centrality of protecting human life when doing so. Part of their statement reads: “We all have a responsibility to become informed about the candidates and the issues so that our choices will be based on the truth and will reflect the principles of our faith and our nation. We wish to
underscore the absolute centrality of the protection of human life. Support and promotion of abortion by any candidate is always wrong and can never be justified. We will never cease to denounce abortion and euthanasia and teach all Catholics that to support those positions is to support death over life.” The truth of the bishops’ statement still holds today. Discernment prior to voting requires that voters are fully informed on the true position of candidates as part of presidential challenger public records. For informed votes, full information is required. This includes public records of candidates’ declarations for or against the law of God, “You shall not kill” (Exodus 20:13). Those running for election are either pro-life or pro-abortion. So, too, are voters. The American electorate and we ourselves likewise either vote for or against life. Nicolette Whittle, Kroonstad
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PERSPECTIVES
Open eyes to moral error E ARLY last year the Irish-American Catholic novelist Alice McDermott wrote a controversial opinion column in The New York Times about what she called “the moral error of discrimination” within the Catholic Church. By this she meant the refusal to ordain women to the priesthood while holding that “at the centre of our faith is the belief that every human life is of equal value”. McDermott calls herself a “reluctant and often contrarian Catholic”. A “Contrarian Catholic”, I surmise, is someone willing to take personal responsibility for the interpretation of their beliefs beyond the common precepts of faith we all share as Christians, and Catholics particularly. People who don’t agree with certain doctrinal precepts of the Church, while remaining committed Catholics, like her, are often called “Cafeteria Catholics” or “Salad Bar Catholics”. McDermott claims that the abuse of women and children within the institute of the Catholic Church follows from “the inevitable logic of discrimination: if one life, one person, is of more value than another, then ‘the other’, the lesser, is dispensable”. “For the male leaders of the Catholic Church, the lives of women and children become secondary to the concerns of the more worthy, the more powerful, the more essential person—the male person, themselves,” she wrote. This leads to everything being sacrificed, including the lives of the faithful, at the altar of protecting these powerful men and the image of the Church, at all costs, she suggested. This is the “sin of omission” Pope Benedict XIV confesses to Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio in a scene in the brilliant film The Two Popes. Were we to go beyond semantics and proof-mongering, we would be able to
admit that there’s generally muted evidence out there that justifies these allegations. We don’t have enough space to argue the case here. The Catholic Church, as the institution, argues that its refusal to ordain women is not about the devaluation of women but rather the assignation of different roles for different genders within the Church. They often base this argument on the Last Supper where, the Church teaches, the priesthood was inaugurated by Christ. Several Catholics, and many in the world in general, are not convinced by this argument.
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he Church prides itself in never following the spirit of the world, even when, in Christlike spirit, this seems the more humane thing to do. This argument, by the way, is also competently made in The Two Popes. I urge everyone interested in the price of integrity and path of true redemption to watch that movie.
an advertisement in Italian for the Netflix movie The Two Popes is pictured on a building near the Vatican. (Photo: Cindy Wooden/CNS)
Mphuthumi Ntabeni
the Public Square
Judging by the responses to her New York Times op-ed, McDermott opened herself up for easy dismissal from the puritanical judgments of conservative Catholics by defining herself as a reluctant and often contrarian Catholic. They ended up dismissing her whole argument based on the lazy premise that she’s not a “real” Catholic—whatever that is. Not that it would have made any difference had she chosen to suppress her radical honesty. Many on the traditionalist fringes already accuse even the current Holy Father, Pope Francis, of not being Catholic enough, because he often tempers the jagged ends of an idealised faith and the scandals it produces by its failures with mercy. In an article she wrote for the Boston Review, if my memory serves me well, McDermott mentioned her jealousy of people like the American writer Flannery O’Connor whose certainty of faith seemed rigid and unmovable. Hers, McDermott claims, needs to be renewed, every day, by shoring it against the assaults of doubts. Many of us, including several saints, even Mother Teresa, will testify to the same workings of doubt in strengthening the evolution of our faith. Often we find faith calcifies into static dogma when it is too rigid to breathe through healthy doubt, but this is not the topic for the day. McDermott ends her article with questions of what shall be next for a Church that feels betrayed by is leaders; whose members no longer believe their impotent apologies and ineffective actions to right the wrongs. Continued on page 11
How we are limiting our learning Lionel A Flynn RE reflective sciences still relevant today? The introduction of the scientific revolution did away with the traditional theological dispensation and brought with it a shift of consciousness from reflective to empirical science. This shift has persisted throughout the centuries and has dominated scientific investigation, relegating reflective sciences—which include theology and philosophy—to the periphery, certainly in the Anglophone world. This is why reflective sciences, such as faith-based subjects, have been removed from the curriculums of most state schools throughout the country. Even in institutions of higher learning, the reflective subjects of philosophy and theology are fading away—so much so that even if they are present in some institutions, they are not core but supplementing core subjects. Furthermore, the chances of getting into a successful professional career in the reflective subjects is very challenging. Other than entering religious or academic professions, there is little room for reflective sciences in our empirical society. More and more graduates of the reflective sciences are sitting at home, unemployed, due to empirical society’s inability to absorb them into the professional system. Empirical science is necessary, but are reflective sciences really unnecessary? Philosophy is the study of wisdom, a tool for unravelling the mysteries of the universe. And for a long time before the scientific revolution, philosophy was the only means of achieving scientific knowledge. Theology is a study of God or other di-
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Point of Reflection
Philosophers and other giants of learning are depicted in busts in Dublin’s trinity College library. (Photo: Giammarco Boscaro/Unsplash) vine entities, and for a long time philosophy was geared towards assisting theology in this endeavour, since most philosophers were Christian. Psychology, the study of human mentality, gained momentum after the scientific revolution because if its focus on humanity, but slowly lost traction due to its reflective nature. These are just a few examples of reflective sciences which are fading into irrelevance in today’s society.
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ociety cannot find a place for undemonstrative sciences, and while many renowned scientists acknowledge the important role which reflective sciences played in the past, they are adamant that these sciences are impractical. According to some of them, the reflective sciences have lost their influence in present-day concerns, and apart from
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conversation and motivation, they are slowly becoming dead science. Yet have reflective skills really become obsolete? A study of wisdom could be vital in enhancing reflective skills in individuals— skills which, though present in the method of practical science, are not as acute. Reflective skills can assist in opening up the creative abilities of individuals to extend beyond the physical, tangible limits of time and space, enabling them to peer into the past and glimpse into the future. Mathematics is the only popular reflective science available, and with more and more students avoiding it, the cognitive ability which it bestows needs to be bestowed in other ways. Science which is focused on the empirical concerns of our time is itself limited and will present limited discoveries. Furthermore, a society imbibing a limited science will itself be limited, unable to see past the value of physical, observable and material things, unable to display acute reflection. Perhaps a return to faith-based subjects at schools is wishful thinking, yet for the enhancement of reflective skills can we consider the reintroduction of reflective sciences to assist mathematics in reinculcating this vital skill?
the Southern Cross, January 29 to February 4, 2020
Imelda Diouf
the Family Brief
Love is no victory march
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AY one of the new school year! New start, fresh perspectives and yet some things stayed the same. As always, on school days a woman accompanies her children on a 3km uphill journey. I’ve watched them for five years: slim mother and two fresh-faced beginners in smart uniforms, then pregnant mom and the two young children, then mother with baby on her back and the tweenies. At 6:15, toddler beaming from the pushchair, mother and the two older children marched uphill. That morning was a sunny, clear Highveld day—a good day for walking. But there have been days when the Gauteng storms have rolled and roared and rained. There have also been dark, finger-burning, sub-zero temperature mornings. Still they’ve marched. Educating children is not easy. The expense of uniforms and stationery, the time to “do” homework, the packed sandwiches, school functions and sport activities, the endless forms that require details and signatures, bed on time and up on time, and getting children safely to and home from school. Parents get children through the 12 years of schooling possibly only with the help of God and a whole lot of love. The start of the school year is also the beginning of a different kind of journey for children— those who feel alone and abandoned by their families, their communities and the state. Some pupils will get themselves up and to school with no parental support. There will be no breakfast and no packed lunch, and the journey will be fraught with danger from vehicles and other people. At school they will be shouted at, misunderstood and bullied. Unsafe classrooms, unsanitary toilets and untrustworthy adults. They will feel neither love in their homes nor at the school. They will start each day feeling lonely and broken. So, the start of a new school year is time for a shout-out to parents; a hallelujah, a praise the Lord, for those family members who accompany the developing minds with love and commitment. To the mother who walks her daily 3km journey I’m reminded that sometimes, in the words of Leonard Cohen: “Love is not a victory march; it’s a cold and it’s a broken Hallelujah…” Keep going mother. Hallelujah! For those of us who have had the privilege of education…Hallelujah! n Imelda Diouf is the director of the Sekwele Family Strengthening Programme (www.sekwele.org).
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the Southern Cross, January 29 to February 4, 2020
COMMUNITY Our Lady of Lourdes parish in Rivonia, Johannesburg, hosted a nativity concert by catechism children from Grades 1 and 2. (Submitted by Cherryl Brooke)
Marist Brothers Linmeyer in Johannesburg awarded a group of matric students blue blazers at the school’s first Mass of the year. Ronan Kalil and Carina Lopes upgraded their colours blazers to honours blazers. the rest of the students achieved their colours blazers. the students are (standing from left) Carina Lopes, Ronan Kalil, Nathan Brand and Paul-Caleb Milne, and (seated from left) Carolyne Hugo, Dimeeraa Sanjith, tanith Manthopoulus and Giorgia Dates. 2019 deputy headboy Jonathan Wimberley of St Henry’s Marist College in Glenwood, Durban, received the dux trophy for his results in the 2019 IEB examinations. Jonathan achieved an aggregate of 90% and seven distinctions. this placed him in the top 1% of all IEB candidates for mathematics, physical sciences and geography in 2019.
Immaculate Conception parish in Parow, Cape town, organised a pilgrimage to the Holy Land plus Istanbul and Ephesus. Pictured with the group of pilgrims at the church of the Holy Sepulchre are parish priest Fr Dominic Griego OFM Cap, tour leader Deacon John Sheraton, and local tour guide George abu Sa’da. (Submitted by Martin Keith Julie)
the Ethiopian and Eritrean Catholic Community celebrated Christmas in its home language, amharic, at Holy Rosary church in tembisa, Pretoria. Community members came from Pretoria, Johannesburg and Rustenburg for the special event. Four Ethiopian priests officiated: Frs Yoseph Yakob, Mangistu Matheos, Kidane ashuro, and Kifele Kintamo. Community national coordinator Hailu tumebo attended too.
Parishioners of St therese’s church in alberton, Johannesburg, came together to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the ordination of Fr Kevin Bugler OMI. Fr Bugler, who turned 87 in December, has for 37 years been the parish priest at St therese’s. the celebrations started with a special Mass followed by a lunch on the church grounds. (Submitted by Craig Belstead)
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a new grotto at St Patrick’s church in La Rochelle, Johannesburg, was blessed, a statue of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception unveiled, and celebration cakes cut. Earlier, parish priest Fr Jorge Guerra, assisted by Frs Pablo Velasquez and John Panpogee and Deacon Walter Middleton, called up representatives from parish groups to receive lighted candles which were carried to the grotto. (Submitted by Dominique Byrne)
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Southern Cross
January 22 to January 28, 2020
Reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 5171
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Porn: The big threat to our children
Nuncio speaks on his time in SA
Page 13
Page 3
R12 (incl VAT RSA)
Centenary Jubilee Year
The truth on venerating images
Page 16
MATRIC CELEBRATION BUMPER 20-PAGE ISSUE
Best matric in 15 years for Catholic schools STAFF REPORTER
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P i l gr i mag e 2020
S outhern C ross
ATHOLIC schools recorded their highest pass rate in 15 years, with an overall average of 90,8%, according to statistics from the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE). In the National Senior Certificate exams, the pass rate for Catholic schools was 88,5%, a significant 7,25% above the national average of 81,3%, and 3,3% higher than the 2018 result. The pass rate for Catholic schools writing the Independent Examination Board (IEB)— usually private schools—was 99%, the same as last year’s result and 0,8% above the IEB average. Pupils at state-funded Catholic schools achieved a 49,7% bachelor pass rate, against 36,9% nationally. In the IEB examination, this was 89,5%, exactly the same as the overall average. Nine Catholic school pupils writing the IEB exam achieved “Commendable” passes, which means they were in the top 5% in five subjects and a rating of 7 in Life Orientation. Five pupils at Catholic schools achieved “Outstanding” passes, which means they were in the top 5% in six or more subjects and a level 7 pass in Life Orientation. However, said Anne Baker, deputy-director of the CIE, “our thoughts [also] must be with those young people who did not pass and who may be facing deep disappointment and
even despair”. “It is up to parents and teachers to help the young people in their care to see this as a part of their life journey and that they can try again,” she said. President Cyril Ramaphosa has hailed the 81,3% matric pass rate—the first time it has exceeded the 80% threshold since 1994—as “a triumph and a clear signal that government’s substantial investment in education, in pupil and teacher support and in educational infrastructure is yielding results”. Ms Baker welcomed the improved national matric pass rate. “We would like to acknowledge the very hard-working teachers, especially those in Catholic schools,” she said. “With this examination being so important in the country, we need to congratulate parents, teachers and especially the pupils who have worked hard to achieve this gateway qualification.” However, she also pointed to problem areas. “Much hard work is directed towards Grade 12s every year. Schools face daunting pressure to achieve 100% pass rates, and the competition to be the ‘top’ province absorbs a great deal of time and energy in districts and circuits,” she noted. This competition, she said, leads to a dropout of pupils in order for provinces to obtain higher pass rates. Continued on page 2
Vendor Vusi Meyiwa with some of the books he has had for sale as part of the Street Lit project. Along with other homeless people, Mr Meyiwa sold second-hand books on the Durban beachfront. (Photo: Illa Thompson)
Hunger for books feeds homeless in Durban
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N just two weeks over the festive season, more than 1 000 books were sold on the Durban beachfront to holidaymakers which produced a substantial income of over R20 000 for the homeless men and women who were set up as booksellers by the Denis Hurley Centre as part of the Street Lit project. Street Lit aims to put books back on the streets and in the hands of people who really want to read but cannot necessarily afford new books. The beachfront sales showed that there is a substantial market for books and that there are homeless people with great skills as booksellers. “Just as everyone has the chance to enjoy the beach, everyone should have the chance to read on the beach,” said Raymond Perrier, director of the Denis Hurley Centre. Books are sold at R10 or R20 each. Richard Nzima is one of the booksellers. Until a few months ago, he was sleeping rough on the streets of Durban. He said hewas overwhelmed by the support from the general public. “So many people came up to us to say what a great idea this was. One couple from
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Johannesburg asked us to come and start the project to help homeless people there!” People loved taking photos with the booksellers in their distinctive uniforms, which were sponsored by Jonsson Workwear. Pat Khumalo, another bookseller, joked that they might one day be as much a part of the Durban beachfront as the rickshaw drivers or the bikini-clad surfers. The booksellers were given first-aid training by St John Ambulance. “I was twice able to step in and help someone who was knocked over by a bike,” Mr Khumalo noted. Mr Perrier, who is also chair of the eThekwini Task Team on Homelessness, is confident that Deputy Mayor Belinda Scott will want to see the pilot expand. “We hope to have a regular permit for several points along the beachfront,” Mr Perrier said. “Thereafter the scope is to use our mobile book trolleys to have book sales all around the city centre, at taxi ranks or in open areas. We have proven that there is a thirst for good books at affordable prices—and we have given some homeless people a chance to turn their lives around.”
Pray in Medjugorje and visit Rome, with papal audience, Assisi, the town of St Francis, Loreto with Mary’s House. Plus a tour of historic Split in Croa a. Three countries in one tour!
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twelve children received their First Communion at St Mary’s church in Pietermaritzburg, Kwazulu-Natal. (Submitted by Carryn Smith)
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the Southern Cross, January 29 to February 4, 2020
FAITH
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Bible supports use of images in devotion Many Protestants falsely imagine that Catholics “worship” images. In the second article of his two-part series, PROF MICHaEL OGUNU explains that the Catholic veneration of images has biblical support.
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mercy seat shall the faces of the cherubim be” (Exodus 25:18-20). David gave Solomon the plan “for the altar of incense made of refined gold, and its weight; also his plan for the golden chariot of the cherubim that spread their wings and covered the ark of the covenant of the Lord. All this he made clear by the writing of the hand of the Lord concerning it, all the work to be done according to the plan” (1 Chronicles 28:18-19). David’s plan for the temple, which the biblical author tells us was “by the writing of the hand of the Lord concerning it all”, included statues of angels. In obedience to this divinely inspired plan, Solomon built two gigantic, golden statues of cherubim. They are described in some detail in 2 Chronicles 3:10-14.
HE Bible certainly condemns the worship of images. The prophets called such an offence “prostitution”, meaning an act of infidelity to the love God has for man. But there is evidence in Scripture that God did allow the making of images for religious devotion. I will cite several passages in the Bible to Ritual use of images support this fact. God condemns the sin of idolaDuring a plague of serpents sent try, whether it is in the form of wor- to punish the Israelites during the shipping statues or any other created exodus, God told Moses to “make [a thing that can become an idol. statue of] a fiery serpent, and set it In Exodus the Lord forbids the on a pole; and every one who is bitcarving of graven images for the pur- ten, when he sees it shall live”. pose of idolatry: So Moses made a bronze serpent, “You shall have no other gods be- and set it on a pole; and if a serpent fore me. You shall not make for bit any man, he would look at the yourself a graven image, or any like- bronze serpent and live” (Numbers ness of anything that is in heaven 21:8-9). above, or that is in the earth beOne had to look at the bronze neath, or that is in the water under statue of the serpent to be healed, the earth; you shall not bow down which shows that statues could be to them or serve them; for I the Lord used ritually, not merely as religious your God am a jealous God” (20:3- decorations. 5). This is not to say that the image In Deuteronomy, God warns the of a fiery serpent healed the people Israelites against “fashioning an idol who were bitten. It was God who to represent any figure, whether it be healed them, but he effected the the form of a man or of healing through the use of a woman” or of other the fiery serpent. creatures (see 4:15-18). Use of Today, we do not look on Joining biblical pasthe fiery serpent for our salreligious sages such as these with vation. We have something the divine commandbetter: The cross of Jesus statues is ment against idols (see (Colossians 1:20; 2:14; John Exodus 20:4); “graven thoroughly 12:32). images” in the King With all these evidences James Version, many biblical. Those from the Sacred Scripture, Christians insist that all we can safely conclude that who say statues of religious subGod does not condemn the jects are forbidden. making of images—but he otherwise We must note, howcondemns the worship of ever, that as the rest of don’t know them. the commandment We need the things of the Bible. makes clear, God has forthis world to think about bidden only the making things beyond our knowlof such images with the intention of edge. There is nothing wrong in the worshipping them, as the pagans use of blessed medals, holy pictures, did. He has by no means banned the crucifixes, rosaries, if these can help creation of all religious images. us to lift our minds to God. On the contrary, the Lord actuWhy do Catholic churches, ally instructed the Israelites to store schools, and homes display religious those very commandments, carved statues and other images? Such imin stone, within a sacred container ages are an aid to remembering and (ark) to be decorated with golden honouring our Lord, his mother, the images of angelic beings called saints, and the angels. cherubim (see Exodus 25:10-22). No Catholic who knows anyHe also commanded the people thing about the Catholic faith has to decorate the places where they ever worshipped a religious image. worshipped with gold, bronze, and Even when Catholics kneel to wooden images of animals and pray before a statue, or burn candles plants (Exodus 25:33-36; 26:1; 1 or place flowers before it, they are Kings 6:23-7:51; 2 Chronicles 3:10- not worshipping the image. They are 4:22). simply expressing love and honour The late anti-Catholic US theolo- for the person represented by the gian Loraine Boettner, in his book statue. Roman Catholicism, made the blanThe crucifix is not the object of ket statement: “God has forbidden our thought when we look at it. It is the use of images in worship.” not the crucifix that the Christians Yet if people were to “search the adore; it is Jesus Christ, whose image scriptures” (cf John 5:39), they is engraved on the wood, who is would find the opposite is true. God adored. forbade the worship of statues, but he The crucifix therefore recalls to did not forbid the religious use of stat- mind the passion of Jesus and the ues. Instead, he actually com- goodness of God. The Christian manded their use in religious must lift his mind beyond the cross contexts. to Jesus who has come to save him People who oppose religious use and the world. of statues forget about the many pasSimilarly Ezekiel describes graven sages where the Lord commands the (carved) images in the idealised temmaking of statues. ple he was shown in a vision, for he For example: “And you shall writes: “On the walls round about in make two cherubim of gold [that is, the inner room and [on] the nave two gold statues of angels]; of ham- were carved likenesses of cherubim” mered work shall you make them, (41:17-18). on the two ends of the mercy seat. Catholic use of images Make one cherub on the one end, People who do not know better and one cherub on the other end; of one piece of the mercy seat shall you sometimes say Catholics worship make the cherubim on its two ends. statues. Not only is this untrue, it is The cherubim shall spread out their even untrue to say that Catholics wings above, overshadowing the honour statues. Catholics use statues, paintings, mercy seat with their wings, their faces one to another; toward the and other artistic devices to recall the person or thing depicted. Just as
Religious statues sold in a gift shop. Some anti-Catholic Protestants tend to confuse veneration with worship. But while worship of images is forbidden in the Bible, Michael Ogunu writes, their use is actually encouraged. it helps to remember one’s mother by looking at her photograph, so it helps to recall the example of the saints by looking at pictures of them. The fact that someone kneels before a statue to pray does not mean that he is praying to the statue, just as “the fact that someone kneels” with a Bible in his hands to pray does not mean that he is worshipping the Bible. Statues or paintings or other artistic devices are used to recall to the mind the person or thing depicted. Again, just as it is easier to remember one’s mother by looking at her photograph, so it is easier to recall the lives of the saints by looking at rep-
resentations of them.
The difference in bowing Sometimes anti-Catholics cite Deuteronomy 5:9, where God said concerning idols: “You shall not bow down to them”. Since many Catholics sometimes bow or kneel in front of statues of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and other saints, anti-Catholics confuse the legitimate veneration of a sacred image with the sin of idolatry. Though bowing can be used as a posture in worship, not all bowing is worship. In Japan, people show respect by bowing in greeting (the equivalent
of the Western handshake). Similarly, a person can kneel before a king without worshipping him as a god. In the same way, a Catholic who may kneel in front of a statue while praying isn’t worshipping the statue or even praying to it. The Catechism of the Council of Trent (1566) taught that idolatry is committed “by worshipping idols and images as God, or believing that they possess any divinity or virtue entitling them to our worship, by praying to, or reposing confidence in them”. Thus, the Catholic Church absolutely recognises and condemns the sin of idolatry. What anti-Catholics fail to recognise is the distinction between thinking a piece of stone or plaster is a god and desiring to visually remember Christ and the saints in heaven by making statues in their honour. The making and use of religious statues is a thoroughly biblical practice. Those who say otherwise don’t know their Bible. As clearly stated in the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the Christian veneration of images is not contrary to the first commandment which proscribes idols. Indeed ‘the honour rendered to an image passes to its prototype’, and ‘whoever venerates an image venerates the person portrayed in it’ (The Council of Nicaea 11). “The honour paid to sacred images is a ‘respectful veneration’, not the adoration due to God alone.”
Souther n Cros s Pilgrimage
MEDJUGORJE • ROME ASSISI • LORETO
18-27 May 2020 With Archbishop Stephen Brislin
Pray in Medjugorje and visit Rome, with papal audience, Assisi, the town of St Francis, Loreto with Mary’s House. Plus a tour of historic Split in Croatia. ThREE COUNTRIES IN ONE TOUR!
For more information or to book contact Gail at
info@fowlertours.co.za or phone 076 352-3809
www.fowlertours/medju
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the Southern Cross, January 29 to February 4, 2020
CHURCH
How social media divides Church Social media has changed how we communicate — and not all for the better. It has given a platform for divisive speech even within the Church, as Catholic media experts told DENNIS SaDOWSKI.
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HROUGHOUT his papacy, Pope Francis has welcomed dialogue that has led to often candid assessments from clergy and papal advisers about the path he is charting for the Church. From discussions during the recent Synod of Bishops on the Amazon about the possibility of allowing married clergy to his handling of the clergy sexual abuse crisis around the world, the pope has not backed down from hearing people out—the good and the bad. In some segments of the modern-day media, however, the emerging dialogue has been portrayed as a Church reeling in conflict. Further, some outspoken Church observers have angrily criticised the pope as misguided in his ways and even as an “apostate”. Disagreeing with the pope is fine, Catholic communications professionals said, but what concerns them is how disagreement is expressed because it creates uncertainty among Catholics in the pews. The professionals voiced particular concern for “the megaphone” of social media and its no-holdsbarred comments and opinions that in the not-too-distant past would have stayed in the classroom or the
rectory or an occasional journal. “We are in a place where people use social media really as a bully pulpit,” said Helen Osman, president of Signis, an international association of lay Catholic communications professionals. Based on the conversations she has had with fellow Catholic communicators, Ms Osman said that “people are worried about how social media are being used to create disunity or divisiveness”. She added: “It does give the perception that we are a Church internally in tension and maybe even in division.” Kim Daniels, associate director of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at the US Georgetown University and a consultant to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Communications, finds the level of disparaging disagreement unfortunate. “Instead of a family of faith, we sound like political partisans, and too often we let that drive our faith rather than the other way around.”
Well-organised critics While David Gibson, director of the Center on Religion and Culture at Fordham University in New York, described the number of papal critics as “much smaller than we think”, he said they are well-organised and well-placed to create a stir. “They [are] influential in many cases because they have connections in powerful places in the Vatican, in universities and in media,” he said. The vitriol and at times misleading and even false statements from critics have not escaped Pope Francis’ attention. At least three times in 2019 he
Pope Francis greets journalists on his flight from Rome to Maputo, Mozambique, in September. While facing sometimes angry criticism in social media, the pope repeatedly has encouraged journalists to unmask destructive news, guard against reporting “fake news” and to undertake their work with humility in the search for truth. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) took the opportunity to advise journalists, urging them to “unmask” destructive news, guard against reporting “fake news” and to undertake their important work with humility in the search for truth. “At a time when many spread fake news, humility keeps you from peddling food spoiled by disinformation and invites you to offer the good bread of truth,” the pope told the Foreign Press Association of Italy in May. “The humble journalist is a free journalist, free from pressures, free from biases.” Aboard the papal flight from Madagascar to Rome in September, the pope told reporters that while
the future of the news media is unknown, it will have no future if reporters and the public cannot distinguish between facts and fiction. Less than two weeks later, he met with Italian Catholic Union of the Press members at the Vatican, urging them to “unmask words that are false and destructive” and to ensure that their sources are credible while offering the correct context, interpretation and importance of events.
Disruptive social media While the pope repeatedly has addressed the role of journalists in covering the Church, social media poses new challenges because it
can be disruptive, explained Fr Paul Soukup SJ, professor of communication at Santa Clara University, a private Jesuit university in California. “What sells is more the firstpounding views and what’s going to get attention,” he said. Fr Soukup compared the widening usage of social media to a nonnative species of animal or plant that disrupts an ecosystem. He pointed to other disruptive forces in history, such as the development of the printing press that allowed for the widespread distribution of Martin Luther’s “95 Theses” in the 16th century and the growth of daily newspapers in the mid-19th century. “We are dealing with a new communication form. We haven’t developed rules for it. It’s disrupting politics the same way,” Fr Soukup said of social media. In response to the disruption, the communicators all suggested the faithful in the pews step back for a moment when reviewing critical comments about the pope and consider who is making them before outright accepting them as the truth. “The response is to look outward, not inward, to focus on what we are called to do, our mission to the poor and sharing the joy of the Gospel rather than focusing on these conversations,” Georgetown University’s Kim Daniels said. For Mr Gibson, the answer is rooted simply in being Catholic “and the idea that we should not hate each other”. “Then let’s move on using basic Catholic tradition and practices and virtues of discourse, the idea that there is a common good.”— CNS
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YOUR CLASSIFIEDS
Fr Joseph ‘Jef’ Hollanders OMI
O
BLATE Father Joseph “Jef” Hollanders, who was killed in a robbery in his presbytery in the village of Bodibe on January 12, was a pioneer of the diocese of Klerksdorp. Fr Hollanders was born in Belgium on March 4, 1937. He professed his first vows as an Oblate of Mary Immaculate on September 8, 1958, and was ordained a priest on December 26, 1963. He arrived in South Africa on January 31, 1965. For 55 years Fr Hollanders was a dedicated and faithful missionary in the Tswana-speaking area. The diocese of Klerksdorp was previously the prefecture of the Western Transvaal, established by a decree of Pope Paul VI in October 1965, so Fr Hollanders is considered a missionary pioneer of our diocese. The prefecture attained the status of a diocese in February 1978. Fr Hollanders was among the first clergy-missionaries serving the diocese in various parishes. There is much evidence of how close he was to the people, and of the success of his pioneering pastoral ministry over the years. He enjoyed starting new Small Christian Communities, which became parishes or stations of parishes. Fr Hollanders lived a simple life and was a very practical man. Even at the age of 82 he was enthusiastic about the new missionary vision of the Oblate Province of South Africa and the diocese of Klerksdorp.
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hen I came in as bishop of Klerksdorp in 2015, I found him still in active ministry. He made it clear to me that he was not ready to retire. In 2018, he moved from the Delareyville pastoral district, where he had 15 communities, back to his original district of Bodibe, where he had only six communities. Fr Hollanders loved going to
“outstations” where he brought Eucharistic services to the poor in remote areas, visited the sick and the elderly, and gave catechesis. He reached those on the margins of society and made them feel that even though they are poor, they deserve services. He could weld, do his own repairs and maintenance, and he loved building and fixing things with his own hands. Fr Hollanders built many small churches in outstations because he believed that it was not good to worship under a tree or in somebody’s house. At the time of his death, he still wanted to repair the church of Springbokpan and build a small church in Geysdorp. Fr Hollanders’ social work included giving bursaries to poor students, selling second-hand clothes to the poor and assisting them in every way possible, providing water to the village from his borehole, using his car to transport the sick to hospital, and making his office available for those who needed a computer or the Internet. During apartheid, he defied the apartheid laws and lived among black people and served them with love and compassion. Fr Hollanders was the former dean of Ditsobotla deanery and a former chaplain of St Anne’s So-
Our bishops’ anniversaries
dality. He was presently the local superior of the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and a member of the College of Consultors. I valued his counsel and support. He was open and honest. He spoke his mind, but with respect. At a memorial service, more than 20 pastors from different ecclesial communities and more than 200 members of these communities attended. Fr Hollanders was truly ecumenical. He was a true evangeliser in the spirit of St Eugene de Mazenod—and remained a true devotee of Mary Immaculate. All he lived for was to let people know that God loves them and that God cares. He wanted people to come to salvation in Jesus Christ and to know that in spite of their economic situation, they are valuable and have dignity and rights.
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s we seek justice for Fr Hollanders, we pray for the grace to forgive his killers (four suspects have been arrested). His killers showed no mercy to an octogenarian who had served the community all his life. Some young, unemployed and disoriented youth seek to satisfy their addictions for drugs and alcohol by targeting vulnerable people, to rob them in order to buy their drugs. They are selfish, lazy, greedy and vicious. This is what we believe is the motivation behind Fr Hollanders’ death. He lived a simple life. There was nothing fancy in his house. He did not keep money. All he had, he shared with the poor. It is for that reason that the killers would not even take his television as it was very old. They left the computer and took only the screen, as it was an old computer. We are wounded by the way Fr Hollanders died. We are bleeding. We know that, through the grace of God, we will heal. Bishop Victor Phalana
This week we congratulate: February 1: Bishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara CMM of Ingwavuma on his 63rd birthday February 5: Archbishop Paul Mandla Khumalo CMM, retired of Pretoria, on his 73rd birthday
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PRAYERS
them. also, we’d welcome new notices from parishes across Southern africa to run free in the classifieds. DURBAN: Holy Mass and NELSPRUIT: adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Peter’s parish every tuesday from 8:00 to 16:45, followed by Rosary, Divine Mercy prayers, then Mass/Communion at 17:30.
O MOST beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of heaven, blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me where you are. Mother of God, Queen of heaven and earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. there is none who can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands. “Say this prayer for three consecutive days and then publish.” Leon and Karen.
PERSONAL
ABORTION WARNING: the truth will convict a silent Church. See www.valuelifeabortion isevil.co.za WIDOWER SEEKS LADY CORRESPONDENT: I am a Catholic widower aged 76 years. My wife passed away in 2014 and I now live with my two grandchildren. at times I am very lonely, and need someone to talk to! I am a hard-working person, a member of St Joseph’s Sodality, and love attending Mass on Sundays, reading, and my grandchildren. Widowed
PARISH NOTICES
NEW PARISH NOTICES MOST WELCOME: If any parish notices listed are no longer valid, call us on 021 465-5007 or e-mail us at m.leveson@scross.co.za so that we can remove
women are most welcome to write to me. Name and address: Ntsiapane J taetsane, 1255 Matsie Street, tumahole, Parys 9585. Phone: 078 603 0520 from 8pm to 8:30pm.
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RETIRED FEMALE CATHOLIC seeking employment as au-pair/housesitter/receptionist/house mother/helper assisting in business. Please contact 021 671-7652 or 071 8255781.
HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION
MARIANELLA Guest House, Simon’s town: “Come experience the peace and beauty of God with us.” Fully equipped, with amazing sea views. Secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. Special rates for pensioners and clergy. Malcolm Salida 082 784-5675, mjsalida@ gmail.com
Open eyes to Church moral error Continued from page 7 “For those of us trying to hang on to our affiliation with the Catholic Church, Pope Francis’ recent defrocking of Theodore McCarrick, a former cardinal and archbishop of Washington, though commendable, is no recompense for the blindness, the arrogance, the cruelty of a system that allowed that pathetic man to become the shepherd of one of the most visible dioceses in the world,” McDermott wrote. She also thinks that the moral error within the Church is prevailing. Despite the fact that, throughout
history, the Church has suffered what can be called the Oedipus Complex (becoming the instrument to bring about the very thing she hopes to avoid), I stand by the promise of Christ that the doors of hell shall never prevail against her, even despite the glaring failings of her shepherds. Nonetheless, moral error in the Church is leading many to abandon her fold in our era. Perhaps we should look at our current situation along the lines of the Lutheran Reformation period when the Catholic Church suffered from selfinduced deafness, and learn from that.
FROM OUR VAULTS 55 Years Ago: 3 February 1965
Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 900. ACROSS: 5 Seat, 7 Lip service, 8 Exit, 10 Alhambra, 11 Snares, 12 Reject, 14 Spices, 16 Portal, 17 Contract, 19 Meet, 21 Monstrance, 22 Late. DOWN: 1 Blue, 2 Esoteric, 3 Friars, 4 Hither, 5 Seem, 6 Appreciate, 9 Xenophobia, 13 Jeremiah, 15 Stains, 16 Potato, 18 Time, 20 They.
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very week for the duration of our 100th year, we dig an old issue of The Southern Cross out of our vaults, and highlight a few stories from that edition, as well as reproducing its front-page.
First SA cardinal off to Rome Archbishop Owen McCann of Cape Town will leave for Rome on February 10 for the consistory at which he will receive the red hat from Pope Paul VI on February 22. Fr Jerry McMorrow of Woodstock will accompany the new cardinal as his personal chaplain.
Liturgical Calendar Year A – Weekdays Cycle Year 2 Sunday February 2, Presentation of the Lord Malachi 3:1-4, Psalm 24:7-10, Hebrew 2:14-18, Luke 2:22-40 Monday February 3, St Blaise, St Ansgar 2 Samuel 15:13-14, 30; 16:5-13, Psalm 3:2-7, Mark 5:1-20 Tuesday February 4 2 Samuel 18:9-10, 14, 24-25, 30--19:3, Psalm 86:1-6, Mark 5:21-43 Wednesday February 5, St Agatha 2 Samuel 24:2, 9-17, Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7, Mark 6:1-6 Thursday February 6,
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Ss Paul Miki and Companions 1 Kings 2:1-4, 10-12, Responsorial psalm 1 Chronicles 29:10-12, Mark 6:713 Friday February 7 Sirach 47:2-11 (2-13), Psalm 18:31, 47, 50-51, Mark 6:14-29 Saturday February 8, St Jerome Emiliani, St Josephine Bakhita 1 Kings 3:4-13, Psalm 119:9-14, Mark 6:30-34 Sunday February 9, 5th Sunday of the Year Isaiah 58:7-10, Psalm 112:4-9, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16
Masses for late Winston Churchill Within an hour of the announcement of Winston Churchill’s death, prayers were being said and Masses were offered for his soul in Catholic churches all over Britain.
Southern Cross correspondent resigns After serving The Southern Cross as its Pietermaritzburg correspondent for 20 years, Jack Kearney has resigned that position, but he will continue to serve the Church in other functions.
Personal joy at McCann elevation In his editorial, Fr Louis Stubbs notes that for The Southern Cross, the joy at the elevation of Cardinal McCann to the rank of cardinal is especially personal, because he was “the last editor of the newspaper who led it through most of the dark days of the last war”.
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5th Sunday: February 9 Readings: Isaiah 58:7-10, Psalm 112:4-9, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16
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EXT Sunday we are invited to contemplate the light; but it is not just any old light, simply the light that God brings when we get things right. So in the first reading Isaiah tells the exiles, newly returned from Babylon to Jerusalem, that “your light shall break forth like the dawn”. But we need to notice under what circumstances this might take place: it will happen when we “share your bread with the hungry, and take the wretched poor into your home, clothing the naked when you see them”. There is quite a challenge here, but if we can manage to rise to it, then “your Vindicator shall march before you, and the glory of the Lord shall be your rearguard”. The promise is that under those circumstances, “The light shall shine for you in the darkness, and the gloom become for you like midday.” It is a charming as well as a challenging vision. The psalm continues this theme of light: those who “fear the Lord…shine through the darkness, a light for the upright, gracious, gracious, merciful and just”; the “good man
S outher n C ross
lends generously and conducts his affairs with justice”. And it brings with it a kind of immortality: “For he shall not die forever; the just man shall be remembered for ever.” And how do we identify such a beacon of light? Simple: “He gives generously to the poor; his justice shall stand firm for ever; his horn shall be exalted for ever.” In the second reading, Paul is reminding his quarrelling Corinthians about how it was when he first came to preach the Gospel in their rough diamond of a city. He does not mention the word “light”, but it is implicit in what he says. He says: “It was not in excessive rhetoric or cleverness that I was proclaiming God’s mystery to you.” For, coming to them after a minor failure in Athens, where he might have expected “rhetoric” and “cleverness” to work, he says: “I decided to know nothing among you except for Jesus Christ—and him crucified!” Then he reminds them of his rather woebegone arrival in Corinth: “I arrived with you in weakness and fear and great trembling”;
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Sunday Reflections
but there was light there, nevertheless: “And my rhetoric and my preaching was not a matter of persuasive cleverness; it was a matter of proving it by the Spirit and power.” What he was aiming for was that the faith of the Corinthians “would be not a matter of human cleverness but of God’s power”. There is light here, in the darkness. Light is also part of the Gospel for next Sunday: “You are the light of the world,” says Jesus, who has just started his great Sermon on the Mount with those astonishing “beatitudes” (or “congratulations”), and he continues by reminding the disciples of their duty to be “salt of the earth”, so they are not to lose their sharpness. Then he takes the idea of light a bit deeper by making the fairly obvious point that “a city cannot be hidden if it is placed on top of a mountain”. This is followed by a joke that continues the theme of light: “They don’t light a lamp and place it under the bucket! No—they put it on a lampstand, and it shines to all those in the house.” Then he applies the idea of light to those
We’re hurting each other
of us who are listening: “So let your light shine before human beings, so that when they see your good works, they may glorify your Father, the one in the heavens.” This is the first of an increasing number of references to the “Father in Heaven”; at just this point in the Sermon on the Mount, the Father is mentioned more and more, as Jesus moves towards the Lord’s Prayer, which comes at the exact centre of the Sermon, rather awkwardly inserted where we find it; and the prayer which gives the Sermon its structure. That is the light that God offers to shine upon us, the light that comes from being generous to the poor, the light offered to those who lend whole-heartedly and behave justly. This is the light that Isaiah promised to the returning exiles from Babylon, as they came back to a rather disappointing reception in Jerusalem. Where are you going to find your light in the darkness this week?
Southern Crossword #900
Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI
else, he spent weeks trying to draft the right letter to her—asking for forgiveness, offering new explanations for his actions, and begging for another chance to talk with her.
Final Reflection
H
e struggled to find the right words, something that might bring an understanding. He finally settled on this letter: “Cruel I was, that is true. Why? Indeed, you do not know that. “Silent I have been, that is certain. Only God knows what I have suffered—may God grant that I do not, even now, speak too soon after all! “Marry I could not. Even if you were still free, I could not. “However, you have loved me, as I have you. I owe you much—and now you are married. All right, I offer you for the second time what I can and dare and ought to offer you: reconciliation. “I do this in writing in order not to surprise or overwhelm you. Perhaps my personality did once have too strong an effect; that must not happen again. But for the sake of God in heaven, please give serious consideration to whether you dare become involved in this, and if so, whether you prefer to speak with me at once or would rather exchange some letters first. “If the answer is ‘No’, would you then please remember for the sake of a better world that I took this step as well. “In any case, as in the beginning so until now, sincerely and completely devotedly, “Your S.K.” (quoted in The Heart of a
Conrad
VEN with the best intentions, even with no malice inside us, even when we are faithful, we sometimes cannot not hurt each other. Our human situation is simply too complex at times for us not to wound each other. Here’s an example: Søren Kierkegaard, the 19th-century Danish philosopher who spent his whole life trying to be scrupulously faithful to what God was calling him to, once hurt a woman very deeply. As a young man, he had fallen in love with a woman, Regine, who, in return, loved him deeply. But as their marriage date approached, Kierkegaard was beset with an internal crisis—one both psychological and moral—within which he discerned that their marriage would in the long-term be the cause for deep unhappiness for both of them, and he called off the engagement. That decision hurt Regine, deeply and permanently. She never forgave him and he, for his part, was haunted for the rest of his life by the fact that he had hurt her so badly. Initially, he wrote her a number of letters trying to explain his decision and apologising for hurting her, hoping for her understanding and forgiveness. Eventually, he gave up, even as he wrote page after page in his private journals second-guessing himself, castigating himself, and then, conversely, trying to justify himself again and again in his decision not to marry her. Nearly ten years after that fateful decision, with Regine now married to someone
Nicholas King SJ
Light will break forth
‘You’re missionaries, you say? Welcome. Would you like to join us for the Rosary?’
Philosopher by Clare Carlisle). Well, the answer was “no”. He had enclosed his letter in another letter which he sent to her husband, asking him to decide whether or not to give it to his wife. It was returned unopened, accompanied by an angry note, his offer of reconciliation was bitterly rejected. What’s the moral here? Simply this: We hurt each other; sometimes through selfishness, sometimes through carelessness, sometimes through infidelity, sometimes through cruel intention. But sometimes, too, when there is no selfishness, carelessness, betrayal, or cruelty of intention—but only the cruelty of circumstance, inadequacy, and human limit. We sometimes hurt each other as deeply through being faithful as through being unfaithful, albeit in a different way. But irrespective of whether there’s moral fault, betrayal, or an intended cruelty, there’s still deep hurt—sometimes so deep that, this side of eternity, no healing will take place. Would that it be otherwise. Would that Kierkegaard could have explained himself so fully that Regine would have understood and forgiven him; would that each of us could explain ourselves so fully that we would be always understood and forgiven; and would that all our lives could end like a warm-hearted movie where, before the closing credits, everything is understood and reconciled. But that’s not the way it always ends; indeed, that’s not even the way it ended for Jesus. He died being looked at as a criminal, as a religious blasphemer, as someone who had done wrong. His offer of reconciliation was also returned unopened, accompanied by a bitter note. I once visited a man who was dying of cancer at age 56. Already bedridden and in hospice care, but with his mind still clear, he shared this: “I am dying with this consolation: If I have an enemy in this world, I don’t know who it is. I can’t think of a single person that I need to be reconciled with.” Few of us are that lucky. Most of us are still looking at some envelopes that have been returned unopened.
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5. A place to sit on the parish council (4) 7. Religious ceremony having no heart? (3,7) 8. Way out (4) 10. Moorish palace of Granada (8) 11. Be our safeguard against the wickedness and … of the devil (prayer to St Michael) (6) 12. Dismiss (6) 14. Jesus’ body was wrapped in linen with them (Jn 19) (6) 16. Support Alban partly to the doorway (6) 17. Kind of bridge that may shrink (7) 19. Suitable to come together? (4) 21. It lets you see the Blessed Sacrament (10) 22. The departed one (4)
DOWN
1. Depressing colour? (4) 2. Cite Rose for the privileged few (8) 3. Franciscans (6) 4. …, page, and stand by me (carol) (6) 5. Appear (4) 6. Be grateful for (10) 9. Unreasonable fear of strangers in your midst (10) 13. The prophet of lamentations (8) 15. Marks of the saints (6) 16. Hot spot at old kitchen has vegetable in it (6) 18. It’s served in prison (4) 20. The subject of them (4)
Solutions on page 11
CHURCH CHUCKLE
T
his is a real-life, out-of-the-mouths-of-babes story a reader reported: Eight-year-old Samuel asked his mother: “Mom, what is a cautious pilot?” Mother was a bit confused, so answered: “A pilot who is very careful, Sam.” Samuel replied: “But that’s what the priest says in church: ‘Jesus died under a cautious pilot’!”
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