SEPTEMBER 09, 2012, Vol 62, No 18

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Aiding Syrian rebels a big mistake, nun warns Insurgents destroying delicate religious and ethnic balance in Syria, says Syria-based nun DUBLIN – The armed insurrection in Syria is “producing a totalitarianism that is worse� than that of Bashar Assad’s regime, a Carmelite nun has warned. Mother Agnes Mariam of the Cross also appealed to the international community to stop supporting violent militias linked to Al Qaeda and other extremist groups guilty of atrocities against innocent Syrian civilians. “We know now that those peo

and those values are not even those of moderate Islam,� said the Lebanese-born nun, who is superior of the community at the monastery of St James the Mutilated in Qara, Syria. “What has really scandalised us and leaves us in distress is that the Western world seems to be encouraging this rise of sectarian violence just to topple the [Assad] regime,� she said. Mother Agnes Mariam, spokesperson for the Catholic Media Centre of the Melkite Catholic Archdiocese of Homs, said the insurgents were targeting religious minorities and executing moderate Sunnis such as journalists, researchers, doctors and engineers to pressure their families and communities into supporting an Islamist state. She claimed they were “destroying the delicate religious and ethnic balance� in Syria. “You don’t know when it will be your turn to be considered a collaborator,� she explained of the arbitrary abductions, beheadings and killings being carried out as part of a campaign of terror by the insurgents against those they claim are working for the Assad regime. “It is a life of fear and insecurity.�

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What has really scandalised us is that the ‘ Western world seems to be encouraging this rise of sectarian violence just to topple the regime.’

– Mother Agnes Mariam of the Cross

She described the international community’s public utterances in support of peace as “paradoxical� cently pledged by Britain and the United States to the insurgents, whom she warned are “paralysing civilian life�. The Sunni Muslim rebels are also backed by Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar and Turkey. “This money will be used for weapons which will increase the violence,� Mother Agnes Mariam told Catholic News Service in Dublin in mid-August after a meeting with the papal nuncio,

Archbishop Charles Brown, and with representatives of the Irish bishops’ justice and peace council. On Aug 15, a panel of UN experts based in Geneva concluded that government forces and progovernment militias as well as armed insurgents had committed war crimes in the Syrian con !" However, only the panel’s chairman was allowed to enter Syria to conduct interviews; other panellists were denied access. # ! !!!$ % !!! "

Mother Agnes Mariam said a prelate in Aleppo told her that although the city “did not really enter in the revolution demonstrations, as the majority of the city’s population wanted to stay neutral�, the city had been “invaded by thousands of rebels, most of whom are not Syrian�, and that they were “forcing people to either collaborate with them or killing them�. “My appeal is for the civilian population,� the nun said. “This is not the way to bring freedom or democracy to a country which has been under a yoke of totalitarianism for 50 years.� She said that, in Homs, she had “seen hundreds of corpses of civilians who were shot, cut in pieces – just because they were civilians going to their work,� she told Catholic News Service. Likening Homs to Stalingrad, Russia, or Dresden, Germany, after World War II, she said ancient Catholic, Orthodox and Presbyterian churches had been dese &! !!! ' " “The only solution is for a from within Syria and for all factions to enter into a movement of reconciliation,� she suggested. She also urged support for an alternative solution to the violence. “Mussalaha, which in Arabic means ‘reconciliation’, is a community-based non-violent initiative which has emerged from within civil society,� she said. “Religious, family and ethnic leaders have been meeting to promote peace and reconciliation within Syrian society. It is an alternative to the violence of the insurrection or international military intervention,� she said. „ Continued on page 13

VOL 62

NO. 18

INSIDE HOME Aid for injured Bangladeshi Catholic’s donation helps him pay bills „ Page 4

‘Personal witnessing transforms others’ Evangelisation is relational, says US evangelist „ Page 7

Fr Joe Tan called to the Lord People remember caring, approachable priest „ Page 9

ASIA New Penang bishop ordained 6,000 from Malaysia, Singapore, Brunei attend ceremony „ Page 11

WORLD US presidential race Cardinal urges civility in campaigning „ Page 13

FEATURE Pilgrim’s progress Reader walks 800 km on the Camino de Santiago in Spain „ Pages 20 and 21

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Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Priests learn how to engage with media Communications professionals give advice on the do’s and don’ts of media relations

Archbishop Nicholas Chia and priests at the media and communications seminar on Aug 17.

By Darren Boon When facing media queries in the wake of a Church-related crisis, silence is “not a strategy�, some 40 priests learnt during a seminar. Engaging the media at such a time would allow the Church’s voice to be heard and its version of the facts to be published, Mr Simon Pangrazio told his audience, who included Archbishop Nicholas Chia. Mr Pangrazio was one of two speakers who conducted the me-

dia and communications seminar at the Church of the Holy Spirit on Aug 17. The archdiocesan Communica + ' Advisory Council organised the event to help priests become more aware of media-related issues. Mr Pangrazio, who has 25 years of experience in communications and media relations in Asia/ < cate with the media during a crisis. The stakeholder engagement and crisis management specialist

noted that scandals, rumours and accidents could result in crises for organisations. Crises can evolve when lower-level issues or incidents are not addressed effectively and when more stakeholders are involved or affected, he said. A delay in response could lead to others controlling the agenda. The “real� crisis then is what the outside world sees, he added. Journalists are merely seeking facts and cooperation for

Mr Simon Pangrazio: Silence is not golden

Mr Clement Mesenas: Build relations with journalists

their story, he said. They dislike “no comments� as a reply, stalling techniques, delays or failures in returning calls, and aggressive responses, he said. Mr Pangrazio advised the priests to engage the media during crises. Journalists could still go ahead with their story with help from other sources, he noted. Whether journalists become friends or foes depends on how thoughtful, calm and transparent one’s response is, he added. He reminded the priests that they have “a responsibility to man-

ageâ€? the reputation of the Church, which is built on clarity, consistency, transparency and trust. Veteran journalist Clement Mesenas spoke on current day journalism in Singapore and how social media has changed the media landscape and the newsroom process. Mr Mesenas, who has worked in The Straits Times and in media organisations in the Gulf region, encouraged the priests to build relations with journalists. Priests who attended the seminar said they found it useful. It “really gave us a clearer picture of how to deal with the press ‌ and also what to address when the press comes to the [church] = ' parish priest of the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace. Fr Albert Ng, from the Church of the Holy Trinity, said the seminar helped him to understand better how journalists work and how to respond to their queries. “How we communicate with the media is integral to the image of the Church,â€? Fr Paul Staes, from the Communications Advisory Council, told CatholicNews. “With the increase in media interest this year, it is important for the clergy to have at least a basic understanding of how the media works and how to respond to questions from journalists,â€? he said. “This introductory seminar will not make them experts but will give them some basic steps they can follow.â€? „

‘How we communicate with the media is integral to the image of the Church.’

– Fr Paul Staes from the archdiocesan Communications Advisory Council

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Sep 03 8.00pm Church of the Risen Christ: Mass – LISS Commissioning Sep 08 11.00am Carmelite Monastery: Mass – Anniversaries of 5 Carmelite Sisters 2.30pm Church of St Francis of Assisi: Mass – 25th Anniversary of Sr Francesca Tan (Cenacle Sister) Sep 09 11.15am Church of the Holy Cross: Mass – Feastday 5.30pm Church of the Nativity of the BVM: Mass – Feastday & 160th Anniversary Sep 12 6.30pm NTU: Mass – NTU CSA – Commissioning Sep 15 4.00pm Catholic Junior College: Mass – Teachers’ Day 6.00pm Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace: Mass – Vocation Team

darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Each person gifted in own way: new priest By Darren Boon Giving his best, relying on God’s grace and maintaining a prayer life is how newly ordained Fr Joseph Zhang says he intends to live out his priestly vocation. The China-born priest was ordained by Archbishop Nicholas Chia on Aug 20 at the Church of the Holy Trinity. > gratitude as he has experienced God journeying with him over the past 30 years and guiding him towards his vocation. He is also grateful for those who have helped him on this journey. Fr Zhang says he hopes to be able to meet the demands of his workload such as preparing homi ? =" It is not so much a problem of language, said Fr Zhang, who is from the Congregation of the Disciples of the Lord (CDD), but rather providing good content and delivering the message in a way that is relevant to people’s lives. @ ?KX \ = " In fact, Fr Zhang said he had seen God’s grace at work during his seminary years. ?K ^ _ = " ?` more I compared with others, the more I felt inadequate. Now God has allowed me to see that each

person is different. Each person is gifted in different ways. ?K X < as long as I do what God asks me

= " Fr Zhang also shared some instances when he felt God helping him through challenging times, such as during the year in the seminary when he was appointed Head Student or Caput. He felt he lacked leadership and organisational skills as he has not had any job experience. He also found it a challenge reaching out to people during his pastoral work stint as a seminarian. @ ?K see God’s hand is with me, training me ... Before I came out to meet the people of God, He allowed me to lead a small group of "= Fr Zhang shared that for him, a priest has to be like the Good { ? = ? =" ` ? to have a close relationship with \ =" Thus, having a prayer life and being faithful to one’s calling are important to a priest’s life, he said. ?` cut corners in prayer because of | < = " ?K

China-born Fr Joseph Zhang at his ordination ceremony at the Church of the Holy Trinity on Aug 20. Photo: DOMINIC WONG

I used to compare ‘myself with others. God has allowed me to see that each person is gifted in different ways.

’

not Christ-centred, we’ll lose our "= Meanwhile, Fr Zhang says he will continue to serve in the Church of the Holy Trinity, adding that he is willing to go wherever his superiors want him to serve. He is presently handling Man-

darin-speaking ministries and some English-speaking ones too. He said he would like to provide formation for Mandarin-speaking Catholics and help young people from this community get more involved in church. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday September 9, 2012 CatholicNews

Catholic donor aids injured Bangladeshi By Martin See The Bangladeshi worker who was attacked by two men is now able to pay off his medical costs and even looks forward to setting up a small business back home, thanks to a Catholic donor. Mr Sudip Chandro Bhandro Joy was viciously attacked and robbed by two men on May 15. A Straits Times report on Aug 11 noted that he suffered injuries to his cheeks, nose and head and has been on medical leave since the incident. The construction worker is also experiencing numbness in his upper jaw and is unable to eat solid food. After reading the news report, a Catholic woman contacted the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI), offering to donate $6,000 to Mr Sudip. The donor wishes to remain anonymous, said ACMI executive director Jeremy Khoo. On Aug 21, ACMI arranged for a meeting between the donor, Mr Sudip and his younger brother, Mr Pradip Bhadra Milton Gonesh Bhadra, who is also a construction worker in Singapore. With the money, Mr Sudip was able to pay his brother back

Mr Sudip Chandro Bhandro Joy (right) seen here with his brother. An anonymous donor gave Mr Sudip $6,000 after learning about his plight after he was attacked.

the $2,000 the latter had forked out to cover the medical bills, said Mr Khoo. Mr Sudip remitted the balance to his family in Bangladesh. He will use $2,500 to settle his mortgage payments back home and put aside the remainder to set up a small sundry and clothing store, said Mr Khoo. “I was very worried about losing my sight because the [attackers] damaged my eyes, and with no money I was concerned about losing my home as well because I couldn’t pay the mortgage,” Mr

Sudip told CatholicNews in a telephone interview. The father of two girls aged one and four said he and his family now feel a great sense of relief, thanks to the donation. “I feel that new life has been given to me!” he said. Mr Sudip has a medical appointment in September, and if the doctor gives him a clean bill of health, he will return to start life anew in Bangladesh, said Mr Khoo. martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Gospel and pop concert draws the crowds By Martin See Some 30 women and children from a Catholic crisis centre were among those who enjoyed a concert of gospel and pop music recently. The women from the Good Shepherd Centre even got up to dance during the concert, put on by local musician Terence Castillo. The God is Good concert was held at the Church of St Mary of the Angels’ St Clare Hall on Aug 20. “I believe [the concert] would lighten their worries and provide = said Ms Teresa Yong, programme coordinator for the centre, which helps women, children and foreign domestic workers rebuild their lives after abuse and victimisation. The two-hour concert, attended by 350 people, kicked off with Castillo performing popular songs such as I Believe, Lean on Me and How Sweet It is to be Loved by You. He was accompanied by a church choir, The Seraphim Choir, and a four-piece band comprising local musicians. Another singer, Jurane Solano, performed solo and also sang with Castillo The Prayer, popularised by

Andrea Bocelli and Celine Dion. Although Castillo has had a secular music career spanning two decades, this was his debut concert in gospel and pop music, he said. He had told CatholicNews earlier that he wanted to “bring music to people to make them feel good """ \ =" In fact, the crowd warmed up clapping, singing and dancing to the music. Speaking after the concert, he said he was grateful to sponsors and supporters who bought a third of the tickets. Sponsors donated many tickets to organisations catering to the disadvantaged. Each ticket cost $38. “Through this concert I can praise God in an upbeat and fun €=  # ' bought 65 tickets and donated most of them to the St Vincent de Paul Society. Castillo told CatholicNews he hopes to hold more concerts like this and eventually have a sustainable career performing gospel and pop music. „ martin.see@catholic.org.sg

Musician Terence Castillo belting out a number during the God is Good concert held at the Church of St Mary of the Angels on Aug 20.

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Sunday September 9, 2012 CatholicNews

Passion for stained glass Martin See speaks to the artist who is breathing new life into St Joseph Church’s stained glass

Koh Bee Liang working on a stained glass panel from St Joseph’s Church in her studio.

The stained glass artist who is restoring the century-old window panels at St Joseph’s Church, Victoria Street, says her work allows her “to bring the Gospels to life”. “There were moments when I had doubts if this was the right career path, but I always found my way back to the work which I believe is my calling from God,” said Koh Bee Liang, 52, a parishioner of St Mary of the Angels. The former student of St Theresa’s Convent, who is a member of the Focolare movement, has been working with stained glass for the past 29 years. She has restored old panels in churches in Malaysia and Canada, as well as created new artworks for churches, chapels and schools in Singapore, Sri Lanka, New Zealand and Malaysia. The 72 panels at St Joseph’s Church is the largest collection in Singapore covering more than 4,000 sq feet (370 sq m), according to parish pastoral council chairman Dr James Boss. The windows were made by Belgian craftsmen over a century ago and have since suffered wear and tear, he told CatholicNews. The restoration project, which started on July 20, is still in its assessment and evaluation stage, said Koh. Two windows have since been dismantled to ascertain the extent of damage, and the lead strips holding the glass removed. The materials have been systematically tagged and the work of identifying the right kind of glass for restoration work has begun. Koh said the project should be completed in about one and half years’ time. She works with a team of eight to 12 craftsmen, four of whom are based in her studio in Mandai while the rest are on site in the church.

Koh said that when she received news that she was to do the restoration work, she was ecstatic. “The St Joseph’s Church restoration is different from my past work because it involves documentation and photography every step of the way,” she said. Koh shared that her career has not always been smooth: “I’ve had my share of struggles and each time, with God’s grace, my work has formed my faith, which I try to translate through the designs I create.” One of her most memorable experiences was working on the

My work has ‘ formed my faith, which I try to translate through the designs I create.

’

– Koh Bee Liang

stained glass for the chapel at St Joseph’s Institution. That job was undertaken “during a period of personal trial … and I expressed my pain through those Biblical scenes”, she said. “It was a labour of love, and art echoing life on stained glass,” she shared. St Joseph’s Church, which celebrated its centenary on June 30, was gazetted as a national monument in 2005. The Preservation of Monuments Board is funding about half of the $1-million-dollar restoration project. The other half is expected to come from church fundraising efforts. martin.see@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

‘Personal witness vital to sharing the Good News’

Mr Smith gave a series of talks at the Church of St Mary of the Angels from Aug 22-25.

... says American Catholic evangelist who gave talks recently By Darren Boon The Gospel is able to touch the lives of people when its message is lived out in an individual’s life. Otherwise it remains abstract, says an American Catholic evangelist. “There is no good news without a personal witness,� says Mr Thomas Smith, who travels worldwide to conduct conferences, seminars, workshops and talks. Mr Smith was in Singapore to give a series of talks at the Church of St Mary of the Angels from Aug 22-25. Daily witnessing to the faith does not require one to “go door

local marketâ€? as “evangelisation has to be fundamentally relationalâ€?, he told CatholicNews. People are attracted to Christianity because of “individuals who embody the good newsâ€?, he stressed. While there was a time where the emphasis was on apologetics – the defence of the faith and giving people the right information on it – there has now been a shift, he feels. “What’s leading people to Christ now is seeing ‌ a Christian who’s doing something for the poor; so concrete works of mercy,â€? he said. “That’s compelling to people in a post-Christian world.â€? He would also encourage Christians to look for moments when one can naturally inject faith into a conversation, and to be able to share one’s faith story in a hundred words or less. “Our own personal stories – that’s what transforms others,â€? Mr Smith said.

Conversion to Catholicism Mr Smith was born a sixth-generation Mormon and used to be a missionary in southern USA. An encounter with an elderly African-American woman in Alabama during a mission trip challenged his beliefs and he subsequently left the Mormon Church.

PRIEST MOVEMENTS: Fr Paul Ngo Thanh Phong, from the Church of the Holy Trinity, is scheduled to leave Singapore in late September to study Mandarin in Taipei. The Paris Foreign Missions priest is expected to be there for two years. „

He later became a Missionary Baptist working mostly with African-Americans. He was involved in preaching, teaching the Bible, leading of prayer groups and adult faith formation. While doing research on the Trinity, Mr Smith came across many Catholic teachings. A Catholic colleague also helped him with answers on the Catholic faith.

‘Our own personal

stories – that’s what transforms others.

’

Mr Thomas Smith

Mr Smith found himself drawn to the Catholic Church and was received into it at Easter 1996. His life has been a “continuous journey towards Christ�, he shared. Since his days as a Mormon missionary, he had always prayed that he would seek the truth and remain true to that. His experience as a Mormon has helped him in his work as a Catholic evangelist and speaker,

he said. As a young boy, he was trained to give little talks. Members of the congregation also took turns to give talks on Sundays. His love for scripture was also nourished when he was a Baptist, he shared. On how the Catholic Church reaches out to those who are enquiring into the faith, he says, “I love the fact that the Catholic Church is just journeying with the person, that we respect people’s timings and the obstacles that each particular person� faces when coming to know Christ. “We certainly believe in witnessing our faith but we’re not proselytising.� Mr Smith has been a director of the Denver Catholic Biblical School and the Denver Catechetical School. He has also been a repeat guest on EWTN, a global Catholic TV, radio and news network, and is an international presenter of the Great Adventure Bible programme which introduces Catholics to Bible study. The evangelist says his char-

ism lies in teaching, pastoring and evangelisation. He took up his current work full-time four years much joy in it. Living a celibate life has also helped him in his work, he said. He says the Church should use social media as a “means of

preaching the Gospel�. However, solely using social media is inadequate as Gospel sharing is fundamentally relational, he said. More information on Thomas Smith is available at http://www. gen215.org „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Migrants, CJC students bond over games By Don Gurugay

Above: Migrant construction workers and Catholic Junior College students pose for a photo on Aug 25. Right: The workers were treated to a buffet lunch and played games with the students.

' ' ate with migrant construction workers and even played ball games with them in the school compound recently. The Aug 26 outreach programme was part of the college’s ?ˆ ˆ < = ‰ three previous occasions saw the students packing and delivering food and toiletries to workers at their dormitories. The day began with about 60 workers and 30 students forming groups and playing simple games as an icebreaker. A buffet lunch followed and after that it was down to various ball games. The day drew to a close with the workers being presented with game ‚ < rom boards and checkers games.

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was good. a good learning experience. Yeo Hwee Shan said interacting with the migrants helped her to appreciate their contribution to Singapore. ‹  † X was to show appreciation for their hard work. Oh Ying Han added that he was happy to see the workers actively involved in the games. ` ‰ X { Œ / ‰ and was assisted by the Archdiocesan Commission for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People (ACMI). „

Nurses urged to follow Christ in their work

Archbishop Chia and priests bless the hands of nurses during the Catholic Nurses’ Day Mass.

“It is the loving God who has called you to this important ser < = Archbishop Nicholas Chia told more than 200 nurses gathered for the annual Catholic Nurses’ Day Mass. ` ' “cannot follow Christ on her own

= < " The Mass for Catholic nurses and other healthcare professionals from polyclinics and private and government hospitals was held at the Church of the Risen Christ on Aug 19. The event was organised by the Catholic Nurses Guild of Singapore. K # Chia gave examples of how Christ addressed both the physical and that this is something Catholic nurses must practise.

“Christ the Lord has deemed ‚ help Him continue His ministry of compassion which He exercised „ = # op Chia said. He appealed to the congregation to be guided by Gospel values. “There must be no compromise with regards to matters of = $ donation. Guild president Theresa Cheong later led the nurses and healthcare workers in reciting the Nurses’ Pledge. They then came forward to have their hands blessed by the { † † ‡" „

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Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

OBITUARY

Fr Joe – an approachable, caring priest By Darren Boon An approachable priest who cared for his flock – that is how former parishioners and those who knew the late Fr Joseph Tan remember him. Fr Tan returned to the Lord on Aug 27 after a battle with cancer, a few weeks shy of his 65th birthday. His funeral was scheduled for Aug 30. Fr Tan was ordained in 1973 and served as assistant priest and parish priest at Church of Our Lady of Perpetual Succour (1973-1981). He was subsequently parish priest of Church of St Bernadette (1983-1996), Church of the Holy Spirit (1996-2005), and Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary from 2005 until the time he stepped down due to ill health. His interests were in family life; Marriage Encounter, where he was spiritual director; Neighbourhood Christian Communities; and the St Mary of the Cross cancer support group which he helped found in April 2010. He had also served in the Senate of Priests and Lay Apostolate Commission, and was chaplain to the Joyful Vanguard. Fr Peter Zhang, CDD, who had worked with Fr Tan at the Church of the Holy Spirit, said Fr Tan was “an approachable priest who got on well with parishioners of all ages�. He truly had the “character of a diocesan priest�, a “priest for all seasons�, he said. Fr Tan was like a father

Fr Joseph Tan was called to the Lord on Aug 27 after a battle with cancer.

figure to him, said Fr Zhang, adding that the late priest would often take him along

when visiting parishioners. FMDM Sr Eucharia Tan, Fr Tan’s sister, who cared for

‘ ’

– Ms Rosa Lim, a member of the cancer support group that Fr Tan helped set up

him during his illness, said her brother was very upbeat and lucid right to the end. He even celebrated his birthday in advance with members and friends from the cancer support group, she said. She recalled that he prayed the Stations of the Cross and the rosary during the last moments of his life. His friends from the cancer support group, comprising patients, cancer survivors and caregivers, spoke of how Fr Tan had been an inspiration to them. Ms Veronica Kok described Fr Tan as a brave “fighter�, and even though he was at times sick and breathless, he would still attend group meetings. Ms Rosa Lim, another member, recalled that despite his ill health, Fr Tan conducted a Lenten retreat for the group last year. “Fr Joe knew first hand the pain and discomforts of cancer patients; and all the side effects ... that come with chemotherapy treatments,� she said. “He also understood the heavy load of worries and anxieties of caregivers ... He felt it was important to share experiences, journey together.� She added, “I think he fought the biggest fight of his life in the last two months.� His former parishioners also described how Fr Tan touched their lives. Ms Sue Tan from Church of St Bernadette said Fr Joe was the first priest she knew. “I probably wouldn’t be

Catholic today if not for him because he was such an important role model when I was growing up,� she shared. “He was such a good man, a good priest, and when I had questions about my faith, knowing that someone that good was a priest helped keep my faith strong,� she said. Madam Cheryl Goh, from Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, said that Fr Tan was a “great priest and approachable�, and recalled his persistence in inviting her to a Parish Renewal Experience. Ms Joan D’Cotta, a Holy Spirit parishioner, said Fr Tan brought the old church building “into the 21st century�. The former building, with its limited capacity, was getting overcrowded, and Fr Tan was instrumental in building the current church, she said. He was “simple, pastoral and fatherly�, and always concerned about parishioners’ lives, she said. „ darren.boon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Church aid sought after ethnic clashes BANGALORE, INDIA – ` K X # ' ˆ  %! –!! !!! " ?\

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ASIA 11

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

New Bishop of Penang ordained Photo: JOSEPH CHENG

By Vincent D’Silva BUKIT MERTAJAM, PENANG –

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Jesus Christ, we all are called to holiness.

– Newly ordained Bishop Sebastian Francis (above) urging the congregation to pray for him in his new role. Main consecrator Archbishop Murphy Pakiam is on the left.

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12 ASIA

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Members of the media and residents gather outside a mosque on Aug 23 near the locked family house of Rimsha Masih, an 11-year-old Pakistani Christian girl. CNS photo VATICAN CITY – Pakistani institutions and religious leaders are working together for the release of a Christian girl accused of blasphemy and to reduce the risk of MuslimChristian violence over the incident, said the Pakistani prime minister’s special adviser on minorities. Mr Paul Bhatti, the Catholic adviser, told the Vatican’s Fides news agency on Aug 23 that those working to secure the girl’s release included Muslim leaders. Fides, the news agency of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, has reported that the girl, Rimsha Masih, is an 11-yearold with Down’s Syndrome. She was taken into custody on Aug 18 after allegedly being found with burned pages of the Qur’an, the Muslim holy book. When the police took her away, hundreds of angry Muslims were reportedly gathering in the mainly poor Christian neighborhood of Islamabad where she lived. Hundreds of families have presence has increased.

“The situation is under control,� Mr Bhatti told Fides. Catholic leaders in Pakistan and human rights activists have said the country’s anti-blasphemy law, which includes offences against the Qur’an, has been misused to persecute Christians and other minorities in the country. Daughter of St Paul Sr Daniela Baronchelli, who works in Pakistan, told Vatican Radio on Aug 20: “We have been told that the girl cannot respond to the interrogation. They found her with a bag that had parts of a burned Qur’an inside. They don’t know, however, who gave it to her or where she got it; they don’t know anything.� Sr Daniela said the angry crowd “wanted to burn her alive because they say it was a great offence against the Qur’an.� The unjust use of the anti-blasphemy law “unfortunately is becoming all too common. The fact is that the extremists don’t want the Christians here anymore, so any little thing – true or not – is enough to incite a revolt�, she said. „ CNS

WORLD 13

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Cardinal urges US presidential candidates to practise civility NEW YORK, USA – Cardinal Timothy M Dolan of New York has invited the Republican and Democratic candidates for president and vice president to sign a petition seeking civil dialogue and to refrain from personal attacks during the campaign period. The elections are scheduled for November. The Civility in America petition, developed by the Knights of Columbus, calls on candidates, commentators and media representatives to focus on the important issues facing the country rather than on individual personalities. The Knights of Columbus is a Catholic organisation dedicated to providing charitable services, promoting Catholic education and defending Catholicism. “I am writing to you and to the other candidates for president and vice president of this great nation to ask for your support of this effort, so that the upcoming campaign will remain focused on the critical issues facing our nation and not on personal attacks,� Cardinal Dolan said in his letters. The letters to President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden, the Democratic ticket, and Mr Mitt Romney and Mr Paul Ryan, the presumptive Republican nominees for president and vice president respectively. The petition on the Knights of Columbus website had gained more than 20,000 signatures as of Aug 27. Cardinal Dolan’s letter said that if the candidates signed the petition he would “be most happy to convey� to Supreme Knight Carl A Anderson and to the 1.8 million members of the organisation “that you have chosen to support this valuable effort�. The cardinal cited the results

Syrian peace initiative „ From page 1 The Church-backed initiative emerged in June in Homs following the attendance of representatives of various religions at a meeting that resulted in a number of joint declarations on building peace and mutual respect in Syria. Born in Lebanon of a Lebanese mother and a Palestinian father, Mother Agnes Mariam lived through the Lebanese civil war of 1975-1990. She joined the Carmelites in 1971, and in 1994 established a new monastic foundation in the sixth-century monastery of St James the Mutilated in Qara. „ CNS

US President Barack Obama shakes hands with women during a campaign event in Marshalltown, Iowa, on Aug 14. CNS photo

Pope encourages prayers for unborn, support for parents CZESTOCHOWA, POLAND – Pope Assumption, at the Marian shrine Benedict XVI encouraged prayers to mark the culmination of the for the lives of the unborn and 301st pilgrimage to Czestochowa. asked Polish Catholics to ensure In his message, the pope their love for life translates into praised those who promote the - Gospel values of life and love, op - posing abortion and other threats nancy. to life, and he The papal mesprayed that the sage marked the project would in25th anniversary of spire “more open Poland’s “Spiritual human hearts to Adoption of the bring spiritual Unborn�, a project help to children whose participants whose lives are promise to pray at risk, and aid for an unborn baby to couples facing each day for nine months. coming a new life The project beand to families gan in 1987 as part An illustration depicting a hu- that have experiof the Polish na- man foetus in a womb. enced the tragedy tional pilgrimage of abortion�. to the Shrine of Our Lady of Jasna The pope said the nine months Gora in Czestochowa. of prayer, which pilgrims offer as Cardinal Kazimierz Nycz of their “spiritual gift� to Our Lady Warsaw read Pope Benedict’s of Jasna Gora, should deepen the message about the prayer for the pilgrims’ relationship with Christ, unborn before the Mass he cel- “perceived in every child conebrated on Aug 15, the feast of the ceived�. „ CNS

Zambian bishops oppose clause on ‘Christian nation’

US Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney shakes hands with coal miners during a campaign stop at the American Energy Corporation in Beallsville, Ohio, on Aug 14. CNS photo

of a Knights of Columbus-Marist Poll conducted on July 9-11 that found 78 percent of Americans are “frustrated with the tone in politics today�. The poll also found that twothirds of people contacted said candidates spend more time attacking their opponents than addressing key issues and that 64 percent of people believe negative campaigning harms the political

cant amount. “That this perception exists cannot be healthy for our country or our democratic political process,� Cardinal Dolan’s letter said. “Civility in America is giving voice to the desire of Americans of all backgrounds and political parties for more civil discourse during this election season.� „ CNS

LUSAKA, ZAMBIA – The Zambian bishops’ conference has opposed a proposal to identify Zambia as “a Christian nation� in the preamble to a new national constitution. A statement from the bishops’ conference submitted to the Constitutional Review Commission said that “a country cannot practise the values and precepts of Christianity by a mere declaration�. “In the preamble, the declaration that Zambia is a Christian nation should be omitted,� the conference said. It stressed that the principle of Church-state separation must not be lost, adding that Zambia is a multi-religious country. The conference also commented on proposed regulations on citizenship and exploitation of natural resources of the country.

Viet govt ‘removed images from church’ HANOI, VIETNAM – Government

authorities from a district in Vietnam’s Central Highlands have apparently forced ethnic villagers to remove Catholic pictures and items from their chapel, replacing them with images of the late communist leader Ho Chi Minh. A Church source told the Asian Church news agency UCA News that government authorities from Kon Thuc hamlet, led ited the Catholics on Aug 12 after Mass and asked them to remove a cross and Marian image from the chapel.

The source said authorities threatened to imprison the lay leader if Catholics from the village of Dak Pnan did not comply. Villagers had to carry the cross, Marian picture, altar and tabernacle to the lay leader’s house, the source told UCA News. Authorities then put two pictures of Ho Chi Minh in the places where the cross and Marian picture had been. On Aug 13, authorities dismantled the bell of the chapel after local Catholics refused to do it. The bell was also taken to the lay leader’s house.

One Catholic said authorities told parishioners that the building was to be used “for village activities, not for worship�. Local Catholics said the building, sponsored by a France-based charitable organisation, was built in 1999 for villagers, most of them ethnic Bahnar Catholics, to worship and hold common activities. Since 2007, priests from other places have visited weekly and provided pastoral services for villagers at the building, which has been used only for worship. „ CNS

It also opposed attempts to include a clause supporting abortion. “There is no way the Zambian Constitution should support clauses that support abortion, death penalty or mercy killing,� the conference said. Currently, Zambian law � the death penalty is also legal. „ CNS

14 WORLD

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

S African bishops slam mine killings CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA – South Africa’s bishops have

condemned the killings at a platinum mine in Marikana and called for a judicial inquiry into the circumstances that led to the violence. Thirty-four people died and 78 were injured on Aug 16 when < miners who, armed with machetes and homemade spears, were gathered on a rocky outcrop at the mine, located northwest of Johannesburg. Another 10 people, including two policemen, had already been killed in violence at the mine since the start of an illegal strike on Aug 10. “The senseless loss of life, especially through wanton violence, is always a tragedy and needs to be condemned in the strongest terms,� the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference said in an Aug 17 statement. The actions of the trade unions, the London-based Lonmin mining company and the police “need to be investigated� by an inquiry that also looks at “the living and working conditions at this mining operation�, the bishops said. “We offer to assist in the trauma counselling and community

Women protest outside the Lonmin platinum mine on Aug 17, the day after South African police

on striking miners outside the facility in Marikana, South Africa. CNS photo

healing that will be necessary for this community and the broader South African community,� the bishops said. “We cannot allow this violence to escalate and become a normal part of our society,� they added. Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg said that often South Africa’s industrial disputes turn violent, which “indicates deep

frustration and anger�. “Terrible poverty and high levels of unemployment� in his diocese “are the cause of much tension�, he said. The secretary-general of the South African Council of Churches, the Rev Mautji Pataki, said that he and the organisation’s president, Anglican Bishop Johannes Seoka of Pretoria, found workers and management

at the mine “willing to engage one another, provided the level of hostility is reduced to allow peaceful interaction and resolution�. A delegation from the council, of which the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference is a member, visited the mine on Aug 17 and said in a statement afterwards that the council would “seek to help to

create an atmosphere conducive to negotiation�. The council called on the police “to exercise restraint in the use of force as they seek to maintain law and order�. It said it is “only through meaningful and peaceful dialogue that all parties affected by

=" South African President Jacob Zuma cut short a visit to a regional summit in neighbouring Mozambique to visit the mine. In a front-page editorial on Aug 17, the Sowetan newspaper said that in South Africa, 18 years after the end of apartheid, “the value of human life, especially that of the African, continues to be meaningless�. Africans “are pitted against each other over who is the rightful representative of workers. ` ger slice of the mineral wealth of their own country. In the end the war claims the very poor African – again�, the newspaper said. South Africa is home to 80 percent of the world’s known reserves of platinum. Rising power and labour costs and a steep decline this year of platinum prices have left many mines

ing to Reuters, the British news agency. „

WORLD 15

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Writer’s heir gives Church millions Laypeople are ‘co-responsible’ for Church, says pope VATICAN CITY – As Catholics prepare to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council, all Church members need to make a renewed effort to ensure laypeople are aware of their responsibility for the Church and are allowed to exercise it, Pope Benedict XVI said. “Co-responsibility requires a change of mentality, particularly regarding the role in the Church of the laity, who should not be considered ‘collaborators’ of the clergy, but people who truly are co-responsible for the being and action of the Church,� the pope wrote in a message to the assembly of the International Forum of Catholic Action. The Aug 22-26 assembly in Iasi, Romania, brought together representatives of Catholic Action groups from around the world. The forum promotes lay involvement in parish and community life, particularly through studying and acting on the principles of Catholic social teaching. The pope’s message, released on Aug 23, said the Church needs a “mature and committed laity, able

< to the mission of the Church� in a way that respects the different roles and ministries of its members. The Vatican II dogmatic constitution on the Church, Lumen Gentium, described the style of relationships within the Church as “familial�, the pope said. Viewing the Church as a family emphasises shared responsibility, mutual support and joint action while, at the same time, recognising the special role of guidance of the Church’s pastors, he said. The pope asked Catholic Action members to work with and for the Church through their “participation in ecclesial life�. He asked them to help with the new evangelisation, proclaiming salvation in Christ “with language and methods understandable in our age�.

should not ‘Laity be considered ‘collaborators’ of clergy, but people who are co-responsible for the being and action of the Church.

’

– Pope Benedict XVI

He also encouraged them to continue studying and applying Catholic social teaching, particularly with the aim of bringing about a “globalisation of solidarity and charity�. „ CNS

ATLANTA, USA – The Archdiocese of Atlanta in the US has received a substantial gift from the estate of Margaret Mitchell’s nephew, Joseph, including a 50 percent share of the trademark and literary rights to the bestselling novel, Gone With the Wind. The estate of Joseph Mitchell included a multimillion-dollar bequest to the archdiocese and the donation of his home in Atlanta. One of two sons of Margaret Mitchell’s brother, Stephens, Joseph Mitchell died in October 2011. He was a member of the Cathedral of Christ the King and asked that, if possible, his donation assist the cathedral in a particular way.

Portrait of Margaret Mitchell, author of bestselling novel, Gone with the Wind.

“It is a magnificent gift,� said Deacon Steve Swope, who has been overseeing the transition of the bequest on behalf of

Atlanta Archbishop Wilton D Gregory. The inheritance passed on to the archdiocese includes a collection of signed Gone With the Wind first editions published in various languages in countries around the world and an unpublished history of the Mitchell family, handwritten by Margaret’s father, Eugene Muse Mitchell. Some of Margaret Mitchell’s personal effects, including her wallet with her press card and library card, and furniture from her apartment have been given to the archdiocese. A library of books includes of the late Georgia Catholic author Flannery O’Connor’s novels and short stories. „ CNS

16 WORLD

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Archbishop asks international help to stop terrorism in Nigeria VATICAN CITY – The president of the Nigerian bishops’ conference called for the international community to help his country improve its security operations to stop the “fundamentalist, fanatic� Boko Haram terrorist group. The day after a Catholic church, an elementary school and a police station in Damagun were attacked, presumably by Boko Haram members, Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Jos told Vatican Radio: “There is high religious tension in Nigeria, but we are not at war between Christians and Muslims. The Boko Haram is at war with Christians, because they have vowed they will kill Christians because

 X"= In its two-year campaign to impose a strict interpretation of Islamic law on the entire country, Boko Haram has been blamed for more than 1,400 deaths of Chris  " Archbishop Kaigama was interviewed on Aug 20 in Rimini, Italy, where he addressed a meeting of the Communion and Liberation lay movement. He told Vatican Radio that in his country, where the population is about half Muslim and half Christian, “there is no neat division between political problems and religious problems. They are intertwined.â€? “It is erroneous to always reduce every crisis in Nigeria to religion. Religion does a lot of good; we shouldn’t see it as always generating crisis,â€? the archbishop said. In addition, he said, people must look for the root causes of tensions in Nigeria, including the economic, political and social issues that “trigger these crises, but somehow eventually they always become Christian-Muslim crisesâ€?.

The vast majority of Nigerians – Christians and Muslims – want to live in peace and are frightened by the actions and agenda of Boko Haram, he said, “but somehow the violence continues to grow�. “The government seems helpless. The security agents, even though they are all over the place, don’t seem to provide the security that would allow people to go about their normal business peacefully,� Archbishop Kaigama said.

The government ‘seems helpless. The security agents, even though they are all over the place, don’t seem to provide the security that would allow people to go about their normal business peacefully.

’

– Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama of Jos, Nigeria

“People are afraid that if this consequences will be disastrous: There will be either an open, very

a civil war that will pit the north against the south,� he said. The majority of people in the north are Muslim, while the majority of people in the south are Christian. If there is war in Nigeria, the archbishop said, it will affect other West African nations and, perhaps, the whole continent. „

WORLD 17

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Church statistics to mull over VATICAN CITY – The percentage of practising Catholics is apparently declining worldwide. Almost all bishops report it, but it’s " “The only way to get an accurate picture ... would be to carefully choose a cross section of the population, do a census, and then time,� says Mr Enrico Nenna, chief statistician in the Vatican’s Central + ' { " Vatican statisticians compile data yearly on the number of Catholics, baptisms, priests and Religious, weddings and annulments in dioceses and countries. The falling number of Catholic weddings worries the Church because it indicates, at least partly, that some are forgoing a sac together, said Mr Nenna. ˆ are marrying older and, especially during economic crisis, are waiting before starting a family. { ing numbers of infant baptisms can indicate weaker faith among new parents, it also is a natural result of declining birthrates. The working document for the + { ˆ ‡ -

The global Catholic population grew by 29 percent from 1990-2010. However, bishops worry about a weakening of faith.

‡ to a “weakening of faith� or “declining practice�, it includes no numbers. The document was written based on responses to a Vatican questionnaire submitted by bish X — and the international unions of superior generals of religious orders.

All the responses, the document said, described “a weakening of faith in Christian communities, a diminished regard for the authority of

approach to belonging to the Church, a decline in religious practice and a disengagement in transmitting the faith to new generations�. At the same time, the Vatican’s

{ ’ < ' reports that the number of Catholics in the world – almost 1.2 billion – continues to grow , holding steady at about 17.5 percent of the world’s people. The number of priests has shown a steady increase since 2000, and the number of seminarians has gone up each year for the past 15 years. For Mr Nenna, both reports do " ` tion, while the yearbook is based annually. One problem with the census, Mr Nenna said, is that not and, in most situations, Catholics who stop going to church are still counted as members. { signs of falling religious practice. From 1990-2010, the global Cath-

olic population grew from 928.5 million to almost 1.2 billion, a 29 " „ ' " ' ! percent to 8.8 million in 2010, the yearbook says. The situation is worse when looking at the breakdown of the !"ž ' " + the number dropped so much in the Americas, Oceania and Europe that it caused a decrease of 5 percent in the global numbers. œ # # ' the past 20 years, this did not keep up with the rise in Catholics there. Catholics in Africa increased !• ' ions went up by only 21 percent. In Asia, the Church grew by more

! ' munions increased 13 percent. These statistics will most likely be on bishops’ minds at the to reach out to those who, “de from the Church and Christian practice,� according to the synod working document. „ CNS „ Page 21: Catholics and new evangelisation

18 OPINION

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Our attitude towards wealth

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A real pilgrimage CNS photos

VATICAN CITY – Fr Caesar Atuire

is not naive enough to ask his pilgrims to leave their smartphones at home. However, the CEO of a Vatican-related pilgrimage agency does ask his pilgrims to at least look at the holy sites – perhaps even say a prayer – before clicking and capturing the moment in a photo, text message, Tweet or Facebook post. Fr Atuire, a Ghanaian-born priest of the Diocese of Rome, personally leads at least three of the pilgrimages he oversees each year for Opera Romana Pellegrinaggi, which organises spiritual

‹ –! !!!$ ! !!! ž!! !!! ing the Eternal City annually. More and more, he said, helping travellers become pilgrims ‘ with images that completely overshadows experiencing the

‰ meeting new people, exploring different cultures and entering into prayer. People at audiences and Masses with Pope Benedict XVI see the pope through their camera lens, cellphones and iPads. The same thing happens at Christian holy sites around the world, he said. ?“ K grims is live the experience and, if the experience is so powerful, then try to immortalise it with an image, but don’t start off with the image,� he said. A second, similar modern obstacle to an authentic pilgrim experience is Facebook or other social networks and the general ease of communicating with others anywhere in the world. Fr Atuire talks about “being present, but absent�. He said, “I can be here with you, but all that I’m doing is geared toward telling people elsewhere what I’m doing right now. That’s a kind of absenteeism that’s becoming

Pilgrims pray the Our Father during an outdoor Mass in Lourdes, France.

Pilgrims need to at least look at the holy sites – perhaps even say a prayer – before clicking and capturing the moment in a photo, text message, Tweet or Facebook post. very pronounced even in our pilgrimages.� The third big risk is speed, he said. ?K < •! from Rome to Lourdes� and as soon as the plane lands, he said, people are calling home, “asking the kids to take the laundry out of the machine. And I say,  “ X here.’� People’s minds, hearts and souls need time to move from thoughts of work, home or school, Fr Atuire said, so his agency offers catechesis on the planes. In addition, each morning, guides conduct a brief meeting to remind people of where they are and what they’re about to do. All people need a break from the daily grind now and then, he said. They need to get in touch again with nature, with themselves and with God.

If a person isn’t travelling for work, they usually either are “running away from something or searching for something�, the priest said. The key difference between leisure travel and a pilgrimage is the search for a spiritual encounter, he said, and throughout history certain shrines and sites have become known as places with “a density of God’s presence�, he said. “Religious experience has a corporal dimension,� Fr Atuire " ?“ of a deep religious experience, the body somehow needs to be involved,� so setting off from home and going on a pilgrimage is quite natural, not only for Christians, but also for members ‰ "= „ CNS

20 and 21: Pilgrimage on 8thePages Camino de Santiago in Spain

THE rich are getting richer, and we are almost beyond surprise at how rich that is. Every day, our newspapers, our televisions and the K ‰ generation ago, were unimaginable: Corporate executives receiving a hundred million dollar bonuses, an athlete signing a contract for a hundred million dollars, entertainers signing contracts for tens of millions, people in information technology earning billions, and < ‰ " # X ÂĄ ˜ ‰ " “ ‘ and protest that this is out of proportion, even as we nurse a not-so-secret envy: I wish it was me! “ spite our envy, we grant them their due: Good for them! They worked for it. They have the talent. They deserve all they get! But how should we view being rich from a faith perspective? Jesus warned that riches are dangerous, dangerous to the soul and dangerous to society. So what should be our attitude towards having wealth, both as this pertains to the very rich and as it pertains to us? First, it is good to avoid a number of things: To begin with, we must never idealise poverty and see wealth as a bad thing in itself. God is rich, not poor, and heaven will not be a place of poverty. Poverty is something

" ` X ‰ " Next, we must avoid too-quickly politicising both poverty and wealth. Our lens must always be moral rather than political, though obviously both wealth and poverty have huge political implications. Finally, before attacking the possession of wealth, we must ensure that we are free from embittered moralising which, whatever its moral guise, is little more than envy. “

wealth? Underlying everything else, we must always keep in mind Jesus’ warning that the possession of wealth is dangerous, that it is hard for a rich person to enter the kingdom of heaven. Moreover that warning should be a huge aid in helping us to accept some other principles: First: The possession of wealth is not a bad thing in itself; it is how we use it and what it can do to our hearts that can be bad. Jesus makes a distinction between the generous rich and the miserly rich. The for \

" “ generous, particularly in a very prodigious way, riches won’t close our hearts. But the reverse is also true. All miserliness, all stinginess, all lack of generosity closes our hearts in ways that make it hard to enter the kingdom of heaven, or genuine human community, to put it in purely human terms. And so the challenge for all of us who are rich in any way is to con " “ need what we give them, though they do; we need to do this so that we can remain healthy. Philanthropy, of every kind, is more about the health of the one giving than the health of the one receiving. The generous rich can inherit the kingdom, the miserly rich cannot. The poor are everyone’s ticket into heaven – and to human health. Finally, this too must always be kept in mind as we view wealth, " “ it’s given to us in trust. God is the sole owner of all that is and the world " “ erty, is what has been given to us in trust, to steward for the good of everyone. It’s not really ours. X ‰ nuity and hard work that gave us what we view as our own. The fruits X " “ lose sight of that. Here’s how Mr Bill Gates Sr puts it: “Society has an enormous claim upon the fortunes of the wealthy. This is rooted not only in most religious traditions, but also in an honest accounting of society’s substantial investment in creating fertile ground for wealth-creation. Judaism, ' K private property, but there are moral limits imposed on absolute private " œ not individuals alone but exist in community – a community that makes claims on us. The notion that ‘it is all mine’ is a violation of these teachings and traditions. Society’s claim on individual accumulated wealth is ... rooted in the recognition of society’s direct and indirect investment in the individual’s success. In other words, we didn’t get there on our "= ™{ ‰ $ !!&š Indeed, none of us did! If we remember that we will more easily be generous. „

FEATURES 19

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

Church-run sanctuary for Agent Orange child victims HO CHI MINH CITY, VIETNAM –

When Bui Anh The grinds his

‘ nun holds him close and pats him " ?K much,� she says. ` $ $ crying and smiles, showing his four teeth. Lying beside Bui, who was born with cerebral palsy, are two other disabled boys who them " + est meal while the other hits his head with his hands and grinds mouth. Two nurses then hold them up and begin to wash them down. They are among 70 children ˜ X disorders, physical deformities and other physical and mental disorders cared for at the Church-run Thien Phuoc Centre. ` ! work at the centre on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City. Although Fr Pierre Phan Khac Tu, the man who started the centre in 2001, says he cannot afford tests to determine the precise effects of dioxin or Agent Orange, all these children come from areas in the south that the American poison during the Vietnam War. “We want to look after them as a way to reduce subsequent health problems after the Vietnam War,� said Fr Tu. According to records in Hanoi,

During the decade that followed 1961, the US sprayed some 80 million litres of the toxic Agent Orange over jungle in the south of Vietnam in a bid to strip Vietcong guerillas of tree cover.

Children with physical disablities at the Thien Phuoc Centre started by Fr Pierre Phan Khac Tu. UCANEWS.COM photo

during the decade that followed •” ¼{ %! ‘ 77,700 sq km of jungle in the south of Vietnam in a bid to strip Vietcong

" { –"% — ‘ to Agent Orange, which pollutes " ` ¼{

joint clean-up operation with the Vietnamese around Danang Airport – the area where it was stored ÂŚ on Aug 9. + # % / ' ˆ ˜ of cubic feet of contaminated soil

$ tion. ?“ <

= ÂĽ{ # — ˜ ˆ { " ?K < more successes to follow.â€? ` of Agent Orange is more than one person can handle, but he is trying.

„ ing food and accommodation to a further 63 children with physical deformities and is building a third children’s home for 100 more. {  Œ ` Œ ten due to a lack of money, what

care. “I wish my parents would take me home,� says 13-year-old Tran Thi Loc, looking up at the ceiling. Weighing just 10 kg and with brittle bones and deformed limbs, @ # " ?{ X < an orphan,� says the nun, wiping

" { that when a child dies, the other children are told that the child has “gone home� so that they will not get anxious. „ UCANEWS.COM

Religious leaders sign appeal for reconciliation WARSAW, POLAND – The head of

the Russian Orthodox Church and the president of the Polish Catholic bishops’ conference signed a joint message urging Poles and Russians to set aside centuries of anger and prejudice and work together to maintain their countries’ Christian identities. The signing of the Message to the Nations of Poland and Russia on Aug 17 was the key moment of

$ ‹ + thodox patriarch to modern Poland. “We enter a path of honest dialogue in the hope that it will heal the wounds of the past, fa prejudice and misunderstanding and strengthen us in our pursuit of reconciliation,� said the message signed by Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and Archbishop Jozef Michalik of Przemysl, president of the Polish bishops’ conference. The signing ceremony was / " Polish Catholic and Russian + ‘ paring the statement for more than

Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill and Polish Archbishop Jozef Michalik, president of the Catholic bishops’ conference of Poland, sign a joint message of reconciliation during a ceremony in Warsaw on Aug 17. CNS photo

historical grudges between the two nations and long-standing tensions between members of the Russian Orthodox Church and the Polish Catholic Church. #

territory became more compli-

cated during World War II when / \ many and Russia. After the war, Poland came { Union. Under communism, the Catholic and Orthodox Churches ‰ -

sure, with the minority Orthodox in Poland and minority Catholics in Russia suffering particularly harsh treatment. The reconciliation message said, ?{ as political pressure, led to mutual struggle between our nations. ?{ earlier led to the dissolution of

' " ˜ sion and schism, alien to Christ’s will, were a major scandal; therefore we redouble efforts to bring our Churches and nations closer to each other and to become more \ the contemporary world,� it said. With the religious and political freedom that came with the fall of communism in the early 1990s, Patriarch Kirill and Archbishop Michalik said, the Churches set out on a path of renewal, but still must face the effects of decades of secularism of modern societies.

Christianity “exerted a deci ituality and culture of our peoples and of the entire Europe�, the two leaders said, and maintaining that the Christian faith is essential for the countries’ future. The patriarch and the archbishop expressed particular concern about “the promotion of abortion, euthanasia and same-sex relations�

gious symbols from public places. “In the name of the future of our nations we call for the respect and protection of the life of each moment of conception until natu " “ sins against life and a disgrace to = Church leaders’ message said. While Patriarch Kirill and Archbishop Michalik said they recognised the autonomy of Church and state, they encouraged cooperation to protect the family, promote education and assist the poor. „ CNS

20 FEATURES

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

The Camino winds its way across vast empty spaces, long stretches of road and steep plateaus.

A statue of St James, patron of the Camino, welcomes pilgrims at every stop.

T

If my folks thought I had taken leave of my senses, they were kind enough not to mention it and offered to babysit my 10-year-old daughter K Â "

HERE I was, sodden and sulking, having been dropped off at the foggy alpine village of Roncesvalles (population 30), in northeastern Spain, at the start of this ambitious walk I had obviously in " The interminable rain was running into my jacket and I was wrestling with the bloated backpack as I " ˜ idation, then angst as I slipped on

" ` " Of course I should have been " K ing the Camino since I read about it two years ago, and it seemed such a romantic notion to brave blisters and brigands for penance " # X Â # " The Camino de Santiago or Way of St James, is the third most X route in Christendom after the ones

‹ " # is named for a network of routes that reach deep into the heart of Europe, even to the God-denying communist

" It made its name because St James the Greater was buried in Santiago, Spain, after his martyrdom in " # enough to draw pilgrims to risk disease, being robbed or killed, just so that they could whisper their inten " # " The physicality of the walk was initially a turn off for this couch K X ‘ < " K X K " K " ˆ K " „ < { X backyard garner such diverse interest from pilgrims of every ilk? St # " / / KK " ˆ the Camino has also drawn paupers and royalty, jocks and hippies, corporate honchos and carefree teenagers, Catholics and atheists‌and " I decided that my pilgrimage would simply be an indulgent walk \ " @ ‰ -

" K ‰ be open to the moment, the silence and space, and as my parish priest ? =" # K a year off work for a sabbatical so

" K

! < < "

The Cruz de Ferro (The Iron Cross), where for centuries pilgrims have laid a small rock or token of their burdens.

SO THERE I was at the starting point of my 790-km Camino, shiv ‘ " ` is until I stepped into the gem of a Gothic church along with 50 other bedraggled souls for evening Mass X " It did not matter that the celebration was in Spanish; people " # < œ lish, Japanese, Korean, Russian, or / " That blessing to send us forth onto our journey into the unknown certainly felt very much like a " # ‰ " week at least, the journey seemed fraught with more questions of " ` rain was treacherous with steep slippery slopes to climb and rocky " `

" K rivers where the stone “bridges� " The paths were alternately slick, viscous, rocky or all of the " K K thing less than attentive to each step, I could have got myself pretty ‰ " K ‘ " Fortunately, I only had to deal with scratches from landing in the briar, mud up to my hips and sore, " @ < X " Then in the second week, the clouds cleared and I learnt to pace " ` !$&%$< walking for up to 10 hours, mostly " + ‘ kilometres, the craggy mountains turned into meandering mesetas and plains and back to woodland

" ` < " Tiny villages with homely ancient Romanesque churches competed with soaring, gilded Gothic cathe " „ Continued on page 21

FEATURES 21

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

FAITH ALIVE!

Unhappy Catholics and the new evangelisation Some US Catholics are asking why fellow churchgoers are leaving the Church By Maureen Daly

9 ! ! ; < $ „ From page 20

The going was tough, but as the frigid storms gave way to scorching heat, I realised my hard-edged survival instinct had turned into a gentle spiritual awakening and the undulating, uncertain terrain mirrored movements in my mind. I climbed whole mountains and traversed the length of Singapore without seeing more than 10 people. The space, both physical and internal, was just what I needed. While I made friends with the odd pilgrim, as with other walkers, we did the journey with a rhythm and pace of our own. Our passing greetings of “Buen Camino� evolved into lovely chats over picnic breaks or dinner when we landed in town. And there was none of the awkward need for small talk like at a cocktail party. Once I got over the physicality of the endeavour, the trials of the trek just became moments I could identify with the highs and lows in my life. As I scrambled over rocks, minced down the scree, or ambled over rolling hills, the effort triggered in succession frustration, exhaustion, pain, joy and delight. And then I realised, I was working through some of the surfaced memories or anticipated dreams as I traipsed along. It was cathartic to say the least. The repetitive action of putting one foot in front of the other became almost meditative and there was a lightness in the steps even if my ligaments and muscles screamed. Pilgrims are meant to walk through the pain it seems. WHEN I started the Camino, I anticipated it to be a walk of discovery at best. At worst a purging, expiation of guilt, relief and even a dreadful mourning of losses in my life. But after being alternately frozen in the mountains or sunburnt on the Mesetas, after trudging through 35-km days and climbing whole mountains and working through my second tube of Bengay muscle rub, I realised it has been little or none of that. It was an elegant walk. It was a

walk of love and gratitude graced by the memory of many joys from my past and present. It turned out to be a surprisingly liberating walk of delight and thanksgiving...in

" # of love received. I had tapped into an inner strength I never knew I had, a strength I had clearly drawn from above. And it was simply because I had opened myself to become more aware of His presence and promptings. It touched me deeply to recognise how the rhythm of the dialogue with Him came easy, whether I was walking on the gusty plains on the plateaus or in the silence of the verdant forests. While I may not be one to read too much into signs and symbols, I knew this from watch

for my iPhone shots. From being roused by birdsong when I was faltering on the steep climbs; from the surge of tears at the base of an iron cross (Cruz de Ferro) midway on the Camino, when I fully internalised the true intent and meaning of laying my burdens at His feet; it was a renewal and rejoicing I had not expected. Halfway into the trek, I realised I had completed the true purpose of my Camino. Reaching Santiago X cate was no longer the point, but living in the moment and celebrating it was. Of course I was as delirious as the next sweaty pilgrim when I landed in the square in front of the Cathedral of Santiago de Compostela at the end of the journey. But I won’t pretend that the Camino experience was a spectacular answer to my prayers nor a blinding epiphany in any way. But it was certainly an intimate journey of sanctifying discovery within myself and my faith. A journey made conscious by the effort of putting one foot in front of the other and being open to His Grace. „ ) & % * +

IN OCTOBER, the Catholic Church is set to launch the Year of Faith, which will have the new evangelisation as one of its major themes. The US Conference of Catholic Bishops website describes the new evangelisation as a time for baptised Catholics to deepen their faith, to be evangelised and to evangelise others. But there is also another goal: “The new evangelisation is focused on ‘reproposing’ the Gospel to those who have experienced a crisis of faith.� Before the launch of the Year of Faith and its focus on the new evangelisation, some want to know why worshippers, and perhaps those experiencing that crisis of faith, have left the Church. To that end, Bishop David M O’Connell of Trenton, New Jersey, commissioned a survey to ask non-churchgoing Catholics why they had stopped attending Mass in his diocese. In 2011, he learned that Mass attendance for his Trenton diocese was at about 25 percent of registered parishioners – still a better " Just 22 percent of US Catholic adults say they attend Mass once a week or more, according to a 2011 survey. Though his diocese was above average, Bishop O’Connell said he “became concerned�. He wrote in a letter published in his diocesan newspaper: “Participation in Sunday Mass, of course, is the primary way the Church regularly preaches the Gospel to the Catholic faithful.� After all, without people in the pews to listen to the Gospel, can the new evangelisation be carried out? He commissioned a survey conducted by Jesuit Fr William J Byron, a professor of business and society at St Joseph’s University in Philadelphia, and Dr Charles Zech, professor of economics and director of the Center for the Study of Church Management at Villanova University in Pennsylvania. Fr Byron had caught the bishop’s attention with a column he wrote asking why “the ranks were thinning at Catholic weekend worship�. He suggested conducting exit interviews, much like those in the

American Catholics at Mass. Just 22 percent of US Catholic adults say they attend Mass once a week or more. "$%

& ! ' ! ‘ '

(

’

– Jesuit Fr William J Byron who conducted a survey on why Catholics left the Church

worshippers left. “The subject of his essay in cause of the emphasis the Catholic Church has been placing on what is being referred to as the ‘new evangelisation’,� Bishop O’Connell wrote. When the results of the survey returned, Bishop O’Connell said he was not surprised. “Some of the responses focused upon Church teachings and law and the response of some Catholics to their understanding of both,� he said. “The indissolubility of marriage and the inability of divorced and remarried Catholics to receive the Eucharist; birth control; homosexuality and the experience of homosexuals not feeling welcome in the Church; the crisis in the Church of sexual abuse of minors by clergy and the inability of the hierarchy to respond to or handle such abuse in a transparent way; the issue of the ordination of women to the priesthood were among the most common broader Church-related themes of concern voiced by many respondents.� The Trenton responses are representative of what is on the

minds of people elsewhere, Fr Byron recently told Catholic News Service. “They are leaving because they do not have a sense of belonging to a parish community, they are disaffected and disappointed with the hierarchy; they are not known by the clergy whom they consider to be aloof and in some cases arrogant; the quality of preaching and liturgy is uninspiring,� he said. Dr Zech, his collaborator in the survey, said “a national study is sorely needed� and at least a couple of dioceses and parishes ing answers. “The challenge for us in the Catholic Church is never to close the door, or worse, to slam it shut on our Catholic people, whatever their status,� Bishop O’Connell said. “At the same time, we must balance openness to peoples’ daily lives and their struggles in faith with the demands of the Gospel and the claims that truth makes on all of us.� The Year of Faith and new evangelisation could provide that opportunity. „ CNS Daly is a freelance writer

22

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

CHILDREN’S STORY:

„ Him asking for His help. Such was the case when Jesus Jesus was often challenged by the scribes and the Pharisees. One time was in a house in the district of Tyre, they asked Him, “Why do your dis- when a woman whose daughter was ciples not follow the tradition of the possessed by an unclean spirit apelders but instead eat a meal with proached Him. The woman, who was born in Greece, knelt before unclean hands?� Jesus answered, “Well did Isaiah Jesus and pleaded with Him to save prophesy about you hypocrites, as it her daughter. Jesus said, “Let the children be is written: ‘This people honours me with their lips, but their hearts are " < far from me; in vain do they wor- the food of the children and throw it ship me, teaching as doctrines hu- to the dogs.� The woman answered, “Lord, man precepts’.� Jesus added, “You disregard even the dogs under the table eat the God’s commandment but cling to children’s scraps.� Jesus had pity on the woman and human tradition.� Then Jesus left so He could be alone to explain His ? go. The demon has gone out of your teachings to his apostles. After speaking with His apostles, daughter.� When the woman returned home, she found her daughter in bed could be alone and have some pri- and no longer tormented by the spirit. When Jesus left Tyre, He travvacy. In many cases, people would By Joe Sarnicola

Q&A 1. What tradition did the disciples not follow? 2. What did Jesus do and say to cure the deaf man?

WORDSEARCH: „ JESUS „ SCRIBES „ PHARISEES „ DISCIPLES „ TRADITIONS „ ISAIAH „ ELDERS „ MEAL

Bible Accent:

„ UNCLEAN

The Bible is God’s word, and it contains many books that tell us about our faith heritage, and about some of the important prophets and other men and women who obeyed God and set an example for us to follow. The most important person written about in the Bible, the person who set the perfect example for us to follow, is Jesus. There are many books in the New Testament that try to explain the teachings of Jesus, but the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give us a beautiful picture of the birth, life, ministry, death and resurrection of Jesus. Each book emphasises a different aspect of the life of Christ. The Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 515, says, “The Gospels were written by men who were with others.� „

„ HANDS

Kids Club: Share your thoughts on this week’s Bible story with family and friends by writing an essay in response to this question: Why do you think the Bible readings are such an important part of Mass?

PUZZLE: + =! !! ! !! six books of the New Testament. No letter will be used more than once, and there are no extra letters. J S M T M N K A E R A M T O N M V LA T K U A H E S R E A E W R L I O E

Revelation, Romans

Nicholas of Tolentino (1245-1305) was born to parents who had prayed for many years that God would send them a child. They made a pilgrimage to the shrine of St Nicholas in the Italian village of Bari and asked for his intercession. They promised they would dedicate their child to the Lord. The Lord blessed them with a son, and they named him Nicholas. Nicholas was inspired by a sermon to join the Augustinian friars. He studied theology and distributed food to the poor people of his region. He eventually became a priest and devoted the rest of his life to ministering to the poor, the sick and the homeless. We honour him on Sept 10. „

Read more about it: Mark 7

Answer to Wordsearch

St Nicholas of Tolentino

friends not to tell anyone about what had happened, but they were so excited, they could not help themselves. “He has done all things well,� they declared, “He makes the deaf hear and (the) mute speak.� „

Answer to Puzzle: Matthew, James, Mark, Luke,

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

elled by the Sea of Galilee. While He was there, a deaf man who also had trouble speaking was brought to Him, and his friends begged Jesus to heal him. Jesus led the men aside, away from the other people who had gathered around him. „ „ X ears, touched His tongue and spat on the ground. Then He said to the man, “Ephphatha!� which meant, “Be opened!� Instantly the man could hear and he could speak plainly. Jesus asked the man and his

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

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Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

WHAT’S ON 25

Sunday September 9, 2012 „ CatholicNews

EVENT SUBMISSIONS We welcome information of events happening in our local Church. Please send your submission at least one month before the event. Online submissions can be made at www.catholic.sg/webevent_form.php

RCIA/RCIY A journey for those seeking to know more about the Catholic faith. Baptised Catholics are also invited to journey as sponsors. Tuesdays RCIA@CHURCH OF OUR LADY STAR OF THE SEA 7.45-9.45pm: At Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea (10 Yishun St 22). E: rcia.olss@gmail.com

Sept 4, 7, 11 and 14 DEALING WITH MID-LIFE TRANSITIONS 7.30-9.30pm: 4 sessions with Sr Florence Wong, FMDM, on making mid-life transitions. By SPI. At Blessed Sacrament Church, St James Room. Register T: 6858 3011; E: admin@catholicspi.org Friday Sept 7 to Sunday Sept 9 BEGINNING EXPERIENCE WEEKEND Fri (6pm)-Sun (4pm): A weekend to help grieving single-again persons – widowed, divorced or separated – to experience positive growth through God. Register T: 9661 8089 (Joseph), 9647 9122 (Sue); E: josephchew@ippfa.com Sept 8 MEDITATIVE PRAYER WITH THE SONGS OF TAIZE 8-9.30pm: At The Armenian Church of St Gregory the Illuminator (60 Hill St). T: 9837 7256 (Benny); E: bennycah@gmail.com Sunday Sept 9 to Saturday Sept 15 WEEK OF GUIDED PRAYER With taster afternoon on Sep 9 at 2pm. Learn to pray with scriptures using Ignatian Contemplation and Lectio Divina. Cost: $30. By Sojourners Companions. At Church of Divine Mercy. Register W: http://www.catholic.org.sg/ sojourners

Tuesdays Sept 18 to Nov 6 CONFIRMATION CLASS FOR ADULTS 8-10pm: For older teens and adults who missed their Sacrament of ' " % " At Church of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Green House). Register T: 6280 0980; E: nativitysg@yahoo.com.sg Friday Sept 28 to Sunday Sept 30 RETROUVAILLE Fri (7.30pm)-Sun (5.30pm): If you are serious about making your marriage work, this programme is for you. By Retrouvaille Singapore. At ME House (201B Punggol 17th Avenue). Register T: 6749 8861; W: http://helpourmarriage.sg Oct 4 to Nov 6 COMMON SENSE PARENTING WORKSHOP 7.30-9.30pm: Developed by Boystown USA, this 6-session workshop will equip parents with effective techniques to address and improve their child’s behaviour as well as build good parent-child relationships. Cost: $150 (per person), $240 (couple). By Morning Star Community Services. At 4 Lor Low Koon. Register T: 6315 8812 (Shuba); E: programs@morningstar.org.sg Mondays Oct 8 to Dec 17 ALPHA COURSE 7.45-9.45pm: Come relax, eat and talk about real life stories. For everyone interested in discovering what Christianity means or deepening their relationship with Jesus, or exploring the meaning of life. At Church of St Bernadette AV Room 2nd Floor (12 Zion Rd). Register T: 9798 7788 (Richard), 8322 3536 (Andy); E: andy_lee_4health@yahoo.com Saturday Oct 13 and Sunday Oct 14 THEOLOGY OF THE BODY CRASH COURSE 9am-5pm (daily): Based on the DVD series, Introduction to the Theology of the Body, facilitated by Andrew Kong and team. Cost: $17 (for workbook). By Apostolate for Catholic Truth. At International Plaza (10 Anson Road 29-03). T: 9649 3893 (Andrew); Register E: joanp@singnet.com.sg

Oct 13 JOURNEYING WITH MARY 9am-4.45pm: A retreat guided by Fr John Carlo Ma Rosales on a deeper understanding of Mary’s love for us and our response to her love. Mass and candlelight procession at 6pm. T: 6338 3167; E: stjoseph_vic@yahoo.com.sg Friday Oct 26 to Sunday Oct 28 JESUIT VOCATION CAMP For single male Catholics between 18 to 40 years old, who are discerning priestly and/or Religious vocations, especially those interested in the Jesuit congregation. With seminars to provide participants with information and tools to assist in the discernment process. Free of charge. Limited spots. At Kingsmead Hall (St Ignatius Church). Register T: 9711 9717 (Br Jerome); E: mas-vocations@jesuits.net Saturday Nov 10 to Saturday Nov 17 MISSION AWARENESS PROGRAMME IN CHIANGMAI Programme explores a deeper understanding of mission and its relevance to oneself as a child of God. Programme focuses on personal spiritual development. ' › ªž ! ™ meals). By Mission Awareness Group ACMA. Register by Oct 10 T: Aaron 9838 0123 (Aaron), 9757 3373 (Lyn) E: aarontns@gmail.com, chelailin@ yahoo.com.sg; W: http://www.acma.sg Nov 29 to Dec 29 or Dec 2 to Dec 8 QUIETING THE SOUL – CHIANGMAI RETREAT Five (Dec 2 to Dec 8) or eight days (Nov 29 to Dec 8) retreat in Chiangmai, Thailand. Dates include travel. With orientation day and recollection on Nov 3 at 2pm. By Cenacle Sisters and Team. Register by Oct 15. T: 6565 2895; E: cenaclesisters@yahoo.com.sg Wednesday December 5 to December 9 FAMILY MISSION TRIP For young families with children aged 5 to 12. Come experience mission as a family. Spread joy and share Jesus with the families in Tagaytay, Philippines. By Verbum Dei Singapore. Register T: 6274 0251; E: verbumdeispore@yahoo.com.sg

Sept 9 MALAYALAM MASS 7pm: Celebrant: Fr Dominic Xavier. At Blessed Sacrament Church. Sept 9 IHM BLOODMOBILE SOCIAL OUTREACH 10.30am-3.30pm: Give blood and save up to 3 lives. For 16-60 years old and those above 45 kg. Bring NRIC/ passport. At Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary Church Hall (24 Highland Rd) Thursdays Sept 13 to Dec 6 LORD TEACH US TO PRAY 7.30pm: A 12-week course on prayer conducted by Fr Paul Pang, CSSR. By Beloved Ministry. At Novena Church (Peter Donders Room). Register E: belovedministry@live.com.sg; ˆ›

›¨¨ <" ¨ September 15 WHY AREN’T YOU LISTENING TO ME? 9am-12pm: A seminar on effective communication. Cost: $30. By Centre of Ignatian Spirituality and Counselling. At Kingsmead Hall (8 Victoria Park Rd). Register by Sept 5. T: 6467 6072; E: cisc2664@gmail.com Mondays Sept 17 to Nov 25 LANDINGS 7.45-10pm: A process for lapsed Catholics to regain a personal conviction of their Catholic faith and to explore returning to the Church. By Landings. At Church of the Holy Spirit. Register T: 9688 0920 (Tony); E: returning@landings.org.sg

POPE IN LEBANON: Pope Benedict XVI is scheduled to visit Lebanon from Sept 14-16, with stops in Beirut, Harissa, Baabda, Bzommar, Bkerke and Charfet. Fifty-two percent of the nation’s four million people are Catholic. CNS graphic

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Sunday September 9, 2012 CatholicNews

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