JANUARY 30, 2011, vol 61, no 02

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www.catholicnews.sg SUNDAY JANUARY 30, 2011

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Bishops seek urgent KHOS IRU Ă RRG YLFWLPV PERTH – Australia’s Catholic bishops have issued an urgent call for prayers for those who have died and for material assistance for survivors of the Queensland VWDWH Ă€RRGLQJ WKDW E\ PLG January, had claimed 13 lives. “The priests, Religious and faithful in the affected areas would certainly appreciate prayerful support and whatever assistance can be offered,â€? Brisbane Archbishop John Bathersby said in a Jan 13 statement. The Queensland chapter of the St Vincent de Paul Society, whose staff have abandoned several of its premises because RI WKH Ă€RRGV VHW XS D Ă€RRG relief committee in response to the plight of more than 200,000 people affected in at least two dozen towns. Queensland Premier Anna Bligh described the reconstruction task as of “postwar SURSRUWLRQV´ 7KH Ă€RRGV DUH estimated to have already caused nearly US$5 billion (S$6.4 billion) in damages, devastating much of Australia’s coal, beef and agricultural industries. Archbishop Bathersby said many parishes and schools have opened their doors to assist those affected, while the central DUFKGLRFHVDQ RIÂżFH KDV FORVHG due to power outages. Fr John Conway, administrator of three parishes in the affected area, spoke of the heroism of the people. “This is the biggest disaster that has ever happened here, but the response from people in the area has been just phenomenal,â€? Fr Conway said, while also expressing gratitude to laypeople and Religious across Australia who have phoned to offer support. “I’ve seen people who have

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INSIDE HOME St Mary’s reaches out to dead man’s family Parish to provide assistance „ Page 5

HOME CJC’s President Scholar College’s learning culture inspired him „ Page 6

ASIA English Mass translation M’sia, S’pore, Brunei to use UK version „ Page 7

WORLD Pope John Paul II’s EHDWLÀFDWLRQ 7ZR PHQ SXVK WKHLU ERDW WKURXJK D ÀRRGHG VWUHHW LQ D FRPPHUFLDO DUHD RI %ULVEDQH $XVWUDOLD CNS photo

been evacuated from their homes working in emergency centres,� he said. “They are reaching out even in the midst of their own crises. Many places still have no drinking water. Roads are damaged, so trucks can’t get through. We can’t get fuel, milk, bread. We’re basically rationing everything.� Mr Brian Moore, president of the Queensland state chapter of the St Vincent de Paul Society,

said thousands of families lost everything in the Christmas Ă€RRGV DQG UDLQ WKDW FRQWLQXHG afterwards. “Flood victims may have to wait some period of time to recover insurance costs, so we KHOS E\ ÂżQGLQJ WHPSRUDU\ accommodation for people GLVSODFHG E\ Ă€RRGLQJ Âą SURYLGLQJ transitional accommodation to move people out of evacuation SRLQWV DV ZHOO DV D ORZ FRVW

‘Many places still have no drinking water. We can’t get fuel, milk, bread. We’re basically rationing everything.’

– Fr John Conway, administrator of three ÀRRG DIIHFWHG SDULVKHV LQ 4XHHQVODQG

housing for people while their own homes are being made safe,â€? he said. Fr Noel Milner, who travels hundreds of kilometres each Sunday to celebrate Mass in WKUHH WRZQV LQ WKH Ă€RRGHG DUHD told Catholic Mission Australia: “We just have to sit it out, knowing that the cleanup will be a huge job and heartbreaking for those who have lost everything – homes, furnishings and livelihoods.â€? Bishop Brian Heenan of Rockhampton has pledged that the Catholic Church will do everything it can during the recovery process, and parishes have collected money. Meanwhile, Pope Benedict XVI has donated US$50,000 to help the victims. „ CNS

Date set for May 1 „ Page 10

LETTERS Can parishes impose dress code? A reader shares his views „ Page 12

The next issue of CatholicNews will be published next week instead of a fortnight later because of the Lunar New Year holidays

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Sunday January 30, 2011 CatholicNews

¶1RW VDWLVÀHG ZLWK just being a catechist’

De La Salle Br Kelvin Tan (third from right) poses with family members and fellow Religious (Br Thomas Lavin, left, and Br Gregory Lim) after taking his perpetual vows.

De La Salle Br Kelvin Tan, who took his perpetual vows recently, says discerning God’s call for him was a process that unfolded over the years. After being baptised in his primary school days at his parish, Holy Family Church, he said he felt God calling him to a deeper relationship with him when he was a student at St Patrick’s School. “I thought God’s call could be VDWLV¿HG E\ LQYROYLQJ P\VHOI ZLWK parish ministry as a catechist,” said the 35-year-old, who took KLV ¿QDO YRZV RQ 'HF DW 6W Patrick’s School chapel in Katong. “As the years passed and with prayerful discernment, I took the bold step in 2003 to join the Brothers” and live with them as an aspirant and postulant, said the teacher at St Anthony’s Primary School. ³, ZDV ¿UP LQ P\ GHFLVLRQ WR answer God’s call to the Religious life but there were apprehensions,

especially having to leave my family, friends, job and country to a totally unfamiliar culture in the Philippines.” The words of the founder of his religious congregation, St John Baptist de La Salle, has always been an inspiration to him, he added: “Not to look upon

anything but with the eyes of faith, not to do anything but in view of God, and to attribute all to God.” “To me this spirit is clearly expressed in living and becoming a Brother through my community, prayer, apostolate in St Anthony’s Primary School in Bukit Batok and the continuous call of God to be personally responsible for my own formation.” To all young people discerning a vocation in the Religious life, he offers a quote from St Thérèse of Lisieux: “To offer oneself to God does not mean that one loses anything at all of one’s natural tenderness. It is just the opposite, for this tenderness deepens as it EHFRPHV SXUL¿HG E\ FHQWULQJ RQ divine things.” Br Kelvin’s family and Br Thomas Lavin, the De La Salle provincial for Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong, were present at WKH 'HF FHUHPRQ\

Marsiling zone residents visit St Anthony’s church By Darren Boon Residents of Marsiling Zone 1 who visited the Church of St Anthony recently said it was an eye-opening experience for them. Ms Nancy Lim, a Taoist, said that although she had been to Novena Church before, the visit allowed her to gain a better understanding of Catholicism. She said that Taoism and Catholicism both share similarities such as prayer, VDFUL¿FH DV ZHOO DV D EHOLHI LQ heaven and hell. Ms Lim was one of some 40 people, including Muslims and Hindus, who visited the Catholic church on Jan 8. The Marsiling Zone 1 Residents’ Committee organised the event with support from the Inter-Racial and Religious &RQ¿GHQFH &LUFOHV ,5&& A church representative told the visitors that St Anthony of Padua, the church’s patron, was

a lobbyist for the bankruptcy law which allowed debtors to relinquish their assets to creditors instead of going to prison. Such a reform was adopted in Padua, Italy, in the early 13th century. French priest Fr Bruno Saint Girons also explained the Mass to the visitors. Every Mass is a reminder of God’s forgiveness of man and an opportunity for the faithful to renew themselves spiritually and be witnesses of love, he said. S Jayaleela, a Hindu, but who prays at Novena Church from time to time, described the coming together of the different races and faiths to visit the church as beautiful and interesting. The inter-faith tour also brought the residents to the Kong Meng San Phor Kark See Monastery in Sin Ming and to the An-Nahdhah Mosque in Bishan. darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

Fr Bruno Saint Girons speaking to the visitors on Jan 8.

Laity support urged for consecrated life celebration By Darren Boon Lay people are invited to join in the Mass for the World Day of Prayer for Consecrated Life as a show of support for Religious. Lay people are part of the Church, and the Religious would like to invite them to share the latter’s joy and give thanks to God as they celebrate their identity as Religious, says Franciscan Missionaries of Mary Sr Assunta Leong. “The Eucharist is the highlight of the celebration,” said the nun who is on the organising

team for the celebration. Furthermore, the celebration can also serve to inspire those who are contemplating a vocation in Religious life, she said. The Mass will be held at the Church of St Mary of the Angels on Feb 1 at 8 pm. Before the Mass, the Religious would gather among themselves for an input and sharing session by the Singapore Pastoral Institute based on this year’s theme, Let Your Light Shine. darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

ARCHBISHOP’S DIARY Jan 23 10.30am Maris Stella Chapel: Mass – 30th Anniversary of German Community SP %OHVVHG 6DFUDPHQW &KXUFK 0DVV ± &RQ¿UPDWLRQ Jan 24 10.45am Hai Sing Catholic School: Mass and Blessing

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Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

New nuncio to be based in S’pore Members of the legal profession at the Red Mass on Jan 7.

‘Red Mass’ helps lawyers focus on faith By Darren Boon Catholic legal professionals and law students say that an annual Mass held specially for them keeps them focused on their Catholic identity. Attending the “Red Mass� helps remind lawyers that there is a deeper meaning to their profession, said lawyer Esme Wei. It also helps lawyers keep their “focus on God,� said Mr Jon Ong, a second-year law student. Ms Wei and Mr Ong were among 100 legal professionals and law students who attended the Jan 7 Red Mass held at the Cathedral of the Good Shepherd and celebrated by Archbishop Nicholas Chia. The Mass is celebrated specially for those involved in the

administration of the law or who intend to do so. ,W ZDV ÂżUVW KHOG LQ 3DULV LQ and in England around 1310. Then, it was attended by the entire Bench and Bar at the opening of each term of Court. The Mass was celebrated in honour of the Holy Spirit, for which red vestments were worn. The Red Mass has a “rich traditionâ€?, said lawyer Ian de Vaz, who has been attending it regularly. It is important to obtain blessings to guide lawyers in the year ahead, he said. Fourth-year law student Vincent Ong said he found the Mass inspiring. “It’s edifying to see so many lawyers care about their faith.â€? „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

Pope Benedict XVI has appointed a new apostolic nuncio to Singapore. Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli, who was previously the nuncio, or Vatican ambassador, to Indonesia and Timor Leste, will also be apostolic delegate to Malaysia and Brunei, as ZHOO DV QRQ UHVLGHQW SRQWL¿FDO representative for Vietnam. He will be based in Singapore. The announcement was made on Jan 13. Archbishop Girelli was born in Predore, Italy, on March 13, 1953. He was ordained a priest on June 17, 1978, and ordained as a bishop on June 17, 2006. He was appointed Titular Archbishop of Capri and apostolic nuncio to Indonesia on April 13, 2006, and apostolic nuncio to Timor Leste on Oct 10, 2006. It is not immediately known when he will start work in Singapore. The last nuncio, Archbishop Salvatore Pennacchio, who was based in Bangkok, was appointed to India last May. He had served as apostolic nuncio to Cambodia, Singapore and Thailand, and apostolic delegate to Brunei, Laos, Malaysia and Myanmar. „

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli has been appointed apostolic nuncio to Singapore, apostolic delegate to Malaysia and Brunei, and non-resident SRQWLÂżFDO UHSUHVHQWDWLYH IRU 9LHWQDP

4 HOME Caritas S’pore sees change in board members By Darren Boon &DULWDV 6LQJDSRUH ZLOO HQKDQFH LWV H[LVWLQJ VHUYLFHV DQG IRFXV RQ VRFLDO PLVVLRQ RXWUHDFK DV ZHOO DV SXEOLF HGXFDWLRQ DQG VRFLDO UHVSRQVH VD\V LWV QHZ FKDLUPDQ 0U *HRUJH /LP IRUPHU GHSXW\ FKDLUPDQ RI &DULWDV WRRN RYHU WKH KHOP RI WKH RUJDQLVDWLRQ IURP 0U :LOOLH &KHQJ UHFHQWO\ 0U /LP VD\V WKDW D UHWUHDW ZRXOG EH KHOG ZLWK ERDUG PHPEHUV LQ )HEUXDU\ WR SORW &DULWDV¶ GLUHFWLRQ IRU WKH QH[W WKUHH \HDUV $ VWXG\ RQ WKH SRRU LV DOVR

New Caritas Singapore chairman George Lim.

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„ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Bringing cheer to refugees in Nepal )RU ¿YH GD\V ODVW 'HFHPEHU $UFKELVKRS 1LFKRODV &KLD WRJHWKHU ZLWK PHPEHUV RI 6LQJDSRUH¶V -HVXLW 5HIXJHH 6HUYLFH -56 YLVLWHG UHIXJHH FDPSV LQ HDVWHUQ 1HSDO WR RIIHU VRPH IHVWLYH FKHHU ³2XU YLVLW WR 1HSDO EURXJKW VRPH MR\ WR WKH UHIXJHHV DQG DW WKH VDPH WLPH KHOSHG XV WR EH JUDWHIXO WR *RG IRU WKH EOHVVLQJV ZH HQMR\ ´ VDLG $UFKELVKRS &KLD ³,W DOVR PDNHV XV DZDUH RI RXU VXIIHULQJ EURWKHUV DQG VLVWHUV DQG WKH QHHG WR UHDFK RXW WR WKHP 7KH JURXS IURP 6LQJDSRUH ZKLFK LQFOXGHG )U &ROLQ 7DQ WKH -HVXLW UHJLRQDO VXSHULRU RI 6LQJDSRUH DQG 0DOD\VLD YLVLWHG IRXU RI WKH VHYHQ UHIXJHH FDPSV LQ 'DPDN 7KHVH UHIXJHHV À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¶V GHJUHH DQG KDV EHHQ WHDFKLQJ LQ D -HVXLW UXQ VFKRRO KHUH IRU WKH ODVW HLJKW \HDUV +H LV ZHOO UHVSHFWHG E\ FROOHDJXHV VWXGHQWV DQG WKHLU SDUHQWV DQG ZLOO EH UHVHWWOHG LQ WKH 86 LQ WKUHH PRQWKV¶ WLPH ³, FDQ WDNH WKH FKDOOHQJHV DQG VXIIHULQJV ´ KH VKDUHG ³*URZLQJ XS DV D UHIXJHH WKHVH DUH QRWKLQJ

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Above: Bhutanese refugee children greet Archbishop Nicholas Chia. The archbishop and members of the Jesuit Refugee Service, Singapore, visited Bhutanese refugee camps in Nepal recently.

Left: Jesuit Fr Colin Tan shows the children his football skills.

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Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

St Mary’s reaches out to dead man’s family By Darren Boon The parish of St Mary of the Angels plans to provide some assistance to the family of the man who was found dead in the FKXUFK FRPSRXQG RQ -DQ Franciscan friars Derrick Yap and John Soh have visited the family of the late Tok Puay Yong to offer their condolences and to JLYH D VXP RI PRQH\ They also told family members that someone from the parish would be back for another YLVLW Friar Soh told CatholicNews that the family “seems to be in need of some help ‌ food or ÂżQDQFLDO´ +H VDLG KH ZLOO SUHVHQW the family’s case to the parish’s Society of St Vincent de Paul, of which he is spiritual director, and to recommend the group follow XS RQ WKHP Parish priest Friar John-Paul 7DQ WROG &DWKROLF1HZV Âł%DVHG on the newspaper report, I felt WKDW WKH IDPLO\ ZDV LQ D GLIÂżFXOW situation after the death of their VRQ “The father is handicapped

Straits Times article on Jan 7

and the mother was collecting FDUGERDUG ER[HV IRU LQFRPH )RU that reason, we will continue to assess and see if they need further

assistance that the parish and St 9LQFHQW GH 3DXO FDQ RIIHU ´ „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

Faith helped late singer battle cancer By Darren Boon Late Singapore crooner Yue Lei had said that his faith in God and Mary gave him much needed strength LQ KLV ¿JKW DJDLQVW QRVH FDQFHU Radiation therapy was painful, he had told Hai Sing 3DR LQ DQ LQWHUYLHZ %HIRUH HDFK therapy, he would pray that Jesus and Mary would be by his side to JLYH KLP VWUHQJWK Yue Lei won the 1981 6LQJDSRUH %URDGFDVWLQJ Corporation’s Mandarin Talentime and was a popular singer in the V +H ZDV GLDJQRVHG ZLWK nose cancer some years ago and EDSWLVHG DV D &DWKROLF LQ Yue Lei succumbed to his LOOQHVV RQ -DQ WKLV \HDU +H ZDV He had said that although he had been to other Christian churches in his younger days, he

Yue Lei in his heyday

QHYHU FRQYHUWHG WR &KULVWLDQLW\ Through a cousin, however, he came to know about Novena &KXUFK DQG EHJDQ SUD\LQJ WKHUH

He had wanted to attend RCIA at Novena Church, but the onslaught of cancer and the subsequent treatment prevented KLP IURP GRLQJ VR However, a church member followed up on him, and he was later helped by the Pastoral Care Ministry for the Sick of the &KXUFK RI WKH +RO\ 6SLULW +H took catechism lessons and was EDSWLVHG E\ )U 3DXO 7RQJ LQ His godmother Mary Koh told CatholicNews that Yue Lei, whose baptismal name is Kelvin, had a deep devotion towards Mary and that he accepted his LOOQHVV ZLWKRXW EODPLQJ *RG In his 2009 interview with Hai Sing Pao, Yue Lei had shared WKDW KLV ÂżJKW ZLWK FDQFHU KDG taught him “to let go, to follow, WR SUD\ DQG WR IRUJLYH´ „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

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Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

President’s Scholar inspired by CJC’s learning culture By Darren Boon

Amanda Ang, seen here receiving a trophy for Distinguished Service from De La Salle Br Collin Wee.

St Ignatius parishioner among top International Baccalaureate scorers By John Ooi $PDQGD $QJ D SDULVKLRQHU RI WKH &KXUFK RI 6W ,JQDWLXV LV DPRQJ WKH WRS JUDGXDWHV RI 6-, ,QWHUQDWLRQDO¶V %DFFDODXUHDWH ,% 'LSORPD SURJUDPPH 7KH \HDU ROG DWWDLQHG D VFRUH RI SRLQWV RQH OHVV WKDQ WKH SHUIHFW VFRUH RI 6KH DOVR PDQDJHG WR FRPSOHWH KHU GLSORPD ZLWK D ELOLQJXDO DFFUHGLWDWLRQ DQG VFRUHG VHYHQ RXW RI VHYHQ IRU ERWK (QJOLVK $ DQG &KLQHVH $ LQFOXGLQJ UHFHLYLQJ WKH $VLDQ /DQJXDJH $ZDUG IRU &KLQHVH $ ,Q DGGLWLRQ VKH UHFHLYHG WKH VFKRRO¶V 'LVWLQJXLVKHG 6HUYLFH $ZDUG IRU KHU FRPPLWPHQW WR VHUYLFH )RU H[DPSOH VKH KHOSHG RUJDQLVH WKH +DLU IRU +RSH FDPSDLJQ DQG MRLQHG WZR RWKHU JLUOV LQ VKDYLQJ RII WKHLU KDLU WR UDLVH IXQGV IRU WKH &KLOGUHQ¶V &DQFHU )RXQGDWLRQ ³:KHQ , ZDV \RXQJHU , ZDV

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‘I went to CJC because I chose to, because I wanted to be a part of the warm culture and great learning atmosphere that I saw there.’ – Catholic Junior College’s President Scholar Joshua Goh

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PH , ZLOO MXVW JR DOO RXW WKH ZD\ RXW´ ³:LWK WKDW NQRZOHGJH , ZDV DEOH WR JR LQWR WKH LQWHUYLHZV ZLWK FRXUDJH DQG FRQ¿GHQFH ´ KH VDLG *RG KDV D SODQ LQ WKH JUDQG VFKHPH RI WKLQJV ZKHQ +H JLYHV \RX VRPHWKLQJ *RK DGGHG ,W LV QRW DERXW WKH WKLQJV \RX UHFHLYHG ³EXW WKH SHUVRQ \RX EHFRPH´ ³6R LQ ZKDWHYHU , GR QRZ , MXVW SUD\ WKDW LW LV DFFRUGLQJ WR +LV SODQ WKDW ,¶P EHFRPLQJ WKH SHUVRQ +H ZDQWV PH WR EH ´ &-& KHOG LWV RSHQ KRXVH IRU SURVSHFWLYH VWXGHQWV RQ -DQ „ darrenboon@catholic.org.sg

ASIA 7

Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Appeal for freedom in Sri Lanka M’sia, S’pore, Brunei to use UK’s English Mass translation MANNAR – A northern Sri Lanka bishop has expressed concern over restrictions on freedom of religion, expression, association and movement in the wake of the nation’s long civil war. “People, community leaders and religious leaders should be free to organise peaceful events and meetings without restrictions,� Bishop Rayappu Joseph of Mannar told the government-appointed Lessons Learnt and Reconciliation Commission (LLRC). “On several occasions, the military cancelled religious services for killed or missing civilians. Priests have been threatened for their attempts to commemorate those who were killed,� he said. In his Jan 8 and 9 testimony on behalf of the diocese, Bishop Joseph proposed that

The Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei agreed at their recent meeting to use the UK translation of the Roman Missal in Latin (seen above).

By Vincent D’Silva JOHOR BAHRU – The bishops of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei have agreed to use the United Kingdom’s version of the Roman Missal in English once WKH WUDQVODWLRQ KDV EHHQ RI¿FLDOO\ approved. The Church leaders made this decision during their Jan 3-7 meeting at Majodi Centre in Plentong, Johor Bahru. The bishops say they will also send to Rome for approval Mass texts not found in the UK version, such as for the celebration of the Lunar New Year, National Days, the Ponggal festival, the Gawai Dayak Harvest Festival of Sarawak and the Kaamatan Harvest Festival of Sabah. All agencies involved in the distribution of liturgical texts in the region are not to order any new English Roman missals until the bishops’ conference KDV UHFHLYHG LWV RZQ RI¿FLDOO\ approved text, according to the minutes of the bishops’ meeting. The bishops say they recommend that once they receive this, proper catechesis should be given before introducing the new English Mass translation in the region. The regional Liturgical Commission will oversee this formation programme and provide the necessary materials. Meanwhile, Jesuit Bishop Paul Tan of Melaka-Johor has taken over from Archbishop Murphy Pakiam of Kuala Lumpur as president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. Archbishop Pakiam was president from 2007-2010.

Bishop Tan started his term of RIÂżFH WKLV PRQWK Some Malaysian Catholics say they hope that the new conference head, who is known to be outspoken on interreligious issues in the country, will address some of these issues.

Bishop Paul Tan of Melaka-Johor is now the president of the bishops’ conference. Photo by Vincent D’Silva

Catholic lay writer Terence Netto wrote in Malaysiakini, an online national paper, that under the 70-year-old prelate’s leadership, the bishops’ conference “is likely to make its presence felt�. Meanwhile, some changes have already been made in the conference. Its secretariat will move from Kuala Lumpur to Majodi Centre. The new conference secretary is Fr Michael Teng Woon Pheng, a priest of Melaka-Johor diocese, who takes over from De La Salle Brother Augustine Julian. „ ADDITIONAL REPORTING: UCANEWS.COM

the government should declare a day of mourning to remember civilians killed during the war. “Visitors from outside the district and from overseas should be allowed to freely visit recently resettled areas without having to obtain prior permission,� Bishop Joseph said. He added that a centralised, comprehensive list of detainees should be made public. “Unhindered access to detainees should also be allowed for families, religious leaders, lawyers, LLRC and other statutory bodies and individuals,� Bishop Joseph told the commission. “Existing mechanisms have been unable to assist the families of the disappeared people. We are particularly worried that there is no news about two Tamil priests from the North who disappeared

in this period,â€? he noted. “The erection of Buddhist statues in prominent public places in many new locations in the north have also made our people fearful of Buddhist domination in majority Hindu, Christian and Islamic areas,â€? he warned. “[This] will not help in reconciliation efforts and may lead to further tensions and polarisation amongst different religious communities,â€? Bishop Joseph said. “In order to achieve genuine and lasting reconciliation, we believe it is crucial to address URRWV RI WKH FRQĂ€LFW DQG ZDU primarily issues affecting Tamils such as recognition of their political reality, language, land, education and political power sharing,â€? he concluded. „ UCANEWS.COM

8 ASIA

Sunday January 30, 2011 CatholicNews CNS photos

Seminarians carry statues of Mary and the Christ Child before a Mass as part of Jubilee Year celebrations at Vietnam’s La Vang Basilica on Jan 5.

9DWLFDQ RIÀFLDO FRQÀGHQW RI UHOLJLRXV IUHHGRP LQ 9LHWQDP LA VANG – On a visit to Vietnam for the Catholic Church’s closing ceremony of the Jubilee Year 2010, papal special envoy Cardinal Ivan 'LDV H[SUHVVHG FRQ¿GHQFH WKDW religious freedom will be respected in the communist nation. “I believe that religious freedom will be ensured and local religious organisations and people, regardless of their faiths, will have favourable conditions to publicly express and practise their faiths,” Cardinal Dias told the crowd at the ceremony at the national Shrine of Our Lady of La Vang on Jan 5. Cardinal Dias, who heads the Congregation of Evangelisation for Peoples, was accompanied by Vietnamese Monsignor Barnabew Nguyen Van Phuong, also a 9DWLFDQ RI¿FLDO Over 100,000 people attended the closing ceremony, including 60 cardinals and bishops and 1,000 priests. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan and SURYLQFLDO RI¿FLDOV IURP 4XDQJ Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces also took part in the event.

Cardinal Dias, who spoke in French with Monsignor Phuong translating into Vietnamese, noted that the presence of local government and Church leaders was “a good sign for the future”. The Indian cardinal said that the Catholic Church requests no special favours for itself but only asks for the basic freedom to work according to its mission. The Church continues to cooperate with other people to protect their dignity and serve the common good, he added. The cardinal said the Church and government are like the parents of a family. When they live in harmony with one another their children are happy, he said. The crowd gave him a big round of applause when he said in Vietnamese, “Toi yeu men Giao hoi Viet Nam” (I love the Church in Vietnam). 7KH 9DWLFDQ RI¿FLDO DOVR VDLG KH was happy to be at the 213-year-old shrine where Mary was said to have appeared to Catholics suffering religious persecution. UCANEWS.COM

Cardinal Ivan Dias (centre) celebrates Mass with Archbishop Pierre Nguyen Van Nhon of Hanoi (left) and Archbishop Etienne Nguyen Nhu The of Hue on Jan 5.

ASIA 9

Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

PM’s blasphemy-law decision disappoints Pakistan’s Catholic leaders BANGALORE – Catholic RIÂżFLDOV LQ 3DNLVWDQ H[SUHVVHG disappointment after Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani reiterated there would be no amendment to the country’s blasphemy law, which makes insulting the Prophet Mohammad or the Qur’an punishable by life imprisonment or death. “This is a setback. We have to take it in our stride and move on,â€? Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore, president of the Pakistan Catholic Bishops’ Conference, told Catholic News Service on Jan 12, hours after the prime minister’s remarks. “We are really disappointed,â€? 0U 3HWHU -DFRE H[HFXWLYH secretary of the Church’s National Commission for Justice and Peace, WROG &16 IURP KLV RIÂżFH LQ /DKRUH However, Mr Jacob said Mr Gilani has his own “political compulsionsâ€? to make such a declaration on the sensitive issue. The Pakistan Peoples Party, the major party in Mr Gilani’s coalition government, has only 125 seats in the 342-member National Assembly and is dependent on the support of pro-Islamic parties and independent legislators for the survival of the government. Ms Beena Sarwar, a Muslim and prominent member of Citizens for Democracy, which has been campaigning against the abuse of the blasphemy law, told CNS that the prime minister’s remark ruling out an amendment “appears to be a political moveâ€?. “This is aimed at defusing the situation, as the right-wing H[WUHPLVW OREE\ LV SXWWLQJ a huge amount of pressure on the government through demonstrations,â€? she said. However, “the appeasement

Archbishop Lawrence Saldanha of Lahore walks from his residence. He expressed regret that the country’s leadership ruled out any amendment to Pakistan’s controversial blasphemy law. CNS PHOTO

of right-wing militant hardlinersâ€? to hold on to power, Ms Sarwar cautioned, “does not work and RQO\ EDFNÂżUHV LQ WKH ORQJ UXQ´ Speaking to journalists, Mr Gilani urged them to be responsible and stop the controversy on the blasphemy law. He also reacted to Pope Benedict XVI’s Jan 10 address to diplomats, in which the pope called for the law’s repeal, VD\LQJ LW ÂłVHUYHV DV D SUHWH[W IRU acts of injustice and violence against religious minoritiesâ€?. “It is our law and we will work according to our law,â€? Mr Gilani said. Pope Benedict’s address followed the Jan 4 assassination

of Salman Taseer, governor of Pakistan’s Punjab province, by his security guard for his criticism of the blasphemy law and his support for Ms Asia Bibi, a Christian woman sentenced to death on blasphemy charge in early November. Archbishop Saldanha said he was not surprised that some Islamic groups planned protests on Jan 14 against Pope Benedict’s remarks. “Some groups are taking advantage of the situation,� he said. About 97 percent of Pakistan’s 184 million people are Muslim. „ CNS

‡ See commentary on Page 17

Korean Church to build ‘senior town’ SEOUL – Incheon diocese in

South Korea has announced its plan to set up and manage a town for senior Catholics in response to the country’s rising elderly population. ,W LV EHOLHYHG WR EH WKH ÂżUVW time in the country that a diocese is to build and run a town for senior citizens, said Ms Justina Kang, public relations head of the diocese’s senior town committee. Kang told ucanews.com that in 2013, the diocese plans to establish a senior town for Catholics aged 60 years or older. The town will be called “Maris Stellaâ€? after the patron of the diocese. The diocesan committee for the town said it will provide integrated pastoral care for

South Korean Catholics at the Vatican. A Korean diocese plans to set up a town for elderly Catholics in 2013. &16 ÂżOH SKRWR

Catholic elders and focus on improving their quality of life.

Under the construction plan, a church will be built with a priest staying and running spiritual programmes for the residents. The town can accommodate up to 237 families with living spaces starting from 80 square metres. The senior residents will have to pay a deposit of 18 million won (S$20,000) per 3.3 squaremetre area and 1.7 million won monthly rent. According to the country’s 2005 statistics, 10 percent of the then 48 million-strong population were 65 years old or older. The number is estimated to rise to more than 15 percent by 2020. The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Korea said that in 2009, 19.2 percent of South Korea’s 5,120,092 Catholics were 60 years or older. „ UCANEWS.COM

Archbishop seeks help with Neocatechumenal Way ‘problems’ TOKYO – The president of the

Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan (CBCJ) has called for the cooperation of priests and laypeople to confront “problemsâ€? with the Neocatechumenal Way, which he said has had a negative effect in the country. “In those places touched by the Neocatechumenal Way, there has EHHQ UDPSDQW FRQIXVLRQ FRQĂ€LFW division and chaos,â€? Archbishop Leo Jun Ikenaga of Osaka said in a statement published in Katorikku Shimbun, the Catholic Weekly of Japan, on Jan 12. His statement was reported by the Asian Church news agency, UCA News. “In Japan, the net effect has been negative,â€? Archbishop Ikenaga said in his statement. “We bishops, in light of our apostolic pastoral responsibility, could not ignore the damage.â€? Pope Benedict XVI refused a December request from four Japanese bishops, including Archbishop Ikenaga, to suspend the Neocatechumenal Way for ÂżYH \HDUV Archbishop Ikenaga’s statement, dated Dec 20, suggests that the bishops are unwilling to let the matter rest there. “Until now, the CBCJ has engaged with both the Holy See and the Neocatechumenal Way. But now the time has come to gain the participation of the laypeople of Japan,â€? Archbishop

Ikenaga wrote in the statement. He said the pope plans to send an envoy to Japan soon. He said the bishops hope those who have come into personal contact with the Neocatechumenal Way will UHODWH WKHLU H[SHULHQFHV WR WKH pope’s envoy. ³7KH IDFW LV LWœV YHU\ GLI¿FXOW for the real state of affairs to be conveyed to a place as far away as Rome,� he wrote.

¾:H KRSH WKDW WKH 1HRFDWHFKXPHQDO :D\ ZLOO WDNH D KDUG ORRN DW ZK\ WKLQJV KDYHQœW ZRUNHG RXW KHUH VR IDU œ – Japanese Archbishop Leo Jun Ikenaga

“We hope that they [the Neocatechumenal Way] will take a hard look at why things haven’t worked out here so far and, for WKH ÂżUVW WLPH KHOS XV URRW RXW WKH cause of the problems, so that we FDQ ÂżQG WKH SDWK WR D VROXWLRQ ´ The Neocatechumenal Way was set up in Japan around 1970 in the Diocese of Hiroshima. In 1990, WKH DIÂżOLDWHG 5HGHPSWRULV 0DWHU seminary was built in Takamatsu diocese, which has the smallest number of resident Catholics of any Japanese diocese. „ CNS

‡ See letter on Page 12

10 WORLD

Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Pope John Paul II to EH EHDWLĂ€HG RQ 0D\ VATICAN CITY – Pope Benedict XVI has approved a miracle attributed to Pope John Paul II’s intercession, clearing the way IRU WKH ODWH SRSHÂśV EHDWLÂżFDWLRQ on May 1, Divine Mercy Sunday. Pope Benedict’s act on -DQ IROORZHG PRUH WKDQ ÂżYH years of investigation into the life and writings of the Polish pontiff, who died in April 2005 after more than 26 years as pope. The Vatican said it took VSHFLDO FDUH ZLWK YHULÂżFDWLRQ of the miracle, the spontaneous cure of a French nun from Parkinson’s disease – the same LOOQHVV WKDW DIĂ€LFWHG 3RSH -RKQ 3DXO LQ KLV ÂżQDO \HDUV 7KUHH separate Vatican panels approved the miracle, including medical and theological experts, before Pope Benedict signed the decree. “There were no concessions given here in procedural severity and thoroughness,â€? said Cardinal Angelo Amato, head of the

Congregation for Saints’ Causes. On the contrary, he said, Pope John Paul’s cause was subject to “particularly careful scrutiny, to remove any doubtâ€?. Divine Mercy Sunday KDG VSHFLDO VLJQLÂżFDQFH IRU Pope John Paul, who made it a Church-wide feast day to be celebrated a week after Easter. :LWK EHDWLÂżFDWLRQ 3RSH John Paul will be declared “Blessedâ€? and thus worthy of restricted liturgical honour. Another miracle is needed for canonisation, by which the Church declares a person to be a saint and worthy of universal veneration. Vatican spokesman Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi summed up much of the sentiment in Rome when he said Pope John Paul would EH EHDWLÂżHG SULPDULO\ IRU WKH spiritual gifts of faith, hope and charity that were the source of his papal activity. „ CNS

0HPRULHV RI JULHI +DLWLDQV SUD\ RQH \HDU DIWHU TXDNH PORT-AU-PRINCE – In front

of a national cathedral that lay in rubble, Catholic leaders marked the anniversary of Haiti’s deadly earthquake by praying for its victims and calling for reconstruction of this tattered Caribbean country. “This tragedy took everything ... and sickness and death are still hittingâ€? Haitians, said Cardinal Robert Sarah, the papal HQYR\ SUHVLGHQW RI WKH 3RQWLÂżFDO Council Cor Unum and the main celebrant at the Mass. “We call on the international community ... to develop the country, to develop Haiti.â€? Throughout the earthquakeWRUQ FDSLWDO +DLWLDQV Ă€RFNHG WR churches for prayer services on Jan 12, the anniversary of the earthquake. Thousands attended the morning service outside the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. Haiti’s prime minister, presidential candidates DQG PXVLFLDQV VDW LQ WHQWV Ă€DQNHG by choirs and scores of residents. Among the dead was Portau-Prince Archbishop Joseph Serge Miot, remembered at the Mass as a man who loved life and suffered alongside poor Haitians. The appointment of his successor, Bishop Guire Poulard of Les Cayes, 69, was announced at the Mass as well as at the Vatican. The earthquake began a year of suffering that ended with more than 3,600 dead from a cholera

A woman prays during a Jan 12 Mass in Port-au-Prince, near the ruins of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption. The Mass marked the oneyear anniversary of the earthquake. CNS photo

epidemic, 810,000 earthquake victims still living in makeshift camps and rubble from collapsed buildings at nearly every turn in the capital, Port-au-Prince. Cardinal Sarah read a telegram from Pope Benedict XVI, who told Haitians he KRSHG LQWHUQDWLRQDO ÂżQDQFLDO DLG and volunteer assistance would continue, but also that “the Haitian people will be the chief protagonists of their present and their futureâ€?. Archbishop Bernardito Auza, apostolic nuncio to Haiti, told Catholic News Service the

Haitian Church has dozens of planned projects, including the construction of new churches. The pace of reconstruction in the country has disappointed Haitians and drawn criticism that the international community has not moved fast enough with the billions of dollars pledged by foreign governments and citizens. That frustration was apparent at the Mass as comments that international aid agencies move more quickly drew applause. „ CNS

Healing services after Arizona shootings WASHINGTON – As Americans

sought to make sense of the Jan 8 shooting spree in Tucson, Arizona, that left six dead and 14 wounded, religious leaders around the country looked to help heal the emotional pain through prayer and memorial services. Tucson Bishop Gerald F Kicanas presided at a packed public commemoration and healing service on Jan 11 and was also part of an interfaith memorial service at Catalina United Methodist Church held the same day. The violence caused trauma for the whole community, Bishop Kicanas told Catholic News Service in a phone interview. “First we have to grieve, we need to cry and be together, especially for those who were harmed and their families.� Impromptu and organised vigils and prayer services took place around Tucson, at the hospital where most victims were treated, outside injured

A student looks at a tribute to shooting victim Christina Taylor Green. CNS photo

congresswoman Gabrielle *LIIRUGVÂś RIÂżFH LQ 7XFVRQ DW WKH US Capitol, and at churches and public venues around the country. Bishop Kicanas said the next step towards healing will PHDQ UHĂ€HFWLQJ RQ KRZ VXFK D tragedy could occur and what the community can do to ensure it

does not happen again. “We may never understand it,â€? he cautioned. But he said it’s important to look at gun laws that go far beyond enabling sportsmen to own hunting weapons and the availability of services for people with mental illnesses and addictions, as well as “the ways ZH UHVSRQG WR FRQĂ€LFW´ %XW ÂżUVW LWÂśV LPSRUWDQW WR live through the experience of grieving, of wondering what happened, of praying, he said. The president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, local state and national leaders of the Knights of Columbus and religious leaders of various denominations were also among those seeking to console people. Archbishop Timothy M Dolan, the bishops’ president, in a Jan 10 statement warned “against drawing any hasty conclusions about the motives of the assailant until we know more from law enforcement authoritiesâ€?. „ CNS

WORLD 11

Sunday January 30, 2011 CatholicNews

$ ZRPDQ IDUPLQJ LQ 6RXWKHUQ 6XGDQ 7KH KHDG RI WKH 3RQWL¿FDO &RXQFLO IRU -XVWLFH DQG 3HDFH VD\V WKDW LI WKH VLWXDWLRQ IRU $IULFDQ JURZHUV ZDV DOORZHG WR LPSURYH WKH\ ZRXOG QRW QHHG WR EX\ JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG VHHGV CNS photo

GM crops breed economic dependence: SRQWLÀFDO FRXQFLO KHDG VATICAN CITY – If farmers in

Africa had greater access to fertile, arable land safe from DUPHG FRQÀLFW DQG SROOXWDQWV WKH\ ZRXOG QRW QHHG JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG FURSV WR SURGXFH IRRG VDLG WKH KHDG RI WKH 3RQWL¿FDO &RXQFLO IRU -XVWLFH DQG 3HDFH Making growers reliant on SURSULHWDU\ JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG VHHGV VPDFNV RI ³WKH XVXDO JDPH RI HFRQRPLF GHSHQGHQFH´ ZKLFK LQ WXUQ ³VWDQGV RXW OLNH D QHZ IRUP RI VODYHU\´ VDLG &DUGLQDO 3HWHU 7XUNVRQ The Ghanaian cardinal’s comments came in an interview ZLWK WKH 9DWLFDQ QHZVSDSHU /¶2VVHUYDWRUH 5RPDQR RQ -DQ ,W LV ³D VFDQGDO´ WKDW QHDUO\ RQH ELOOLRQ SHRSOH VXIIHU IURP KXQJHU &DUGLQDO 7XUNVRQ VDLG HVSHFLDOO\ VLQFH WKHUH LV PRUH WKDQ HQRXJK IRRG WR IHHG WKH ZKROH ZRUOG &URSV DQG OLYHVWRFN DUH GHVWUR\HG EHFDXVH RI VWULFW WUDGH UHVWUDLQWV RU LQ RUGHU WR NHHS IRRG SULFHV KLJK DQG LQ ZHDOWKLHU FRXQWULHV HGLEOH IRRG ³LV WKURZQ LQ WKH JDUEDJH´ ³$OO LW ZRXOG WDNH LV D OLWWOH ELW PRUH VROLGDULW\ DQG PXFK OHVV HJRLVP´ DQG WKHUH ZRXOG EH HQRXJK IRRG WR QRXULVK HYHQ WZLFH WKH FXUUHQW ZRUOG SRSXODWLRQ KH VDLG

The cardinal said high-tech DJULFXOWXUDO SUDFWLFHV DQG WHFKQLTXHV DUH DOO EXW XVHOHVV LQ DUHDV RI FRQÀLFW and areas that are ravaged by the H[SORLWDWLRQ RI QDWXUDO UHVRXUFHV “In searching for and extracting SHWUROHXP JROG RU SUHFLRXV PLQHUDOV SUHVHQW XQGHU $IULFDQ VRLO PXOWLQDWLRQDOV FDXVH HQRUPRXV GDPDJH WKH\ H[FDYDWH ODUJH SLWV DQG LUUHSDUDEO\ GHYDVWDWH ¿HOGV DQG IRUHVWV ´ KH VDLG :KHWKHU VXFK DUHDV ZRXOG HYHU EH DUDEOH DJDLQ LV XQFHUWDLQ ³HYHQ LI RQH UHOLHG RQ JHQHWLFDOO\ HQJLQHHUHG SODQWV´ &DUGLQDO 7XUNVRQ VDLG VRPH PXOWLQDWLRQDO FRPSDQLHV DUH actively engaged in trying to SHUVXDGH ELVKRSV LQ $IULFD WR VXSSRUW JUHDWHU XVH RI JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG RUJDQLVPV ³, WKLQN WKDW WKH UHDO LVVXH LV QRW EHLQJ IRU RU DJDLQVW *02 ´ KH VDLG 7KHUH ZRXOG EH QR QHHG IRU VXFK FURSV LI $IULFDQ JURZHUV KDG access to fertile land that was “not GHVWUR\HG GHYDVWDWHG RU SRLVRQHG E\ WKH VWRFNSLOLQJ RI WR[LF ZDVWH´ DQG LI JURZHUV ZHUH DEOH WR EHQH¿W IURP WKH IUXLWV RI WKHLU ODERXUV E\ EHLQJ DOORZHG WR VHW DVLGH HQRXJK VHHGV IRU SODQWLQJ WKH QH[W \HDU DQG QRW EH IRUFHG WR FRQWLQXDOO\ EX\ JHQHWLFDOO\ PRGL¿HG VHHGV IURP DEURDG KH VDLG CNS

US DIOCESE FILES FOR BANKRUPTCY: Milwaukee has EHFRPH WKH HLJKWK 86 GLRFHVH WR ¿OH IRU EDQNUXSWF\ RYHU VH[ DEXVH FODLPV $UFKELVKRS -HURPH ( /LVWHFNL DQQRXQFHG RQ -DQ WKDW KH KDG GLUHFWHG DUFKGLRFHVDQ DWWRUQH\V WR ¿OH WKH SHWLWLRQ CNS

12 LETTERS/OPINION

Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Fortnightly newspaper of the Catholic Archdiocese of Singapore

2 Highland Road, #01-03 Singapore 549102. Telephone: 6858 3055. Fax: 6858 2055. Website: www.catholicnews.sg MANAGING EDITOR: Father Johnson Fernandez: johfern@catholic.org.sg ASSISTANT EDITOR: Christopher Khoo: chriskhoo@catholic.org.sg STAFF CORRESPONDENT: Darren Boon: darrenboon@catholic.org.sg DESIGN / LAYOUT: Christopher Wong: design@catholic.org.sg Elaine Ong: elong@catholic.org.sg

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Neocatechumenal Way ‘won’t be suspended’ I would like to take this opportunity to thank the Catholic News for the attention paid towards the Neocatechumenal Way, (Japan’s Bishops Want Neocatechumenal Way To Stop Work, CN Jan 16). However the Holy See has replied to the situation as reported in this ZENIT article (Jan 7): The Neocatechumenal Way will not be suspended in Japan IRU ÂżYH \HDUV DV ZDV SUHYLRXVO\ announced by the country’s episcopal conference, reports the lay movement. According to a spokesman of the movement, Alvaro de Juana, this decision was communicated recently in writing by the Vatican Secretariat of State to the Neocatechumenal Way founders: Kiko Arguello, Carmen Hernandez and Mario Pezzi. De Juana informed ZENIT that the letter came after Benedict XVI presided at a Dec 13 meeting with a representation of several Japanese bishops, among them the president of the episcopal conference, Archbishop Leo Ikenaga of Osaka, to

Article in CN, Jan 16

address some aspects of the Neocatechumenal Way in Japan. A few weeks earlier, the Japanese episcopal conference announced that it would suspend the activities of the movement in -DSDQ IRU ÂżYH \HDUV De Juana explained that “the Holy See has made a series of decisions,â€? which were revealed in Cardinal Bertone’s letter. Âł7KH ÂżUVW LQGLFDWHV that the suspension of the Neocatechumenal Way in Japan

IRU ÂżYH \HDUV Âą DV DWWHPSWHG E\ WKH country’s Episcopal Conference – is not admissible,â€? he said. On the other hand, the VSRNHVPDQ DGGHG LW VSHFLÂżHG that “the dialogue between the bishops of Japan and the Neocatechumenal Way must be taken up again as soon as possible with the help of a competent delegate who loves the Way and respects the problems of the bishops.â€? Âł)LQDOO\ LI QHFHVVDU\ the latter must give concrete indications to the Way for each of its own dioceses, avoiding pronouncements of the episcopal conference,â€? explained De Juana. “The Holy See points out in addition that the Secretariat of State will be in charge of giving the necessary instructions and will address, in contact with the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, the questions referring to the presence of the Way in said country,â€? concluded the spokesman.â€? „ ZENIT Fr Timothy Yeo Neocatechumenal Way Singapore

Correct to impose dress code? I refer to the article, Parish Comes Up with Dress Code (CN, Jan 16). The Catholic Church is a universal Church with an established hierarchy that sets out the role of the clergy and other matters such as how Church laws are formulated and administered. This hierarchy of structured processes makes the Catholic Church strong and different from all other religions – unlike, for example, independent Protestant Churches that operate on their own. This is the reason why Catholic rites in different countries are all similar. It therefore confounds me that the Church of St Anthony can come up with its own rules regarding dress code that forbids certain dressing. If the Catholic Church had wanted to come up with such rules it would have

If the Catholic Church had wanted to come up with such rules it would have done so long ago. done so long ago. In fact, long ago there was a rule that required ladies to wear a veil over their heads during Mass. And this rule was applied across the entire Catholic Church, not just at one or two parishes. At the Church of Our Lady Star of the Sea, posters have been put up to show what it deems as “inappropriate dressingâ€?. This is ÂżQH LI LW ZDV MXVW D JXLGHOLQH RU advisory. But no. Church wardens

actively police this advisory and parishioners who do not comply are told off. This is where the problem VWDUWV )RU ZH KDYH QRZ D ³PRUDOLW\ police� in certain parishes. Is this what we want? This is exactly what will also happen in the Church of St Anthony. It is time for his Grace Archbishop Nicholas Chia to step in and put this matter of dress code to rest. The wider and more important issue that the archbishop needs to address is whether individual churches have any authority to make their own rules – and have church wardens police these rules. Aloysius Goh Singapore 760161

‡ More viewpoints on Page 17

The children within our care MARGARET LAURENCE’S novel, A Jest of God, tells the story of two sisters: One of them, Rachel, single still and childless at midlife, is a gifted, elementary school teacher. The other is a stay-at-home-mother, dedicating herself full-time to caring for her children. $V WKH \HDUV JR E\ DQG 5DFKHO ¿QGV KHUVHOI still without children of her own, her frustration grows. She works with children all day, every day, but they are not hers. They come into her classroom, learn from her, pass through her life, but then move on to other classrooms and to a life away from her. She suffers deeply from this transience, this lack of possession. Most everything inside her screams for children of her own, children who will not simply pass through her life. One day she shares this frustration with her sister, confessing how painful it is to have children pass through your life, a different group every year, and never have any that are really your own. Her sister is less than fully sympathetic. She tells Rachel, in effect, that it is no different being a parent. Your children also pass through your life and move on to their own lives, away from you. They also are never really your children, someone you possess. Children are never really yours, irrespective of whether you are their natural parent, their foster parent, or their teacher. They have their own lives, lives that you do not own. There are some important truths in that: Children are never really our own. They are given us, in trust, for a time, a short time in fact, during which we are asked to be their parents, their teachers, their mentors, their pastors, their uncles, their aunts, their guardians, but they are not, in the end, our children. Their lives belong to them, and to God. That’s both challenging and consoling to realise. The challenge is more obvious: If we accept this then we are less likely to be manipulative as parents, teachers, and guardians. We are less likely to see a child as a satellite in our own orbit or as someone whose life must be shaped according to our image and likeness. Rather, if we accept that they are their own persons, we will be able to offer our love, support, and guidance with fewer strings attached. The consolation is not as obvious, but is my main point here: If we accept that our children are really not our own, then we will also realise that we are not alone in raising them. How so? Our children are not ours, they are God’s children. In the end, we are only their guardians, all of us. God is the real parent and God’s love, care, and anxiety for them will always be in excess of our own. You are never a single parent, even if you are doing the parenting alone. God is alongside, loving, caring, cajoling, trying to instil values, trying to awaken love, worrying about what company they are keeping, concerned about what they are watching on the Internet, and spending the same sleepless nights that you are. God’s worry exceeds our own. Moreover God has the power to touch the heart of a child and break through to a child in a way that you, as a parent, often cannot. Your children can refuse to listen to you, turn their backs on you, reject your values, and walk away from everything you stand for; but there is always still another parent, God, from whom they cannot walk away. God can reach into places, including hell itself, into which we cannot reach. God is always there, with a love more patient and VROLFLWRXVQHVV PRUH ¿HUFH WKDQ RXU RZQ )URP WKDW ZH FDQ GUDZ courage and consolation. Our children are surrounded always by a love, a concern, an anxiety, and an invitation to awaken to love, that far exceeds anything we can offer. God is the real parent and has powers we don’t have. This is particularly important and consoling if we have ever lost a child tragically to an accident that might have been prevented, to suicide, to drugs or alcohol, or to a set of friends and a lifestyle that ended up killing them, and, as a parent or guardian, you are left feeling guilty and second-guessing: Why did I fail so badly in this? How much am I to blame for this failure? Again, it is helpful to remind ourselves that we were, and are, not the only parents here and when this child died, however tragic the circumstances, he or she was received by hands far gentler then our own, was embraced by an understanding far deeper than our own, and was welcomed into the arms of a parent more loving than we. Our child left our foster care and our inadequacy to provide everything, to live with a mother and a father who can give him or her the protection, guidance, and joy that we could never quite fully provide. „

FOCUS 13

Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

CATECHETICAL FEATURE

An environmental Catechists celebrate 2011 Catechetical Year revolution: a need for our times By Anne Lim World Day of Peace is commemorated on Jan 1. And it does not go unnoticed by our pope. In his new year message, he chose the theme, If You Want to Cultivate Peace, Protect Creation. God has given us the earth and all that is natural and good, we are told. Yet, we are now facing threats – “numerous threats to peace and to authentic and integral human developmentâ€?. If we truly believe in a God who sent his Son, the Word made Ă€HVK ZKR GZHOW DPRQJ XV WKHQ we must not fail to understand that the ominous threats of our environmental crises also signal a crisis in our Christian theology. As the book, Care for &UHDWLRQ 'HOLR HW DO WHOOV XV “Christians are in a crisis of the Word of God. ...We have lost a Christian theology that adequately conveys the idea that creation is God speaking to us.â€? Are we aware that each time ZH Ă€LS D VZLWFK WXUQ RQ D FDU engine, buckle up in an airplane seat, we are releasing gases that heat up the planet? Our lifestyle decisions, ranging from the type of house we buy, how we travel, to what we eat, have what is known as “carbon consequencesâ€?. Every day in news reports, we learn of extreme weather conditions, such as the recent PDVVLYH Ă€RRGV LQ $XVWUDOLD and December’s snow-related disasters in the US and Europe. Are these climate changes a consequence of over-indulgent, excessively consumeristic behaviour? The overwhelming evidence is hard to dispute. The call for a spirituality of an ecological time and an environmental revolution is not new. If the Vatican can install 2,400 solar panels for the Paul

VI auditorium, can we not begin to take simple green steps in transforming our parishes? One simple act is to stop the use of plastic and styrofoam in our canteens on Sunday. It would appear that while most parishes are probably already serving food and drinks in washable ware, the problem arises when it comes to takeaways and catering. The solution is to use biodegradable ones like “cornware�.

And just when you think you have gotten over Christmas and year-end parties, here comes the Lunar New Year! Being a good host doesn’t mean overfeeding guests by piling on the meats and excessive sugar treats. Let’s not forget the most important thing about this tradition – reunion with our families and loved ones. God bless us all with good sense and gratitude! Take a look at: The Catholic Climate Covenant (watch the video: Who’s under your carbon footprint?) catholicclimatecovenant.org The Green Kampong www.greenkampong.com The writer is a parishioner of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary with a special interest in spiritual ecology CNS photo

More than 270 catechists and catechetical coordinators from all over Singapore gathered at the Catholic Archdiocesan Education Centre on Jan 2 to launch the 2011 Catechetical Year. Following 2010’s focus on rediscovering the Pedagogy of God, the agenda this year for the &DWHFKHWLFDO 2IÂżFH LV WR IXUWKHU initiate catechists into this unique pedagogy of faith by paying attention to the locus in which such a catechesis takes place – the liturgical and scriptural life of the Church. Hence the theme chosen for this catechetical year – They recognised Him at the breaking RI EUHDG /N The afternoon’s celebrations began with a para-liturgy by the catechetical team from the Church of St Anthony. Based on the day’s Feast of the Epiphany, the presentation invited those SUHVHQW WR UHĂ€HFW RQ WKH JLIWV they bring to their catechetical ministry. In his welcome address, Archbishop Nicholas Chia implored catechists to “craft

Fr Erbin Fernandez addressing the Jan 2 gathering

catechetical sessions rich in doctrinal value and beauty which move a young person to respond with a grateful heartâ€?. Catechists today, he said, are called to proclaim with certainty and creativityâ€? what we have heard, what we have seen with our eyes, what we have looked at and touched with our hands, concerning WKH :RUG RI /LIH´ -Q Director of Catechetics

An upward and outward journey Excerpts from Fr Erbin Fernandez’s address

‘

We as catechists are entrusted with the tender minds of our children and youth. We must make sure we echo the faith of the Church and not our interpretations of that Faith. This is why the Catechism of the Catholic Church is our chief resource. This is also why for this year we are focusing on the Liturgical Year as the locus within which Christ teaches. As catechists we learn the craft of drawing from the various liturgical seasons to mark time and help the young person become conscious of a journey they take in life that moves upward and outward towards their divine

destiny called Parousia. We re-introduce to our young people Catholic culture made up of such elements as Eucharistic adoration, Ignation contemplation, lectio divina, liturgical music etc. With this foundation established, we challenge teenagers towards engaging society more critically especially in the areas of morality and justice. All this requires that a catechist practise a strong sacramental life, regular reception of the sacraments, DQG GHGLFDWHV VXIÂżFLHQW WLPH WR SUD\HU VWXG\ DQG UHĂ€HFWLRQ This is why on Catechetical Sunday we commission catechists and bless parents in

Upcoming events ‡ Archdiocesan Catechist ‡ ‡ Solar panels are seen on the roof of the Paul VI audience hall at the Vatican.

Fr Erbin Fernandez further emphasised the need for catechists to practice a strong sacramental life and dedicate VXI¿FLHQW WLPH WR SUD\HU VWXG\ DQG UHÀHFWLRQ LQ RUGHU WR UH introduce Catholic culture to our young people, building a foundation upon which teenagers can eventually engage society more critically, especially in the areas of morality and justice. A video summed up the &DWHFKHWLFDO 2I¿FHœV HYHQWV IRU 2010 and included many catechists’ thoughts on how their perspectives of their ministry had been transformed through the formation programmes during the year. The event ended with gifts presented to parishes which have undergone or who will undergo Parish Team Trainings. Ms Jane Lau, Coordinator of Parish Catechesis, also introduced the Catechetical Core Team – comprising catechetical coordinators from various parishes – who will be working ZLWK WKH &DWHFKHWLFDO 2I¿FH RQ D new programme for Primary and Secondary levels. „

Coordinators Course 2 Retreat 2: May 27-May 29, St Francis Xavier Major Seminary Archdiocesan Catechist Coordinators Course 3: June 8-12, St Francis Major Xavier Seminary Basic Catechist Course: Aug 6 onwards. Every Saturday, 9.30 am-12.30 pm, Catholic

‡ ‡ ‡ ‡

Archdiocesan Education Centre Annual Catechists Retreat: Sep YHQXH WR EH FRQ¿UPHG New Catechists’ Day of Recollection: Nov 27, CAEC Kids’ Bible Camp: Nov 28'HF YHQXH WR EH FRQ¿UPHG Family Camp: Dec 2-4, venue WR EH FRQ¿UPHG Events are subject to change

their respective responsibilities of passing on the Faith. 3DUHQWV DUH DI¿UPHG LQ WKHLU key role of offering a natural catechesis of daily practices at home that help communicate the religious and human dimension of our Catholic faith. However parish catechists are commissioned because they have to be specially prepared to offer a systematic and doctrinal catechesis that covers the essentials of the Faith upon which the parents build up the Faith of their child. As long as you are passing on Creedal faith in a parish setting, whether you function from a parish or home setting, whether you teach special needs children or are a Good Shepherd catechist, you need to be formally trained in the Craft of Catechesis which is the primary work of the &DWHFKHWLFDO 2I¿FH &2 In this new year, the CO hopes to collaborate with other PLQLVWULHV DQG RI¿FHV RI WKH archdiocese like the Youth 2I¿FH )DPLO\ /LIH 6RFLHW\ DQG 6&&V 6PDOO &KULVWLDQ &RPPXQLWLHV LQ SURPRWLQJ D PRUH XQL¿HG HIIRUW LQ FDWHFKHVLV that will address the entire life span of our faith community from pre-adolescence to old age. „

’

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Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

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16

CHILDREN’S STORY: By Joe Sarnicola

SPOTLIGHT ON SAINTS:

St Paul

St Paul was a Jew who was known for most of his life by the name of Saul. He also had the advantage of being a Roman citizen. He received his education from Gamaliel, a respected teacher who was a Pharisee. Pharisees believed in very strict observance of the laws of Moses, and Paul followed this philosophy himself. Paul became a very harsh critic of Christians. He wanted them arrested and stopped because he thought their teachings were contrary to the laws of Moses. But God blinded Paul temporarily and had him brought to a Christian who healed him. Immediately Paul believed in Christ. Paul became an active missionary. He preached all over the world of his time. He wrote many letters, some of which we still have as part of the New Testament. We honour his conversion on Jan 25.

Sunday January 30, 2011 CatholicNews

21 7+( ¿UVW GD\ RI WKH VHYHQWK month all of the people came WRJHWKHU LQ WKH ¿HOG EHIRUH WKH SODFH called the Water Gate. They wanted to hear Ezra, the scribe, read from the laws that God had given to their ancestors through Moses. Standing on a wooden platform, Ezra held up the scrolls so that the SHRSOH FRXOG VHH WKHP DV KH UHDG 2Q either side of him were some of the elders of the people. Before he began to read, Ezra blessed the Lord and all of the people, who shouted, “Amen, amen!” in reply. From sunrise until noon, Ezra read to the men, women and children that had assembled in front of him. Not only did he read, but he tried to interpret the Scriptures so that everyone would know all that God had done for them and wanted them to do in return. “Today,” he said, “is holy to the Lord your God. Do not be sad, and do not weep.” Ezra added this, because some of the people were so grateful that the law was being read to them that they were crying. “Go, eat rich foods and drink sweet drinks, and allot portions to those who had nothing prepared; for today is holy to our Lord. Do not be saddened this day, for rejoicing in the Lord must be your strength!” The Levites who were standing with Ezra said to the people, “Hush,

for today is holy, and you must not be saddened.” After they had heard the laws that were read to them, the people began to celebrate and rejoice. The next day, the heads of all of the families joined the priests and Levites as they met with Ezra to discuss the law in more detail. They discovered that during the seventh month they should live in booths during the time of feasting. They proclaimed a decree throughout their cities, in Jerusalem and to all of Israel that said: “Go out into the hill country and bring in branches of olive trees, oleasters, myrtle, palm, and other leafy trees to make booths, as the law prescribes.” And the people obeyed the decree and made booths for themselves and their families. This had not been done since the time of Joshua, and the people were ¿OOHG ZLWK MR\ WKDW WKH\ KDG EHHQ DEOH to reinstate such a celebration. The feast lasted for seven days, and Ezra read from the law on each of those days. READ MORE ABOUT IT: Nehemiah 8 Q&A 1. Why did Nehemiah call the people together? 2. How long did the feast last?

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Answer for Bible Trivia: Joshua Answers for Puzzle: E books: Exodus, Ecclesiastes, Esther, Ezekiel; Z books: Zechariah, Zephaniah; R book: Ruth; A book: Amos

The books of Ezra and Nehemiah recount the events of the Hebrew people after their exile in Babylon. The books were usually considered one book by the Jewish people, but later scholars made distinctions between the material and divided the book into the two that we know. Rather than present a history of how the people rebuilt their lives and their homes, these books emphasise the religious changes that were taking place. Ezra was a priest who was part of the same line as Zadok, a priest who served David and Solomon. Because he was also an expert in the law, Ezra was charged by Artaxerxes to set up a code of laws based on the words that God gave to Moses.

LETTERS / OPINION 17

Sunday January 30, 2011 „ CatholicNews

Trapped between religious extremism and war on terror CNS FILE PHOTO

By ucanews.com reporter LAHORE – The assassination of

the Punjab governor on Jan 4 has not only stolen a good friend from Pakistani Christians and women’s rights campaigners, it has sent a stark warning to those trying to bring changes in the country’s blasphemy laws: If VVIPs like Salman Taseer – who was shot dead by one of his elite bodyguards in Islamabad – can be a target, anyone can. Taseer’s murderer told police he killed the governor because Taseer had “described the blasphemy laws as a black lawâ€?. Taseer was renowned in Church circles for his outspoken views on the need for the repeal of the laws. He won the hearts of Christians last November when he and his family met Ms Asia Bibi shortly after Pope Benedict urged FOHPHQF\ IRU KHU WKH ÂżUVW ZRPDQ condemned to death for blasphemy. Since then, Taseer has been ODEHOOHG DQ ÂłLQÂżGHO´ DQG KDV received regular threats from extremist factions. A local Muslim politician in Multan offered a reward of 20 million rupees (US$233,000) for his assassination while Islamist parties used him as a focus in countrywide protests against proposed changes to the controversial laws. The killing of the Punjab governor was religiously motivated. Mr Shahbaz Bhatti, the Catholic Federal Minister for Minorities, highlighted this in his comments to the media. “The governor was declared wajib ul qatal (apostate) and had been receiving threats due to his principal stand against misuse of blasphemy laws. I appeal for an

Priests, go for checkups I am saddened by the news of Fr William Lim, parish priest of the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, who suffered a heart attack on the morning of Jan 3 while jogging. My heartfelt sympathy and prayers go out to the family and parishioners. A number of priests have passed on due to heart attacks and cancers at a relatively young age. With the start of the new year, priests, Religious brothers and nuns should undergo a full medical check-up to ensure their well being to carry out God’s work in the Catholic community. 7KH EHQH¿WV RI D IXOO health check will safeguard the individual, and any medical issues can be arrested and appropriate measures taken to give God’s servants a healthy lifestyle. „ Bennie Cheok Singapore 669620

Protesters in Lahore demanding the release of Ms Asia Bibi, a Pakistani Christian woman who has been sentenced to death for blasphemy.

investigation of those who issued fatwas against him in the streets,� he said. It is a matter close to Mr Bhatti’s heart – and personal safety – as he has been engaged by President Asif Zardari to form a committee to recommend ways to prevent the misuse of blasphemy laws for personal and political reasons. Taliban groups have issued a similar fatwa against Mr Bhatti for this commitment. This abandonment of reason is the biggest challenge for Pakistan, trapped between religious

extremism and the war on terror. Any attempt to change the blasphemy laws is immediately FRQĂ€DWHG LQ H[WUHPLVWVÂś PLQGV with anti-American sentiments, while that is fanned by their “leadersâ€? who claim the reforms are being dictated by the US. The governor’s assassination has also again put a question mark over whether there is a place for freedom of speech and legitimate difference of opinion in Pakistan. Is there no room for discussion on blasphemy laws? Not all Pakistani Muslims are fundamentalists, of course, but that is little comfort to Christians. &KXUFK RIÂżFHV ZHUH VKXW GRZQ as soon as the news of the assassination was reported. Now more than ever, Pakistan needs a united Church to put its support behind its only hope – civil society. Christian leaders must continue to struggle for this, despite all challenges and VDFULÂżFHV WKH\ PD\ EH FDOOHG upon to make. „ UCANEWS.COM

Sharing the beach THE good news from Israel is that some Israeli women are determined to share the basic pleasures of life with their deprived Palestinian neighbours. According to Ynetnews, one basic pleasure is a day at the beach – salt water, children rolling on the grass. Women stride into the surf, though fully clothed, and feel the sand beneath their feet. Two women writers drove Palestinian women from the Territories to the Tel Aviv beach. Five women from another group brought Palestinian children to the shore twice a week during the summer for what may have been their only sight of the ocean in their lives. They guided toddlers through the security checkpoints (an 18-month-old baby was suspected of carrying a bomb). The lifeguard was reluctant to accept them, but in time his heart

opened to the children. A 15-year-old boy who had dropped out of school to support his family was singled out as a security risk until press coverage got the ban on him revoked. The bad news is that the two women writers were threatened, as they anticipated, with prosecution for violating the Entry Into Israel Law, and the Web site of Ynetnews was bombarded with hate mail from both the United States and Israel: If Palestinians want beaches, let them go to Gaza; kids in Colorado don’t see the beach either, but nobody raises money for them; women and children can still be terrorists. One wonders, Why can’t Israelis and Palestinians share a beach? One commentator put it this way: “You treat these children like criminals for breathing the same air as you.� „ AMERICA MAGAZINE

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Sunday January 30, 2011 CatholicNews

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