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SOUTHERN AFRICA’S NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY SINCE 1920

Vatican archives go online

Inside Oblates to run Ngome shrine The Oblates of Mary Immaculate have accepted an invitation by Bishop Xolelo Kumalo to take over the running of the Marian shrine at Ngome, KwaZulu-Natal.—Page 3

BY SARAH DELANEY

Turin Shroud is going public

The Shroud of Turin, which will go on display on April 10, offers Christians a complete understanding of the suffering Christ went through on the cross, according to an Italian cardinal.—Page 4

The shipwrecked St Paul As Pope Benedict prepares to visit Malta this month to mark St Paul’s shipwrecking there, we look at the apostle and the island he evangelised.—Page 10

Seasons of marriage A Catholic newspaper editor explains the secrets to a happy marriage.—Page 9

What do you think? In their Letters to the Editor this week, readers discuss respect for holy places, penance for a scandal, titles for the pope, President Zuma’s Christian ethics, and the Turin shroud.—Pages 8 & 11

This week’s editorial: The boil must be lanced

Teen, born 1971, to be beatified BY JOEUN LEE

Love, food and faith in Italy

www.scross.co.za

April 7 to April 13, 2010 No 4670

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Muslim sheik Devotion to the Divine and the Mercy Annunciation

Online dating for SA Catholics

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

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HIARA Badano, an Italian who died of bone cancer just before her 19th birthday, will be beatified on September 25 at a shrine outside of Rome, said the bishop of the diocese where she lived. The beatification ceremony will be held at the sanctuary of Our Lady of Divine Love and will be presided over by Archbishop Angelo Amato, prefect of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes. A member of the Focolare Movement, Chiara (pictured) corresponded for years with Chiara Lubich, founder of the movement. Born on October 29, 1971, in northern Italy, she was diagnosed with osteosarcoma, a bone malignancy, when she was 17. When she was given the news, she vowed to accept it as God’s will. “If you want it, Jesus, so do I,” she was reported to have said during a painful therapy session, adding that “embraced pain makes one free”. She also reportedly declined to take the morphine doctors offered because, “I want to share as much as possible the pain of Jesus on the cross.” “I feel that God is asking me for something more, something greater,” she said, according to her official biography. “I could be confined to this bed for years, I don’t know. I’m only interested in God’s will, doing that well in the present moment: playing God’s game.” Chiara, who was nicknamed Luce or “Light,” died on October 7, 1990. Devotion to her has spread, so the rather isolated diocese of Acqui asked that her beatification ceremony be celebrated in Rome to make it easier for more young people to attend, said Mariagrazia Magrini, the vice-postulator of her cause.—CNS

JUMP FOR JOY: Members of the KZN Burundi Drummers—all draped in the Burundi national flag—entertained guests at the sixth annual Archbishop Denis Hurley weekend at Durban’s Emmanuel cathedral. The weekend included Masses and an ecumenical workshop addressed by Fr Peter-John Pearson. PIC: ILLA

New economy way ahead? BY MICHAIL RASSOOL

CHURCH-BASED political analyst has welcomed indications from the government of a return towards a needs-based economic policy, as opposed by the macro-economic policy of the past decade. Mike Pothier, research director of the bishops’ Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office, applauded recent moves by minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel to put together a “ministerial advisory panel” that is likely to oppose inflation targeting. In other words, he explained, the panellists are likely to oppose the idea that monetary policy must prioritise the control of inflation within set limits by manipulating interest rates, an approach followed by successive Reserve Bank governors and repeated by finance minister Pravin Gordhan in his budget speech. This, Mr Pothier said, has hindered investment and seriously retarded the creation of jobs. He pointed out that the Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) especially has been vociferous in its calls for a weaker rand, saying that the relatively strong currency has harmed export industries such as mining and agriculture, making South Africa an attractive destination for cheap foreign goods such as textiles and clothing. Mr Pothier welcomed the inclusion on the proposed panel of Professor Joseph Stiglitz, a Nobel economics laureate and former World Bank executive, who is a strong opponent of inflation targeting. He is pleased that the panel also contains at least two mainstream bankers and

other economists and academics whose research into poverty and development he believes will add valuable perspective to its deliberations. Mr Patel reportedly intends to add further names to the panel and set up an economic policy development institute by the end of the year. Ten policy documents dealing with jobs and growth are also promised by March next year. Mr Pothier said that Mr Patel’s proposal raises two possibilities: “Is this the first move in the long-awaited ‘policy coup’ by the left-wing of President Zuma’s reportedly divided cabinet, or is it merely yet another panel of experts or think-tank set up to give the impression that something is happening?” He also asked what the reaction from other policy makers in government will be. He cited recent comments from the director-general of the Treasury, Lesetja Kganyago, who told a conference that the strong rand was not to blame for South Africa’s poor export performance, but lack of productivity, skills shortages and poor levels of competitiveness. “Clearly, this kind of thinking will not sit too easily with some members of the Patel panel,” Mr Pothier said. Mr Pothier said a fresh approach may be required, because as much as the current macro-economic policy, the Growth, Employment and Redistribution strategy, may deserve credit for its stability and predictability, and as much as it has helped shield the country from the worst effects of the recent global financial crisis, it has failed to create jobs in any significant numbers or made enough of a dent in poverty levels.

ISTORICAL Vatican documents, including material regarding the role of the Church during World War II, are now online and available for consultation on the official Vatican website. Thousands of official Vatican acts recorded between 1865 and 2007 have been scanned and uploaded to the website. But the documents likely to arouse the most curiosity are contained in the volumes of World War II-era documents compiled by four Jesuit scholars beginning in the 1960s. The volumes include material from the Vatican Secret Archives regarding war-time Pope Pius XII, accused by some historians and Jewish groups of not doing enough to save Jews from destruction by the Nazis. In 1965 Pope Paul VI ordered the scholars to search the archives for evidence to rebut claims about his predecessor's allegedly negligent conduct during the war. The scholars, led by US Jesuit Father Robert Graham, gathered documents through 1981 that were published in 12 volumes under the title “Acts and Documents of the Holy See Relating to the Second World War”. The published volumes do not make up the entirety of the Vatican collection of wartime material. Scholars and Jewish groups have called on the Vatican to open the archives of that period for study. So far, documents dating up to 1939 have been made accessible, but the Vatican has said the wartime documents will not be available until at least 2013 after they are properly catalogued. Vatican technicians scanned the other documents, noted as Official Acts of the Holy See from 1865 to 2007, a Vatican spokesman said. They are all available at www.vatican.va under the section Resource Library or on the icon of a stack of books with the Latin words “Acta Apostolicae Sedis” and “Acta Sanctae Sedis”.—CNS

Crucified Christ could be porn under new law

‘W

ILL even the naked body of Christ on the cross be considered pornography?” This is what Catholics in Indonesia are asking after the Constitutional Court backed a 2008 anti-pornography law. Indonesian civil society, including moderate Muslims, Christians, and Hindu groups, as well as associations dedicated to protecting freedom and human rights have challenged the law. “It is not that we are pro-pornography,” an Indonesian Catholic explained, “but because it is feared that this law—accepting a controversial generic definition of ‘pornography’, which includes ‘any attitude and any artistic-cultural form of communication that excites a sexual instinct or is contrary to morality’, lends itself easily to exploitation: the fundamentalist Muslim fringe can use it to penalise non-Muslims and, ultimately, seek to impose strictly traditional customs, even the Sharia.” The law comes at a time when the country is also debating a blasphemy law, which opponents say could be misused to persecute non-Muslims.—Fides

LOCAL Online dating for Catholics made easy The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

BY MICHAIL RASSOOL

HE Catholic Friends online dating service site, dedicated to bringing together faithful, practising Catholics, has been updated and is more user-friendly and interactive. Charmane Waldner, formerly of Port Elizabeth and now living with her family in Germany, has financed the site herself. She said the site has been a work in progress for a few years, as she and her web designer were struggling to make it “functional”. “Now it’s at a point where I feel it should be,” she said, “over and above the straightforward dating module, is more topical with interesting articles, and will give Catholic singles greater variety in their quest to find the ideal mate. It is for Catholics in South Africa, Africa and the rest of the world.” There is also more scope for communication, Mrs Waldner said. The site, which has been fully endorsed by the bishops, has a message board where people can post entries on their experiences of life and past dating or relationship experiences, or any other relevant topic. On the site, one woman relates

The Catholic Friends is a networking site for single people worldwide how, while in her 20s, she went through several “phases”. At first she was not practising her faith and dating any man she found interesting, which led to a number of “dysfunctional” relationships. After returning to God, she raised her standards, and considered only men who were practising Christians. While she met good men, dating men from different denominations still proved to be a stumbling block. Mrs Waldner said that accord-

ing to her observations, Catholics tend to struggle to find each other, and this is why such a website could prove ideal for them in their quest. She said people need to register on the site and will receive a username and password to fully engage with the site. She finds, however, that many people remain reluctant to submit photographs of themselves along with their personal information—an insecurity rooted in the values of the mainstream with its preoccupation with “the right image”, she said. She said that submitting photographs makes for better internet communication. Mrs Waldner regards bringing people together her special ministry. She holds the idea of loving someone for who they are and for the qualities they have. This, she said, is something the younger generations should learn. Mrs Waldner said that many people speak wistfully of one day meeting their soul mate, but doing so—regardless of the circumstances—requires leaving one's comfort zone and actively making something happen.  To find out more visit the website at www.catholic-friends.com.

Catholic with end-stage kidney disease needs help BY MICHAIL RASSOOL

CAPE TOWN Catholic is desperately appealing for help for her 42-year-old son, who suffers from kidney disease. Emmerentia Nicol said that for 20 years ßher family has poured practically all their resources and savings into their musician son Brett’s treatment for nephritis, or inflammation of the kidney. Mr Nicol, lead guitarist of local band Infinity, was diagnosed with the condition at the age of 17 and currently requires chronic dialysis treatment. The Nicol family has run up a R100 000 bill at the dialysis centre at Christiaan Barnard Memorial Hospital. The Table View parishioners lost their home and now live in a caravan park in Melkbosstrand. For years Mr Nicol would go for dialysis treatment at Groote Schuur Hospital three times a week, although his affected kidney became progressively weaker, said Mrs Nicol. She said her son was last treated at Christiaan Barnard hospital because he had renal failure in both kidneys. Groote Schuur Hos-

pital had placed him on a waiting list with 70 other patients, despite being given three months to live, she said. Because of his health status and age he was not considered a priority, Mrs Nicol said. At Christiaan Barnard, Brett received treatment twice a week instead of three times a week to save costs. Now the family no longer has the resources to afford dialysis and cannot “think of incurring further costs”. They are now appealing to the public for help. Without dialysis, Mr Nicol will die of blood poisoning from the toxins secreted by his failing kidneys. His mother said she has tried to launch an appeal through the media, with just a few donations coming through. Dialysis costs R700 per visit, and does not include other external costs. She added that because her son’s catheter, which is needed for dialysis, became septic a new one has to be bought. A catheter can cost around R30 000.  For more information or to contribute, contact Mrs Nicol on 083 261 1373.

Police celebrate decade of prayer BY KATJA HAMILTON

HERE was much rejoicing at the Rondebosch Police Station when a group of residents and police officers gathered to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the station’s prayer group, which was co-founded by Catholic and former police captain Tony Penso. Supported by all churches and most of the schools in the area, the inter-denominational group gathers on the second Friday of every month at the station to pray for its policemen and women and their families. At the celebration, Rev Robert Steiner, a pastor at the Rondebosch United Church, read from

Genesis 18. Led by the word Rev Steiner challenged his audience by asking: “How many righteous will it take to save Cape Town?” “An innocent and righteous person can step in for someone else, and especially for those who have been silenced and discouraged. That person can save a whole city,” said Rev Steiner. He encouraged the prayer group to continue interceding for the South African Police Services (SAPS) in the Western Cape, in their efforts to combat crime, and to be a beacon of light and hope to those in service “whose spirits need support, consoling and uplifting through the various crises they encounter”.

“The police often have to deal with tense situations, but the prayer group gives us strength through hard times,” said Alice Bongewa, an administrator at the station. “There are very few police stations in the Western Cape where the community has such a major role to play in the spiritual upliftment of their policemen, and I’d like to thank them for their efforts,” said Captain Karl Wienand. “The singing can be heard right down the passage; it resonates through the building and it means so much to us knowing that someone is praying for us,” he said. Among the group that gathered at the celebration were Isobel

Chilton, Margorie Bick, Marion Whitelock Jones and Angela O’ Connor-Smith and Mr Penso. Together they paid tribute to Tony Hoare’s commitment to the group. Mr Hoare is also a founder of the prayer group. Mr Hoare was presented with a commemorative ten-year plaque. “If you had told me back then that I would still be standing here ten years on, I wouldn't have believed you,” he said. A member of St Thomas’ Anglican Church in Rondebosch, he was inspired to start the prayer group after watching a video documentary called “Transformations”. “I wanted so badly to adopt a police station, but had no clue how to go about it,” said Tony. Through divine intervention he happened to tune into a radio and on air was an interview with a community member on how to adopt a police station. “I could only but take this as a sign of support from the Holy Spirit,” Mr Hoare said. He got the go-ahead from his

Rondebosch prayer group founder Tony Hoare (right) with Rondebosch SAPS spokeperson Inspector Lyndon Sisam. PHOTO: KATJA HAMILTON

parish council and set out to approach members from various churches in Rondebosch to join together in prayer for the station. From that day forward the prayer room has been doing it's work.  For more information visit www.actionagainstcrime.org.za.

LOCAL

The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

Oblates to run shrine BY MICHAIL RASSOOL

Members of the Catholic Women’s League in Mariannhill. PHOTO: MAURICIO LANGA

CWL launches in Mariannhill BY MAURICIO LANGA

HE Catholic Women’s League (CWL) has established itself in the diocese of Mariannhill. Its official launch coincided with the organisation’s annual general meeting at the newly revamped Mission Centre in Mariannhill. According to diocesan CWL president Clementia Gambushe, the Mariannhill branch has existed since 2000, but owing to a lack of resources it had been operating under the auspices of the Durban archdiocese. “We are now fully fledged at Mariannhill diocese,” said Ms Gambushe, adding that

the CWL will seek to take active participation in different issues of concern in the church and also to work closely with other sodalities in the diocese of Mariannhill. She said the CWL in Mariannhill is still at an initial stage and to date has 260 members who come from ten different parishes. “As a sodality still in embryonic stage, we want to build a strong foundation based on the principles and teachings of the Catholic Church,” she said. Meanwhile, Fr Dumisani Khumalo, the spiritual director of the CWL in Mariannhill, said it is important that the diocese has an organisation such as CWL, which will help address many issues of concern in parishes and the diocese.

HE Oblates of Mary Immaculate (KwaZulu-Natal Province) have accepted a request from Bishop Xolelo Kumalo of Eshowe to take over the running of the Shrine of Mary Tabernacle of the Most High at Ngome. The OMI Natal Update, reported that two Oblates would be sent to Ngome after Easter. In addition to their other responsibilities, Fr Wayne Weldschidt OMI, appointed rector of the shrine, and Fr Nkululeko Meyiwa OMI, assistant rector, will develop a special focus on youth ministry, which Fr Meyiwa will direct. The shrine has become one of the most popular places of pilgrimage for Catholics in Southern Africa. Visionary Benedictine Sister Reinolda May had a chapel built on a site where seven springs meet. Sr Reinolda, reported to Bishop Aurelian Bilgeri encounters she had experienced with Mary Mother of Jesus in the chapel of her Nongoma hospital from 1955-70. She said that in those visions Mary had identified herself as the “Tabernacle of the Most High”, who wanted to give Jesus in the Host to a blind world, asking souls to receive the host and themselves become living tabernacles taking him into their daily lives. The nun reported that each time Mary appeared to her it was with a huge host on her breast.

The 8th provincial chapter of the Salesians of Don Bosco in Southern Africa took place at Koinonia, Johannesburg, and chapter members took advantage of the gathering to celebrate the 25th anniversary to the priesthood of the Fr Francois Dufour (pictured), who is also the head of the committee for the Church’s World Cup Ministry.

Franciscan to speak to contemplatives

MERICAN Franciscan Richard Rohr will speak at the Contemplative Outreach national conference, which takes place from April 30 to May 3 at the Schoenstatt Retreat Centre in Constantia, Cape Town. Fr Rohr is an internationally known inspirational speaker known for his

recorded talks and numerous books that deal with Scripture as liberation, the integration of action and contemplation, community building, peace and social justice issues, male spirituality, the Enneagram and eco-spirituality. Tickets are R150 each. For more information contact Sylvia or Don Collier at syldon@xsinet.co.za

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Born Franziska May in Germany in October 1901, she came to South Africa in 1922. The young missionary was sent to Zululand where she learnt the Zulu. In 1937, she was sent to Pietermaritzburg to be trained as a midwife. The following year she started working at the new Benedictine hospital in Nongoma, Zululand. Sr Reinolda’s work among the people continued for 38 years, in which her availability to them was ongoing. This commitment was as midwife and missionary, caring for the poor, distributing food and clothing, inviting people to attend Mass, marriage counselling, caring for the sick and dying and, often on Sundays, accompanying the local priest to outstations. She retired from the hospital in 1974 but continued working with the community. She died of cancer in April 1981, and was buried in the Benedictine cemetery at Inkamana, an important pilgrimage stop on the way to the Ngome sanctuary. In 1989 Fr Paul Decock OMI, former chairman of the Theological Advisory Commission of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, stated about Ngome: “There is nothing objectionable in this (the promotion of the sanctuary at Ngome and the veneration of Our Lady under the name of Tabernacle of the Most High). “One does not need divine sanction to start a sanctuary and venerate Our Lady. Pilgrimages could be allowed even if we are not sure of the ‘authenticity’ of the visions.”

Father Xico with partially completed church building

082 450 9930 Trevor 082 444 7654 Piero 082 506 9641 Anthony

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

Vatican defends pope on abuse cover-up allegations BY JOHN THAVIS

IN MEMORIAM: People hold up images of Pope John Paul II during a Mass marking the fifth anniversary of his death in St Peter’s basilica at the Vatican. Pope John Paul II, who led the Church for nearly 27 years, died on April 2, 2005. PHOTO: ALESSANDRO BIANCHI, REUTERS/CNS

We are looking for a loving live-in

MATRON of a children’s shelter, who is ready to live together with our 29 children from age six to eighteen. You should have a social or educational degree and some experience in working with children and teenagers. Members of the Roman Catholic Church are preferred. You should be able to: • help the children with their physical, emotional and spiritual development • cooperate with the staff and management of the shelter • network with the social department, schools and other organisations • communicate fluently in English and if possible in Sesotho • handle the official organisation of the shelter • develop and realize a paedagogical programme for your working field. You should be in possession of a driver’s licence. We offer food and accommodation in the shelter. Salary negotiable. Send us an application letter and your CV: P.O. Box 43503, Heuwelsig, 9332 Closing date: 25 April 2010

HE Vatican and other Church officials have amplified their defence of Pope Benedict and his decisions regarding priestly sex abuse, and rejected accusations of a continued cover-up of such crimes. After a series of reports in the New York Times and other media criticising the pope for alleged “inaction” on sex abuse cases, Vatican authorities emphasised that it was the pope who, as Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, pushed for harsher measures against abusers and made it easier for the Church to defrock them. The Vatican newspaper L’Osservatore Romano ran the full texts of two landmark documents that in 2001 placed the sexual abuse of minors by priests among the most grave sins, and established that allegations be handled by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, then headed by Cardinal Ratzinger. The same day, the newspaper ran a front-page commentary by British Archbishop Vincent Nichols of Westminster that had appeared in the Times of London, expressing shame over priestly sex abuse but strongly defending the pope’s efforts to curb it. “What of the role of Pope Benedict? When he was in charge of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith he led important changes made in Church law: the inclusion in canon law of Internet offences against children, the extension of child abuse offences to include the sexual abuse of all under-18s, the case by case waiving of the statute of limitations and the establishment of a fasttrack dismissal from the clerical state for offenders,” Archbishop Nichols wrote. “He is not an idle observer. His actions speak as

well as his words.” Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ said the recent media focus on the sex abuse cases and the way they were dealt with by the hierarchy comes as no surprise. “The nature of the question is such as to attract the attention of the media, and the way in which the Church deals with it is crucial for her moral credibility,” he said in a commentary on Vatican Radio. But Fr Lombardi pointed to the “many positive signals” that indicate the Church has understood the problem and addressed it. For example, he said, a recent report showed that the number of reported sex abuse cases declined between 33 and 36% in US dioceses and religious institutes between 2008 and 2009. “It must be recognised that the decisive measures currently being implemented are proving effective: the Church in the United States is on the right road to renewal,” he said. “This, we feel, is an important piece of news in the context of recent media attacks, which have undoubtedly proved harmful.” Fr Lombardi said impartial observers would recognise that the pope and the doctrinal congregation are continuing to guide bishops and help them “combat and root out the blight of abuse wherever it appears”. The pope’s strongly worded letter to Irish Catholics earlier this month demonstrated his commitment to “healing, renewal and reparation” in the Church, he said.

erman Cardinal Walter Kasper, the Vatican’s top ecumenical official, said the pope’s “courageous” letter to Irish Catholics indicated that the Church was on an “irreversible” path towards greater transparen-

cy and severity in dealing with sex abuse by priests, the cardinal told the newspaper Corriere della Sera. Pope Benedict has never tried to protect abusers, and the criticism aimed at him is really an attack on the Church itself, Cardinal Kasper said. “He was the first who, even as a cardinal, felt the need for new and stricter rules, which didn’t exist before. That some newspapers are now using terrible cases to attack the pope head-on is something that goes beyond every limit of justice and fairness.” The Vatican also defended a decision not to laicise American Father Lawrence C Murphy— who sexually abused deaf children—despite the recommendation of his bishop, Archbishop Rembert Weakland, that he be removed from the priesthood. In the early 1970s, multiple allegations of sexual abuse against the priest were made to civil authorities, who investigated but never brought charges. He was placed on a leave of absence for a while and later returned to pastoral ministry in the diocese of Superior, Wisconsin, where he worked until 1993. In a statement responding to a report in the New York Times, the Vatican said that by the time it learned of the case in the late 1990s, the priest was elderly and in poor health. The Vatican eventually suggested that the priest continue to be restricted in ministry instead of laicised, and he died four months later, the Vatican said. “This would be handled differently today, based on jurisprudence and experience,” one Vatican official said. “But you can’t accuse people of not applying in 1998 a principle that was established in 2002.”—CNS

Bishops: Make Mary co-redemptrix BY CAROL GLATZ

FORMAL recognition of Mary as a co-redeemer with Christ would aid in the evangelisation of Asia and be helpful to interreligious dialogue, said two Asian archbishops. Archbishop Ramon Arguelles of Lipa, Philippines, and Archbishop Malayappan Chinnappa of Madras-Mylapore, India, were among six speakers from four continents supporting a movement to officially declare Mary “co-redemptrix, mediatrix and advocate for all Christians”. They spoke at “A Day of Dialogue on the Fifth Marian Dogma”—an event sponsored by the monthly magazine Inside the Vatican.

Archbishop Chinnappa said a formal recognition of Mary’s role in God’s plan to redeem the world would “favour interreligious dialogue and healthy evangelisation.” It also would help ecumenism, he said, by clarifying that Mary had a subordinate, albeit special, role with Jesus and that “Catholics do not adore Mary, but venerate [her] in light on her unique cooperation with the Lord”. For years theologians have debated whether Mary should be recognised as “co-redemptrix”, or “co-redeemer”, with Christ. The idea is to recognise that, in a secondary and dependent way, no other human being collaborated in the work of redemption as Mary did, including her

free consent to bear the Son of God and her unique sharing in Christ’s suffering at Calvary, said Archbishop Chinnappa. But critics say the title “coredeemer” might cause confusion or lead people to forget that redemption can only come from Christ. Pope Benedict said in his 2002 book, God and the World, that while Mary was important for the Church, it was important that reverence for Mary “should not lead us to forget the ‘first’ of Christ: Everything comes from him”. He said at the time that he opposed a movement to grant Mary the title of “co-redeemer” with Christ, saying it could give rise to misunderstandings.— CNS

Pro-life campaigner dies at 89

ENEDICTINE Father Paul Marx, the American founder and former president of Human Life International (HLI), died on March 20 in St Paul, Minnesota at 89. “In the 40-year pro-life career of Fr Marx, and through his 3 million miles of world travel, HLI saw the blossoming of the world’s conscience about the issues of life,” said Fr Thomas Euteneuer, Fr Marx’s successor as the organisation’s president. His predecessor “put pro-life ‘on the map’ in a literal sense and through his efforts gave the world direct and organised opposition to the culture of death,” he said in a statement.

Fr Marx was born ter that the agents of Benno William Marx population control have on May 8, 1920, in now brought about. He St Michael, Minnesoknew the mortal harm ta, the 15th child in that birth control would a family of 13 girls cause everywhere, and four boys. He including its effect on was ordained a priest the loss of faith of in 1947. Catholics and on the In 1981 Fr Marx Catholic Church itself”. founded HLI in “In an age, and in an Washington and Fr Paul Marx OSB environment of wideserved as its leader spread apathy about life until 1999. He issues and lack of knowlretired in 2000. He also wrote edge, resources and courage to several books. resist the ‘Culture of Death’, Fr Dr Claude Newbury of South Marx held aloft his magnificent Africa’s HLI chapter, said that Fr banner, emblazoned with the Marx “more than 30 years ago glorious devices of the faith,” Dr foretold the demographic win- Newbury said.

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

Shroud about to go public BY SARAH DELANEY

HE Shroud of Turin, which will go on display on April 10, offers Christians a complete understanding of the suffering Christ went through on the cross, according to an Italian cardinal. Pilgrims who visit Turin, Italy, to see the shroud will have a chance to “meditate and contemplate the extraordinary, tragic and mysterious suffering” seen in the shadowy image on the cloth “that we believe corresponds with the suffering of Christ”, Cardinal Severino Poletto of Turin said at a press conference at the Vatican. The shroud, which many Christians believe is the burial cloth of Jesus Christ, will be on display at the cathedral of Turin until May 23. Pope Benedict will visit Turin to see the shroud and celebrate Mass on May 2. It will be the first display, or ostentation, of the shroud in ten years, and the first since it underwent restoration in 2002. In presenting the final details of the event, Cardinal Poletto said

that while “there is not mathematical certainty that it is the cloth that was wrapped around our Lord”, it was “absolutely impossible that it was manufactured”. Cardinal Poletto said that in the image of the man on the centuries-old linen, “we are able to see all the details of the passion of Christ, just as it is told in the Gospel”. Those details include images “of all the particulars, [including] “the crown of thorns, the flagellation, wounds from spears, nails, blood”. The cardinal said that while the shroud is of great historical and scientific interest, the display is directed at believers because “faith is helped and prayer is helped by the contemplation of this image that we all know”. He said that all attempts by scientists to recreate a similar object had failed and that the object remained a mystery. Carbon testing by scientists in 1988 dated the cloth to the Middle Ages, giving credence to the theory that the shroud was a fraud. That idea has been chal-

lenged by others who say that the small samples taken from the linen to test may have come from areas mended in medieval times. The shroud has been scientifically analysed in virtually every possible way, and scientists have still not been able to figure out how the negative image of a bearded man could have been transferred onto the cloth. Theories run from solar imaging to enzyme reaction. The Vatican has never said definitively that it is the burial cloth of Christ, but it is treated as an important object of veneration for Christian faithful. In the 2002 restoration, patches that had been sewed on by the Poor Clare nuns in the 16th century and folds in the cloth were smoothed out, said Mgr Giuseppe Ghiberti, who heads the shroud committee of the Turin archdiocese. The restoration, he said, was carried out according to the indications of a scientific commission of international experts formed in 1993 to study the shroud. Organisers are expecting more than 1,5 million people to see the

Cardinal Giovanni Saldarini, former asrchbishop of Turin, blesses the Shroud of Turin in 1998. The shroud, believed by many to be the burial cloth of Christ, will be displayed from April 10 to May 23, the first time it goes on public display since 2000. PHOTO: REUTERS/CNS shroud. They say visitors will be allowed three to five minutes before the cloth, and that they will be able to watch a film explaining the image before they go in, because, as Cardinal Poletto said, “it’s not easy to interpret what we are seeing”. Visitors also will be able to pray in a nearby

chapel after they have viewed the cloth. Some 4 500 volunteers will help guide people to the viewing of the shroud as well as other events tied to the ostentation in the city of Turin. Visitors are encouraged to make reservations online at www.sindone.org.—CNS

Sheikh helped make Mary’s feast a national holiday BY DOREEN ABI RAAD

A mosaic in the basilica of the Annunciation in Nazareth depicts the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary. A Muslim theologian has helped make the feast of the Annunciation a public holiday in Lebanon. PHOTO: GREG TARCZYNSKI

HE feast of the Annunciation, March 25, has been recognised in Lebanon as a national holiday—and one of its most vigorous promoters is a Muslim. Sheik Mohammed Nokkari, who teaches in the faculty of law and at the Institute of IslamicChristian Studies at St Joseph University in Beirut, said that Mary is “the best woman ever, here [on earth] and in eternity. She’s above all women.” The feast of the Annunciation marks the moment when the angel Gabriel told Mary that she would become the mother of Jesus. All government offices, schools and banks are to be closed each year for the holiday, and the Lebanese government has encouraged private business to close as well. Although Sheik Nokkari had long participated in Muslim-Chris-

tian dialogue and had lectured extensively on the issue, “I felt something in my heart telling me that Mary is the one who is going to unite us”, he said. Sheik Nokkari was one of the organisers for an annual gathering of Muslims and Christians on the feast of the Annunciation at the College of Our Lady of Jamhour, an area outside of Beirut, under the theme, “Together Around Our Lady Mary”. Last year, about 1 000 people participated. Even though Islam differs over the nature of Jesus—who, for Christians, is divine in nature—the Gospel and the Qu’ran both say that Jesus was born of Mary, who was still a virgin. Sheik Nokkari’s affection for Mary is not unusual. Anyone who makes a pilgrimage to the shrine of Our Lady of Lebanon in Harissa will notice Muslims among the pilgrims.

The

“God gave us Eve, as the mother of humanity,” Sheik Nokkari explained. “He also gave us another mother, a tender and uniting mother who is our Mother Mary.” There is no doctrinal objection from the Muslim religion to celebrate Mary as a social celebration, Sheik Nokkari said. But last year when he and others asked the Lebanese government that March 25 be declared a national holiday, the grand mufti of Dar el-Fatwa—Lebanon’s highest Sunni Muslim religious authority—prohibited him from going to the gathering at Jamhour that year. Instead, Sheik Nokkari published in a newspaper the speech he planned to deliver at the event, in which he had asked the government for a national day to honour the March 25 feast. A few months later the sheik resigned as Dar elFatwa’s director general, a post he

held for 13 years. He said that when the official decision of the national holiday was announced during a February 20 meeting between Pope Benedict and Lebanon’s prime minister, Saad Hariri, “the first feeling I had was to offer this victory to Our Lady ‘Sitna Mariam’ [as she is known by Muslims], and I asked the organisers and all who participated in this not to take any credit, but to offer it to Our Lady. Our Lady gave us this day. It is not us who is giving it to her.” Sheik Nokkari’s hope is that the holiday will spread to other parts of the world, but it was fitting, he added, that it began in Lebanon, which Pope John II described as “a message of pluralism for the East and the West”. The Maronite Catholic Council of Bishops lauded the government’s decision, saying it “helps in bringing hearts together”.—CNS

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The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

IN FOCUS Edited by Nadine Christians

Parishioners of Holy Rosary Church in Pretoria were confirmed during a special service. Pictured are: (front) from left) Irene De Bruyne, Martha Curtis, Samuel Ngomane, Sibusiso Ndolvu, Hendrik Ras, (back from left) Fr Jesus Ossa, Archbishop Paul Khumalo, Fr Jack Viscarbi and Pete Padi.

Send photographs, with sender’s name and address on the back, and a SASE to: The Southern Cross, Community Pics, Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 or email them to: pics@scross.co.za

World Youth Day pilgrims from Sacred Heart parish in Kabega, Port Elizabeth, hosted a Seder meal to raise funds. (Front from left) Fr Jonathan Vermaak CO, Aerin Solomon, Dominic Solomon, Samantha Solomon, Noa Solomon, (back) Nico Bagley, Shinay Terblanche, Bianca Bosch, Russel Williams, Curtis Martin, Selwyn Goliath, Roxaan Cain, Laverne Williams and Alexis Pillay. SUBMITTED BY ANTHONY EDWARDS

Women’s World Day of Prayer, celebrated by Christian women in more than 160 countries, brought together thousands of women who, on the day, observed a common prayer. In South Africa the day has been taking place since 1930. Lungisa Huna, director of Catholic Welfare and Development in Cape Town delivered the keynote address at this year’s event.

Honorary Consul of the Republic of Poland, Lech Kaczynski, awarded the Siberian Cross to Wanda Helen, 77, who lives at Nazareth House in Durban. Mrs Helen was one of 500 Polish orphans who were accommodated in an army base during World War II. Her family was imprisoned when Russia invaded East Poland. PHOTO: HELEN MATUSZEK

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Final year confirmation candidates of Our Lady of Fatima in Brentwood Park, Johannesburg, went for their retreat to Bosco Centre. Their confirmation will take place at the end of May. SUBMITTED BY CLARENCE WATTS

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The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

The power of The Divine Mercy Millions worldwide are devout followers of The Divine Mercy. MICHAIL RASSOOL spoke to some followers about their beliefs and the power of The Divine Mercy, on the anniversary of the canonisation of the nun who brought the message to the people.

N APRIL 30 it will be a decade since the late Pope John Paul II canonised the Polish nun Sr Faustina Kowalska, messenger of The Divine Mercy. Three weeks after her canonisation, he declared that the Church would celebrate the second Sunday of Easter as Divine Mercy Sunday. In an article in Cathedral Outreach, the quarterly magazine of St Mary’s cathedral in Cape Town, Jeanette and Salvatore Errera reported that from the early 1930s St Faustina reportedly received the message of mercy from Jesus in a series of apparitions and inner locutions. The message began to spread throughout the world before her death in 1938. St Faustina was also reportedly instructed by Christ to have a picture of himself painted as he appeared to her with two rays emanating from his Sacred Heart—one pale blue and the other red, denoting water and blood—with the invocation “Jesus I trust in You” written at the bottom. The letters ABC serve as a mnemonic for remembering the fundamentals of Christ’s message of mercy to St Faustina. • A -“Ask for His Mercy”: God wants people to approach him in prayer constantly, repenting for their sins and asking him to pour his mercy upon them and the world. • B - “Be merciful”: God wants his people to receive his mercy and let it flow through them to others. He wants them to extend love and forgiveness to others just as he does to them. • C - “Completely trust in Jesus”: God wants people to know that the graces of his mercy are dependent on their trust; the more we trust in Jesus, the more they will receive. Devotions, as reportedly conveyed to Sr Faustina, have to be adhered to by followers of The Divine Mercy including the Chaplet of The Divine Mercy, which is recited on a rosary before the Divine Mercy picture; the Novena of the Divine Mercy, with prayerful intentions for different categories of souls expressed over nine days, and also before the picture; and the Hour of Great Mercy, remembrance of the Divine Mercy at 15:00 each day, the hour of Christ’s death. On June 29, 2002, the Apostolic Penitentiary of the Holy See promulgated a decree creating new indulgences for the faithful who celebrate Divine Mercy Sunday. These are plenary indulgence for full compliance with required acts of worship and a partial

indulgence for partial compliance. They include sacramental confession within about 20 days before or after the event, receiving Communion on, before or after the day, and which should include a prayer for the pope’s intentions. This can take place in any church or chapel, in a spirit detached from the affection for any sin, taking part in prayers and devotions held in honour of The Divine Mercy. Or, in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament, exposed or reserved in the tabernacle where people are to recite the Our Father and the creed, adding a devout prayer to the merciful Lord Jesus, such as “Merciful Jesus, I trust in you!” The Holy See’s decree said that a partial indulgence would be granted to the faithful who, with at least a contrite heart, pray to the merciful Lord Jesus in a “legitimately approved” invocation. The Erreras say in their article that The Divine Mercy message was nothing new. It was a reminder to the faithful of what the Church taught through scripture and tradition—that God is merciful and forgiving and that they too must show mercy and forgiveness. In the Divine Mercy devotion, the Erreras wrote, the message takes on a powerful new focus, calling people to a deeper understanding that God’s love is unlimited and available to everyone, especially the greatest sinners. Many believe that Catholics, and many Christians, in modern times have lost the capacity to grasp the essence of God’s mercy and healing, embodied in Christ, perhaps because of their own “woundedness” and having to deal with the consequences of their choices. But now they have a way to address this and to learn to understand Christ’s teaching and live their lives accordingly, say proponents of The Divine Mercy, which is based on the writings of St Faustina, whom the Erreras described as an “uneducated Polish nun”. In their article they relate how St Faustina wrote a 600-page diary recording the reported revelations she received. “The message of mercy is that God loves us—all of us—no matter how great our sins,” the Erreras wrote. “He wants us to recognise that his mercy is greater than our sins, so that we will call upon him with trust, receive his mercy, and let it flow through us to others. Thus, all will come to share his joy.” The devotion has made a difference in Durban Catholic Jenny Schlebusch’s life in the period after she had lost her daughter in a car accident. The Woodlands-Montclair parishioner said she had been away from the Church for 22 years, and despite the fact that her troubled soul was in a much better space than before, she was still struggling inwardly. This was until a then-fellow parishioner

CONGREGATION OF MARIANNHILL MISSIONARIES

The faithful hold a giant image of Jesus of Divine Mercy as they gather for a solemn Mass in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican in memory of Pope John Paul II. This image of Jesus was revealed in a revelation to the Polish mystic, St Faustina Kowalska, who was canonised by Pope John Paul in 2000. PHOTO: CNS

at Amanzimtoti gave her the Divine Mercy image of Jesus, she said. Mrs Schlebusch believes this was Christ’s way of drawing her into the gift of Divine Mercy. One day during Holy Hour at church she picked up a booklet entitled Will You Help Me?, on The Divine Mercy. She read it and found herself crying. It had spoken to her innermost heart, enabling her to see in relief her own situation, her foibles and sinfulness. She found herself staying on for the Mercy Hour. Afterwards she no longer blamed God for her situation in life. Praying The Divine Mercy has been an essential part of her daily regimen ever since. Another spin-off for Mrs Schlebusch is the joy of seeing her husband, once sceptical about spiritual matters, received into the Church. She said one reads the message of mercy in the Gospels, but for many it doesn’t penetrate too deeply, particularly if one is scarred and wounded and cannot see the beauty of what God wants to do for one. Port Elizabeth Divine Mercy proponent Desiré Boesio, of St Bernadette’s parish in Walmer, decries the scant awareness of God’s mercy. “Nowadays, the world simply teaches one to go and get, without any thought to someone else. But Jesus has a way of continuously bestowing his graces on the world,” she said. She said people run full-steam ahead without reflecting on God and life, “which is not surprising because of the values they pick up from the media”. “God teaches people to be merciful to each other as he has mercy on us,” Mrs Boesio said.

Mrs Boesio said sceptics must realise that this comes from God, and that St Faustina was just the messenger. She said it captures the essence of Christ’s teachings on mercy, as he had come to show God’s mercy. Because they have a merciful God, Mrs Boesio said, humankind must adopt the quality of mercy, seeking mercy and forgiveness, being contrite, and bestowing these to others. “They must walk the walk,” she said. “We have wonderful sacraments that are meant as guides, yet people forget how to use them. The Divine Mercy message is not intended to detract from them but to heighten the quality of engagement with the Church’s existing resources. Therefore, it needs to be more widely known and accepted.” She stressed how devoted Pope John Paul was to The Divine Mercy, which formed the basis of the last Mass celebrated in his room before he died. Pallottine Father Susaikannu Esack, parish priest of Corpus Christi, Wynberg in Cape Town, said the world is wounded today because of self-centredness. The feast of Divine Mercy, he said, teaches “othercentredness”, as taught by Jesus who reflected the selflessness of his Father. He said Jesus went out of his way to help the other person, something human beings can only emulate. He said so much of life is given over to the pursuit of pleasure, especially on weekends, when the real joy consists in serving God and one’s neighbour. Fr Esack said Jesus Christ’s love for humanity, which brought salvation to all, is reflected in The Divine Mercy, and which has service, healing and cleansing at its very heart.

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The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

LEADER PAGE

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

The boil must be lanced

HE relentless focus on revelations of sexual abuse by Church personnel and their cover-up is a constant source of pain for Catholics, especially when the coverage is characterised by frenzy, caricature, and even distortion. It is not difficult to see how some Catholics resent this attention on the Church—maybe even the coverage in this newspaper—to the point that they feel persecuted. The revelations bear the dimensions of a major crisis, going back to the United States, moving on to Ireland and now to Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. South Africa has had its share of scandal. People are now asking the question many have dared not ask: how far and how high does it go? While there may still be many who don’t want to ask questions, the situation calls for Catholics to understand the realities that underpin the scandal, and not bury their heads in the sand. Neither the aggressive coverage by many media nor the sometimes desperate justifications from some Catholics are helpful in formulating a reasoned position. Catholics must defend what is defensible, and rebuke what must be rebuked. Likewise, lay people who pass judgment on serious lapses by their spiritual leaders must not be rebuked for doing so, as is sometimes the practice of appealing to blind, uncritical loyalty, as though loyalty has greater value than voicing the truth. No doubt much of the secular criticism directed at the Church and its hierarchy is driven by an anti-Catholic agenda. But this must not deceive the faithful into regarding the magnitude of the scandal as an invention or exaggeration by a hostile media. The scandal is immense, and its authors are those who perpetrated abominable acts on minors, and those who knew and tolerated these crimes. There is no way of mitigating the disgrace, and faithful Catholics on every level are just as scandalised as non-Catholics. The Church must be grateful to those commissions and media that brought attention to the shameful extent of the scandal. Painful though it was, it forced the Church to change its ways profoundly. Some media have done the Church a service, which increasing numbers of bishops are acknowledging. Even now, not all criticism is gratuitous, and general mediabashing would be a wholly unsuitable Catholic reaction. And yet there are media which engage in objectionable mischief. For example, basic journalistic standards were relegat-

ed to base sensationalism in a late-March London Times article that linked a sex abuse scandal involving the secular Vienna Boys’ Choir to the Church’s abuse scandal in Germany, going as far as quoting the German interior minister. Such reports feed the Church’s fears of a persecution, and even a false defence that the true extent of the scandal is merely media hype.

owever, just as the critics have accused the Church of not putting the abuse victims at the forefront of its concern, so one may wonder where exactly concern for abuse survivors ranks in sensationalistic and prejudicial media coverage, and in the denunciations by those who would like the whole Church brought down. Where is the concern for abused people in calling for the resignation of Pope Benedict, who has committed himself to rooting out abuse in the Church and who is meeting with the survivors of abuse to hear their stories? It is not impertinent, of course, to question the pope’s actions, inactions and knowledge relating to abuse cases when he was the archbishop of Munich and Freising and then the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It is not appropriate, however, to demand Pope Benedict’s resignation—and certainly not when such calls are related to an anti-Catholic agenda. The Church has not found a way to communicate with consistent clarity, though it has come a long way from the days of foolishness, just eight years ago, when curial officials described clerical abuse of minors as an Anglo-Saxon disease and others attributed it to homosexuality; a time when another cardinal, Dario Castrillón Hoyos, admitted in reference to the reporting of abuses to the civil authorities that the Church prefers “keeping things within the family”. Those days are gone, thankfully, and yet the Church still struggles to make itself understood. Pope Benedict’s pastoral letter to the Church in Ireland contained so much that was good. A lot of that was disregarded by the secular press which either did not understand what the pope was saying (and, unfortunately, the letter contained much theological code) or distorted the pope’s intentions. This may exasperate us, but it is not enough to leave it at that. The hierarchy, if it is sincere in addressing the scandal comprehensively, must communicate forthrightly and unequivocally in terms that are easy to

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understand. Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin and Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier, Germany, have provided a blueprint for that (alas, rumours have it that not everybody in the hierarchy appreciates Archbishop Martin’s candour). It is likely that more scandals will break in the future. Further commission reports are expected to emerge from Ireland, and before too long scandals in the bastions of ancestral Catholicism—France, Italy, Spain, Portugal, Poland, Croatia and so on—may break. The Church must prepare itself for that. Preemptive disclosure may be one way of doing so. In the words of German Archbishop Ludwig Schick of Bamberg: “This boil must be lanced. Everything must come out.”

he abuse scandal, and in particular the incidence of molestations being covered up and tolerated, is a betrayal of priests and bishops, whose reputation is now clouded by the deplorable actions of others. It is also a betrayal of the faithful. Many of them are leaving the Church; some may have lost faith altogether. In some ways, the Church seemed to have lost sight of its mission—to lead believers to salvation. It must be made clear that the salvific mission of the Catholic Church cannot be compromised by those who preach it, even though the calibre of those who preach it can compromise the encounter with the Church’s salvific mission. The Body of Christ is torn apart by this scandal, which even some Catholics are using as a weapon in a war of ideology. For example, the abuse of minors is not an appropriate argument against clerical celibacy. Indeed, it is also questionable sociology—for one thing, there is no statistical link between clerical celibacy and the abuse of minors. Likewise, it is grossly deceptive to blame Vatican II (or a particular “reading” of it) and social liberalisation when many of the revealed cases preceded the 1960s. The simple truth is that abusers and the bishops who failed to protect children covered the whole spectrum of philosophies. Such disputes within the Church are unedifying and contemptuous of those who were abused. Our attention should be on them, not on scoring ideological points. The changing times did not encourage child molestation, but they did facilitate the reporting of such abuse. And no matter how hard it has been on the Church’s reputation, it is a welcome fact that the abuses and their cover-up were eventually revealed, forcing the Church to reform itself in this respect. For all the criticism the Church is rightly receiving and for all the pain this scandal is causing, we can take comfort from one reality: there probably is no safer place for young people today than the Catholic Church.

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LETTERS TO THE EDITOR The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special circumstances and at the Editor’s discretion. Name and address of the writer must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered.

Holy places need our respect HE letter of Rosemary Gravenor and people of other faiths respect T “We dress our hearts for God” their holy places. It’s where (March 17-23) confirmed for me humans communicate with God. what I have observed in many Catholic Christians: that church buildings are regarded as public, not sacred places, whether there is a tabernacle there or not. It saddens me to see people in church chewing gum, chatting, walking to and fro, cellphones ringing, some not properly dressed. I admire the respectful way Africans treat their king, chiefs or elders. Why not do the same for God? I admire also the way Muslims

Some Catholics don’t even dress properly in their places of prayer. Jesus allowed himself to be undressed and humiliated on his cross because of his love for us, not for us to enjoy looking at him. I urge all priests to join in teaching people reverence for holy places. How we dress and celebrate Holy Mass, our gestures and how we address the people must accord with the respect such places deserve. Fr Severiano Phiri, Taung

Let everyone fast

Zuma no model

ESUS once whipped wrongdoers from the temple; so should our Holy Father do the same regarding sexual abuse in the Church? The pope must be the statesman and leader in such a campaign. By omissions and lack of oversight, the Catholic Church has aided criminals and it must take responsibility. I suggest that for one month the hierarchy, from the pope down, should enter into a black fast, abstaining from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. Every church in the world should observe a second Lent. The Church must be seen to be contrite. We need to plead for forgiveness and to pray for the victims and the perpetrators of the wickedness; and the complacency of the Church. Please, God, may Nineveh yet be saved! Tony Meehan, Cape Town

Painful reading

ESPECT for leadership is the cornerstone of any successful association or team. The Catholic press should set an example of esteem for our hierarchy. For me, Aideen Gonlag’s biting reference to Pope Benedict as “Herr Professor Doktor” (letters, March 17-23) made painful reading, particularly since The Southern Cross reserves the right to edit letters. We Catholics should all hang our heads in shame after the exposure of clerical sexual abuse of minors. Yet rather than look for scapegoats, we should support Pope Benedict as he continues to give up his life to steering the barque of Peter through rough seas that followed some shameful revelations. He needs our love and support, but most of all our prayers. Luky Whittle, Kroonstad

AMIAN McLeish (“Defence of Zuma”, letters March 17-23) lauds President Jacob Zuma because he assumes the president never terminated any of the many pregnancies of his wives and assorted partners, and is therefore pro-life. How can Mr McLeish be sure of this? He seems to have a selective idea of moral values. Though abortion is a no-no in many cultures, other aspects can be decidedly unChristian, even evil. Like many avid pro-lifers, Mr McLeish seems to regard abortion as the only sin. Polygamy is not Christian either, nor is cohabiting with and making pregnant someone who is not your wife; or having a sexual romp with an acquaintance. Pro-life the president may be, but that does not make him a saint or a fit role model for the masses, especially our youth. Gary Anderson, Johannesburg

Newsy Shroud

WAS interested to read your report of February 17-23 that an exposition of the Shroud of Turin is to take place in April/May this year. The Catholic Church became the legal owner of the shroud only on March 14, 1983, when it inherited it from ex-King Umberto of Italy. It had been the property of the House of Savoy (to which Umberto belonged) from 1453. Till then, tests of the shroud could be made only by permission of Savoy. Numerous books have been written about the shroud, most of them based on the pet theories of the authors, such as Lynn Picknet & Clive Prince, Christopher Knight & Robert Lomas, and Ian Wilson. Keith Gilchrist, Johannesburg

More on page 11 Opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in Letters to the Editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in particular is a forum in which readers may exchange opinions on matters of debate. Letters must not be understood to necessarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or policies of the Church accurately.

PERSPECTIVES Mphuthumi Ntabeni

The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

David Garick

Pushing the Boundaries

Point of Reflection

Justice at the centre of evangelisation

Seasons of marriage

O one living in the world today needs convincing as to how poverty crucifies its victims. It comes mostly in the lack of access to basic things like food sustenance, water, health, and so on. Is it any wonder then that the poor are sometimes referred to as “the crucified”? There’s no denying that in our country the majority fall under the title of the crucified. The Church says it has a preferential option for the poor. It preaches the Good News. But what is Good News to the crucified people? Put another way; what is the Church’s duty when the dominant economic and political structures exacerbate, instead of alleviate, the plight of the poor? To be incarnate the Church has no choice but to enter the conflict-ridden, messy path of history on the side of the poor, no matter what the costs. Her role, beyond saving souls, is to be a sign that gives the suffering redemptive meaning, and here on earth a new impulse for hope. Among those who understood this was the late Archbishop Oscar Romero—brutally slain in March 1980 by the repressive regime of El Salvador because he stood with the people against their persecution and repression. Archbishop Romero found in the suffering of the people a source of grace and a path to consolidate his fidelity to Christ’s call. He Oscar Romero believed the poor are a sacrament that can transform our lives if we take part in their journey. What is the call of history if not to respond to the cry of the poor? Behind the veil of history is the restoration of dignity for all, a process that’ll obviously fully achieved on the other side of this life, otherwise called afterlife. This is the real call of history. The people of El Salvador called Archbishop Romero the entregado, the one who has given up his life to the people. His tragic end reminds us of the costs of real conversion from social conformity to the demands of truth and Christ’s call. They’re costly and often lead to the cross. Archbishop Romero said: “Some want to keep a Gospel so disembodied that it doesn’t get involved at all in the world it must save. Christ is now in history. Christ is in the womb of the people. Christ is now bringing about a new heaven and a new earth.” Often now when you look within the “wound of the people”, you hardly find representatives of the Church. Yet the political dimensions of the Gospel are undeniable for some of us, and certainly for Archbishop Romero. If the Church is apostolic, to whom is it sent? If she’s Catholic, why is she often insular, parochial and defensive? What does it mean to preach liberty to the oppressed? If speaking truth to power is not Jesus of Nazareth’s message, then what is it? If the Church does not insert herself in the socio-political world, where will she find the conduit for Grace she must disperse to people of good will? I was inspired to ask these questions by reading the life of Archbishop Romero. I feel the Church is losing in the realm of evangelisation because it has not taken to heart its pastoral response to the structural faults of our world. There’s an overriding necessity of justice for the majority that it is not passionate enough about. Our times cannot afford a situation where the Gospel is nothing but a taming tool for the people to accept the structural sin of modern systems. Religion, despite what the Marxists say, is not an opiate for the people, but the most radical message of freedom this world has ever seen. This is how Archbishop Romero saw it: “A Church that tries to keep itself pure and uncontaminated would not be a Church of God’s service to the people. The authentic Church is one that does not mind conversing with prostitutes and publicans and sinners, as Christ did—and with Marxists and those of various political movements—in order to bring them salvation’s true message.” And the Church is not only its structures and representatives, but its people also. Only then will we be in a position to talk of ourselves as people of resurrection.

The Spanish founding Sisters and South African recruits in their monastery cloister in 1996, with Bishop Bucher at the back.

Tragedy as Spanish nuns eased into Free State life Last week Bishop Hubert Bucher recalled how he managed, by chance, to get a pioneering group of seven Contemplative Dominican Sisters from Spain into Bethlehem diocese in May 1985. In the second instalment of a four-part series, he records the beginnings of the monastery at Senekal.

T was quite amazing to see that the group of seven Contemplative Dominican Sisters, in spite of their having been recruited randomly from four different monasteries in Spain, looked rather like an ideal, albeit small, religious community, at least as far as its age structure was concerned. The oldest had just turned 60, while the youngest was 24. Our warmer climate forced them to equip themselves rather quickly with a lighter veil, instead of wearing the heavy gear with which they had arrived in South Africa. The next challenge they had to face was far greater: only the youngest of them had ever learnt another language, and she understood and spoke English quite well. South Africa’s large family of Dominican Sisters of the Third Order was marvellous in helping the newlyarrived to eventually take this hurdle. Over the next three years or so, time and again one of their members would stay with the Spanish Sisters in Senekal to provide them with classes in what they found a very difficult language to learn. Indeed, most of them never got much further than speaking what they called jokingly “Spinglish”! It did not take long, however, before they forced themselves to recite and sing the daily Office in English. Another problem was that the diocese was not able to provide them immediately with a priest as their chaplain, who would ensure their having holy Mass every day. However, this difficulty was a blessing in disguise. It enabled the contemplative Sisters to spend three months in a convent of African Sisters who exercised their apostolate in the sprawling “homeland” of QwaQwa, nestling against the towering Drakensberg range of Lesotho. Many years later, the Spanish nuns still reminisced about that experience: sleeping in double bunks, spending the nights without electric light, and the public water supply frequently drying up during the day. Unprotected by monastery walls, and in daily touch with the local population, they could also not escape realising that they should in fact learn at least one other language, Sesotho, if they really wished to become part of the local culture. Meanwhile, work began on the construction of the Sisters’ monastery at Senekal, incorporating into it what had been the presbytery—an acute staff shortage had prevented the diocese for years from stationing a resi-

Bp Hubert Bucher

Story of Pioneer Nuns dent priest in that town—and the small chapel which had served the handful of white Catholics as their place of worship since 1937.

hen the Sisters were finally able to move to Senekal, they still had to put up with living for a while in similarly cramped conditions as they had had to endure in QwaQwa, until the completion of their monastery. To ease the pressure, and to prepare them for fulfilling their future task as a powerhouse of prayer for the diocese and South Africa, we took them on day trips to all the parishes in the diocese, to meet with the clergy and faithful there, and to visit at least one or two of their places of worship. That way, they would not feel as if they were living in a vacuum, inside their enclosure, but have the people and their conditions of living always before their inner eye while praying for them. As the day neared when the Sisters would move into their completed enclosure, the faithful of Matwabeng, the township of Senekal, gave them a rousing reception. Fetched from the monastery, they all sat on top of a tractor-drawn trailer which was beautifully decorated with Basotho blankets. It was a sight the little predominantly Afrikaans-speaking farming town had never seen before. And then the celebration of the Eucharist, with the nuns seated in the midst of the congregation; the powerful singing; the homemade food thereafter, and the cheerful dances…what a glorious day it was for the Sisters! When they returned to their monastery they knew that the local Catholics loved them and were proud of them. But just a few months before the blessing of the completed monastery, tragedy struck. The superior of the community, with another Sister, got a lift to Bethlehem, where they were going to buy the curtain material for the new building. A reckless overtaking manoeuvre by the driver led to a head-on collision with an on-coming car. A week later the superior died from the internal injuries she had sustained during the accident, which were discovered too late. Unforgettable for me is the six surviving Sisters’ deep sense of faith, which was palpable when I drove them back to Senekal, after we had kept vigil at the dying Sister’s bedside in the provincial hospital. “We have had it too good this far!” one of them remarked; “something like this had to happen!” The whole community felt that the loss of their superior was a sacrifice God had asked of them to allow their new foundation to visibly take root in our country’s soil, and to guarantee its growth in the future.  Bishop Bucher headed Bethlehem dio-

HERE’S a lot involved in building a marriage. Sometimes I am completely amazed that the institution works at all. After all, look at how we get into it. A young man and woman meet and a spark sets off this romantic explosion creating an intoxicating atmosphere in which both of them lose most of their reasoning ability and connection to reality. Life begins and ends with each other. Your newly discovered mate can do no wrong. And when he or she does something wrong, it is quickly lost in the haze of new-found passion. What do you do when the air clears and the reality of being a couple sets in? When we were newlyweds, my wife once asked me: “Can things really be this good?” I told her: “Of course they can. And they are just going to keep getting better and better.” Now there’s a tall order to fulfil. But I was young and optimistic. Thirty-three years later I’m still working on it. What makes a marriage really good? I’m certainly no expert. I’ve screwed up many times over the years. But based on the notion that you learn much more from your mistakes than from your successes, I should, by now, have a wealth of knowledge. So, here are a few thoughts. Flexibility is very important. Here, I’m talking about flexibility in the sense of bending over backward to accommo- Married life begins; now the hard work starts. date each other. After all, this is the person you love. Besides, it is very hard to hit each other when you are both bent over backward. At our house, sometimes we have trouble getting things done because we are both trying to figure out what the other one wants. Recognise that you are not going to change your partner’s basic traits. After all, that’s what attracted you in the first place. If you view your spouse as a rehab project, you will fail and have nothing but conflict. The amazing thing is that over the course of years when you have accepted your spouse for who they are, you find that they have morphed into the very traits you wanted them to adopt, but could not force on them. My wife was always somewhat vexed by my nature of being very private, non-emotional and withdrawn into my personal shell. But she accepted it. Now I write about deep personal issues, feelings and spiritual matters and publish them in a newspaper. Go figure. Most important is faith. Christ taught us how we need to relate to each other. By worshipping together and taking in the lessons of holy Scripture and being in communion with Christ through regular reception of the Eucharist, a couple can also be in greater communion with each other. If Christ is at the centre of the family, it is very hard to get too far off course. Marriage goes through many seasons. But just because the blooms of spring have faded is no reason to despair. God has provided other joys for each season of a relationship including the hectic summer pace of family and children, the colourful autumn of maturity and the comfort of bundling together in the serenity of life’s winter, secure in enduring love and companionship. It really does keep getting better.  David Garick is the editor of the Catholic Times, diocesan newspaper of Columbus, Ohio, in which this article first appeared.

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The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

The shipwrecked St Paul As Pope Benedict prepares to visit Malta to mark St Paul’s shipwrecking there, TERESA O’DRISCOLL looks at the apostle and the island he evangelised.

BY NANCY FRAZIER O’BRIEN

T was in Rabat, the cradle of Christianity in Malta—the tiny Catholic island in the Mediterranean—that the fervour of the faithful could best be witnessed during the Pauline Year, which closed last June. They thronged to the special services, musical events and exhibitions. Doubtless similar enthusiasm will greet Pope Benedict when he visits the island from April 17-18. The pope’s visit marks the 1 950th anniversary of St Paul being shipwrecked on Malta while travelling to Rome. The island was converted to Christianity by the apostle himself, and today more than 98% of the population of 405 000 is Catholic. The leading authority on St Paul in Malta, Mgr John Azzopardi, was born and is based in Rabat, though he is widely travelled. He was delighted when Pope Benedict dedicated a special year to the apostle. “He was so very clever, inspired in his decision.” Rabat nestles comfortably below medieval Mdina—the old capital of Malta—overlooked by the city’s ornate cathedral which was built on the site of the villa of Publius, ruler of the island in 60AD and a convert. The cathedral is dedicated to St Paul, who naturally is the nation’s patron saint. The magnet which draws people from all over the island together with numerous foreign pilgrims is St Paul’s Grotto, which

Healing through asparagus: Love, food and faith in Italy

The Grotto of St Paul in Rabat, Malta, which Pope Benedict is scheduled to visit during his April 17-18 visit to the Mediterranean island. PHOTOS: TERESA O’DRISCOLL

Pope Bernedict is scheduled to visit. This is the underground cave in which, tradition holds, the saint lived, established the first church, preached, and baptised the converts during his three-month stay on the island. (See Acts 27:39-44 and 28:1-11.) Mgr Azzopardi, known locally as a “walking encyclopaedia” on the saint, said: “In Malta, when referring to the apostle, we say, ‘St Paul, our father’.” St Paul’s parish church stands beside the Grotto. Adjoining is the Wignacourt museum, which contains works of ancient religious art and precious historical documents. It is overseen by Mgr Azzopardi, whose tasks include the deciphering of these papers. The monsignor has an asthmatic cough from the dust of “opening the ancient archives”. “It’s an occupational disease,” he added, with an almost glad smile.

A plaque beside the door to the museum, and a second one on the grotto’s altar, mark Pope John Paul II’s visits in 1990 (he visited Malta twice that year, and returned in 2001). Mgr Azzopardi remembers the papal visits well. “He spent quite some time alone in the grotto in silent prayer,” he recalled. Mgr Azzopardi believes that St Paul’s message is as relevant today as it was almost two millennia ago. “He teaches on the daily aspects of human life. The ethical values of modern society are all in the teachings, the wonderful letters of St Paul.” But it is not the life of St Paul, the man himself, that is significant. “The emphasis today is on the importance of his message,” Mgr Azzopardi stressed.  Teresa O’Driscoll is the author of 9 Days to Heaven: How to Make Everlasting Meaning of Your Life.

T was only in the quiet of Rome’s church of Santa Brigida—a silence punctuated by the chanting of the cloistered Italian nuns living there—that Paula Butturini was able to get angry at the tragedy that had become her life. Angry at the sniper shooting in Romania that left her reporter husband critically ill and plunged him into a deep depression that lasted for years. Angry at her own beating by police during a protest she was covering in Czechoslovakia. Angry at the depression that led her mother to walk into a creek and drown. “On the very worst days…I would sometimes find to my horror that I was not only crying but pounding my fist on the back of the pew in front of me,” Butturini writes in her new book, Keeping the Feast, published by Riverhead Books. Subtitled “One Couple’s Story of Love, Food and Healing in Italy”, the book mixes Butturini’s memories—most related to food—of growing up in an Italian-American family in Connecticut with the bleak experiences after her husband of 23 days, New York Times reporter John Tagliabue, was shot and nearly killed in Romania. The back-and-forth between her childhood and adult experiences was essential to keeping her sanity as she wrote the book, Butturini said in an interview with Catholic News Service. When she started writing Keeping the Feast in 1996, it was seven years after Tagliabue’s December 23, 1989, shooting, and the beating five weeks earlier that had left Butturini, then the Eastern European correspondent for the Chicago Tribune, briefly unconscious in Prague. Her mother’s suicide, her father’s cancer diagnosis and the return of her brother’s kidney disease had also come in quick succession as her husband headed deeper into depression. “Too many awful things happened in a row,” Butturini said. “I was so totally spent from writing about them for days and days” that she decided instead to write about…asparagus. “It brought me back to peace and calm,” she said. Writing about growing up and the food that accompanied it also took her back to a time “when my mother wasn’t sick, when everything was whole”.

The church of St Paul in Rabat, and Pauline expert Mgr John Azzopardi with a statue of the apostle.

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would have become our tether to normal life as we struggled to make the crossing from our old life before [the shooting] to our new life after?” she wrote. After shopping each day in Rome’s Campo di Fiori market, Butturini passed by Santa Brigida, stopping in each day to kneel before a painting of Mary and the child Jesus or to listen to the nuns’ chanting. She thinks the anger that emerged during those visits helped her to move from patient acceptance of her husband’s situation to the feeling that she could demand more from him and eventually to his greater efforts to emerge from depression.

utturini originally began the book so that Tagliabue’s children—John, now 35, and Anna, 28—would understand what their father had been through, but she set it aside for years when their daughter, Julia, was born in 1997. The Tagliabues now live in Paris, where Julia is a seventh-grader at a Catholic school. “Depression often runs in families, and although no one seems to know how much of it is genetic and how much of it is not, I wanted to give Peter and Anna—and later Julia too, once she was born— all the information they might ever want on the confusion and chaos that reigned so long after their father was shot,” she said. Although she did not set out to become an advocate for those with depression and their family members, Butturini said she has found many interested in that aspect of the book during her US book tour. “I wasn’t expecting people to be so upfront” about their own experiences, but many seem to have been touched by “the feeling of hope that comes through” in the book. Although depression is “an awful illness”, she said, it is important for everyone affected to remember that “you won’t feel that way for the rest of your life”. The best comparison she has heard is that depression is like a fever: “It’s when the fever is raging that you are in danger,” she said. “But it passes. You just have to hang on until it passes.”—CNS

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lthough they had been living in Warsaw, Poland, when Tagliabue was shot, the couple returned to Rome, where they had met and married, for his recovery. Although her husband did not speak at all some days, Butturini tried to keep normality in their lives by buying and cooking three meals a day, and sitting down with him to eat them. “Who would have thought that the most fundamental of human rituals—buying, preparing, eating and sharing our daily bread—

Author Paula Butturini and the cover of her book Keeping the Feast: One Couple's Story of Love, Food and Healing in Italy, which details her journey from anger over several tragedies to healing. PHOTO: BOB ROLLER, CNS

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The Southern Cross, April 7 to April 13, 2010

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Challenge to all Catholics

HANK you for news that has given at least a glimpse of the horrors unfolding since “Judgment day for Dublin” by Paul Keenan writing from Dublin (November 11-17), and for keeping us informed as the story spreads. A documentary on widespread abuse in the United States left me mute with anguish. What has struck me most was not news of the psychopath Fr Ollie O’Grady, who faced 56 counts of abuse, but the cover-up, the lies perpetrated by the men in purple and red who just kept moving this priest around. Just one text from Holy Scripture: —“You brood of vipers!”—spoke for me of the men whose venom of lies, misinformation and indifference to the plight of the victims is killing the Body of Christ. What has been the response of the Vatican to date? Why have they given Cardinal Bernard Law, who was at the centre of the cover-up scandal n Boston, a cosy church in Rome—the basilica of Mary Major—to curl up in? And they wonder why Catholics are leaving the Church! A while back Pope Benedict told of the “filth” that had polluted seminaries, and said he was going to clear out “the Aegean stables”. How then can he be so deaf and blind regarding the vipers poisoning the Body of Christ, some nesting in the heart of the Church in Rome? The most poignant moment in the documentary was when a small delegation representing the 100 000 abused tried to gain access to the Vatican and found the gates close in their faces. Their letter was accepted but has not been answered. Fr O’Grady’s first victim was the daughter of the family which had welcomed him into their home, whom he raped regularly from age five years. Her father cried out in agony: “There is no God! There is no God!” When that cry reduced me to tears, an inner voice responded: “Yes, there is a God, who loves you and suffers with you and died for you.” My challenge to fellow Catholics: Why have our shepherds been deaf and blind to these horrors? Aideen Gonlag, St Michael’s-on-Sea, KZN

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Thoughts for the Week on the Family

2010 FAMILY THEME: “Families Play the Game.” APRIL THEME: God’s game plan INTRODUCTION God’s plan goes back a very long way and involves the whole of creation. It evolved over many millions of years and continues to evolve. We human beings were given the task of being custodians of God’s plan when it comes to the world around us as well as within us. During this special Easter month, reflect on God’s plan of salvation; give thanks for the wonderful world God created, and resolve to look into God’s game plan for you, and so to build up your own little world, starting at home. April 11, 2nd Sunday of Easter. Two themes run through the readings: life and belief. The story of Doubting Thomas, and Jesus’ famous saying: “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet believe” can be used to talk about how many things we do believe that we can’t see or understand, such as electricity and radio waves. God’s game plan of life in the world and the universe is still unfolding.

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Mass readings for the week Sundays year C, weekdays cycle 2 Sun April 11, 2nd Sunday of Easter: Acts 5:12-16; Ps 118:2-4.22-27; Rv 1:9-13.17-19; Jn 20:19-31 Mon April 12, St Zeno of Verona: Acts 4:23-31; Ps 2:1-9; Jn 3:1-8 Tue April 13, St Martin, pope & martyr: Acts 4:32-37; Ps 93:1-2.5; Jn 3:7-15 Wed April 14, feria: Acts 5:17-26; Ps 34:2-9; Jn 3:16-21 Thur April 15, feria: Acts 5: 27-33; Ps 34:2.9.17-20; Jn 3:31-36 Fri April 16, feria: Acts 5:34-42; Ps 27:1.4.13-14; Jn 6:1-15 Sat April 17, feria: Acts 6:1-7; Ps 33:1-2.4-5.18-19; Jn 6:16-21 Sun April 18, 3rd Sunday of Easter: Acts 5:27-32.40-41; Ps 30:1.3-5.10-12; Rev 5:11-14; Jn 21:1-19

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PRAYERS “HOLY St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. Help me now in my urgent need and grant my petitions. In return I promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. Amen.” BMS. “HOLY St Jude, Apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, near kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke your special patronage in time of need, to you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg to you whom God has given such great power, come to my assistance. Help me in my present urgent petition. In return I promise to make your name known and cause you to be invoked. (Three Our Father's, three hail Mary's three Glory be's.). St Jude pray for us and all who invoke your aid. Amen.” Say this novena for nine consecutive days. Gina “O MOST BEAUTIFUL flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me where you are, Mother of God. Queen of heaven and earth I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There is none who can withstand your power, O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee. Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands.” Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days and then publish. BMS

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Contact Valry 084 717 6373/031 4662495. Helmut 082 8814513, valryp @mweb.co.za/neptun @mweb.co.za AZARS B&B — Olde worlde charm in Kalk Bay’s quaint fishing village. Luxury double en-suite/private lounge/ entrance. DStv/tea/coffee. Serviced 3 times a week. Minutes from Metrorail. Enjoy breakfast at different restaurant every day (included in tariff). Holy Mass Saturdays/Sundays within walking distance. Tel/Fax 021 788 2031, 082 573 1251. grizell@iafrica. com CAPE TOWN—Kirstenhof. Lovely separate furnished room, R150ppn.  084 580 5046. CAPE WEST COASTYzerfontein—Emmaus on Sea B&B and self-catering. Holy Mass celebrated every Sunday at 6pm.  022 451 2650. EAST LONDON—Cambridge. St Pius Pastoral Centre. Affordable facilities for conferences, workshops, meetings, and retreats. Plus budget accommodation. Secure parking. Tel/Fax 043 721 3077, 082 455 6609. Email: stpiuspet@telkomsa.net FISH HOEK—Self-catering accommodation, sleeps 4. Secure parking.  021 785 1247. FISH HOEK, Cape Town— Self-catering holiday accommodation from budget to luxury for 2 to 6 people. Special pensioners’ rate from May to October. Tel/fax 021 782 3647, email: alisona@xsinet. co.za GORDON’S BAY: Beautiful en-suite rooms available at reasonable rates. Magnificent views, breakfast on request.  082 774 7140. E-mail: bzhive @telkomsa.net. KNYSNA—Self-catering garden apartment for two in Old Belvidere with wonderful Lagoon views.  044 387 1052. KOLBE HOUSE is the Catholic Centre and residence for the University of Cape Town. From June 7 to July 23 the Student's rooms are available for holiday guests. We offer self-catering accommodation. Beautiful estate in Rondebosch near the University. Parking in secure premises, short walks to shops, transport etc. For details contact Jock at 021 685 7370, fax 021 686 2342 or 082 308 0080 or kolbe.house@ telkomsa.net MARIANELLA Guest House, Simon’s Town— “Come experience the peace and beauty of God with us.” Fully equipped with amazing sea-views. Secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. Special rates for pensioners and clergy.  Malcolm Salida 082 784 5675 or mjsal ida@mweb.co.za MONTAGU, Rose Cottage—A luxurious selfcatering “home away from home”; stylishly decorated, the “coolest” place in town! Sleeps 6. The most peaceful surroundings, mountain views, www.rosecottag emontagu.co.za or e-mail: info@rosecottagemon tagu.co.za or  Christa at 084 409 0044 PIETERMARITZBURG— St Dominic Guest House. Beautiful old house recent-

ly renovated, adjacent to Dominican Priory, Chapel and Conference Centre. Near the University and a shopping mall. Self-catering, fully equipped kitchen, safe parking and Internet access. Sleeps 8 in single and double rooms.  033 3452241, 033 8459103, 083 3013354. Fax 033 3452246, guesthouse@ zaop.org SANDBAAI/HERMANUS— Relaxing weekend away. Reasonable rates. Contact Jacqui Ferreira.  082 924 5807 SEA POINT—Double room with own bathroom in heart of this prestigious suburb, near all amenities. Short time letting.  072 236 2996 SOUTH COAST—3 bedroom house. Marine Drive, Uvongo.  Donald 031 465 5651, 073 989 1074. STELLENBOSCH—Five simple private suites (2 beds, fridge, microwave). Countryside-vineyard/ forest/mountain walks; beach 20min drive. Affordable. Christian Brothers %021 8800242 cbc-stel@ mweb.co.za STRAND—Beachfront flat to let. Stunning views. Fully furnished and equipped. Garage, one bedroom, sleeper couch in lounge. R375 per night for two people.  Brenda 082 822 0607. THE GARDENS Guest House—Situated in Norwood, Johannesburg. 7 luxurious en-suite double/ twin rooms each with a TV (DStv) and tea/coffee facilities. Close to shops and restaurants and all major business districts. Includes full breakfast, laundry, 24hr security, billiard table, kitchen facilities, pool and more. Contact Robyn on 083 673 6687 or www. gardensguesthouse.com UMHLANGA ROCKS— Fully equipped self-catering 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, sleeps 6, sea view, 200 metres from beach, DStv.  Tina, 031 561 5838 WILDERNESS—Selfcatering house, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms. Sleeps 8/10, indoor braai, pool table, DStv. Contact Julia, e-mail progalu@ netactive.co.za

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April 7 to April 13, 2010

SOUTHERN AFRICA’S NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY SINCE 1920 083 640 5848

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3rd Sunday of Easter, Year C (Apr 18) Readings: Acts 5:27-32.40-41; Ps 30:2.46.11-13; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:119 E are well into Easter now, and it may even have lost something of its freshness. What we have to do now is to recall the confidence that God’s resurrection power can engender in us, regardless of what life may throw at us. That confidence is visible in the first reading for next Sunday. Not long ago, Peter was cravenly denying to the high-priest’s slave-girl that he had ever heard of Jesus. Now he is facing down the high priest himself; and when the eminent prelate reminds him that he has been given explicit instructions “not to teach in this name” (the name of Jesus, that is), and that so far from obeying this instruction from lawful religious authority, they have “filled Jerusalem with the teaching, and want to bring Jesus’ blood” on the religious authorities. Peter is not remotely fazed by this assault, and says: “We must obey God rather than human beings”, and insists on the reality of the resurrection—the real reason, of course, for their confidence. Not only that; Peter repeats the accusa-

How to keep going after Easter Fr Nicholas King SJ

Scriptural Reflections tion that “you people murdered him, hanging him on a tree”, and asserts that Jesus is “pioneer and saviour”, and that God is in charge here, so “we are witnesses of these events, we and the Holy Spirit which God has given to those who obey him”. The psalm for next Sunday shows the same unshakeable confidence in God. It is the song of someone who has clearly been very close to death: “You brought me up from Sheol”, so it is an entirely appropriate song for the Easter season. Indeed, the poet invites his hearers to sing: “Sing a song to the Lord, his beloved, give praise to God’s holy name”, and concludes, triumphantly: “Lord, my God, I shall praise you for ever!” The second reading, all the way through the Sundays of Easter this year, is

from Revelation. At this stage, our seer is witness to the liturgy that is going on in heaven. The function of this, like that of all good liturgy, is to give the persecuted the confidence to continue living the life to which they are called. It is a wonderful vision; God’s allies are there in numbers, “ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands upon thousands”, which comes to rather a lot. And they are singing a massive chorus to the Slain Lamb, who is to receive “power and riches and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing”. These heavenly beings are joined by “every created thing” in the entire universe, who sing to God and to the Lamb, while the “four living creatures sang ‘Amen’, and the elders fell down in worship”. This picture should keep us going all through Monday. The gospel reading may ring some bells for those who don’t always find it easy to believe in the Resurrection. Peter takes some seven of the disciples fishing, returning to their old ways, just as though Easter had never happened. Nothing goes right until Jesus appears on the shore, in the early

Brief encounter with opulence T

AKE two very ordinary words: “orient” and “express”, and when you string them together you get something entirely out of the ordinary: Visions of opulent, old-fashioned trains, grand hotels and sumptuous cruise liners. These offer opulence that anyone who is not a multimillionaire will not grasp, except travel writers. These are able to take the occasional peek behind the curtains of this world of wealth and selfindulgence for a few hours, then return to the real world, write about it all, and weep. Copiously. I have been fortunate to have experienced three Orient Express hotels. The first was the Mount Nelson in Cape Town. It is outstanding, and now that I live in Cape Town and don’t have to fret about not being able to afford to stay at the Nellie, I do indulge myself every now and then by going to have tea there. Sometimes I do feel guilty about spending the equivalent of the Western Cape’s entire tourism budget on a cup of tea and a spectacular chunk of chocolate cake, but that doesn’t last long. I have also had the privilege of staying at the Observatory Hotel in Sydney, Australia, another great Orient Express hotel. It is an island of calm on a busy waterfront and where the staff say: “Good morning, sir,” and not “G’day, mate”. Sorry to say this, Nellie old girl, and to you guys down under at the Observatory, but I have experienced a sister hotel of yours that makes your opulence look motelish by comparison. It’s the magnificent and totally overwhelming Villa San Michele at Doccia, on the hill of Fiesole overlooking the city of Florence in Italy.

Chris Moerdyk

The Last Word What makes it so different? Well, for starters, the façade was sculpted by Michelangelo. The whole place is an Italian national monument, with original artworks dotted all over the place, each worth so much that flogging just one of them could probably pay the purchase price of the Nellie, the Observatory, and a fistful of cruise ships. That does give the Villa San Michele something of a competitive edge. The original building on this site was a friary founded in the early years of the 15th century by Franciscan friars. The land on which it stood had been donated by a Florentine family, the Davanzatis, who also contributed to the monastery’s upkeep by gifts of woodlands, further buildings and money. The present building, with its imposing loggia, dates from 1600 when it was enlarged and completely renovated by Giovanni di Bartolommeo Davanzati. The hotel’s reception is in the original chapel, obviously deconsecrated, but the original ornate altar is still there and it took all the willpower I had not to genuflect and bless myself before the manager. In 1982, Orient-Express Hotels bought the Villa San Michele and the surrounding land. Once more a comprehensive

restoration of the buildings was embarked upon, this time with the cooperation of the Florence Fine Arts Authority. A thorough refurbishment of the firstfloor rooms was undertaken over two successive winters, involving the rooms over the loggia in 1997/98, and the Italian garden-view rooms in 1998/99, at which time the secluded, hermitage chapel was renovated and the fresco of The Last Supper beautifully restored. Completed by Nicodemo Ferrucci in 1642 the fresco was designed to decorate the refectory of the then monastery of San Michele. Smoke from the fireplace and candles, steam from the food, and even human breath over the centuries had dulled the colours and obscured the detail. I was given a grand tour of the hotel after which all I had very little breath left that could still be taken away. My wife and I were treated to a joint birthday dinner in the magnificent restaurant overlooking Florence, and the food was such that I asked to be allowed to take a copy of the menu, which I sleep with under my pillow to this day. Needless to say, the room rates are spectacular, especially given the abysmal purchasing power of the rand when exchanged to euros. And if you have just shown the slightest interest in finding out what the exchange rates are, I daresay this place will be as much out of your league as it is out of mine. While I had visions of millions of starving children in Africa as I wandered about shrouded in opulence, I also couldn’t help thinking that this very wealth had resulted in the restoration of something that was sacred in its day.

dawn, and once more tells them how to catch fish. The fish come in such numbers that the nets can hardly be drawn in. The beloved disciple is the first to recognise Jesus (“It is the Lord!”, he shouts excitedly). Then Peter behaves with characteristic impetuosity, leaping into the water even though they were quite near the shore. They then have breakfast, courtesy of Jesus. After that, Jesus and Peter have a conversation, an uncomfortable one for Peter, since the three-fold question: “Do you love me?” serves as a reminder of his three-fold cowardice and infidelity. Simon is then given a job: “Feed my lambs”, and a prediction of how he will die: “You will stretch out your hands and someone else will tie you up, and take you where you don’t want to go”. Then come the fateful last words of the reading, addressed not just to Simon Peter, but to all of us down the ages who wish to serve the Lord—the invitation to discipleship: “Follow me.” What, this week, will be your response? Has Easter given you the confidence to accept the invitation?

Southern Crossword #385

ACROSS 5. The first known garden (4) 7. Validating what the bishop’s doing (10) 8. Read about the challenge (4) 10. Hard work in factory work (8) 11. Does doctor prescribe it for playwright? (6) 12. It lies ahead of you (6) 14. City of the Infant (6) 16. Of here, Anne was a wife of Henry VIII (6) 17. See 4 19. Hurry to the reed (4) 21. The star of the movie Exodus? (7,3) 22. Spot the eastern agent (4)

CONRAD

DOWN 1. Kind of water needed for pains of hell (4) 2. Contribution to the poor box (8) 3. Traits about the painter (6) 4 and 17. Colourful singer in 5 across? (4,2,8) 5. Find them at Easter (4) 6. Always fresh trees in 5 across (10) 9. Finds out, and Satan cries about it (10) 13. They are the lowest of society! (3,5) 15. A major prophet (6) 16. Parish bookkeeping entry to believe (6) 18. Skilfully (4) 20. In timekeeping it is large or small (4)

SOLUTIONS TO #384. ACROSS: 1 Fibs, 3 Psalmody, 9 Lisieux, 10 Known, 11 Collaborator, 13 Lairds, 15 Prison, 17 Cornerstones, 20 Hedge, 21 Cheerio, 22 Parishes, 23 Sees. DOWN: 1 Felt cold, 2 Basil, 4 Sexton, 5 Like a brother, 6 Odorous, 7 Yens, 8 Herald angels, 12 Inkspots, 14 In order, 16 Creche, 19 Chip.

CHURCH CHUCKLE

SUNDAY School teacher asked her class why Joseph and Mary took Jesus with them to Jerusalem. A small child replied: “They couldn’t get a babysitter.” John Engelbrecht

Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.