www.scross.co.za
December 29, 2010 to January 4, 2011
r5,50 (incl VaT rSa) reg no. 1920/002058/06
Visions of Mary: Why the Vatican is always on guard
Walking where Jesus actually walked
How to become a PRISON MINISTER
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no 4710
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Pope: Church must repent By Carol GlaTz
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Pope Benedict and prelates applaud as the Pellegrini Brothers, a circus act, perform a balancing act during a general audience in Paul Vi hall at the Vatican. (Photo: Paul haring/CnS)
Electronic rosary launched By Sarah Delaney
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N Italian company has launched an electronic rosary with the voice of Pope John Paul II leading the prayers. The Prex Co, based in Loreto, said in a press release that the device, complete with headphones, “was conceived to promote greater use of prayers in daily life”. Electronic rosaries have been on the market for some time, but this year’s novelty is the voice of the late pope reciting in Italian the traditional rosary prayers as well as the luminous mysteries of the rosary, which he added in 2002, the company said. A recording that follows the rosary calendar for each day of the week can be turned
on with a simple click, the press release said. The electronic rosary comes in various colours and models and a choice of images including those from Our Lady of Lourdes and other Marian shrines. One model is in the shape of a heart; a red light pulses like a heartbeat when it is turned on. All are light and fit in a pocket. The makers said the electronic rosaries can be particularly useful for people who are not mobile, for example the elderly, to help them feel “less alone”. It is also a good tool for teaching children prayers, the company said on its website. The rosaries are currently offered with texts in English, French and Spanish, and others will be added, the company said.—CNS
N response to the “unimaginable” scandal of clerical sex abuse against minors, the Church must reflect, repent, and do everything possible to rectify the injustices suffered by victims as it works to prevent such abuse from ever happening again, Pope Benedict has told the Roman curia. The pope said he and others were “dismayed” when, during a year dedicated to the world’s priests, further cases of clerical sex abuse came to light “to a degree we could not have imagined”. “We must accept this humiliation as an exhortation to truth and a call to renewal. Only the truth saves,” the pope said in his annual address to the Roman curia and cardinals who reside in Rome. In his seven-page reflection on the past year, the pope dedicated a large part of his speech to the impact of sex abuse by priests. He said priests who committed such scandals “twist” the sacrament of ordination into its “antithesis” when they, “under the mantle of the sacred, profoundly wound human persons in their childhood, damaging them for a whole lifetime”. The face of the Church is soiled and her clothes torn “because of the sins of priests”, the pope said, referring to the writings of the 12th-century German mystic, St Hildegard of Bingen, who had visions of a Church wounded and sullied because of abuses by clergy evident in her day. He listed a number of “musts” that the Church needs to attend to. “We must ask ourselves what we can do to repair as much as possible the injustice that has occurred. We must ask ourselves what was wrong in our proclamation, in our whole way of living the Christian life, to allow such a thing to happen,” the pope said. The Church must find “a new resoluteness in faith and doing good”, it must be capable of penance, and it must strive to do everything possible in preparing future priests “to prevent anything of the kind from happening again”. Amid the “great tribulations” the Church has faced during the last year, the Advent prayer, “Stir up your power, O Lord, and come that you may save us”, often has been “on my mind and on my lips”, he said. Rather than beg Christ to wake up and deliver his disciples from a storm, it is the disciples themselves who must reawaken their own faith that has “grown tired”.
He said what needs to be restored is a faith that has “the power to move mountains, that is, to order justly the affairs of the world”. As the Church works to address the sex abuse crisis within its own walls, it must also tackle the larger problems of child pornography and child sex tourism in society, the pope said. “The psychological destruction of children, in which human persons are reduced to articles of merchandise, is a terrifying sign of the times,” he said, as he lamented how child pornography is considered “more and more normal by society”. Insatiable desire and “the excess of deceiving intoxication becomes a violence that tears whole regions apart, and all this in the name of a fatal misunderstanding of freedom which actually undermines human freedom and ultimately destroys it”. The pope called on pastoral leaders to renew “the great rational tradition of Christian ethos” and to replace the modern day notion of relative or pragmatic morality with “the essential and permanent foundations of moral actions”. In his address, the pope also spoke about the Synod of Bishops for the Middle East in October and lamented that “Christians are the most oppressed and tormented minority” in the region. “The tradition of peaceful coexistence has been shattered and tensions and divisions have grown” in many parts of the region, he said. He expressed his gratitude for “voices of reason” such as Muslim leaders who speak up against violence against Christians. However, those voices “are too weak”, and Christians are “up against an unholy alliance between greed for profit and ideological blindness”. The pope urged all political and religious leaders to put an end to “Christianophobia” and to defend refugees and those who suffer as well as revitalise the spirit of dialogue and reconciliation. Finally, the pope offered a reflection on his trip in September to Britain and the beatification of Cardinal John Henry Newman. Blessed Newman’s spiritual conversion is an important model of “a path of obedience to the truth” that gradually opens up to a person, the pope said. It is a path of conscience, which is the human capacity to recognise the truth, and therefore seek it out and freely submit to it, he said.—CNS
The Priests and the Pogue drum up peace on earth By Cian Molloy
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HE Irish trio of clerical classical singers The Priests has teamed up with former hellion and Irish punk and folk singer Shane MacGowan for a recording of “The Little Drummer Boy”. The track was always going to be included on The Priests’ third album, Noel, but mindful of the success of the 1977 recording by Catholic crooner Bing Crosby and glam-rock star David Bowie, for which the countermelody “Peace on Earth” was written, the clergymen thought a collaboration with another singer might provide a counterpoint to their classically trained voices. “Our management told us Shane was available and we were
delighted by the idea,” said Fr Eugene O’Hagan, one of The Priests. A gifted songwriter, MacGowan, former lead singer with The Pogues and later a band named The Popes, became widely known for his alcoholic binges both on and off stage. His song “Fairytale of New York”, recorded in 1987 with the late Kirsty MacColl, is the Christmas song most requested and played on radio in Ireland and Britain. “It was a pleasure working with Shane,” Fr O’Hagan said. “After the recording, Shane asked if we could pray together and he asked for our blessing. It was a lovely moment.” The three priests from the Down and Connor diocese, brothers Eugene and Martin O’Hagan
and David Delargy, started singing together as youngsters at St MacNissi’s College, an elementary school in Northern Ireland. They continued to study together at the diocesan seminary at St Malachy’s in Belfast and while at the Irish College in Rome, where they regularly sang for Pope John Paul II. Their 2008 debut album, The Priests, went platinum in Ireland, Britain, Norway and Sweden and went gold in Canada and New Zealand. Album sales benefit The Priests Charitable Trust, which has sent nearly R1,5 million to education projects in Cambodia, Uganda and Thailand; a youth choir at St Peter’s cathedral, Belfast; and the care of retired priests of the Down and Connor diocese.
Former Pogues singer Shane MacGowan (with sunglasses) harmonised with the clerical trio The Priests on a new version of “little Drummer Boy”, a remake of the1977 hit recorded by David Bowie and Bing Crosby.
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The Southern Cross, December 29 to January 4, 2011
Weekends make for better marriages By Claire MaThieSon
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HE Marriage and Family Ministry Forum in the diocese of Port Elizabeth hosted a retreat day for married couples. Following the success of the day, the ministry hopes to see more couples partake in the annual event aimed at bringing couples closer to one another and to God. Kaye Hendrick from the Marriage and Family ministry said the venue, St Joseph’s Pastoral Centre in Port Elizabeth, was a “lovely venue for quiet days with God”. The most recent retreat was bolstered by presentations made by various Catholic couples in the diocese. “The inputs by Kenny and Lynette Williams on ‘Forgiveness in Marriage’, ‘Conflict’ by Colin and Carol Walton, and ‘Prayer’ by Freddy and Felicity Jones moved all to prayer and reflect on their relationships,” said Ms Hendrick Ms Hendrick said one of the highlights from the input on conflict discussion was the conversation on criticism. “When I find it necessary to criticise or find fault with how my spouse handles or sees a situation, I am placing myself in a superior position to which I have no right as a loving partner. I need to place myself in the open space to understand my spouse’s
point of view and not respond from a position of righteousness. Then it was suggested that if I cannot hold my spouse’s hand while we talk about the problem then I am not in a space to resolve the conflict.” Ms Hendrick said practical procedures were suggested for common issues in marriages. The retreat also focused on encouraging couples to pray together, which can lead to enriching not only the couple’s life but also the enrichment of their children’s lives. While sharing, participants and presenters gave deep reflections on how they integrated the inputs and the value of those for their ongoing relationships. The retreat was followed by a celebration of marriage at the Sunday Mass. “This year was amazing in the number of couples there to publically celebrate special anniversaries and those renewing their marriage vows.” One couple, Mr and Mrs Cooper, marked 68 years of marriage on the retreat. Ms Hendrick said the weekend was special and saw many couples grow further in their relationships. She said the ministry hoped the number of couples attending would increase in the future. The ministry has plans to host its next annual retreat in October next year.
What’s new with you? Send your news and photographs to: The Southern Cross, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 Y o u c a n a l s o e m a i l : pics@scross.co.za
LOCAL
Combat negative stigma through prison ministry By Claire MaThieSon
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RISON ministry is not glamorous and is often far less popular than other ministries. However, Fr Jordan Ngondo believes prisoners are a very significant part of our communities and more needs to be done within the ministry. Fr Ngondo, prison chaplain at Leeuwkop prison in Bryanston, Johannesburg, said the ministry was not for everybody, but more people are needed around the country. He said it is important for those entering the ministry to be matured in their own faith because “among the prisoners there will be very challenging cases”. Prison ministry requires people who are ready to forgive, he said. Any baptised Catholic can join the prison ministry, he said. To get involved one should first express a desire for this ministry to the parish priest or bishop. Fr Ngondo said it was always wise to get support from the Church before following a calling. A candidate for prison ministry must be “in good standing with the Church and will be given the mandate by the parish priest or bishop”, he said. “The person must have some listening skills, be able to communicate in a mature way and be conversant with the teachings of the Church. Above all the person must pray about this wish or desire for enlightenment.” Because of the sensitive nature of prison ministry, there is a strict procedure. Fr Ngondo said the first step was to make an appointment to see the permanent prison chap-
Fr Jordan ngondo
lain. Application forms must be submitted and the candidate will undergo a security check. The candidate will need to be recommended by the parish priest before an appointment letter can be issued. Fr Ngondo said that only once all new prison ministry volunteers are orientated, can they start ministering to prisoners. The prison ministry is varied, he said, and can include opportunities to administer the sacraments, preach, teach catechism, Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, conduct Alpha courses, provide counselling, conduct group work, bible studies/sharing, facilitate programmes such as education for life and charismatic renewal. Fr Ngondo, who has been in the ministry for more than 15 years,
said working with prisoners is “challenging and fulfilling because one works with people who have [lived] devious lives, people who have offended others, who are suspicious and observant”. He said the work can be stressful and even dangerous, so one has to be very sure before entering the ministry. Prison ministry faces many challenges as there are multiple stakeholders in the ministry,including the Department of Correctional Services. Fr Ngondo stressed the high importance of the ministry. “Prisoners are members of our parish communities, local schools, neighbourhoods; they are our brothers and sisters who deserve to be forgiven and return back to their communities,” said Fr Ngondo. “There is a lot that needs to be done, we need structures in the parishes, parishioners need to be educated with regard to prisons and prison life. Community participation, volunteers, rehabilitation programmes, ministry to the families of the prisoners and halfway houses are all needed.” In a discussion on his social networking page on Facebook, followers were asked if they would want visitors if they were in jail. “The answer was a big ‘Yes’,” Fr Ngondo said, adding that prison ministry is sometimes forgotten. He has called for the negative stigma to be diminished and for the prioritisation of rehabilitation through the Church in order to improve communities. Fr Ngondo is willing to supply any person or parish with prison ministry documentation. He can be e-mailed at jordanng@ hotmail.com
CAPUCHIN SISTERS RETREAT HOUSE We are blessed to have this House of prayer to share the contemplative silence and solitude that are our riches as Poor Clares. Retreatants have the opportunity to: Attend Eucharist with the Sisters Spend time in personal prayer and reflection Experience the peace, simplicity and joy of a Franciscan holy place Experience the support and the prayers of the Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters Take time for rest and renewal TO MAKE RESERVATION OR FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Sr. Leonissa (028) 514-1319 e-mail: capuchin@telkomsa.net
LOCAL
The Southern Cross, December 29 to January 4, 2011
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Change driving attitudes to change statistics By Claire MaThieSon
Joburg pilgrims gear up for WYD 2011
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MID the Christmas and holiday celebrations in South Africa, the festive season involves a high number of deaths on the road. With the government hoping to roll out new traffic laws, it is hoped the statistics will drastically improve in 2011. However, some argue, it is not law-making that will change the December tradition, but the attitudes of road users that need to be adjusted if the statistics are to change. Jesuit Father Anthony Egan said on paper, South Africa has excellent road safety laws and policies, but he doubts that adding more will make a difference. “What could be done better is implement existing laws more thoroughly and fairly,” he said. The country plans on rolling out a traffic demerit system in early 2011, as The Southern Cross reported in October. Known as the Administrative Adjudication of Road Traffic Offences (Aarto), the demerit system will see drivers being reprimanded through fines and a loss of driver’s license points. Drivers could have their licenses suspended or permanently revoked. After a number of points have been lost, the driver could lose his/her license, and in some cases, permanently. Fr Egan feels this is particularly important. “We as citizens should take responsibility for our actions and admit that it’s our behaviour that needs to change not because of laws but because it’s the right thing to do.” In 2009, there were 10 857 fatal road accidents. The most dangerous time on the road, according to Arrive Alive, is December, when most people take their annual holiday. In December 2009, 1 050 people died in road accidents; of these 83% were attributed to human error. “Crashes do not just happen,” said Arrive Alive spokesman Thabo Joshua Raborife. “They happen because of certain real contributory factors. These contributory factors are circumstantial elements that are present at the time of the crash and are generally classified under four main categories, namely: Human, vehicle, roadway and the environment. The first three factors reflect human and authority behaviour, attitude and performance, while the fourth factor, the environment could, to a certain extent, be regarded as being beyond the control of the driver or the authorities.” According to the Road Traffic Management Corporation’s Road Traffic Report of 2009, KwaZulu-Natal still contributes the highest number of accidents to the national average. As the worst performing province KwaZulu-Natal has continuously increased its quarterly number of road
By leBo Wa MaJahe
I Traffic officialls are cracking the whip on driving offenders this Christmas season. (Photo: Claire Mathieson) fatalities—going strongly against government set targets. With the exception of the Western Cape and Eastern Cape, an increase in the number of fatal crashes was recorded in all other provinces. Fr Egan said since people are the number one factor in road deaths, it is important to teach people that cars and taxis are lethal weapons. “We get hung up over things like guns and forget that more probably die or get maimed in vehicles than with guns. Respect vehicles as you would, or should a 9mm automatic or an assault rifle and don’t play cowboys in the traffic!” Meanwhile, the South African National Taxi Council (Santaco) said taxi operators could soon be joining officials manning roadblocks countrywide. The industry, notorious for rule-breaking, admitted it had not been active in promoting road safety. The new initiative will see taxi drivers being evaluated by commuters and regular vehicle checks done by Santaco. The Safely Home Campaign launched in December in the Western Cape together with the transport ministry, the Western Cape Religious Leaders’ Forum and the Western Cape Retail Motor Industry will provide motorists in the province with free vehicle safety checks for the festive season, and encourage sober driving. Fr Chris Chatteris, also of the Jesuit Institute South Africa, reiterated that the basic attitude of drivers needed to change. He said while South Africa’s statistics are troublesome, they are comparable to other developing countries.
“The terrible ‘wild west’ attitudes towards the law and a lot of latent aggression which comes out behind the wheel is problematic”, he said. Fr Chatteris also attributed a combination of poorly trained drivers, powerful cars and good— and therefore fast—roads. The Road Traffic Report of 2009 found that while the human factor is statistically the most responsible factor in accidents, crashes rarely happen because of only one contributory factor. The report found in most cases there are two, three and even four factors resulting in an accident. “It is further accepted that 95% or more road traffic crashes happen as a direct result of traffic offences or noncompliance with prescribed norms and standards. In this regard the human element plays a major role,” the report said. A survey by the Child Accident Prevention Foundation has found that 80% of children and adults do not wear seatbelts. The Red Cross Children’s Hospital has made an appeal to road users to be particularly cautious because there are more children on the road over the season. The hospital has asked parents to buckle up their children when they are in the car. Fr Egan said that even if statistics are not dropping, every step towards the reduction of carnage on the road should be praised. “Why not celebrate? Though not ideal, sometimes the principle of lesser harm should be celebrated not because it’s good in itself, but because it’s better than nothing,” he said.
‘A great book that I really enjoyed, in the end I could not put it down. The cover captures the profound sense of the book. The planet is a village with modern technology, a planet at risk from the forces of darkness. Yet goodness (God) holds it and will always triumph’. Monsignor Andrew Borello “I feel privileged that you have shared your work with me because it is most unusual, has so many aspects to it and it is a tract or our times which is gripping and entertaining. All of the factual parts display a deep knowledge of various technologies and a fine appreciation of history”. Graham Household, England
a formal goodbye reception was held for Sr Marina lawrence at Maryland Centre in hanover Park, Cape Town, after she officially retired as director of its literacy programme. The reception, held at the centre, paid tribute to the nun for her “selfless commitment to those adults afflicted by illiteracy” and “the incredible confidence she was able to inspire in those who successfully followed the programme”. The centre’s literacy programme was launched 35 years ago. Pictured are Sam Singh and Sr lawrence.
“I have been greatly entertained reading Warriors of Our Age and have enjoyed every twist and turn in the plot. The author has a wonderful ability to tell a story, setting the scenes well, so that the reader can picture the unfolding of the plot. I enjoyed the intrigue and “James Bond' element of the story. It is a thoroughly enjoyable story written with superb style.” Catherine Laing, South Africa Publisher: Raider Publishing International (June 2010) Paperback 584 pages ISBN-10:1616670835. Available from The Catholic Bookshop, Cape Town (021 465 5904) amazon.com oneshop.co.za whsmith.co.uk foyles.co.uk
N preparation for 2011 World Youth Day (WYD) in August, the youth of the archdiocese of Johannesburg have designed a uniform and are busy writing lyrics for songs they will be performing at the event in Madrid, Spain. Some 130 pilgrims have registered to attend the event, with Archbishop Buti Tlhagale and ten priests accompanying the young pilgrims. The youths have been conducting monthly meetings, sharing ideas on how to raise funds, getting to know each other and journeying together in faith. Fr Vusi Sokhela, archdiocesan vicar for youth, has been instrumental in ensuring that the pilgrimage goes according to plans. Fr Sokhela has delegated tasks to prepare the youths spiritually, and has stressed that youths should not see the trip as a holiday but as a time away to be closer to God, by praying with the Holy Father on issues that affect youth directly. He also advised pilgrims to the WYD to be vigilant of human trafficking, which is a real danger, especially for young girls. A replica of the WYD cross has been travelling around the archdiocese, making its way to deaneries as a testimony of absolute faith in God and Christ’s love. Archbishop Tlhagale said the cross should touch hearts and inspire holiness in young people, encouraging them to be like St Thérèse of Lisieux He also urged all religious groups and schools to register with their youth department because only one group can represent the archdiocese or any metropole. “This also show s that we are organised and united,” said Fr Sokhela. Lebo Lentsoane, one of the pilgrims, describes the WYD as a time for youth to share their faith and be rejuvenated to spread the gospel of Christ. WYD is also a way for youth to come and understand other cultures by spreading peace and understanding throughout the world, she said. ■ For more information contact the youth department on 011 402 6400.
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The Southern Cross, December 29, 2010 to January 4, 2011
INTERNATIONAL
Church sceptical about Marian apparitions
A The Vatican’s 2010 Christmas stamp is seen on a commemorative cover. (Photo: Paul haring, CnS)
Pontifical prizes awarded
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RECENTLY founded Marian institute in India and a scholar of 16th-century Portuguese paintings were the co-winners of the 2010 Pontifical Ecclesiastical Academies Prize, the Vatican said. The prize was given in the spirit of “encouraging all those who want to contribute to the promotion of a new Christian humanism”, said Pope Benedict in a message read at a meeting of officials of pontifical academies. The winners were the Marian Academy of India, described by the
pope as “a young and active Mariological centre” with headquarters in Bangalore, India; and Portuguese scholar Luis Alberto Esteves dos Santos Casimiro for a dissertation on images of the Annunciation to the Virgin Mary in Portuguese paintings from 1500 to 1550. The pope also conferred the Medal of the Pontificate to Gen Verde, an international, all-women performing arts group associated with the Focolare lay movement, for its commitment to artistic endeavours with evangelical value. —CNS
Pope to Africa in 2011 By John ThaViS
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OPE Benedict plans to make four foreign trips in 2011, including one to his German homeland and a three-day visit to the African country of Benin. Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ said that the pope would also make four trips to Italian cities. In all, the pope will spend 18 days on the road next year. The pope will visit Croatia from June 4-5 and travel to Spain from August 18-21 to preside over World Youth Day Celebrations. He will visit Germany from September 22-25, the third trip to his native Germany. German bishops have said the pope is likely to visit the capital city of Berlin, as well as Freiburg in the country’s south-
west and Erfurt in the east. The pope’s trip to Benin from November 18-20 will be his second trip to Africa. In Benin, a small country in West Africa, Catholics make up about 30% of the population, and Muslims about 25%. Pope Benedict, who will turn 84 in April, has to date made 18 trips abroad, 12 of them in Europe. The pope’s travels inside Italy in 2011 will take him to the northern cities of Aquileia and Venice from May 7-8, to Montefeltro and the tiny Republic of San Marino on June 19, to the Adriatic city of Ancona on September 11 for the National Eucharistic Congress and to the southern cities of Lamezia Terme and Serra San Bruno on October 9.—CNS
NEWLY expanded compendium of visions of the Virgin Mary shows how the very idea of such apparitions has been met with scepticism and preoccupation within the Church, from early Christian times to the present. Experts in Mariology presented the Italian edition of the Dictionary of “Apparitions” of the Virgin Mary, translated from the original 2007 French publication with the addition of some 150 new entries, at a news conference. The 1 600-page volume lists more than 2 400 claims of people who over the centuries alleged to have seen Mary, as well as the consequences of such announcements. Fr René Laurentin, French coauthor of the book, acknowledged the difference regarding such claims. “The apparitions are not seen with the most benign eye by the Church,” he said, citing the difficult histories of even the most popular and accepted visions. “Apparitions are the least scientifically studied, the most hidden and most controversial of all theological subjects.” Fr Laurentin, an expert on the sanctuary at Lourdes, France, and other shrines inspired by Marian apparitions, said in the introduction to the book that he had been working for more than 50 years on the catalogue at the request of bishops and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. The goal was “to put to rest the many misunderstandings and confusion” surrounding visionary claims. But new diagnostic techniques and modern psychology can help at least in eliminating the claims of people suffering from hallucinations or other pathologies, the experts said at the presentation. Dr Tonino Cantelmi, professor of psychiatry at the Pontifical Gregorian University and president of the Italian Association of Catholic Psychiatrists and Psychologists, said advanced neuro-imaging tests such as the PET scan demonstrate that a specific part of the brain shows activity during what could be described as ecstatic experiences. In the past, Dr Cantelmi said, psychologists and psychiatrists tended to believe that all such alleged experiences were psychological in origin. Researchers are now saying, he said, “that there may be
ORFORD
CONSTRUCTION
Wikileaks: US sought Vatican help in antiterror plans By Sarah Delaney
T a statue of our lady of Fatima is carried in a procession at Fatima in Portugal. The Blessed Virgin’s apparition there in 1917 is one of only a few recognised by the Vatican. (Photo: Paul haring, CnS) something that is not psychologically explainable”. Fr Laurentin said that studies in California and Italy using electroencephalograms showed that visionaries were neither asleep, dreaming, hallucinating nor having seizures during their experiences but that their brains were in a normal state. Fr Paolo Scarafoni, rector of the European University of Rome and professor of theology at the Legionaries of Christ’s Pontifical Regina Apostolorum University, said that even though the Church must be cautious in its approach to claims of apparitions, the alleged visions should be respected “because they involve millions of people”. Even those apparitions that have not been officially recognised by the Church are celebrated in shrines around the world by millions of Catholics, he said, and “the door should not be closed on those, but should be studied slowly before final judgment is made”. Fr Laurentin said 15 apparitions had been officially recognised by the Church, but Fr Salvatore Perella, assistant dean of faculty at the Pontifical Theological Faculty Marianum and an expert in Marian apparitions, said there were only nine. The co-author of the book is journalist and historian Patrick Sbalchiero. It is published by Edizioni Art, a publishing house associated with the Legionaries of Christ.—CNS
HE United States sought to engage the Vatican in joint crisis management training in hopes that it would further anti-terrorism cooperation, according to a cable from the US embassy in Rome released by WikiLeaks. The cable, dated December 19, 2008, was approved by the outgoing ambassador to Italy, Ronald Spogli. “The known al-Qaida antipathy to the pope” was cited as one of the reasons the embassy was keen to get the Vatican on board with an antiterrorism plan. The dispatch said that while Domenico Giani, the Vatican security chief, had been cool to US offers of direct cooperation in dealing with threats from al-Qaida, he had in the past sought FBI training in specific areas. It said agents from the Vatican gendarme agency had received explosives handling training at FBI headquarters in Quantico, Virginia. The cable said the United States was particularly concerned because al-Qaida had in the past identified the Catholic Church as an “enemy”. It noted that significant numbers of Americans visit Vatican City every day. Classified as “secret”, the cable said that the Vatican was sensitive about “being seen to be too close to any one state”. Those fears have made developing a dialogue about security with the Vatican “challenging”, it said. The US embassy to the Vatican has condemned the release of classified State Department documents and refused to comment on the content or authenticity of the information they contain. The Vatican has cautioned that the leaked reports should be read with “prudence”, and emphasised that they reflect the perceptions and opinions of the people who wrote them.—CNS
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INTERNATIONAL
The Southern Cross, December 29, 2010 to January 4, 2011
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Vatican hits out at China By Carol GlaTz
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N an unusually strongly worded statement, the Vatican said the recent election of new Church leaders by government-controlled Catholic groups in China and the illicit ordination of a bishop have “unilaterally damaged” hopes of improved relations with China. While expressing its wish to engage in honest dialogue with Chinese authorities, the Vatican said the events were “unacceptable and hostile” and had caused “a grave loss of the trust that is necessary for overcoming the difficulties and building a correct relationship with the Church for the sake of the common good”. A written communique issued by the Vatican press office criticised the Chinese-government-controlled National Congress of Catholic Representatives that was held in Beijing this month. The assembly, in which many bishops, priests, religious and laypeople were forced to take part against their will, came less than three weeks after the ordination of
Fr Joseph Guo Jincai as bishop of Chengde; his was the first ordination of a bishop without papal approval in four years. The Vatican condemned the methods of convoking the assembly, saying it reflected “a repressive attitude with regard to the exercise of religious liberty, which it was hoped had been consigned to the past in present-day China”. Forcing people to attend the congress represented a “grave violation” of people’s human rights, particularly their freedom of conscience and religion, said the Vatican. It said China’s “persistent desire” to control their citizens’ innermost lives, specifically matters of conscience, and to interfere with the inner workings of the Church “seems to be a sign of fear and weakness rather than of strength”. The Vatican said it realised many Catholics, including bishops and priests, were forced to participate and asked the faithful to “remain steadfast and patient in the faith” and to remember that many of their pastors are under
government pressure. It asked the faithful to pray for their priests and “to continue courageously supporting them in the face of the unjust impositions that they encounter in the exercise of their ministry”. The Congress of Catholic Representatives elected new leaders for the Bishops’ Conference of the Catholic Church in China and the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association, the two groups responsible for the public life of the Church in the communist country. The new president of the bishops’ conference is Bishop Joseph Ma Yinglin of Kunming, who was ordained without papal approval in 2006. However, the new president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association is Bishop Yohan Fang Xinyao of Linyi, who was ordained in 1997 and is in communion with the pope. The Vatican said it was “deeply deplorable that an illegitimate bishop has been appointed” president of the bishops’ conference.
Girls enjoy light snowfall in St Peter’s Square—but soon the snow turned to freezing rain. (Photo: Paul haring/CnS)
The bishops’ conference includes bishops who are still illegitimate and its statutes are incompatible with Catholic doctrine, the statement said. It “cannot be recognised as an episcopal conference by the Apostolic See; the ‘clandestine’ bishops,
Order freezes out disgraced founder By Carol GlaTz
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ITH the authorisation of a papal delegate, the Legionaries of Christ have formalised in a new decree a number of reforms regarding the depiction of the order’s founder, the late Fr Marcial Maciel Degollado. Fr Alvaro Corcuera, director general of the order and of the order’s lay association, Regnum Christi, issued the norms following authorisation by Cardinal Velasio De Paolis, the papal delegate in charge of governing the Legionaries and helping reform the order. The decree forbids the placement of photographs of Fr
Maciel “alone or with the Holy Father” anywhere in Legionary or Regnum Christi centers. However, out of respect for individuals’ personal freedom, it said members of the order and its lay association “may privately keep a photograph of the founder, read his writings or listen to his talks”. Fr Maciel’s “personal writings and talks will not be for sale in the congregation’s publishing houses, centre, and works of apostolate”, it said, but “the content of these writings may be used in preaching without citing the author”. Fr Maciel may be referred to only as “founder of the Legion of Christ and Regnum Christi”
or “Fr Maciel” in the institution’s writings and communications, it said. “Dates having to do with his person—birthday, baptismal day, name day, and priestly ordination anniversary—are not to be celebrated,” it said. Yet, the anniversary of his death, January 30, “will be a day dedicated especially to prayer”, said the order. The decree was the latest in a series of reforms of the Legionaries of Christ after revelations that Fr Maciel led a double life in violation of Church teachings, abused seminarians and fathered several children.—CNS
Bethlehem’s Nativity museum reopens By JuDiTh SuDiloVSky
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RADITIONAL ceramic and wood Nativity scenes from Spain share centre stage along with miniature wooden box reproductions from Mexico, an almond-eyed baby Jesus from Thailand and a hanbokclad Holy Family from Korea at the newly reopened International Nativity Museum. Originally inaugurated on the ground floor of the Salesian convent in Bethlehem on Christmas Eve in 1999, the museum was closed a few months later following the outbreak of the second intifadah (or uprising). Its reopening is part of a general “reawakening” of Bethlehem, said Elisa Nucci, artistic director of the museum. Ms Nucci, an art historian and musicologist, works for International Volunteering for Development. The organisation provides technical assistance to the Salesian order in 200 countries and was instrumental in renovating the museum and facilitating its reopening. Located in an 18th-century building which once served as the convent’s orphanage, the museum displays about 200 representations of the Nativity donated from almost 150 countries. They include work in raku, a type of Japanese pottery; bronze, painted glass; and a contemporary piece made from painted Italian Carrara marble, the same type of marble from which Michelangelo carved his sculpture “David”. The museum also includes a Nativity scene donated by Pope John Paul II. An expansive carved wooden Nativity scene from Madagascar depicts a traditional village with the figures in
elisa nucci, director of the international nativity Museum, stands next to a display during the reopening of the museum in Bethlehem. originally inaugurated on the ground floor of a Salesian convent on Christmas eve in 1999, the museum was closed a few months later following the outbreak of the second intifadah. (Photo: Debbie hill/CnS) African dress, a woman grinding grain and an elder leaning on a wooden cane. “The Nativity scene is present in all times and places, for all people,” Ms Nucci said. Revitalising traditional artisan crafts of olive wood carving and work in mother of pearl is the museum’s main goal. Revenues from entrance fees— charged only to pilgrims and tourists—will help maintain the convent’s other programs including an art centre, bakery and school. “There is a tradition [of olive wood work] here in Bethlehem, but young people no longer want to learn the work of their grandfathers,” Ms Nucci said. “The only way to keep a tradition alive is to teach it to the young.” Much of the art of wood carving and mother of pearl work has fallen to the level of
solely being manufactured for tourist souvenirs rather than protecting the integrity of the artistic traditions of Bethlehem. Towards that end, the Salesians run an art institute on the grounds of their convent. “An art student needs to travel, to see other styles of art. But here it is very difficult for Palestinian students to travel, so we are bringing the art to them,” Nucci said, standing in front of a large Nativity scene made in Italy. Museum staff acknowledged that they face the challenge of attracting visitors. Located in the Old City at the beginning of Star Street a short walk from Nativity Square, the museum is not on the established tourist route. Most groups are bused in as close to the church of the Nativity as possible, leaving little time for exploring the city, Ms Nucci said.—CNS
those not recognised by the government but in communion with the pope, are not part of it”. The Vatican said it was “lamentable also that a legitimate bishop has been appointed president of the Chinese Catholic Patriotic Association”.—CNS
Father Xico with partially completed church building
082 450 9930 Trevor 082 444 7654 Piero 082 506 9641 Anthony
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The Southern Cross, December 29 to January 4, 2010
LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
Editor: Günther Simmermacher
Our prayers for 2011
P
OVERTY remains the greatest threat to peace in South Africa. The recent food riots in Mozambique, experts warn, could be replicated in South Africa, possibly fuelled by the on-going revelations of price-fixing collusion by producers of staple foods. We must pray that such protests need not take place, and that, should they occur, they will remain peaceful. South Africa is scheduled to hold its local elections between March and June 2011. While we are confident that the local elections will be free and fair, voters must be encouraged to elect candidates solely on the basis of their quality. It is too much to ask that parties decline to field candidates where no suitable individuals can be identified, but we may pray that the voters will see through corrupt charlatans and elect officials who can deliver the services the people need. On January 9, the people of South Sudan will decide in a referendum whether their region shall secede from the North. It is most probable that the predominantly Christian and animist South prefer independence from the mostly Muslim regime in Khartoum. The long years of the civil war and the genocide in the north-western Darfur region serve as constant reminders that there is no guarantee that Khartoum will honour the results of the referendum, or even allow it to go ahead as scheduled. If these fears are realised, bloodshed will be inevitable, with the likelihood that the whole region will be destablised. It is our prayer that the interests of peace will prevail in South Sudan in the run-up to the referendum, on its scheduled date, and well beyond January 9. Robert Mugabe’s Zanu-PF in Zimbabwe is clearly gearing up for an election in 2011, with a view to ending its uncomfortable partnership with the Movement for Democratic Change (MDC). The MDC opposes such elections, and members of civil society—including voices within the Catholic Church—have warned that without careful preparation no good can come from a prematurely held election. The government of national
unity is an acrimonious marriage which satisfies nobody. Nevertheless, under its administration a sense of peace and a measure of economic health, even if fragile, have returned to Zimbabwe. Clearly, however, both President Mugabe and Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai for different reasons are obstacles in the path towards the necessary reform of Zimbabwean politics. We pray that new credible leaders may emerge in Zimbabwe; leaders with a vision that transcends ethnicity, old loyalties and social debts, and the chronic self-aggrandisation of Mr Mugabe’s cronies. And even in absence of such leadership, we must pray that elections, whenever they may be held, will be held in conditions of peace and freedom. The Church is surfacing from a troubled year. The sex abuse scandal in particular has caused immense damage to the Church’s reputation. We pray, as ever, that those who were abused and those close to them may find healing, and that the Church will do everything to regain the trust that has been lost. Misgivings about the new translations of the English missal, which will be introduced in most Anglophone churches in late November, will animate heated discussion. As we saw in South Africa two years ago, when the first phase of the revised missal was introduced, the changes are not universally popular. While discussion may become lively, we must pray that it will take place in a spirit of charity, mindful that representatives of both sides of the debate have a genuine love of the liturgy. The Church will have reasons to be joyful in August, when young Catholics from across the globe will gather in Madrid for World Youth Day. We pray that the event will show that the Catholic faith is alive and relevant even among young people living in societies that are increasingly closing their eyes to God—and that the media will give the event its due coverage. And we pray that the readers, associates, friends and supporters of The Southern Cross may have a blessed and peaceful 2011.
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.
Music for the masses
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N response to Fr Chris Townsend’s opinion article “Why I Hate Catholic Music” (December 15), I am, with respect, happy that he is not my parish priest. For the last 20 or more years, I have been in a leadership position of one of the three choirs in our parish in Edenvale, Johannesburg. It is criticism such as Fr Townsend’s that makes my job extremely difficult, simply because you will find in any parish (or indeed in any community) different people with differing likes and
Listen in charity
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WAS encouraged to see, in the response of the bishops to Bishop Kevin Dowling’s talk (November 17), that at last they acknowledge that there are some Catholics who are concerned about the perceived move away from Vatican II. They are beginning to listen. And they must listen, as must we all, to each other. We are all on the same side. However, very sadly, I discern that those who interpret the signs of the times (as Bishop Dowling does) and those who follow the conservative interpretation (as our bishops seem to) are talking past each other. They often use the same words and ideas, but intend very different things. It is therefore crucial for each group to hear in charity what the other group says, and be humble enough to learn from each other and, more importantly, be willing to shift positions. Our bishops affirm that they must be bold in proclaiming the message of Jesus. I believe Bishop Dowling is courageously doing exactly that. Brian Jacoby, Cape Town
Enounter the living God
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HE advert “Bishop Kevin Dowling: The Church Today”, (November 17) refers. Bishop Dowling is someone I much admire. I do agree that there seems to be a well-orchestrated attempt to return to the pre-Vatican II Church—the use of the cappa magna and a pervasive triumphalism and over-centralisation. The article mentions “the humble, servant leadership modeled by Jesus” and refers several times to so-called “gospel values”. A Christianity that involved merely “modelling” our lives on Jesus in order to carry out the values of the Christian morality without also communicating the power
Pray that AFRICA may draw closer to the heart of CHRIST
dislikes. So, whereas Mr A would love to hear the old Gregorian Chants at Mass, Mrs B hates them and suggests we sing more of the old “Soul of My Saviour” genre, while the teenager demands “Shine, Jesus, Shine”. May I make three suggestions? 1. Settle down and read the words to those hymns that you hate, and consider if they really have no worth at all. 2. Plan, for one year, the music to be used at each Sunday and feast day Mass, avoiding too many repetitions, and ensuring that the
music selected is pertinent and relevant to the theme of each liturgy. 3. Plan a training course for those of us whose job it is to select the correct liturgical music. It’s not the music the youth find boring, it’s the ritualistic sameness of every Mass that is lost on the youth, and the sometimes, rambling, disjointed sermons delivered by ill prepared priests and/or deacons that bore not only the youth, but everyone in the church! Barbara Gregory, Johannesburg
of Christianity is simply to invite people to a life of frustration that can only result in personal guilt or the outright rejection of the workability of the Christian way of life. We need to appropriate the saving work of Christ, repent our sin and receive his Spirit in order to do so, in a personal relationship. One of the reasons our young people are leaving the Church is because of the lack of reference to the centrality of an encounter with our Saviour Jesus Christ as Lord. Many of our faithful hear only of the values of the Gospel especially those that we have, for most part, in common with all men of goodwill: justice, peace, solidarity, respect for creation. But this cult of values is separated from the cult of the living person of Christ, from prayer, adorations and sacramental practice. And we cannot promote those values without the power at our disposal—the Holy Spirit. Such a Christianity, reduced to an ethic, cannot subsist for long, an ethic and a morality cut off from prayer and the sacramental life cannot, even if it still resembles a living body. As long as Christianity stays on the level of “values”, modern secular society will give it a place, but as soon as it truly witnesses to the person of Christ and his claims on mankind, it will have no real place. It is a grave error for churches to talk mainly on values. In the Gospel, the concept of “value” never appears. When he speaks of the treasures of heaven, Christ is not referring to a value but to the “Supreme God”—God himself as a personal reality. Evangelisation aims at helping the individual to know Jesus Christ personally and to pass this on with joy to all those encoun-
tered. The general Catholic apathy in this area may indicate that the basic gospel message, the kerygma, —being justified by faith in Christ and by his grace, has not been correctly appropriated. Pope Benedict continually stresses an encounter with the living God as the heart of our faith and the centre of the Church’s life: “The Catholic faith is, in essence, an encounter with the living God” (Catholic World Report, Cardinal J Ratzinger, March 1993). The scriptures show strikingly how insistent Jesus is that we come to him personally. John 5:39-40 says: “You search the scriptures, because you think that in them you have eternal life, and it is they that bear witness to me, yet you refuse to come to me that you may have eternal life.” What we need is to give ourselves more fully to Christ. And for that there needs to be an ongoing breaking of pride. John Lee, Johannesburg
opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in letters to the editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in particular is a forum in which readers may exchange opinions on matters of debate. letters must not be understood to necessarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or policies of the Church accurately.
Missal mishaps
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N the Tablet of October 30 “Fears for the Missal”, the author explains how subsequent to the changes made four or five years ago, more changes have been made by the Vatican. It would appear that there had been no communication between the reviser(s) and those in the International Commission on English in the Liturgy. The writer is certainly close to the action. He ends his letter with the plea: “Is this really how we want to undo the mischief of the 1973 Missal and replace it with something else?” Having read many articles for and against the new translations, I wonder if the powers that reside in the Vatican are similar to our policy makers in government. In the interim, someone should possibly issue a general warning to those who can afford a Missal to make sure they buy the correct edition. Peter Fewell, Cape Town
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PERSPECTIVES
At a table with Jesus
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N many parishes, potluck lunches and suppers are commonplace. People from all walks of life and varying backgrounds can bring together their favourite dishes and rub elbows while sharing a meal. Such was not the case in the ancient Mediterranean world. Only those who shared the same background, social status and values would have broken bread together. A shared meal was a reflection of shared status and served to reinforce the connections and values already held in common. Imagine, then, how scandalous Jesus’ eating habits would have appeared at the time. He ate not only with his known friends, male and female, from around Galilee (Lk 10:38-42; Jn 12:2-3), but also with sinners and outcasts (Mk 14:3-9; Lk 19:1-10) on the one hand, and religious leaders such as Pharisees (Lk 7:36; 11:38-41) on the other hand. His choice of table companions and his actions during meals reveal a great deal about Jesus’ identity and mission. Simply by including a wide variety of people in occasions of breaking bread, Jesus was indicating that the kingdom of God was not reserved only for those who were deemed acceptable, but for all who responded to the invitation.
The obvious purpose in eating a meal is to satisfy one’s hunger. Physical hunger and the need for nourishment is a natural metaphor for the hunger of the human heart. Addressing the deeper human hungers for divine intimacy, meaning and forgiveness is characteristic of Jesus and the kingdom he embodied. The fact that meals were shared in common emphasises that the community is the place where these deeper needs can be acknowledged and addressed. On several occasions Jesus used the image of a banquet to describe the kingdom of God. “Blessed is the one who will dine in the kingdom of God,” he says (Lk 14:15). What follows is the story of a great dinner where the elite were invited but declined the invitation. The host then sent his servants to invite the “poor and the crippled, the blind and the lame”. The banquet, in this case an image for the kingdom of God, does not simply provide physical nourishment; it addresses the human hunger for acceptance and celebration. In God’s kingdom there are no boundaries, and preference is given to those on the fringes of society. When a story is found in more than one gospel account, we can deduce that it had a
Jesus, as portrayed by Frederik Mayet at the 2010 oberammergau Passion Play, during the last Supper. Sharing food is a running theme in the gospels, Catherine upchurch writes, noting that Jesus often broke social riules when breaking bread. (Photo: Michael Dalder, reuters/CnS)
The Southern Cross, December 29, 2010 to January 4, 2011
Catherine Upchurch
Michael Shackleton open Door
hearing the Good news particular universal significance in the memory of the early Church. The story of Jesus feeding a multitude is found in six accounts in all four Gospels (Mt 14:13-21; 15:32-39; Mk 6:34-44; 8:1-8; Lk 9:10-17; Jn 6:1-15). Finding abundance out of so little (a few loaves and fish to feed thousands) has become legendary. We tell our children about it, and when graces or unexpected favours occur in our lives, we sometimes refer to the “loaves and fishes” as a shorthand way of testifying to God’s generosity. But what did Jesus do at this large meal on a hillside in Galilee? He took the bread, blessed it, broke it and then gave it to his disciples to share with the crowd. These actions prefigure the eucharistic actions of the final meal he shared with his followers in Jerusalem on the night he was arrested (Mt 26:26-30; Mk 14:22-26; Lk 22:14-20). And these actions are repeated in the post-resurrection scene with Jesus and the two followers who journeyed to Emmaus (Luke 24:3-35) and recognised him in the breaking of the bread. These actions of taking, blessing, breaking and giving become the actions of the Church in its eucharistic celebrations. We do these things in memory of Jesus as he instructed in Luke 22:19. This kind of remembering makes the death and resurrection of Jesus alive in our midst, connecting us to the salvation Christ offered once and for all in a most tangible way. Another post-resurrection account depicts Jesus once again sharing a meal with his followers, this time as the host (Jn 21:1-14). After a fruitless night fishing on the Sea of Galilee, seven of Jesus’ followers are surprised to be told by a stranger to go out again. Back on the water, now with bulging nets full of fish, they know the stranger was Jesus. Upon coming to shore, he is already preparing a meal over a charcoal fire. There was no need for them to ask “Who are you?” The meal itself revealed that it was indeed Jesus, once again satisfying their hungers. n Catherine Upchurch is the director of Little Rock Scripture Study in Arkansas. This article was originally published in the Arkansas Catholic, newspaper of the diocese of Little Rock. It is the eighth in a series of 13 articles which explore the four gospels.
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When did girl servers come in? Growing up in the 1960s, I used to complain that my brothers were allowed to serve the priest on the altar but I was not, because I was “female”. Now, in my parish, most of the servers are girls. When and why did this major break with the past occur? AC
T
HE code of canon law of 1918 (canon 813.1) prevented women from serving the priest at the altar during the liturgy. When no male server was available, a woman could answer the prayers as long as she did not enter the sanctuary. Odd as this appears now, the reason goes back well before 1918 when it was the practice for only ordained male acolytes to minister to the priest in the sanctuary. These men were generally on their way to entering the priesthood. In this way the sanctuary became the preserve of the male clergy. When no ordained acolyte was around to serve at Mass, a layman could be permitted into the sanctuary to assist the priest. This became a kind of convention that carried on for many, many years, with the result that women were regarded as inadmissible to the area around the altar. Things began to change as recently as 1983 when the new code of canon law came into force, abrogating the previous code. Canon 230.2 says: “Lay people can receive a temporary assignment to the role of lector in liturgical actions. Likewise, all lay people can exercise the role of commentator, cantor or other such, in accordance with the law.” Some canon lawyers understood this as permitting women and girls to serve at the altar during Mass, but there was uncertainty among bishops about whether this was the correct interpretation of the law. So you found female servers allowed in one diocese and forbidden in another. At last, in March, 1994 the Congregation for Divine Worship sent a circular to bishops’ conferences confirming that canon 230.2 permitted both men and women to serve at the altar. The Southern African bishops reacted quickly and decided that altar girls and women were acceptable, and we see many of them in our churches today. Interestingly, the Congregation later reminded bishops that no one has a right to become an altar server, and bishops and parish priests can decide who may serve and who may not. This upholds the tradition that the sanctuary is a clerical area. Lay people may be there only as a “temporary assignment”. n Send your queries to Open Door, Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000; or e-mail: opendoor@scross.co.za; or fax (021) 465 3850. Anonymity can be preserved by arrangement, but questions must be signed, and may be edited for clarity. Only published questions will be answered.
Meeting deadlines, making resolutions
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AS your life this past year been one long deadline? Have you been chasing your tail to make a deadline, or has it been a dead or dying time, especially as the old year has drawn to a close? For those of us who are busy—overly busy probably—it is hard to imagine that there are times when there is little to look forward to day by day. Maybe one is unemployed, has been retrenched or has actually chosen to slow down and take life easier, retire, watch the daisies grow and smell the flowers. Where is the happy medium—or is it an individual choice dependent on one’s personality and life situation? I think it must be all of those. I must be a busy person by nature, or possibly by nurture. With my Dutch background, my mother would not allow us to be wasting time. That was the work ethic in our family that has, I believe, been passed on to my children, to a degree. However, I do envy people who can be relaxed about taking time out or enjoying a long holiday. My late husband Chris was more inclined in that direction, but I never allowed us to have long holidays; short breaks, even with deadlines, are my modus operandi—something that did cause us grief at times. A family, as a web of relationships and different personalities, does have members with different inclinations at different times of their lives. Parents, one or both, mostly are the ones with deadlines, usually work-related, that do impinge on family time. Teenagers are mostly the slobs who can sleep till midday, idle
through the hours—even school hours— but can, if necessary, be moved to observe a deadline or two. Some children are highly energetic, even hyperactive (which is another issue). Deadlines are imposed by ourselves or by others to whom we are accountable. For peaceful and harmonious living, and often for sheer survival, deadlines must be observed. Deadlines do cause a lot of stress, as can be seen in the career-minded young adults whose work commitments prevent them from looking to a more settled future. “When are you two going to getting married?” one might ask such a young person. “No time to think about it,” they might reply. At the other extreme there are also many unemployed youth with little sense of a future that could possibly be filled
Some people spend life chasing deadlines; others have much time on their hands–and not always by choice. (Photo: robert Galbraith, reuters/CnS)
NEW FOR 2011• ALL WELCOME!
Toni Rowland Family Friendly
with at least a few deadlines. Do we need deadlines? Yes, for better or worse we do—but resolutions are equally necessary; resolutions about a job, about financial needs, education, a lifestyle, maintaining one’s health and about the deadlines that dam up in front of us. As a working widow without too many family commitments, the deadlines that control my life at this stage are mainly publication related, and they do determine my comings and goings. But a resolution about when and how to sell my house and downsize is slow in coming and is likely to be forced on me by outside circumstances and other deadlines. Such is family life even at this time of life. The bishops’ Family Life Desk’s theme for 2011, “Peace On Earth Begins At Home”, also calls for some resolutions. Each month there is an aspect of peace, justice and reconciliation relating to family life to reflect on. The year begins with the January theme, Mother Teresa’s wise words: “Peace begins with a smile.” If each of us, in all our families, were to resolve to choose that as a way of living, maybe even the deadlines that weigh us down could be less burdensome. It’s not only the Lord who loves a cheerful giver. Happy New Year to all.
2-14 JULY
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE PILGRIMAGE A once-in-a-lifetime journey with never-to-be-forgotten sightseeing. Visiting the famous Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine and other shrines in Mexico. Led by Rev Fr Allan Moss OMI Cost: From 18 160 Tel: (031) 266 7702 Fax: (031) 266 8982 Email: judyeichhorst@telkomsa.net
Kindly note that our offices will be closed for the holiday season from 15th Dec to 13th Jan 2011 inclusive
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COMMUNITY
The Southern Cross, December 29 to January 4, 2011
archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town presided over the confirmation of youths of our lady of Grabouw in the Cape overberg. With the youths are Fr Christian Frantz (left) and Deacon lester May (right).
young parishioners of St Francis Xavier parish in Bluff, Durban, celebrate their First Communion. Pictured with them are catechists Cathy Frankson and Sharon Wright, Fr Derrick Butt oMi and Deacon Malcolm Wright.
anna accolla, hailey Mowat, lucretia edwards, Jullian hollinshead and (standing) anne Chatteris, at the year-end breakfast at our lady of Fatima parish in Durban north.
St anthony’s parish in hout Bay, Cape Town, treated members of their Seniors Club to a Christmas breakfast. The club has been running for six years. (Submitted by ana Maria kellett)
The Pallottine seminarians from Step-aside in George joined the St anthony’s parish in Sedgefield’s hiking club. The hikers enjoyed a day hike in the George forests. (Submitted by Bobbi Morgan-Smith)
The kempton Park branch of the Catholic Women’s league hosted a party for the senior citizens of our lady of loreto parish. Pictured with some of the ladies who attended and hosted the event is Fr Mari Jo oCD. (Submitted by Berniece eales)
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Sisters agatha ndima and Conradine Fraunhofer celebrated their golden jubilee anniversary at St Benedict’s Convent in elukwatini in the diocese of Witbank. Pictured are Fr Floribert Binda, Sr ndima, Sr edith reischert, Bishop Joe Sandri, Fr John kaliba and Sr Fraunhofer.
I N F O CU S Edited by Nadine Christians
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
YEAR REVIEW
The Southern Cross, December 29, 2010 to January 4, 2011
iSSUES: (from left) a boy takes part in a commemoration of the 30th anniversary of archbishop oscar romero’s murder in el Salvador. l a vendor sells souvenirs of the Shroud of Turin as the burial cloth went on public display in april and May. l The workd came to South africa for the 2010 World Cup in June and July. l The new english translation of the third edition of the roman Missal. (Photos: CnS/reuters/Günther Simmermacher)
What we said in 2010 Every week, The Southern Cross delivers a commentary on a pertinent issue in the form of an editorial. Here is part 1 of a summary of 2010’s editorials, which were written by editor Günther Simmermacher (except where indicated otherwise). JANUARY Jewish groups strongly criticised Pope Benedict for declaring Pope Pius XII venerable. We noted: “There are still many unresolved questions concerning Pope Pius XII’s war-time leadership. Most Catholics will gravitate towards the more charitable interpretation of events, which in any event seems the more likely. Nonetheless, as long as the Pius issue remains unresolved and continues to represent a flashpoint in Catholic-Jewish relations in particular, it will be most unwise to consider his beatification any time soon.” Reflecting on the admonition by a Vatican official that homilies often lack in quality, we said that “a boring or poorly constructed or delivered homily can do greater harm than good”, and encouraged homilists to consult with qualified laity. Discussing the attitudes of secular critics of the Church, we observed: “The secularist propagandists are baffled when they do find common purpose with the Church. Not infrequently, religion is sidelined as supposedly irrelevant, even when it could be contributing (and sometimes the Church is then attacked for apparently doing nothing).” Recalling South Africa’s journey since FW de Klerk’s unbanning of the African National Congress and release of Nelson Mandela 20 years ago, we noted that “the idealism that united so many people of different social, racial, religious and ideological backgrounds in the struggle against apartheid has given way to division and, not infrequently, mercenary greed... Some heroes of the struggle have turned out to be mere venal career politicians.”
FEBRUARY On occasion of the World Day for the Sick, we said: “In Mark 1:40 we read about Jesus touching the leper... Lepers were routinely humiliated, outcast and exiled to concentration camps. Leprosy’s modern corollary is HIV/Aids, another disease for which no cure is known; another disease that drives many otherwise good people to cast out infected family members or friends. The enormous contribution of Catholic institutions that take care of those with HIV/Aids cannot be underestimated. Like Jesus, the Church embraces those regarded by many as untouchable.” After reports that President Jacob Zuma had fathered a child outside marriage, we said: “South Africans are entitled to expect from their president a certain level of probity, especially if a lack of judgment in his personal conduct diminishes the country’s reputation, much as the scandals surrounding Italy’s President Sil-
vio Berlusconi are an international embarrassment to his country.” As the Church prepared to exhibit the Shroud of Turin, we said: “Even if the shroud is not an authentic relic, it nevertheless is an icon which brings those who venerate it closer to Christ. In this way it is wholly unimportant whether or not it is the genuine burial cloth of our Saviour.” With the sex abuse scandal in Ireland making worldwide news we observed: “More than abusive priests, and more even than bishops and other Church leaders failing their Church, it is that culture of silence, secrecy, clerical privilege and vanity which is on trial in the public court.”
MARCH Commenting on President Zuma’s proposed national dialogue on morality, we noted: “At the root of the declining sense of ethics is the erosion of personal responsibility. South Africa has been infected with a culture of impunity.” As South Africa geared up to host the World Cup, we warned against a culture of greed, saying “it would be inappropriate for airlines to hike their prices unreasonably, even if demand should be high. The economics of supply and demand neither dictate nor force a seller or service provider to pump up tariffs”. Noting the 30th anniversary of the murder of Archbishop Oscar Romero in El Salvador, we wondered why he has not been canonised yet. “If one recognises Archbishop Romero as a martyr—one who was killed because his actions were in the service of Christ and his faith—then there is no need to wait even for the statutory miracles.” Reflecting on Good Friday, we said: “Even today, Christ’s message is subversive. He stands with the powerless in a world that still seeks profit and power. His message of love is radical in a world still governed by hatred and indifference to suffering.”
APRIL Discussing the Resurrection and redemption, we wrote: “At the core of the Church’s mission is the mind-blowing knowledge that every human being can attain salvation through Christ. This is good news for those of us striving to live as virtuous a life as we can. But it is also alarming news, because even the most repugnant individuals can be saved.” As news coverage of the abuse scandal heated up, we observed: “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.” Reviewing Benedict XVI’s first five years as pope, we pointed out: “Above the din of all the posturing and sometimes artificial controversy, Pope Benedict’s overriding pontifical theme is often ignored: love in its different but complementary manifestations [...] The pope
whom many expected to be a doctrinal enforcer emphasises not notions of rules but of love, with evangelisation—leading people to God’s love—at the faith’s centre.” Commenting on a series of illadvised statements by Church leaders on the abuse scandal, we advised: “At this time, the Church should voice with humility and absolute sincerity unconditional support for the victims of abuse, account fully for its own failures, pledge to repair the immense harm done by all means necessary, and seek to set the record straight without undue self-justification. The best advice which can be given to those who stray from that message is to just shut up.” Despite the scandal, most Catholics stay in the Church. We explained: “Catholics...generally have not lost sight of the salvific mission of the Church, which is independent of the quality of those who preach it, and remain on the pilgrim journey with the Church, regardless of how they feel about those who lead it. Our faith resides in our Lord, not in our lordships.”
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flashy cars. It will take true leadership to return the ANC to the values which made Luthuli, Mandela, Tambo and Sisulu such towering icons in South Africa’s history. Mr Zuma must now provide such leadership.” Commenting on the importance of Catholic education, we noted: “Catholic schools impart gospel values such as integrity, compassion, charity, justice and personal responsibility. Thereby they send into the world young adults who are equipped to make a concrete contribution to society.” Discussing the various forms of secular anti-Catholicism, we said that “the anti-Catholicism we need to respond to—with courtesy and respect—is that which proceeds from false preconceived notions, caricature, generalisation, ignorance, prejudice and dismissiveness”. There will be heated debate about the new translations in the English liturgy, but “the hierarchy should be joyful about such a lively reaction, because this affirms the profound love so many Catholics have for their liturgy, the manner in which it is celebrated, and the words we use to pray together”.
Reviewing President Zuma’s first year in office, we wrote: “The [ANC] is at risk of being taken over by populist nationalsocialists in designer suits and
Anticipating the start of the World Cup, we wrote: “Coming less than two decades since
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South Africa emerged from international isolation, the World Cup is a time to assert our membership in the global community from which we may at times feel separated by geography and history. This is our coming-out party.” As the Church prepared to close the Year for Priests, we said: “The Year for Priests was instituted to mark the 150th anniversary of the death of St John Marie Vianney, the patron of priests. That celebration may be over, but Catholics must continue to support and pray for our priests in their sacred calling and various ministries, and for young men to hear Christ’s call to follow him.” Urging readers to donate their organs after death, we noted: “Every year, thousands of people die while they are awaiting life-saving transplants. Meanwhile, tens of thousands are buried or cremated with such life-saving organs intact. More than being a gift of love, which it certainly is, the willingness to be an organ donor could be seen as an ethical act.” After Pope Benedict again apologised for the incidence of sexual abuse in the Church, we wrote that “perhaps our collective penance is not best expressed in public recitation of mea culpas (important as these would be), but in prayerful and brutally honest introspection, as individuals and as a Church, on our failings in protecting and defending the vulnerable”. Responding to predictions of a resurgence of widespread xenophobic attacks, we said: “As South Africans we endeavour to root out social sins of blind prejudice and selfish fervour. Our Constitution aims to defeat bigotry of every kind. Xenophobia runs counter to this spirit. It is a violation of God’s will and the Constitution alike.” n Part 2 of this round-up next week. The full editorials can be accessed at www.scross.co.za/category/ editorials-2010
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FOCUS
The Southern Cross, December 29, 2010 to January 4, 2011
Where Jesus really walked O N our second and final day in Jerusalem, everything was building up to the grand finale: Christ’s Resurrection. The morning’s itinerary first took us on Mount Zion, just outside the Old City. In the Benedictine Dormition abbey (also known as the Hagia Maria Sion abbey), a life-size ivory and wood effigy of Mary on a bier marks the reputed place where Our Lady closed her eyes for the last time in her earthly life. Built with funding from the German Kaiser Wilhelm II on a site where previous churches had been dedicated to Mary, the imposing structure was finished in 1910. Wilhelm visited Jerusalem in 1898, at which point the Ottoman sultan, Abdul Hamid II, sold the Germans the land on which Dormition abbey would be built. The emperor’s largesse extended beyond gifts for the Catholic Church. For his fellow Lutherans he financed the Augusta Victoria hospice and hospital complex, with its Ascension church, on Mount Scopus, and inaugurated the church of the Redeemer, next to the church of the Holy Sepulchre. Although an anti-Semite, he
Günther Simmermacher
The Pilgrim’s Trek funded a hospital for the Jews, who then were a minority in the land they would take over within the following 50 years, in line with the vision of Theodore Herzl, the father of Zionism, whom Wilhelm also met in Jerusalem. From Dormition abbey it’s a short walk to the Cenacle—the Upper Room of the Last Supper and Pentecost. It forms part of a complex that also houses the Tomb of David (which doesn’t actually contain the king’s remains). Today the tomb is in Israeli hands, but before that it was controlled by Muslims, as was the Upper Room, a Crusader structure which was turned into a mosque in 1524. The church was of no consequence to the Muslims, but the tomb of David certainly was. The Upper Room is empty, save for a few benches put there for the benefit of pilgrims’ tired legs. It is not used for Muslim worship, but
Günther Simmermacher on the steps on Mount zion on which Jesus walked on his way to and from the last Supper and after his arrest. (Photo: Wayne lawrence)
because it is still a mosque, pilgrims are asked not to pray in it (never mind celebrate Mass). Instead, on our visit, spiritual director Bishop Zithulele Mvemve held a brief reflective discourse, which seems to be permissible as long as one does not finish it off with an Amen and the sign of the cross. It’s one thing to tell pilgrims not to pray, quite another to forbid popes to address God. So Pope John Paul II celebrated a private Mass at the Cenacle in 2000, and Pope Benedict recited the Regina coeli there in 2009. Being a Crusader structure, it obviously is not the real Upper Room. But archaeologists have found ancient pavements beneath the complex, as well as the remains of what appears to be a 1st century house church. Edged on one piece of plaster on the pavement is the line: “O Jesus, that I may live…” This might well be “the little church of God” mentioned by Epiphanius of Salamis as having stood on the spot in 130AD—which would place the institution of the Eucharist and the birth of the Church on Pentecost right there.
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sraeli officials reportedly promised to return the Cenacle to the Catholic Church during John Paul II’s pontificate. The pope is dead, and they have yet to do so. In the meantime, Mass can be celebrated, as we did, in a small Franciscan chapel next to the Cenacle/tomb complex. How entirely extraordinary it is to celebrate the Eucharist as near as it is possible to the actual site of its institution at the Last Supper! Within a few hours of the Last Supper, Jesus was arrested in the Garden of Gethsemane, across the Kidron valley, and taken back to Mount Zion, where the High Priest had his headquarters. Archaeologists believe to have found the remains of what probably was Caiaphas’ house, beneath the church of St Peter in Gallicantu (which means, in its less elegant English rendition, “St Peter at the cock’s crow”). If this was indeed Caiaphas’ palace, then some of the gospels’ most dramatic events took place here, chiefly Jesus’ trial by the Sanhedrin and Peter’s triple denial of Jesus.
The Benedictine Dormition abbey (or hagia Maria Sion abbey) is seen through a pathway on Mount zion. The church marks the place of Mary closing her eyes for the last time on earth. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher) Ancient tradition places these events at this site. It may not be foolproof, but the places where early Christians built churches to commemorate events serve as a fair marker of their geographical authenticity. The earliest church known to have been built here dates back to 457AD. It’s not a stretch of our credulity to presume that the early Christians did not pick the sites for their churches randomly, but with respect for the oral traditions handed down over the generations, as they used to be in those days of general illiteracy. We don’t know what was here before that first church, one of significant size, was built. Perhaps the ruins of the high priest’s palace, or a small house church of the kind that was widespread in the region. Or perhaps some marker of another kind. Or, perhaps, nothing but handed-down tradition. There are experts, including the brilliant scholar Fr Jerome Murphy-O’Connor OP, who don’t think Caiaphas’ palace would have been located on the sheer cliff halfway down Mount Zion, but on its peak, where an Armenian church marks the spot. Indeed, on that spot too was an earlier Byzantine church. Be that as it may, beneath the church of St Peter in Gallicantu, which was built in 1931, there are jail cells, in which Peter would
have been flogged for preaching the Good News, and a dungeon (probably an unused cistern or purification pool) in which Jesus might have been held the night before he died. Other excavated artifacts include weights and measures of the sort used by high priests. One may argue about the site’s authenticity, but there is no doubt that the run of steps next to the church is from the time of Jesus. These stone steps are on the only path one could have taken from Mount Zion to the Mount of Olives, a way we know Jesus (and, for that matter, his disciples and mother) would have walked many times: on the way to the Last Supper and back to Gethsemane; and in captivity after his betrayal. There are several spots in the Holy Land that we can associate with Jesus to varying degrees of accuracy, but these steps are the only physical object where we can locate him with absolute, incontestable certainty. Until a couple of years ago, pilgrims could walk on those steps. Alas, they are now cordoned off. Later that day, we would follow another route associated with Jesus, albeit with less accuracy: the Via Dolorosa. n This is the tenth part in Günther Simmermacher’s series on The Southern Cross’ Passion Pilgrimage in September.
The Southern Cross, December 29 to January 4, 2010
Br Jacob Raito OSB
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ENEDICTINE brother Jacob Raito, was laid to rest on November 5, after a long illness. The church community of St Maur’s parish and the Christian community of the diocese of Polokwane paid their last respects to Br Raito assisted by parish priest Fr Phina Mmakola. Br Raito was born on May 8, 1943, in the village of Tamaswika near Taung in the North West Province. He initially trained as a chef at Ga-Rankuwa Hotel School and
thereafter entered the Missionary Son of Jesus in 1977, a small religious community of African men begun by the late Fr Reginald Webber OMI. He served the community as a chauffeur and cook. His culinary skills were legendary. No feast, regardless of size, was too big for Br Jacob. He organised the kitchen, the workers, and did much of the cooking himself. In 1991 the Missionary Sons of Jesus disbanded and he entered St Benedict’s abbey. Br Raito made his solemn profes-
Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO #425: ACROSS: 5 Odds, 7 Corinthian, 8 Rice, 10 Evidence, 11 Darwin, 12 Sister, 14 Tidy up, 16 Candid, 17 Benedict, 19 Fund, 21 Sacrosanct, 22 Fast. DOWN: 1 Scar, 2 Give away, 3 Strewn, 4 Cities, 5 Once, 6 Diocletian, 9 In a dilemma, 13 Son of Man, 15 Prince, 16 Cotton, 18 East, 20 Data.
Community Calendar To place your event, call Claire Allen at 021 465 5007 or e-mail c.allen@scross.co.za (publication subject to space)
BETHLEHEM: Shrine of Our Lady of Bethlehem at Tsheseng, Maluti mountains; Thursdays 09:30, Mass, then exposition of the Blessed Sacrament. 058 721 0532 CAPE TOWN: Holy Hour to pray for priests of the archdiocese, 2nd Saturday monthly at Villa Maria shrine kloof nek rd, 16:00-17:00. Good Shepherd, Bothasig. Perpetual eucharistic adoration in our chapel. all hours. all welcome. DURBAN: St Anthony’s, Durban Central: Tuesday 9.00am Mass with novena to St anthony. First Friday 5.30pm Mass—Divine
Mercy novena prayers. Tel: 031 309 3496 JOHANNESBURG: Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: first Friday of the month at 09:20 followed by holy Mass at 10:30. holy hour: first Saturday of each month at 15:00. at our lady of the angels, little eden, edenvale. Tel: 011 609 7246 First Saturday of each month rosary prayed 10:30-12:00 outside Marie Stopes abortion clinic, Peter Place, Bryanston. Joan Beyrooti, 011 782 4331 PRETORIA: First Saturday: Devotion to Divine Mercy. St Martin de Porres, Sunnyside, 16:30. Tel Shirley-anne 012 361 4545.
sion as a Benedictine monk on March 21, 1996. Over the years, Br Jacob served the community as a sub prior, kitchen master, guest master and manager of the orchard. A faithful and dedicated monk, Br Jacob loved his community and always had the best interests of the monastery at heart. He will be greatly missed by his monastic brothers as well as his family. He leaves behind two sisters and four brothers. By Kwena Manamela
Family Reflections 2011 FAMILY THEME: PEACE ON EARTH BEGINS AT HOME” JANUARY: PEACE BEGINS WITH A SMILE –Mother Teresa INTRODUCTION Life is the beginning and is at the heart of a family, each family at home and the Church as God’s family. Parents are co-creators with God as new life is conceived. Couples and all family members are life-giving to one another as they sustain life in all its stages from conception until natural death and as they nurture their relationships in a life-giving manner. Being life-giving is the ultimate in justice. In our own lives and in the Church-as-Family let us ask how lifegiving we are in all our relationships? Peace, like charity, begins at home. Franklin D. Roosevelt Jan 2—Epiphany. The revelation of Jesus as a light to the whole world and to all nations is celebrated today. Meaningful ecumenical dialogue between fellow Christians and interreligious dialogue between different faiths are important for peace in the world today and the communication should be at a personal as well as institutional level. How lifegiving are we as family members towards other religions? Is this something we can smile about? Jan 9—Baptism of the Lord. This is another revelation of Jesus, an acknowledgement from his Father for his mission. Reflect on and speak about baptism, share with children the joy of being anointed to share in the mission of Jesus as priest, prophet and king. Consider what this means at the beginning of another new year at home, work and school.
Liturgical Calendar Sun Jan 2, Epiphany of the Lord Is 60:1-6; Ps 72: 2, 7-8,10-13; Eph 3:2-3, 5-6; Mt 2: 1-12 Monday, Jan 3, The Holy Name of Jesus Phil 2:5-11, Ps 113:1-8, Mt 1:18-23 Tuesday, Jan 4, St Elizabeth Ann Seton 1 Jn 4:7-10, Ps 72:1-4, 7-8, Mk 6:34-44 Wednesday, Jan 5, St John Neumann 1 Jn 4:11-18, Ps 72:1-2, 10, 12-13, Mk 6:45-52 Thursday, Jan 6, St Andre Bessette 1 Jn 4:19,5:4, Ps 72:2, 14-15, 17, Lk 4:14-22 Friday, Jan 7, feria 1 Jn 5:5-13, Ps 147:12-15, 19-20, Lk 5:12-16 Saturday, Jan 8, feria 1 Jn 5:14-21, Ps 149:1-6, 9, Jn 3:22-30 Sunday, Jan 9, The Baptism of the Lord Is 42:1-4, 6-7, Ps 29:1-4, 3, 9-10, Acts 10: 34-38, Mt 3:13-17
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CHRISTMAS GREETINGS LAWRENCE–elaine, Gary and elli, Derek and Janice, Wendy and Wolly, Vivian and andrew, leslie and Johan and the grandchildren, wish all relatives and friends a holy Christmas and a happy and prosperous new year. God Bless.
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CULLIGAN–Denis Patrick. Dearly beloved father of Beverley, Padraig, Barry and kieran, and grandfather of kieran, leonie, Sean, Martin, Garret, liam, Caitlin and Megan, passed away peacefully on Wednesday 15th December, after a long and happy life. he followed his wife of 62 years, Monica Mary (nee hill), who died peacefully on 29th September 2010. Both deeply mourned by Culligan, Ballard Tremeer and Botha members of the family.
PRAYER in Preparation for examination: “o Great St Joseph of Cupertino, who by your prayers, obtained from God the grace of being asked at your examination the only questions which you knew. obtain for me a like success in the examination for which i am now preparing, and in return i promise to make your name known and caused to be invoked in prayers. amen. My Blessed Mother, bring to my mind the unknown and forgotten. o little Flower, in this hour show me your power.” Celeste alexander. 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 urgent need and grant my petitions. in return i promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. amen. in thanksgiving for favors granted. Ch. 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. Thank you for prayers answered. CB
IN MEMORIAM IZATT–Michéle. in loving memory of my wife, our mother, grandmother and friend who left us so suddenly on January 9, 1991. God be with you and keep you for all eternity. James, Wayne, Tracey, Wendy, ruby and Jonah. MAHER–herbert. Died 6/12/2002 and his wife Cicely Myrtle died 11/12/2006. in loving memory of our parents. Joan, James and Sharon. MAYES–loving memories of my husband Steve, and our sons Patrick and kieran and our grandson Joshua. all in God’s loving care. So dearly loved, same as always. Maureen, Simon, Siobhan and Chris and families. PRETORIUS–Dewet (Dixie) My beloved father and grandfather enjoys eternal rest. having left us in body but never in soul and spirit, on December 24, 1958. (52 years). always remembered by elaine and family.
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HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION CAPE WEST COAST yzerfontein: emmaus on Sea B&B and self-catering. holy Mass celebrated every Sunday at 6pm. Tel: 022 451 2650. FISH HOEK: Self-catering accommodation, sleeps 4. Secure parking. Tel: 021 785 1247. FISH HOEK: Self-catering holiday accommodation from budget to luxury. Pensioners rate.
Tel/fax:021 782 3647, alisona@xsinet.co.za GORDON’S BAY: Beautiful en-suite rooms available at reasonable rates. Magnificent views, breakfast on request. Tel: 082 774 7140. e-mail: bzhive@telkomsa.net KNYSNA: Self-catering garden apartment for two in old Belvidere with wonderful lagoon views. Tel: 044 387 1052. LONDON: Single £25 , twin £40 per night. house protea@hotmail.com 021 851 5200. 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. Tel: Malcolm Salida 082 784 5675 or mjsalida@mweb.co.za MONTAGU: Self-catering family accommodation. Views, braai, 3beds , sleeps 5-7. Central and secure. Phone 074 190 5634, gailellis@telkom sa.net SOUTH COAST: 3 bedroom house, Marine Drive, uvongo Tel: Donald, 031 465 5651, 073 989 1074. UMHLANGA ROCKS: Fully equipped self-catering 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom house, sleeps 6, sea view, 200 metres from beach, DStv. Tel: holiday Division, 031 561 5838, holidays@light house.co.za
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The Baptism of the Lord: (January 9) Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10, Acts 10:34-38, Matthew 3:13-17
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EXT Sunday, we lurch back into what is called “ordinary time” by celebrating the Baptism of Jesus, which in all four gospels is the start of his ministry. This feast is in tension between two poles: on the one hand there is the holiness of God, which we are sometimes in danger of neglecting; on the other hand there is the extraordinary fact that this holy God chooses human beings to do his work. The first reading referred originally to a “Servant of God”, of whose identity we can no longer be sure, but who, it seems, was invited to encourage the exiled people of God to return home to Jerusalem from Babylon. Of him, we hear God proclaim that “this is my servant—I uphold him, my chosen one: I am pleased with him”. This is echoed in the account of the baptism that is next Sunday’s gospel, as is the important phrase, “I have put my spirit upon him”. This is God’s emissary, who is being enabled to perform a difficult and demanding task. It is not surprising that the first Christians, possibly under the guidance of Jesus himself, applied this passage to their
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God’s holiness in our world Nicholas King SJ Sunday reflections Lord, whose function was indeed to “open the eyes of the blind, and bring the prisoners out from prison, and those who dwell in darkness from the house of imprisonment”. God’s holiness is at work in our world. The psalm has a lively sense of the holiness of God: “Give to the Lord, you sons of the gods, give to the Lord glory and power, give to the Lord the glory of his name, worship the Lord in holy array!” There is an awestruck sense of God’s holiness and power, including power over “the waters...the mighty waters...the Lord enthroned over the flood” (and for the ancient Israelites, water was a terrifying force for which they had a healthy respect). God, however, is greater even than the waters.
Chris Moerdyk The last Word is in a country like the United States where there is supposed to be mutual respect and freedom for all religions. “This has bothered me because I too am a minority in this country. You see, unfortunately, and I say this very advisedly, the Catholics have forgotten that in the early 1850s when the Italians, the Poles, the Latvians, the Lithuanians, all of Catholic persuasion, came to this country looking for opportunity because of famine, they were already looked upon with derision, suspicion and hatred. Consequently the jobs they were forced to take were the jobs that nobody else wanted—bricklayers, ditch diggers, Jewish junkmen, street cleaners, etc. “This prejudice against your religion and mine has never left this country and don’t ever forget it, and [sic] never will. Your people were called Papists, Waps, Guineas, frogs, fish eaters, ad infinitum. “And then after the Civil War, around 1864, the fundamentalists, conservatives, Protestants and a few WASPs began planting burning crosses throughout the coun-
Conrad
“I’D HATE TO SPOIL SISTER CINDY’S DOUGHNUT, BUT IF THE CURIA HAS ITS WAY SHE'LL REVERT TO SISTER HYACINTH AND A WIMPLE!”
should be baptised by you—and are you coming to me?” Jesus wins the battle, however, and his argument is one for us to remember: “Leave it for now, for so it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness.” Now Matthew’s gospel is in one sense all about these two words, for Jesus, Matthew constantly insists, “fulfils” the Old Testament; and Jesus reveals the “true righteousness” which God has sent him to proclaim. We notice how powerfully God asserts that Jesus is doing God’s business: “When he had been baptised, Jesus immediately went up from the waters. And look! The heavens opened for him, and he saw the spirit of God coming down like a dove, and coming upon him.” We cannot help thinking of the first reading as we hear these words. Then Jesus is positively identified, for all to hear (in Mark’s gospel it had been just a private revelation): “Look! A voice from heaven saying, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, in whom I am well-pleased’,” which once again echoes our first reading. This is a remarkable feast of the breakingin of the holy into our human existence.
In the second reading , we hear Peter, astonished at God’s intervention in the life of a perfectly ordinary Roman centurion: “Truly I understand that God is no snob,” he says, “but in every nation those who revere God are acceptable to him,” and he reminisces about the way in which God has intervened in the person of Jesus, “starting from Galilee and the baptism which John proclaimed”, when “God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, how he went through doing good, and healing all those who were under the dynasty of the devil—because God was with him”. The holiness of God breaks into our world in an ordinary human being. But wait a minute, you cry: ordinary human being? Wasn’t there something more to Jesus than that? Indeed there was, but first and foremost Jesus was a human being; so in the gospel for next Sunday we watch (perhaps with some astonishment) as Jesus comes “from Galilee, to the Jordan, to John, to be baptised by him”. There follows a courteous little spat, as John tries to refuse the task, arguing: “I
Defend your Church S we move into 2011 many people will be following the age-old tradition of making New Year’s resolutions. Perhaps the most appropriate resolution that Catholics could make for the coming year is to start defending our Church against those, particularly in the mass media, who see Catholicism as an easy target. They don’t attack Islam and the Jewish faith much anymore because they know that they will get more than just a slap on the wrist. So what do we do and how do we do it? Well, perhaps the following might give us some inspiration. Doing the rounds in South Africa right now is a talk given almost ten years ago by an American businessman, Sam Miller, who is not Catholic but Jewish, but remains “fighting mad” about the concentrated effort by the media to denigrate the Catholic Church. “I’m going to say things here today,” he said, “that many Catholics should have said months ago. Maybe it’s easier for me to say because I am not Catholic, but I have had enough, more than enough, disgustingly enough. “During my entire life I’ve never seen a greater vindictive, more scurrilous, biased campaign against the Catholic Church as I have seen in the last 18 months, and the strangest thing is that it
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try, particularly in the South. And today as far as I’m concerned, very little has changed. These gentlemen now have a new style of clothing—they’ve gone from bed sheets to gentlemen’s suits. “There is a concentrated effort by the media today to totally denigrate in every way the Catholic Church in this country. You don’t find it this bad overseas at all. They have now blamed the disease of paedophilia on the Catholic Church, which is as irresponsible as blaming adultery on the institution of marriage. You and me have been living in a false paradise. Wake up and recognise that many people don’t like Catholics. What are these people trying to accomplish? “From the Sojourner’s Magazine dated August, 2002, listen carefully to a quote: ‘While much of the recent media hype has focused on the Catholic Church’s paedophilia scandal, relatively little attention has been given to the high rate of sexual misconduct in the rest of American Christendom. This is truly a crisis that crosses the borders of all religions.’ “Now let me give you some figures that you as Catholics should know and remember. For example, research by Richard Blackman at Fuller Theological Seminary shows that 12% of the 300 Protestant clergy surveyed admitted to sexual intercourse with a parishioner; 38% acknowledged other inappropriate sexual contact. In a 1990 study by the United Methodist Church, 41.8% of clergywomen reported unwanted sexual behaviour by a colleague; 17% of laywomen said that their own pastors had sexually harassed them. Phillip Jenkins concludes in his book Paedophiles and Priests that while 1,7% of the Catholic clergy has been found guilty of paedophilia, 10% of Protestant ministers have been found guilty of paedophilia. “This is not a Catholic problem. This is a problem of pure prejudice. Why do the papers, day after day, week after week, month after month, see fit to do nothing but come out with these scurrilous stories? “Obviously, this is not just a Catholic problem. And solutions must be broader and deeper than those carried out by Catholic cardinals. The whole Church has a responsibility to offer decisive leadership in the area of sexual misconduct whether it is child abuse, sexual exploitation, or sexual harassment.” Space restrictions prevent me from recording the entire speech here. It can however be found on the Internet by following link abyssum.wordpress.com/2010
Southern Crossword #425
ACROSS 5. Scraps that go with the ends (4) 7. One of St Paul’s addressees (10) 8. First Christian Brother in paddy field? (4) 10. Legally, it can be held against you (8) 11. I’d warn about his theory (6) 12. She’s not mother superior (6) 14. Make it neat (4,2) 16. Frank is able and accomplished (6) 17. Great monastic founder (8) 19. Source of parish expenses (4) 21. Inviolable (10) 22. Quick way to observe Lent (4)
DOWN 1. It’s left by the wound (4) 2. Tell the secret of what bride’s father will do (4,4) 3. Scattered like confetti (6) 4. Urbanised places with cathedrals (6) 5. It means never again (4) 6. Icon Ida let to cruel Roman emperor (10) 9. Not knowing which alternative to choose (2,1,7) 13. He has nowhere to lay his head (Mt 8) (3,2,3) 15. Son of a monarch (6) 16. Absorbent wool that isn’t wool? (6) 18. Orient (4) 20. Facts given (4) Answers on page 11
CHURCH CHUCKLE
A
N aged monsignor, now 87, was invited to dinner at Jacob’s house.
Jacob: “Monsignor, may I sit on your right hand at dinner?” Monsignor: “I don’t think so, Jacob, that’s the hand I usually eat with!” Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, Po Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.
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The Southern Cross, December 29, 2010 to January 4, 2011
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The Southern Cross, December 29, 2010 to January 4, 2011
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