The Southern Cross - 110202 by The Southern Cross

February 2 to February 8, 2011

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Why were we born?

Theology of the body

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No 4713

Beer, art and faith Page 10

Floods’ long-term effects could be catastrophic BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

he 2010-2011 heavy summer rains have caused widespread death and destruction in the country’s urban areas, but while many have been affected by the downpours, it is developing farms and outlying rural areas that have been and will be worse affected in the long run according to government and Church officials. Scientists have suggested that the widespread flooding around the world has been the result of La Niña. This weather phenomenon is the opposite of the more commonly known El Niño and is related to the drop in sea temperature which has resulted in increased rainfall over Southern Africa. Several other countries including Australia, Sri Lanka, Brazil, Pakistan and the Philippines have also been affected . This year’s floods have had a dire effect across Southern Africa with more than 6 000 people displaced in South Africa alone. At least 100 people have died due to circumstances relating to the heavy rainfall and many are still missing. Thirty-three municipalities in eight of South Africa’s nine provinces have been declared disaster areas. Crop damage is estimated to be well over the R1 billion mark and property damage around R50 million. One of the hardest hit areas was the Northern Cape where government was focusing its efforts because of a lack of emergency response teams in the area. According to Bishop Edward Risi, bishop of the diocese of Keimoes-Upington, all the damage in the area was agricultural. “People did not lose houses or property. No churches or personnel were directly affected, but did experience restrictions in transport,” he said. Bishop Risi explained the damage to the area would be long-lasting and would affect the local economy. The Church has not yet been required to assist as local municipalities have organised food parcels and water for those marooned on islands in the rivers, however, Bishop Risi said the Church is monitoring the situation carefully.

Each year on the anniversary of Archbishop Denis Hurley’s death on February 13, 2004, Emmanuel cathedral parishioners bring flowers to decorate his tomb in the cathedral’s chapel. This year parishioners are asked to bring flowers celebrating the archbishops’s life on February 12 and 13. The donated flowers will later go to an Aids hospice in the area. It is the seventh anniversary of Archbishop Hurley’s death. Pictured are Barbara Naicker and Mary Ann Arnold. (Photo: Shelley Kjonstad). See page 3. Fr Peter Knox SJ of the Jesuit Institute South Africa said in his blog www.jesuiteinstitute.org.za that South Africans will be feeling the effect of the floods for most of the year. “Swamped fields and drowned livestock will certainly mean an increase in the cost of food later this year,” he said. Fr Knox added that the quality of much of the country’s drinking water could become problematic. “Most obvious is the effect of the trash and sewage that are swept into our water supply, to say nothing of the carcasses of drowned animals. Less obvious, because it

is out of sight and therefore out of mind, is the fact that the rains will soak down into the watertable and dissolve and bring to the surface more of the acids and poisonous chemicals left by the mining industry,” he said, adding that such poisons cause serious health problems to people of all ages. Across Southern Africa, governments have reported proactive efforts. Mozambicans were on high alert as their government issued warnings and evacuated 13 000 people from low lying areas, fearing a repeat of the disastrous floods of 2000. Similarly the govern-

ments of Zimbabwe and Botswana have urged residents to move to higher ground. Parts of Namibia were also affected by flooding. Social Development Minister Bathabile Dlamini said the total cost of the flooding would only be accurately calculated once all the flood waters had subsided. In addition, new data from the affected provinces continues to reach the ministry. Meanwhile the Department of Health was on high alert for possible cholera outbreaks. Fr Knox said that many of the repercussions could not be controlled by the “ordinary person in the pew” but he said that very simple acts could help ensure that the country’s supply of one of the “most basic human rights” remains affordable. “So few of us use tanks to collect and store rainwater,” he said. “How often do we report [water wastage] to the water authorities?” Government officials said efforts were currently being directed to those who were affected by the floods but asked the public to support relief efforts by lending a helping hand in the form of cash or kind. According to the chairperson of the portfolio committee on agriculture, forestry and fisheries, Salamuddi Abram, the damage will extend far beyond the immediate visible destruction. Mr Abram said in a statement that in areas around the Orange River, for example, overflow had caused more damage than the rain. “The damage includes the erosion of vineyards and livestock leaving more than 24 000 farm workers of commercial and developing farms without work as there is no production,” said Mr Abram. Many of the dams in the northern provinces of the country were nearing the 100% mark and officials were monitoring outflow carefully. The Gariep Dam was at 109% capacity at the end of January. Fr Knox said that while an abundance of water could be seen now, it was necessary to prepare for the future. While the government is doing what it can to provide relief today, he said it was important to be water wise for the potential issues later.

130 years of caring for blessed lambs BY CINDY WOODEN

ERTAIN things such as a bath and getting dressed up are universal before a personal meeting with the pope, and the rule holds even for lambs. As he does every year, Pope Benedict blessed two little lambs for the feast of St Agnes. Raised by Trappist monks on the outskirts of Rome, the lambs spent the night before their papal audience in the centre of Rome on the rooftop terrace of the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. L’Osservatore Romano, the Vatican newspaper, interviewed Holy Family Sister Hanna Pomnianowska about her convent’s role in the ancient tradition which makes a connection between the name of St Agnes, an early Christian martyr, and “agnus”, the Latin word for lamb. The wool of the lambs blessed on the feast day is woven by a different community of nuns and becomes the fabric for the “pallium”, a circular stole, which the pope gives

each June to new archbishops from around the world. Sr Pomnianowska said her order got involved in 1884 when a group of elderly sisters living nearby could no longer handle the task of preparing the lambs to attend a Mass and then be blessed by the pope. She said that as soon as the Trappists arrive with the lambs, “we take them to the top floor of our house, where we have a large terrace and laundry room. As you can imagine, they are the joy of the entire community, especially of the younger sisters.” “The first thing we do is wash them. We put them in a tub with baby soap to delicately wash the dirt away. Then we dry them. We used to use towels, but now we use a blowdryer. We are careful not to leave their skin damp because they are young and could get sick,” she said. The lambs spend the night in the laundry room, in a covered pen filled with straw to keep them warm. “The morning of their big blessing day a decorative blanket is placed on each lamb.

One blanket is red to recall St Agnes’ martyrdom, the other is white to recall her virginity,” she said. “Then we weave two crowns of flowers— one red and one white—and place them on their heads. And we tie bows around their ears,” she said. After they are adorned, the lambs are placed in baskets, the sister said. “We are forced to bind them to prevent them from running away; once, in fact, I saw a lamb jump up and run from the altar.” Once they are prepared, the lambs are taken to Rome’s basilica of St Agnes Outside the Walls, where they are placed on the altar over the martyr’s tomb and are blessed. Then Vatican workers arrive to take the lambs to the pope. The lambs are blessed again by the pope, usually in the chapel of Pope Urban VIII in the apostolic palace, she said. The ceremony is attended by two of the Holy Family sisters—usually two who are celebrating a significant anniversary of religious profession, she said.—CNS

Pope Benedict blesses a lamb in the apostolic palace during a ceremony marking the feast of St Agnes. The wool from two lambs blessed by the pope will be used to make the palliums the pontiff gives each June to new archbishops from around the world. (CNS photo/ L'Osservatore Romano)

LOCAL

The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

Foundation aims to help more in diocese in 2011 BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

HE diocese of Kokstad’s Yondlabantu Foundation is this year forging ahead to continue their ongoing work. The foundation is hoping to increase the number of people who benefit from the Church’s projects. The non-profit organisation is a community-based healthcare and welfare support foundation that “aims to bridge the gap between formal healthcare institutions and programmes, and those people most in need in isolated rural communities, who are otherwise unable to access such support”, said Manager Patricia Napier. Mrs Napier said the project is a diocesan initiative which “employs and trains members of the communities, some of whom are themselves sick and poor, to deliver a range of services to meet the need of the area”. Yondlabantu, formerly called “Sinosizo” is non-denominational in all areas of its work. Mrs Napier explained that there were not many professionally trained individuals to undertake the work needed in the community. “It thus becomes possible to offer employment and training to local people who, ordinarily, would have little prospect of alternative employment,” said Mrs Napier. After ten years of service Yondlabantu has become a vital partner helping the Department of Health and Social Welfare in caring for people. Mrs Napier said much of the work is done by housewives, who become volunteers and “care for their community members who are ill and children who are vulnerable”. Yondlabantu’s work is divided into multiple areas including home-based care with orphans and vulnerable children, ARV clinics and support, feeding schemes and education pro-

grammes. While training community members is the primary objective of the project, Yondlabantu services include paying for the transportation and accompaniment of patients to hospitals. “Where possible Yondlabantu helps with the distribution of food parcels especially in cases where there is no income in families,” said Mrs Napier. The organisation has 35 home-based carers looking after more than a thousand patients. Another vast area of support is aimed at orphans and vulnerable children. “Families and guardians of orphan children and the children of seriously ill parents are offered home support in order to keep the children with families in their own communities, when this is possible,” said Mrs Napier. When it is not possible, help is offered to settle the child in the new home, to oversee the standard of shelter and sustenance, to support and oversee regular attendance at school, and participation in community activities. Yondlabantu has 65 specialised carers employed to look after nearly 3 000 orphaned and vulnerable children. Mrs Napier added the trauma counseling was also available. Other projects operating in the area include “Education for Life”, which provides information and support to young people on a range of personal development issues through workshops, health centres and feeding schemes, while the ARV c l i n i c r e s p o n ds t o t h e o v e r crowed hospitals in the area. Carers ensure patients are taking their treatment regularly. They also arrange food parcels. The diocese is made up of mostly rural villages, many of which are difficult to access. Mrs Napier said the target for 2011 is to grow the number of people supported and to further the reach of the Church.

Australian road trip highlights challenges, good work BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

N Australian model has left the international runways to travel around the Western Cape raising awareness and funds for local NGOs. Kate Peck journeyed to South Africa in November and has since been travelling the countryside on her motorbike supporting Y-Generation Against Poverty (YGAP), a volunteer based, not-for-profit Australian organisation that provides an avenue for individuals to become involved in international development programmes. Ms Peck said YGap aims to “bridge the gap between the aspiration vulnerable children have for an education, with the opportunities available to them”. She has visited “a series of development projects, understanding some of the pressing issues on the ground, whilst documenting the work of each organisation”. Ms Peck, the YGap ambassador, was on hand at the November launch of Catholic Welfare and Development’s (CWD) Buckets of Love campaign. She has also visited various other CWD projects and other charity outreach centres. Ms Peck said she was taken aback by the extreme poverty in Samora Michel, the site of one of CWD’s community development centres. She admitted to being shocked to learn that Samora Michel was just one of many informal settlements. But despite witnessing the extreme poverty, Ms Peck added that she was “fascinated” by how “the residents have developed modern businesses in these tiny shacks. We drove past a barbershop, telephone repairs, a tailor, an electronics shack, and fruit stalls. The shacks are tiny, barely the size of a bathroom. Quite amazing.” Ms Peck has provided publicity for Samora Michel through her website and project documentation. She pointed out that while organisations such as CWD were working hard, the work is constant. “Sadly, Samora Michel has the highest rate of TB in the Cape Metropolitan area and HIV/Aids is rife.

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International model Kate Peck meets Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town while visiting and raising funds for outreach organisations around the Western Cape. Although the centre has trained staff to do testing and administer [antiretroviral drugs], they are simply way overburdened,” she said. The model also visited Bonne Esperance, a refugee centre that is home to victims of conflict, abuse and rape. “I could see there was a fair amount that needs to be done at this centre. Unfortunately…money and the effective communication needed to make things happen seemed scarce,” she said. She said one of her most inspiring visits was to CWD’s Women in Need (WIN) which helps get women and children off the streets. “As happy as these children seemed in this joyous place of support and nurture I can only imagine what life is like once they leave WIN and return home each day. However, through this programme women are finding themselves to be capable and confident mothers, caring for healthier and happier chil-

dren. WIN is strengthening family bonds and motivating parents to want more for themselves and for their children and how they can achieve it.” Ms Peck met with Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town, and talked about “his newly acquired role within the Church and his plans for their many community development projects”. She said she was encouraged to hear of the efforts to improve communication and technology within these projects. Ms Peck visited a variety of other organisations, outreach and development centres including animal sanctuaries, the Islamic Resource Foundation of South Africa and the Nonceba Family Counseling Centre. Ms Peck has documented the work for each organisation on her blog www.charitysafari.com where visitors can read stories of her road trip, and can donate money to the various charities and organisations.

LOCAL

The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

Exchanging bread tags for wheelchairs

Durban to commemorate its late archbishop BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

HE archdiocese of Durban will be commemorating the seventh anniversary of Archbishop Denis Hurley’s death at Emmanuel cathedral in the city centre on February 12 and 13. According to communications coordinator for the Diakonia Council of Churches, Kudzai Taruona, parishioners will be asked to bring flowers to decorate the archbishop’s tomb in the Cathedral’s Lady Chapel. “In keeping with the archbishop’s great concern for people with Aids, these will be given to an Aids hospice the next day,” said Mr Taruona. The late archbishop was the youngest Catholic bishop in the world at the time of his appointment. He was appointed at the age of 31. He later went on to become archbishop of Durban (also the youngest archbishop to be appointed at the time), president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), parish priest of Emmanuel cathedral for ten years and in 1961, he was appointed to the Central Preparatory Commission for the Second Vatican Council. Archbishop Hurley is also known for his outspoken action against the apartheid regime hav-

The late Archbishop Denis Hurley. (Photo: www.archbishopdenishur ley.com) ing been charged with publishing information the then government considered to be untrue. The information spoke of the atrocities committed in Namibia by the South African military. The charges were eventually dropped. Due to his commitment to social justice, the Denis Hurley Peace Initiative, an associate body of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference, was named in his honour. According to Mr Taruona special hymns and prayers will be said at each Mass and the guest preacher for the weekend will be Cardinal

Wilfrid Napier, archbishop of Durban, who will preach at the 08:00 Mass in English, the 10.30 multilingual Mass, and the 13:00 Mass in Zulu. “In the afternoon Cardinal Napier will also preside at a special public meeting at 15.30 on the theme ‘The Denis Hurley Centre: Community Serving Humanity’.” Mr Taruona said the meeting will be a report back on progress made on the new building planned for the centre. The architectural plans for the new building will be made public for the first time and an opportunity will be provided for questions and comments. “This is an ambitious project which will help hundreds of thousands of poor and marginalised people for decades to come,” said Mr Taruona. In addition to hearing from Cardinal Napier, representatives of the 4 000 people helped each month by the centre will speak about how “they have benefited from the cathedral’s social outreach projects, and will describe how much more will be possible once the new Denis Hurley Centre has been built”, said Mr Taruona. Donations to the Denis Hurley Fund have also been encouraged. ■ For more information contact 031 201 3832.

BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

READ tags now hold a greater purpose. Beyond being handy plastic devices for keeping one’s bread fresh, these usually disposed of items are now being recycled and have to date contributed to funds raised for more than 100 wheelchairs. Karin Adriaanse, an assistant with Breadtags for Wheelchairs said her interest began with an email requesting help for a young school boy. She responded and helped to raise funds for the boy. “I assisted and then felt the need to help the community and others in need,” she said. She noticed able-bodied people often neglect and have no sense of gratitude for the work physically challenged people do. It was at this point that she got involved in Breadtags for Wheelchairs, which was founded by Mary Honeybun. Mrs Adriaanse always had a special interest and admiration for people who are physically challenged, yet “make that concerted effort to do things, get around and go the extra mile, rising above their disability”. In the last five years, six mil-

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lion bread tags have been processed and sold to a recycler. The money collected pays the import and transportation costs of wheelchairs which are donated by Rotary International and the Hillsong Organisation for those in need. “Each time you come to the end of your loaf of bread, keep the tag and remember that your little tag can bring a change to a life of someone in need who can't afford a wheelchair,” said Mrs Adriaanse. She said the work of her parish of St Luke’s in Factreton in Cape Town, had been a great inspiration and her current goal is to help “every angel with a broken wing to have their own wheels. I have not attached a number to it yet. But with God all things are possible.” Through the Church and the Factreton community Breadtags for Wheelchairs is helping to change the lives of those in need as well as helping the environment. Mrs Adriaanse said all they do is collect the tags that close the plastic around one’s bread. But, a “little tag can make a big difference”.

Tangney

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In the edition of January 5-11, “New bishops on their challenges”, The Southern Cross incorrectly published the photo of an unknown man believed to be Mgr Abel Gabuza. Pictured here is Mgr Gabuza who has been appointed bishop of Kimberley. The Southern Cross regrets the error.

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The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

INTERNATIONAL

Priests must do more than ‘welcome and evangelise’ BY CINDY WOODEN

RIESTS cannot be content just to welcome and evangelise those who come to church, but must go out into their neighborhoods and across the globe to proclaim salvation, a Vatican document has said. Priests are consecrated to preach the Gospel to the whole world, said a letter titled “The missionary identity of the priest in the Church”. The document from the Congregation for Clergy was dated June 29, 2010, but was only released by the congregation this year. In the document, the Church is called to continually share the message of salvation, bring God’s love to more people and grow through the addition of new members. While all Catholics share in the missionary task, it said, priests have special responsibilities because they are ordained to act in the person of Christ, reaching out to all in need of God’s love. The circular letter said some priests have a special vocation to be foreign missionaries, but serving in the diocese where one was born does not mean there is no opportunity or obligation for missionary work. “A significant portion of our bap-

tised Catholics takes little or no part in our ecclesial communities,” the letter said. Often enough it is because no one ever took the time to help them establish a relationship with Christ and understand how that relationship must be lived and nourished within the community of the Church, the letter further stated. In addition to bringing the Gospel to the ends of the earth, “the future of the Church also depends on our willingness to be missionaries in practice among our baptised faithful”, it said. The push, the letter said, must begin with each priest making a commitment “not only to welcome and evangelise those who seek him out”, but also to set out in search of the baptised who no longer go to church and in search of people within the parish boundaries who may never have heard of Christ. The clergy congregation’s letter also said priests have to do some preventative missionary work, not leaving their parishioners “defenceless” without the ability to look critically at “the indoctrination that often comes from the schools, television, the press, computer sites and, also at times from the universities, and the world of entertainment”.—CNS

Vatican launches ‘Pontifical Council for Culture’

HE Pontifical Council for Culture is launching an international forum to promote dialogue between Catholics and nonbelievers. The new Vatican network and forum, called the “Courtyard of the Gentiles”, will be inaugurated in Paris next month. According to a press release from the council, events will span two days and include lectures, a roundtable discussion and an outdoor party in front of the cathedral of Notre Dame.

The lectures will centre on the theme “Religion, Enlightenment and Common Reason”, and will be held at the UNESCO headquarters, the Sorbonne and the French Institute. The roundtable discussion will be held at the College des Bernardins. Music, art, theatre and a light show will be included in the evening celebration, called “Into the Courtyard of the Unknown”, in front of the Paris cathedral. A prayer vigil and moment for reflection will also be held inside the cathedral, the council said.—CNS

Marriage preparation essential to Catholic life BY CINDY WOODEN

EN and women have a natural right to marry, but that does not mean they have a right to a Catholic wedding, Pope Benedict has said. For the Catholic Church, marriage is a sacrament that is witnessed by a priest or deacon, but performed by the couple who pledge their union will be forever and that they will be open to having and educating children, the pope said. “The right to contract marriage presupposes that one is able to and intends to truly celebrate it, that is, in the truth of its essence as taught by the Church,” Pope Benedict said when he met members of the Roman Rota, a Vaticanbased tribunal that deals mainly with marriage cases. Because the Church has a very specific religious understanding of what marriage is, “no one can claim the right to a marriage ceremony” in the Church, the pope said. In his annual meeting with tribunal officials, Pope Benedict said he wanted to focus on the legal or juridical aspect of Catholic marriage preparation programmes, because too often engaged couples—and even those preparing them for marriage—consider the courses simply as a bureaucratic hurdle to overcome before the wedding. “In fact, often it is assumed that the priest must act with

Pope Benedict gestures during a meeting with Roman Rota members at the Vatican. The Roman Rota is a Vatican-based tribunal that deals mainly with marriage cases. (Photo: L’Osservatore Romano, Reuters/CNS)

largesse, since the natural right of persons to marry is at stake,” the pope said, but for the Catholic Church, there exists only one kind of marriage—sacramental—and the right of Catholic couples to celebrate the sacrament can be exercised only if they fully understand what they are doing. Pope Benedict said anyone involved in marriage preparation programmes, especially the priest or other pastoral worker conducting the obligatory pre-marriage interviews with the potential bride and groom, has an obligation to ensure there is nothing standing in the way of a valid and

licit celebration of the sacrament. For the marriage to be valid, the couple must understand the commitment being undertaken, he said. Pastoral workers and marriage tribunal officials together “must work to interrupt, to the extent possible, the vicious cycle frequently noted of too easily allowing couples to marry without adequate preparation” and “the sometimes equally easy judicial declaration” that a marriage is invalid, the pope said. Both approaches give people a sense that the Church no longer sees marriage as truly being binding forever, he said.—CNS

‘Champion of indigenous and poor’ dies in Mexico, age 86

ETIRED Bishop Samuel Ruiz Garcia (pictured), known as the champion of the poor and indigenous in southern Mexico, has died of complications from longstanding illnesses. He was 86. The bishop headed the diocese of San Cristobal de Las Casas from 1960 to 2000, and from 1994 to 1998 mediated a commission looking for an end to the conflict between the Mexican government and the indigenous Zapatista National Liberation Army in Chiapas state. For his work with the state’s indigenous population he received death threats and, in 2002, was the recipient of the Niwano Peace Prize for his

Cristine del Campo works on the Facebook site of World Youth Day at the headquarters of the international youth gathering in Madrid, Spain. Catholic youths will descend on Spain’s capital city in August. In his 2011 message for World Communications Day, Pope Benedict invited Christians to join social networks such as Twitter and Facebook to spread the Gospel and discover new friendships. But the pope has also warned of the limits and dangers of online communication. (Photo: Paul Haring, CNS)

work “raising the social standing of the indigenous communities of Mexico” and for his work toward “the reclamation and preservation of their

native cultures.” Said Bishop Raul Vera Lopez of Saltillo, who served as Bishop Ruiz’s coadjutor from 1995 to 1999: “Don Samuel was like the prophet Jeremiah, a man who lived and experienced contradiction.” Bishop Vera, celebrant at a Mass for Bishop Ruiz in Mexico City, described the bishop as “a person whose actions were discussed and condemned by a section of society, but for the poor and for those who worked with him, Don Samuel was a bright light, who fulfilled what God told the prophet: ‘This day I set you over nations and over kingdoms, to root up to de s t roy an d t e ar dow n . . . t o build and to plant.’”—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

Pope: Christian unity a ‘moral imperative’ BY CINDY WOODEN

A pro-life supporter holds a crucifix and rosary during the annual March for Life rally in Washington. The annual pro-life demonstration marks the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalised abortion across the nation. (Octavio Duran/CNS photo)

IVING in to the temptation of thinking the Christian churches will never be fully united is a sign of weak faith, Pope Benedict said. “One must resist the temptation of resignation and pessimism, which is a lack of trust in the power of the Holy Spirit,” the pope said at an ecumenical evening prayer service marking the close of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity. The pope presided over the service at Rome’s Basilica of St Paul Outside the Walls with a German Lutheran delegation, an international group of Oriental Orthodox bishops and theologians, and Orthodox, Anglican and Protestant leaders from Rome. Special prayers were read by Orthodox Metropolitan Gennadios of Italy and Malta and by the Rev David Richardson, the Anglican archbishop of Canterbury’s representative to the Vatican and director of the Anglican Centre in Rome.

In his homily, the pope said the search for Christian unity is “a moral imperative, a response to a precise call of the Lord”. The theme of the 2011 week of prayer, “One in the apostles’ teaching, fellowship, breaking of bread and prayer,” described the unity experienced within the early Christian community, the pope said. The early Christian community in Jerusalem “was not closed in on itself, but from its birth it was Catholic, universal, capable of embracing people of different lan-

guages and cultures”, the pope said. “It was a community not founded on a pact among its members, or on the simple sharing of a project or ideal, but on profound communion with God,” he said. Pope Benedict repeated what he had said during his weekly general audience at the Vatican: “The theme’s four ingredients are the four pillars of Christian faith and are “the fundamental dimensions of unity of the visible body of the church”.—CNS

Women ‘hungry for truth’ about abortion

AURA Strietmann, the director of a Cincinnati Crisis Pregnancy Centre, calls abortion “the issue that is shaping our country”, and said the challenge for pro-lifers is to get everyone “to respect life again”. In her work, she hears the stories of women’s pain and sees pregnant women in need who “are hungry for the truth about abortion”, she said. “When they come in the door, we need to love them and tell them the truth,” that abortion is taking a life, she added. Ms Strietmann, a mem-

ber of St Rose parish in Cincinnati who is enrolled in a lay pastoral programme at the archdiocesan seminary, believes no woman really wants to have an abortion, but many feel they have no other choice. As she spoke, Ms Strietmann was headed toward the March for Life rally site on the National Mall in Washington DC, where thousands of pro-lifers were gathering to mark the 38th year since the US Supreme Court handed down Roe vs Wade legalising abortion. March for Life had not yet posted on its website an estimate for the number of partici-

pants, but the Catholic News Agency and Eternal Word Television Network said there were hundreds of thousands. Bundled up against the cold, with the temperature hovering around the 6ºC mark, people streamed toward the rally site from various points, carrying all manner of signs, many of them homemade. Among the messages were: “Choose life: Your mother did,” “Unborn babies feel pain,” “Face it: Abortion kills a person,” “I regret lost fatherhood,” and “Defund Planned Parenthood”.—CNS

Exorcisms continue to stir Hollywood’s imagination BY SHEILA DABu NONATO

HE exorcism began after Mass as the exorcist and several parishioners gathered around a troubled young man and started praying over him, recalls Fr Joseph Muldoon, episcopal vicar of the Ottawa Archdiocese. Fr Muldoon, who oversees the work of Ottawa’s lone official exorcist, is not an exorcist himself, but this was one of two exorcisms he assisted over the years. Both occurred outside of Canada. Fr Muldoon joined in praying for the young man who dabbled in drugs and the occult. The man exhibited one of the signs of demonic possession: a supernatural strength requiring him to be restrained by several people to prevent harm to himself and others around him. The priest performing the exorcism, trained under the ancient rite, blessed the man with holy water. He then placed a crucifix and Bible on his chest, some of the norms of the rite established in 1614. “The priest gradually, slowly commanded the evil spirit to

leave him and never to return, to be placed at the foot of the cross,” Fr Muldoon said. The young man was invited to say Jesus’ name and pray the Our Father with the community. He was freed from the devil’s grasp, said the priest. Exorcisms have always fed the Hollywood imagination and provided a steady source of material for filmmakers in the horror genre. And with a new movie recently released, plus a reality-TV series on exorcists, Hollywood is once again entering the battleground of good vs evil. The Rite, a film featuring Anthony Hopkins, is based on a book by journalist Matt Baglio about the accounts of an American exorcist. Meanwhile, the Discovery Channel is reported to be working on a reality show called The Exorcist Files. Fr John Horgan, a scholar on exorcisms and pastor of Ss Peter and Paul parish in Vancouver, British Columbia, was a consultant to the 2005 movie The Exorcism of Emily Rose, a movie loosely based on an actual case in Germany. He cautions that Hollywood

versions of exorcism usually provide a liberal interpretation of the actual rite. A scene of “being chained and tied up has nothing to do with the Catholic rite of exorcism”, he said. “Ours is very sober, reverent. Heads do not turn around,” as was made famous in a scene from the 1973 film The Exorcist, the most profitable horror film of all time. An exorcism is the ritual of evicting demons or other spiritual entities from a person or place believed to be possessed. According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, an exorcism is performed by an exorcist who asks “publicly and authoritatively” in Christ’s name “that a person or object be protected against the power of the evil one and withdrawn from his dominion”. This power comes from Jesus, who exorcised demons in the Bible. While Hollywood may play up the drama of exorcisms, the key message is not how evil takes over, Fr Horgan said: “It’s how the power of God always triumphs in the end.”—CNS

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The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Michael Shackleton

200 years of Darwinism

N 2009 the scientific world celebrated the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin. Since then there has been a flurry of comment about how the Christian world has come to terms with his theory of evolution. When Darwin’s On the Origin of Species was published in 1859, it got a frosty reception from the evangelical British establishment. Respected scientists hesitated publicly to gainsay the biblical account of the creation in Genesis. Any thought of humanity gradually evolving from a lower form of life was something that could not be stomached, particularly by Protestant creationists. The Catholic Church was also wary of subscribing to a theory that did not accord with the plain words of Scripture. Debate about Darwin’s thoroughly documented and undeniable evolutionary findings gathered from research done in many parts of the world, became intense. Yet the Church never placed Darwin’s writings on the Index of Forbidden Books, and Church members were free to study Darwinism. The prevailing attitude was seemingly that, since the truth cannot contradict the truth, there must be some way to reconcile belief in creation by God, as revealed in Scripture, with the results of penetrating research by leading anthropologists and other scientists in support of evolution. The recent contribution to the ongoing debate by Raymond Perrier of Johannesburg’s Jesuit Institute, which we reported last week, illustrates how topical the discussion of Darwinism is. Darwin, Perrier says, was answering the question of how did we get here? The writer of Genesis was answering the question of why we are here. In other words, the Bible and science approach the issue of the phenomena of nature and humankind from different viewpoints, each respecting the other. Popes in the last century have supported this kind of thinking.

There has been an acceptance that scientists are pursuing a legitimate course in learning to understand the realities of the physical world. In his enclyclical Humani generis (1950), Pius XII conceded that the doctrine of evolutionism was a serious hypothesis worthy of investigation, just as its opposite hypothesis would be. In 1996 Pope John Paul II told the Pontifical Academy for Sciences that the theory of evolution was more than a hypothesis. On the other hand fundamentalists who cling to the biblical account of creation as dogmatic, even accepting that the world was literally created in six days, are also having their say. A group of clergy of the Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk have just published a book entitled Trojaanse Perd in the NG Kerk: kanker van evolusie en liberalisme (Trojan Horse in the NG Kerk: cancer of evolution and liberalism), which thoroughly trashes the theory of evolution. Scientific study does not relax. New evidence continues to strengthen the arm of evolutionists, and the Church respects this. However, the Church insists that humankind was created in the image and likeness of God, and has an intrinsic value unshared by any other creature. Man and woman have a dignity by virtue of their spiritual soul which is not created from preexisting matter, as the human body is, but created immediately by God. The Catholic view of Darwinism, of course, has its reservations, but the general attitude is that scientific and theological research will advance in their disciplines by serious study and analysis, drawing conclusions which, because of the indivisibility of the truth, cannot contradict each other. The Pontifical Council for Culture has said that the Genesis story of God’s creation and the theory of evolution are “perfectly compatible” if the Bible is properly interpreted, that is, that the universe did not make itself but had a Creator.

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.

Musical jewel in our crown

HAVE read with interest the correspondence that has appeared as a result of Fr Townsend’s article about the questionable quality of church music performed in Catholic churches in South Africa these days. As a former Anglican cathedral organist now playing for a Catholic Mass each Sunday I feel bold enough to add a few words. One beautiful summer’s evening a few years ago whilst on holiday in France, I was drawn by tolling bells to an impressive looking church overlooking the little harbour at the Quai Cassini in Nice. Longing for some spiritual and musical sustenance, I entered and saw what appeared to be a setting-up of instruments and the testing of an amplification system promising a musical fare more redolent of a rock concert than a church service. Disappointed, I made a hasty retreat and wandered instead under the unfamiliar stars of the northern hemisphere, pondering instead on the state of church music in the Church today. As I wandered I remembered

Group morals

HE Church has always had its ups and downs, and to a large extent is dependent on her members to fulfil her purpose in the world. Unfortunately, there is a tendency for parishioners to be individualists, whose religion is limited to their own personal life and attitudes. The instruction to go out and teach all nations is not considered to be related to them. The power and influence of the individual is almost nil compared to those of a united group. As the good and peace in the world is dependent on the moral beliefs and behaviour of people, it is obvious that it is necessary for upright and sensible people to be active in promoting goodness, and the love of God and people. To become a force for good, a parish needs to promote unity and there is a great need to get parishioners to become a community. Only social contact and enjoyment will acheive this on a substantial scale. This surely is one of the responsibilities of a parish council R Auret, Thornville, Kwa-Zulu Natal

No reverence

T was such a breath of fresh air to read the letter from our dear Cardinal Napier “slamming” aberrations in use during Mass (January 2); it proves we are like parrots and do not think of what we are saying. These are small annoyances compared to some, as we do not hear all the aberrations while being among

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how as a young choirboy I was completely transported by the music I sang, both Latin and English—music in a great unbroken tradition stretching from Palestrina and Byrd up to the finest music of the present day. It was by being exposed to this music at a tender age that I came to realise what an unsurpassed musical heritage there is in the Catholic Church and what a responsibility we have to preserve it. On the same trip, together with countless tourists, I wandered through the churches and art galleries of Rome and Florence admiring the artistic treasure bequeathed to us. But art and architecture are lasting treasures—frozen music in a way—but living music is a fragile art, mere dots on paper, relying on people like you and me to bring it to life and love and to pass that on to future generations. These great pieces of church music are not mere museum pieces—they were created to the greater glory of God by some of the most famous musicians the Western world has ever known—Palestrina, the congregation. Cardinal Napier’s third and the most annoying issue is the confusion as to when the congregation is to stand at the offertory when the priest asks us “Pray brethren...” and we keep sitting then start replying “praying” while slowly rising to our feet (again not thinking of what we are saying) even though we are speaking directly to our Lord and maker when saying: “May our Lord accept this sacrifice from your hands.” Either we should sit or stand before rattling off the prayer we were taught to say to our Lord. Our cardinal forgot (I think) to include the most important annoyance in Mass—that of the scramble to the altar to hold hands and say the Our Father. In my mind it is total disrespect to be negotiating one’s way from all over the church to the altar so as to hold hands with the priest, while the congregation is watching the race and at the same time saying the Our Father. Where has the reverence gone while in God’s house? Ed Williams, Johannesburg

Bishops should monitor carefully

T has come to my attention that certain priests frequently (several times per week) celebrate the Tridentine Mass in parish churches. As far as I know there has been no meaningful consultation with parishioners and broad pastoral needs served. While the Church has given priests permission to celebrate the Tridentine Mass occasionally for

Byrd, Bach, Mozart, Haydn, Schubert, Beethoven, Gounod, Stravinsky—the list is endless. But what is the answer to the various complaints and the questions posed in the letters in these columns? First of all we need to reclaim the music of the Catholic Church—to rejoice that it is the finest music ever written for any Christian church—and encourage those with musical gifts to offer themselves either as singers or organists. There is such a dire shortage of both commodities. My great hope is that, inspired by Pope Benedict’s love of music and this correspondence, the archbishops may consider calling together a group of enthusiastic priests and laypeople to address the sad and slow demise of one the finest jewels in the crown of the Catholic Church—its music. One last word—may I remind those who value this rich musical heritage that the choir of St Michael’s in Rondebosch is always happy to welcome committed and competent singers to its ranks. Sunday by Sunday at our 9am Mass we try to keep this tradition alive. Barry Smith, Cape Town pastoral reasons, it is not intended to replace the order of Mass that was instituted after the second Vatican Council. The Church came to realise that the older liturgy was theologically and pastorally deficient and out of touch with the spiritual needs of contemporary Catholics. Habitually celebrating the Tridentine Mass in the place of the modern liturgy is an abuse and should be taken in hand by the Church. Apart from this I am very concerned about the quality of liturgy and preaching in many parishes. Dull and uninspiring services very easily lead to people leaving the Church or giving up attending Mass. Bishops should monitor carefully what is taking place in their dioceses and ensure that priests are well-skilled and effective in preaching and in the celebration of the liturgy. Often attendance at Mass is the only contact many Catholics have with Church. For this reason, the Church should ensure that Catholics really find Christ in liturgical celebrations and get a strong foundation in Catholic faith and teaching. Cate Bompas, Yeoville

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. Please keep letters brief and to the point.

PERSPECTIVES

Why were you born?

HY were you born? You might think this is a stupid question, but it is one of the most important questions you can ask yourself. Have you ever asked yourself: why did God make me? I’m sure you have, but before you answer, take the trouble to read what follows. I have analysed life and people and identified six types of people. Type 1 people are always busy bemoaning why they ever came into this world. Life is so full of problems: illnesses, lack of money, joblessness, death of relatives and friends and so on. They ask themselves: what is this thing called life? And sometimes when the going gets really tough, they commit suicide to escape from an extreme sense of hopelessness and despair. Type 2 is the routine life type. Sometimes life is a boring cycle of getting up, sitting or working, eating, sleeping and, for some, going to church on Sunday. If one is working, the pay cheque at the end of the month brings some excitement. There is a sense of purpose in the power to buy! Type 3 is the pleasure-loving type. This is that group of people who, to escape from the perceived meaninglessness of life, will seek refuge in extreme forms of pleasure: drugs, drinking, smoking, sex— and in extreme cases even raping and sometimes even maiming or killing. Type 4 finds purpose in power and wealth. They will do anything to amass

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them. To these people life means political, influence, a big house, luxurious cars, lots of money in the bank, and, oh yes, making other people feel the weight of their power! They will stop at nothing because, as the cliché goes, power corrupts and absolute power corrupts absolutely! Type 5 is that group who find meaning in what they are doing: they may be working as teachers, home executives, nurses, pastors, nuns, missionaries, doctors, peacemakers, researchers or politicians, and so on. Whatever they are doing gives purpose and meaning to their lives. Each day that comes brings with it a sense of fulfilment about what has been achieved or can be achieved. There are challenges and disappointments from time to time: job losses may occur, and there may be conflicts with colleagues or bosses in the workplace, but on the whole there is a sense of achievement and contentment. There are many such people to whom it is not so much money or power that matters, but the sense that one is doing something worthwhile for humanity, for one’s country, one’s church, one’s family; or for the disadvantaged, dispossessed and oppressed people of this world. In oppressive countries some such people rot in jail or are even murdered for their convictions and good works. Why is it that the majority of people do not belong to Type 5? Surely the world would be a much better place if the

Catherine de Valence

The rewards in obeying God

HAVE experienced how our obedience to God is important for our spiritual and physical well-being. In leading overly busy and stressed lives we often fail to listen to what our Lord instructs us to do. We walk past opportunities to make a difference in someone’s life, or fail to see the needs of others because we have allowed our business take over God’s business. We walk past a person in need, hoping somebody else will take care of him, or we harden our hearts to the needs around us, in our justifications of why we shouldn’t help them. God’s Spirit gives us the discernment we need to reach out to those in need, and when we answer that call to make a difference, we experience his peace, love and providence. That call takes us out of ourselves and

J.M.J

forms us into Christ. I have allowed others to tell me how and when to answer God’s call for a long time, and in that time I became selfish (thinking of my needs instead of the needs of others). Without knowing it, I allowed people’s opinions to mean more to me than God’s instructions. When I surrendered myself to God, he showed me the areas in my life that needed awareness, change and repenting. Recently I was driving behind a person who drove into a bird. The person did not stop, but God’s spirit led me to stop and walk back. My immediate thought was that the bird was dead and there was nothing I could do. Living in obedience to God I went back and saw that the bird was in the middle of the road, hurt but still alive. Our Lord brought healing to the bird and it survived. In picking up the bird and tending to

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vast majority of people belonged to this group? But let’s not be quick to condemn those who wallow in self-pity, those who do not know what to do with their lives and those who drown their sorrows in beer or crime. Society is partly responsible for what happens to these people. Our education system, our churches and our parents have not done enough to teach people to find meaning in life; to find joy, not in money and power, but in having a sense of purpose; to find fulfilment in serving and making other people happy. This takes us to Type 6, the last group I have identified. Type 6 is a small subset of Type 5. This is a group of seekers: those who have come to the conviction that the ultimate purpose of life is to live for a purpose; those who believe that significance is of more lasting value than success. These people know that they are important, not in and of themselves, but because what they have discovered to be their purpose is God’s purpose, God’s mission for them. They are seekers of God’s will for them because they know that God wants every one of us to play a role in the betterment of society and the building of his kingdom on earth. So, now that you have reflected on these things, which type would you like to be?

Point of Reflection it, it seemed that Our Lord tended to my own need to be rescued, to be healed and be made well again. Now when I feel that I cannot make a difference, I humble myself before God and know that he can. When we obey him and listen to his voice in the depth of our hearts, he makes that possibility in all of us: to be healed and to heal. “With man this is impossible, but not with God, all things are possible with God” (Mk 10:27). “Let us not grow weary while doing good for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal 6:9). “What does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8).

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The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

Michael Shackleton Open Door

Questioning the Church I am a 44-year-old Catholic but I think the Church has failed. After attending the Amazing Discoveries 2010 series run by Mr J Carter of the Seventh Day Adventist Church, I learnt more of the Bible there than I learnt in the Catholic Church. Our Church needs to come clean and transform itself from paganistic and unbiblical practices, having insufficient or no biblical references, such as Baptism, Confirmation, the sabbath, statues and celibacy. Tommy Hartley

OUR last sentence above is a very sweeping one, suggesting that the preacher of the Amazing Discoveries series made similar generalisations. Evangelical preachers who show unmistakable bias against the Catholic faith are not new. Basing their Bible punch-lines on their own interpretation, their constant pitch is that the Catholic Church relies on unscriptural traditions and pagan corruptions of Christ’s teachings as found in the scriptures which, of course, is simply not true. They also make a point of telling us how many other Christians are now joining their ranks, as if the truth of their preaching is demonstrated by sheer numbers alone. It is not difficult for fundamentalist preachers to pick up the Bible and apply disconnected texts to all kinds of situations, frequently with warnings of the doom that is to come to those that ignore them. These fundamentalists and whatever group they belong to, do not often show any informed grasp of the history of Christianity and the indispensable part the Catholic Church has played in it. The Church and the Bible grew together. The Church was preaching and spreading the Gospel even before the New Testament books were gradually put together and accepted as authentic under her authority. Fundamentalist preachers take up the Bible without any positive nod to the Catholic Church which preserved it through the centuries. They often pluck biblical teachings from the vacuum created by ignorance of the faith and practice of the Catholic Church, and use these to sway people to join their ranks. You do not say what prompted you to attend the Amazing Discovery series. Why not rather make an appointment with your parish priest or another informed Catholic and frankly explain what your misgivings are? That could be the way to convince you that Church doctrine has no pagan or unbiblical side to it. Even buying or borrowing a copy of The Catechism of the Catholic Church, may help you see just how uninformed fundamentalist preachers can be. 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.

COMMUNITY

The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

Fr Mark Pothier bids farewell to parishioners of St Agnes’ church, in Woodstock, Cape Town, at a special gathering in the parish hall. Having served the parishes of Woodstock, Salt River and Observatory for eight years, he has been transferred to St James’ parish in St James, Cape Town. The new priest of Woodstock/Salt River/Observatory parish is Fr Jude Amatu. (Photo: Michail Rassool)

Imelda and Thelma Maree sing during a celebration at St Mary’s parish in George.

IN FOC U S

The Salesian Youth Movement, Gauteng region, held their first planning meeting for the year. Pictured are members from various Salesian parishes from the region.

Anastasia (left) and Gretchen Dudley (right) are pictured with Fr Douglas Sumari of Christ the King church in Worcester, after their first Communion.

Parishioners of St Luke’s parish in Factreton, Cape Town, collected enough bread tags, which were sold to a recycling company, to raise money for the import and transport costs of wheelchairs for those in need. Pictured are St Luke’s parishioner Karen Adriaanse, recipient Rosie De Bruyn, and Fr Hugh O’Connor.

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

Members of St Monica’s Prayer Group of St Theresa’s parish in Welcome Estate in Cape Town, hosted a carols by candlelight.

The staff and community at Bosco Youth Centre (BYC) in Johannesburg had a special Mass to mark the start of the new year at the centre. The BYC runs various programmes for young people, including Confirmation retreats, First Communion retreats, leadership camps, and their Lovematters programme.

FOCUS

The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

What we can learn from the Theology of the Body Between 1979 and 1983, Pope John Paul II used his general audiences to explain the Theology of the Body. Deacon MIKE HARRINGTON gives a brief overview of the late pope’s teaching.

HROUGHOUT history God has raised men and women “for the times”. In the past the Church has fallen into disrepair and these holy men and women were tasked to rebuild God’s House. St Francis of Assisi was one such man, and in our own time we have been blessed with Pope John Paul II. The sorry state the world is in, and which Pope John Paul identified and tried to remedy, started in the 1930s with the advent of artificial contraception, mainly the pill. In response to this, Pope Paul VI issued the encyclical Humanae vitae, explaining the Church’s position on this issue. It prophesied the results of widespread contraception. Today the secular world is totally confused about right and wrong and in particular now views the body as a mere instrument to be used in the never ending quest for self-gratification and pleasure. It is no coincidence that the dispute, ignorance and rejection of the Church’s teachings almost exclusively centres on our sexuality. These are all bodily sins and many became legal in the 20th century: contraception, adultery, prostitution, pornography, abortion, euthanasia, drugs, suicide, homosexual activity, cloning and so on. This is where God steps in through Pope John Paul’s “Theology of the Body”, a revolutionary way of understanding our human sexuality. Presently there are two extremes: one is the puritanical version with its prohibition— “spirit good, body bad”, and the other the liberal version—“if it feels good, do it”. Pope John Paul teaches us through Divine Revelation that there is another option, how to understand the origin, meaning and destiny of the human body. Very briefly the Theology of the Body as taught by Pope John Paul during the Wednesday audiences from September 1979 to November 1983 is a theological response. This series of talks was then combined into a book which has been described as a theological timebomb set to go off (and the sooner the better). Much of Pope John Paul’s ministry focused on the meaning of

our sexuality, marriage and the family, and his teachings can be traced back many years to the simple parish priest in Krakow. Pope Pope John Paul consecrated the protection of his papacy to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and in nearly all of his teaching, the Holy Mother was presented within the framework of that teaching as the perfect example for us to follow. The Theology of the Body is no exception and when theological anthropology is combined with a mariology rooted in Divine Revelation, the result is a glimpse into how God sees the most beautiful and wonderful human person ever created. Pope John Paul’s teaching in the Theology of the Body is presented in four points: 1) the body as a gift; 2) the body is nuptial; 3) the body is fruitful; 4) the body is essential to the human person.

The Body is a Gift

here has never been a greater focus on the human body as there is today. We need to feel comfortable with our bodies and if we perceive this not to be the case, modern technology now affords us the opportunity to change things. Thus began the very lucrative industries catering for plastic surgery, sex changes and genetic manipulation. Pope John Paul reminds us that the world has overlooked the fact that the body is a precious gift from God, even with its limitations, vulnerabilities and imperfections. We are reminded that when he created man on the sixth day, in his own image and likeness, he said it was “very good”. Pope John Paul grounds the mystery of our body (masculinity and femininity) in the gratuity of God revealed at the beginning of creation: “Right from the beginning, the theology of the body is bound up with the creation of man in the image of God. It becomes in a way, the theology of masculinity and femininity, which has its starting point in Genesis.”

The Body is Nuptial

n the creation story man was made in original solitude, but this was in preparation for a communion of persons and this community of persons is nuptial. Just as the Trinity is an eternal communion of persons so man, created in the image of God, is destined to share in that eternal community. One of the most profound statements in the Theology of the Body declares that “man cannot find himself without the complete gift of himself”. Each one of us has a particular call as to how to con-

model of each human being in their creaturely embodiedness. What Mary had from the beginning— sinlessness—all will have at the end of life provided they cooperate with God in this.

Perpetual Virginity: The Body is Nuptial

According to Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, nuptial love brings forth life and where there is true love, there is always fruit. (Photo: Greg Tarczynski,CNS) secrate his or her body to God—in consecrated life, sacramental marriage, or consecrated virginity. This nuptiality—that is, to be given away to another in self-possessing love—is the trinitarian God.

The Body is Fruitful

uptial love brings forth life and where there is true love, trinitarian love, there is always fruit. Thus the divine injunction— “be fruitful and multiply”—reaches its climax through the mutual exchange of love that ultimately results in a third, that is, the fruit of love between two persons. Where there is no self-donation in love there is sterility. Pope John Paul states that man, both as masculine and feminine, finds the fulfilment of embodied love in paternity and maternity. Those in consecrated life, or those who remain in a single state, are by no means excluded as they have surrendered their bodies to God in order to bear abundant spiritual fruit which is why they are often called mother or father.

The Body is Essential

teaches that because of the incarnation and resurrection of Jesus Christ, the human body is raised to new dignity and will exist for all eternity as the living temple of God. What this implies is that even the sex of the human body is more than just temporal; sex, male and female too is everlasting.

The Role of Mariology

ariology is the study of the Blessed Virgin, to understand her role in salvation history. What Pope John Paul has achieved is a skilful linking of Our Holy Mother with the Theology of the Body. We will consider the same four points made by Pope John Paul in this context.

The Immaculate Conception: The Body is a Gift What is often overlooked regarding the teaching on the Immaculate Conception is the fact that Mary was preserved from original sin in both soul and body. The gift of the Immaculate Conception is an embodied gift. Mary’s body serves for us a promise of our destiny in that Mary represents the prototypical

The Church’s teaching on Mary’s perpetual virginity was defined at the Lateran Council of 649. This dogma declared that Mary was a virgin before the birth of Christ, during the birth of Christ and after the birth of Christ. This virginity is essentially nuptial and can be clearly understood in Mary’s response to God’s call, consecrating her body in chastity. Thus the secular world’s understanding of virginity, that it is a sign of isolation and seclusion, could not be further from the truth. This is why Pope John Paul affirms that the Virgin Mary is the bride/spouse of God.

The Body is Fruitful As stated earlier, nuptial love brings forth life and where there is true love, trinitarian love, there is always fruit. Mary’s complete nuptial surrender to God in her human person, body and soul, is what brings about the Incarnation. God’s response to Mary’s gift of self is amazing in that he filled her with his love and literally with himself, the body of his Son, Jesus.

Assumption: The Body is Essential The dogma of Mary’s bodily assumption into heaven was proclaimed in 1950. The dogma declares that Mary is with God in heaven in both her body and soul. This teaches us that when our earthly life is over we too will continue to be body persons. In the creation story we are reminded that God made the body “very good” and desires it to be with him in heaven. n Deacon Mike Harrington ministers in Victory Park parish, Johannesburg.

ontrary to much of the thinking of new-age philosophies which posits that the human body is nothing more than a sensory mechanism for self gratification, Pope John Paul emphatically asserts the Christian teaching that the body is an essential part of the human person and not simply an exterior shell that will be discarded once this temporal existence has ended. This teaching is that the body is a fundamental— given by God—it also

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The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

PILGRIMAGE

Beer, art and faith go together in Bavaria C

OMING from the bustling chaos of Jerusalem and Cairo, the orderly serenity of Upper Bavaria is very welcome. It is a truly beautiful part of the world: the magnificent Alps overlook green meadows and lush forests, and the landscape is dotted with shimmering lakes and the occasional castle built by the eccentric King Ludwig II. It’s a fairytale scene, so it is not peculiar that Walt Disney’s animators adopted Ludwig’s stunning Neuschwanstein as the model for the castle in their 1959 Sleeping Beauty film (which is now Disney’s corporate logo). The rustic houses in the villages are decorated with murals, called in the local dialect Lüftlmalerel, that celebrate local professions and tales, and many depicting religious themes. And this being a solidly Catholic territory, these religious themes tend to focus on the Holy Family. Bavaria might have no shrine of the import of Lourdes or Fatima, but devotion to Our Lady seems to be no less fervent there. Indeed, small roadside shrines are common in Bavaria, in case the passing motorist, cyclist or hiker is engulfed by an impulse to engage in prayer in a setting of some formality. Bavaria’s Catholic history is also present in the region’s most famous product: beer. Munich’s Oktoberfest (which actually begins in the second half of Sep-

Günther Simmermacher The Pilgrim’s Trek tember) includes only the six beer breweries located within the city’s municipal boundaries. Of these, three were founded by Catholic monks: Augustiner, Paulaner and Spaten-Franziskaner. Throughout Bavaria, and indeed Europe, there are many more breweries started in monasteries. The monks brewed their strong beer to see them through Lent; its consumption was mainly nutritional, rather than recreational (though, one suspects, the latter was a welcome benefit). On holy days, the monks would give the laity some free beer, which—surprise—boosted Mass attendance. Children would receive a litre to mark their First Communion. The monks’ beer days ended gradually. Some breweries were sold, others were forcibly nationalised during the particularly anti-clerical secularisation of 1803. One of the few abbeys that continue to brew their own beer is the Ettal Abbey, which is located near Oberammergau and King Ludwig’s gorgeous Linderhof castle. It has done so for the past 401 years. To say the monks at Ettal are

industrious is an understatement: they also sell their own brands of liqueur, wine, cheeses, tea, perfumes and beauty products, as well as books, religious stationery and all manner of souvenirs (one South African prelate would enjoy the range of collectable angel figures). On top of that they run a boarding school, based in a building that once served as an academy for knights, and restaurants in the village. And their market happily comes to them, as did our group of 45 pilgrims, because the magnificent baroque abbey is a natural inclusion in any itinerary of Upper Bavaria. Formed in the 14th century (because of a political dispute between Bavaria’s King Ludwig I and Pope John XXII), Ettal soon became a pilgrim’s shrine on account of a Marian image Ludwig had brought from Italy. The abbey was seriously damaged in a fire in 1744 and rebuilt in the baroque style. Particularly impressive are the church dome’s frescoes by Johann Jakob Zeiller, which includes 430 distinct figures. Like the breweries, Ettal Abbey was confiscated in 1803, and was in private hands for the next 97 years. In 1898 an industrialist and convert to Catholicism, Baron Theodor von Cramer-Klett, bought the abbey and two years later donated it to the local Benedictines (he also restored the Plankstetten abbey in the Palatine to the order). A day earlier, we had celebrated Mass in the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem. Since then, we had left the continent of Asia, spent a day and night in Egypt in Africa, and now, on European ground, we had Mass again, suitably in a chapel in Ettal Abbey’s church of Mary Assumed into Heaven, which is South Africa’s patronal feast.

A cherub in the Wieskirche that is part painting, part stucco as its leg dangles over a ledge.

Comboni missionaries Founded by Saint Daniel Comboni

e had Sunday Mass the following day at another pilgrim shrine, the lovely rococo Wieskirche. The church has been a favourite place of mine since I visited it as a 13-year-old. Then it was a relatively quiet place; today it is visited by a reported million people a year. Still, there are only two (cramped) souvenir shops there. Where all our previous Masses had been private, here we and two other pilgrim groups, from

One of the two hotels in Oberau, near Oberammergau, where The Southern Cross pilgrims stayed in September, with murals that are typical of upper Bavaria. (Photos: Günther Simmermacher)

the Philippines and the United States, joined the local parishioners for the Sunday Eucharist, celebrated in German. To my delight, a man in full traditional Bavarian dress—right down to the Lederhosen and calf warmers—took his place next to me. While the presiding priest did welcome the international pilgrims, only our spiritual director, Bishop Zithulele Mvemve, was given the opportunity to make his voice heard, an episcopal benefit. The Wieskirche, located in the middle of nowhere near Steingaden, was completed in 1754 by the architect Dominikus Zimmermann and today is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. It became a pilgrimage site because of a wooden statue of the scourged Christ (corresponding with our pilgrimage’s Passion theme) when on June 14, 1738 one Maria Lori during her evening prayers observed the presence of three tears. In an age less incredulous than ours it caused a sensation, more so when people reported miracles after having prayed before it. Before long, pilgrims eventually came from all over Europe, even from Lutheran Scandinavia and Orthodox Russia, as parish priest Fr Benno Schöfl noted in a 1779 pamphlet. A small timber church, which still stands at the site, could not accommodate the growing numbers of pilgrims, so in 1745 Zimmermann was given the brief to build a new church, with a fitting sanctuary for the once abandioned statue. Zimmermann roped in his brother Johann, a gifted frescoist whose extensive curriculm vitae included work at Ettal Abbey. For

a church dedicated to the scourged Christ, it has a light air to it, to a great part thanks to Johann. Gold, white and light blue dominate. The ceiling’s frescoes are populated by lots of angels and cherubs. One of them is part painting, part stucco: its leg dangles casually from the ceiling over a ledge. The playfulness of it is most endearing. However, the almost saccharine impression is deceptive: Johann’s frescoes are incredibly detailed, communicating profound theologies. At the rather more austere (give or take the occasional ornately gilded edging) ground level is the scourged Christ, but above is the risen Christ in heaven, where we intend to arrive one day. Above the choir a succession of angels carry away the instruments of Christ’s Passion, while the risen Christ is enthroned on a rainbow, a traditional symbol of forgiveness. Dominikus Zimmermann had a productive architectual life. By the time the Wieskirche, his last commission, was finished, he was 69. He had also completed his term as mayor of nearby Landsberg (where the jailed Adolf Hitler would write the hateful Mein Kampf) and in his retirement he asked to live next to his beloved church of the Scourged Saviour. His wish granted, he built a small cottage where he remained until his death on November 16, 1766. n This is the 15th part of Günther Simmermacher’s series on The Southern Cross’ Passion Pilgrimage in September.

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The Southern Cross, February 2 to February 8, 2011

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

CLASSIFIEDS

The Lord’s true message

FIND it disturbing in the faith the amount of secularism being promoted. Women priests, same sex unions—by freelance writers like Tony Meehan, John Lee and others. As Catholics we should know that: “It is not about love of self but our love of God”. Please, I beg that all obedient Catholics particularly our bishops, priests and cat-

echists read Benedict XVI: Light of the World. We all may just read and understand what our Lord is conveying to his Church through his successor to the fisherman Peter. February 1 is the 14th anniversary of The termination of Pregnancy Act in South Africa. Since then it is believed that one million little ones have been sent home to God before their called

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. Day of Prayer held at Springfield Convent starting at 10.00 ending 15.30 last Saturday of every month—all welcome. For more information contact Jane Hulley 021 790 1668 or 082 783 0331 DURBAN: St Anthony’s, Durban Central: Tuesday

09:00am 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.

time. Is The Southern Cross going to speak out and cover the anniversary of this man-made evil of abortion ? Peter Throp, Parow Mr Meehan and Mr Lee are not freelance writers on the staff of The Southern Cross—simply regular letter writers. The anniversary was covered on page 2 of the January 26 edition—Editor.

Liturgical Calendar Sun, Feb 6, Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time Is 58:7-10, Ps 112:4-5, 6-7, 8-9, 1 Cor 2:1-5, Mt 5:13-16 Mon, Feb 7, St Colette of Corbie Gen 1:1-19, Ps 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35, Mk 6:53-56 Tues, Feb 8, Ss Jerome Emiliani, Josephine Bakhita Gen 1:20,2:4, Ps 8:4-9, Mk 7:1-13 Wed, Feb 9, feria Gen 2:4-9, 15-17, Ps 104:1-2, 27-30, Mk 7:14-23 Thurs, Feb 10, St Scholastica Gen 2:18-25, Ps 128:1-5, Mk 7:24-30 Fri, Feb 11, Our Lady of Lourdes Gen 3:1-8, Ps 32:1-2, 5-7, Mk 7:31-37 Sat, Feb 12, Sat Mem of the Blessed Virgin Mary Gen 3:9-24, Ps 90:2-6, 12-13, Mk 8:1-10 Sun, Feb 13, Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time Sir 15:15-20, Ps 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34, 1 Cor 2:6-10, Mt 5:17-37

Family Reflections 2011 FAMILY THEME: PEACE ON EARTH BEGINS AT HOME”

FEBRUARY—THE POWER OF LOVE AND THE LOVE OF POWER World Marriage Day at the same time as Valentine’s Day highlights the fact that marriage is intended to be the most fulfilling of love relationships, if lived according to God’s plan and in his presence. Every love relationships has its challenges and power struggles and support is often needed. Constant reconciliation, asking and granting forgiveness for the hurts we cause is called for in every loving relationship in a family. This is true for the sake of a couple and for the example they give to their children. When the power of love overcomes the love of power the world will know peace. —Jimi Hendrix 2nd Presentation of the Lord or Candlemas. This is the formal end of the 40 days of Christmas when Mary and Joseph came to present him in the temple as was required by the Law. Lighting candles once more reminds us that Jesus is our light. Eat a candle-light dinner as a couple or a family and share how important light is in our lives.

DAY FOR THE SICK, AGED AND DISABLED Sunday 13th February, 2011 at Schoenstatt Training Centre Constantia, Cape Town 10.00am 10.30am 11.10am 11.30am 12.30/45pm 2.30pm 3.15pm

Tea/Welcome Talk by Sr Glynis Sing-a-long Holy Mass Served Lunch Entertainment Closing Devotion

Cost for the day – R40 Please confirm by 5th February if you will be attending the day.

Schoenstatt Training Centre 021-794 3132

6 th 5 th Su n d ay o f th e Y e ar A. C h r i st’ s Church, a Lig ht in the Darkness. Jesus calls his disciples light to the world and tells them to let this light shine out. In the 1st reading we are told what to do as we care for the needs of others by using the power of our love. Married couples sharing from their love relationship can be a powerful light in the world. Consider how much of this light you can see around you.

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO #430. ACROSS: 1 Gold, 3 Ascribed, 9 Alimony, 10 Lydia, 11 Day of justice, 13 Allude, 15 Basset, 17 Stone to death, 20 Naomi, 21 Iberian, 22 Absolute, 23 Jews. DOWN: 1 Guardian, 2 Laity, 4 Stylus, 5 Relit candles, 6 Bedecks, 7 Drab, 8 Confidential, 12 Etchings, 14 Lotions, 16 Strict, 18 Abide, 19 Anna.

Births • First Communion • Confirmation • Engagement/Marriage • Wedding anniversary • Ordination jubilee • Congratulations • Deaths • In memoriam • Thanks • Prayers • Accommodation • Holiday Accommodation • Personal • Services • Employment • Property • Others Please include payment (R1,15c a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

DEATH HYAMS—Domitilla Maria Rota. Our treasured Doma—wife, mother, grandmother, greatgrandmother, embraced by Our Blessed Lady, has earned her place to rest in the arms of Jesus and bask in the glory of God for eternity. She was an extraordinary example of living the Word of God and did everything in her power to improve the lives of those who needed help. Rest in Peace dearest Doma, we love you. Danny, Mary, Elizabeth, Veronica, Lucy, Agnes, Tarcisio; Domenico, Peter, Luigi, Peter; Roberto and Natalie, Jason, Danielle and Garnet, Dina, Michael and Xelda, Giovanni, Elvira, Douglas, Marco and Juliette, Paolo, Davide, Carl and Lyn, Louise, Nicholas, Anna-Marie; Alessandro, Vincenzo, Michele, Giovanni Paolo.

PERSONAL ABORTION WARNING: ‘The Pill’ can abort, undetected, soon after conception (a medical fact). See website: ww.human life.org/abortion_does _the_pill.php ACCESS TOURS: Cape Town invites you to join us on February 16, 2011 for a special night with the hippos on Hippo Island. For further information and bookings phone 076 921 1224. LOOKING for active business partner, franchise or non-franchise, coffee shop in northern Gauteng area. As soon as possible. Contact Zelia 082 365 9875. TAKE a trip with Access Tours, Cape Town on February 23, 2011, to Sutherland to see South Africa’s largest telescope (SALT) and enjoy a night of stargazing. For further information and bookings call 076 921 1224.

PRAYERS HOLY St Jude, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to come

to my assistance. Help me now in my urgent need and grant my petitions. In return I promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. Amen. RCP O MOST beautiful flower of Mount Carmel, fruitful vine, splendour of Heaven, blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me where you are, Mother of God. Queen of heaven and earth I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succour me in my necessity. There is none who can withstand your power, O Mary conceived without sin, pay for us who have recourse to thee. Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands. Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days and then publish. LM. SANTA CLARA, you followed Jesus in his life of poverty and prayer. Grant that confidently giving ourselves up to the providence of our celestial Father, we may serenely accept his divine wish. Say this prayer followed by nine Hail Mary’s for nine days. On the ninth day light a candle. CF

THANKS DEEP gratitude to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, the Holy Infant of Prague and our Lady, Mother of the Son of God, for taking care of everything for our baby’s baptism. May the Sacred Heart of Jesus be praised, adored and glorified throughout the whole world, now and forever, Amen. Very special thanks to Father Michael. Anderson family. GRATEFUL thanks to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Mother Mary and Ss Joseph, Anthony, Jude and Martin de Porres for prayers answered. RCP.

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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

FISH HOEK: Peninsula Fever self-catering, against mountainside overlooking False Bay. Sleeps up to 4 people at R680 per night. Lounge with sleeper couch, kitchenette, double bedroom, timber deck with sea views. Phone Lizette 084 827 0385 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, PROTEA HOuSE: underground 2min, Picadilly 20min. Close to River Thames. Self-catering. Single per night R250, twin R400. Email: houseprotea@hot mail.com. Tel 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 STELLENBOSCH: Five simple private suites (2 beds, fridge, microwave). Countryside vineyard/forest/mountain walks; beach 20 minute drive. Affordable. Christian Brothers Tel: 021 880 0242, cbc_stel@mweb. co.za STRAND: Beachfront flat to let. Stunning views, fully equipped. Garage, one bedroom, sleeps 3. R450 p/night for 2 people —low season. Phone Brenda 082 822 0607 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 WILDERNESS: Rustic farm cottage. Sleeps five, self-catering. Ph 073 478 9038. thewoodvillecottage@gmail.com

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6th Sunday February 13 Readings: Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20, Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Matthew 5:17-37

HERE is a danger that we may be rather grudging in our attitudes to “Law”; unless we are careful, we can find ourselves regarding it as an imposition, a burden that we have to shoulder, like those who keep the speed limit only because there is a camera waiting to catch us. The readings for next Sunday show quite a different attitude on the part of God’s people. In the first reading, written, or translated, for a society that in many ways resembles ours, technologically brilliant, and fertile in new ideas that tended to make traditional religion appear embarrassingly out of date, the author, Jesus ben Sira, insists that it is, after all, possible, even in this age, to “keep the commandments”: it is a matter of what you choose. “Human beings have before them life and death, and whatever they choose will be given them—for the Lord’s wisdom is huge.” And it is no good our putting the blame for our sinfulness on God, for “he has not commanded anyone to act godlessly, and has not given anyone permission to sin”. The psalm for next Sunday is from the long psalm 119, a song of praise for the gift to

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God’s law: A gift for Christians Nicholas King SJ Sunday Reflections us that is God’s law: “Happy are those who...walk in the Law of the Lord.” This Law is not understood as an imposition or punishment; it is a signpost towards a happy and fulfilled life: “Happy are those who seek the Lord with all their heart...open my eyes, that I may see the wonders of your Law.” This is not a reluctant acceptance of God’s authority; the psalmist has understood that we have a God who loves us enough to let us know how to live, and to guide us “to keep [your Law] with all my heart”. Paul, in the second reading, is talking to people, his converts in Corinth, who think that they know better, and that all this “law” business is out of date; “wisdom” (which we might translate as “spin-doctoring”) is where it is really at. Paul’s claim is that in Christianity we have a wisdom that is going to last, the

“wisdom of God”, the insight that would have prevented the “rulers of this world from crucifying the Lord of Glory”. It is dangerously easy to get these things badly wrong, and we need to listen to God’s Law. In the gospel for next Sunday, continuing our journey through the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew’s Jesus considers this question of the Law. Against some opponents who had evidently been saying: “You Christians are denying God’s gift of the Law,” we hear Jesus insist that “I have not come to destroy the Law but to fulfil it”, and that you cannot mess about with even the least important letter in the alphabet, if it is a part of God’s Law. If you want to be “great in the Kingdom of Heaven”, then you must keep the Law, and teach others to do the same. Not only that, but “your righteousness has to be greater than that of the scribes and Pharisees” (and Jesus’ audience can hardly have imagined any righteousness as great as that). Then Jesus gives us a hint of what he means, and if we understand it correctly, it is all rather alarming, for his claim is apparently that the Law does not go far enough.

Book of special memories W

HEN I was about 12-years-old I was given an autograph album for my birthday which was a bit of a disappointment because I was expecting one of those really big Meccano sets from which one could build a mobile heavy-lift crane capable of lifting a younger brother at least five metres into the air and then dropping him into a compost pit. My somewhat pathetic pre-pubescent mind completely missed the point of autograph albums and instead of collecting signatures of famous sportsmen to whom I had access, such as Ken Funston, Eddie Barlow and Tiger Lance, I stupidly circulated the album among my standard five classmates. Which means that today, it is worth nothing but excruciating embarrassment. Entries ranged from the sublime to the ridiculous. “Wherever you are wherever you be, always let air and water be free, “wrote one lavatorial youngster while another who had clearly been the only fellow in the class to be paying attention during English Literature classes, wrote; “When oft upon my couch I lie, in vacant or in pensive mood...” Which continues to flummox me, because he was the most unlikely bloke to ever be caught quoting the romantic poets and the only pensive thought he could possible have had, given his record of classroom misdemeanours, would be too ghastly to contemplate.

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Chris Moerdyk The Last Word But, someone who clearly knows what to do with an autograph album is one of my fellow parishioners, Betty Miles, who spent decades collecting the signatures of some of the most famous of South Africa’s Catholic clerics. On the very first page is the distinctive signature of Cardinal Owen McCann. And, on Ascension Day in 1979 Betty attended a mass in Simon’s Town for local Catholics and sailors, celebrated by Fr Raymond Bonnello, the French Navy Chaplain. On Christmas Day in 1985, Betty got the autograph of yet another navy chaplain, this time Fr Vincent Docherty RN, who was aboard HMS Raleigh which was on a visit to Simon’s Town from its home port in Cornwall. Reginald Cawcutt’s signature was penned in August 1973, followed on the next page by Fr Mike Brennan of the Salesian Institute. In November 1964 the now retired archbishop of Cape Town, Laurence Henry wrote: “Charm is deceptive and beauty fades, but the woman who fears the Lord will have lasting praise.” Also in 1964, Fr J Kelly SDB wrote; “I’m happy to be the first Salesian via the

Falkland Islands and the Island of St Helena to hand to you the Blessing of the Merciful Lord from St John Bosco.” And so, page after page, are names of many illustrious pastors with archbishops and bishops from as far afield as Keimoes to what was Bechuanaland (now Botswana) and Basutoland (Lesotho) Of course, Betty would not have been at all satisfied with her collection of autographs without that of Archbishop Denis Hurley of Durban, which now has pride of place in her album. A friend of my family, Archbishop George Daniel of Pretoria, along with Msgr Jock Baird of St James Parish who has now retired and living in Betty’s Simon’s Town parish of Ss Simon and Jude are recent additions to her autograph album with Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town one of the most recent signatures, dated April 14, 2010, when he visited Simon’s Town parish soon after his induction. However, one of the most poignant entries in Betty’s album penned in 1998, but which is of great relevance right now is a message from the current parish priest of Simon’s Town, Fr Bram Martijn. He wrote; “Dear Betty, I thank you so much for all you are doing for my parish and for me. I will never forget you!” A few weeks ago, after many years in Simon’s Town, Betty left to live with her son in Johannesburg. She was clearly sad to leave but excited about being with her Johannesburg family. She told Fr Martijn that the things she would miss most about Simon’s Town were her parish and her friends. However, she promised to come back and visit all of those who will miss her and as insurance that she sticks to her promise, I will be keeping her precious autograph album in my safe at home until she personally comes down to fetch it. Betty’s album is not only a collection of signatures but an inspirational prayer book with so many wonderful inscriptions. Inscriptions that lift the soul rather than my silly autograph book that is painfully puerile and its only saving grace being a wonderful quote from Wordsworth in spite of the three blatant spelling mistakes.

In our extract from the gospel, he takes four quotations from the Law, “You are not to kill...you are not to commit adultery...if you divorce your wife, give her a certificate...you are not to perjure yourself”, and not only insists on their continuing validity, but actually makes their interpretation more severe: not killing includes being angry with your brother or sister (possibly your fellow-Christian), calling them “Raka”, which may not be an immense temptation to you, or “Fool”, which may be. You are not even to go to Mass if you remember that your brother or sister has something against you. And adultery is reinterpreted to include even looking admiringly at a woman; divorce is absolutely forbidden, except for adultery, and all oath-taking, not just when it is a matter of lying, is prohibited: Christians should be known for their integrity. We shiver at this suggestion, and wonder if we can possibly be expected to take it at all seriously; but think about it a bit, and you will see the sanity in all these ideas. God’s Law is, after all, a gift to us, a signpost in the darkness of our lives.

Southern Crossword #430

ACROSS 1. One of the gifts at the manger (4) 3. Attributed to bird case (8) 9. Divorcee may owe it (7) 10. Lady I find from Thyatira (Acts 16) (5) 11. When it dawns, the reckoning begins (3,2,7) 13. Mention in passing (6) 15. Best as a hunting hound (6) 17. What ancient Jews would do in execution (5,2,5) 20. I’m on a way to Ruth’s mother-in-law (5) 21. Brian, i.e. he’s Spanish (7) 22. Beat soul with no conditions (8) 23. Pilate wrote that Jesus was their king (4)

DOWN 1. Alert angel (8) 2. Italy produces non-clerics (5) 4. Old writing implement (6) 5. They burn on the altar another day (5,7) 6. Decorates lavishly on board? (7) 7. Bard returns looking tawdry (4) 8. News intended to be kept secret (12) 12. Engraving chins get (8) 14. Cosmetic liquids (7) 16. Kind of rule for the monks (6) 18. ... With Me (hymn) (5) 19. Temple prophetess (Lk 2) (4) Answers on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

MAN, down on his luck, went into a church which was frequented by the “well-to-do”. Spotting the man’s dirty clothes a deacon, worried about the church’s image, went to the man and asked him if he needed help. The man said, “I was praying and the Lord told me to come to this church.” The deacon suggested that the man go and pray some more and possibly he might get a different answer. The next Sunday the man returned. The deacon asked: “Did you get a different answer?” The man replied: “Yes I did. I told the Lord that they don’t want me in that church and the Lord said, “Don't worry about it son; I’ve been trying to get into that church for years and haven’t made it yet”. Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.