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November 16 to November 22, 2011
R5,50 (incl VAT RSA) Reg No. 1920/002058/06
Cardinal: Spice up your sermons
Come back to Mother Earth
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No 4750
How the role of the laity changed Page 10
SA Catholic social media site goes up BY CLAIRE MATHIESON
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Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka of Mthatha was born in Queenstown diocese, while Bishop Dabula Anthony Mpako of Queenstown was born in Mthatha diocese. In this way, they are Father to one another. The two episcopal Anthonys met at the Golden Jubilee of Holy Family parish in Dutywa, where Bishop Sipuka was born. (Photo: Fr Matthias Nsamba)
Sudan bishops warn of war
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UDAN’S Catholic bishops have issued a formal warning about the threat of a return to full-scale civil war and appealed for urgent food and medicine, stating that thousands of people are being terrorised by aerial bombardment. Referring to spreading violence in different regions in central and eastern Sudan, and newly created South Sudan, the bishops urged the international community to intervene to stop the fighting. In a communiqué, the Sudan Catholic Bishops’ Conference—which serves both Sudan and South Sudan—described conflict in Blue Nile State, South Kordofan and Eastern Equatoria, as well as ongoing conflict in Darfur. The bishops called for immediate action, stressing how the conflict in oil-rich Abyei has been “militarised”. And they underlined the ongoing violence in Western Equatoria and Western Bahr el Ghazal caused by rebel group the Lords Resistance Army (LRA). The bishops warned that the two Sudans may be on course for a return to large-scale conflict. The document prompted fears of violence similar to Sudan’s 1983-2005 civil war in which 2,5 million people died and five million were displaced. “We have constantly warned of the danger of a return to hostilities if the legitimate
aspirations of the people of those areas were not met. Civilians are being terrorised by indiscriminate aerial bombardment,” the bishops said. In an interview with Aid to the Church in Need, Auxiliary Bishop Daniel Adwok Kur of Khartoum said: “If you consider the many conflicts in Sudan and South Sudan, they will almost certainly create a situation in which one side or the other will say ‘Enough is enough. We need to do whatever is necessary to clear away the problem’.” In their statement, the bishops called on the international community—especially the African Union—to help resolve the conflicts, adhering to the terms of the 2005 Comprehensive Peace Agreement that formally ended the civil war. The bishops’ statement included a plea for aid amid reports that hundreds of thousands of people have been internally displaced by the conflict on the border between the two Sudans. “There is an urgent need to open humanitarian corridors to allow food and medicines to reach those in need,” the bishops said. It comes after humanitarian relief operations gave reports of more than 200 000 displaced people from South Kordofan and Blue Nile State, both on the contentious border between Sudan and South Sudan.— ICN
OUTH AFRICA’S Catholic community now has a place to interact online as the continent’s first Catholic Social Network, Awestruck Studios (www.awestruck.co.za), goes live. Awestruck Studios is a social network, “a geolocation map, a directory, a video gallery, an online shop, a news blog, a virtual faithsharing space, a safe environment for Catholics to network and a point of contact for faith exploration,” said the site’s creative director, Norman Servais. The non-profit site aims to provide a positive space where people are able to interact and form relationships with each other. “These good characteristics are also hallmarks of Christianity and of the Church, but sadly today the image of the Church has been tainted by abuse, apostasy, disunity and apathy. Juxtaposing this is the tremendous richness of Catholic teaching and the great popes that have marked our era,” said Mr Servais. He said many local Catholics are concerned about the state of the Church and its future. “A group of us put our heads together and came up with a concept that in many aspects is unique. We’ve called it ‘Awestruck’, and we’re facing these issues of concern head-on through building community, unity, and passion for the faith.” Mr Servais, who is also the founder of Catholic video production company Metanoia Media, hopes to create “a virtual space where young-at-heart Catholics, with a positive and charitable attitude, can network socially and constructively”. The site is not intended to replace the likes of Facebook or Twitter. Instead, users can log into Awestruck with their Facebook accounts. “The social community is a safe space to interact with fellow Catholics, and it gives one the freedom to create one’s own groups. The site will be moderated to ensure that Awestruck remains a trusted space and that groups are faithful to the teachings of the Catholic Church,” Mr Servais said. “In a secular society, filled with temptations and mixed messages many Catholics feel alone in their faith convictions, but the reality is we're not alone.” Mr Servais said broadband penetration into the rural heart of Southern Africa increases year by year and by 2020, current predictions are that South Africa will have 100% penetration. “By that stage even the most basic mobile devices will have Internet access, and data will be far more affordable than it is at present. The communications potential that this offers the Church is huge,” he said. The development of the site has been a long journey but with support coming from various areas including trustee Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town.
A screenshot of the Awestruck multi-media website (www.awestruck.co.za) The development team made up of Mark Eames, Mike Needham and Mr Servais was assisted by funding from the Knights of da Gama who “recognised the value and potential of this project. Without their assistance we would simply not have been able to develop and launch this site,” Mr Servais said. But the site is not to be just another “Facebook”, he said. “The talented base of Catholic video, sound and photographic content producers is growing,” and Awestruck will provide a space for “amateur videographers, photographers and musicians in every parish and community to submit content”, possibly even with a view to discussing “possibilities for collaboration on projects”. Other tools on the site include Soundcloud, which allows Catholic musicians and choirs to have an embedded stream of their own original music to which visitors can listen on-demand. “We want the site to be a tool for the community and one built by the community. To achieve this we need the help of the community to get groups and parishes listed in the directory,” Mr Servais said. There is also a directory for Catholic businesses “to assist Catholics to find goods or services that are run by Catholics in their vicinity” Mr Servais said. “This is a practical way for many faith communities to support the Catholic community.” Work continues on the site. “At this point we really need the Catholic community to help populate the map. This is not something Awestruck staff are going to do for the community, but it’s more something the community does for itself. See if your church, parish or outstation is currently listed in the directory, and if not fill in the form and your church will be mapped and become Awestruck,” Mr Servais said. He said that Awestruck is looking for “at least one Awestruck contact person” in each community. “In that way Awestruck will quickly become that vibrant space it's intended to be.”
Miss World 2011 wanted to be a nun
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ISS World 2011 spent five years in a convent hoping to become a nun before beating contestants from 122 countries for the pageant’s crown in London. Ivian Lunasol Sarcos Colmenares, who qualified as Miss Venezuela, 22, has a degree in human resources and works for a broadcasting company—but once she planned to join a convent. Orphaned at the age of eight, she was raised by nuns in a convent in Cojedes. “I spent my five years in [a convent] and my dream was to become a nun,” she said. She said her proudest moment in life was
when she made her First Communion. “All of my family were together that day so it is a moment I cherish deeply. As Miss World she plans to help people in need. “I would like to help people like me. I am an orphan. I would also like to help the elderly and troubled teenagers. As many people as I can.” During the contest, a message from Nelson Mandela was read, sending his greetings to the contestants and congratulating them on their efforts for charities.