The Southern Cross - 120104

January 4 to January 10, 2012

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The Top 10 highlight of pope’s 2011

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My friend, the late bishop of Port Elizabeth

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Christian body on the ANC’s 100th birthday STAFF rePOrTer

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N ecumenical body formed in March 2011 has congratulated the African National Congress (ANC) on its centenary celebrations on January 8, but asked that its three-day celebrations in Bloemfontein/Mangaung not be extravagant.

Kairos Southern Africa was founded last year to further the prophetic witness of the 1985 Kairos document, a watershed moment in the ecumenical opposition against apartheid. It states among its objectives “to be part of and assist in strengthening the civil society movement in Southern Africa”.

Kairos Southern Africa wrote its message to the ANC “in a spirit of appreciation and gratitude for you and in a spirit of true friendship, where we can both congratulate you and raise some concerns as friends”.

In its message, Kairos expressed hope that the ANC’s centenary celebrations “will be appropriate and not lavish, especially given the levels of poverty and inequality in our country”.

The celebrations, which will be attended by several heads of state, will include a religious service on January 8.

In November the party’s national chairperson, Baleka Mbete, said the celebrations would cost R100 million. According to reports, taxpayers were to spend another R400 million on infrastructure in the Free State in preparations for the three-day celebrations, including R150 million to upgrade a resort outside Mangaung, which will serve as the headquarters for the celebration.

The message noted that there are many Christians among ANC members, and “that many Christian leaders were involved in the formation and nurturing of the ANC over the years, and we therefore continue to feel a sense of responsibility for its existence and what it does”.

The ANC was founded in a Methodist church at Waaihoek, near Mangaung on January 8, 1912.

“In 1912, the founders of the African National Congress dreamed of a different future for all the people of South Africa, where there would be no more coloniser and colonised, but where we would all be one. One people, one nation, one country!

“They dreamed that the injustice that was being meted out to black South Africans by the colonisers would come to an end,” the message said.

“We thank God that the colonial and apartheid systems have come to an end and a great effort has been made to better the lives of all South Africans, especially the poor.”

The message noted that much progress had been made since the demise of apartheid, but “certain tensions and contradictions continue to militate against us fully achieving this dream”.

It said that “the effect of the 1913 Land Act is largely still with us; the economic disparities are stuck with us; deep levels of poverty are staring at us”.

Calling for a national sense of unity in diversity, Kairos said this must be “based on justice, peace and righteousness”, adding: “Let us use this year to once again dream this dream together.”

Kairos congratulated the ANC, Africa’s oldest liberation movement, “as it celebrates this important milestone in its history”.

“With all the challenges [the ANC] has faced over the years of is existence, it could have imploded but it has remained remarkably resilient, and for that we congratulate you. We congratulate you for your pivotal role in the liberation of our country alongside that of the other liberation movements”.

Kairos also commended the ANC for “the vision and foresight” it has displayed as “the conditions on the ground changed”.

The message called on the ANC to hold on to the vision of “a united, non-racial, non-sexist, just and democratic South Africa”.

Masolonyana Primary School in Pretoria had their annual retreat at Johannesburg’s Bosco Youth Centre. Altogether 230 young people, also from various parishes in Johannesburg, took part in the retreat on the theme of service. (Photo from Br Clarence Watts)

Pope’s Mexico dates confirmed

BY DAviD Agren

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SPOKESMAN for the Mexican bishops’ conference has confirmed details of Pope Benedict’s upcoming visit to Mexico from March 23-26.

The spokesman, Fr Manuel Corral, stressed that details of the visit “are not official”, although he said the pope would visit only the state of Guanajuato and its environs in west-central Mexico.

The dates were originally published by the newspaper Reforma.

Reforma, citing comments from the president of the bishops’ conference, Archbishop Carlos Aguiar Retes of Tlalnepantla, reported that Pope Benedict would celebrate Mass on March 25 at the Parque Guanajuato Bicentenario in Silao, near the city of Leon and 350km north-west of Mexico City.

Pope Benedict is also expected to visit Cuba during his trip, the first to both countries since he was elected in 2005.

Meanwhile, Mexico’s bishops have declared a nationwide tour of Bl John Paul II’s relics “a total success”.

An estimated 27 million Catholics came to venerate the items—including a vial of

the late pontiff’s blood—and pray for peace in Mexico.

Fr Corral said that the tour, which concluded on December 15 in Mexico City, drew large crowds in each of the country’s 91 dioceses and achieved its aim of having Catholics “praying for peace” along with “encouraging people...giving them hope during a difficult time”.

The turnout “was more than we had hoped for.”

The tour of Bl John Paul’s relics came at a difficult time for Mexico as drug cartel and organized crime violence has claimed more than 40 000 lives since 2006. Some areas have experienced declines in violence over the past year, such as Ciudad Juarez, but other parts of the country, including Acapulco, have worsened.

Fr Corral said a desire for ending the violence was a factor in bringing out such sizable crowds. He also credited the enduring popularity of Bl John Paul, who visited Mexico five times during his papacy and helped pave the way for Mexico and the Vatican establishing relations after decades of estrangement.—CNS

Generous Southern Cross readers help priest get life-saving treatment

BY CLAire MATHieSOn

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HANKS to the generous response in prayers and donations from Southern Cross readers, Fr Richard Musakwa has received the necessary treatment for his cancer.

Fr Musakwa, originally of the diocese of Mutare in Zimbabwe, has spent the past few months in South Africa where he has undergone chemotheraphy for Basal cell carcinoma, a form of cancer which affected his eye.

The 66-year-old priest said neither the necessary expertise nor the medical equipment was available in Zimbabwe and his time spent in South Africa was essential for his treatment. Scans in July had confirmed

the cancer had become more aggressive and was spreading.

In order to proceed with the life-saving treatment, Fr Musakwa appealed to readers to contribute in generosity and prayer. And a positive response followed.

“I am happy to express my sincere gratitude for your [article],” Fr Musakwa told The Southern Cross. The 29 contributors that donated to his cause “deserve my deepest appreciation”.

The contributions allowed Fr Musakwa to receive the necessary six cycles of treatment.

The last and toughest took place in December.

The journey is not yet over for the Zimbabwean priest. Post-chemo testing, for

which funds are still required, will hopefully show positive results for Fr Musakwa.

“After my recovery, my hope is to continue with my pastoral ministry more vigorously, thanking God for what he has done for me,” Fr Musakwa said.

He is also grateful to those who had helped him during his treatment. The Society of Jesus in South Africa took on the Zimbabwean’s plight and has been assisting with fund-raising and the managing of Fr Musakwa’s accounts, although the priest is not a Jesuit himself. He has also been assisted by those at Christ the King cathedral in Johannesburg.

Fr Musakwa said he has been blessed to have been supported during his treatment

and hopes this will continue. A further R16 000 is required for the post-chemo testing, scans and consultations.

Any funds raised above the costs of Fr Musakwa’s medical expenses will be reserved for the Mutare Diocesan Priests’ Association in Zimbabwe.

Fr Musakwa said he is eager to continue his work as a priest working in the “deplorable socio-economic situation back home”, but that treatment was of the utmost importance.

Banking details for donations must indicate “Fr Richard Musakwa” upon deposit.

Details: Society of Jesus in South Africa, Standard Chatered Bank, Bedford Gardens (018305), Account number 201874113.

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LOCAL

The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

Church can act now on climate change

BY CLAire MATHieSOn

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CATHOLIC ecology activist has said that while December’s COP17 meeting in Durban produced no solid resolution, the conference laid the foundations for further plans, and so should not be seen as wasted time.

Elizabeth Mokotong said it is now also clear how important the Church’s role in climate change is.

“Climate change impacts household food security, maternal and child care health regimes and causes an unhealthy environment for human habitation,” said Ms Mokotong, who participated in COP17.

She said the main messages emerging from the conference highlighted the fact that climate change is “the most pressing challenge facing humanity and the planet today. It is the duty of all to act. It is a great threat to food, security, health and development of people and nations”.

But while a solid resolution was

not reached, this is the time for faith based organisations to lead the way. “Faith-based leadership should help communities to resolve to act on protecting themselves from the negative impacts associated with the rapid climate change,” said Ms Mokotong.

She said the Church needs to be proactive within communities as people are today “faced with under-nutrition, the challenge of vector-food and waterborne infectious diseases such as diarrhea and malaria, strokes and an increasing death rate—all due to extreme weather events that could also lead to the dislocation of people”.

Ms Mokotong said the Church needs to act now, even as policies and legal framework are being discussed.

“Alternative non-fossil energy systems, the adoption and acceleration of more stable clean technology, reducing volatile air emissions by the transformation towards low carbon green economy that is sustainable and qualitative and reduc-

tion of waste” will be some of the issues that will eventually become international policy but are unlikely to feature in the near future.

While there were some positive outcomes from the conference— including the extension of the Kyoto Protocol to 2017—the establishment of the Green Climate Fund for developing countries to deal with the effects of climate change and a commitment from China, India and the US to sign a post-Kyoto agreement, these were mostly just plans to make more plans. Little action will take place before COP18 to be held in Qatar in 2012. Ms Mokotong said this is where faith-based organisations can step in.

The eco-advocate said COP17 established a list of goals. “The negotiators still have to reach some form of agreement towards legally binding commitments to carbon and other climate green house gases emission reductions.

Role players also have to agree on time frames for change of behav-

New name and mission for We Are Church STAFF rePOrTer

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HE We Are Church movement in South Africa has changed its name, and issued a mission statement that is independent from the international movement.

Now known as We Are All Church (WAACSA), the group has formally asked the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference to enter into a dialogue.

“We believe that our mission accords with the spirit of the Second Vatican Council, and we hope to be recognised as a group of Catholics in good standing who wish to promote the implementation and furthering of the renewal of the Church that was begun there 50 years ago,” the group said in a letter, dated November 21, to the bishops.

“We are convinced that, without significant renewal and metanoia, a serious rift in the Church is inevitable.

We therefore stand for dialogue and openness to new ideas and challenges, and a more loving and inclusive

J.M.J

approach within the Church,” the letter, released to The Southern Cross in December, said.

In the mission statement, WAACSA describes describes itself as “an autonomous movement” and says that “our name reflects the inclusiveness of the Vatican II concept of the People of God”.

“We believe that renewal requires freedom for responsible inquiry and debate about matters of faith and morals, and the structures and practices of our Church. Our vision is of a Church of love and justice in which the voices of all its members are heard and valued, and which is fully engaged with a changing world,” the mission statement says.

The movement describes its mission as “to strive for a Church that upholds primacy of conscience, and the need for questioning and dialogue; openly addresses contemporary concerns such as priestly celibacy and women in ministry; engages all members in its deliberations; embraces all of its members without judging or excluding”.

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Minister of Water and environmental Affairs edna Molewa (left), Fr victor Phalana, minister for Women, Children and People with Disabilities Lulu Xingwana (right), South Sudan ambassador Dr John Yoh, members of South Sudan community and members of cathedral of the Sacred Heart Justice & Peace are examples of the Church acting now for a better climate. iour by heavy polluting countries and companies,” said Ms Mokotong. She added adequate financial support from developed countries

or heavy emitting companies to support adaptation initiatives by developing countries is also required.

Essay competition winners announced in Port Elizabeth STAFF rePOrTer

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HE diocese of Port Elizabeth has announced the winners of its essay competition in which entrants were asked to describe their families’ faith experiences within the diocese’s Church.

Siviwe Jack of Victoria Park High School and Jessica Ilunga of Clarendon Girls' High School, East London, shared the first prize, receiving R500 each.

Runners-up Ziva Isaacs of Riebeek College in Uitenhage and Jonathan Leyland of Grey High School received each a copy of The African Community Bible. One of the top essays appeared in the December issue of the Diocesan News and the second one will appear in the February 2012 issue.

In her essay, Jessica Ilunga recalled her family’s emigrant journey from the Democratic Republic of Congo via Japan to South Africa.

She outlined the problems her family faced in South Africa, especially with the bureaucracy and xenophobia.

But her family feels at home in their parish.

“Our Church, the Immaculate Conception community [led] by Fr Peter Whitehead is a place where all people put their differences aside and where we

norah Beukes with Jonathan Leyland, one of the top 4 writers in a contest for high school pupils held by the diocese of Port elizabeth.

(Photo courtesy of Diocesan news) need not fear. Catholic means ‘universal’ and that has never meant more to my family for we know that means ‘us too’.

We have never felt so at home

in South Africa than in the Catholic Church,” Jessica wrote.

The essay competition will be repeated early in 2012.

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LOCAL

The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

3

Catholics targeted in new Scam

BY CLAire MATHieSOn

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ATHOLIC organisations, institutions and congregations are being targeted by a money laundering scam and have been warned to double check their financial proceedings to avoid falling victim.

Pamela Davids, business manager of The Southern Cross, said the newspaper had been hit twice, as have other Catholic organisations.

The scam artists seemed to have information on Catholic organisations that made the transactions seem legitimate and it was very easy to fall victim to the scam.

“A huge deposit is made into your banking account, with a reference of one of your clients, someone then telephones you to say that they have overpaid this amount and they ask you to refund the amount into a banking account number which they give you,” said Ms Davids.

The cheque which is deposited into your account bounces, but in the time it takes for the cheque to be declared invalid, the organisation returns the funds to the seemingly legitimate organisation.

Ms Davids said that at first it was difficult to identify the action as a con as the scam artists had private information and knew how the newspaper conducts business.

“In March this year it happened that there was a deposit made from a church which The Southern Cross regularly deals with—after leaving a message for the priest to contact us, we were contacted by someone who told us the church had overpaid and could we please refund as soon as possible. The bank details were sent to us on the parish letterhead, so we refunded the money,” explained Ms Davids.

“Fortunately, a very alert bank teller discovered that the account number was not for the church and payment was stopped before

the conman tried to withdraw money.”

Since the initial attempt at defrauding the newspaper, news has emerged that other Catholic organisations have been hit in a similar manner—with private information. And it seems the scam continues.

“They are trying this scam all the time—it’s the second time this year that it’s happened to us, but I am now aware of it so no refund will be made,” said Ms Davids.

She advised Catholic organisations to proceed with caution when refunding people—even if private information, account numbers and names seem correct.

“If someone calls you and informs you an error was made and a refund is necessary, do not refund immediately,” Ms Davids said.

“If anyone contacts you, ask for a copy of the deposit slip and a copy of the clients bank statement

so that you can confirm the account number. Also wait for at least a week to see whether the cheque that was deposited bounces.”

In the event that a refund has been made, Ms Davids recommends one gets in touch with the bank immediately.

She said if you act with speed, you can alert the bank before any withdrawals are made.

If the funds have been moved, it is still possible to get the funds returned, but a formal investigation is required. “In order to have these funds returned to the victim’s account, a number of documents may be required,” said Ms Davids.

These include an affidavit completed, signed and rubber-stamped by the South African Police, a case number as well as a letter of claim on the company letterhead signed by the authorised signatories as laid down.

Ms Davids said in order for the bank to conduct an investigation, one will need to supply the bank with all the information including the events leading up to the payments made.

“The letter should also include the account number where the funds were paid to and from as well as the amounts and dates.”

Only once the documents are received can the bank investigate and make a possible refund. The process can be time consuming but can be avoided entirely if one is alert, said Ms Davids.

“We don’t know how these scammers are getting the information from Catholic organisations, but they know private details which make the refund seem legitimate.”

Ms Davids said the Catholic community was being targeted and completing business transactions through actions of faith was not an option.

Little Eden’s New Year’s goal

BY CLAire MATHieSOn

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HILE Little Eden’s 2011 started on a sad note with the death of its founder, the rest of the year was positive for the home for intellectually disabled children in Johannesburg— and with the ongoing support of the public, 2012 will be even better, a spokeswoman said.

Domitilla Rota-Hyams, founder of Little Eden, died on January 18 at age 92, but according to publicist Nicholette Zulu, the life of the late founder has served as an inspiration to strive on and get more people involved.

In 2011 new volunteer accommodation was opened, a new Imitation of Christ Sister joined the

home, and 11 new residents were welcomed. There was also the broadcast of a television special featuring the home.

“And in 2012, we look forward to more success stories,” said Ms Zulu. The home’s biggest event will be the annual fete to be held in memory of the late founder with the theme “Little Italy”, a homage to Mrs Rota-Hyams’ country of birth. Members of the public are already invited to get involved in the fete which will be held in March.

Ms Zulu said the children of Little Eden understand “that the most important thing is that they are loved. That there will always be gentle hands to comfort and care for them and that they

deserve happiness just as much as any other child.”

She said this work will continue in the new year. “Most importantly, the focus for 2012 is to continue and enhance further the quality care given to people in our care.”

The home welcomes any support and involvement from the public.

“You are welcome to visit either of our homes - to meet the children and tour our facilities to see for yourself the work that is being done at Little Eden,” she said, adding that there are many ways to get involved in the Edenvalebased care facility. n For more information visit www.littleeden.org.za or contact 011 609 7246

Little eden staff get ready for the year ahead when they hope to see more public involvement.

Send you local news to news@scross.co.za

Burn the candles and pray Oblate of St Francis de Sales Father JJe Bokern of Lüderitz, namibia, turned 90 years old on Christmas day.

Retired priest turns 90

BY AuguSTine PArAMPuzHAYiL MSFS

O

BLATE of St Francis de Sales Father JJE Bokern of Lüderitz, Namibia, celebrated his 90th birthday on Christmas Day, with a reception held the following day. orn in 1921 in Leiden, Netherlands, he joined the Oblates of St Francis de Sales in 1939, and did his novitiate at Nijmegen from 1944-45.

Having made his first religious profession on August 30, 1945 and the final profession exactly three years later, he was ordained a priest on March 9, 1949.

Soon after his ordination he opted to work in Southern Africa and as soon as the documents

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were ready he started his journey by ship to Lüderitz, where he has served ever since, with a five-year interruption at Rehoboth from 1954-59.

Fr Bokern retired as parish priest in 2002 and the parish was given to the care of the Missionary of St Francis de Sales Fathers.

Even at the age of 90, Fr Bokern remains involved in the pastoral and sacramental ministries of the parish with the vigour and vitality of a newly ordained priest.

His gentleness, simplicity, availability and missionary spirit are examples and best lessons for everyone today.

He is a loyal reader and an ardent supporter of The Southern Cross, and eagerly awaits every issue.

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The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

INTERNATIONAL

Zambian anger as aid is tied to gay rights

BY MWAnSA PinTu

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Catholics carry a statue of St Benedict, who is also known in Brazil as the “black saint”, during the annual procession in Braganca. The tradition began in the 18th century when a group of black slaves were allowed by their owners to form the Fraternity of St Benedict and decided to dance through the streets as an expression of their gratitude. (Photo: Paulo Santos, reuters/CnS)

HURCH organisations in Zambia are unhappy with the stance taken by the US government to tie foreign aid to the assurance of homosexual rights.

The Zambia Episcopal Conference, the Pentecostal Church’s Bishops’ Council of Zambia and the Zambia United Christian Action said that it was unwise for the US government to use its money to force other nations to permit what they called “ungodly practices” in their land.

Homosexuality is illegal in many African countries, with some nations enforcing stiff penalties, including imprisonment, for people who engage in homosexual relationships and practices.

US secretary of state Hillary Clinton announced last month that the United States would use the supply

of aid as well as diplomacy as tools to improve gay and lesbian rights around the world.

Mrs Clinton said that a country’s cultural or religious traditions were no excuse for discrimination and directed US government agencies to use foreign assistance to protect human rights and advance non-discrimination while working with international organisations to promote gay and lesbian rights.

Her statement came barely a month after Britain’s Prime Minister David Cameron also threatened to reduce aid to nations that did not respect the rights of homosexuals.

Fr Paul Samasumo, the Zambian bishops’ conference spokesman, said it would be wrong for Zambia to accept gays and lesbians simply because of donor aid. “Donor aid should not be tied to promoting

immorality”.

But the government’s information minister, Given Lubinda, assured that the country’s leaders would not bow to outside pressure to respect and tolerate homosexuality in the nation.

He reminded western nations about the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness and Accra Agenda of Action, which guide development aid distribution and do not mention acceptance of same-sex marriage as the basis for offering aid to the poor nations.

Reverend Gibson Nyirenda, spokesman for the Pentecostal bishops’ council, urged Zambia to reject any donor aid that comes with conditions.

He appealed to the government to ensure that Zambians were protected from immorality even in the face of poverty.—CNS

This was the pope’s 2011

BY JOHn THAviS

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N interfaith meeting in Assisi, a new book on Jesus of Nazareth and a websitelaunching tap on an iPad were among the highlights of 2011 for Pope Benedict.

Although the year saw a further cutback in individual papal audiences, the 84-year-old pope still enjoyed a productive and busy 12 months, meeting privately with nearly 400 Church or civil leaders, addressing more than 180 groups and presiding over about 40 public liturgies.

He travelled to Croatia, Spain, Germany and Benin, delivering 60 speeches on the road. In weekly talks at the Vatican, attended by nearly half a million people, he gave a series of reflections on the great teachers of the Church and on prayer—a continuation of the “back to basics” approach that has marked his pontificate.

The reduction of papal meetings and the introduction of a rolling platform for his entrance into St Peter’s basilica fuelled speculation about the pope’s health.

Close observers say that, like most octogenarians, the pontiff tires more easily today, but that he suffers no serious health problems.

The year 2011 saw two of Pope Benedict’s favourite themes come into clearer focus: new evangelisation and religious liberty. Increas-

ingly, he has linked the two topics, telling bishops that both tasks require courageous truth-telling in sometimes hostile environments.

No doubt the pope has his own favourite remembrances of the past year. From a journalist’s point of view, here’s a “top 10” list of moments from 2011 that seemed to capture what Pope Benedict is all about: 1. In October, the pope hosted an interreligious meeting in Assisi, Italy, but added his own unique twist: He invited four prominent non-believers, and gave one of them the speaker’s platform at the event. It underlined his conviction that new evangelisation must reach beyond the Church’s traditional borders.

2. In August, when a rainstorm threatened to cut short a World Youth Day vigil in Madrid, the pope could have bailed but chose to remain. After the rain stopped, a drenched crowd of 1,4 million fell to their knees in adoration of the Eucharist—a sight that must have impressed him deeply.

3. In May, he beatified Pope John Paul II at a Mass attended by 1 million people—the biggest crowd at the Vatican since the late pope’s funeral in 2005.

4. Publishing his second volume of Jesus of Nazareth in March, the pope gave readers his version of “The Passion of the Christ”. The

book presents Jesus not as a political revolutionary or mere moralist, but as the son of God who inaugurated a new path of salvation based on the power of love.

5. In October, meeting with experts on new evangelisation, the pope announced that he was convening a special “Year of Faith” in 2012-13 to help the Church renew its missionary energy. The initiative underscored the pope’s belief that Catholics need to better know their own faith in order to share it.

6. In the first of a series of talks to US bishops on their ad limina visits to the Vatican, the pope said in late November that responding to the challenges of a secularised culture will first require the “reevangelisation” of the Church’s own members. He also encouraged the bishops to speak out “humbly yet insistently in defence of moral truth” on issues such as marriage— an issue that will no doubt keep surfacing during the upcoming election year.

7. The pope’s September trip to his native Germany was highlighted by his speech to the Bundestag, the national parliament, in which he strongly defended Christianity as a protector and promoter of social justice.

But even more remarkable were his blunt remarks to German lay Catholics. He told them the Church in Germany was “superbly organised” but lacking in spirit. New evangelisation, he said, will rely less on big Church structures, and more on efforts by small Catholic communities and individuals to share their faith experiences.

Pope Benedict delivers his Christmas message “urbi et orbi” (to the city and the world) from the central balcony of St Peter’s basilica at the vatican on Christmas Day. Among the pope’s highlights in 2011 were his travels, efforts at new evangelisation and use of modern technology. (Photo: L'Osservatore romano) 8. In a speech in May on Church social teaching, Pope Benedict strongly critiqued the global imbalances between rich and poor, and zeroed in on the international financial system, which he said had “returned to the frenzied practice of drawing up credit contracts that often allow unlimited speculation.”

Throughout the year, he consistently challenged the consumerist underpinnings of modern economies, and the devastating consequences for the environment.

9. In Croatia in June, the pope led a vigil for 50 000 young people in a main Zagreb square that was remarkable for one thing: the nearabsolute silence in a long moment

of prayer. Pope Benedict has insisted that a silence is important for spiritual reflection, and he has even made silence the theme of his message for World Communication Day 2012.

10. The iPad tap that launched the Vatican’s new online news portal in June was clearly a staged moment for a pope who still writes documents in longhand. But even if he remains wary of replacing direct human contact with virtual relationships, Pope Benedict is fully committed to using online resources—including social networks—to spread the Gospel.

As he told an aide who proposed a papal YouTube appearance: “I want to be present wherever the people are found.”—CNS

BLIND READERS OF A group of readers is preparing audio tapes of excerpts from The Southern Cross, including editorials, selected articles, and regular features, as well current affairs in the Church. Anyone wanting to receive tapes as part of this service, available for an annual subscription fee of only R50, is invited to contact Ms Veronica Vieyra at “Clareinch”, Union Ave., Pinelands, 7405 or phone 021-532 0661.

The Post Office will deliver and return tapes without charge. Should you know of any interested blind person, please inform them of this service.

Listen on iPhone or Blackberry: http://listenlive-c2p1.ndstream.net:8030

on DStv audio channel 170 & streamed on www.radioveritas.co.za

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

5

Almost a third of world’s population is Christian A

A priest and security forces look over the scene of a car bomb explosion at St Theresa Catholic Church in Madalla, just outside nigeria’s capital Abuja.

The islamist militant group Boko Haram said it planted the bombs that exploded on Christmas Day at churches in nigeria. The explosion at St Theresa’s killed 39 people. The pope has condemned the attacks. (Photo: reuters/CnS)

Pope condemns church bombings in Nigeria

BY CinDY WOODen

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OPE Benedict has appealed for an end to violence in Nigeria, condemning the Christmas church bombings that led to the deaths of at least 39 people.

The celebration of Christmas leads people to pray in an even stronger way that God would “stop the hands of the violent who sow death and that justice and peace would reign in the world”, the pope said as he recited the Angelus with visitors gathered in St Peter’s Square.

A group called Boko Haram, which has been promoting the adoption of Islamic law across Nigeria, claimed responsibility for the bombings. News reports said at least 35 people died at St Theresa Catholic church in Madalla, just outside Abuja.

Other deadly bombs were set off at the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Church in Jos and at police stations in three other cities.

Pope Benedict said that he was deeply saddened by the news of the bombings and he offered his

prayers “to all those who have been stricken by this absurd gesture”.

“Once again I want to repeat: Violence is a path that leads only to pain, destruction and death; respect, reconciliation and love are the paths to peace,” he said.

Archbishop John Olorunfemi Onaiyekan of Abuja, Nigeria’s capital, told Vatican Radio that most Christians in Nigeria simply do not understand the reason for the bombings, but many of the young people are very angry.

“We have tried to calm them down,” he said, but church leaders also have told the government that the only way bring stability is to “identify and eliminate the dens of these terrorist groups”.

“The majority of Nigerians— Muslims and Christians—want to live in peace together,” the archbishop said, pointing out that there were Muslims injured in the bombing of St Theresa’s. “They were not in the church, but were just passing by on the street,” he said after visiting them in the hospital.—CNS

CCORDING to a new study, there are currently 2,18 billion Christians in more than 200 countries around the world, representing nearly a third of the estimated 6,9 billion 2010 global population.

The study, conducted by the US-based Pew Research Center’s Forum on Religion & Public Life, found Christians to be so geographically widespread that no single continent or region can indisputably claim to be the centre of global Christianity.

The Pew study, “Global Christianity: A Report on the Size and Distribution of the World’s Christian Population”, cites that 100 years ago, two-thirds of the world’s Christians lived in Europe, but today only about a quarter of all Christians live there. More than one-third of Christians reside in the Americas; about a quarter live in sub-Saharan Africa and 13% live in Asia and the Pacific.

The data indicates that during the past 100 years, the number of Christians around the world has more than tripled from historical estimates of approximately 600 million in 1910 to more than 2 billion today. But the world’s overall population has also risen rapidly, from an estimated 1,8 billion in 1910 to 6,9 billion in 2010. As a result, Christians make up about the same portion of the world’s population in 2010 (32%) as they did a century ago (35%).

The study also reveals that although Europe and the Americ-

as are still home to a majority (63%) of the world’s Christians, that share is much lower than it was in 1910 when it was 93%. In the past 100 years, the number of Christians grew significantly in sub-Saharan Africa and the AsiaPacific region.

The study also breaks down where Catholics—numbering 1,1 billion worldwide and half of the global Christian population— reside.

Brazil, with 134 million Catholics, has the world’s largest Catholic population, which totals more than the number of

Regional Distribution of Christians Nearly one in four Europeans are Christian, down from 66 percent 100 years ago.

1910 AMERICAS 27.1%

EUROPE 66.3%

ASIA-PACIFIC 4.5% SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 1.4%

2010 EUROPE 25.9%

AMERICAS 36.8%

ASIAPACIFIC 13.1% Source: Pew Research Center

SUB-SAHARAN AFRICA 23.6%

©2011 CNS

Catholics in Italy, France and Spain combined. Other countries with the highest percentages of Catholic populations include: Mexico, the Philippines and the United States. The ten countries with the largest number of Catholics contain more than half of the world’s Catholics.

The rest of the global Christian population breaks down to: Protestants 37%; Orthodox Christians 12%; other Christians such as Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses 1%.

Christians are by far the world’s largest religious group.

Muslims, the second-largest group, make up a little less than a quarter of the world’s population, according to previous studies by the Pew Forum.

Although Christianity began in the Middle East and North Africa, that region today has both the lowest concentration of Christians—about 4%—and the smallest number of Christians (about 13 million) of any major geographic region.

The study provides data on the world’s Christian population by region, country and tradition and is based on about 2 400 sources, including census figures and nationally representative population surveys.

It is part of the Pew-Templeton Global Religious Futures project funded by the Pew Charitable Trusts and the John Templeton Foundation to analyse religious change and its impact on societies around the world.—CNS

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6

LEADER PAGE

The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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

A little pomp and colour goes a long way OCTOR John Straughan’s let- t o l i c d e l e g a t e f r o m 1 9 2 2 - 4 4 , wore a cassock, lace surplice, D ter “Bishops, let's stop the Archbishop Bernard Gijlswijk, in rochette and a long light cloak a w h i t e c a s s o c k ( h e w a s a tied at the neck with ribbon (sesUnity inside the Church pomp” (November 23) refers.

I n a l o n g l i f e ( I ’ m n o w 8 4 Dominican), with a black train saiocola). Monsignori and priests Editor: Günther Simmermacher

T

HE We Are All Church movement in South Africa (or WAACSA) has decided to modify its name and adopt its own mission statement, so as to set it apart from the international We Are Church movement, which to some in the Church is a toxic brand.

For those interested in fostering unity across the spectrum of perspectives in our Church, this must be seen as a welcome step.

We Are Church, which promotes what it believes are necessary reforms in the Church, has acquired a reputation, rightly or wrongly, of fostering dissent and division in the Church— and its recent call to “holy disobedience” will do little to pacify the suspicion of many Catholics.

Bishops are rightly anxious when groups in their dioceses challenge Church doctrines and disciplines, especially those that have become virtual litmus test issues: Humanae vitae, the admission of women to holy orders, and clerical celibacy.

Without absolute clarity about how issues such as these are going to be addressed, and in what tone, a bishop cannot be expected to authorise the use of Church property for public events involving debate on the “hot issues”. Indeed, doing so could create division and confusion among the faithful.

In November, We Are All Church wrote to the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) with a request for dialogue to establish that the group can function as an organisation of good standing in the Church.

Indications are that within the SACBC there is some openness to exploring dialogue with WAACSA. Such a willingness would indeed be commendable.

The importance of dialogue, at least in some respects, is being recognised in the Church today.

For example, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna made it a point of meeting with rebel priests, prepared to listen even as he forcefully restated the position of the Church authorities. In September he said: “We are in talks and will remain in talks because I and the bishops are still convinced that a lot can and must be cleared up by dialogue.”

Among the primary constituents of Pope Benedict’s pontifical pursuits has been dialogue with another group of dissenters. Unlike the members of We Are Church, the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) exists outside full communion with Rome.

Pope Benedict’s admirable efforts at bringing the SSPX— which rejects the authority of the Second Vatican Councils and several conciliar teachings— back into full communion will likely be fruitless, but they suggest that the pope takes seriously Christ’s command that his followers be one (Jn 17:21).

There is a hazard in marginalising Catholics on the progressive end of the spectrum by neglecting to hear their concerns. In many parishes, it is precisely those Catholics who are most dedicated in contributing to the live of the Church.

They must not be taken for granted, never mind being denigrated, by those in authority.

Whatever one thinks of their vision for the Church or the way that vision is expressed, it is evident that the leading members of We Are All Church in South Africa are good Catholics whose actions are rooted in love for Christ and the Church, and who strive for gospel holiness in communion with the People of God. The good faith of WAACSA’s membership should not be doubted, even if one disagrees with them.

At the same time, the movement will have to persuade the Church authorities and fellow Catholics that their brand of critique is not intended to sow doctrinal discord and dissent. Its arguments, therefore, need to be stated within the possibilities provided by the framework of the Church’s doctrines and canon law, their demands must be reasonable, and their rhetoric must not be inflammatory.

By creating some structural distance between the international We Are Church movement and themselves, WAACSA has stated its serious intent to be part of the life of the local Church.

Sincere and open dialogue between the group and the bishops will be necessary to establish whether this will be possible.

years old), I have seen an amazing dropping of pomp in the Church, from the pope down to clergy.

Gone are the days when popes were crowned with the triple tiara. Paul VI was the last to be crowned.

Gone are the days when popes were carried shoulder-high on the mobile throne (sedia gestatoria) under an eight-poled canopy and flanked by the flabella—the large ostrich feathered fans, reminiscent of the ancient pharaohs.

Gone are the days when cardinals, archbishops and bishops had long trains (the cappa magna), metres long and topped by a cape trimmed with the royal ermine.

I remember as a boy singing in the choir at the re-opening of the Kimberley cathedral. Looking over the balcony of the choir loft watching the slow procession of priests, monsignori, bishops and so on and then lastly the apos-

lined with white. I thought it would never end.

Leading that procession was a young altar boy carrying a candle. Today he is Mgr Vincent Hill of Pretoria and he remembers it well.

The train for bishops was later shortened so the wearer could carry it over his left arm. Today it too has gone.

How many remember the days when at a Pontifical High Mass, the bishop was vested at the throne, the vestments brought one by one from the altar?

It added nearly 20 minutes to the length of the Mass. The poor bishop had to wear a cassock, alb, stole, sub-deacon’s tunicle, deacon’s tunicle, chasuble, mitre, buskins and slippers. De-vesting was the same in reverse as layer after layer was removed. A boy watching this procedure is reputed to have said to his mother: “Look Ma, just like an onion.”

As for non-liturgical garb, at civil or social functions bishops

also wore this cloak at functions.

Thank the Lord most of this has gone. I do wish that lace on albs and surplices was also dropped. It is hardly suitable for male garb. I once heard an archbishop say he found it embarrassing.

As for crosiers, I don’t think much is spent on expensive crosiers these days. Most bishops inherit their predecessor’s crosier.

I’d rather see them used than being dropped and placed in museums.

When the pope dons simple monastic garb, he does wear the religious white garb of a monastic bishop, going back to Pope St Pius V (in white). Popes have worn white ever since.

I’d hate to see everything colourful dropped, or must everything be drab black like the puritans and our Calvinist brethren?

I do think though, that a “little pomp” goes a long way to relieve the drabness of daily life.

JB Henrick, Pretoria

Hold on lightly

live in hope!

However, people still seem to be concerned about abortion and rightly so. Yet, have these folk ever considered the number of children who have died from starvation before the age of five?

Then, of course, there are the remainder who are sold as sex slaves or are sold and exploited as child labour.

Is there perhaps a need for a change of priorities?

Deryk Bayman, Durban North

His plate the stinky dustbin with broken crumbs Yet all this, in the midst of bountiful plenty Should the poor approach us in our flashy cars at the robots Here, quickly we close tight our windows against his face Worst still if he knocks at our home while at the table are we

R

EFERRING to Fr Ron Rolheiser's article on facing death (November 16), I have met people who are not prepared to give up their places at tables, to the great detriment of others, let alone in the world to come.

I would say that in preparation for death, we should hold lightly on to the things that God gives us, for they are only lent to us, for safekeeping, for enjoyment, for a greater depth, perhaps, of communion.

As a mother, Mary had her son with her for 30 years before he began his ministry—a blessed span of life.

Whatever we are dealt, in this life, we should sculp into something beautiful to give back to God when we die.

Romany Rubin, Pretoria

Issue of hope

Y

OUR November 23 issue is truly one of hope.

In the letters columns one describes a Mass in the Cape that describes the joyful coming together of a Christian community. Other letters are of a quo vadis nature.

Articles look to the future, compare joy with prayer, how to get harmony and as usual the back page says it all. We need to

KRUGER PARK

Povertyholds no dignity Poverty holds no dignity For any mortal being For it makes him a beast to be fed on grass Even if from a noble family Look how he is the poor Homeless and destitute, sick and hungry Naked and needy with arms openly stretched 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.

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Yes poverty holds no dignity for any mortal being But for how long shall last this social injustice?

It is time to turn the tide around, care for all creation And in the forfront show solidarity with the poor.

Dr Alu Andoh, Johannesburg

Silence—a poem

I

AM an avid reader of The Southern Cross and enjoy all the articles. I am 94 years old and have written a lot of poetry.

No blood on the altar none.

The sacrifice is over.

No flame, no smoke ascends on high.

The lamb is slain no more.

But thicker blood has flown from nobler veins, to purge the soul.

And cleans the redder stains.

P Philips, Port Alfred

PERSPECTIVES

Tribute to a bishop and old friend Sydney Duval I REMEMBER St John Vianney Seminary, which I attended for some time half a century ago, for many things. I remember it for the bonds of friendship it supported—some became life-long connections that ran deep no matter how and where we ended up. They were friendships that could be reignited spontaneously in spite of long breaks. The threads were always there.

One of the wonderful qualities of Bishop Michael Coleman, the late ordinary of Port Elizabeth who died on December 17, was his capacity for compassion, solidarity and friendship in good times and tough times. His open door policy at his chancery extended to his personal life. He had a warm and ready hand open to those coming to him with happy hearts and troubled hearts—the laity, the staff, the religious, priests who were in difficulties.

His wit and sense of humour were legendary, brightened by the bluest of eyes and a brilliant smile which would break what sometimes appeared to be a severe profile.

I met Mike at the seminary in 1958. He was in second-year philosophy, a gangly 18-year-old farm boy from the Eastern Cape and wonderfully innocent. I was the newcomer from Durban, aged 21 and with five years of work behind me.

We shared several classes where Mike showed a sharp intellect with his probing questions. He was very popular, sociable and joined in just about everything, including a part in the play Julius Caesar.

We got to know each other gradually, as bridge partners, doing manual work and on the football field where he played with more passion than skill.

It was a chance outing on bicycles that opened the way for friendship, just as the

road opened the way to new destinations.

We did not cycle regularly, but when we did it was with great energy as we explored the hills surrounding Pretoria and the fields reaching to Silverton...to the mulberry tree at Fountains where our khaki shorts were stained purple from the fruit.

Our conversation followed the twists and turns of the road, with bouts of fantasy contrasting with the realities that were shaping our young lives. What emboldened the friendship was the fact we had both grown up close to the bush. This is where it is possible to read silence for signs of life that would later become a reading of the signs that shape life and society.

After a break of several years, I met Mike again at plenary sessions of the Southern African Bishops’ Conference from 1987 until I retired from the archdiocese of Cape Town in 2002.

Three events stand out. The first was our being together at the 1988 IMBISA plenary at Harare which Pope John Paul II Bishop Coleman (right) with Bishop Michael Wüstenberg at the iron cross in emaus.

(Photo: Sydney Duval)

Believing with science

L

AST month we made a brief detour to reflect on the meaning of Christmas. Now we continue to trace some landmarks in the story of Christianity.

As I explained in an earlier column, the idea is to understand something of the history of the Church in order to build a better Church for tomorrow. In this column, our focus is on the impact of the scientific revolution which began about the same time as the Reformation.

If the Protestant revolution led to a loss of power for the Catholic Church, the scientific revolution presented a threat to the authority of all authentic Christian denominations.

It all began with the scientific discoveries of the Polish scholar, Nicolaus Copernicus (1473-1543). Prior to the discoveries of Copernicus, the Church had accepted the scientific worldview of the Greek philosopher Aristotle, which held that the earth was stationary and was the centre of the cosmos. This worldview could easily be reconciled with the Biblical view of humanity as a favoured species. Copernicus, a 16th century Catholic, found that the cosmic centre was not the earth, but the sun.

Galileo Galilei (1564-1642) was a lay Italian Catholic who, through his own observations and discoveries, confirmed that Copernicus had been right.

In 1615, Galileo announced his ideas on the relationship between science and theology, arguing that the two should be kept separate. He is quoted as having said that the purpose of the Scriptures was to teach us “how to go to heaven, not how the heavens go”. In other words, it was wrong to use Scripture to defend or negate the findings of science.

After something of a struggle with Church authorities, Galileo was eventual-

Point of Tribute

closed amid growing hope that the weapons of warfare destroying Mozambique and Angola could be turned into ploughshares.

The second was his recalling this sabbatical at Sangre de Cristo Centre in New Mexico and its renewing impact on his life and ministry, a journey he had shared with Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg.

The third event took place on August 10, 2008 during the Mariannhill mid-year plenary. Mike was among the large SACBC group that journeyed to Emaus to follow the Stations of the Cross which Abbot Francis Pfanner had carved out of a steep hillside. The idea of the pilgrimage was to bring the bishops closer to the spirit of Mariannhill’s founder who spent his last years in exile at Emaus.

Reaching the summit, where Abbot Francis had erected a large iron cross with a commanding view of the countryside, was for all a profound experience.

I had turned to follow the procession down the hill when I heard Mike calling me. He asked me to photograph him standing beside the cross. He said the pilgrimage and Stations had been a powerful experience of Church. We later gathered for a reflection in the room where Abbot Francis had died, followed by the bishops signing the petition supporting the cause for his beatification.

I never did get the photograph to Mike, but it is printed here as a late but sure sign that we will continue to cycle together in the spirit of enduring friendship.

Emmanuel Ngara Christian Leadership

ly prohibited by the Catholic Church from promoting Copernicus’ ideas and was condemned to life imprisonment.

This condemnation was revoked by Pope John Paul II in our time.

The British scientist, Isaac Newton (1642-1727) is regarded as one of the greatest scientists of all time. His ideas on motion and gravitation are thought to have formed the basis of modern science.

Newton was a Christian who is quoted to have said that from the outset he had hoped to provide a scientific proof for God’s existence. He held the view that science was the only means of arriving at a proper understanding of the sacred. I understand this to mean that science was a greater authority on God than the Scriptures.

While the findings of Galileo and other scientists were problematic for Church authorities, what was even more disturbing for all Christian denominations was the theory of evolution advanced by Charles Darwin in the 19th century.

Telescopes belonging to galileo galilei are displayed at the galileo Museum in Florence. (Photo: reuters/CnS)

In his books, The Origins of Species and The Descent of Man, and Selection in Relation to Sex, Darwin argued that human beings descended from apes, and also propagated the theory of the survival of the fittest. These findings seemed to be a direct attack on the authority of the Bible. They were seen to deprive human beings of their special place in creation, to suggest that there was no special order in creation and to indicate that God was not a caring God if he could leave created beings to fight it out among themselves in the struggle for survival.

What lessons can we learn from this brief account? First, at this stage of human development, it is necessary to view theology and science as two different disciplines with different competences regarding salvation on the one hand, and the cosmos and the scientific history of humanity on the other. In other words, it is not proper for the Church to use its God-given authority on the Scriptures to pass judgement on scientific discoveries without using scientific methods to rebut these discoveries.

Similarly, it is presumptuous to suggest that one can use science to prove or disprove the existence of God. The problem of this position is that it can lead to a trap where atheist scientists can argue that they can prove beyond any doubt that God does not exist, thus reducing the existence of God to a laboratory test.

What I would suggest is that scientists and theologians should continue to work together as each discipline can add valuable insights to the other. Perhaps there will come a time when scientists will appreciate the insights of theology and vice versa.

ORFORD

CONSTRUCTION

The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

Michael Shackleton Open Door

Do we have to believe in Marian apparitions?

Do Jesus, Mary and saints really appear to people? My parish priest says he does not believe so. I am upset that the pope has failed to consecrate Russia to Our Lady, as she requested at Fatima.

ARAGRAPH 67 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church acknowledges that there have been so-called “private” revelations, some of which have been recognised by the authority of the Church.

The appearances of Our Lady to the three children of Fatima in Portugal in 1917, are a case in point. There, Our Lady called for prayer and penance, which are essentially compatible with the Christian gospel. For that reason especially, the Church has accepted the Fatima event.

The magisterium has no authority to declare that the entire Church must accept Fatima. It has authority to teach only what has been revealed by Christ and his apostles, that is, public or divine revelation in contrast to private revelation. The former is for all time. The latter is not.

Our Lady requested prayer and penance to shorten the duration of World War I, which was raging at that time but said that if her request was not acted upon, a worse world war would follow, which is what happened between 1939 and 1945.

She also asked that Russia be consecrated to her Immaculate Heart, otherwise it would spread its errors, wars and persecution around the world.

Pope Pius XII issued the apostolic letter Sacro Vergente anno in 1952 in which he consecrated all the people of Russia to the Immaculate Heart of the Virgin. He reminded the Russian people that the Virgin was always victorious and she would protect them from the harsh persecutions against the Christians of the Soviet Union.

Without special reference to Russia, Pope John Paul II, in a public ceremony on March 25, 1984, consecrated the whole world to the Immaculate Heart.

Since the fall of communism, relations between the Russian Orthodox and the Catholic Churches have been shaky. The Orthodox, insisting that Russia has been Christian for over 1 000 years, are resentful of any suggestion that they must be singled out for being “converted”, and are proud of their deep devotion to the Mother of God. They would interpret any papal consecration of their nation to Our Lady as a design to convert them to Catholicism.

In taking a conciliatory stance towards the Orthodox, the Church in recent times diplomatically refrains from naming Russia for special consecration.

P

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.

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The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

COMMUNITY

The pageant formed by the band and choir of St John's in Maitland, Cape Town, and children of the City Bowl deanery at their annual Carols at nazareth House. (Submitted by Margie Cook) Fr Dominic zeKoundi of St Anthony's parish in Sedgefield, Western Cape, with the newly commissioned extraordinary ministers of the Holy Communion: Lawrence Peacock, Dawn McMaster, Bobbi Morgan-Smith and Paddy Sheridan.

IN FO CUS 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 Edited by Lara Moses

Assumption parish in Kimberley welcomed Bishop Abel gabuza to celebrate Mass for the aged and sick of the parish. During the Mass the bishop anointed the sick and joined the congregation for an annual Christmas lunch. The aged were entertained with music and received a gift. Pictured are Bishop gabuza and Fr roland OMi from the DrC with the new and lay ministers who were commissioned by the bishop for the next three years. (Back from left): e Kock, r Thomas, J Harris, r Brooke, T Jossie, Fr roland and S grey. (Front from left): B Whitten, v Kock, A Towell, Bishop gabuza and H Jacobs.

The Care group of St John the Apostle parish in Florida, Johannesburg, sponsored a Christmas function for 300 children at the Meadowlands swimming pool in conjunction with the St Joseph’s ithuteng campaign. The children and teenagers frolicked in the pool and played on the jumping castle. They were then treated to a plate of crisps and sweets as well as cool drinks, boerewors rolls and finally a gift.

Sabelo Mvelase, a youth care worker and project coordinator, and Andile Koti, admin controller and care worker, taught the children life skills including hygiene, Hiv awareness and dealing parental loss. (Submitted by Louise Barlow. Photo by Mike Cooney)

Sacred Heart parish in Kwa-Dlangezwa, Witbank, confirmation candidates are photographed with Bishop Xolelo Kumalo of eshowe and parish priest Fr Simphiwe Kheswa OFM.

The oldest member of Holy Trinity parish in Kimberley, Mrs Walters, with friends Anna and Lorraine.

They are all members of the church choir.

Parishioner Chrystal Wonfor of Blessed Sacrament in virginia, Durban north, organised a collection box at the back of the church for pet food donations to be given to the SPCA. Fr Donovan Wheatley OMi, Chrystal and an unnamed SPCA employee are photographed with the pet food. (Submitted by Maggie Fuller)

VOCATION OFFICE: P.O. Box 630, Hilton, 3245 033 383-0001 or 072 229-1855 E-mail:vocation.office@dehonafrica.net Website: www.scj.org.za

HOPE&JOY

The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

9

Family: the foundation of life Today’s families look very different to the traditional models found in the past.

CLAire MATHieSOn looks at what Vatican II had to say about the family role in Christian life.

A

HUSBAND and wife, beaming grandparents and two-point-four children— it might be the stereotypical television family, but it’s not the typical South African family.

The environment in which most South Africans live is not conducive to such whitepicket fence images. But where society has failed the family, the Church still maintains the value of the family and it is of utmost importance to a world that might not possess the traditional support systems.

The traditional family has been affected by a decrease in marriage rates, an increase in divorce rates, growing numbers of single parent families mostly of women and children.

Toni Rowland, the coordinator of the Family Life Desk of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), says the absence of fathers, many of whom are living away from their families, is a serious concern for the well-being of all the members. She adds: “Women’s empowerment, while necessary and good, has also had an impact on family life with many women working, developing a career and placing children in some form of childcare.

A strong focus on the rights of children and young people has put a strain on parentchild relationships and discipline.” HIV/Aids has also impacted the family, she added.

Lucy Mlangeni of Good Shepherd parish in Protea North, Johannesburg, says her community is made up of many different kinds of families. “Some have no fathers, some are headed by the elder brother or sister, some are headed by grandparents,” but these are still all equally important as families.

Even Jesus was born into an unconventional family and that family has become the pinnacle of holiness. Similarly, Vatican II encouraged us to see today’s family— whatever kind of family that may be—as the most precious of human values.

Pope John Paul II said in his apostolic exhortation Familiaris Consortio (1981) that the Church would be there for whichever kind of family needed her: “The Church wishes to speak and offer her help to those who are already aware of the value of marriage and the family and seek to live it faithfully, to those who are uncertain and anxious and searching for the truth, and to those who are unjustly impeded from living freely their family lives.”

South Africa’s bishops set out to do the same. The SACBC’s Family Life Desk was set up in 2003 as a response to the 2000 Pastoral Forum which identified “strengthening

Claire Mathieson A Church of Hope and Joy family life in the home” as one of the priorities for the local Church, and after consultation with family organisations and other role players.

Mrs Rowland says their objectives originally focused strongly on awareness raising of the family as the domestic church, networking with others, providing resources and offering training.

“The particular approach taken by the Family Life Desk has been to promote a vision of the parish as a community of families and to provide training for parish family ministry.”

The importance of the community as an extended family is evident across the country. “We would be nothing without family and the community,” says Carlos Camara, a parishioner of Santa Maria dos Portugueses in Pretoria.

“The community, which is the extended family, always lends a helping hand. In dire circumstances, we rally behind a family to assist them, by assisting financially in hosting a fundraising feast. We create a special event, or we use one of the feast days to host the event and instead of the church receiving the funds, the funds go to the family in need.”

Where finances are not the solution, the community is able to provide in other ways. Ms Mlangeni says due to the number of families in need, the role of the Church is even greater today.

“Families provide support, they keep you grounded and they give you direction.

Where a family is not providing one of those—the Church is able to step in and help.”

The young Good Shepherd parishioner says her parish makes an effort to pray for families every Sunday, which has brought many closer together. “We also have groups in the communities that provide the support during the week, when sometimes you can’t get to church.” ome of the groups working in communities include the Catholic Women’s League (CWL). Sandy Page, CWL chairwoman at Ss Peter and Paul parish in George, Oudtshoorn diocese, says their work is most helpful at local shelters for battered women and children. “Through family violence and abuse [these women] have to leave their homes sometimes in the middle of the night with nothing but the clothes they have on, and the police take them to the shelter.” She says these are still families and need the attention of the Church.

The CWL and groups such as the St Vincent de Paul Society also help families by collecting food parcels, clothing and household items during the year. “CWL ladies take baby clothing, disposable nappies as

“Modern influences are not positive influences. We need role models. The Church could be an answer.”

S

While the characters within the family unit may have changed, the concept of family remains the same. The Church still maintains that the value of the family is the bedrock upon which society is based. well as ladies and gents clothing to a place called Options which is a Pregnancy Crisis Centre for mothers to be who need help deciding what to do with their unborn babies,” says Ms Page. In a world where family life has been affected by so much, the work of these Church organisations is ever more important.

“Because of these functions families are also massively in need of support and formation,” says Mrs Rowland. “A family is still regarded as the ideal place for socialisation of its members.

“Children and adults too experience a family as a place to receive love and acceptance and learn a range of relationship skills,” Mrs Rowland says, adding that a spirituality of marriage and of family life and relationships is generally nurtured in a family.

Mrs Rowland said families need encouragement to stay together and work together so as to improve the life of the individuals within the family.

Ms Page added that family members can be helped by encouraging them to socialise among other family members.

Similarly, Mrs Rowland says families should be protected and supported as much as possible. “Families are still regarded by

society and the Church to be the basic cell of society, a place of intimate relationships, nurturance, support, education and teaching lifeskills.”

Mr Camara said family is a form of support “when we are down, and are there when we celebrate.” When family can’t be there, the community is. “In our community we have an organisation called ‘Lusiadas’ —a welfare organisation, that was created to assist the families in our community that are struggling.” Mr Camara said 27 families are currently being assisted.

Ms Mlangeni believes the Church is able to fill in where role models are absent from family life. “Modern influences are not positive influences. We need role models. If your family does not contain role models, the Church could be an answer.” She says, as a young person, it’s easy to stray and community and Church groups can keep you on the right path—one with positive and Catholic elements.

While the image of the family has changed, the value of the family has not and in the eyes of the Church, it will not.

Every effort will be made to uphold the significance of the family especially in a contemporary world where its sanctity is threatened.

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The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

YEAR-REVIEW

ISSUES: (from left) Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria with inmates at a Prayer Day for the prison ministry. l Bishops and priests after the installation of Bishop Dabula Mpako in Queenstown. l People hold a banner and signs in Atlanta during a vigil for death-row inmate Troy Davis before his September 21 execution. l A man prays as Pope Benedict celebrates Mass in Cotonou, Benin. The pope was in Benin to sign his apostolic exhortation to Africa, Africae munus.

What we said in 2011

JULY

As the local Church prepared to observe the Week of Prayer for Prisoners and Victims of Crime, we urged Catholics not to “throw away the key”. “The state of many of South Africa’s correctional facilities, many of them run by gangs and giving little protection to inmates who wish to reject the gang system, can be dehumanising. It should not surprise us when individuals, some already lacking in empathy, emerge from jail with a pitiless character.”

Discussing the African National Congress’ “apparent vision of itself as the state”, we noted that “it is not the sign of a healthy democracy, however, when the future leadership of the country is determined by the internal intrigues of a few individuals, based not so much on the priorities of policy or ideas as on the quality of personal relationships and the expectation of rewards for dispensing political support”.

Looking ahead to World Youth Day, we suggested that the local Church would benefit from hosting a high profile event: “For the local Church, and the Church in Africa in general, hosting the world’s faithful in South Africa would have an electrifying and unifying effect that would do much to animate the faith, especially among the young.”

With the release of the final film in the Harry Potter franchise, and the controversy the books and movies have caused among some Christians, we observed: “Only those who are detached from reality would understand the Potter story as an introduction to witchcraft. Harry Potter is a fantasy and can be dangerous only to those who have difficulty distinguishing fantasy from reality. [...]

At least by the end of the series it becomes clear that the significance of the Potter tale resides not in magic spells but in a meditation on the perennial battle between good and evil.”

At the beginning of women’s month, we noted that “a country in which a reported 60% of women may expect to become a victim of sexual violence cannot consider itself as being anywhere near accomplishing gender justice, regardless of the number of female politicians, CEOs and newspaper editors.”

On the occasion of World Youth Day, we argued that “the engagement of young Catholics in the Church must not be reduced to youth groups and special events, essential though these are. Pastoral care for the youth is a necessary specialised ministry, but at the same time young Catholics must not be seen as a separate interest group.

Young Catholics must be seen as an intrinsic part of the Church’s life. They must be integrated in the Church’s structures, and consulted in parochial decisions that affect them. They must be given a voice, not be condescended to.”

Commenting on the public discourse of race, we said that “some media can be rightly accused of hypocrisy when they condemn the hate speech of the likes of [Julius] Malema and fire assorted newspaper columnists who discharge their bigoted opinions, but cheerfully feature on prime time TV the entertainer Steve Hofmeyr, whose serial manifestos are saturated with racist and white

Every week, The Southern Cross delivers a commentary on a pertinent issue in the form of an editorial. Here is part 2 of a summary of 2011’s editorials, which were written by editor Günther Simmermacher (except where indicated otherwise).

AUGUST

supremacist hate speech.”

For Bible Sunday, we noted: “Catholics have a reputation of having a more casual relationship with the Bible than their Protestant counterparts. Where many Protestants come to church with well-worn Bibles under their arms, Catholics have to be reminded to prayerfully read the Bible. Pope Benedict once identified what he saw as a deficiency of scriptural formation as part of a wider crisis of catechetics in the Catholic Church.”

For Social Communications Sunday we observed the benefits of modern means of communication, saying that “that a great deal of pastoral activity is taking place on social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter. [...] Like the marketplaces of ancient Corinth, Antioch and Rome, the Internet is a neutral place where people can meet and evangelise one another.”

SEPTEMBER Commenting on Pope Benedict’s observation that cradle Catholics have largely failed in their Christian mission to evangelise, we said that “the local Church lacks a culture of Catholic reading. There is a pronounced spirit of apathy in a Church that does not place a premium on encouraging the faithful to read Catholic literature [...]

This condition of Catholic illiteracy must be addressed on all levels if we truly seek to cooperate fruitfully in the evangelising mission of the Church.”

As the English-speaking Church prepared to implement the controversial new Roman Missal, we counselled: “When we enter into dialogue on the new missal, however we may feel about it, we must do so in a spirit of respect and understanding. Objections to the new translation cannot be dismissed by reference to authority.

At the same time, obedience compels those who object to the new formulae to nevertheless accept

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them, if not with joy then in a spirit of unity.”

After Radio Veritas finally received a licence to broadcast on medium wave (as it will as of Holy Week 2012), we said: “The station’s brief will be to enlighten the Catholic community by providing spiritual nourishment, to inform the public about activities and debates within the Catholic Church and to promote objectives for the greater social good. And all this must be accomplished through the medium of attractive programmes.”

Discussing the Second Vatican Council, we calculated that “if Church history was a 24-hour day, with the first Pentecost representing a second after midnight and today being a second before the next midnight, Vatican II would have happened at around 11:24pm...Vatican II is still immensely relevant precisely because it took place so very recently—just 36 minutes ago.

OCTOBER Commenting on the death penalty, we said: “Capital punishment is incompatible with the Catholic faith because it impedes God’s mercy on those who arguably need redemption most—people who shed their humanity to commit acts of wickedness or depravity. The impulse to seek the death of a callous criminal is not unreasonable. However, much as support for the death penalty is understandable, it does not accord with the teaching of the Church that all human life is sacred, and that its deliberate termination is always an act against God.” After the Trevor Manuel presented the work of the National Planning Commission to the Catholic Church, we welcomed its aims but warned that “before [a comprehensive programme of national renewal] can be translated into action, South Africa’s political class must purge itself of corruption, self-aggrandisement, powermongering, incompetence, idleness, dishonesty, sense of entitlement and factional warfare”.

Returning to the subject of the youth in the local Church, we observed: “We are aware that many young people feel disconnected from the Church. The next step is to find ways to attract their attention, to persuade them of the Catholic faith, and to fully integrate their diverse spiritual and pastoral needs into the life of the Church.

In this way, the youth is very much a mission field.”

For All Saints’ Day, we discussed the call to holiness, noting that “it is not only the formally recognised saints who inspire us to aim for holiness. Indeed, those who rouse us to sanctity need not even be dead yet. For example, Mother Teresa of Kolkata was regarded as a living saint, and her visibly concrete example of selfless love and service provided many people around the world with a model of holiness to which they could aspire”.

NOVEMBER After the Vatican announced the transfer of the nuncio, Archbishop James Green, to Peru, we noted that more than half of the

Southern African region’s bishops were appointed during his five-year term. “With such a young conference of bishops—of the current 28 serving bishops, only ten have been in their position for longer than a decade— will also come new ideas. We are confident that a fresh wind will invigorate the local Church.”

Fifteen years after South Africa’s parliament passed the Choice on Termination of Pregnancy Act, we said that “it is right to protest against abortion as a matter of principle. It can help form the collective conscience and potentially persuade women to explore alternatives to terminating a pregnancy. But protest must be seen to be backed up by the language of the compassion and mercy of our Lord. It is that language which will reach pregnant women who are faced with difficult choices, not labelling them or issuing threats of excommunication.”

After Pope Benedict condemned pornography, we noted that “the old social taboos associated with porn are diminishing, and ...increasing numbers of young women even perceive that industry to be glamorous”, and suggested that “an anti-pornography programme therefore needs to address not only distribution and issues of human and sexual dignity, but also the way society perceives pornography”.

For World Aids Day, we called for the destigmatisation of the disease. “It must be emphasised that HIV/Aids is not invariably a consequence of immoral conduct. Sexual activity is not always a matter of choice, certainly not in South Africa where many women have little sexual autonomy. And even when apparent licentious conduct does lead to infection, the Christian instinct must be not to judge and ostracise, but to offer compassion and care.”

Commenting on Pope Benedict’s apostolic exhortation for Africa, Africae munus, we noted the pope’s call for economic justice, saying that “the challenge for the South African Church resides in making [the pope’s] message heard above the din of affluent populists who use the anger of the poor to profit their political aspirations.”

DECEMBER As the commercial impulses of the pre-Christmas season again went into overdrive, we described the observance of Advent as an oasis of peace. “This Christmas, let us shut out noise of the ‘Happy Holidays’ and turn our focus on the silent night as we contemplate the child in the manger.”

Commenting on the increasing holiday traffic in December, we said: “In traffic, road users must depend on one another for their safety. Motorists, cyclists and pedestrians share a coresponsibility to keep themselves and each other safe. In that way, participation in traffic places upon every road user a moral and ethical obligation.”

In a Christmas guest editorial, Frances Correia wrote: “As Christians, we are called to be like Jesus: to reach out and touch the lives of the people we come across each day. If we live with a sense of the wonder of the incarnation, the awe inspiring reality that God who loves us passionately, is with us, then it follows that we will be inspired to love others as Jesus did.”

On the subject of anti-government protests in Muslim countries, we wrote: “As the Arab Spring continues, we must pray that those who replace ousted tyrants will maintain respect and consideration for minorities, including Christians. We also pray that those living in intolerable conditions hostile to the faith of Christ, especially in Pakistan, will enjoy the religious freedom which the Catholic Church demands for all.” n The full editorials can be accessed at www.scross.co.za/category/ editorials-2011

The Southern Cross, January 4 to January 10, 2012

Sr Celia O’Sullivan HC

S

ISTER Celia O’ Sullivan, the eighth of ten children, died peacefully on October 26.

She was born on September 22, 1936 into the devoutly Catholic, talented and happy O’Sullivan family who had a farm in County Cork, Ireland.

Sr Celia was a lively, adventurous child, had a great streak of fun in her, a light heart and especially loved music and singing. When she was six years old, during World War II, her older sister Anna (Sr Aquinas HC) left home to join the Holy Cross Missionary Sisters in Belfast.

Attracted to a missionary life in Africa, Celia entered the same convent in September 1953, just before her 17th birthday. She arrived in Aliwal North in 1954 and, not yet 20 years old, made her First Profession on January 7, 1956.

Sr Celia was first sent to teach in a kindergarten in Mossel Bay and then in August 1960 she was assigned to teach music in the new Holy Cross School at Victory Park, Johannesburg, but in 1961 she was back teaching music in Holy Cross School, Aliwal North.

In January 1962, Sr Celia and Sr Mary Aquinas were both transferred back to Belfast.

While in Europe, Sr Celia went to the teacher training college in England, majoring in music.

For a number of years she taught music and singing in a school in one of the tougher areas of West Belfast during very dangerous years of the conflict in Northern Ireland. In 1979, back in South Africa, she taught in Holy Cross Primary School in Brooklyn, Cape Town.

In the 1980s she spent three years giving piano lessons to the boarders at a Holy Cross school in England. In 1989 she was transferred to Johannesburg to teach music and singing in De La Salle Holy Cross College.

Sr Celia was never more alive than when teaching music, music appreciation or singing whether in school or to the postulants, novices and sisters.

Some years ago Sr Celia was diagnosed with cancer and started treatment. She stopped teaching her beloved music and singing in 2004 when she was simply no longer able to do so.

She stayed in the Holy Cross community, Victory Park, until she was admitted to Holy Cross

Liturgical Calendar Year B Sunday, January 8, Epiphany of the Lord Numbers 6: 22-27, Psalms 67: 1-3,5-6,8, Galatians 4: 4-7, Luke 2: 16-21 Monday, January 9, Baptism of the Lord Isaiah 55:1-11 or 1 John 5:1-9, Psalm Isaiah 12:2-6, Mark 1:7-11 Tuesday, January 10, feria 1 Samuel 1:9-20, Psalm 1 Samuel 2:1, 4-8, Mark 1:2128 Wednesday, January 11, feria 1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19-20, Psalm 40:2, 5, 7-10, Mark 1:29-39 Thursday, January 12, St Bernard of Corleone 1 Samuel 4:1-11, Psalm 44:10-11, 14-15, 24-25, Mark 1:40-45 Friday, January 13, St Hilary of Poitiers 1 Samuel 8:4-7,10-22, Psalm 89:16-19, Mark 2:1-12 Saturday, January 14, 1 Samuel 9:1-4, 17-19, 10, 1 Psalm 21:2-7, Mark 2: 13-17 Sunday, January 15, 2nd Sunday 1 Samuel 3: 3-10, 19, Psalm 40: 2, 4, 7-10, Corinthians 6:13-15, 17-20, John 1:35-42 St Hilary of Poitiers

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Home, Pretoria where she died.

Sr Celia was a cheerful, friendly person who made friends easily. She was interested in life, kindly, had a whimsical turn of mind, enjoyed banter and a friendly debate.

A colleague from the Victory Park School writes of her: “Her lovely sense of humour and delightful naivety is what I will always remember about her.”

Another writes that she was “always a great character in the staff room. We shall miss her, especially her lovely sense of humour.”

Sr Celia bore her illness bravely and with grace, retaining her youthful spirit and light heart. She was not someone who talked too much about her own spiritual life or spiritual journey, but she confided to some that she was offering all suffering for the Church and that she was not afraid of death.

Two of her nephews, Lorcán and Sean, from Ireland attended the funeral at which Archbishop emeritus George Daniel of Pretoria presided. She is buried along with many other Holy Cross Sisters in Zandfontein cemetery, Pretoria.

Sr Maureen Rooney HC

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: Good Shepherd, Bothasig. Perpetual eucharistic Adoration in the 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 09:00

Mass with novena to St Anthony. First Friday 17:30 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.

PRETORIA: First Saturday: Devotion to Divine Mercy. St Martin de Porres, Sunnyside, 16:30. Tel Shirley-Anne 012 361 4545.

St Francis

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DEATHS DENOON—Leone Fabia went to her eternal rest on Friday, December 16, 2011.

Sadly missed by her children Michael, veronica, Mary, Leo, Martina, Bernadette, Teresa, Margaret and Antoinette.

IZATT—Michéle. in loving memory of my wife, our mother, grandmother and friend who left us so suddenly on January 9, 1991. god be with you and keep you for all eternity. James, Wayne, Tracey, Wendy, ruby and Jonah.

IN MEMORIAM HARKER—reynold died 4/01/2009. riP. Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us everyday.

Prayerfully remembered by your ever loving Mom, Shirley. Sister Sharlene, Dominic, nieces, Lauren, Megan (Australia), Aunt Suzanne, relatives and friends.

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2nd Sunday of the year: January 15 Readings: 1 Samuel 3:3-10, 19 Psalm 40:2, 3, 7-10, 1 Corinthians 6:1315, 17-20, John 1:35-42

A

LL too rapidly, next Sunday we shall be out of the excitements of Christmastime, and into what is called, perhaps just a shade dismissively, “ordinary time”.

How are we to live in this “ordinary time”? The readings for next Sunday suggest that we are to do it by listening out for God’s voice, and by paying attention to his last word, namely Jesus.

The first reading is the lovely story of the young Samuel, whose name means something like “the name of God”, being called by the Lord, and, in his innocence (the text tells us that “Samuel did not yet know the Lord, and the Lord had not yet revealed to him”), he thinks that it is Eli who has summoned him; so three times he disturbs the old man’s sleep, “here I am— for you called me”, and eventually Eli works out that it is God who is the source of the agitation, and advises him simply to say (and you and I could do worse, this year) “speak, Lord, for your servant is listening”.

So Samuel does that, and is rewarded with a tale of the wrong-doings of Eli’s house, unaccountably omitted in our read-

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Speak Lord, your servant is listening Nicholas King SJ Sunday reflections

ing; and then he starts his own career, which ultimately involves him steering Israel, somewhat reluctantly, into the monarchy, thanks to the fidelity of the God who called him in the middle of the night, and who “allowed none of his words to fall”. That same God is now calling us into “ordinary time”, and will always be with us, as he was with Samuel in his impossible task.

The psalm for next Sunday carries the same message about God’s fidelity. The psalmist sings that “I waited, waiting on the Lord”, and is jubilant because the Creator of the universe, “bent down to me and heard my cry”. That is an awesome fact, and it is not surprising that the singer finds that the Lord “put into my mouth a new song, a psalm to our God”.

Amazingly, the psalmist thinks that God is not “pleased with sacrifices and sin-offerings” (like the pope saying that he disapproves of Mass!). The key thing is, and we shall do well to remember this, is that we must say: “Here I am.”

In the second reading , Paul is trying to explain to his Corinthian Christians that listening to God means that not just any behaviour will do; they had not been brought up as proper Jews, and Paul had to explain to them that sex was something too important to be used just for recreation or pleasure: “The body is not for fornication, but for the Lord”; and he relates it to God’s raising of Jesus from the dead, reminding them that their bodies are “Christ’s limbs”, and that sexual immorality is an offence against their “own bodies.”

With a neat wave of his wand, he relates their “bodies” to the one “body”, which is the Church as the body of Christ; that is, he says: “The Temple of the Holy Spirit who is in your midst...glorify God in your body.” That is what listening to God means.

In the g ospel for next Sunday, there are three kinds of listening. The first is that of

Why afterlife isn’t optional D OES belief in life after death have an impact on how we live our lives right now? Should it?

Several years ago I watched a panel of theologians discuss this question on television and was surprised by their conclusions: All of them, theologians who professed to believe in God, without a dissenting voice, stated that it shouldn’t make any difference whatsoever whether or not there is life after death in terms of how we actually live our lives. Belief in life after death, they said, shouldn’t affect really our daily lives.

I have problems with that: First of all, it isn’t true, whatever our protests to the contrary. If we say that belief in an afterlife does not (and should not) affect how we live our lives, we’re simply out of touch with some of the deeper things that motivate us. It makes a huge difference, unconsciously, as to how restless or peaceful we are.

When we no longer believe in a life hereafter we will, one way or the other, put unfair and restless pressure on this life.

There is a tendency today, both in church circles and in everyday life, to deny this. This, I suspect, is based on an over-reaction to the old punishmentreward system, which played too big a part in the religion of our youth. For too many of us, the idea was that we were supposed to live good lives so that,

Classic Conrad

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final reflection

when we die, we’d go to heaven and not to hell. Part of that view too, oversimplified in the critique of religion made by Karl Marx (“Religion is the opium of the people”), was the idea that, if we believe in life after death, we were more likely to be unhealthily passive and not fully creative in this life.

Our instincts are right in wanting to reject this. However in our proclivity to be more liberal and open-minded, we generally lose sight of something else: Belief in life after death is important, not because it can affect our present lives with fears of hellfire or with the promise of a heaven that can be a soothing narcotic when life can’t deliver what we want, but also because only the infinite can provide the proper horizon against which to view the finite.

Our lives our better understood, and more peacefully lived, when they are viewed against the horizon of eternity, against an afterlife.

Whether we believe in life after death consciously and unconsciously colours how we feel minute to minute inside our daily lives. If, for example,

we don’t believe in life after death and don’t view our lives against the horizon of the eternal, how do we keep the demons of restlessness, disappointment, sadness, jealousy, self-pity, and cynicism at bay?

If this life alone has to carry everything, how tragic then to be poor, to lack opportunity, to not be healthy, to not have a perfect body, to lack the talent to adequately express ourselves; how tragic then to not regularly experience ecstasy in love, to not find a perfect soulmate, to have to sleep alone; how permanently tragic then to have been the victim of some accident, to have been abused, to be wounded, less than whole; how tragic then to be in a marriage that cannot fully take our loneliness away; how tragic then to be caught up in duty, in circumstance, in family, in history in a way that limits our freedom; how tragic then to not have a job that is fully satisfying, to not have a career that properly honours our gifts; how tragic then to find ourselves aging, losing our physical beauty and becoming marginalized; how tragic then to have face death with our lives still incomplete; how tragic then to have to miss out on any of life’s pleasures; how tragic then to find ourselves always in lives too small for us, smalltime, small-town, unknown, our dreams reduced to ashes, nostalgia, jealousy, frustration; how tragic then to contemplate what might have been, to have made wrong choices; how tragic then simply to be alone on a Friday night; how tragic then to have to spend a holiday without someone special to share it with; how tragic then to live in a body, a family, a marriage, a home, a world, and a life which can never give us the full symphony nor ever take away our deepest restlessness and longing.

There is no other horizon, outside of eternity and afterlife, against which we can view the human condition in a way that doesn’t produce undue restlessness, disappointment, sadness, and cynicism.

Belief in a life after this one isn’t meant to make us live in fear of hellfire or in the infantile hope that if we’re good we’ll get a reward for it after we die.

Belief in life after death is meant to give us proper vision so that we can, precisely, enjoy the real joys of this life without perpetually crucifying ourselves because of they, and we, aren’t perfect.

John the Baptist, who hears God’s word, and describes Jesus as “Lamb of God”, a title that has stuck; we use it four times every time we attend Mass (whereas “Son of Man”, which seems to have been often on Jesus’ lips, has not really survived in Christian discourse).

The second listening is that of his two disciples, one of whom turns out to be Andrew, brother of Simon, whom Jesus nicknames “Rock”; Jesus asks them “What are you looking for?”, and we might contrast that with the question he puts to the weeping Mary Magdalen in chapter 20, outside the empty tomb: “Whom are you looking for?”.

They ask the all-important question, “Where do you stay?”. That verb “stay”, which can also be translated as “abide” or “dwell”, runs through the whole gospel.

And the third listening is that of Jesus, who can hear what underlies their question, and can even hear what Simon Peter has not said, even though Andrew has heard enough to know that Jesus is the Messiah.

Are you going to be listening attentively, this week?

Southern Crossword #478

ACROSS 1. The point of astrology (4) 3. Told untruth in court of law (8) 9. Red Vera asserted as a fact (7) 10. Refuge place (5) 11. Faithful married couple (4,8) 13. About nice PT graduate (6) 15. Concerning the meat: display it (6) 17. Sombre funeral adornments (5,7) 20. Feudal lord in Belgium?

(5) 21. Not a bright aspect of the Crucifixion (Mt 27) (4,3) 22. Gave evidence (8) 23. Colour of very rare steak in Paris (4)

DOWN 1. Cleric doing school ministry? (8) 2. Repository of the old maid?

(5) 4. Put up with (6) 5. South Africa’s latest archdiocese (12) 6. Get into this gear for your retreat (7) 7. Take your main meal (4) 8. Labourers in the vineyard (5-7) 12. Sneezy wish (5,3) 14. Bring together for liturgical prayer (7) 16. Span (6) 18. Bird seen in carousel (5) 19. Napoleonic isle (4) Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

A

LITTLE boy was at Mass with his mother one day when the priest walked past, the boy stopped and looked at him in his clerical clothes and asked: “Why do you dress funny?”

The priest told him that this was the uniform priests wear.

Then the boy pointed to the priest’s plastic collar tab and asked: “Do you have an sore?”

The priest was perplexed until he realised that to him the collar tab looked like a bandage. So the priest took it out and handed it to the boy to show him. On the back of the tab were raised letters giving the name of the manufacturer.

The boy felt the letters, and the priest asked: “Do you know what those words say?”

“Yes I do,” said the boy who was not old enough to read. Peering intently at the letters he said: “Kills ticks and fleas for up to six months!”

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