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Bishop: Road safety is a Christian issue BY CLAIRE MATHIESON
A
At the beginning of Walter de Jesus and Samantha Duddy’s nuptial Mass in Nazareth House chapel, Pretoria, Fr Kevin Reynolds, uncle of the bride, explained why Samantha’s cartoon in their wedding invitation depicted the priest with no mouth. He reminded the congregation that the bride and bridegroom, not the priest, are the ministers of the sacrament of matrimony. Mr de Jesus’ long-standing friend and mentor, Fr Pius Afiabor SMA, vicar-general of Rustenburg diocese, concelebrated the nuptial Mass with Fr Reynolds. (Photo: Derek Brown)
Pope’s new book done; next encyclical? BY CINDY WOODEN
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OPE Benedict has finished the third volume of his opus, Jesus of Nazareth, and perhaps will also publish an encyclical letter during the upcoming Year of Faith, according to Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Vatican secretary of state. The cardinal, Pope Benedict’s top collaborator, told reporters that the pope had finished his manuscript on Jesus’ infancy and childhood. “It is a great gift for the Year of Faith,” the cardinal told reporters . The first volume of Jesus of Nazareth, covering the period from Jesus’ baptism to his Transfiguration, was published in 2007. The second volume, looking at his passion and death, came out in 2011.
In a statement, the Vatican press office said the book is being translated into a variety of languages from the German original. “It is hoped that the book will be published simultaneously in the most widely spoken languages; this will require a certain amount of time to ensure the accurate translations of a text that is important and longawaited.” The press office did not comment on a possible new encyclical. However, many observers expect there to be a document focusing on the virtue of faith to complete a series of Pope Benedict’s reflections on the theological virtues. His encyclical on charity (Deus Caritas Est) was published in 2005, and two years later he released his encyclical on hope (Spe Salvi).—CNS
N Eastern Cape bishop wants to know “why Christians who worship God forget their virtues, values and morals when it comes to traffic?” In a pastoral letter, Bishop Michael Wüstenberg of Aliwal North has called for Christians to take responsibility on the country’s roads. “We cannot avoid death. But we can avoid premature death [which can come through] through crime, some diseases like Aids and through accidents. We have a choice. Accidents are man-made, many are avoidable. They bring unnecessary misery and pain for the victims and their friends and families,” he said. Bishop Wüstenberg said the dangers of the country’s roads are evident to many who have mourned the loss of life and health. Some 1 475 people were killed on the country’s roads during the 2011/12 festive season alone. But when most of the drivers on the roads are Christians, many of whom pray, “I wonder how the Good Spirit of God seems to evaporate when they enter vehicles as drivers or participate in traffic as pedestrians”, the bishop wrote. The bishop said the carnage on the country’s roads comes from people who drive drunk, drive recklessly, use cellphones whilst driving, or drive cars that are unroadworthy or overloaded, and from pedestrians, who are drunk or do not wear reflective clothing, and children who run into the road. He said that people might at times feel tempted to break traffic law, for example by drinking before driving or using cellphones while operating a vehicle. “But we do not have to give in either to temptation nor to intimidation,” Bishop Wüstenberg said. The bishop said because we are created in the image of God we should care and do more to improve the situation on the roads. “We are like [God] when we are lovers of life and prevent premature death. Even in traffic we share the healing ministry of Christ. Our commitment to life is part of our mission and proclamation as Christians,” Bishop Wüstenberg said. “Your style of driving and walking on the roads should be Good News for others.”
The rules of the road are meant to safeguard life, not limit freedom. All road users should be able to trust others to adhere to the rules of the road. “Participation in traffic is a matter of trust. As God’s faithful we are principal agents of trust,” the bishop said. The bishop said the way we act on the roads is a direct reflection of our faith. “How can people believe that we found the God of Life through Jesus Christ if Christians do not care about life? And how can people believe that Christians are agents of the Gospel which many times says: ‘Do not be afraid’ but they intimidate people through their way of driving or walking? And how can people believe Christian preaching if we talk about the dignity of each person guaranteed by God and do not show respect?” The bishop called on prayer groups, sodalities and organisations to reflect on why Christians behave poorly on the country’s roads. “Plan what you can do to contribute to safety on the roads. Make concrete and lasting resolutions and evaluate them by sharing your experiences during a follow-up meeting.” Bishop Wüstenberg said the potential outcomes could be resolutions where Christians around the country will act positively towards improving the roads. “Start a campaign in your sodality or Small Christian Community to use seat belts; dissuading people who want to drive drunk; educate children about participating safely in traffic; resolve not to drive after even drinking a little; or many other good things that you can do. In all this choose life. You are not alone. We can support one another. We can do what God expects from us: Choose life!” The bishop also called on his diocese to pray for road victims and their families; for those that do drive responsibly; for traffic officials and emergency services, and for those who through their behaviour endangered or even ended the lives of others. “We are looking at a matter of life and death”, said the bishop. “Jesus gave us his example so that we care for life in all its stages and in all its forms, from conception to death.” Therefore, we must also care for life on the roads.
Bishops elect new three top officials BY CLAIRE MATHIESON
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RCHBISHOP Stephen Brislin of Cape Town was elected the new president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) during the bishops’ plenary session held in Mariannhill this month. The new president succeeds Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg who has served the conference as president for two terms since 2007. The outgoing president congratulated the new “troika” which includes Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo of Bloemfontein as first vice-president and Bishop Sithembele Siphuka of Mthatha as second vice-president. All were voted into their positions through an absolute majority. Archbishop Brislin has most recently served the conference as the second vice-
president. He was also the bishop of Kroonstad before being appointed archbishop of Cape Town in December 2009. The last SACBC president from Cape Town was Cardinal Owen McCann from 1961-74. Since then, the position has been held by Archbishop Denis Hurley of Durban, Archbishop Joseph Fitzgerald and Bishop Reginald Orsmond of Johannesburg, Bishop Louis Ndlovu of Manzini, Swaziland, and Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban, the latter for two separate periods. The president, vice-presidents, and department chairmen form an administrative board which coordinates the conference's activities between its plenary sessions. The bishops will vote on the leadership for departments, offices and associate bodies in January 2013, when the new SACBC leadership takes over. SACBC communications and media offi-
cer Fr Chris Townsend said the bishops have announced that they will make their ad limina apostolorum pilgrimage to Rome in April 2013. The ad limina visit is required of bishops every five years to report on the state of their dioceses to the pope and various dicasteries of the Roman curia. Fr Townsend said the bishops also had a two-day workshop on the direction that the conference and the Church is heading. “It was decided that the conference focus on ad extra issues such as developing ethical leadership; promoting development of schooling and education; striving for a just economy consistent with Catholic social teaching; healing and reconciliation; and supporting marriage and family life as the foundation of society.” Fr Townsend said the ad intra issues the bishops focussed on included developing a sense of ownership and Catholic identity
The new SACBC troika: (from left) second vice-president Bishop Sithembele Sipuka; president Archbishop Stephen Brislin; first vice-president Jabulani Nxumalo. among the laity; remembering our African nature; developing a well-formed and zealous priesthood through on-going formation and support; stewardship and financial responsibility; forming youth and young adult programmes that focus on a sense of calling and service in young people; building self-reliance and using the professional skills of the laity to build competence; and encouraging family and religious education and formation.