The Southern Cross - 121107 by The Southern Cross

November 7 to November 13, 2012

Ex-child soldier now fights for the poor

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www.scross.co.za

How the Dead Sea Scrolls were found

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R6,00 (incl VAT RSA)

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

No 4799

Why we are so self-centred

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The fruits of world bishops’ synod for SA A boy swings on a bungee trampoline during a festival at Nazareth House in Cape Town to mark the 130th anniversary of the arrival of the Sisters of Nazareth in South Africa. (Photo: Claire Mathieson)

Archbishop who stood for peace dies at 90 BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

ROMOTER of peace, justice and prayer, Archbishop Henry Karlen of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and before that of Mthatha in the Eastern Cape died on October 28 at the age of 90. Born Ernst Heinrich Karlen in Törbel, Switzerland, the late bishop joined the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries and was ordained a priest on June 22, 1947. In 1951 he was transferred from Europe to Africa; his first assignment was at St Peter’s seminary in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa where he lectured in moral theology and canon law. His first appointment as a parish priest was in 1959 at Qhumbu mission, Umtata until 1963 when he was appointed the administrator of the cathedral in Umtata. He became the bishop of Umtata in 1968. “They still talk of him in Mthata. He implemented the local liturgy shortly after Vatican II,” said Fr Peter Nkomazana, the provincial of the Missionaries of Mariannhill in Zimbabwe. “He worked hard to empower the laity, and instituted the translation of the Mass. He was instrumental in bringing the words of the Church to the people.” Fr Nkomazana said the bishop would do the same, translating text into the vernacular, when he was appointed archbishop of Bulawayo, serving the archdiocese from May 9, 1974 until his retirement on October 24, 1997. “Prayer was a very important part of his life. He was deep and spiritual and was known for encouraging priests to cultivate and develop their prayer lives,” said Fr Nkomazana. “He had a deep passion for the poor. He facilitated those affected by and infected with HIV, helping and assisting orphans.” The archbishop brought much needed funding to Zimbabwe to help combat the plight of those affected by the disease. “He always shared. He lived a simple life and never spent a lot on himself.” Fr Nkomazana described the late bishop as very popular. This was not only because of his work on the ground with the locals and his efforts to make the language of the Church, the people’s language, but also because “he realised there was a great need for justice in Zimbabwe”.

“He spoke out strongly against oppression. He mobilised the bishops’ conference into acting against the injustices in the country.” In the 1980s, Archbishop Karlen reacted strongly against the Fifth Brigade, an elite unit of specially trained Zimbabwean soldiers involved in atrocities against cit- Archbishop Henry izens in Matabele- Karlen (Photo: Andreas land, where some Rohring CMM) 20 000 people were killed. “The archbishop met with the prime minister, Robert Mugabe—a meeting that lasted five hours. He challenged the actions of the brigade,” said Fr Nkomazana, adding that this made him popular across the country, well beyond his diocese. He wrote a book, The Way of the Cross of a Diocese, to chronicle the murders of missionaries and civilians and what he had done to bring comfort to the families and recognition of these happenings to the international community. He would go on to play a vital role in the establishment of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace which would further investigate the atrocities. Fr Nkomazana said there were many times when Archbishop Karlen placed himself in dangerous situations. “The archbishop would say often how he did not know where the courage to do such things came from,” said Fr Nkomazana. He could have been killed many times, but attributed his safety to his devotion to Mary. Archbishop Karlen constructed Marian shrines around the diocese, popularising the devotion. He encouraged others to pray to Our Lady for peace. The archbishop died following abdominal complications at Mater Dei hospital in Bulawayo, and was laid to rest in the archdiocese’s main cemetery, Athlone.

BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

UR faith “is not just a matter of fact, but must be an experience”, said Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban on his return from the Synod of Bishops on New Evangelisation in the Vatican during October. “There must be a new ardour and enthusiasm in the Church,” the cardinal told The Southern Cross. He said the synod was an opportunity to discuss new and necessary methods of evangelising. “Times have changed and the Church must stretch itself beyond the structures of the parish.” Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria, the liaison bishop for evangelisation, called the synod a most enriching experience with 439 interventions presented during the three week gathering of Church leaders. “It was a real experience of the Catholic Church today,” the archbishop said, adding that there were representatives from all around the world, including bishops from non-traditional Catholic countries such as Iraq, Iran and Turkey. “The exchange of experiences was a personal highlight for me. Talking to bishops from countries that are quickly secularising; talking to bishops from countries where their faith has been suppressed; I even met a bishop who had been a soldier in the Russian army—a Catholic, who couldn’t practise his faith at the time.” Cardinal Napier, who was a moderator of one of the discussion groups, noted “a lovely spirit of openness and dialogue. There was a wonderful spirit of brotherhood. I had the sense that this was a real family business.” Cardinal Napier said the New Evangelisation is a way for those who already believe to start anew in their faith. “The Church exists for evangelisation, but we’ve been doing that for more than 2 000 years. The New Evangelisation is a means to bring Christ to the forefront of our lives.” He said it is especially aimed at reviving those in the Church, or those who had strayed from it.

he synod was called for the Church to encourage a personal encounter with Christ, said Archbishop Slattery. “How do we let Christ into a world where people are looking for meaning? How do we put people into contact with the Good News?” “Just like the woman at the well who met Jesus in John 4:1, who found life when she met him, people today are looking for a well. The Church must be a well where people can find meaning.” The synod provided the bishops with clear areas in which to work and clear objectives, however, the archbishop said, it did not focus much on methodology. Archbishop Slattery said he was excited by the synod as there is a movement to look back at the basics. “We want people to find

A bishop reads the Vatican’s L‘Osservatore Romano newspaper with the headline “How to be evangelizers” during the Synod of Bishops. (Photo: Paul Haring, CNS) Jesus. Sometimes our rituals can take over, but the New Evangelisation is a call to go back to the life of Jesus and to find the real presence of Jesus—reaching out to the needy, caring for loved ones—that is where the spirit of God is.” “We have to rediscover this, get back to this simplicity.” The archbishop said prayer and practicing to really listen will bring us closer to the Lord. “We need to meet Jesus in all areas of life—where the real experience is. Being with Christ in life is what we want.”

rchbishop Slattery said the Catholic faith needs to manifest itself more in the life of Catholics. “We want the Sunday Eucharist to become a real celebration, and to see real witnessing to the Church.” This manifestation must include the many great Catholic projects and charities doing valuable work in South Africa, however these are not seen to be witnessing clearly to the Church. “We need to reanimate Catholic charities,” the archbishop told The Southern Cross. “Humans need something more in life. That more in Jesus.” Archbishop Slattery said he hopes this simplicity in faith through the New Evangelisation would result in all Southern African Catholics becoming active witnesses of Christ. Cardinal Napier added that many speakers at the synod referred to the value in the simplicity in faith. “It was clear that there was a need for new expressions in the Church. How can we bring out the fruits of our faith?” said the cardinal, adding that there was great discussion about the benefit of small Christian communities where people are able to engage in contemplation, the liturgy and to share in scripture and prayer. “The Holy Spirit was evidently present at the synod,” said Cardinal Napier. “The Church is going through difficult times, but we are doing this together and the Lord is leading the way.” n See also a round-up of the synod’s message and propositions on page 9, and the experience of the South African representative of Catholic Alpha at the synod on page 3.

LOCAL

The Southern Cross, November 7 to November 13, 2012

Community to help drug addicts BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

GROUP in Durban has called on local Catholics to help start Cenacolo community houses in South Africa—a place for drug addicts and “those who have lost hope”. Moira Gillmore first had an experience of Cenacolo in 2005 when travelling to Medjugorje in Bosnia and Herzegovina where two houses were established. Ms Gillmore said it was clear that the same services were needed in South Africa and so a local group was formed to begin facilitating the opening of a Cenacolo home in Durban. “Four ladies travelled from Durban to Saluzzo in Italy where the mother house of the Cenacolo community is. They went to learn more about the Cenacolo community so that we here in the archdiocese of Durban and in South Africa can start such homes,” said Ms Gillmore. The movement was started by Sr Elvira Petrozzi in 1983 as a way to address the drug issue in

Europe. Ms Gillmore said the situation was similar in South Africa. “We have such a need for these community houses to open in South Africa as our drug problem is a great one.” Today the community is active across Europe and America with one house in Liberia. Life at Cenacolo is based on prayer, genuine friendship, work and celebration. “Three rosaries are prayed each day, scripture is shared and adoration and Holy Mass celebrated on certain days,” said Ms Gillmore. The residents also do all their own work including cooking, cleaning and maintenance. “Each drug addict has a ‘guardian angel’ who accompanies them until they have been healed. These guardian angels were drug addicts themselves.” Ms Gillmore said she had been amazed by the progress achieved in the homes. “It is a great wonder to see the joy on the faces of these people as they have had a deep experience of the resurrection of Jesus in their healing process.” Premises have already been

donated to the community by Bishop Barry Wood, auxiliary bishop of Durban, and the group is working closely with Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria in establishing the homes, which will be run by the community’s religious order, the Sisters of the Resurrection. Six priests have also come out of this movement. The homes will also be run by missionaries, all reclaimed drug addicts, who will continue the good work in their lives. “We depend entirely on God’s providence. Knowing that he always has a good plan for his children, we are confident that we’ll see these homes in South Africa in the very near future. This is why we ask everyone to pray for the missionaries to come soon and begin their work,” said Ms Gillmore. She asked that local Catholics would become “friends of Cenacolo” through prayers or any other assistance. n For more information contact Moira Gillmore by e-mail oceanview873@yahoo.com

St Ninian’s church in Kuils River, Cape Town celebrated the October feast of Our Lady of Fatima. Youth of the parish represented the three Portuguese children that Our Lady appeared to in Fatima. From left: Jayden Eagles as Francisco, Fatima Dawiel as Jacinta and Robyn Gelderbloem as Lucia.

In the article “Joint Aids Conference for January”, (October 24, page 2) we inadvertantly gave an incomplete telephone number for those wishing to register for the conference. The details are: Call Shantel on 087 353 8940 or visit www.sjti.ac.za/conference2013.html

HOLY TRINITY CHURCH BRAAMFONTEIN The introduction of the new Lectionary in English for Mass in South Africa has presented a few challenges. Among these challenges are that there are few musical settings of the responsorial psalms (Revised Grail Psalms, 2010) that are readily available for free distribution. The responsorial psalm should of its nature be sung, if at all possible. Cameron Upchurch, Director of Music at Holy Trinity parish in Braamfontein, has begun the task of setting these texts to music. The settings are suitable for cantor (or choir) and congregation, with simple refrains and undemanding keyboard parts. They will be posted on the Holy Trinity website from 1st November 2012, beginning with the psalms for the Sundays of Advent. This archive will be constantly updated as new settings are completed. The idea behind this project is that this music will be available for free download, distribution and duplication by anyone who wishes to make use of it liturgically. Interested persons can visit www.trinityjhb.co.za and follow the relevant links.

A group wanting to establish the Cenacolo Community in South Africa receives a blessing from Bishop Barry Wood of Durban before travelling to the home of the movement in Italy. Pictured are (from left) Brenda Francis, Karen Forbay, Bishop Wood, Moira Gillmore and Margo Torr from Christ the King and St Francis Xavier parishes in Durban.

Fewer brothers will pose big challenges, bishop says at funeral BY MAURICIO LANGA

HE Mariannhill community is mourning the death of two highly dedicated senior religious brothers who served the community and the Church at large with distinction. For years, Br Berthold Lanzinner CMM, 68, and Br Georg von Aarburg CMM, 87, worked relentlessly to help others and for future generations. They died days apart of each other after battling with cancer. When we celebrated 125 years of the existence of the Mariannhill Monastery recently, we were not just celebrating the existence of structures. We were also celebrating people who sacrificed their lives and those of their families in pursuit of improving people’s lives. Some of those people who fought against all odds were Brs Aarburg and Lanzinner. Br Lanzinner worked for many years as manager of the bookbinding department in Mariannhill before he was appointed in 1997 to be part of the formation team at Abbot Francis House in Merrivale. After a brief spell at Merrivale, Br Lanzinner was transferred to Mariazell Mission in 2000 where he worked closely with Br Aarbug. In Mariazell he was in charge of the mill, to which locals brought maize for grinding. Fr Bheki Shabalala, regional superior of the Mariannhill missionaries, said Br Lanzinner will always be remembered for having been “a humble and faithful servant of the congregation and the Church at large”. Speaking at a requiem Mass, Bishop Pius Dlungwane of Mariannhill said Br Lanzinner shared his skills and faith with the people of the diocese of Mariannhill and the Church at

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Brs Custodio Vilanculo and Mthokozise Khumalo carry the coffin of Br Lanzinner. large. The bishop said it was fitting to pay tribute to all the brothers of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill for all the work they have done in various fields of expertise in the diocese of Mariannhill. “The architectural work and the gothic paintings of the various churches in the Mariannhill diocese are the living testimony of the priceless work done by the brothers. We are unable to thank God enough for the commendable work they have rendered throughout the years,” said Bishop Dlungwane. The bishop said that today the diocese of Mariannhill has to meet one of the biggest challenges of its existence: the evident decline of vocations to the brotherhood. This decline will place an enormous challenge on the continuity and sustainability of the work done by religious brothers for decades.

ADVENT LECTURES 2012

The Odour of Paradise. Themes in Islamic Spirituality

Fr Christopher Clohessy PhD

Tuesday 20 November, 19h30 – The Desolate Mystic: Adam, Satan and the Creation Story Tuesday 27 November, 19h30 – The Project of God: Muhammad and the Christians Tuesday 4 December, 19h30 – The Odour of Paradise: the Sûfî Path Tuesday 11 December, 19h30 – People of the House: the Grief of the Shi’ites Tuesday 18 December, 19h30 – Friends of God: Islam’s Mystic Women St Bernard’s Church Hall Cnr. Protea and Buchan Roads, Newlands, Ctn 19h30 to 20h30 Donation: R20 per lecture

LOCAL

Learning the value of volunteering STAFF REPORTER

RADE 10 learners at CBC St Patrick’s in Kimberley have dedicated their efforts this year to Waterworks Primary School in an impoverished area near Riverton in the diocese, reaping benefits not only for those in need, but also learning the value of volunteering. The involvement stems from the school’s ethos to help those less fortunate and a requirement for the Matric life orientation portfolio, where each student completes a minimum of ten hours of volunteer work “Under the guidance of the principal of Waterworks, Wilfred Sell, the students conducted a needs analysis. It was decided that the three biggest needs at Waterworks were the refurbishment of the Grade R classroom, the creation of a playground for the pupils and the painting of the exterior walls of the prefab classrooms,” said Tanya Matthews, head of the life orientation department at St Patrick’s. The Grade 10 learners were divided into three groups. Each group was tasked with completing one of the highlighted needs. Mrs Matthews said the learners collected donations and visited the primary school over a period of six months. “They planted grass; they planted trees; they built a jungle gym and swing-set; they painted cartoon characters as a mural on the exterior walls; they carpeted and painted the classroom; they got plastic tables and chairs for the little ones to work on and they designed a metal board with the

The Southern Cross, November 7 to November 13, 2012

SA Alpha man reflects on synod BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

A Grade 10 learners at CBC St Patrick’s in Kimberley are learning the value of volunteering through their efforts of helping the impoverished Waterworks Primary School. crest, motto and name of Waterworks Primary and had it mounted onto the wall.” In October, the entire grade spent a school day at Waterworks where they arranged football matches; played baseball, netball, cricket and hand-tennis with the primary school children. “They baked cup-cakes which the little ones decorated themselves. They took playdough, swingball, face paint and entertained their young charges. Egg-and-spoon races were run, clapping games were clapped and hula-hoops were twirled. It was a fabulous day of fun, laughter and togetherness,” the teacher said. Mrs Matthews called the project a great success, accomplished thanks to the generosity of the St Patrick’s College family. “The children received donations from parents, teachers, past

pupils and others who, when they heard about the hard work being done by the Grade 10s, wanted to contribute in some way.” Mrs Matthews said that while the project was undertaken to comply with an academic requirement in the life orientation curriculum, it had become a defining project in the lives of Grade 10s. “They learned that they are so very fortunate to be at a school such as St Patrick’s and that there is nothing more satisfying than reaching out and helping others. In an attempt to bless others, they found that they were the ones to receive blessings.” Mrs Matthews said it is the school’s wish that the project will inspire the learners to lead lives filled with volunteering. “It was the ideal way to begin our Year of Faith,” she added.

FTER attending the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelisation in the Vatican as an observer, the Alpha for Catholics development manager in Africa, Tom Miles, believes Alpha in a Catholic context is an important tool for Catholics in the Year of Faith. “The synodal assembly in the Vatican is a significant milestone for Alpha in the Catholic Church,” said Mr Miles. “While celebrating the 50th anniversary of Vatican II and the 20th anniversary of the revised catechism of the Catholic Church, the Church leadership in their numerous interventions has acknowledged the need for new ways to proclaim the Gospel,” said Mr Miles, adding that the fact that an Alpha delegation was at the synod was more than appropriate. The synod was also an opportunity for the Alpha movement to present to the pope as well as meet with Church leaders. “During the second week of the synod, Alpha in a Catholic Context representatives met with guests from all around the world for lunches and dinners, to build relationships and share the impact of Alpha around the world and in Africa,” said Mr Miles.

He said the discussions focused specifically within the Catholic Church and were a great opportunity to share the evangelisation movement with a number of priests and lay leaders involved in evangelisation from around the world. Mr Miles added that he also met with bishops from across the continent, including South Africa, Ghana, Malawi and Sudan. Another highlight of the synod was to reach the media. “There was significant press interest in Alpha’s presence at the synod,” Mr Miles said, adding that the reach of the media allows the course to achieve coverage in areas where Alpha might not be present yet. “Several openings for training and introductions to Alpha have come as a result of Alpha’s presence and meetings during the synod, and many of the new contacts made are keen to join the Alpha Leadership Week in 2013, which is so encouraging,” said Mr Miles. He said the Alpha Course is run in South Africa with many Catholics renewing their faith and relationship with Christ as well as bringing back into the Church those who have been removed from the faith. In this way, he said, Alpha serves as a tool for the Year of Faith and the New Evangelisation.

Schoenstatt shrine marks 60 years BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

CELEBRATION to mark the diamond jubilee of the Schoenstatt shrine in the heart of Cape Town will take place on November 18, the birthday of the secular movement’s founder, Fr Joseph Kentenich (1885-1968). “We believe that it is very important to celebrate these landmarks. It is a time to look back and it is also a time of renewal,” said Sr Glynis Kirchhoffer, superior of Villa Maria, the home of the shrine in Kloof Nek Road. The Marian shrine is modelled on the original found near Koblenz on the Rhine in western Germany. It is also the second-old-

est in Africa after Cathcart in Queenstown diocese. “Our shrines are like satellites connected to each other, but with independent sources of grace,” said Sr Kirchhoffer. There are two more Schoenstatt shrines in Cape Town, in Constantia and Hanover Park. The Schoenstatt Sister said the shrines are not sites of apparitions or manifestations but they provide an opportunity for each visitor to come into contact with Our Lady. “Change comes from within people. There is a conversion after visiting the shrine. It may not come over night, but she does work through us,” said Sr Kirch-

hoffer, adding that visitors find peace and serenity at the shrine. “This is a place of peace in the middle of the busy city. People can come in from the street and it is accessible throughout the day.” Sr Kirchhoffer said tourists travelling past Villa Maria on large site-seeing buses recognise the shrine. “It draws people from all over—some who may recognise it from their own countries, others who might just want to investigate further,” she said. “Everyone who goes past the shrine gets a blessing. Mary is there in among all the noise and she blesses all—the buses, the taxis, the people—she is there for us.”

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The recognised place of grace is open to the visitors from 06:00am daily. For the past 12 years there have been regular hours of adoration. The first Friday of every month sees an all-night vigil and the second Saturday of every month sees a holy hour for the priests in the archdiocese. The shrine is also an official site of pilgrimage in the archdiocese during the Year of Faith and pilgrims will receive plenary indulgences. n A special Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town on November 18 at 15:00 at Villa Maria, 1 Kloof Nek Road, Cape Town.

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The Southern Cross, November 7 to November 13, 2012

INTERNATIONAL

Pope celebrates 500 years of the Sistine Chapel BY CINDY WOODEN

TANDING in the Sistine Chapel under Michelangelo’s famous ceiling frescoes, people are reminded that the world was created by God in a supreme act of love, Pope Benedict has said. “With a unique expressive intensity,” the pope said, Michelangelo depicted the power and majesty of God the creator in a way that proclaimed “the world is not the product of darkness, chaos or absurdity, but derives from intelligence, freedom, a supreme act of love”. Pope Benedict made his remarks during an evening prayer service

marking the 500th anniversary of the prayer service led by Pope Julius II in 1512 to celebrate Michelangelo’s completion of the ceiling paintings. Up to 20 000 people visit the Sistine Chapel each day as part of their tour of the Vatican Museums, but “the chapel contemplated in prayer is even more beautiful, more authentic; it reveals all its richness,” the pope said. With a small group of cardinals, Vatican employees and guests joining him for the prayer service, the pope asked them to try to imagine what it must have been like 500

years ago to look up and see those famous paintings for the first time. The ceiling has nine principal illustrations of events recounted in the Book of Genesis, including the various stages of creation and the great flood. The most famous of all the scenes is God creating Adam and transmitting life to him through an outstretched finger. All of the chapel’s paintings recount stages in the history of salvation, the pope said, but “in that encounter of the finger of God and the finger of man, we perceive a contact between heaven and earth. In Adam, God entered into a new

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relationship with his creation,” a relationship in which a creature is created in God’s image and called into a direct relationship with God. Pope Benedict noted that, 20 years after Michelangelo finished the ceiling, he concluded work on the massive wall fresco, the “Last Judgment.” Illustrating humanity’s origin on the ceiling and its ultimate destiny in the “Last Judgment,” Michelangelo painted “the great parable of the journey of humanity,” which leads to “the definitive encounter with Christ, the judge of the living and the dead”.—CNS

Pope Benedict leads a prayer service in the Sistine Chapel. (Photo: L'Osservatore Romano/CNS)

Ex-child soldier now fights for the poor BY DENNIS SADOWSKI

that my past does not hold me back.”

SHMEAL Alfred Charles will always remember the day the helicopters saved his life. It was in 1998, in the midst of Sierra Leone’s civil war, and Ishmeal, then 15, was standing in line with a group of ten teenagers, facing mutilation at the hands of a savage band of rebels that had ravaged much of the West Africa nation for seven years and counting. Like dozens of other teens, he had been kidnapped by Revolutionary United Front rebels months earlier. They managed to flee once in a chaotic moment after lugging weapons and supplies for the rebels and committing atrocities on their behalf as they ravaged community after community for weeks on end on the way to overtake the capital of Freetown. The teenagers had been captured by the rebels again and now faced punishment for fleeing into the bush earlier. One by one the teens were losing a hand or an arm as the rebels asked the one-time child soldiers whether they wanted a “short sleeve or long sleeve”. Not all survived the mutilation. Ishmeal was second in line when the government helicopters swooped in, sending the rebel camp into pandemonium and the teens fleeing again into the thick forest. The arrival of the helicopters was a miracle orchestrated by God, Mr Charles told Catholic News Service. Those events set the stage for him to be reunited with his mother and siblings in their hometown of Wellington, near Freetown. And it set Mr Charles on a path to assist his fellow Sierra Leoneans reconcile with each other and overcome the dire poverty that set in following the 11-year conflict that ended in 2002. Today, Mr Charles works as programmes manager at Caritas Freetown, the development office in the archdiocese of

Former child soldier Ishmeal Alfred Charles. (Photo: Bob Roller, CNS) Freetown and Bo. Born a Muslim, Mr Charles, now 29, converted to Catholicism after attending a Catholic school and being immersed in the Church’s culture and rituals.

e said he believes God called him to a life of service to help rebuild lives after the war. Mr Charles assists Caritas staffers running programmes such as the Fatima House of Light, which works with former prostitutes and at-risk girls in teaching them skills such as hair dressing and motor mechanics. There also is the Disabled Street Children’s programme which provides kids mutilated in the war with training and education; the Youth Readiness Intervention Project that helps war victims deal with psychological challenges; and the Intergenerational Impact of the War Project which helps former fighters learn how to channel anger into nonviolent responses in family and personal conflicts. “What I went through didn’t determine what I was going to be in the future,” Mr Charles said. “What I went through... actually motivated me to be what I am today. What I try to do very much is to make sure

fter the war Charles enrolled in the University of Sierra Leone and studied peace and conflict studies. He said he chose the field to be able to share his experiences with others in the hope of transforming his homeland. Mr Charles recalled being beaten at least once and tortured by the rebels. Food was scarce and illness was rampant. He remembered fighting alongside the rebels carrying out indescribable acts against innocent victims. “I have been through a lot. I know what it means when you are hungry and cannot find food. I know what it means when you cannot find clothes to wear. I know what it means when you are depressed and what it means when you are happy. I can better bring in those experiences that I have had into my job,” he said. Poverty and economic inequality remain major challenges for the vast majority of Sierra Leone’s 5,8 million people, Mr Charles said. He called for wider distribution of the wealth that foreign companies provide as they mine the country’s vast diamond reserves as well as bauxite, iron ore, titanium ore, gold and chromite. Mr Charles said the Catholic Church remains respected throughout the country as people realise that many of the social services being delivered are Catholic in origin. However, he added, priests continue to struggle to have their basic needs met. Collections taken at Mass are small, leading to meagre priest stipends, and clergy do not always have access to dependable transportation to reach outlying communities, he said.— CNS n For more information about the work of Caritas Freetown see www.caritasfreetown.org

Doctor of rape victims flees DRC war zone

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CONGOLESE doctor, who since 1998 has taken care of victims of sexual violence in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo, has been forced to flee the region because his life was in danger. Dr Denis Mukwege (pictured) and his family left Bukavu, the capital of South Kivu, in late October. Dr Mukwege had escaped an ambush at his home by an armed group. His military guard was killed in the attack. Dr Mukwege is the director of the leading hospital in

Panzi. The hospital provides free medical care and psychological assistance to the thousands of women who have suffered sexual violence in the

violence-prone region, where for years various armed groups have terrorised local civilians. Among the awards presented to Dr Mukwege are African of the Year, the Clinton Global Citizen Award, the Olof Palme Prize, and the UN Human Rights Prize. Meanwhile a day of “Dead City”, with offices and shops closed to protest against the deterioration of the security situation, was held in the region on October 31. The action was organised by the Coordination of Civil Society in Bukavu.—CISA

INTERNATIONAL

SSPX talks not over yet BY CINDY WOODEN

‘P

ATIENCE, serenity, perseverance and trust are needed” as the Vatican continues talks aimed at full reconciliation with the traditionalist Society of St Pius X (SSPX), said a statement from the Vatican commission overseeing the discussions. The Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei” said the leadership of the SSPX had requested “additional time for reflection and study” before responding to Pope Benedict’s latest efforts to reintegrate them into the Church. “A culminating point along this difficult path” was reached on June 13 when the commission gave the SSPX a final “doctrinal declaration together with a proposal for the canonical normalisation of its status within the Catholic Church”, the statement said. The Vatican initially presented what it described as a “doctrinal preamble” to SSPX leaders in September 2011. While it never released the text, the Vatican had said it outlined “some doctrinal principles and criteria for the interpretation of Catholic doctrine necessary to guarantee

fidelity” to the formal teaching of the Church, including the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. The SSPX gave the Vatican its response in April. The Vatican, in turn, gave the SSPX the doctrinal declaration to sign in June and also presented a proposal to establish for SSPX members a “personal prelature”, which is a Church jurisdiction without geographical boundaries. Currently, the Church’s only personal prelature is Opus Dei. The Vatican said that “after 30 years of separation, it is understandable that time is needed to absorb the significance of these recent developments”. The statement called the efforts a “dramatic manifestation” of the pope’s ministry “to foster and preserve the unity of the Church by realising the long hoped-for reconciliation.” Shortly before the Vatican statement was published, the SSPX announced it had ousted British Bishop Richard Williamson, one of the four bishops ordained by SSPX founder Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre without papal approval in 1988. Bishop Williamson opposed

the reconciliation talks with the Vatican and had caused great embarrassment for the Germanborn Pope Benedict. On the same day in 2009 that the Vatican announced Pope Benedict had lifted the excommunication of Bishop Williamson and three other of the society’s bishops, a Swedish television station aired an interview with Bishop Williamson in which he denied the extent of the Nazi Holocaust of the Jews. In a statement e-mailed to subscribers of his newsletter, Bishop Williamson said many people thought his presence in the SSPX was “the single biggest obstacle” to the SSPX’s reconciliation with Rome. While he said he didn’t know if his expulsion was a condition set by the Vatican, “it certainly favours” the reconciliation talks. “Archbishop Lefebvre founded the SSPX to resist the [Second Vatican] Council’s destruction of the Catholic faith by its 16 documents, and of the practice of that faith by the new Mass above all,” he wrote. “To undo a thing’s nature is to undo the thing,” he said, explaining why he opposed the talks with Rome.—CNS

Traditional conch shell blowers from San Jeronimo take part in the celebration of Mass marking the 475th anniversary of the diocese of Cusco in Peru. Thousands of people attended the service for the anniversary of the establishment of South America’s first diocese. (Photo: Elie Gardner, CNS)

IGRANTS usually are forced to leave their countries because of poverty, hunger or violence, but faith and hope help them face their hardships and seek a better life elsewhere, Pope Benedict has said. The pope chose “Migrations: pilgrimage of faith and hope” as the theme for the 2013 celebration of the World Day of Migrants and Refugees, and issued a message that touched on many facets of what he called a “striking phenomenon” that raises “dramatic challenges”. “Faith and hope are inseparable in the hearts of many migrants, who deeply desire a better life and not infrequently try to leave behind the ‘hopelessness’ of an unpromising future,” Pope Benedict wrote. The pope’s message was introduced in a news conference at the Vatican by Cardinal Antonio Maria Veglio and Bishop Joseph Kalathiparambil, respectively president and secretary of the Pontifical Council for Migrants and Travellers. Migration by its nature involves suffering the pain of

uprooting and separation from family, country and possessions, the pope said, but faith and hope allow those who emigrate to face a difficult present if they can believe it will lead to a better future. They are not just seeking to improve their financial, social or political condition, the pope said. People who leave their native countries are hoping to “encounter acceptance, solidarity and help” from those in their new country who can recognise the values and resources they have to offer. The Catholic Church is a witness to the “immense poverty and suffering entailed in migration” that often leads to “painful and tragic situations”. The Church is on the ground with its various agencies to assist migrants, refugees and asylum seekers in emergencies and in beginning their new lives. Migrants and refugees who are guests have the right to expect solidarity, but they also have the responsibility to abide by the rules of the host country, the pope said. Immigration policies, he said, should not, lead to “a hermetic sealing of borders” or simply adopting measures that discour-

age immigrants. Cardinal Veglio emphasised the need to treat migrants and refugees with warmth and respect, and he said their integration must be accompanied by proper regulations, both international and domestic. Bishop Kalathiparambil spoke of the extreme difficulties faced by refugees and those asking for political asylum, who often leave their countries “because of innumerable violations of their human rights and because of the cruelty of bloody conflicts”. He illustrated how refugees often are forced to put their lives in the hands of traffickers, who, once they have taken great sums of money to bring them across the sea or to other destinations, continue to exploit them as forced labourers or sex workers. Refugees must have the opportunity to become part of the new society to which they have escaped, where they have “great potential to bear witness and evangelise”, the bishop said. In most parts of the world, the Catholic Church celebrates the World Day of Migrants and Refugees on January 13.—CNS

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Pope: Migrants must be welcomed BY SARAH DELANEY

The Southern Cross, November 7 to November 13, 2012

LEADER PAGE

The Southern Cross, November 7 to November 13, 2012

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR Editor: Günther Simmermacher

Barred from Communion

MONG the many topics for discussion at October’s Synod of Bishops on New Evangelisation was the difficult subject of the Church’s teachings governing the administration of the sacraments to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics. In their message to the world’s Catholics, the Synod Fathers noted “that God’s love does not abandon anyone; that the Church loves them, too; that the Church is a house that welcomes all; that they remain members of the Church even if they cannot receive sacramental absolution and the Eucharist”. For many Catholics in that situation, these doubtless sincere words will provide little comfort, even as they communicate the Church’s acknowledgment of a pastoral quandary. On the one hand, the Church teaches that divorced persons who have married again in a civil ceremony “cannot receive Eucharistic communion as long as this situation persists” (Catechism, 1650). For the Catholic Church, the bond of marriage, once entered into freely, consciously and validly, is indissoluble. However, the Catechism also acknowledges that “the unequivocal insistence on the indissolubility of the marriage bond may have left some perplexed and could seem to be a demand impossible to realise”. This presents an enormous pastoral problem for the Church. How can it be persuasively explained that faithful Catholics—especially those who were not the guilty party in the breakdown of a marriage—should be excluded from the summit of the Church’s life when less honourable individuals, even murderers, may receive Communion? Most marriages fail notwithstanding all good intentions and respect for the sacrament of matrimony, by one or both spouses. For Catholics especially the experience of divorce can be traumatic, precisely because they know that marriage cannot be dissolved. There are those who argue that since Jesus fed the hungry rather than those with lots to eat, such Catholics should be allowed to receive Communion publicly. The Church evidently sees no way of endorsing this view, even as many bishops wish it could. Canon law does make

allowances for the annulment of the marriage bond, a generally complicated process in which specific criteria are employed to establish whether the marriage was canonically valid in the first place. Advanced psychological insights can serve to broaden the scope of conditions that militate against this canonical validity. It would be wrong, however, to view canonical annulments as the Church’s version of civil divorce, never mind as an expedient option. Moreover, the process is neither easy nor always agreeable—indeed, it can be humiliating—so even separated couples with a valid claim for annulment might decline to take this option. The Catholic Church in South Africa provides much assistance to those planning to get married, to those who are married, and to those whose marriages are troubled. The organisations involved in these fields must be commended for and supported in their caring ministry. There is, however, little pastoral support extended to those Catholics emerging from failed marriages, some of whom may be victims of physical or emotional abandonment, or even abuse. Especially young women with children are faced with a stark choice: to marry again with a view to financial and emotional security, but be divorced from the Body of Christ; or to remain perpetually single, but in union with the sacrament of the Eucharist and absolution. For many, the price of either decision is too high. Many opt for the former, and, hurt by their exclusion from the sacraments, leave the Church. This cannot be desirable. Few in the Church, it seems, are satisfied with the current painful situation where virtuous Catholics are barred from receiving the Eucharist. Even Pope Benedict has expressed his concerns, and hinted at his sense of powerlessness, on this question. The Church’s hands are tied, and still, our faith is one of compassion. The difficult challenge facing the Church is to reconcile the dimensions of doctrine with those of compassion—which in this case are seemingly in conflict—so that divorced and civilly remarried people may truly feel, as the Synod Fathers say, fully welcomed, loved and included in the Church.

Don’t sideline Christ at Christmas

OW that the seasons of Advent and Christmas is almost upon us, alas we can expect the shopping malls to begin displaying their season greetings such as “Happy Holidays”, “Happy Festive Season”, and the like. What is sad is that the management of these malls instruct their promotion departments not to display the word “Christmas” in their greetings that are displayed in the foyers in the misguided belief that the word might upset customers of other religions. Pope Benedict in his address to the dignitaries in London’s Westminster Hall on his papal visit to Britain in 2010 stated: “There are those who argue that the public celebration of festivals such as Christmas should be discouraged, in the questionable belief that it might somehow offend those of other religions or none.” The

Essentiality of Catholicism

N a recent editorial headlined “Getting back the lapsed” (August 14), you offer pertinent suggestions as to how this may be achieved. Pope John-Paul II spoke about “silent apostasy” and Pope Benedict refers to “a diminishing faith”. Many Catholics don’t go elsewhere. They simply stop practising their faith. I believe this is because our faith has gone “soft”. It needs upliftment. Almost all Catholic practices I knew as a young man, have been downgraded. We have a man-centred form of worship, where, in many instances, we are simply “celebrating ourselves” (Pope Benedict XVI); disrespect is shown to The True Presence by immodest dress and irreverent behaviour. The once-Catholic sanctuary is invaded by the world and his wife. There was a time when mission sermons addressed the Four Last Things, which wonderfully cleared one’s mind. This was replaced by sermons which opened and closed with jokes and wisecracks. The false ecumenism of today must be abandoned. It leads to indifferentism and the opinion that one religion is as good as another. Vatican II’s dogmatic constitution Lumen Gentium (14) warns us that we cannot be saved if we leave the Church knowing it to be

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pope added: “I cannot but voice my concern at the increasing marginalisation of religion, particular Christianity, that is taking place in some quarters, even in nations which place a great emphasis on tolerance.” Management of these consumer outlets should take note of these sentiments of Pope Benedict. And the key word to the latter is “tolerance”. Dictionary definitions of tolerance include “the capacity for the practice of recognising and respecting the beliefs or practices of others” and “sympathy or indulgence for beliefs or practices differing from or conflicting with one’s own”. Christians of all faiths, I believe, would not feel offended if other religions displayed festive greetings on their major religious celebrations. To bring home the true message of the birth of Christ, a mes-

founded by Christ. “Cannot be saved” means “an eternity in hell”—an awful warning from Vatican II. In her extraordinary Divine Mercy diary, St Faustina writes that Our Lord showed her a vision of hell and commanded her to write down what she saw “so that no soul may find an excuse by saying there is no hell”. People in other religions will not be saved by those religions. Some may be saved in their religion. The narrow road to eternal life lies within the Catholic Church, founded by Christ, containing the merciful message of salvation. It is charity to preach this far and wide. Hopefully then, people will not leave the Church and those who have left, will return. Franko Sokolic, Cape Town

Way to go

HEREBY wish to congratulate Archbishop Stephen Brislin publicly for his bold step to allow the Neo-Catechumenal Way to open a seminary in the archdiocese of Cape Town. I would advise our inter-diocesan seminaries’ formators to take a leaf out of the formation handbook of the Way! The New Evangelisation requires new methods, new vine in new skins. May the new seminary bring many blessings to the Church in the archdiocese of Cape Town and elsewhere. Bishop Edward Adams, Retired of Oudtshoorn

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A Nativity scene at a Cape Town mall. sage of joy and hope, parishes are embarking on a programme of “Putting Christ back into Christmas”. For example, a number of stores in and around the major shopping malls in Durban North have been approached and have accepted to display a Nativity scene in their shop windows— and as yet there has been no known intolerance shown. Deacon Peter Venter, Durban

Foodparcel tips

OR the coming Christmas season many food parcels will be given to the needy. I suggest that the food be as nutritious as possible. Examples of nutritious items are lentils, peas, beans, peanut butter, soya mince, powdered or long-life milk, tinned fish, eggs, and so on. Also take into account the fuel it takes to cook the food—dried lentils cook faster than dried beans, saving on fuel. Cooking oil, and salt can also be included as well as some form of starch, such as maize meal. If parishioners have spare fresh fruit from their trees, it could also be included. Jane Thompson, Johannesburg

Am I a pen fiend?

ALWAYS carry a pen and have developed a “good” habit of putting it back in my top pocket. Recently I attended a meeting where pens were made available. On returning home I found one such pen in my top pocket. Does that make me a “good” thief? Just a thought! Adrian Kettle, Cape Town 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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Letter from America

Solidarity with the poor central to faith

LTHOUGH most US Catholics probably have never heard of it, there is a document that has the potential of making a tremendous difference in the lives of the poorest people on earth. But first, 15 years of accumulated dust needs to be wiped away from the document, titled “Called to Global Solidarity: International Challenges for US Parishes.” As we approach the 15th anniversary on November 12 of this little known but very important document of the US bishops, it would be an excellent use of time for all Catholics, also outside the United States, to read and ponder the moral challenges of “Called to Global Solidarity”. The bishops write that although international institutions, programmes and collections exist, they have not yet “awakened a true sense of solidarity”. “While many parishes do build global bridges, the Church’s teaching on global solidarity is too often unknown, unheard, or unheeded,” the document points out. The US, and nearly every other industrialised nation, gives less than 1% of its annual budget for poverty-focused international assistance, and relatively few Catholics lobby legislators for more life-saving foreign aid. This is sad evidence that building solidarity with the poor of the world is not a priority for most Catholics in the economically developed world. This is not good. It does not reflect Gospel thinking or Catholic social teaching. The bishops write: “The United States ranks first in the world in the weapons we sell to poor nations,”—$56 billion worth in 2011—“and near the bottom in the proportion of our resources we devote to development for the poor.” They add: “For Catholics in the US the call to international solidarity takes on special urgency. We live in the largest of the world’s wealthy nations [...] Yet all around us are signs of suffering and need: Foreign debt crushes hopes and paralyses progress in too many poor nations [...] 35 000 persons die of hunger and its consequences every day around the world.” Moreover, “26 000 people, mostly civilians, are maimed or killed every year by anti-personnel landmines”. And yet the US refuses to sign the Ottawa Treaty banning such weapons. The bishops lament: “The sense of responsibility toward the world’s poor and oppressed has grown weaker.” In the face of grave injustice and tremendous poverty-based world problems, rich nations are often tempted to choose paths of indifference, and even hostility to global engagement, write the bishops. It is imperative to remember that “our faith calls us to a different road—a path of global responsibility and solidarity”. In “Called to Global Solidarity” the bishops teach that “a parish reaching beyond its own members and beyond national boundaries is a truly ‘catholic’ parish. An important role for the parish is to challenge and encourage every believer to greater global solidarity.” And the Mass—especially the homily—is ideally suited for this task. The bishops write: “There is no greater opportunity to help Catholics understand the social dimensions of our faith than in the homily. “Christ is calling us to do more. In a sense, our parishes need to be more Catholic and less parochial. A suffering world must find a place in the pastoral priorities of every Catholic parish.” n For the full text of “Called to Solidarity”, go to http://bit.ly/VyjDKl

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The Southern Cross, November 7 to November 13, 2012

How self-centred we are

N last month’s column I asserted that unless the hearts and minds of people in positions of influence are changed for the better, powerful people are bound to continue sliding back into the evils of greed, corruption and oppression. To appreciate this argument, one should have an understanding of the fact that we all suffer from the malaise of the false self. Let me step back and talk about what psychologists have discovered about the basic human needs. Using the revelations of modern psychology, Fr Thomas Keating, a Benedictine monk, has identified three human needs that develop in childhood and remain lodged in our unconscious. These are survival and security; esteem and affection; and power and control. I prefer to characterise them as follows: l Self-preservation and security (including self-protection, instant gratification etc) l Self-worship (seeking approval, affirmation and affection) l Power and control. The first instinct of any human being is self-preservation. A baby wants to feel secure in the hands of the mother. When we sense danger, we want to run away to protect ourselves. When we are hungry, we preserve our life by looking for something to eat. Self-preservation is therefore the most basic of all human needs. When we are secure we go for the next need: We want to be affirmed; we look for approval and want everybody to notice us. The next level of needs goes beyond ourselves—we want to see ourselves relating to others in a manner that gives us power and control over others. It can be argued that self preservation

is absolutely essential, and that there is nothing inherently wrong in seeking affirmation and in having some power and control over others. However, these needs can become so important in the mind of the individual that they become idols or objects of worship. Worse still, the desire for self-preservation and for affirmation and power can be so exaggerated that not only does the individual cease to care for others, but they can become so obsessed with these needs that they begin to view themselves as something other than what they really are.

have been told of a woman who became so obsessed with her status as a wealthy person that she told her husband they should not continue worshipping in a certain church because the church was not worthy of their status. Or, take a politician who is so used to the trappings of political power that he cannot see himself leading a life without two servants, a driver and a security

How we see ourselves might not be the way others see us.

Everything is connected

UR earth is a home for everything that exists. She harbours us. We damage ourselves when we mishandle mother earth, who feeds us just as a mother would feed her baby. We are the babies of this lovely mother, relying on her in everything. Our actions, right from leaving a water tap to run and throwing glass bottles on to the road to driving high-consuming cars and our consumerist habits contribute to the “eco-mess” we are in. We seem not to see the connection between nature and human ecology. Our lifestyles blind us from seeing this connection. By damaging the earth, we damage ourselves. My pen might go dry as try I to belabour the point that everything on earth is connected. Instead, maybe a story will do better. It is from Nigeria by Princess Ayo, an excellent African story teller. A long time ago there was a chief who was called the Yes Sir chief because everyone in his court said “yes sir” to everything he said. On this particular day there was a problem, and he called the council together, and everybody hustled in to the correct chamber. The Yes Sir chief sat on his thrown and said: “I have a problem, and I want a solution. You are my great wise men,

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called to advise me what to do.” The council nodded and said: “Yes, sir.” The chief said: “I have been unable to sleep for at least several weeks now, and it’s getting on my nerves.” “Oh, your highness, what could be the problem?” the servants asked. He said: “Frogs.” “Frogs?” the servants asked. “Yes frogs,” the Yes Sir chief responded. “Don’t you all hear all these frogs? They are making the loudest noise. All night long these frogs are singing and I can’t sleep. Something must be done. I want there to be an edict sent out to all the land, and I want all the frogs killed and then maybe I can get some sleep.” All the wise men said: “Yes, sir”. That is, all the wise men except one. There was one wise man in the council, and he always sat to the side and a little bit to the back. And he always sat there looking at the chief. While everyone solemnly said “yes”, he seemed unhappy with the decision. The chief noticed the man, and was irritated with him. “There you are, everyone is telling me, yes sir, I am right—but you are seated right there. What do you have to say?” The wise man said: “Chief, everything is connected.” The Yes Sir chief yelled at him: “What does that mean, ‘everything is connect-

Emmanuel Ngara

Christian Leadership

guard. Such people are suffering from the false self-system: the illusion of self that we carry in our minds in our everyday consciousness. The problem with the false self is that it not only leads to false ideas about oneself; it makes us think more of ourselves and less of others. We want to preserve ourselves at the expense of others. Thus, someone who has committed a crime and knows that someone else is aware of that crime may go to the extent of eliminating the other person in order to protect himself or herself. A man may enjoy raping a woman and then proceed to kill the woman after satisfying himself. A politically ambitious person may stop at nothing to achieve his or her political ambitions, and may eliminate political opponents in order to achieve the desired political goal. These examples show how self-centred we human beings are. The philosophy of “me, myself and I” really applies to how we relate to others. We come first, and everybody else second. This predisposition of human beings is dramatised in the biblical story of Cain who killed his brother Abel, and told God that he was not his brother’s keeper. While we know that a human being is a social being, our values are dominated by a focus on the self, and not by consideration of others. If society is to change for the better, we need to strive for a situation where there is a critical mass of people who are prepared to put the needs of others before their own. Before we consider what needs to be done, we need to have a deeper understanding of human needs.

Anthony Gathambiri

Point of Reflection

ed’? Oh, ridiculous! Everyone go out and make sure to get out all those frogs in the village so that I can have a sleep. Terminate them all.” And surely they did. They eventually got rid of every frog in the village. And finally the chief could sleep. And he slept soundly, for days and days, and weeks and weeks and months and months. One day, the king was sitting in his court and mosquitos attacked him everywhere. He was slapping himself all over the body to kill the mosquitos. Realising what had happened—there were no more frog to eat mosquitos—he quickly called a meeting. He said to his council: “You idiots! I asked you to get rid of the frogs and no one told me what would happen if I did, and now these mosquitos are killing us, how can you stand it?” And everyone was slapping themselves and trying to kill the mosquitos. The Yes Sir chief looked to the side and saw the one wise man who hadn’t agreed with him. The chief said to him “What do you have to say? You could have helped us, you could have saved us!” The wise man looked at the chief and said: “Your Highness, everything is connected.”

The Southern Cross, November 7 to November 13, 2012

Holy Martyrs of Uganda church in De Aar celebrated a Holy Chrism Mass with Bishop Adam Musialek, concelebrated by (from left) Frs Albert Post, Colin Bowes, Sanil Michael, Mgr Joseph Alcaster, Fr Innocent Mabheka, Bishop Adam Musialek and Frs Douglas Sumaili, Kazimierz Gabryel, John Strittmatter and Paul Koscielny.

COMMUNITY

Members of the Sacred Heart and St Anne's Sodalities in Aliwal North gave witness to their commitment to a self-sustaining Church. They met Bishop Michael Wüstenberg during community week at Teresa mission.

The general council of the Sacred Heart Sodality in the diocese of Mariannhill held a day of recollection led by their spiritual adviser Fr S'milo Mngadi.

First Holy communicants from St Thomas More church in Vryheid, Kwa Zulu-Natal. Behind the children are (from left), catechist Anne Silk, parish priest Fr Victor Chavunga OSB and catechist Sr Dolorosa Sorour OSF.

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Fr Giovanni Menegetti, parish priest of Holy Cross church in District Six, Cape Town, celebrated his 70th birthday. He is pictured here with parish organist, Lorraine Liedeman.

Blanche Elizabeth Brown (née Pearce) and Gerard Leslie Brown celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. They were married at St Augustine’s cathedral in Port Elizabeth on October 15, 1960 (see left).

Caitlin Williams, a Grade 8 pupil at Holy Rosary School in Johannesburg, had a record-breaking season in athletics. She broke records at Interhouse, Inter-Catholic and recently at the Inter-High Athletics held in Germiston. Caitlin won the junior 800m in the record time of 2:33:89. Nine schools participated, with St Marys in Waverley, Johannesburg, coming first overall, Pretoria Girls second and Holy Rosary third.

Gwen Jozaffe, who turned 99 on September 26, is a member of the Sacred Heart parish in Kabega Park, Port Elizabeth. Her family celebrated with Holy Mass in the evening, followed by tea at the home of her daughter, Lynette and husband Ronnie Ludwick, with whom she lives. Still very lucid, Mrs Jozaffe recalls her conversion to Catholicism at the age of 12 and is very devoted to the Sacred Heart and often prays the Rosary. As a proud Catholic, she still refrains from eating meat on a Friday. Surrounded by her seven surviving children, grandchildren and great grandchildren, she enjoyed a weekend of festivities with them. She is grateful to the Eucharistic ministers who bring the Blessed Sacrament to her home every Sunday. She also is proud of the fact that she has belonged to three vibrant parishes in Port Elizabeth: Bl Oliver Plunkett church in South End, Holy Spirit in Arcadia and San Francesco in Charlo.

HOT POT PAINT AND HARDWARE PTY LTD

Fr Sonny Gadai OFM Cap of Immaculate Conception in Parow, Cape Town, added another dimension to celebrating the feast of St Francis of Assisi by inviting parishioners to a short liturgy and the blessing of family pets.

ALL AT THE VERY BEST PRICES! Confirmation candidates from three parishes in Port Elizabeth—St Adian’s, St Peter Claver and Christ the King—with Fr Lubabalo Mguda (fourth from left) and apostolic administrator Mgr Brendon Deenihan (centre).

CHURCH

The Southern Cross, November 7 to November 13, 2012

Synod: Faith must give us optimism In its message to Catholics around the world, the Synod of Bishops on New Evangelisation said that we must conquer fear through faith, humiliation through hope, indifference through love, as CINDY WOODEN reports.

ESPITE the growth of secularism, increased hostility toward Christianity and sinful behaviour by some Church ministers, members of the Synod of Bishops said they are optimistic about the future because of Christ’s promise of salvation. Addressing a message to Catholics around the world, synod members said they were certain God “will not fail to look on our poverty in order to show the strength of his arm in our days and to sustain us in the path of the new evangelisation”. Even if the world often resembles a “desert” for Christians, “we must journey, taking with us what is essential: the company of Jesus, the truth of his word, the eucharistic bread which nourishes us”, the fellowship of community and the work of charity, the message said. Pope Benedict and the synod members—more than 260 cardinals, bishops and priests—along with priests, religious and laymen and women serving as synod

observers and experts, met at the Vatican throughout October to discuss ways to strengthen Catholics’ faith and to encourage lapsed Catholics to come back to Church. While the message described forces hostile to the Christian faith today, the synod members also said: “With humility we must recognise that the poverty and weakness of Jesus’ disciples, especially of his ministers, weigh on the credibility of the mission.” At the same time, they were also “convinced that the Lord’s spirit is capable of renewing his Church and rendering her garment resplendent if we let him mould us”. “It is our duty, therefore, to conquer fear through faith, humiliation through hope, indifference through love,” the message said.

t a news conference about the message, Philippine Cardinaldesignate Luis Tagle of Manila was asked how the bishops could take the line of optimism when Catholics in some parts of the world were leaving the Church because of the clerical abuse scandal. The cardinal-designate said: “No one pretended there was no problem. There was no such blindness in the synod hall.” But the bishops “are believers” and the Catholic faith teaches that with real conversion, God will help the Church and its ministers respond to “those really painful and scandalising moments in the Church”. Addressing Catholics’ involvement in political life, the synod

Pope Benedict leads a closing session of the Synod of Bishops on the New Evangelisation. (Photo: L'Osservatore Romano via Reuters/CNS) message insisted “politics requires a commitment of selfless and sincere care for the common good by fully respecting the dignity of the human person from conception to its natural end, honouring the family founded on the marriage of a man and a woman,” and working to end “injustice, inequality, discrimination, violence, racism, hunger and war”. Looking at specific areas of Church and social life, the bishops first highlighted the role of the family, “where women play a very special role”, in teaching the faith. The bishops promised greater efforts to strengthen and accompany Catholic families, particularly through marriage preparation and post-wedding programmes. While they condemned efforts

to move away from a traditional definition of marriage, they expressed particular concern for divorced, separated or unmarried couples. “To all of them we want to say that God’s love does not abandon anyone; that the Church loves them, too; that the Church is a house that welcomes all; that they remain members of the Church even if they cannot receive sacramental absolution and the Eucharist,” it said.

n the message, the bishops offered thanks for the work of priests, religious and deacons whose ministry is crucial for the Church. And they recognised the many men and women who witness to Christ in the world, includ-

ing other Christians “with whom unity, unfortunately, is not yet full”, but who share baptism in Christ. Synod members said they were “concerned, yes, but not pessimistic” about the situation of young Catholics around the world because while they often are under “the most aggressive attacks” of secular culture, they have “deep aspirations for authenticity, truth, freedom, generosity, to which we are convinced that the adequate response is Christ”. While many synod members spoke during the meeting about the importance of using social media and other new forms of communication to spread the Christian message, it earned only a brief mention in the 11-page message. The new media, they said, are places where “consciences are often formed, where people spend their time and live their lives. It is a new opportunity for touching the human heart.” The bishops focused on two “expressions of the life of faith” that they believed would be particularly helpful in strengthening the Church’s outreach: a greater emphasis on helping people learn the art of contemplation—the “prayerful silence” that “can prevent the word of salvation from being lost” amid the world’s noise—and a greater commitment to acts of charity and works of justice because “it is Christ’s face that shines in the face of the poor.”— CNS

What the synod members propose to promote evangelisation BY CINDY WOODEN

EMBERS of the Synod of Bishops on New Evangelisation recommended the Vatican establish a commission to monitor religious freedom, develop guidelines for training evangelisers and ensure there is a church in every diocese where confession is always available. The synod approved 58 propositions to give to the pope; although synod rules say the proposals are secret, Pope Benedict authorised their publication. The propositions were designed as recommendations for the pope to use in a post-synodal apostolic exhortation. Many of the propositions described current challenges and opportunities that the Church faces in sharing the Gospel, strengthening the faith and reaching out to lapsed Catholics. Other propositions asked Pope Benedict or individual bishops to consider undertaking concrete projects, including: Establishing a Vatican commission to monitor religious freedom around the world, denounce attacks on religious freedom and promote a broader understanding of its importance as a basic human right. The propositions said: “The proclamation of the good news in different contexts of the world— marked by the process of globalisation and secularism—places different challenges before the Church: at times in outright religious persecution, at other times in a widespread indifference, interference, restriction or harassment.” The synod propositions encouraged Catholics “to persevere and to intensify their relations with Muslims” in accordance with the teaching of the Second Vatican Council. Developing a “pastoral plan of initial proclamation” that would outline steps to help ensure that once people hear the

Gospel, they are led to conversion and faith and are educated in Church teaching. It also should describe the “qualities and guidelines for the formation of Catholic evangelisers today”.  Asking that every diocese establish a parish or shrine dedicated “in a permanent way” to the administration of the sacrament of penance, ensuring “priests are always present, allowing God’s mercy to be experienced by all the faithful.”

s they did in the synod hall, synod members used several propositions to emphasise the importance of the family as the place where life and love are first given, where people are introduced to the faith and where they learn to live according to Gospel values. The Church’s new evangelisation efforts must help strengthen families and must try “to address significant pastoral problems around marriage: the case of divorced and remarried [Catholics], the situation of their children, the fate of abandoned spouses, the couples who live together without marriage and the trend in society to redefine marriage”, synod members said. The propositions emphasised that while the primary task of the Church is to bring people to a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, a relationship lived and nourished in the Church, part of reaching out to others and witnessing to the Gospel involves serving the poor and sick, working for justice and protecting the environment. Synod members praised the members of religious orders, who have been on the frontlines of evangelisation for centuries, as well as the activities of new movements and communities. But they stressed the importance of all members of a diocese coordinating their work with the local bishop, and they insisted on the key role of parishes as the places where most Catholics learn about

and practice their faith. The propositions included a suggestion that parish priests or other designated parish staff visit families in the parish as part of their outreach. The propositions described the liturgy as “the primary and most powerful expression of the new evangelisation” and a manifestation of God’s love for humanity. “Evangelisation in the Church calls for a liturgy that lifts the hearts of men and women to God,” synod members said. During synod discussions, seve r a l b i s h o p s s p o k e a b o u t t h e Bishops arrive for the closing Mass of the synod celebrated by Pope Beneimportance of the Church learn- dict in St Peter's basilica. (Photo Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo/ CNS) ing the particular language and culture of social media and new technology to share the Let GÜNTHER SIMMERMACHER guide you through the great holy sites of Gospel with people who the Holy Land and Jordan on a virtual itinerary. Read about the history of increasingly spend their the places where Jesus and his disciples worked and walked, about their time online. In the propositions, biblical and historical signiﬁcance — and meet some interesting people they said Catholics along the way in the new book should be trained “to transmit faithfully the content of the faith and of Christian morality” through the media, but they insisted that no With a foreword by Archbishop technical talent or online presence could take the Stephen Brislin and 88 photos. place of “the testimony of life” lived in accordance with the Gospel. Synod members described young Catholics not primarily as objects of evangelisation, but as evangelisers, especially of their peers. (plus R 15 p&p in SA) “As the media greatly influence the physical, emotional, mental and spiritual well-being of the youth,” they said, “the Church through catechesis and youth ministry strives to enable and equip them to discern between good and visit evil, to choose Gospel for excerpts, a large photo gallery, articles about the values over worldly values, and to form firm Holy Land, to order and more. faith convictions.”— CNS.

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How the Dead Sea Scrolls were found In 1946 Bedouin boys made a groundbreaking discovery: the Dead Sea Scrolls. In this edited excerpt from his newly-published book The Holy Land Trek, GÜNTHER SIMMERMACHER looks at their discovery and significance, and at Qumran, the place where they were originally kept.

HE whole area from Jericho down to the Dead Sea and towards Jerusalem and Bethlehem can be seen from Mount Nebo across the border in Jordan. That’s where Moses stood when he saw the Promised Land, and then promptly died. Surveying the vista, one might imagine that Moses was feeling quite aggrieved, having spent 40 years in the desert for this! Of course, the landscape probably looked quite different 3 000 years ago. All the same, the rocky Judean desert can’t have looked too inviting to Moses, or those who stood with him on Mount Nebo. And yet, often people have settled in places that at first sight seemed uninhabitable. One such place is Qumran, 15km from Jericho, where the Jewish sect we know as the Essenes settled, probably around 100 BC. This is the place of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Uninviting as it looks, Qumran has a generous water supply thanks to nearby springs and annual winter floods. And not too far away there is the Ein Gedi oasis, where dates grow and ibex roam free—and both charred dates and ibex bones have been found at Qumran. At the time, the Dead Sea probably shored up to the southern end of the hill, providing a measure of security. By the 20th century, the Essenes, a messianic group of religious purists which also had a

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presence in general society, had long faded into obscurity, a few mentions in ancient texts aside. That changed in November 1946 when a Bedouin lad went in search of a stray goat. Passing along the many caves among the rolling hills, he threw a stone into a cleft to see how deep it was. To his surprise, it seemed large enough to hold a human. He told his cousin about it. The fifteen-year-old promptly climbed into the hole and emerged with a bunch of scrolls which he had found in a clay vessel. And so the first seven of the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered—alas, there is no word about the fate of the stray goat. Most of the scrolls were written or curated by the Essenes, and thus a relatively minor Jewish sect came to life again. A popular version of the story claims that when the Bedouins found the scrolls they initially thought the parchments were leather items and offered them first to a shoemaker. It’s a droll story, but correct only in the inessentials; the Bedouins were more sensible than that. After due contemplation about what to do about the artefacts, they first offered the scrolls to an antiques dealer in Bethlehem. He declined to buy them because he feared the manuscripts had been stolen from a synagogue. The Bedouins then took them to a Bethlehem shoemaker (you see!) called Kando, who was known to also trade in antiquities. Kando bought and then sold them. The scrolls changed hands a few times until they became concentrated in the hands of two people:

Metropolitan Athanasius Yeshue Samuel of the Syrian Orthodox Church in Jerusalem and the Jewish academic Eliezer Lipa Sukenik, who bought them on behalf of the Hebrew University.

n a remarkable twist, Sukenik bought the scrolls, which are so important to the study of historical Judaism, on the same day on which the United Nations voted to establish the state of Israel— November 29, 1947. So for many Jews the Dead Sea Scrolls have near-mystical properties, well beyond their value to scripture scholarship. The following year Metropolitan Athanasius took the four scrolls which were in his possession to the United States. He displayed them in various libraries, universities and museums, all the while trying to find a buyer. It took him five years to sell the scrolls. He finally succeeded thanks to a small advertisement in The Wall Street Journal in which he described the “Four Dead Sea Scrolls” as biblical manuscripts “dating back to at least 200 BC”. His selling point was that the scrolls would be “an ideal gift to an educational or religious institution”. He found a buyer, who paid $250 000 for them (about $2,14 million or about R18 million in today’s money) in 1954. That buyer was Yigael Yadin—the son of Professor Sukenik, who had died a year earlier. Although the area around Qumran had yielded discoveries of manuscripts as far back as the time of Origen (185-254) and again in the 8th century, the desert area had not been considered an archaeological priority. That changed in the 1950s when the Jordanian Department of

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Pilgrims are shown the ruins of Qumran, where the Jewish sect known as the Essenes lived. Bottom left: A recreation at Qumran of the jars in which the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Right: A facsimile of a Dead Sea scroll. (Photos: Günther Simmermacher) Antiquities and the École Biblique, a French Dominican institution of biblical scholarship in Jerusalem, combined to search for more scrolls. Under the guidance of the École’s director, Fr Roland de Vaux OP (1903-71), some 900 scrolls and tens of thousands of fragments (alone 15 000 in Cave 4, opposite the Qumran settlement) were found. The last cave to contain scrolls was discovered in 1956. Apart from the scrolls, Fr de Vaux and his team excavated the monastic settlement of Qumran, including the scriptorium, where many of the scrolls were written, the refectory (or dining hall) and cisterns, as well as a large cemetery with about 1 200 graves.

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At the site they found clay and wooden crockery, stone cups, tools, clothing, jewellery, basket fragments, and dietary remains such as that bowl of charred dates and the ibex bones. The Dead Sea Scrolls are now kept in the Shrine of the Book at the Israel Museum in Jerusalem. A facsimile of a scroll can be viewed at Qumran, as well as some archeological finds, such as sandals and pottery, and a recreation of how the scrolls would have been deposited for almost two millennia. n More excerpts next week. To order The Holy Land Trek at R150 (plus R15 p&p) visit www.holylandtrek.com or contact The Southern Cross at books@scross.co.za.

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Word of the Week

EXPIATION: The act of redemption and atonement for sin which Christ won for us by the pouring out of his blood on the cross, by his obedient love “even to the end” (Jn 13:1) (CCC 433, 616, 1475). The expiation of sins continues in the mystical body of Christ and the communion of saints by joining our human acts of atonement to the redemptive action of Christ, both in this life and in Purgatory. VIATICUM: Latin—“provisions for the journey”. When the Holy Communion is given to one in danger of death, it is called Viaticum. It is given with its own form of prayer and forms part of the last rites.

Southern CrossWord solutions

SOLUTIONS TO 523. ACROSS: 1 Cage, 3 Enforced, 9 Process, 10 Diana, 11 Commemorated, 13 In love, 15 Scruff, 17 Prophet Micah, 20 Macaw, 21 Rancour, 22 Salaries, 23 Ants. DOWN: 1 Capuchin, 2 Groom, 4 Nestor, 5 Old parchment, 6 Chateau, 7 Deaf, 8 Receive power, 12 Of thorns, 14 Lyrical, 16 Hearse, 18 Crown, 19 Amos.

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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)

CAPE TOWN: Padre Pio: Holy hour 3.30 pm every 3rd Sunday of the month at Holy Redeemer parish in Bergvliet. Helpers of God’s Precious Infants meet every last Saturday of the month except in December, starting with Mass at 9:30 am at the Salesians Institue Community Chapel in Somerset Road, Cape Town. Mass will be followed by a vigil and procession to Marie Stopes

abortion clinic in Bree Street. For further information contact Colette Thomas on 083 412 4836 or 021 593 9875 or Br Daniel Manuel on 083 544 3375 NELSPRUIT: Adoration of the blessed sacrament at St Peter’s parish. Every Tuesday from 8am to 4:45pm followed by Rosary Divine Mercy prayers, then a Mass/Communion service at 5:30pm.

Weekdays Year 2

Sunday, November 11, 32nd Sunday 1 Kings 17:10-16, Psalm 146:7-10, Hebrews 9:24-28, Mark 12:38-44 or 12:41-44 Monday, November 12, St Josaphat Titus 1:1-9, Psalm 24:1-6, Luke 17:1-6 Tuesday, November 13, St Frances Xavier Cabrini Titus 2:1-8, 11-14, Psalm 37:3-4, 18, 23, 27, 29, Luke 17:7-10 Wednesday, November 14, St Nicholas Tavelic Titus 3:1-7, Psalm 23:1-6, Luke 17:11-19 Thursday, November 15, St Albert the Great Philemon 1:7-20, Psalm 146:7-10, Luke 17:20-25 Friday, November 16, St Margaret of Scotland 2 John 1:4-9, Psalm 119:1-2, 10-11, 17-18, Luke 17:2637 Saturday, November 17, St Elizabeth of Hungary Sirach 26:1-3, 15-18, 24 or 1 Timothy 5:3-10, Psalm 31:4-5, 8-9, 20, 24-25, Matthew 25:3140 Sunday, November 18, 33rd Sunday Daniel 12:1-3, Psalm 16:5, 8-11, Hebrews 10:11-14, 18, Mark 13:24-32

Pray that AFRICA may draw closer to the HEART OF CHRIST 2 Chron 7:14 Matthew 7:7-12

I shall always strive for the one goal: For JESUS CHRIST to be my centre.

Blessed Paul Joseph Nardini

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IN MEMORIAM

SHARKEY—Brian— (25/11/2010) Two long, lonely years since you went home to be with God. Miss you so much. Love always, Val. VON RUBEN—In memory of my beloved husband, Mick, who died on November 10, 2001. Daily remembered and sadly missed by Maire. May he rest in peace. ABORTION is murder— Silence on this issue is not golden, it’s yellow! Avoid ‘Pro-abortion’ politicians. HOUSE-SITTER/AUPAIR: Based at Benoni Parish, will travel/with references. Ph Therèse 076 206 0627. NOTHING is politically right if it is morally wrong. Abortion is evil. Value life!

PRAYERS

HOLY ST JUDE, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. Help me now in my urgent need and grant my petitions. In return I promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. Amen. Special thanks to our Blessed Mother, The little King, St Padre Pio and St Anthony. M.P Adams. ST FAUSTINA'S Prayer to Have a Merciful Heart Towards Others. O Jesus, I understand that Your mercy is byond all imagining. I ask You, therefore, to make my heart so big that there will be room in it for the needs of all the souls living on this whole earthly globe. O Jesus, my love reaches beyond the world to the souls suffering in Purgatory, and I want to exercise mercy toward them by means of indulgenced prayers. God's mercy is unfathomable and inexhaustible, just as God Himself is unfathomable. Were I to use the strongest words for expressing this mercy of God, they are nothing in comparison with what it is in reality. O Jesus, make my heart sensitive to all the sufferings of my neighbour whether they be of body or of soul. O my Jesus, I know that You act toward us as we act toward our neighbour. My Jesus, make my heart like unto Your merciful Heart. Jesus, help me to

go through life doing good to everyone. PD. HAIL, HOLY Queen, Mother of Mercy! Our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

THANKS

ST JUDE—Grateful thanks for prayers answered for my family. I will bless the name of the Lord always. Leela Pienaar.

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33rd Sunday: November 18 Readings: Daniel 12:1-3, Psalm 16:5, 8-11 Hebrews 10:11-14, 18, Mark 13:24-32

Lord, show us the path of life

Nicholas King SJ

E are now rushing towards the end of the Church’s year, and you can hear in the readings for next Sunday the sound of a world that is falling apart. But what you have to do when the world falls apart, is to hold on to the truth about God. In the first reading , written at a time when a foreign power was doing its best to destroy Jewish religious practices, Daniel finds encouragement for Israel, and the nation is happily described as “your people”; the time is spoken of as “a time of distress such as was not since the nations began”. The encouragement stems from the fact that “there shall stand up Michael, the great prince”, and we reflect that the name Michael means “who is like to God?”, and know that all will be well. For the first time in the Old Testament we get a hint of resurrection after death, not only for “everyone who is found written in the book of life”, but also for those destined for “eternal horror and disgrace”. As always in the Bible, however, attention is not on those who are going to suffer

Sunday Reflections

but on “the wise, who will shine brightly...like the stars forever”. The psalm is put on the lips of someone who is trusting in God for absolutely everything: “Lord, my allotted portion and cup”, and who models how we are to cope with a world that is falling apart: “I set the Lord before me for ever...therefore my heart rejoices and my glory exults.” The singer notes that he will not be condemned to “Sheol”, but that “you will show me the path of life, fullness of joy in your presence”. If that is our attitude, then nothing can really shake us, no matter how bad things get. The second reading next Sunday is our final excerpt from the letter to the Hebrews;

here the point is that it is Jesus on whom we can rely, in a way that was not true of the priests of the old covenant, who had to “stand every day doing their liturgical service, offering the same sacrifices over and over again”. Jesus, by contrast, “having offered a single sacrifice for sins, sat down for ever on the right hand of God”, and the whole claim is backed up by a quotation from Jeremiah, which emphasises that God “will remember their sins no more”. The g ospel likewise speaks of the possibility of our having confidence in a world that is falling apart, though one would have to say that there is more to alarm us than to console us here. For it is all about “tribulation”; and, if that were not enough, it turns out that on top of the tribulation, “the sun shall be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, the stars shall be falling from the sky, and the powers in heaven shall be shaken”. As weather forecasts go, this one is rather alarming. However we are not to despair, because “they shall see the Son of Man

We don’t have to fear God W

E live with too much fear of God. This has many faces, from the superstitious fear of the naive to the legalistic fear of the overscrupulous, to the intellectual fear of the very sophisticated. In the end, we all struggle to believe that God is the last person of whom we need to be afraid. But in our own ways, we all struggle with fear of God. There is of course a healthy fear, not just of God but also of anyone whom we love. Scripture tells us that “fear of God is the beginning of wisdom”, but fear, in this context, is not understood as fear of punishment or arbitrariness. Fear of God in its healthy sense is basically love’s fear, fear of not living with the proper reverence and respect before the one we love, namely, fear of violating love’s proper boundaries. But that is not fear of hellfire, as we commonly understand this. Fear is the antithesis of faith and a sign that something is wrong in our love. We aren’t afraid of what we love and of what truly loves us. Everything inside of our Christian faith invites us to move towards God in intimacy rather than in fear. Indeed, in virtually every instance in scripture where God appears within ordinary life, either through an angel, a special phenomenon, or through an appearance of the resurrected Christ, the first words are invariably: “Do not be afraid!” The soothing of fear, not its intensification, is the normal criterion that the voice we are hearing is coming

Conrad

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

from love. With that in mind, I would like to offer ten principles, all rooted in the person and revelation of Jesus, that, hopefully, can be of help in purifying our image of God so that our faith might cast out fear rather than enkindle it. I begin with a story that, though true, can act as a parable to expose and highlight many of our unconscious fears of God: Fear that God is not as understanding and compassionate as we are. Fear that God is not as big-hearted as we are. Fear that God does not read the heart and cannot tell the difference between wound and coldness, immaturity and sin. Fear that God gives us only one chance and cannot bear any missteps and infidelities. Fear that God doesn’t respect our humanity, that God created us in one way but wants us to live in another way in order to be saved. Fear that God is threatened by our achievements, like a petty tyrant. Fear that God is threatened by our doubts and questions, like an insecure leader. Fear that God cannot stand up to the intellectual and cultural scrutiny of our world but somehow needs be segregated and protected like an over-pious novice. Fear that God is less interested in our

lives than we are and less solicitous for our salvation and that of our loved ones than we are. And, not least, fear that God is as helpless before our moral helplessness as we are. Here’s the parable: A number of years ago, I was at the funeral of a young man who had died tragically in a car accident. At the time of his death, on the surface, his relationship to his Church and to some of its moral teachings was far from ideal. He was not attending church regularly, was living with his girlfriend outside of marriage, was not much concerned about the poor or the larger community, and was, in simple terms, partying pretty hard. But everyone who knew him also knew of his essential goodness and his wonderful heart. There wasn’t an ounce of malice in him and heaven would be forever a less colourful and more impoverished place if he weren’t there. At the reception following the church service, one of his aunts said to me: “He was such a good person, if I were running the gates of heaven, I would certainly let him in.” I assured her that, no doubt, God felt the same way, given that God’s understanding and forgiveness infinitely surpass our own. What are the ten principles inviting us to live in less fear? 1. God’s insight and understanding surpass our own. 2. God’s compassion and forgiveness surpasses our own. 3. God respects nature, our human make-up, and our innate propensities. 4. God is a blessing parent, not a threatened one. 5. God can handle our questions and doubts and angers. 6. God reads the heart and can tell the difference between wound and malice. 7. God gives us more than one chance, opening another door every time we close one. 8. God desires our salvation and the salvation of our loved ones more than we do. 9. God is the author of all that is good. 10. God can, and does, descend into hell to help us. “There is no fear in love, but perfect love casts out fear. For fear has to do with punishment, and whoever fears has not been perfected in love” (1 John 4:18).

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coming in clouds with much power and glory; and then he will send his angels and gather his chosen ones from the four winds, from end to end of heaven”. This is for your comfort, as is the parable of the fig-tree that follows, and its moral: “When you see this happening, know that he [or “it”] is near at the doors”. And the point is that we are to welcome this coming, and see it as the coming of God. Above all, we can rely on God’s word: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away”. However, as we have to be reminded again and again, we are not in charge, so we cannot go rushing about the place pretending that we know what is going to happen, for Jesus concludes: “About that day or that hour, no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, not even the Son of Man, but only the Father.” Our task, therefore, when the world falls apart, is not to pretend that we know it all or that we are the ones who are really in charge, but simply to hold on to the truth about God revealed in Jesus Christ.

Southern Crossword #523

ACROSS

1. Inside Africa get a place for captive bird (4) 3. Compelled or fenced (8) 9. Walk together liturgically (7) 10. Goddess of Ephesus (Acts 19) (5) 11. Recalled ceremonially (12) 13. How Romeo and Juliet fell (2,4) 15. Back of the neck sounds untidy (6) 17. He’s sandwiched between Jonah and Nahum (7,5) 20. Bird some tarmac away from here (5) 21. Bitterness of the private soldier, we hear (7) 22. Regular payments can rise, alas (8) 23. Workers in the colony (4)

DOWN

1. Franciscan friar (8) 2. Does he marry in the stable? (5) 4. Hero of Troy may rest on (6) 5. Ancient manuscript is written on it (3,9) 6. French castle for the wine? (7) 7. Jesus made such person listen again (4) 8. You will ... when the Holy Spirit comes (Ac 1) (7,5) 12. See 18 14. Kind of imaginative poetry (7) 16. It may take you into a dead end (6) 18 and 12. Wreath for Jesus? (5,2,6) 19. He follows Joel in the Old Testament (4) Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

DUBLINER proposed to his girlfriend on St Patrick’s Day and gave her a ring with a fake diamond. “You cheap bum!” she yells. “This isn’t even real!” “I know” he says. “But in honour of St Patrick, I thought I’d give you a sham rock!” Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.