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November 21 to November 27, 2012
Veteran priest turns 100 years old
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Graduate from Hope&Joy with our fun quiz
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Reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 4801
Fr Rolheiser on sexuality and faith
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Aids: It’s getting better, but... STAFF REPORTER
S numbers of those affected by HIV and Aids appear to be declining, an Aids care centre has warned the public to not be complacent in the fight against the disease, and has reminded Catholics why we should recognise World Aids Day on December 1. Sr Margaret Craig of Nazareth House in Cape Town has noted a “dramatic decrease in the number of HIV infected children and babies needing admission due to abandonment or becoming orphans”. From 1991 to 2003, almost 100 children died at Nazareth House of Aids-related infections. “During those earlier years there were up to 60 babies and young children at any given time, all infected with HIV and many of them very sick with stage four Aids. Sadly, death and loss became very much part of the children’s lives during those days, and most of their play activites revolved around hospitals and funerals,” recalls the Nazareth Sister. Then in 2003, the home’s children were started on antiretrovirals through Groote Schuur Hospital, and “the lives of the children in our care changed dramatically”. “Since then we have had very few Aidsrelated deaths. All those children who were started on treatment from 2003 onwards are now growing up, enjoying life, and are very healthy. Many of them have been happily reunited with family members. The oldest is now 21 years old,” said Sr Craig.
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he nun attributes a greater understanding and increased education to the increase in support being given to mothers and families within their local communities and health care centres. “Another major change is the lessening of the stigma associated with HIV. While this sadly is still an issue in many smaller and rural communities, people are generally more open and accepting of family members and friends who are infected with the virus.” Sr Craig also noted that the Western Cape has the lowest overall incidence of HIV in the country. “Our provincial Department of Health was at the forefront in piloting the Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission Programme, and the rollout of antiretroviral
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Students from St Francis Xavier Orientation Seminary in Cape Town, led by formator and lecturer Fr Chris Chatteris SJ (back right) visited the offices of The Southern Cross to learn about the production of the newspaper. Editor Günther Simmermacher (back left) and news editor Claire Mathieson explained the processes of newsgathering, design and writing techniques to the students who, according to Fr Chatteris, were inspired by the visit. Second back row from left: Shaun Addinall (Cape Town), Jules Hirwa (Durban), Jason Lottering (Pretoria); second row from front: Bobbie Booyse (Pretoria), Aphelele Mzobotshi (Kokstad), Jimmy Mutuvera (Dundee); front: Reuben Mabe (Johannesburg), Charles Kasambi (Scalabrinian), Exalted Moloi (Bethlehem).
Antiretroviral medication has changed the situations of many children with HIV, but there is no room for complacency, according to a nun involved in Aids care. therapy in and around Cape Town has been very successful. Fewer HIV-positive babies are being born and those infants who are testing positive are now being started on ARVs as soon as possible, instead of waiting until their CD4 count drops.” However, despite encouraging statistics, Sr Craig pointed out that there are pockets in the province where statistics are higher than the national average. She also warned that because life-lengthening treatment is available, South Africans must not lower their guards. Sr Craig said while progress has been made, she is shocked that many young people—and not so young—say that they won’t catch the disease, that “condoms make it safe”, or do not worry because “I can get treatment”. “Let us not fool ourselves or become too complacent,” said Sr Craig. “During this Year of Faith, let us reach out to our communities and within our parishes by becoming living witnesses, living examples, to all, thanking God for our precious gift of life, asking for his help and strength to value and protect our gifts of sexuality, free will and responsibility, and to guide our young people along the true path and teachings of his Church.” The Church in Cape Town has called for Catholics to pray for those lost to the disease, to show solidarity and support those who are infected with HIV and to pray for families affected by the disease. A special Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Stephen Brislin at St Agnes church in Woodstock, to commemorate World Aids Day on December 1 at 10:00.
Latinam loquemur! (Let us speak Latin) P BY CINDY WOODEN
OPE Benedict has established the Pontifical Academy of Latinity” to promote the study of the Latin language and culture, and not just within the Catholic Church. For more than 1 000 years, the Catholic Church has been the custodian and promoter of Latin “both in the theological and liturgical spheres as well as in the area of the formation and transmission of knowledge,” the pope wrote in the document establishing the Latin academy. “From Pentecost, the Church has spoken and prayed in all the languages of humanity,” the pope wrote, but the early Christian communities relied heavily on Latin and
Greek language and culture to proclaim and explain the newness of the Christian Gospel. The new academy, he said, should promote the study of Latin, particularly in Catholic schools, universities and seminaries, helping young generations learn Latin, “including through the use of modern means of communications”. Pope Benedict named as president of the new academy Ivano Dionigi, 64, a Latinist and rector of the Alma Mater Studiorum at the University of Bologna. The pope placed the new academy under the Pontifical Council for Culture and said the academy would work with the Salesian institute to design and support Latin courses and seminars.
Pope Benedict said that as studies in the general field of humanities expand, it is surprising how superficial Latin studies have become, even for seminarians and priests. But serious studies of theology, liturgy, the Church fathers and canon law require knowledge of Latin because most of the basic sources in all those fields were written in Latin. The new academy replaces the Latinitas Foundation, which Pope Paul VI established in 1976 and placed under the authority of the Vatican Secretariat of State. The seven members of the secretariat’s Office of Latin Letters—mainly responsible for translating papal documents and correspondence into Latin—carried out the bulk of the foundation’s activities.—CNS
A copy of the Borgianus Latinus, a missal for Christmas made for Pope Alexander VI (14921503). Pope Benedict has established the Pontifical Academy of Latinity to promote the study of the Latin language and culture. (Photo: Paul Haring, CNS)