www.scross.co.za
April 3 to April 9, 2013
Easter season: A time to fix our lives
Page 7
r6,00 (incl vaT rSa)
reg no. 1920/002058/06
Nobel winner on pope’s role in ‘dirty war’
no 4818
The ‘Mass of the possessed daughter’
Page 5
Page 10
Zim bishops see a ‘second chance’ By CLaIre MaTHIeSon
B
a print of Pope Francis is seen for sale at a religious goods shop near the vatican in rome. (Photo: Lauren Colegrove, CnS)
Traders quick to cash in on the new pope By Lauren CoLegrove
N
EW papal merchandise made its debut soon after the words “Habemus papam” rang through St Peter’s Square on March 13. The next morning, photos of the smiling Pope Francis—hastily printed and attached to simple rosaries—could be found near the Vatican, and the papal items grew more creative as time went on. Vendors lining the street in front of St Peter’s Square offer items ranging from pencils to candles with the pope’s image on them, and customers could find magnets of “Papa Francesco” nestled between pictures of retired Pope Benedict XVI and “I love Roma” bracelets. The smell of ink from newly printed postcards with quotes by Pope Francis permeated the shops, and pilgrims sorted through bins of religious medals with images of the pope’s face, looking for the perfect reminder of this historic time in Rome. During the conclave, some online religious stores offered customers the option of pre-ordering images of the new pope, either as a formal portrait or “as he arrives on the balcony at St Peter’s basilica and greets the crowds below, most likely with arms raised in greeting and rejoicing”. Buttons, key chains and desk plaques were recommended to those who wanted to display the new
pope in their homes and offices. Phone case covers, pillows and bumper stickers with pictures of the pope also are making their way into online stores. Items relevant to the popes, especially those who go on to become saints, have always been highly sought after. In the Middle Ages, the practice of simony, which included the selling of papal relics, reached an all-time high, to the point that it was condemned as heresy. According to Church law, relics should never be sold, but an offering can be made to cover processing. In 2006, the website of the diocese of Rome offered small pieces of Bl John Paul II’s cassock on a holy card as part of the campaign to beatify him, asking for a contribution to help cover costs of shipping and handling but not requiring it. Recently, novelties related to the pope have taken a secular turn. For R250, people interested in papal scents can buy the “Pope’s Cologne”, a cologne “made from the private formula of Pope Pius IX” which is said to smell like citrus and violets. A brewery in Berlin created “Papst Bier” (Pope beer) to commemorate Pope Benedict XVI’s 2011 visit to Germany—and bakeries have already started creating cookies with Pope Francis’ images printed in food-colouring.— CNS
RAIN drain, a decline in agricultural and manufacturing productivity, an increase in corruption and a flight of foreign investment all contributed to the woes of Zimbabwe, which has only recently started to recover, the bishops of Zimbabwe said in a pastoral letter. The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) called for a peaceful environment in the run up to the elections, which may take place as early as before the end of June. They will be the first elections held under the new constitution which was approved in a referendum in March. “It is our sincere hope that the new dispensation will enable the holding of free and fair elections in 2013,” they said, adding that the poll will be as important in determining the country's destiny as the 1980 vote that brought President Robert Mugabe to power. “Zimbabwe has held several elections since independence, which in most cases proved controversial. [We] hope that the elections in 2013 will be free and fair, to enable the rehabilitation of the country into the international community,” the bishops said. “Free and fair elections should be possible with a new constitution and the necessary reforms in place. 2013 offers Zimbabwe a second chance,” they said in the pastoral letter which also encouraged citizens to choose a leader who respects human rights. “We long for a day when Zimbabweans can begin to live their normal lives again as brothers and sisters and not primarily as political and politicking creatures. We need to move beyond the ailments of the past decade that includes partisan governance, corruption, economic meltdown, mass emigration, HIV and Aids and new sicknesses, hate speech, tribal and ethnic divisions,” the bishops said. They noted that 15 years after independence in 1980, Zimbabwe was a shining light on the African continent, making strides in almost all spheres of life. “It was a country full of promise and indeed the envy of most of the countries in Africa south of the Sahara. Zimbabweans enjoyed a great sense of patriotism and earned a great deal of respect from their peers on the continent and the world at large.” However, by the time the country celebrated its silver jubilee, Zimbabwe was a nation divided, traumatised and impoverished by a political, economic and social crisis.
F
ather Grant Emmanuel, associate secretary-general of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference was part of the delegation that travelled to Zimbabwe to observe last month’s referendum. “Our experience was very positive and we are very hopeful the same will be seen when elections do take place,” he said. Fr Emmanuel commended the organisation of the referendum with plenty of polling stations country wide. However, he noted, voter turnout was very poor. “There are going to be challenges in the next elections,” he said, citing the apprehensive and wary nature of locals in former political hot spots. Despite memories of violence around previous elections, the Zimbabwean bishops encouraged citizens to boldly move forward. “The Church has been empowering com-
a Zimbabwean election official in Harare counts ballot papers after the close of voting on a constitutional referendum on March 16. general elections, expected later this year, will be as important in determining the country’s destiny as the vote that brought President Mugabe to power in 1980, Zimbabwe’s Catholic bishops said. (Photo: Philimon Bulawayo, reuters/CnS) munities with peace-building capacities as a way of healing the wounded from the June 2008 elections and also as a way of preventing a recurrence of violence. This will have to be an ongoing exercise. Communities have been hurt over many years and it will take years to heal and cultivate a culture of peace,” said Bishop Angel Floro of Gokwe, ZCBC president. “More concerted efforts continue to be made towards comprehensive national healing and reconciliation but this has been limited owing to a non-conducive environment and new instances of violence,” he said. In their pastoral letter, the bishops have reminded Zimbabwean leaders that an electoral process that aspires to be technically free and fair must be based on a moral integrity that alone makes freedom and fairness a reality. “Without such moral integrity, an electoral process will lack authenticity and credibility, becoming a source of violence, controversy and ostracisation”. Bishop Floro said individual Christians can make their own decisions as to which party comes closest to the Christian ethos and their aspirations in this life and vote accordingly.
T
he bishops called for all campaigns to be conducted peacefully. They acknowledge the right to campaign as important because “it helps voters to judge which political party will best serve their interests”. People should, therefore, be free to attend political party meetings of their choice. It is not a crime to belong to any political party, the pastoral letter said. “We implore government to make the Code of Conduct compulsory for all contesting political parties. Political parties that contest in the forthcoming elections should have equal access to state media coverage.” The bishops encouraged citizens to vote for accountable leaders with human dignity and good leadership qualities who will not forget their people once voted into position. “Lack of accountability and transparency has seen our country land into the deep pit of corruption. A government that is only accountable to itself is not democratic,” the bishops said. Fr Emmanuel said Zimbabwe’s Catholic Church is one of two key role players in voter education and monitoring. South African Church-based organisations are heavily involved in trying to make a difference in Zimbabwe.