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S outher n C ross www.scross.co.za
June 26 to July 2, 2013
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Giving back to society now By CLAiRE MATHiESOn
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ORALITY and ethics must be part of the economy of South Africa and Catholic social teaching in business is “vitally important”. These were the words of Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria who has called for successful business men and women to give back to society. The call came shortly after one of South Africa’s richest people, Patrice Motsepe, committed at least R120 million in the last two months for sustainable development and upliftment projects in various communities in the nine provinces of the country. The commitments were made as the first contribution by the Motsepe family who pledged to make R500 million available over the next three to five years for projects in education, women’s co-operatives and businesses, youth co-operatives and partnerships with religious organisations and workers’ organisations, traditional authorities, charitable organisations, and for sports, music and arts. Mr Motsepe, a Catholic, “lives with his eyes open to the world around him” and is an “excellent example” of what Catholic businessmen should be doing. Archbishop Slattery spoke of Mr Motsepe’s past where he grew up learning basic business skills in his father’s spaza shop. He attended Tsogo High School, a Sisters of Mercy school in the North West, before going on to study law. “While some start poor and become rich, it is important to not forget where one has come from. Many people believe they don’t owe anything to anyone, and they live purely for themselves. This is not Christian,” said Archbishop Slattery, adding that Mr Motsepe, who is the chairman of African Rainbow Minerals, sits on the board of Harmony and Sanlam and is the owner of football club Mamelodi Sundowns, is “certainly a great example” of what successful people need to be doing today. “Giving back is of supreme importance. It is not only an option but it is a necessity. We all need to be involved in the development of people,” Archbishop Slattery told The Southern Cross.
“We need to recognise the human race as a family unit—that we are all the same. People are not just economic units. We are dealing with whole people. The businessman does not just hire a labourer. He hires a fellow human being whose life must be dignified.” The archbishop said while we should live like Jesus, a man of prayer, we should also remember that Jesus was a man for the people. “He spent a lot of time easing people’s troubles and giving of the spirit and healing. “People in the Church have responsibility to the social life around them—notice that people are poor, notice that old people have no one to visit them, notice the children who are lacking. But beyond noticing, we can do something about it,” said Archbishop Slattery. Similarly, in Cape Town, Archbishop Stephen Brislin has called for the faithful to take up a stewardship challenge where time, money and effort are donated to the upliftment of poorer communities. Mr Motsepe believes government alone could not deal with the challenges facing many South Africans. “We can only change this if business, civil society and the government work together,” he said. And there are benefits for all, said Archbishop Slattery. “Humans are made to be social and we are made to deeply touch and uplift and benefit each other. Those who give up something for others experience joy.” Mr Motsepe’s wealth is estimated to be R24 billion, half of which he plans to donate as part of the Giving Pledge—a campaign to encourage the wealthiest people in the world to make a commitment to give most of their wealth to philanthropic causes. The campaign specifically focuses on billionaires— to date 105 have signed the pledge. Archbishop Slattery said while the Giving Pledge was admirable, overall the rich continue to get richer and the poor, poorer. “The growing gap between the rich and the poor in South Africa is a scandal. You don’t need to be a billionaire to make a difference. You can start now.”
Canonisation of Blessed John Paul II is another step closer By Cindy WOOdEn
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LTHOUGH the process is not complete and is supposed to be secret at this point, Italian media are reporting that the canonisation of Blessed John Paul II is another step closer. The Italian news agency ANSA and many Italian papers say Vatican sources confirmed that the theological consultants to the Congregation for Saints’ Causes affirmed that the description of prayers and events surrounding an alleged miracle provides evidence that the healing was accomplished through the intercession of the late pope. The congregation’s board of physicians had said in April that there was no natural, medical explanation for the healing, which involves a woman from Latin America healed on May 1, 2011, just hours after Blessed John Paul was beatified. Even if the news about the theological consultants is true, the cardinals who are
members of the congregation still must vote on whether to recommend that the pope recognise the healing as a miracle. The papal decree is needed before a canonisation date can be set. Polish Cardinal Stanislaw Dziwisz of Krakow, Blessed John Paul’s longtime secretary, and many others are hoping the canonisation can be celebrated in October around the 35th anniversary of Pope John Paul’s election on October 16, 1978.—CNS
Holy Rosary high school led a protest and fundraising drive for the protection of the rhino. They managed to raise R700 in less than half an hour for the “African unicorn”.
Help Holy Rosary save our rhino
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OLY Rosary School has pledged their assistance to Rock ‘n Ride 4 Rhino, an organisation conceived by Jason Hartman (founding director of Men of the Trees), and Dave Estment (founding trustee of the Wild Imaging Trust) in partnership with Damien Mander (founding director of the In-
ternational Anti-Poaching Foundation). The organisation is dedicated to helping rescue the endangered Rhino, and to date Holy Rosary School has collected R40 000. n To support this initiative please look for Rock ‘n Ride 4 Rhino on all major social networking sites. www.facebook.com/RocknRide4rhino
Fr Axelrod: OBE a “lovely surprise” By CLAiRE MATHiESOn
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OUTH African-born Redemptorist Father Cyril Axelrod is to be awarded the Order of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth for his work as a consultant around the world in training sighted people to guide and communicate with deaf-blind people. Fr Axelrod was born deaf and diagnosed with progressive blindness in his forties due to Ushers Syndrome. He was one of the first deaf people in the world to train to become a Catholic priest. He is the only deaf-blind Catholic priest in the world. “When I received the notice from the Chancellor of Knighthood of St James in London, it came to me with a disbelief and overwhelming emotion,” Fr Axelrod told The Southern Cross. Fr Axelrod will be officially awarded the OBE in the next three to six months. “I will be sent an invitation to attend an investiture ceremony at Buckingham Palace.” The award will recognise the work Fr Axelrod has done not only working with deaf and visually impaired people in London, where he lives today, but also for his work as a consultant to the Hong Kong Society for the Blind where he developed programmes and social services for sighted people to guide and communicate with deaf-blind people. During apartheid, Fr Axelrod established a multi-racial school for deaf children in Soweto, a hostel for deaf homeless people in Pretoria, and an employment centre in Cape Town. Today, he visits South Africa to lead retreats with his Redemptorist community in Cape Town.
Fr Cyril Axelrod is to be awarded the Order of the British Empire for his outstanding work with the deaf-blind. (Photo: Claire Mathieson) Fr Axelrod encourages able-bodied people to empower and learn from disabled people. He sees his deaf-blindness as a blessing and a powerful teaching tool to help others. He believes disability teaches us valuable lessons of unconditional love, trust, hope, faith and inner peace. The Redemptorist priest is a published author in multiple languages. At the time of this interview, he was on his way to South Korea for the book launch of his autobiography in Korean. The 71-year-old priest said he was excited about the award. “I could hardly believe it!” said Fr Axelrod. “I am deeply honoured by the lovely surprise.”