131225 by The Southern Cross

The

S outhern C ross

December 25 to December 31, 2013

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

No 4854

Political holiness: Saint Nelson of Qunu?

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Does your family have balance?

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R7,00 (incl VAT RSA)

How media sexualises girls

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Boos for Zuma ‘echoed the cry of the poor’ BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

ECALLING the booing of President Jacob Zuma at the memorial for Nelson Mandela at FNB Stadium, Soweto, Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria said that “the poor and undermined in South Africa feel hopeless, and it is time the government acted to eradicate the despair felt around the country”. “Mr Mandela was someone who gave witness to Christ. He evangelised us to the poor,” the archbishop, who represented the Catholic Church at the memorial, told The Southern Cross. “Mr Mandela emphasised the poor through simple things: when visiting a hotel or a house or a new country, he started with the ordinary people. He spent time with everyone. He inspires us Christians to give,” Archbishop Slattery said. In this way, he added, the late president reflected much of what Pope Francis has said repeatedly, for example in the recent apostolic exhortation Evangelii Gaudium. In the document, the pope calls for a poor Church for the poor, where we are called to listen, to speak to, and to embrace the poor.

He similarly reflected ideals in his message for the World Day of Peace, which is observed on January 1. In his message, titled “Fraternity, the Foundation and Pathway to Peace”, Pope Francis writes that peace and social justice are impossible without a spirit of fraternity based on recognition that all men and women are children of God—a relationship fulfilled in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. He added that it is impossible to build a just society and lasting peace without fraternity. In his message, Pope Francis calls for “effective policies” to reduce income inequality and guarantee “access to capital and services, educational resources, healthcare and technology so that every person has the opportunity to express and realise his or her life project and can develop fully as a person”. He also called on ordinary Christians to embrace a “sober and essential lifestyle” and share their wealth, calling such practice of “detachment” a “form of promoting fraternity—and thus defeating poverty—which must be the basis of all the others." Fraternity is both a gift and a responsibility A young man kneels on the street shortly after the hearse carrying the coffin of Nelson Mandela passed by in Pretoria. Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria has said that the booing of President Jacob Zuma at the memorial for Mr Mandela in Johannesburg gave a voice to the voiceless who are frustrated with the government’s failure to address poverty. In his message for World Peace Day, on January 1, Pope Francis calls for effective policies to reduce income inequality and guarantee “access to capital and services, educational resources, healthcare and technology”. (Photo: Kai Pfaffenbach, Reuters/CNS)

Malcolm Salida, director of Catholic Welfare and Development, coaxes songs from the children at a Christmas party for clients of the Women In Need project. See page 3 for report. (Photo: Michail Rassool) each human being receives from God the Father, who calls people to fight against “inequality and poverty that undermine the social fabric, to take care of every person, especially the weakest and most defenceless, to love him or her as oneself with the very heart of Jesus Christ,” a Vatican communiqué said about the pope’s message. As children of one Father, all human beings are linked to one another in fraternity, and only efforts that are born from a sense of fraternity can overcome the poverty, conflict, inequality, crime, fundamentalism and other ills facing the world today, the Vatican note said.

ardinal Peter Turkson, the president of the Pontifical Justice and Peace Council who represented the Vatican at the Mandela memorial, has held up Mr Mandela as an example of that fraternity which lies at the very heart of Pope Francis’ message: a spirit of courage and reconciliation which recognises the God-given human dignity within each and every individual. The booing heard when Mr Zuma appeared on the stadium’s screen during the memorial was from people who “came to mourn and sing and dance and pray”, Archbishop Slattery noted. “They’ve heard of the ideals and aspirations of Mandela. Some of these have been attained, like equality, but others, such as education and poverty eradication, have not happened,” he said.

“The booing was an act that sent a message to Jacob Zuma and his government that these issues need to be addressed and that the people are frustrated—not only for not having a voice at the memorial, but also not having their needs addressed.” The booing represented “a clash between the ideals the politicians were speaking of and the real world these people experience”, Archbishop Slattery said. “There are better means to deal with this problem. But these people felt they needed to be heard. We need to eradicate the hopelessness of the poor.” Archbishop Slattery said instead of focusing on world leaders, the service for Mr Mandela could have offered hope to ordinary South Africans by referring to Jesus. “Mandela has died and we can have hope to let us continue. Because of the resurrection of Jesus, Mandela is alive in us. Through Christ, Mandela can continue to inspire us,” the archbishop said. But the crowd heard very little of Jesus or messages of hope for unity and a better future, the archbishop said. This unity, Pope Francis writes in his Peace Day message, is “still frequently denied and ignored in a world marked by a globalisation of indifference which makes us slowly inured to the suffering of others and closed in on ourselves”. For Archbishop Slattery, the test now lies in the future: “Following the outcry at the memorial, how will we address the needs of the poor and give them hope?”

FATIMA • LOURDES • AVILA Join The Southern Cross and the Diocese of Tzaneen on a Pilgrimage of Prayer for the Sainthood Cause of Benedict Daswa to places of Our Lady in France, Spain & Portugal!

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The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

LOCAL

Course enriches novices BY MOSES CHANDA

Children pray with one of the sisters at Little Eden and (right) the home’s devastated field.

Hail hits Little Eden crops STAFF REPORTER

ROPS of sugar beans, mielies and pecan nuts have been destroyed by the “most severe hail storms we have seen in years,” said Nichollette Muthige of Little Eden, the Johannesburg-based home for intellectually challenged children. Little Eden’s Elvira Rota Villa was hit by inclement weather this month, resulting in a major upset for the home both in spirit and capital. “Apart from significant financial loss, Little Eden also lost some birds due to the storm, as the roof of the enclosure, which housed various budgies, cockatiels and finches, was blown off during the hailstorm. This is particularly sad for the children, as they enjoy the bird life at

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the village as part of their therapy and care and stimulation programme,” said Ms Muthige. Since 2005 approximately 80 bird and insect species have been spotted at the wetlands. Little Eden previously earned more than R300 000 per annum from the sale of the pecan nuts, mielies and sugar bean crops. “The lost income will now have to be secured from alternative sources,” Ms Muthige told The Southern Cross. The home, now eager to make up the shortfall, has requested unwanted clothing or goods in a reasonable condition that could be sold at the Little Eden second-hand shop. Items can be dropped off at Domitilla and Danny Hyams’ home, or at the Little Eden shop on

the corner of 3rd Street and 8th Avenue, Edenvale. The Little Eden family of 300 includes 230 residents who were previously abandoned or who do not receive financial or other support from families. “Every contribution directly impacts on the care of our special children and adults with profound intellectual disability,” said Ms Muthige, adding that any support offered would make a significant difference in 2014. Financial contributions are also welcomed. n For more information contact Nichollette Muthige on 011 609 7246 or visit www.littleeden.co.za. The bank account is First National Bank, branch Karaglen 25-24-42, account number 5468 0928 009.

RE-NOVICES and novices of various religious congregations based in Johannesburg came together recently at the Cathedral of Christ the King to enrich each other in the Catholic faith. The group consisted of sisters and brothers from Ghana, Kenya, Lesotho, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, Uganda, Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe. They represented the Dominicans, the Oblates of Mary Immaculate, Sacred Heart Sisters, Franciscan Missionaries of Mary, Holy Cross Sisters, Companions of St Angela Sisters, Nazareth Sisters and Holy Family Sisters. The programme aimed to help future religious men and women work together. It sought also to give them the shared basic foundation on what they were engaging with and dedicating their lives to.

These gatherings were also intended to provide them with the necessary tools to “unmask themselves”, so as to enable transformation and growth to take place. Among the courses offered were on psychology’s Myers Briggs indicator, the spirituality of imperfections, Lectio Divina, praying with the scripture, prayer and meditation, liturgy, social analysis and Catholic social teaching, the spirituality of imperfection, and discipleship. These lectures were presented by both lay persons and religious and priests. The sessions also helped the brothers and sisters across congregations to share their experiences, and encourage each other. Internovitiate aims to be a time of growth in prayer, spiritually, psychologically, and socially. It seeks to help each attendee to begin to see life in perspective, to look at the world in the eyes of Christ.

Mini Hurley biography available

HE Denis Hurley Centre in Durban is making available a 13page mini biography of Archbishop Denis Hurley OMI, entitled Courageous and Prophetic Leader. It is written by the late Professor Colin Gardner and Paddy Kearney, with assistance from Mgr Paul Nadal and Fr Sylvester David OMI. This brief life of the archbishop has six sections: early years and training for the priesthood; priest, bishop and archbishop challenging apartheid; the Second Vatican

Council; implementing Vatican II; the fight against apartheid intensifies; an active old age. A select bibliography lists books by and about the archbishop. n The text will be e-mailed on request to admin@denishurleycentre.org (phone 031 301 2240) and hard copies can be posted to anywhere in South Africa on proof of deposit of R20 per copy in the FNB bank account Denis Hurley Centre Fund, account number 6220 4261 002, branch code: 221426.

Frail/assisted care in shared or single rooms. Independent care in single/double rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Rates include meals, laundry and 24-hour nursing. Day Care and short stay facilities also available.

HOLY CROSS CHILDREN’S HOME

The Holy Cross Child and Youth Care Centre in Parow Valley, Cape Town, has a vacancy for an experienced

RESIDENTIAL CARE SOCIAL WORKER

to join our team in providing therapeutic services to children and youth. Starting date: 01 February 2014

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS l A qualified Social Worker with a valid registration with the SA Council for Social Services Professions l Proven relevant experience in therapeutic and developmental interventions, training and counselling l Good written and verbal English, Afrikaans and communication skills l Some verbal knowledge and understanding of Xhosa would be an advantage l Driver’s licence and own transport is essential l Posses exceptional personal ethics and moral values l Willingness and ability to work within a Catholic environment and uphold the Catholic ethos The successful applicant should be able to work flexi hours if needed. To apply for this position, please send a comprehensive C.V. with a covering letter to: Sr Cheryl-Anne Ziervogel Holy Cross Child and Youth Care Centre: Vacancy-Social Worker by fax 021 934 1146 or email: holycross@mweb.co.za Closing Date: 05 January 2014

Should you not receive any feedback within 2 weeks after the closing date please consider your application as unsuccessful. We reserve the right not to make an appointment.

The SACBC Aids Office are seen on their annual retreat with Bishop José Ponce de León of Ingwavuma (right) and, next to the bishop, director Sr Alison Munro OP.

MONASTERY RETREAT HOUSE PO Box 11095, Mariannhill 3624 2014

January 5-14: 8-day Directed retreats March 10-31: LENTEN LECTURES by Mgr Paul Nadal, 7.30pm, March 10: Jesus Christ-Son of Man, March 17: Jesus Christ-Son of God, March 24: Mary his Mother Immaculate, March 31: Mary Queen of Heaven HOLY WEEK RETREAT - Commences supper April 12, ending lunch Easter Sunday by Fr Christopher Neville OFM.

THEOLOGY OF DIVINE MERCY according to Bl John Paul II, by Fr Urs Fischer, beginning supper April 12, concluding lunch Easter Sunday April 20. November 21 - 23: Weekend retreat by Fr Pierre Lavoipierre: Passion for Faith “...in your heart faith...” (Rm 10,9-10) December 9 - 18: 8-day Directed Retreats by Fr Urs Fischer and Br Crispin Graham.

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The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

LOCAL

Pretoria team to minister to prisoners BY MATHIBELA SEBOTHOMA

AY Catholics in the archdiocese of Pretoria will start the Alpha for Prisons ministry to prisoners from 2014. Alpha for Prisons was launched in 1995 in response to demand from offenders. By the end of 2013, 25 percent of South African prisons were using the Alpha programme, according to Gerald Rodrigues. Mr Rodrigues, the regional Alpha adviser based in Johannesburg, said the “re-offending rate in South Africa drops by 70 percent for those who have completed an Alpha course”. Fr Bonginkosi Sithole, who ministers at Pretoria Central Prison, said the Alpha prison ministry reaches out to prisoners not only while they are in prison, but afterwards as well, when they are trying to integrate back into society. “We seek to disciple them and bring about the full transformation of character that only true faith in Jesus Christ can provide. We desire to assist them in fulfilling God’s calling for their lives, whether in prison or out of prison,” he said. Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria wants all parishes linked to a particular prison.

Mr Rodrigues said those who have been trained are “ready to respond to Jesus’ call to go and make disciples of all nations, setting the prisoners free through the good news of salvation”. As some of the trainees are unemployed, they will be able to visit prisons even on weekdays. Ms Lindiwe Vilakazi, an advocate by profession, sees the ministry to offenders as a Catholic vocation. She will use her legal experience to apply principles of restorative justice. She believes that the offender also needs assistance and seeks to identify what needs to change to prevent future re-offending. Ms Vilikazi said if the programme is run well “victims of sexual violence could find healing from the trauma of their experiences.” “My own personal experience taught me that healing comes from forgiveness of self and of your perpetrator,” she said. She has gained “immense spiritual growth” in meeting with “a new spiritual family” for training sessions. Sr Rita Carey RSM, coordinator for the prison ministry team, said the archdiocese is negotiating with the authorities from the Department of Correctional Services for more opportunities for the trained men and women.

Pretoria religious and lay people have formed a group to minister to prisons.

Christmas treat for the vulnerable BY MICHAIL RASSOOL

ATHOLIC Welfare and Development (CWD), the development arm of the Cape Town archdiocese, treated about 75 women and 105 children to a pre-Christmas meal, held in the grounds of its headquarters in Green Point, in partnership with youth-at-risk empowerment agency the Salesian Institute and funder Breadline Africa (BLA). CWD director Malcolm Salida said the event was a “gesture close to my heart” as it involved serving women and children, the most vulnerable sectors in society, and in so many respects it symbolised the ethos and values

of his agency and those of its partners. Almost all the beneficiaries were clients of CWD’s Women In Need (WIN) programme, which offers empowerment programmes to women living on the streets, under bridges or in makeshift situations as well as early childhood development services to their children. “Mothers, especially, tend to play a vital role in the home, regardless of the family’s circumstances, and are generally the quickest to respond when, say, family difficulties occur,” Mr Salida pointed out. “It is your right to ensure that your children are safe,” he told

the women at the event. Aside from a meal and singing by the children of WIN Playhouse, the Christmas party included Santa Claus distributing gifts of party packs to the children. At the end, Mr Salida distributed “Buckets of Love”, plastic buckets containing food and treats for poor families over Christmas. Buckets of Love is CWD’s annual, flagship campaign inviting donations, so that the poor too can experience the joy of the season. Mr Salida said the party was also a chance to showcase the joint partnership with the two other organisations.

Current from MARFAM

Brescia House learners work on their laptops. The school has been selected to work closely with tech-giant Microsoft to help implement technology into innovative learning.

School partners with PC giant STAFF REPORTER

RESCIA House School in Johannesburg has been selected by technology giant Microsoft to become one of 80 mentor schools selected from around the world. “Mentor schools are recognised leaders who have achieved change within their own education systems,” said Brescia House’s Helga Bishop. Brescia House was selected from nearly 250 schools in 75 countries. To be selected as a mentor school, schools need to have demonstrated a record of broad educational success, community leadership and successful school management. “The Microsoft Innovative Schools Programme helps district and school leaders embrace innovation and implement technology effectively to support teaching and learning, Mrs

Bishop told The Southern Cross. “Through this programme, school leaders can explore the possibilities, collaborate with other leaders and create a vision for the future of their school community.” The year-long programme is designed to recognise educators and schools that are on the leading edge of education innovation. “Brescia House School will continue to share the impact its connected classroom policy has had—and continues to have–on learners and teachers. Modern knowledge is all about collaboration to achieve an end,” said Mrs Bishop. “The connected classroom is about being open-minded and using progressive thinking skills to show how pupils understand what they have learnt and how teachers have accomplished their goals.” Nasha Fitter, global head of

Microsoft Innovative Schools, said Brescia House’s application, which included a video, showed the school’s “passion for innovative teaching and learning”. Ms Fitter said the school should feel proud of the achievement. “We are excited to be a part of the journey in creating an environment of innovation in education using information and communications technology,” Ms Fitter told Brescia House. The mentor schools get to work closely with Microsoft education representatives, both in South Africa as well as internationally—participating in mentor and coaching teams, and sharing knowledge and experience. Brescia House School will also be represented at the Partners in Learning Global Forum, taking place in Barcelona, Spain in March next year.

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The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

INTERNATIONAL

Pope slams human trafficking BY CAROL GLATZ

HE trafficking of human beings is a crime against humanity and must be stopped, Pope Francis has told diplomats. “It’s a disgrace” that people are treated “as objects, deceived, raped, often sold many times for different purposes and, in the end, killed or, in any case, physically and mentally damaged, ending up thrown away and abandoned”, he said. The pope’s comments came in a speech to 17 new ambassadors to the Vatican who were presenting their letters of credential to the pope. The pope dedicated his entire talk to human trafficking because, he said, it is “an issue that worries me very much and today is threatening people’s dignity”. Every country in the world is touched in some way by this new form of slavery, which often targets the most vulnerable members of society: women, children, the disabled, the poor and people from broken homes or other difficult situations, he said. “Together we can and we must commit ourselves so they may be freed and this horrible trade can be put to an end,” Pope Francis said. “Human trafficking is a crime against humanity. We must unite our efforts to free victims and stop this crime that’s become ever more

Pope Francis, depicted on the cover of the Time magazine issue that named him Person of the Year 2013, has called for more action to combat human trafficking. aggressive, that threatens not just individuals, but the foundational values of society,” international security and laws, the economy, families and communities, he said. Pope Francis recognised the many efforts underway around the world to prevent trafficking and protect victims. Even though countries have been addressing the problem, he said,

“we can’t deny that sometimes even public officials and members of peacekeeping forces have been contaminated” by the corrupting forces of trafficking. Together with laws, something must be done to address cultural considerations and communication, he said. “There is a need for a deep examination of conscience: how many times, in fact, do we tolerate human beings being considered an object, exposed to sell something or to satisfy immoral desires?” People must never be bought or sold like a piece of merchandise and anyone “who uses or exploits [a person], even indirectly, becomes an accomplice to this oppression”, he said. The pope called for more cooperation and effective strategies, a common sense of responsibility and “a more decisive political will” to stop trafficking. Often human trafficking is connected with “the drug and arms trades, the illegal transport of immigrants and the mafia”, he said, and more needs to be done to help victims, to protect their rights and safety, and to stop “the corrupt and the criminal” from evading justice. “Adequate legislative measures in countries of origin, transit and destination, including facilitating legal immigration, can reduce the problem,” he said.—CNS

Church shelters tens of thousands in CAR BY JONATHAN LuxMOORE

ATHOLIC leaders in the Central African Republic spoke of a humanitarian crisis and criticised attempts to fuel interreligious clashes in their nation. Mgr Cyriaque Gbate Doumalo, secretary-general of the nation’s Catholic bishops’ conference, said that thousands of displaced civilians had taken refuge in Bangui’s churches and parish buildings, creating “drastic humanitarian needs”. “Most have nothing left to eat and are sleeping outside on the ground—we’ve nothing left to give them and our parishes can’t cope,” Mgr Doumalo said. “All the roads are completely blocked, and it’s too dangerous to go outside, so we’re not receiving any supplies. Since atrocities are still taking place in the city’s suburbs, more people are arriving in

search of shelter.” He said French forces that arrived in Bangui on December 8 were gradually restoring order, although people were “deeply afraid of acts of revenge against the groups being disarmed. But Christian and Muslim leaders have urged their communities to remain calm and avoid branding people according to their religion.” Under a UN mandate, a contingent of 1 600 French paratroopers began disarming militants from the rebel Séléka movement, after several days of communal fighting left at least 400 dead, many of them children. France’s Catholic La Croix daily reported that the French army appeared to have “underestimated the determination” of Séléka fighters, composed partly of Arab-speaking Islamists from neighbouring Chad

and Sudan. The rebels suspended the constitution after ousting President François Bozizé in March. The newspaper said there were fears of revenge attacks on suspected Séléka sympathisers by members of a pro-Bozizé militia, Anti-Balaka (anti-machete), formed in September in Mr Bozizé’s northwestern home region. It also said residents feared if they welcomed French intervention, they would be subject to revenge attacks by Séléka remnants. Salesians based in Bangui spoke of similar fears and reported that, with an increase in violence in early December, they were sheltering more than 20 000 people in two centres. Catholics make up around a third of the 4,4 million inhabitants of the Central African Republic, one of the world’s poorest countries; Muslims are about a tenth.—CNS

Workers install a mosaic depicting Pope Francis next to the one depicting Pope Benedict xVI in St Paul’s basilica in Rome. The basilica features medallion mosaics of every pope in history (Photo: Alessandro Bianchi, Reuters/CNS)

Indian PM apologises for beating of Christians BY ANTO AKKARA

NDIAN Prime Minister Manmohan Singh apologised to Church leaders for the police beating of protesters—including priests and nuns—during a march to parliament advocating rights for low-caste Christians. Mr Singh apologised when a 10member delegation, led by Delhi Archbishop Anil Couto, called on him to press for the Christian demand for an end to discrimination against Christian dalits, or members of the low castes. Archbishop Couto was among six Catholic bishops and about a dozen of different denominations detained with 400 protesters during the march the previous day. Hundreds of the protesters from across India broke through police barricades and marched to parliament shouting: “We want justice.” Dalit, which means “trampled upon” in Sanskrit, refers to people treated as “untouchables” under the caste system in India. In 1950 the Indian government established a quota system in education and government jobs as a type of affirmative action for Hindu dalits. Though these statutory privileges were later extended to Sikh dalits in 1956 and Buddhist dalits in 1990, the repeated requests of the Christian dalits—who account

MICASA TOURS

Pilgrimage in the Footsteps of St Paul to Greece and Turkey led by Mgr Barnard McAleer 9-22 June 2014 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land led by Fr Jerome Nyathi 23 June-03 July 2014 Pilgrimage to the Shrines of Europe visiting Israel, Greece, Medjugorje, Italy, Lourdes, Fatima and Santiago de Compostela led by Father Collin Bowes 6-30 September 2014 Pilgrimage of Thanksgiving to Italy & Medjugorje led by Fr Maselwane 7-20 September 2014 Pilgrimage to Lourdes,Nevers,Liseux and Ars led by Fr Craigh Laubscher 14-23 September 2014 Pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago de Compostela and Lourdes, Paris & Nevers led by Fr Cletus Mtshali 28 September-11 October 2014 Pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago Compostela and Lourdes led by Fr Emil Blaser 10-23 October 2014 Contact: Tel: 012 342 0179/072637 0508 (Michelle) E-Mail: info@micasatours.co.za

for two-thirds of 27 million Christians in India—have gone unanswered. During the march, police with batons charged and beat up several protesters. Undeterred, the protesters, including Catholic priests in cassocks, knelt on the road with crosses in hand, and a police truck mounted with water cannons sprayed them with muddy water several times. When the protesters would not move, police arrested more than 400 of them, including all the bishops, who remained in the police station for five hours until the prime minister’s office confirmed an audience for the delegation to present a memorandum on behalf of the dalits. “We are not going to tolerate this injustice [to the dalits] any longer,” said Fr Devasagayraj Zakarias, secretary of the Dalit Commission of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India. “We have made our stand clear, and the prime minister has promised to try to build consensus on our demand.” The priest said Catholic leaders were happy that the prime minister apologised. “Even nuns were beaten up,” said the dalit priest, who had his cassock muddied by spray from the water cannons.—CNS

REMEMBERING OUR DEAD

“It is a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from their sins” (II Macc XII,46) Holy Mass will be celebrated on the first Sunday of each month in the All Souls’ chapel, Maitland, Cape Town at 2:30pm for all souls in purgatory and for all those buried in the Woltemade cemetery.

For further information, please contact St Jude Society, Box 22230, Fish Hoek, 7975 Telephone (021) 552-3850

The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

INTERNATIONAL

Place of Christ’s birth gets a make-over BY JuDITH SuDILOVSKY

ELPING to restore the roof of the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem is like touching a piece of the beginning of Christian history, said an Italian restorer who is heading work on the first phase of the long-awaited repairs. “I am not a practising religious person, but working on this church is very emotional,” said Marcello Piacenti, 53, the on-site project manager and a restorer with his family’s company, which began the work in September. “I have restored many old churches in the world, but when I arrived here I knew I had arrived at the centre of everything.” The church of the Nativity is one of the world’s oldest continuously used churches. It was first built in the fourth century, and rebuilt in 565 after a fire. More than five years in the planning and researching, the restoration of the church’s wooden beams and lead roof and its 38 windows represents the beginning of an ambitious project, said engineer Imad Nasser, technical representative of the Palestinian Authority’s national committee for the restoration of the church of the Nativity. Bethlehem is part of the occupied West Bank. Mr Nasser said that, two years ago, it was estimated that the repairs would cost $15 million, not including the construction management fees. Repairs are being done in several phases, as the funds become available, he said, with essential repairs such as the roof given priority. The next stage will include the completion of protection of the stone facade of the external walls once the funds are acquired, he said, noting that more than $2,7 million is still needed for that phase. A member of the Franciscan order noted that members of the Catholic, Orthodox and Armenian churches, all of which have a presence at the church of the Nativity, have agreed not to speak to the press in order to avoid any conflicts over sovereignty issues. Though much care has been taken not to disturb the visitors and the church, Christmas pilgrims

this year are being met with metal scaffolding, inside and outside, and protective wooden coverings around the marble columns inside the church. Mr Piacenti brought special steel scaffolding from Italy to assist in the repair of the wooden beams inside the slanted ceiling. It will take the team of ten Italian and five Palestinian workers about a year to complete their work, estimated Mr Piacenti, whose grandfather began the family tradition of carpentry and restoration work. Experts will analyse and study repairs throughout the restoration to assure the authenticity and quality of the work, he said. The workers have already removed the wooden frames of many of the 50-year-old windows, some of which are pocked with bullet holes received during the intifada, when Palestinian gunmen holed up at the church and Israeli soldiers laid siege.

he window frames will be replaced with cyprus wood, and special glass that blocks ultraviolet light will be used for the windows to further protect the frescos and mosaics inside from the harsh Middle Eastern sun, said Mr Piacenti. The current windows are machine made and “are not good material”, Mr Piacenti said, picking away at some of the rotting wood from one of the removed window frames. “But the wooden beams [from the ceiling] are from around the 1400s, from the time of Columbus, from the Alps near Venice.” Once workers have repaired the wooden beams, they will make a new lead roof to replace the severely damaged old lead roof, which was last restored about 200 years ago, he said. One of the important precautions they are taking is the protection of the five Crusader-era mosaics on the walls near the ceiling, covering them with special cotton gauze to prevent the pieces from falling or from being damaged by the work on the ceiling and roof, Mr Piacenti noted. Though they will remove the cotton textile

Pope’s next encyclical could well be green BY CAROLINE HRONCICH

N official at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace has said that, despite widespread news reports and the statement of an Italian bishop, he does not expect Pope Francis to write an encyclical on the subject of poverty. “If you asked [the pope] he would probably say to you, ‘Why do we need an encyclical? What is the encyclical supposed to tell us that we don’t already know?’” said Jesuit Father Michael Czerny. In May, Bishop Luigi Martella of Molfetta wrote that the pope had recently told him and other bishops of Italy’s Puglia region that he was planning an encyclical on poverty, “understood not in an ideological and political sense, but in an evangelical sense”. The bishop said the encyclical would be called Beati Pauperes (“Blessed Are the Poor”). But Fr Czerny told Catholic News Service the Church is still digesting retired Pope Benedict XVI’s major contribution to the Church’s teaching on the subject. “Less than five years ago, we

had a superb social encyclical, Caritas in Veritate, and I’m sure that Pope Francis agrees with every word of it. There is an amount of material in it that we could work on,” Fr Czerny said. “It would keep us busy for 20 years.” “Obviously, there will be efforts made to understand forms of poverty or new phenomena,” said Fr Czerny, who serves as assistant to the council’s president, Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson. “These are all efforts to fill little gaps, holes that we have. I would expect Pope Francis to use much simpler opportunities for clarification than...a huge encyclical.” The Jesuit granted more weight to reports that Pope Francis is contemplating an encyclical about the environment. “He’s been talking about an ecological encyclical,” Fr Czerny said. “That’s an area perhaps where there’s been less Church teaching than there has on poverty and development. So maybe something like that might come. But even there I would expect parts and pieces to come out as we go along, eventually maybe to have it pulled together.”—CNS

and do some minimal cleaning of the mosaics, full restoration of the art work will be left for future phases of the church restoration, he said. Mr Piacenti said that although he had been warned about the tense relationships between the Armenians, Greek Orthodox and Franciscans at the church of the Nativity because of issues with the Status Quo agreement over sovereignty rights over the church before he arrived, he was pleasantly surprised by the cordial relations he has witnessed among the monks of the different denominations. “For me there has been no problem [with the monks]; they are all very curious about the work we are doing and have asked me to explain. They are very happy for the work,” said Mr Piacenti. Most of the restoration work is done during the evening and nights, in order not to disturb the

St Catherine’s Catholic church is seen to the left as a worker walks at the site of renovations on the roof of the church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, West Bank, which marks the place of Jesus’ birth. More than five years in the planning and researching, the restoration of the church’s wooden beams and lead roof and its 38 windows represents the beginning of an ambitious project. (Photo: Debbie Hill/CNS) rhythm of the church, he said, and so workers have witnessed the lesser-known life of the church at night. “The Greek Orthodox monks come to light candles for Mass, the Franciscans gather to prepare holy

oil. It is not many people who can be here for this. They don’t know the night life of the church, which continues to live even at 3, 4 and 5 in the morning,” said Mr Piacenti. “It is very special. We are a big family at night.”—CNS

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The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special circumstances and at the Editor’s discretion. Name and address of the writer must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered.

Annunciation central to Christmas

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

The real Nelson Mandela O

HE tributes to Nelson Mandela have been delivered and the glow of another burst of national unity, this time with us brought together in grief, is slowly dissipating. The life and accomplishments of Mr Mandela could not, by sheer weight of their volume, be summed up in a single laudation. However, an abridged picture of Mr Mandela has emerged, one which in some ways serves to distort the man himself as well as the history of South Africa. Especially those discomfited by Mr Mandela’s prophetic leadership sought to depoliticise him, placing him on a pedestal that transcends politics. Moreover, the efforts to celebrate Mr Mandela sometimes overstated his life’s work, as though it needed exaggeration. The aggregate narrative of the tributes would suggest that Mr Mandela liberated South Africa on his own and that he singlehandedly prevented a civil war in the early 1990s. It does not reduce Mr Mandela’s crucial leadership in either of these accomplishments to note that he did not act alone in them. Mr Mandela indisputably was a principal leader of the struggle against apartheid, even when he was jailed and the nation did not even know what he looked like. However, as Mr Mandela always acknowledged, he was one among many leaders in the antiapartheid struggle. Indeed, there are those who suggest that the late Walter Sisulu was the greater man, but Mr Mandela the greater leader. Importantly, for both men and many people like them, the goal of liberation from the injustices of apartheid trumped personal ambition and vanity—a commitment to altruistic service which has since lost its currency among most of our political leaders. Mr Mandela did not create the notion of peaceful racial coexistence after apartheid. It was enshrined in the Freedom Charter of 1955—which Mr Mandela, of course, helped to draft—and it would have been the policy of the liberation movement even if Mr Mandela had not seen the end of apartheid. To overstate his role in the project of post-apartheid reconciliation, crucial though this contribution was, is to diminish that of many other people, most of

them ordinary people, who were equally ready to seek racial accord. Mr Mandela’s great achievement of the early 1990s was not to secure the acquiescence of the majority in effecting a peaceful transition, but to prevent a civil war launched by those who opposed full equality. He succeeded in communicating the peaceful intentions of the liberation movement and thereby reassured most of those who were anxious about the future of the country. Mr Mandela did South Africa his greatest service in doing so, though others, such as President FW de Klerk, also merit credit. After his retirement, Mr Mandela acquired a reputation as the jovial “grandfather of the nation” who, dressed in casual shirts, cheerfully received an endless stream of celebrity visitors. In doing so, critics say, he was giving his time and photo ops to benefit his various foundations and charities. His intentions in holding court were noble, but they distorted the Mandela essence. More than being the kindly face of an industry of non-governmental organisations bearing his name and prisoner’s number, Mr Mandela was the conscience of the world. He forcefully reprimanded the United States and President George W Bush over the invasion of Iraq. He publicly contradicted President Thabo Mbeki on Aids. He directed some of his sharpest castigations at the state of Israel for visiting cruel injustice upon Palestinians. Many of those who paid their tributes this month seemed to forget these forthright interventions by depoliticising Mr Mandela, sometimes even by stating the fiction that he stood “above politics”. It would be a mockery of a great life if the jovial photo-op persona, attractive though it is, were to define our memory of Mr Mandela, rather than the man who always stood against injustice. We must seek to follow Mr Mandela’s great example of forgiveness, courage and generosity of spirit. And if we truly want to emulate Mr Mandela, then we must get unequivocally angry at injustices—political and social—and be committed to fighting them.

UR liturgical calendar, following the gospels, emphasises Easter and Jesus’ death and resurrection. In the gospels and writings of the New Testament this is obviously because of its apologetic value. It is a good argument for persuading people to believe in Jesus and follow him. As St John writes at the end of his gospel: “These things are written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life through his name” (20:31). The gospels are not biographies, giving Jesus’ life history. Nor do they give well-ordered outlines of what has to be believed about Jesus, as a catechism would. The fact that they and St Paul give Jesus’ death and resurrection such prominence is in order to attract people to him. Death is a problem for most people, and the fact that in Jesus it is overcome has a strong appeal. Jesus’ conception and birth are much less spectacular, and less useful for this missionary purpose. This does not make them less important from the point of view of Christian truth. In my opinion, by far the most important liturgical celebration of the year is the Annunciation on March 25. Without the incarnation the rest would not have happened. In the early Church this was the celebration of celebrations, because of the opinion that Jesus’ conception and death occurred on the same date. It was only little by little

Christmas truth

OUR editorial “Finding the true meaning of Christmas” (December 4) refers. In our multi-ethnic country it would be impossible to turn Christmas, presently accepted as a public holiday, into a more thoughtful religious and Catholic variant. The religious aspects of Christmas have been purposely and increasingly avoided, for different reasons, by some Western governments and retailers. The present Christmas hysteria has indeed nothing to do with the “true meaning of Christmas”. It is for us Catholics and our Church to emphasise the difference between our religious values and the reality of present-day Christmas in order to preserve our true traditions for the coming generations. Krunoslav Fuzy, Queenstown

Accept others

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that this compact whole was unravelled to give us Easter, the Ascension, Pentecost, and the Christmas-related celebrations. The March 25 celebration was left with the important reality of the incarnation, but tended to get pushed into the background. St Francis of Assisi held that Christmas was the greatest of all feasts in the liturgical calendar. He had a point, because what was a completely hidden event of the incarnation became a visible reality nine months later in the birth of Jesus as a baby. So Christmas is an extension of the Annunciation. Showing visibly who Jesus is, is emphasised particularly on the feast of the Epiphany, but it does not end there as the liturgical texts for that day show. It carries on until Jesus’ baptism and the Father’s acknowledgement of him as his Son.

his is why the two gospels which deal with Jesus’ conception and birth both carry on their introduction into chapter 3 which deals in both cases with Jesus’ baptism. Likewise, the introduction to John’s gospel, which says about the incarnation that “The Word became flesh, he lived among us”(1:14), ends with Jesus’ baptism, and John the Baptist’s witness to the Holy Spirit coming down upon him (1:34). John’s first letter opens with a clear witness to the incarnation as its foundation: “Something which has existed since the beginning, which we have heard, which we

viously written to arouse comment, but also to direct the flock to Church teaching, which is not a bad thing. That is his job as cardinal. In a broader way, “Talking Frankly” gives the cardinal a chance to put his foot in it (November 13). Readers, on the whole, are not going to get stewed up about the technicalities of the argument, nor find out who Fr Clohessy is. He is a good priest, no doubt, and one who also likes to talk frankly. Both are good for The Southern Cross, and its readers. Let us accept both workers for God, in a show of 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. Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

have seen with our own eyes, which we have watched and touched with our own hands, the Word of life— that is our theme. That life was made visible” (1:1-2). The importance of this is stressed in the Letter to the Hebrews when it tells us that “it was not the angels the Son took to himself, he took to himself the line of Abraham. It was essential that he should in this way be made completely like his brothers so that he could become a compassionate and trustworthy high priest for their relationship to God, able to expiate the sins of the people” (2:16-17). Similarly, St Paul shows our status as children of our heavenly Father depends on the incarnation: “God sent his Son born of a woman...so that we receive adoption as sons. As you are sons, God has sent into our hearts the Spirit of his Son crying, ‘Abba, Father’ ” (Gal 4:4-6). Contemporary culture, which gives far more prominence to Christmas than to Easter, for commercial reasons, may be God’s way of inviting us to review our liturgical calendar, and upgrade Christmas and the Christmas season, and the Annunciation along with it. The solemnity of the Annunciation could be more dignifyingly celebrated in line with its title, and celebrated before Palm Sunday if it happens to fall in Holy Week. The Christmas season could be given six weeks up to and including Jesus’ presentation in the temple. Without the Annunciation and Christmas, there would be no Good Friday or Easter. Fr Bonaventure Hinwood OFM, Pretoria

their humanity and our humanity. Pavel Jaroszynski, Johannesburg

Bishops’ book

R Christopher Clohessy was quoted in The Southern Cross of July 17 as saying: “The bishop’s don’t like to be wrong, but it’s not disloyal to inform them when they are wrong.” Would it not have been wiser for the bishops to have quietly reflected on what Fr Clohessy had to say about their book God, Love, Life and Sex, and not embark on the ugly, totally incorrect, unfounded and unchristian attack that has been launched on Fr Clohessy. But on the positive side, the behaviour of the bishops does reveal their thinking, and the response to the Vatican questionnaire will surely give the Church an opportunity to express the view of the faithful to a loving and compassionate Holy Father who is not afraid to listen and discuss real issues. Michael Bouchier, Stanford, Western Cape

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PERSPECTIVES

A Christian campaign for peace T

HIS month I take a break in the series on the Church’s social teachings and introduce you to a remarkable ecumenical campaign for justice, peace and reconciliation led by the Catholic and Anglican bishops from Burundi, Congo and Rwanda. Peace in the Great Lakes, the poetic name of the campaign, aims to build peace by conversion of heart, to consolidate the peace acquired by the recent cessation of war in the eastern DRC, and to promote reconciliation and fraternity. These will be achieved through concerted effort between Anglicans and Catholics in spearheading peace initiatives, lobbying and sensitisation, as well as by joint social, cultural and productive activities. Peace in the Great Lakes was launched in Goma, where I am currently based, on the first Sunday of Advent, December 1, during an ecumenical prayer of Catholics and Anglicans from the three countries. The ceremony began at the CongoRwanda border of Gisenyi, where delegates from Burundi and Rwanda were welcomed as a sign of brotherhood without barrier. From there the procession traversed the town of Goma to the John Paul II Grounds where the prayer took place. At each of the three stations a prayer was pronounced for a specific intention. At the first station, on the border, Bishop Theophile Kaboy of Goma, prayed: “Lord God, your people start a walk towards the project of peace for the Great Lakes, we ask you to bless this walk and be accompanied by you.” At the second station, another Congolese Catholic bishop prayed: “Lord God, your people are ready to be protagonists of your project of love and fraternity. We pray that we offer no resistance especially by not giving room to divisive ideologies.” And at the third station an Anglican bishop from Burundi prayed: “Lord, we acknowledge that you have created us different but we are all your children. We pray that these differences do not become a point of division but mutual enrichment, so that this region becomes an expression of a floral arrangement of your wisdom.” Indeed, such floral beauty manifested

itself when double files of both Anglican and Catholic priests and bishops, in their proper robes but same stoles, ascended the podium. Bishop Fridolin Ambogo of BokunguIkela, coordinator of the campaign, presented the project. The penitential rite was followed by the word of God: the first reading was taken by an Anglican priest from Rwanda, the second reading in French by a Catholic from Burundi, and the gospel by a Catholic deacon of Goma.

hen followed the joint message of the bishops read in four parts by Anglican and Catholic bishops, one after the other. Here are some elements of the message: “By this peace initiative the bishops responded to the people longing for peace after traversing the horrors of the genocide of over a million persons in Rwanda, the murders in Burundi, and the massacres of over six millions Congolese. “Thus, Advent is the ideal occasion, a period of awaiting the prince of peace who comes to inaugurate the new social order where instruments of war are transformed into instruments of production (Is 2:4) and the people invited to abandon totally the acts of darkness (Rm 13:12).”

Delegates from Rwanda at the launch of the Peace in the Great Lakes campaign in Goma, Congo (Photo: Fr Evans Chama)

Evans K Chama M.Afr

The bishops called on the perpetrators of conflict to cease evil and on the entire population to move ahead despite their situation. They noted that “the people are tired of the recurring violence and bloodshed, fuelled by manipulation of tribal and national identities for selfish motives. They are tired also of the paradox of their lives; in the midst of abundant riches they live in abject poverty.” Therefore the campaign calls for a conversion of hearts, especially in naming things as they really are instead of settling on systematic deceit. The bishops also noted that there is no enmity between the people of the three countries; the problem lies on the level of politicians and the elite who profit from the conflict. Hence, the heads of states are invited to commit themselves honestly in the pursuit for peace. By this campaign the bishops hope for a new generation of Burundians, Congolese and Rwandans, not opposed as enemies, but looking in the same direction as brothers and sisters, despite their different ethnic identities. After this message from the bishops, the apostolic creed was recited, then the prayer of peace: Make me an instrument of peace. The intercession took the form of a message of one country to another, exposing the situation as it is, then concluding into prayer of hope for a new relationship. The campaign was launched with a release of six doves, then the final blessing was given by all bishops together. The next rendezvous will be in December 2014 in Goma, to close this year-long campaign. “Lord, consolidate peace in our land”, is a catch phrase of this ecumenical prayer. Indeed, wherever we are, let us pray for peace in this region.

ticipant said that in her professional view the problem is not with youth but with the parents who have so little quality time to spend with their children. Everyone, she pointed out, is up early and off to work or school—at least those who are employed and school-going—and they come home at different times; sometimes quite late after being held up in traffic or due to work commitments. Is that the reason why we have become used to grabbing a plate of food— possibly from the fridge via the microwave—and flopping down in front of the TV or the computer? Families that still eat together often do so with double the guests at the table as each member has their cellphone with them and needs to send or check urgent messages. As long as we all do and tolerate this, does that mean there is balance? Is it a question of structure or of functioning? The Marfam Thoughts for the Day reflection booklet for January to March has a “Life Pie Activity” for January to aid some reflection about balance in one’s own life. The diagram shows a fairly well-balanced division of one’s time. An interesting exercise could be for each member of the family to compare their own daily activities with such an example.

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Areas of family, other relationships, work/school, God/church, rest/sleep and health-related activities can all be given a slice of the pie. How well-balanced would mine or yours be? A lot depends on our particular life situation too. It could be very different for an older person living alone, a single working mother, a young adult or a learner. Balance for the older person might include regular walks; for a busy mom it could mean taking just 15 minutes for one’s own interests; for a father to make time for the kids and a couple for one another. If you say about yourself or another, “You’re always doing this or that”, chances are that there is some imbalance. One of the three International Year of the Family themes is “work-family balance”, and involves time, interest and energy. The notion of new beginnings at this time of the year invites some real introspection. Is my family as I would like it to be? How was Christmas? Was there the sense of belonging we all hunger for? Have older Continued on page 11

Visit our Christmas archives at www.scross.co.za/ category/christmas

Chris Chatteris SJ

Pray with the Pope

Catholic Social Teachings

Does your family have balance? Toni Rowland I T is good to talk about balance at this time of the year, and also in the light of events around us. This month we mourned our beloved former president, Nelson Mandela. He was an icon, so we run the risk of deifying an admittedly exceptional human being. However, as a model his life challenges us to be all we can, in a balanced, lifegiving way. The coming year, 2014, has been named the International Year of the Family. The family theme chosen for the first month of the year is “New Beginnings, for Family Balance”. One could start by asking how balanced our families are, and that can be answered in different ways. Two boys, two girls used to be considered a well-balanced family. But nowadays the more common composition would be one of each. Then, is there a balance on the parenting level? A mom and a dad would still be seen as ideal, and yet it is not the most common form of family today. Many mothers, especially, have to perform a careful balancing act, being both mom and dad. In a group discussion recently about the importance of supporting our youth, a par-

The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

Shop with ethics General Intention: That all may promote authentic economic development that respects the dignity of all peoples.

LL? Well, some of us are obviously in a stronger position than others to “promote authentic economic development that respects the dignity of all peoples”. If I have some money I can certainly play my part. The question is, where I should invest my money and where should I exert my influence. The natural temptation is to invest where the greatest profit is to be made with the least risk. However, this intention is asking us to look beyond such considerations. “Authentic development” suggests something which makes a real difference in people’s lives and contributes to the common good. It would surely result in some sustainable and dignified employment. Hence, most religious congregations have codes of conduct for how they invest their assets. These codes are often couched in negative terms—no arms, no alcohol, no tobacco, no contraceptives, no child labour, and so on. We religious should not forget to consider the positives —investment which is good for poor people, which is good for the environment, which promotes equality and enhances health, education and culture. All of us actually make investments all the time. Every time we buy something we make an investment in something and our money goes somewhere. Those who run Fair Trade, and other organisations promoting ethical buying, know this. So it’s good to reflect on the quality of the thing I’m buying. Does it enhance my development and that of my family in all our human dimensions? And what of the company I am buying from? How does it treat its workers? What other things does it produce, and are they good for people and the planet? All this requires a little homework, but it’s not too difficult in a world of Google. So it would seem that we all can, even in very small ways, do something to promote authentic economic development, whether it’s in how we spend our money at the supermarket or to which charities we make donations. This is one of those intentions that can lead to a helpful self-examination and thence to a deeper discernment of the will of God in the practical choices we make in our lives.

Let’s walk together Missionary Intention: That Christians of diverse denomination may walk toward the unity desired by Christ.

HE book Trent: What happened at the Council, by John O’Malley SJ (Harvard University Press) is a fascinating account of the 16th-century council and an engaging picture of the rich cast of characters that participated in it, from popes to emperors. The popular view today is that Trent was about putting Luther and the Protestants in their place and establishing the Tridentine liturgy. Few saw it that way at the time. Secular rulers like the Holy Roman Emperor were keen to have a council in order to try to reconcile the CatholicProtestant divisions in their territories because they believed (rightly as it turned out) that if not healed these would lead to war and end up as permanent religious fault-lines. So, in the earlier phases the council invited Protestant theologians to attend, and there was actually one meeting with some of them on the margins of the council at one stage. One of the big debates early on was what to deal with first—the reform of the Church or theological questions posed by the Protestants. The emperor wanted to deal with reform first since he hoped that Protestants would have found it easier to be reconciled to a reformed Church than an unreformed one. In the end the issues were dealt with in tandem. Even though in the end there was a parting of the ways, the Council of Trent was always implicitly a response to the criticisms of the Reformers. One of the big issues at Trent was whether it was possible to insist on bishops and priests actually residing in their dioceses and parishes rather than just drawing the income from them from afar. That this seems amazing to us today is a tribute to the eventual success of Trent at stopping this abuse and others, such as bishops having multiple sees. O’Malley argues that the council initiated a process which slowly established things which today we take for granted, things such as seminaries and resident parish priests.

The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

COMMUNITY The Southern Cross is proud to announce in association with Mariannhill Mission Press a year-long monthly feature of

WEDDING PHOTOS open to all couples married in a Catholic church between November 30, 2013 and November 30, 2014.

St Henry’s Marist College in Glenwood, Durban, announced its head students for 2014. They are pictured with their counterparts from 2013. (Back row from left) head boy 2014 Michael Ross, head boy 2013 Scott Hiron, deputy head boy 2013 Pearce Jackson, deputy head boy 2014 Jean-Luc Tostee. (Front from left) head girl 2013 Emma Cipolla, head girl 2014 Savannah Cozzi, deputy head girl 2013 Jenna Baronet and deputy head girl 2014 Seni Sabela.

Iris and Ted Seabrook were honoured for 34 years of service to St John Bosco parish in Robertsham at a Mass of thanksgiving. They are pictured receiving a blessing from parish priest Fr John Thompson SDB.

Four Handmaids of Christ the Priest Sisters celebrated their silver jubilee at St Camillus parish in Hammanskraal, Johannesburg. Pictured are Srs Annastasia Khoase, Victoria Areas, Francina Molefe and Anna Montsitsi. A Christmas concert was held at Little Eden in Johannesburg founded by Domitilla and Danny Hyams. Pictured above is Pule on the drums and below Wynand representing Johannesburg at the concert.

At the end of the year-long feature, our jury panel and readers will choose a COUPLE OF THE YEAR with two runners-up who will receive prizes of photographic canvas prints sponsored by Mariannhill Mission Press.

The following T&Cs apply: 1. Photos may picture only the bride and the groom, and must be in horizontal format. Digital pictures must have a width of at least 640 pixels. 2. The caption must state the bride’s maiden name, the groom’s name, the names of the parents, the date of the wedding, the name and location of the church, and the name of the officiating priest. The name of the photographer (and website, if professional) may be given as well. 3. Please include contact details of the bridal couple. 4. Photos of weddings which did not take place in a church are acceptable provided a Catholic priest officiated at the ceremony. 5. Entry to the competition is open to couples residing in South Africa, Botswana, Swaziland, Namibia, Lesotho and Zimbabwe. 6 Photos must be received within eight weeks of the wedding. 7. By sending the photo to The Southern Cross you agree that the couple depicted consents to publication in print and on The Southern Cross’ website and/or Facebook page, and to use for promotional purposes related to The Southern Cross and (in reference to the competition) by Mariannhill Mission Press. 8. While The Southern Cross aims to publish most submitted photos that meet our guidelines, the number of photos that can be published will be subject to space constraints. 9. All published photos and a selection of unpublished photos will be featured on The Southern Cross’ website (www.scross.co.za). Send your wedding photos to weddings@scross.co.za or Wedding Pics, The Southern Cross, PO Box 232, Cape Town, 8000

Confirmands from Regina Pacis parish in Ladysmith, KwaZulu-Natal, are pictured with Fr John-Allen Green (back, second right), Bishop Graham Rose of Dundee (second left) and catechist Inky Powell (third left). Eight children from the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus parish, in Cambridge, East London, received their first Holy Communion. Parish priest Fr Varghese Kannanaickal CMI (centre back) is pictured with Leandro da Sila, Roxane Nelson, Tarryn Coetzee, Teliya Renga, Nicole Dilley, Camille Classen, Jemme Lee Ferreira and Caitlyn Coopoosamy.

Our Lady of the Angels parish in Park Rynie, Mariannhill, celebrated the building of their new tabernacle after the church was broken into and the tabernacle stolen. Through the donations of skills, materials and time, the parish community built a new tabernacle embedded in the wall. (Inset) The tabernacle is pictured with its mosaic door.

The Legion of Mary celebrated their 80th anniversary at Christ the King cathedral in Johannesburg.

The children of Holy Cross parish in District Six, Cape Town, received their first Holy Communion. They are pictured with parish priest Fr Giovanni Meneghetti CS.

The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

MEDIA

How media sexualises young girls A US report has outlined how girls are being sexualised in the media, a phenomenon that is also acute in South Africa. MARK PATTISON looks at the report and its recommendations.

HEN one-third of a report’s length is taken up with the citations used in producing it, you know it has been well researched. That’s the case with the American Psychological Association’s “Report of the APA Task Force on the Sexualisation of Girls” from 2010. Even though the report is close to four years old, it’s safe to say the situation it documents hasn’t reversed itself. Television is one of many culprits the report cites. Others include movies, magazines, clothing and the Internet. But just examining TV’s role in this situation would provide enough fodder for a report of its own. “Anyone—girls, boys, men, women—can be sexualised. But when children are imbued with adult sexuality, it is often imposed upon them rather than chosen by them,” the report said. “On prime-time television, girls can watch fashion shows in which models made to resemble little girls wear sexy lingerie,” the report said, referring to a “Victoria’s Secret Fashion Show” TV special. “With the plethora of media options available today, it is possible to access the latest news or the most popular song almost anywhere and anytime, yet it is also possible to be inundated by unwanted messages and material. Media content responds to demand and is a reflection of culture, but it also contributes to it,” the report noted. “Throughout US culture, and particularly in mainstream media, women and girls are depicted in a sexualising manner. These representations can be seen in virtually

every medium, including primetime television programmes, television commercials, music videos and magazines.” Young viewers of television “encounter a world that is disproportionately male, especially in youth-oriented programmes, and one in which female characters are significantly more likely than male characters to be attractive and provocatively dressed,” the report said. “Sexual comments and remarks are pervasive on television, and research has shown that they disproportionately sexually objectify women,” it said, citing a 1995 study that found that 11,5% of the verbal sexual messages “involved sexually objectifying comments, nearly all of which were about women”. Nor is this situation strictly limited to programming. The task force report cited a 1997 TV ad study where “women more often than men were shown in a state of undress, exhibited more ‘sexiness’, and were depicted as sexual objects” more than twice as often as men. “Beer commercials [in the US] have emerged as a particularly rich source of images that sexualise young women,” it said. “Of the 72 beer and non-beer ads randomly selected from prime-time sports and entertainment programming, 75% of the beer ads and 50% of the nonbeer ads were labelled as ‘sexist’, featuring women in very limited and objectifying roles.” Why all this concern? According to the report, “Girls learn about women’s expected roles in the world and strive to enact these expectations, because doing so brings specific rewards and because being consistent with expectations is itself rewarding. In addition, violations of the boundaries of these roles or ideologies can be met with punishment, denigration, and even violence.” In that context, it added, “sexualisation and objectification undermine confidence in and comfort with one’s own body, leading to a host of negative emotional consequences, such as shame, anxiety, and even self-disgust”.

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Mainstream media contributes significantly to the sexualisation and objectification of young girls. Parents and the Church can offer important alternatives to the values portrayed in popular culture. (Photo: Sam Oldenburg, Catholic Courier/CNS)

s the situation hopeless? Difficult, yes, but the report suggested several ways to counter the influence of sexualisation. One counter was media literacy. “There is an urgent need for girls to view media critically. Although components vary from programme to programme, media literacy training in general provides media consumers with analytical tools that promote autonomy and critical understanding of media,” the report said. As an example, it pointed to a study of college women that found “three media literacy programmes were effective in increasing women’s scepticism about the realism of images that promote a thin ideal of beauty, compared with a control group receiving no intervention”. The report highlighted another study showing that “high school

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girls who participated in a media literacy programme had less internalisation of the thin ideal and more questions about the realism of images than girls in a control group”. Faith and family are other effective counters, the report said. “Parents and other family members can help girls interpret sexualising cultural messages in ways that mitigate or prevent harm,” it explained. “Because sexualisation is often so pervasive as to seem normal and thus not even discernible to many girls, parents can make sexualisation visible by discussing media and other cultural messages with girls.” Regarding the influence of faith on the situation, the report said that “religious practices and social or political activism are also helpful strategies”. “Organised religious and other ethical instruction often begins

within the family and can offer girls important practical and psychological alternatives to the values conveyed by popular culture,” it continued. “When parents, through their religious or ethical practices, communicate the message that other characteristics are more important than sexuality, they help to counteract the strong and prevalent message that it is only girls’ sexuality that makes them interesting, desirable, or valuable.” It added: “By insisting that girls be allowed to remain girls and not be pushed into a precocious sexuality, they provide a haven where girls can develop at their own pace.” The reason the American Psychological Association brought renewed attention to the 2010 report this October was its authors’ fears over the increasingly sexual nature of girls’ Halloween costumes.—CNS

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The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

FAITH

Saint Nelson of Qunu? Could a man like Nelson Mandela be a saint? Should political activists be canonised? Fr PADDY NOONAN OFM looks at sainthood and at peacemakers.

SAINT, the British playwright Laurence Houseman once wrote, “is one who makes goodness attractive”. I dare to ask the question: could a soldier, a freedom fighter or leader of heroic resistance to structural sin or oppressive systems ever be canonised in the Catholic Church? Can people whose resistance to evil led to “collateral damage” (incidental destruction of civilian property and non-combatant casualties) be declared holy by the Church? Are they saint material? The answer is yes, because Catholics who were in the military—and perhaps killed in the line of duty, like Ss Francis of Assisi and Ignatius of Loyola—were canonised, as was the military leader St Joan of Arc. But Nelson Mandela? Alas, he was not a Catholic. Besides he claimed he wasn’t a saint; “I was a sinner who kept on trying,” he said. Somehow we are accustomed to believe that a freedom fighter’s chosen way of life or behaviour is outside the domain of holiness. But what if freedom fighters brought peace, justice, harmony and reconciliation to millions? What if they brought freedom of religion to a nation? Is peace, harmony, justice and reconciliation not the constant appeal, the daily prayer of Our Lady of Medjugorje? Pope Benedict XVI called it political holiness. It has always been zealous people who have promoted the cause of saints. Often their spirituality is strongly devotional and personal. One morning while I was un-

vesting in an Italian sacristy, a little man with a Hitler moustache gently touched me on the shoulder and asked me to sign a petition to have a local holy man canonised. When I emerged from the copious folds of the elaborately laced alb, he was gone, but it had been a near thing.

romoters of the cause of saints generally work from their particular, Euro-centric social framework and background. Their research, the written records they collect, are usually easily available and accessible. Without records, massive chunks of history go missing. That is why, in contrast to the transatlantic slave trade, there are no records of TransSaharan slavery, which lasted much longer, because the Arab merchants kept few records. Again, in Europe, candidates for sainthood were educated for the most part. They knew how to read and write. In our part of the planet history is transmitted orally. We therefore wish the cause of South Africa’s candidate for sainthood, Benedict Daswa, the very best. But making saints in some cultures calls for plan B. Even in the Western world, where the cult of saints is a long tradition, there remain questions around the Church’s choice of saints. You wonder who sets in motion saint-making: Santo subito!—make him a saint now! Is it something, a particular view of the world perhaps, maybe even an overly clerical construction of what it is to be holy? Is holiness to be found only in convents and religious orders? Why are the staunchly Catholic, sexually active and prayerful mothers and fathers of priests, brothers and sisters the world over in such obvious short supply in the calendar of the blesseds and saints? Do you and I have to be male, celibate, prudish and ordained in order to become saints? But back to our narrative. Pope

Bl Franz Jägerstätter

Nelson Mandela with PopeJohn Paul II, during his papal visit to Johannesburg in 1995. Fr Paddy Noonan asks if Mr Mandela could be a candidate for sainthood.

John Paul II canonised a Polish priest who was sent into exile after he took part in an uprising against the Russian tsar. The cynic might point out that the priest was Polish, like the pope, and perhaps received special favour. Nevertheless the signs are there. There is hope that with the martyrdom of Oscar Romero of El Salvador, the definition of holiness is expanding. Coming from outside Europe, one of the first acts of Pope Francis was to unblock the archbishop’s cause. Yes, something is moving. Up to recent times people involved in social transformation were seldom considered for sainthood. I’m thinking, for example, of Dorothy Day, the American activist. Somehow, they don’t fit into traditional devotional patterns, the holy picture image. Their activist love is too different; too extreme. And, it is whispered knowingly, too political. NEW PUBLICATION At the same time there Chris Moerdyk are similarities with our traditional saints. Both types are Christians without A collection of the best Southern Cross columns by one boundaries. Where they live of South Africa’s most popular writers. Read about the their lives, where they find day Nelson Mandela was sentenced, what the great their God, is often beyond thurible swinger did at Mass, why a 400km detour was us, in unfamiliar places. made to save the parents’ blushes, how Chris proved Most of us don’t go the Easter Bunny is real, and much more... Only R150 where agents of change dare (plus p&p) to go. We know little or nothing of the experience or of the toll on their—our prophets’—lives. The theolGünther Simmermacher ogy that motivates them is shunned in seminaries. But the perceived extremeness

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of their social actions may be the very thing that puts them in touch with the divine order. Of course, not all social reformers led spotless personal lives. One who apparently did was Pierre Toussaint. A Haitian slave who lived in New York, he once refused to lead a peaceful protest march against slavery, saying: “They do not know what they are doing. They have not seen blood flowing as I have,” referring to his native Haiti. In South Africa during the freedom struggle he would have been seen as a sellout, or at least someone with a question mark over his true loyalties in the hour of need. African-Americans might have called him an Uncle Tom, and Europeans perhaps a “moderate black”. Clearly he was not in the “saintly” socially involved league of Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi or Nelson Mandela. Recently, however, Toussaint was made a venerable of the Church, the first step to canonisation.

ut hark! As I have pointed out, there is reason for hope. Traditional thinking in the Church might be changing. In more modern times, in 2007, we saw the solemn beatification of Austrian farmer Franz Jägerstätter, who was beheaded by the Nazis because he refused to fight for Hitler. He was a conscientious objector who felt betrayed during the Second World War by the silence of his priests and bishops. In South Africa in the 1980s he would have received support from our bishops. The global south can relate to these kinds of saints.

Yes, it is a positive sign, a sign of greater, deeper and more inclusive discernment in the Church when we begin to hear of saints emerging from political struggles. Spirituality is expanding. Cardinal Camillo Ruini, papal vicar of Rome, in formally opening the diocesan phase of the process to canonise Fr Luigi Sturzo, founder of the Italian Popular Party, remarked: “Precisely because he was a priest, he considered it an obligation to exercise his priestly ministry in a field [party politics-author] which, while different from the norm, was no less important.” There are mixed opinions on this understanding of priests in party politics. It is frowned on by the Vatican, at least when it happens outside Europe, in spite of the fact that a priest might have much nonCatholic and non-Christian support (in India, for example) in environments hostile to the Church. Of course, being in a political party may be divisive for a pastor in a parish where party politics might be a burning issue. But some of the founding fathers of South Africa’s African National Congress were Christian ministers who happily combined ministry with politics. They clearly influenced for the better the early formative days of the movement. And today the Church, in retrospect, is proud of the Christian roots of the ANC and in general of the Christian background to the politics of the country. This Christian insertion in our politics, while fading in recent times, nevertheless received a great boost during the sittings of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu chaired the commission and insisted that the Christian ideal of forgiveness and repentance be adhered to as the nation went through a sacrament of public confession and reconciliation. How many invisible saints who will never be canonised did that commission bring to the surface? n Fr Paddy Noonan OFM is based in Sebokeng, archdiocese of Johannesburg.

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The Southern Cross, December 25 to December 31, 2013

CLASSIFIEDS

Br Norbert Scheepers OPraem

ORBERTINE BROTHER Norbert Scheepers, passed away on November 9 at the age of 77.

Born on December 9, 1935 in George, he was the first South African to join the Norbertine Order as a lay brother in 1950. He received the white habit from Fr Smeets, superior of Norbertine Fathers in South Africa, in 1962. Br Scheepers entered the order after special permission had been obtained from the Sacred Congregation of Religious in Rome to start a novitiate for lay brothers in Worcester. He made his simple profession in 1964 and his final profession in 1993. Br Scheepers used the building skills he had been taught by his father while growing up to build St Andrew's church in Ocean View in 1970. In December

1986 he began construction of St Norbert's church at Kommetjie, assisted by only one labourer. This beautiful building on the hill, with sea views was completed after four years of gruelling hard work. He also built the church and church hall for the parish in Worcester, as well as the convent, school and priests’ house. Br Scheepers also built a church, the priests’ house and a school in De Doorns. In spite of leaving a magnificent legacy, he remained a modest and simple man who never complained, even though he experienced chronic pain for several years. Br Scheepers will be deeply missed by his confreres and parishioners of Worcester, Ocean View and Kommetjie. Fr Sebastian OPraem

Finding balance in the family Continued from page 7 parents, children and grandchildren each moved to different planets? Talking to one another about this is important but not easy. To talk about expectations and aspirations for the year ahead, it demands balance in itself to accept one another’s different objectives, a balance between privacy and community. I always used to say marriage is like walking a tight-rope with one’s eyes closed; a balancing act in which one can-

not see clearly where one is going. Not everything in family life can be predetermined but some preparation and coordination could be of great help for one’s family health and wellbeing, which are our primary responsibility. Even God’s slice of the piece needs to be evaluated together with the Church’s. God knows it is his pie, he made it and is within the whole of it. Our task in our families is to increase our consciousness of that, starting now at the beginning of a new year.

Our bishops’ anniversaries

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 582. ACROSS: 4 Forgive, 8 Lariat, 9 Stand it, 10 Undone, 11 Obeyed, 12 Handmaid, 18 Next door, 20 Bureau, 21 Ararat, 22 Finally, 23 Judges, 24 Addenda. DOWN: 1 Ploughs, 2 Trident, 3 Magnum 5 Orthodox, 6 Ganges, 7 Veiled, 13 Annulled, 14 Courage, 15 Protest, 16 Buried, 17 Decade, 19 Tarsus.

This week we congratulate: December 23: Bishop Graham Rose of Dundee on his 61st birthday. December 26: Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg on his 65th birthday.

Community Calendar

Liturgical Calendar Year A Weekdays Cycle Year 2

To place your event, call Claire Allen at 021 465 5007 or e-mail c.allen@scross.co.za (publication subject to space)

Sunday, December 29, Holy Family Sirach 3:2-7, 12-14, Psalm 128:1-5, Colossians 3:12-21 or 3:12-17, Matthew 2:13-15, 19-23 Monday, December 30 1 John 2:12-17, Psalm 96:7-10, Luke 2:36-40 Tuesday, December 31 1 John 2:18-21, Psalm 96:1-2, 11-13, John 1:1-18 Wednesday, January 1, Mother of God Numbers 6:22-27, Psalm 67:2-3, 5-6, 8, Galatians 4:4-7, Luke 2:16-21 Thursday, January 2, Ss Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen 1 John 2:22-28, Psalm 98:1-4, John 1:19-28 Friday, January 3, Most Holy Name of Jesus Philippians 2:5-11, Psalm 113:1-8, Matthew 1:1823 Saturday, January 4, St Elizabeth Ann Seton 1 John 3:7-10, Psalm 98:1, 7-9, John 1:35-42 Sunday, January 5, Epiphany of the Lord Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72:1-2, 7-8, 10-13, Ephesians 3:2-3, 5-6, Matthew 2:1-12

CAPE TOWN: Padre Pio: Holy Hour 15:30 every 3rd Sunday of the month at Holy Redeemer parish in Bergvliet. Helpers of God’s Precious Infants meet the last Saturday of the month except in December, starting with Mass at 9:30 am at the Sacred Heart church in Somerset Road, Cape Town. Mass is followed by a vigil and procession to Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Bree

Street. For 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.

Word of the Week

CLASSIFIEDS

Births • First Communion • Confirmation • Engagement/Marriage • Wedding anniversary • Ordination jubilee • Congratulations • Deaths • In memoriam • Thanks • Prayers • Accommodation • Holiday Accommodation • Personal • Services • Employment • Property • Others Please include payment (R1,25 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication. IN MEMORIAM

ALHO—Joáo Goncalves, passed away January 2, 2012. Joáo you will always be in our hearts and our prayers. Always remembered by your wife Julia, children Connie and Johnny and grandchildren. CARLISLE—Kathleen. Dearest mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who died suddenly on December 24, 2004 at the age of 94. Loved by all who knew you, your magnificent devotion to God and family will never be forgotten. You are now joined in peace with your beloved husband for all eternity. Thank you for being such a wonderful example to all and for all the love you shared with everyone. Your loving children Francis, Philip, John and Athalie and all grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. SWARDLING—Reece Dex. October 5, 1988— December 20, 2012. Our precious baby son answered yes to JESuS. Loved and missed each passing minute of the day. The love of my life— cherished forever Mum, Dad, Olivia, Reagan and niece Trinity and Gran Toots, Zain, Nicole and Zailee. All your cousins and families. GRATEFuL THANKS TO ALL FOR LOVE, PRAYERS AND SuPPORT. PERSONAL

ABORTION WARNING: The pill can abort (chemical abortion) Catholics must be told, for their eternal welfare and the survival of their unborn infants. See www.epm. org/static/uploads/down loads/bcpill.pdf NOTHING is politically right if it is morally wrong. Abortion is evil. Value life! www.abortioninstru ments.com is the graphic truth that will set you free. THANKS

THANKSGIVING to Our Lady of Schoenstatt for

prayers answered, Stephanie. PRAYERS

THANKS be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, For all the benefits thou hast won for me, For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, May I know thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly, And follow thee more nearly, For ever and ever.

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your loving care my sick body, worried mind, my emotional wounds and sinful nature. I believe that only You have the power to heal me completely. Loving Father, I trust in Your love for me, Help me to love You more. Help me to increase my faith in You. I surrender to you (here mention your illness or emotional hurt) Cleanse me with the precious blood of Jesus, purify me and set me free from anger, resentment, hatred, unresolved hurts and greed. Help me to remember that the power of the Holy Trinity dwells within me and all power to forgive and overcome sin is in me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Your peace. Amen. THANKS

Grateful thanks to the Sacred Heart and St Jude for prayers answered. LS.

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

YOU, o eternal Trinity, are a deep sea into which, the more I enter, the more I find. And the more I find, the more I seek. o abyss, o eternal Godhead, o sea profound, what more could you give me than yourself? Prayer of Awe— St Catherine of Siena. ST MICHAEL the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen. MY most loving Father, You have promised, “I am the God who heals you” (Exodus 15:26) I place in

PSALMODY: The chanting of psalms in divine worship. It passed over from the synagogue to the early Church, following the example of Christ. PROPITIATION: To placate or appease an angry person. It is one of the three fruits of every good work; the others are impetration and merit. It is also one of the four ends of the sacrifice of the Mass, whose propitiatory power extends to sin, to satisfaction and punishment for the living, and to punishment for the dead.—Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr John Hardon SJ

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GOD BLESS AFRICA Guard our people, guide our leaders and give us peace. Luke 11:1-13

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The Southern Cross is published independently by the Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Company Ltd. Address: PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000. Tel: (021) 465 5007 Fax: (021) 465 3850 www.scross.co.za Editor: Günther Simmermacher (editor@scross.co.za), Business Manager: Pamela Davids (admin@scross.co.za), Advisory Editor: Michael Shackleton, News Editor: Claire Mathieson (c.mathieson@scross.co.za), Editorial: Claire Allen (c.allen@scross.co.za), Mary Leveson (m.leveson@scross.co.za) Advertising: Elizabeth Hutton (advertising@scross.co.za), Subscriptions: Avril Hanslo (subscriptions@scross.co.za), Dispatch: Joan King (dispatch@scross.co.za), Accounts: Desirée Chanquin (accounts@scross.co.za). Directors: C Moerdyk (Chairman), Archbishop S Brislin, P Davids*, S Duval, E Jackson, B Jordan, M Lack (uK), Sr H Makoro CPS, M Salida, G Simmermacher*, Z Tom

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Feast of the Epiphany: January 5 Readings: Isaiah 60:1-6, Psalm 72: 2, 7-8, 10-13, Ephesians 3:2-3a, 5-6, Matthew 2:112

EXT Sunday we enter a new stage of our celebration of Christmas, with Epiphany, feast of light. It celebrates the revelation of the infant Jesus to the world that longs for him; but it also emphasises that this extraordinary moment is a part of the ancient story of God and the People of God. The first reading makes this quite clear: “arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has shone upon you”. And it reminds us how much the light was needed: “Look! Darkness has covered the earth and thick cloud the peoples.” In its original setting, this beautiful poem refers to a time when God’s people in Jerusalem had quite lost hope, and needed to be encouraged. If that is also your story, then perhaps you need to sit with this poem, and find encouragement in the hopeful message that “the nations shall walk in your light, and kings in your shining radiance”. You see, in your sense of hopelessness there may be concealed a vocation to spread God’s life to your darkened world: “As you see [it], you will be radiant, your heart will throb and thrill. For the riches of the sea shall pass on to you, the wealth of nations shall come

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May the light shine upon you Nicholas King SJ

Sunday Reflections

to you.” There is something to celebrate here. The psalm is also a celebration; but it has a bit of a twist to it. It acclaims the coronation of a new king, and then, avoiding any of the flattery that you might expect, gives him clear warning about how he is to reign: “May he judge your people with righteousness, and the poor with justice.” It is true that the poet asks for him to rule “from Sea to Sea”, presumably the Red (or Dead) to the Mediterranean, and “from the River to the ends of the earth” and that “all kings may bow before him”; but he has a duty to recall his mission-statement: “He will rescue the poor when they cry, and the oppressed who have no helper; he shows pity to the needy and the poor.”

No king of Israel or Judah ever lived up to this demanding requirement; but currently we are celebrating the birth of Jesus, who behaved in precisely this way, and who asks the same of us. In the second reading, Paul, or his successor, is celebrating God’s unconditional gift, including the remarkable fact that God’s “plan” or “mystery”, his ancient dealing with the people of God, opens out to all the world, so that “the gentiles are co-heirs and part of the body, and sharers in the promise, in Christ Jesus, through the gospel”. The gospel for next Sunday presents this opening out to non-Jews in very dramatic form. It is set precisely in the context of the People of God, but also offers a vision for us of the enthusiasm of the Gentiles for the message. It starts “in the days of Herod the King”, and in Jerusalem. So we think that we know where we are; then, however, we are shaken because a bunch of unbelieving foreigners turn up and ask for the whereabouts of the “one born King of the Jews”. They have got it right, of course, in their stargazing; and Herod has got it wrong.

The importance of waking from sleep to experience the spiritual I N his autobiography, Report to Greco, the writer Nikos Kazantzakis recounts a conversation he once had with an old monk. Kazantzakis, a young man at the time, was visiting a monastery and was very taken by a famed ascetic, Fr Makarios, who lived there. But a series of visits with the old monk left him with some ambivalent feelings as well. The monk’s austere lifestyle stirred a certain religious romanticism in Kazantzakis, but it repelled him too; he wanted the romanticism, but in a more palatable way. Here’s their conversation as Kazantzakis records it: “Yours is a hard life, Father. I too want to be saved. Is there no other way?” “More agreeable?” asked the ascetic, smiling compassionately. “More human, Father.” “One, only one.” “What is that?” “Ascent. To climb a series of steps. From the full stomach to hunger, from the slaked throat to thirst, from joy to suffering. God sits at the summit of hunger, thirst, and suffering; the devil sits at the summit of the comfortable life. Choose.” “I am still young. The world is nice. I have time to choose.” Reaching out, the old monk touched my knee and said: “Wake up, my child. Wake up before death wakes you up.” I shuddered and said: “I am still young.” “Death loves the young,” the old man

Classic Conrad

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Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

replied. “The inferno loves the young. Life is like a lighted candle, easily extinguished. Take care—wake up!” Wake up! Wake up before death wakes you up. In a less dramatic expression that’s a virtual leitmotif in the Gospels. Jesus is always telling us to wake up, to stay awake, to be vigilant, to be more alert to a deeper reality. What’s meant by that? How are we asleep to depth? How are we to wake up and stay awake? How are we asleep? All of us know how difficult it is for us to be inside the present moment, to not be asleep to the real riches inside our own lives. The distractions and worries of daily life tend to so consume us that we habitually take for granted what’s most precious to us, our health, the miracle of our senses, the love and friendships that surround us, and the gift of life itself. We go through our daily lives not only with a lack of reflectiveness and lack of gratitude but with a habitual touch of resentment as well—a chronic, grey depression, as Robert Moore calls it. We are very much

asleep, both to God and to our own lives. How do we wake up? Today there’s a rich literature that offers us all kinds of advice on how to get into the present moment so as to be awake to the deep riches inside our own lives. While much of this literature is good, little of it is very effective. It invites us to live each day of our lives as if was our last day, but we simply can’t do that. It’s impossible to sustain that kind of intentionality and awareness over a long period of time. An awareness of our mortality does wake us up, as does a stroke, a heart attack, or cancer; but that heightened-awareness is easier to sustain for a short season of our lives than it is for 20, 30, 40, or 50 years. Nobody can sustain that kind of awareness all the time. None of us can live 70 or 80 years as if each day was his or her last day. Or can we? Spiritual wisdom offers a nuanced answer here: We can and we can’t! On the one hand, the distractions, cares, and pressures of everyday life will invariably have their way with us and we will, in effect, fall asleep to what’s deeper and more important inside of life. But it’s for this reason that every major spiritual tradition has daily rituals designed precisely to wake us from spiritual sleep, akin to an alarm clock waking us from physical sleep. It’s for this reason we need to begin each day with prayer. What happens if we don’t pray on a given morning is not that we incur God’s wrath, but rather that we tend to miss the morning, spending the hours until noon trapped inside a certain dullness of heart. The same can be said about praying before meals. We don’t displease God by not first centering ourselves in gratitude before eating, but we miss out on the richness of what we’re doing. Liturgical prayer and the Eucharist have the same intent, among their other intentions. They’re meant to, regularly, call us out of a certain sleep. None of us lives each day of our lives as if it was his or her last day. Our heartaches, headaches, distractions, and busyness invariably lull us to sleep. That’s forgivable; it’s what it means to be human. So we should ensure that we have regular spiritual rituals, spiritual alarm clocks, to jolt us back awake—so that it doesn’t take a heart attack, a stroke, cancer, or death to wake us up.

We should notice, though, that what the astrologers are saying is perfectly accurate, for Herod immediately asks his religious experts for a view on where the Messiah was to be born (and he would not be doing that if he were not convinced that these non-Jews have stumbled on the truth). His response, however, is that the upstart has to be killed (a process which he conceals under the mendacious disguise of “worship”), so he endeavours to use these strangers as pawns, to spy on his behalf where to find the Messiah. But God, not Herod, is in charge, and so when the magi have performed their worship, and given their gifts, they receive a dream that diverts them away from Jerusalem; so we breathe a sigh of relief, and celebrate the birth and continued life of this little child. However, we may also reflect that in this story, the alliance of the religious and political powers foreshadows the death that awaits the newly-born one at the end of the gospel. Can we still celebrate what God has done? We can, because God remains faithful to the story of his people, and all will be well, even if we cannot see how.

Southern Crossword #582

ACROSS 4 Pardon (7) 8. A trail the cowboy may use (6) 9. Endure something while not sitting (5,2) 10. How you leave what you have failed to do (6) 11. Observed a commandment (6) 12. A title Mary applied to herself (8) 18. Where love for your neighbour may begin (4,4) 20. Rub back with French water at the writing desk (6) 21. Noah’s ark’s resting place (Gn 8) (6) 22. At last! (7) 23. Biblical book found on the bench (6) 24. Dead and supplementary to the book (7)

DOWN 1. They make furrows for the seeds (7) 2. King Neptune’s fork (7) 3. Opus featuring champagne? (6) 5. Sound in doctrine, like Eastern Church (8) 6. Sacred river (6) 7. Obscured, like a strictorder nun (6) 13. Declared void (8) 14. The brave shows he has it (7) 15. Show your objection (7) 16. Hidden underground (6) 17. Ten beads (6) 19. Saul’s home town (6)

Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

HEN a small boy came home from Sunday school, his father asked him what he had learned that day. “The teacher told us about the Children of Israel escaping from Egypt,” the boy replied, “and when they came to the Red Sea they pumped up their inflatable boats so they could get away from the Pharaoh’s soldiers.” “Now, wait a minute,” said Dad. “Is that the way it really happened?” The little boy replied: “If I told it the way she did, you would never believe it.” Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.