140101 by The Southern Cross

The

S outhern C ross

January 1 to January 7, 2014

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

The Vatican’s historic year 2013

No 4855

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Hollywood rediscovers religion

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Priest: I forgive racist attackers BY MATHIBELA SEBOTHOMA & STAFF REPORTERS

A Fr Victor Phalana (right) and parishioner Martin Wamba after they were attacked by racist thugs. Fr Phalana said he follows the examples of Jesus and the late Nelson Mandela in forgiving his assailants. (Photo: Mathibela Sebothoma)

St Augustine not moving yet BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

OUTH AFRICA’S Catholic university, St Augustine College in Johannesburg, will begin the new academic year at its Victory Park premises, which the institution had planned to sell to weather a financial crisis. Negotiations are currently underway with a donor about a plan to help the university stay in its current location. The past year was tumultuous, with the university coming into financial troubles, which forced the tough decision to close its undergraduate programme for 2014 and to consider selling its northern Johannesburg campus. Undergraduate students and their teachers were assisted in finding placement in other tertiary institutions. But now ground is being made as the university turns a new leaf under new guidance. The year 2014 is set to be a positive year for the university, said its president, Sr Madge Karecki SSJ-TOSF, who succeeded Fr Michael van Heerden in late 2013. “Post-graduate courses are going on and they begin in January,” said Sr Karecki. The university is taking on new post-graduate students, and “we are working hard to assure the future of the college”, she said. “Issues are still not rectified completely, but we are working on them. We are doing things that good management requires, like streamlining our costs without diminishing our ability to provide excellent education for

students who want to grow in knowledge and become the person they were created to be,” the new president told The Southern Cross. The college is already abuzz with activity. “We have more than 23 masters of philosophy students at the moment coming for the teaching week, while other students are in the process of writing the required research papers.” Sr Karecki said she is optimistic about St Augustine’s position and that there is a hopeful mood on campus thanks to support from the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Knights of da Gama. New financial and marketing plans are in development, as well as best practice organisational practices and policies to “make sure we are on a real course of sustainability”. Sr Karecki, who returned to South Africa from her native United States to head the college, said everything possible is being done to keep South Africa’s only Catholic university open and to ensure educational security for its students. “St Augustine is a Catholic college that is open to all people. We need support and we need students if we are going to have an educated Catholic population,” she said. “Here students not only gain knowledge; they also gain a perspective on their lives, the country and the world, based on a dynamic educational tradition that is values-based and rooted in respect for all humanity and the created world,” Sr Karecki said.

PRIEST who was assaulted by racists has said he forgives his attackers, adding that he believes that the attack was an act of retaliation for the attention the late Nelson Mandela received in December. Fr Victor Phalana, vicar-general of the archdiocese of Pretoria and administrator of the Sacred Heart cathedral, and parishioner Martin Wamba were attacked near Gezina on their way to a wedding. As they were assaulted, the group of three white men demanded: “Where is your Mandela now?” Fr Phalana said the group of “white hooligans” were aged between 20 and 30. He did not see the registration plates of their vehicles. The priest recalled that one of the attackers asked him whether he was a pastor, which Fr Phalana, who was wearing his clerical collar, confirmed. The man then punched him. “These hooligans thought that by beating me up, they were retaliating against the attention Nelson Mandela was getting on his funeral,” he said. “Some people are angry at the attention he is receiving. Ordinary men and women are going to pay the price for that. Let us go forth and not be afraid.” However, the priest stressed, “this does not mean that all whites are racists”, adding that he has also experienced “the true rainbow nation”. “The beating I suffered is nothing compared to the 27 years of Madiba in prison. The humiliation I suffered from these boers is nothing compared to the suffering of the millions of South Africans at the hands of our oppressors. I will not retaliate,” Fr Phalana said.

nstead he forgives them. “I do not need to know who they are. I simply forgive them because Mandela taught us to forgive our enemies. Jesus taught us go forgive and bless our enemies,” he said. “The blows I got and the insults: what are they, compared to the deaths of Steve Biko, Chris Hani, Solomon Mahlangu and the Riberios? We forgive them. We are going to forgive them because without that, there is no future for South Africa,” Fr Phalana said. He added that “all non-racists must stand up and really speak out against racism”. Mr Wamba, who came to South Africa from Cameroon five years ago, said that this had been his first experience of racial violence.

Recounting the incident, Fr Phalana said he and Mr Wamba had stopped their car when they heard hooting from a bakkie and a red car behind them. Thinking the drivers were trying to attract their attention, Fr Phalana and Mr Wamba stopped and exited their cars, as did the three men who then launched into the assault. Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria, said he was shocked to see the wounds incurred by Fr Phalana and Mr Wamba. “I do not expect such racist behaviour when South Africa and the international community are celebrating Nelson Mandela, the champion of non-racialism and national reconciliation.” He appealed to religious communities and the government to work hard in dealing with racism. “We must really pray hard.” “Such attacks should not be tolerated by anyone,” he added.

ity of Tshwane municipality councillor Joe Mkhize, speaking on behalf of the metropolitan municipality, said that “this isolated incident is not a true reflection of race relations in Tshwane”. He said the people of Tshwane and South Africans in general are warming to one another, adding that the reason the assault onFr Phalana and Mr Wamba made news was because such incidents are rare. A recent study conducted by the South African Reconciliation Barometer concluded that class and not race is the barrier to nation-building. The study also said that white people are more economically privileged than their African counterparts and that white people should not complain about “reverse racism”. Fr Smangaliso Mkhatshwa, a Catholic priest and chairman of the Moral Regeneration Movement, said “all sectors of society must accelerate the process of building a non-racial united nation”. “It is for this reason that a democracy such as ours, which has emerged from the apartheid ashes, should be founded on sound moral values that will inculcate in each of us a sense of national pride, oneness and commitment to the common good,” Fr Mkhatshwa said. He said “our past as a nation is nothing to be entirely proud of, yet it could teach us a lesson or two as we shape a society in which a bright future for all under the sun is guaranteed”. South Africans must be committed that “racism will never again be part of our lives,” he said.

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The Southern Cross, January 1 to January 7, 2014

LOCAL

Debut meeting for deaf ministry STAFF REPORTER

HE first-ever meeting of priests, sisters and laity involved in pastoral ministry to the deaf took place at Koinonia, Johannesburg, to discuss and build upon the ministry in Southern Africa. “The purpose of the meeting was to share on how to coordinate and develop pastoral ministry to the deaf throughout the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) region,” said Dominican Father Mark James. Representatives came from Cape

Town, Mariannhill, Manzini, Port Shepstone and Johannesburg to reflect on the challenges facing deaf Catholics. In his signed address, Dr Lucas Magongwa, senior lecturer at the Centre for Deaf Studies at Wits University and a member of the national executive of DeafSA, highlighted that many deaf Catholics feel marginalised in Catholic parishes. He suggested that the trend of deaf Catholics going to other churches can be reversed if pastoral ministry to the deaf can take into

account the following factors: South African Sign Language (SASL) interpretation be made more widely available in Catholic parishes; priests learn SASL to preach, hear confessions and say Mass in ways that speak to the deaf experience; and that in liturgies deaf Catholics be encouraged to express themselves in signed song and start signing choirs. “Other challenges that emerged from the reports of the various regions highlighted the need for catechetical resources to be signed on DVD in SASL; to ensure greater col-

laboration between Catholic deaf schools and pastoral outreach after school for deaf Catholics; to develop solidarity among deaf Catholics across the country; and to reach deaf Catholics in those dioceses and regions where there is no organised pastoral ministry,” Fr James told The Southern Cross, adding that it would be necessary to sensitise seminarians, priests and deacons to the experiences of deaf people in their parishes and how to include them fully into parish life. Fr James and Fr Lufeyo Mpaha CMM were elected to coordinate

the activities of the group for the next year. In his closing address, Fr Grant Emmanuel, associate secretary general of the SACBC, expressed his appreciation for being invited to the “eye-opening meeting,” citing that it was his first experience of engaging with and discussing the challenges and issues facing deaf Catholics. He said it was important that the initiatives proposed be carried forward, adding that he would be willing to offer his assistance and that of the bishops’ conference wherever possible.

Music of hope from Catholic brothers’ gospel band BY PORTIA MTHEMBu

HE Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill Brothers Gospel Band is in the process of releasing its fourth gospel album that carries with it a message of ubuntu; a quality the band recognises is scarce in today’s society. Hailing from the Mariannhill Monastery, the band believes that musical talent can be used to trigger interest among its young people, as it is an important ministry in the liturgy. “As God’s people we are created to contribute in making our world a better place to live in,” said Fr Lawrence Mota CMM, who facilitates the band. “There are a lot of happenings that are contributing to spiritual and human value decay and the loss of respect for human life, and our question is: Where is the spirit of ubuntu?” he asked. Through the use of music, the band also aims to contribute to the process of evangelisation. By inviting young people to actively participate in the Church and society, the band wishes to help bring a mes-

sage of hope, and challenge the lifestyle that insults the value and dignity of human life, Fr Mota told The Southern Cross. “No matter what is happening we need to hold hands and revive the spirit of ubuntu, starting from the family set-up—the foundation of both human and spiritual integrity. If the family set-up is not functioning properly, the side effect on the children produced from that experience will have an impact on our society,” Fr Mota said. Realising the number of young people in the Church who displayed various musical talents, Fr Mota decided to form the religious band in 2009. “As time went on, I reflected on the talent of the young people and saw that it would be unfair to allow such talents to be wasted or taken for granted,” he said. For him, uniting these young people to form the CMM Brothers Gospel Band became a way of cultivating and nurturing their talents so that they could be identified and used for the common good—a necessity that has formed part of the band’s purpose. Novices and mem-

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bers of the congregation now make up the band whose musical talents vary from guitar, flute, drum and keyboard playing, to traditional instruments that reflect the band members’ backgrounds. Speaking about the band’s next album release, Fr Mota told The Southern Cross that the album would be “a symbol of new hope and new life,” as it is expected to be available during Easter. Apart from sharing a message of ubuntu, Christian communities of all ages who appreciate gospel music will also find a message that reminds society to embrace respect for human life, he said. The 10-track CD will speak about the dangers of drug and alcohol abuse as well as emphasise the importance of parental guidance. n Copies of the album will be available at the Mariannhill Monastery Repository (078 462 8113/031 700 1031) and at Catholic bookshops. Due to high demand, copies of the Vol. 3 CD, Sihawukele Baba, have also been reproduced and are available at the Mariannhill Monastery Repository on a first come, first serve basis, at a cost of R60 per CD.

Band members of the CMM Brothers Gospel Band show their varied instruments.

Winemakers to celebrate St Vincent’s day STAFF REPORTER

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“Feel free to bring your own wine for lunch and La Pineta very kindly do not charge corkage on the day,” Mr Hughes said. A special collection will also be taken at the Mass for the benefit of Stellenbosch Hospice. n For more information on the special Mass, contact Dave Hughes on hughesd@iafrica.com or 021 865 2175.

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The Southern Cross, January 1 to January 7, 2014

LOCAL

Catholic radio station launches in Zim BY STAFF REPORTER

LL over Zimbabwe people are getting together to start community radios to complement the government-controlled broadcasting media and bypass their monopoly. With the launch of Radio Chiedza, young Catholics are hoping to do the same. Radio Chiedza, meaning Radio Light, is a project supported by Jesuit Communications in Zimbabwe. The station was officially launched in Harare earlier last month and is “pushing hard for a licence to start a Catholic community radio,” said Fr Oskar Wermter SJ of Imbisa’s pastoral and communications department. Busi Chindove, a former newscaster and television personality, endorsed the plan wholeheartedly and urged the enthusiastic crowd to accept responsibility for the new venture and to make it their own radio as members of the Church. “Now is the time for Radio Chiedza,” she told the people, refusing to be discouraged by the fact that so far no community radio has been given a licence yet. Some radio stations including Radio Dialogue in Bulawayo and Community Radio Harare have been struggling to obtain a licence for nearly ten years. “Radio Chiedza must create space for ordinary persons,” she concluded. Fr Stephen Buckland SJ, the Jesuit provincial superior of Zimbabwe, launched the project by unveiling the mission and vision statements.

Radio Chiedza hopes to involve young Catholics across Zimbabwe. “Radio Chiedza will be guided by Christian values. It will give the Church a voice,” said Fr Wermter. The ambitious initiative has received praise from the local Church, including Archbishop Robert Ndlovu of Harare, who said he was happy about the initiative and that it is very much needed. Fr Wermter said the station hopes to give a voice to the people. “What the listeners, expected to include non-Catholics, even non-

Christians, have to say, will be heard too.” “It will be a participatory broadcaster,” stressed Fr Nigel Johnson SJ, who for a long time worked with young people in Bulawayo in community broadcasting. Gift Mambipiri, the young director of Jesuit Communications, said he is confident he can convince even Jonathan Moyo, minister of information and past architect of the media monopoly of the ruling party, that

Zimbabwe needs community broadcasters like Radio Chiedza. Apart from the need for an independent broadcaster in Zimbabwe, Fr Wermter said Catholic media is hugely popular in the region. “South Africa has Radio Veritas, Mozambique and Angola had Church broadcasting stations even before independence. Zambia which has had diocesan radios for years is about to launch a Catholic television station. The Jesuit Insti-

tute in Johannesburg uses the new media in cyberspace to put out their weekly messages. DVDs with church music are popular everywhere. Church magazines and weekly papers played a part in the struggle for freedom from racism.” The new station is also an answer to Imbisa’s bishops’ desire to have a stronger voice in the region for good governance and social justice. “While we will always want writers and broadcasters who can articulate the Church’s message through secular media in the idiom of the day, the Church also needs media of her own,” Fr Wermter told The Southern Cross. “The Church has the message. But at times she completely fails to get it across. What the Church has to say about sexuality and procreation, marriage and family is profoundly positive and constructive. It is about love and life. So how come people feel the Church is a spoilsport with a negative and unattractive message?” The Jesuit added that Catholic social doctrine would be hugely beneficial for the people as well as being a tool for things like Pope Francis’ questionnaire on family and marriage. “We need platforms where we can meet and talk. What better way than a Church community radio?” “Let listeners also be talkers, let Church media be participatory. Then give [listeners] the Gospel message as really ‘good news’ , answering their genuine questions.”

Ordination of deacons a first for Consolata Missionaries BY STAFF REPORTER

OR the first time since the order arrived in South Africa about 40 years ago, the Consolata Missionaries have ordained four brothers to the order of deacons. The group form part of the pioneer set of students sent five years ago to open a new theological seminary at Merrivale. After successfully completing their studies at St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, Patrick Mrosso and Kidane Ashuro were sent for their year of service in Newcastle at Madadeni and Osizweni missions, while Josephat Mwanke and Samuel-Francis Onyango were sent to Daveyton parish in the archdiocese of Johannesburg. The four deacons were ordained at St Martin de Porres parish in Woodlands, Pietermaritzburg, by fellow Consolata Missionary Bishop

José Luis Ponce de León of Ingwavuma. A day before their ordination, the four candidates took their final vows at the Consolata theological seminary in Merrivale in the presence of the delegate superior Fr James Mwigani in front of parishioners, friends and missionaries. The newly ordained deacons were also addressed by Bishop Graham Rose of Dundee who asked whether the four “are weak enough to be ordained deacons?” The bishop explained that there is a tendency to estimate a person’s aptitude by listing his strength. This, he said, is not benificial because when we dwell so much on our strength, we block God’s grace. “Weakness relates us profoundly with other people. It allows us to feel with them the human condition, the human struggle and darkness and anguish that call out for

salvation. Weakness more profoundly relates us to God, because it provides the arena in which his grace can be seen,” Bishop Rose told the deacons. In his sermon during the ordination, Bishop Ponce de León called upon the candidates to embrace the word of God and the Eucharist in order to give birth to charity. He reminded the four that they should not see ordination as a promotion but rather as a demotion because they are being removed from their comfort zones and lowered to the service of the poorest of the poor. Bishop Ponce de León said deacons are called to prepare food for the people of God at the table of the Lord, and we can only prepare good food if we put God at the centre of our lives. If God is removed, deacons fall in danger of not giving people good food but leftovers.

For the first time in 40 years, the Consolata Missionaries have ordained four new deacons, seen here with Bishop José Luis Ponce de León.

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INTERNATIONAL

Bishops slam vote to allow kids to choose euthanasia

Vatican’s highlights of 2013: A historic year

BY JONATHAN LuxMOORE

BY FRANCIS x ROCCA

N terms of Vatican news, 2013 was surely one of the most eventful years in living memory. Here are the highlights at a glance: February 11: Pope Benedict XVI announces that he will become the first pope in more than 600 years to resign. February 25: Cardinal Keith O’Brien of Scotland, under accusation of “inappropriate conduct” with priests, announces that he will not vote in the upcoming papal conclave. February 28: On his last day in office, Pope Benedict flies to the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo in a spectacular helicopter ride televised around the world. March 13: Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio of Buenos Aires, Argentina, is elected pope. The first pope from the Americas and the first Jesuit to hold the office, he is also the first to take the name Francis. March 26: The Vatican announces that Pope Francis will not move into the papal apartments in the Apostolic Palace but remain in the Vatican guesthouse, where he stayed during the conclave. April 13: The Vatican announces that Pope Francis has named an international group of eight cardinals to advise him on governance of the universal church and reform of the Vatican bureaucracy. (The pope formally establishes the body as the Council of Cardinals in September.) May 2: Retired Pope Benedict returns from Castel Gandolfo and moves into a refurbished monastery within the Vatican walls. June: Leaked notes from Pope Francis’ private June 6 meeting with leaders of religious orders in Latin America describe the pope referring to a “gay lobby” in the Vatican. July 5: The Vatican announces that Pope Francis has cleared the way for the canonisations of Blesseds John XXIII and John Paul II. The same day, the Vatican publishes Pope Francis’ first encyclical, Lumen Fidei (“The Light of Faith”), which he acknowledges to have been written mostly by Pope Benedict. July 8: Pope Francis visits the southern Mediterranean Island of Lampedusa, a major entry point for immigrants without permission to enter Europe, where he decries hostility and indifference to the immigrants’ plight. July 22-28: Pope Francis visits Brazil for World Youth Day. His

Pope Francis celebrates Mass in the piazza outside the basilica of St Francis in Assisi on October 4, on his first pilgrimage as pope to the birthplace of his papal namesake. (Photo: L’Osservatore Romano/CNS) modest car is mobbed on the streets of Rio de Janeiro, he visits a notorious favela slum and celebrates Mass for more than 3 million people on Copacabana beach. July 28: On his flight back to Rome, the pope takes questions from the press on such controversial topics as homosexuality in the priesthood, divorced and remarried Catholics, the ban on female ordination and corruption in the Vatican. August: Pope Francis works through the summer at the Vatican, breaking with his predecessors’ summertime practice of relocating to the cooler climate of Castel Gandolfo. September 7: Pope Francis leads a prayer vigil for peace in Syria, drawing 100 000 people to St Peter’s Square. September 19: Jesuit Father Antonio Spadaro publishes a wideranging interview with the pope, in which Pope Francis lays out his missionary vision and says the Church “cannot insist only on issues related to abortion, gay marriage and the use of contraceptive methods”. October 1: Italian journalist Eugenio Scalfari publishes an article based on a private meeting with Pope Francis, whom he quotes saying that the Church should be less “Vatican-centric”. The Vatican later announces that the article is not based on a transcript of the conversation and should not be considered a record of the pope’s exact words. October 1-3: Pope Francis meets with the Council of Cardinals for the first time, and the Vatican announces the body will work toward an overhaul of the Vatican bureaucracy.

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October 4: Pope Francis celebrates the feast of St Francis of Assisi by visiting the saint’s hometown, meeting with the poor and disabled, with Franciscan friars and Poor Clare nuns, and celebrating an outdoor Mass. October 8: The Vatican announces that an extraordinary session of the Synod of Bishops will meet in October 2014 to discuss the “pastoral challenges of the family in the context of evangelisation.” The pope has already told reporters the synod will explore a “somewhat deeper pastoral care of marriage,” including the question of the eligibility of divorced and remarried Catholics to receive Communion. November 24: At a Mass in St Peter’s Square to conclude the Year of Faith, Pope Francis venerates the bones of St Peter, the first time the relics have ever been exposed for public veneration. November 26: In his first apostolic exhortation, Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the Gospel”), Pope Francis lays out a vision of the Catholic Church dedicated to evangelisation in a positive key, with a focus on society’s poorest and most vulnerable, including the aged and the unborn. December 5: Pope Francis, during his second round of meetings with the Council of Cardinals, accepts their proposal for an international commission dedicated to protecting children against sexual abuse. December 17: On his first birthday as pontiff, Pope Francis declared fellow Jesuit Bl Peter Faber a saint, forgoing, as he did in the cause of Bl John XXIII, the usual procedure for canonisation.—CNS

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ELGIUM’S Catholic bishops have deplored a parliamentary vote paving the way for sick children and dementia patients to choose euthanasia. “The voices of religious leaders have plainly not been listened to,” said Jesuit Father Tommy Scholtes, bishops’ conference spokesman. “While everyone wants a gentle death, public opinion appears unaware that euthanasia is a technical act that ends life abruptly. This is why we reject it and believe palliative care offers a better solution,” he said. Fr Scholtes said Church leaders would continue to back a silent vigil near parliament in Brussels to highlight the dangers, but he expected the legislation to receive final approval early next year. The Belgian Senate voted to approve the legislation, which would allow euthanasia for dementia patients and children “capable of discernment” and “affected by

incurable illness or suffering”. The bishops’ conference president, Archbishop André Léonard of Mechelen-Brussels, said all main faiths in Belgium are united against the proposed measure. A Catholic palliative care unit director, oncologist Catherine Dopchie, told KTO Catholic TV that suffering is “subjective and not measurable”. She said the legislation risks depriving patients of hope and making medical staff “intolerant and incompetent”. “Euthanasia is a cheap technical way to pay off the account of human suffering,” Dr Dopchie said. Euthanasia was made legal in Belgium in 2002. In 2012, the Belgian health ministry recorded more than 1 400 deaths from euthanasia, a 25 percent increase over 2011. The law restricts euthanasia to terminal patients, but researchers say reasons for patients choosing euthanasia have included blindness, anorexia and botched operations.—CNS

Barcelona cardinal dies at 87 BY CINDY WOODEN

PANISH Cardinal Ricardo Carles Gordó, retired archbishop of Barcelona, died on December 17 in Tortosa, the city where he lived since retiring in 2004. The 87year-old cardinal had been in hospital since November 25 after suffering a stroke. Born in Valencia in 1926, the future cardinal attended a Jesuit high school and developed a passion for chemistry. But instead of pursuing his scientific studies, he felt called to the priesthood and entered the Valencia archdiocesan seminary. He was ordained to the priesthood in 1951 and spent most of his clerical life in pastoral activities. He did parish work in the Valencia area and held posts as adviser to military

chaplains. He also served as a youth minister and as a chaplain to a Young Catholic Wo r k e r s ’ group. He was named by Pope Paul VI bishop of Tortosa in 1969, a position he held until Pope John Paul II named him archbishop of Barcelona in 1990. He joined the College of Cardinals in 1994, and took part in the conclave of 2005 which elected Pope Benedict XVI.—CNS

Curia cardinals told to hear confessions at local parish

OPE Francis has strongly encouraged the bishops and cardinals of the Roman curia to spend time hearing confessions weekly at Rome’s church of Santo Spirito in Sassia, which is located near the Vatican. Parish priest Fr Jozef Bart said that the initiative “had been planned to begin in January”, but “word came down that the pope wished to begin immediately”. According to Fr Bart, Pope Francis “wishes to emphasise the importance of confession, and of God’s great goodness in forgiving human sin”. Archbishop Konrad Krajewski, the papal almoner, has already been hearing confessions at the parish for “several weeks”, according to Inside the Vatican. Santo Spirito in Sassia is located on the Via dei Penitenzieri, a walk of about 400m from the front of St Peter's Square, and is dedicated to

the Divine Mercy devotion. It is a cardinal titular church, currently held by Cardinal-Priest Fiorenzo Angelini. Pope Francis has several times underscored the importance of confession for Christian life. He often affirms that he himself is a sinner, and has made it known that he goes to confession every two weeks. According to a Vatican source, Pope Francis wanted to make it clear that he confesses. The source recounted that during his trip to Brazil for the World Youth Day, Pope Francis felt the need to confess, and asked for a confessor. The confessor went to hear the pope’s confession and, after the confession, he told Pope Francis that he did not want to be noticed. Pope Francis said: “You must be noticed, because it must be clear that the pope himself goes to confession.”—CNA

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The Southern Cross, January 1 to January 7, 2014

INTERNATIONAL

Vatican hires consultants to streamline media, finances I BY CAROL GLATZ

Pope Francis blesses a sculpture named “Jesus the Homeless” during his general audience in St Peter’s Square at the Vatican on November 20. The Vatican has said it plans to install the bronze piece by Canadian artist Timothy Schmalz near Vatican Radio in memory of a homeless woman who died in the cold. (Photo: L’Osservatore Romano)

Pope Benedict XVI ‘still in the service of the Church’ BY ELISE HARRIS

FRIEND of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has revealed that he is still in contact with retired pontiff, who still considers himself in the service of the Church and of Pope Francis. Manfred Lütz, a German psychologist and theologian, told the Catholic News Agency that the previous pope “said he didn’t leave the service of St Peter, that he lives the service of St Peter in another way”. “He's praying, and this is an important aspect, he said, of the service of St Peter.” Dr Lütz explained that he originally came to know Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, when he first came to Rome in 1980, because the two lived together for “some weeks” near a German cemetery inside of the Vatican. Following recent conversations with Pope Emeritus Benedict, Dr Lütz said that “for me, it was a very emotional vision that Pope Francis is there as the pope, and behind Pope Francis there is another pope, Benedict, who is praying, like Moses, for Pope Francis and the Church.” Dr Lütz noted that although Benedict is “old physically, mentally he was very good. He had a better memory than me!” Dr Lütz said he had met with Benedict in December in connection with a book which he has written with Cardinal Paul Cordes, the previous president for the Pontifical Council Cor Unum, about a speech the retired pontiff made in Freiburg, Germany, emphasising that “the Church

has not to be too near to the world”. “We'll say the Church has to be in the world, this is clear, but the Church has not to be too much involved in power of the world…and this is the same thing that Pope Francis says,” Dr Lütz said. “Benedict said to us that he also has the impression that theologically he is [very much] in line with Pope Francis,” he said. In comments made to journalists in December at the presentation of the new “Bible World” iPad application, Pope Benedict Archbishop Georg Gänswein, prefect of the Papal Household and personal secretary to Pope Emeritus Benedict, revealed that “between Pope Benedict and Pope Francis there is a very good relationship”, which he helps to facilitate. “My job,” noted the archbishop, “is compared with a bridge” between the two. Echoing Dr Lütz’s observation, Archbishop Gänswein explained that the previous pontiff is “an old man, but right now very clear, very sharp, and very good,” and that he “receives a lot of visits”. Archbishop Gänswein also said that it is “a great hope” that Pope Emeritus Benedict will attend the April 27 canonisation of his predecessors Bl John XXIII and John Paul II, but “it is not confirmed”.—CNA

Church leaders: South Sudan clashes political, not ethnic

OUTH SUDAN’S Christian leaders have reiterated that the recent violence, including an alleged coup attempt, was political, not ethnic. The leaders of the nation’s Christian churches issued successive joint statements urging the government and political leaders to protect the nation’s citizens and to remain calm and not incite violence. In mid-December President Salva Kiir said that the government had defended itself from attacks in the capital, including an attack on the headquarters of the Sudan People’s Liberation Army by soldiers allied to the former vice-president Riek Machar Teny. The bishops condemned the clashes at the military barracks but also said they wanted to “condemn and correct the media statements and reports that refer to the violence as conflict between the Dinka and Nuer tribes”. “These are political differences among the Sudan People’s Liberation Movement party, political leaders of the Republic of South Sudan,”

the church leaders said. In a similar statement, the church leaders urged reconciliation within the political party. “The way this incident is handled will have an effect on the future of our nation, whether positive or negative, both internally and in terms of international relations,” the church leaders said in a statement read to media on their behalf by Catholic Archbishop Paulino Lukudu Loro of Juba. Both statements appealed to the government to take control of the situation and protect its citizens. “Our citizens are running for refuge in UN compounds because they do not feel safe from their own security forces,” said a statement signed by Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Pentecostal and other Christian leaders. They appealed to political leaders to avoid hate speech and to initiate dialogue. They also asked the international community to respond quickly to the growing humanitarian crisis of people fleeing the violence.—CNS

N an effort to streamline and modernise its communications structures and bring its accounting practices in line with international standards, the Vatican has hired two international consulting agencies. The global management-consulting firm McKinsey & Company and the Netherlands-based financial and administrative consultation firm KPMG were hired after a “bidding and selection process”, the Vatican said in a written statement. The new partnerships were initiatives of the Pontifical Commission for Reference on the Organisation of the Economic-Administrative Structure of the Holy See, a panel of business and legal experts Pope Francis created in July to help the Vatican simplify and better coordinate its scattered resources, budgets, properties and assets. McKinsey & Company was hired to provide recommendations for an “integrated plan” that would help make the Holy See’s communications’ outlets more “efficient and modern”, the Vatican said. The Vatican has nearly a dozen

separate communication outlets and offices that operate independently of each other. They include the Pontifical Council for Social Communications; the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano; Vatican Radio; the Vatican television station, CTV; the Vatican Information Service (VIS); the Vatican press hall; Fides missionary news agency; the main Vatican website; the news.va news aggregator; the Vatican publishing house LEV; and the Vatican printing press. Fr Federico Lombardi SJ, director of the Vatican press hall and general director at Vatican Radio, told journalists that McKinsey would consider how to coordinate or integrate the many different outlets and adapt them to the world of digital communication. He said what was “interesting and new” would be an “overarching look” at the situation from an objective “eye from the outside”. The company was to report its findings in the next few months to the papal commission, which will then make its recommendations to Pope Francis, Fr Lombardi said. KPMG will work with the commission to determine how to bring

the accounting practices of every Vatican body and office in line with international standards. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban told Catholic News Service in July that one major problem for the Vatican was the lack of a “unified finance controller and policy”. The cardinal, who is a member of the Council of Cardinals for the Study of the Organisational and Economic Problems of the Holy See, and regularly reviews the Vatican budgets, said some Vatican offices work together and some are independent when it comes to budgeting and oversight. Uniform and thorough budgeting approaches and accounting methods were lacking, he said. The Vatican recently hired an international financial risk-management company, Promontory Financial Group, to review all the accounts and procedures of the Administration of the Patrimony of the Holy See and the Vatican bank. It also hired a team from Ernst & Young to carry out a “verification and consultation on the economic and administrative activities” of the office that runs Vatican City State.—CNS

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The Southern Cross, January 1 to January 7, 2014

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

The white burden

VERY reasonable South African will feel revulsion at the assault on Fr Victor Phalana and his parishioner, Martin Wamba, by a group of white racists, apparently prompted by the funeral of Nelson Mandela. Fr Phalana may well be right in suspecting that he is not the only black South African to have been targeted by racist thugs following Mr Mandela’s death. If a black priest, wearing his clerical collar, is subjected to a racist assault, how many more unreported cases might there be? Almost two decades into our democracy, the kind of racism that visits violence upon others is not extinct in South Africa, even if it is not as widespread as the casual racism that still enjoys currency in some social circles. Moreover, if Fr Phalana is correct in estimating the ages of his assailants to be between 20 and 30, then this racism has been inherited by people who were children, or perehaps not even born, when apartheid collapsed. We should not be surprised by this. In South Africa today, where almost every person living in abject poverty is black, many white people claim to be victims. This sense of powerless victimhood may find its manifestation in frantic references to an imagined genocide. More commonly, it bemoans black economic empowerment and affirmative action in unhelpful terms such as “reverse racism” (these policies, of course, may be validly criticised for their often corrupt implementation which has failed the poor). It refers to a supposedly superior past and to unspoken notions of entitlement. Of course, many white South Africans have fully embraced our country’s pluralism. Many proudly fly the post-1994 flag; others, however, still display the flag of the old South Africa. Nonetheless, it is valid to observe that white South Africans collectively have shown little appreciation for the culture of peaceful racial coexistence which Nelson Mandela, Thabo Mbeki and, yes, Jacob Zuma helped to entrench. There has not been authentic contrition for the evil of apartheid. On the contrary, the hand of friendship offered by black South Africans has not always been taken. Many whites still show their black compatriots disre-

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spect, often without even being aware of it, with a changing tone of voice or a facial expression, or by tolerating white demagogues while vilifying a black demagogue such as Julius Malema. Those who propose that bygones ought to be bygones, that the past be forgotten—even as the dismal effects of that past are present everywhere—seek a premature absolution. White South Africans generally remain reluctant to fully acknowledge that the policies which were implemented in their name—with the sustained and explicit consent of a significant majority—aused immeasurable misery which continues to afflict most of the nation even today. It is this casual approach of dealing with the past which represents an obstacle to true reconciliation, more so than mindless assaults by racist thugs. The need for absolution, the point when bygones can indeed be bygones, does not require endless apologies but the development of a collective consciousness which unconditionally accepts the past with a sense of awareness and unqualified penitence. Post-war Germany offers a lesson in its process of overcoming the burdens of its Nazi past, what Germans call Vergangenheitsbewältigung. The process was initially painful and littered with obstacles. It required brutally honest introspection, as a nation and by individuals. It involved not only those who were in some way complicit in the Third Reich, but even those born many years afterwards, and it is ongoing. The process bore fruit. Germans now, generally, have a communal, instinctive understanding that their history is tainted by the Holocaust and a cataclysmic war, that Germany bears a historical burden and that therefore Germans, collectively and individually, have to act with a certain consciousness and caution. White South Africans have barely begun the necessary process of Vergangenheitsbewältigung. They are far from the point at which they can say that they are coming to terms with the past and the evils committed in their name. Until they do so unequivocally, there can be no genuine reconciliation.

Obedience to bishops binds priests

N order to re-situate the debate about the response to the critique of the book God, Love, Life and Sex in its proper context, it is necessary to take a closer look at the relationship between a deacon or a priest and his bishop, as well as the teaching authority of the Church into which his ordination introduces him. Diaconate: During his ordination to the diaconate, the candidate is questioned about his willingness and commitment to: • Be consecrated for the Church’s ministry; • Discharge the office of deacon with humble charity in order to assist the priestly order; • Hold fast to the mystery of faith in word and deed according to the Gospel and the Church’s tradition. Then he is asked to promise respect and obedience to his bishop or ordinary or legitimate superior. It is on the basis of these commitments and this promise of respect and obedience that he is

Children a gift

HARON West (November 13) asked if there was anything in the Bible against contraception, and I refer her to the following excerpts from an article “The Protest of a Protestant Minister against Birth Control” by American pastor the Rev Matt Trewhella. “There is presently a widely held belief, which is completely unbiblical, that God nowhere in Scripture condemns the use of birth control. This belief ignores the very first commandment in Genesis 1:28, wherein God says, after creating man and woman, ‘be fruitful and multiply’. This is not a suggestion, it is a command. “Another such belief is that God wants us to use ‘wisdom’, and thus in today’s economy it is not wise to have more than two children. This belief is nowhere supported in Scripture, and reveals our lack of trust in God to meet our needs. “If God wants us to use wisdom and practise birth control, he would not have said, whenever people in Scripture had many children, that this was because he had blessed them. For example, in Chronicles 25:4-5, we read that Hamen had 14 sons, and that God did this to bless him. “God views children as rewards and gifts from him (Psalm 12:3-5), as a blessing (Deuteronomy: 13-14), and as a sign of his approval (Exodus 23:25-26). God’s view of children is thus very different from ours today.” See the website www.missionar-

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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.

accepted for ordination. Priesthood: The candidate to the priesthood is questioned about his willingness and commitment to: • Discharge the office of priesthood...as worthy fellow workers with the order of bishops; • Exercise the ministry of the word worthily and wisely, preaching the Gospel and teaching the Catholic faith; • Celebrate faithfully and reverently...the mysteries of Christ, especially the sacrifice of the Eucharist and the sacrament of reconciliation; • Implore...God’s mercy upon the people entrusted to his care by observing the command to pray without ceasing; • Be united more closely every day to Christ...and with him to consecrate himself to God. There follows the candidate’s promise to respect and obedience as described above. With all due respect, Prof Brian Gaybba (November 27), I fail to see how the development of doctrine iestopreborn.com for the full text of this erudite article. Damian McLeish, Johannesburg

No to Nazism

OCTOR Deryn Petty’s letter (December 4) is replete with errors. I did not “justify” SS officer Priebke’s massacre of Italian citizens, which I described as an “atrocity”. My concern was about the failure to mention 33 German soldiers killed by communist partisans, who also killed 11 of their own people, in that affair. These soldiers were victims of Nazism too. Priebke was not unrepentant. He became a Christian in 1947 and later entered the Catholic Church, receiving the sacraments. There was moving testimony of several relatives of victims who joined in prayer for Priebke because of his public repentance. Because of this repentance, the Vatican’s refusal to grant Priebke a funeral is not in keeping with Church law and Catholic doctrine. Priebke’s family then turned to the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) for a burOpinions 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

comes into what is plainly asked and promised during that most crucial part of the ordination ceremony, crucial because it establishes a very real and sacramental bond between the new deacon or priest and the bishop into whose ministry he is ordained as a key collaborator with his bishop. Surely the essence of the argument is the relationship of obedience and loyalty between on the one hand the bishop and the Church, and on the other hand the priest and his bishop, and through him with the Church. The intimate nature of the bishop-priest relationship is further enhanced by the fact that a priest cannot function as a priest unless his bishop has granted him the faculties to exercise his priestly ministry in the diocese. If there has been development of doctrine in this regard, then this is the point to which the last ecumenical council, the highest authority in the Catholic Church, has brought us. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier OFM, Archbishop of Durban ial service. The meritorious action by the SSPX of offering a requiem Mass for Priebke’s soul has gone into eternity for his benefit and for the society. Neo-nazis gathered for the funeral ceremony, no matter who celebrated it. Dr Petty is a victim of “anti-semitism” propaganda, the mortal sin of our time, and his false witness against SSPX touches on the eighth commandment. Franko Sokolic, Cape Town

Renew parishes

AM saddened, as I am sure others are, about the state of some of our parishes. Some of our parish priests are no longer leading from the front. I am well aware of the tough job and age of our priests, and the scarcity of the vocation of young men to the priesthood. The poor example set by some of our parish priests is, in my opinion, having a drastic affect on many of our young people. In many cases they are no longer practising their faith, often as a result of the lack of guidance from their parish priests. It is no longer enough just to shake people’s hands after Mass. I believe that the South African Church should call for a congress to investigate its many shortcomings, and forget the red and purple robes. As Pope Francis says, the clergy must get out of their comfortable positions and talk and meet with the faithful to try and solve some of our very obvious, serious deficiencies. Bill Benson, Johannesburg

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PERSPECTIVES

Next time you see a beggar on the street

LMOST every day on my way to work, I encounter the face of the poor. It’s usually a different face each time at the top of the interstate exit ramp or on a corner along one of the streets on my “short cut” route back home. A man or woman stands there holding a sign asking for money, sometimes for food, sometimes in exchange for work. I’m ashamed to admit it, but all too often, I look away. I wonder for a few seconds, while the traffic light is red, if I should open my wallet and offer some money. Sometimes, I judge their appearance and wonder if they’ll really use the money for food. Then the light turns green and I continue on my way to my warm house and a full plate of dinner. It’s not what I should be doing as a Catholic, as a member of a Church that promotes a preferential option for the poor. And it’s certainly not what Pope Francis wants me—or anyone else who has been in my position—to do. In his recent apostolic exhortation The Joy of the Gospel (Evangelii Gaudium), the pope said we must be “a Church which is poor and for the poor”. “We are called to find Christ in them, to lend our voices to their causes, but also to be their friends, to listen to them, to speak

for them and to embrace the mysterious wisdom which God wishes to share with us through them,” he wrote. A few days later, I read an Associated Press story about the Vatican almoner—basically the pope’s chief almsgiver. A few times a week, Archbishop Konrad Krajewski hits the streets, offering money for essential needs, food from the Vatican mess halls and a listening ear. As archbishop of Buenos Aires, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio did something similar, according to the story, going out to eat and talk with the homeless. “My job is to be an extension of the pope’s arm towards the poor, the needy, those who suffer,” Archbishop Krajewski was quoted as saying. “He cannot go out of the Vatican, so he has chosen a person who

Strength from Psalm 77 T HERE are times when life is so hard, when those who are against us appear to be so powerful that we fall into a state of utter despair. We feel our earthly bosses or enemies have such control over our lives and fate that we begin to doubt whether even God has the power to save us from this disaster brought upon us by fellow humans. When we find ourselves in situations like that, the Bible tells us to go back to history; to remember what God has done to save his servants who found themselves in similar or worse situations. Consider, for example, how Daniel was thrown into a den of lions, but escaped unharmed, because the Lord shut the mouths of the lions (Daniel 6:1-28). Consider how, in the New Testament, the apostle Peter is reported to have miraculously escaped from prison (Acts 12:1-19). Some of the psalms teach us how remembering what the Lord has done to save his servants can serve as a source of strength and hope; how, putting our faith in the God who protects and defends the innocent, we can restore our sanity and peace of mind. This theme can be detected in some of the psalms of Asaph such as psalms 77, 80 and 83. This article is based on psalm 77. The psalm opens with the cry of someone in utter despair:

I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; at night I stretched out untiring hands, and I would not be comforted. There are times when our troubles are so heavy that God appears to have turned a deaf ear to our requests; when prayer seems so ineffectual that we begin to doubt the existence of God. In the case of the psalmist, the intensity of his distress was such that as he meditated on God, his spirit grew faint, and he was “too troubled to speak”. This took his mind to the past, and he found himself asking in despair whether the Lord was so angry and disappointed with him that he had withdrawn his love and forgotten to show some of the attributes we associate with a merciful God: Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favour again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion? At this point the psalmist thought of a plan—recalling those occasions in history when the Lord performed miracles, and he thought: To this I will appeal: the years when the Most High stretched out his right hand. I

Charlton Heston as Moses parts the Red Sea in the 1956 film The Ten Commandements. The parting of the sea is mentioned in Psalm 77.

Joe Towalski

The Southern Cross, January 1 to January 7, 2014

Michael Shackleton

Open Door

Point of Reflection

goes out to hug the people who suffer.” Pope Francis offers an important reminder that caring for the poor involves more than writing a cheque to charity or donating canned goods to a food shelf. While those are important and essential, they don’t replace reaching out to people in need with a hand of friendship, a listening ear and a commitment to work together with them to make changes in society—in government policies and institutional structures—that will help to alleviate both material and spiritual poverty. We need to look more directly and more deeply into the faces of the poor that we encounter every day, avoiding every temptation to look away. Pope Francis and Christ himself would demand no less of us. Even if we are sitting in traffic on a busy street corner. n Joe Towalski is the editor of The Catholic Spirit, newspaper of the archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis, in which this article first appeared.

Emmanuel Ngara

Christian Leadership

will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds. This memory brings hope and sanity to the psalmist. He remembers that God’s ways are not our ways; that God’s ways are holy, and that there is no god like our God, the God who performs miracles. He remembers how God performed that amazing miracle at the Red Sea when he parted the waters so that the descendants of Jacob and Joseph could cross on dry land with a wall of water on the left and a wall of water on the right; and brought the waters together again to drown the Egyptian warriors and their horses and chariots. He paints a vivid picture of how God displayed his power on that day so that even nature recognised the Creator’s power and obeyed his command: The waters saw you, God, the waters saw you and writhed; the very depths were convulsed. The clouds poured down water, the heavens resounded with thunder; your arrows flashed back and forth. Indeed God’s path led through the sea, through the mighty waters, though his footprints were not seen. The psalmist’s depiction of the event here reminds us of the actual historical event as recorded in Exodus 14. When, at the command of the Lord, Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, the Lord drove the sea back with a strong east wind and turned it into dry land, enabling the Israelites to cross; and when at daybreak Moses stretched out his hand again, the water flowed back and covered the chariots and horsemen—the entire army of the Pharaoh drowned, and not one survived (Exodus 14:21-30). When the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the powerful Egyptians, they feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in his servant, Moses (Exodus 14:31). An important lesson from Psalm 77 is that when we are in distress and despair, let us recall or read about some of the miracles of the Lord—and this will help to revive our faith and confidence in him.

God’s ‘wrath’ and his justice At a Christian wedding ceremony we sang the hymn, “In Christ Alone”. These words struck me: “Till on that cross as Jesus died, the wrath of God was satisfied.” As a Catholic I did not like the word “wrath”. Wouldn’t the word “justice” be more appropriate? Jan Goossens HE line following the words you quote is: “For every sin on him was laid”, referring to Christ. There is a connection in the lyrics between God’s wrath and human sin. Sin offends God, so God has every justification for being angry about it, but he is appeased by Christ’s sacrificial death. The hymn’s use of the word “wrath” has a strong foundation in the Scriptures. An Old Testament example is where God declares: “I will vent my wrath on my enemies and avenge myself on my foes” (Isaiah 1:24). In the New Testament St Paul warns: “For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and wickedness of men” (Rom 1:18). Because God is a pure spirit, he cannot display human characteristics and emotions. Yet biblical imagery is loaded with references to God’s eyes, hands, laughter, disgust, and other features of human behaviour. Scripture scholars say that the people of biblical times could not imagine God’s presence among them except in terms of these human qualities. At the same time, they had it drummed into them that God was not a visible God: “The Lord spoke to you out of the midst of the fire; you heard the sound of words but saw no form” (Deut 4:12). God’s eternal holiness is directly contradicted by sin and evil. God may not be offended and angry in a human way, but his divine nature is incompatible with evil, and so the word “wrath” is used to convey to us that he intends to restore holiness where it is lacking. He will require sinners to repent and renounce evil, or suffer the consequences. St Paul cautions: “Do not be deceived; God is not mocked, for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap” (Gal 6:7). If biblical language suggests that God feels angry because his holiness is affronted by evildoing, then his acts of justice follow on this. He is just when he rewards or punishes those who reap what they have sown. Again in human terms: “Vengeance is mine; I will repay”(Heb 10:30). In the hymn, Christ’s death is presented as satisfying God’s “wrath”, or his demand to be respected as holy. Christ in his human nature restores human respect for the divine dignity. Whether the word “justice” would carry a similar sentiment is a matter of conjecture.

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The Southern Cross, January 1 to January 7, 2014

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The official representative of the Holy See, Cardinal Peter Turkson of Ghana, is pictured during the requiem Mass for Nelson Mandela at Sacred Heart cathedral in Pretoria. During the offertory procession the children presented the South African flag to the cardinal to symbolise the need for national unity

The City Bowl deanery held its annual Christmas carols and pageant on Reconciliation Day at Nazareth House in Vredehoek, Cape Town.

The archdiocese of Bloemfontein culminated the Year of Faith at the Botshabelo Arena with the theme “Strong in the Faith”. Archbishop Jabulani Nxumalo ordained Fr Gracious Lombe and parishes were given olive trees to symbolise the faith that should grow in parishioners’ hearts. An Alpha Median 25 conference was held at the Church-on-Main, The Mill, in Wynberg, Cape Town. (Back from left) Celeste Harris, Nina Richards, Brenda Abrahams, Fr Peter-John Pearson, Glynis Josephs, Celeste Diest and Gregory Josephs. (Seated) Merle Thomas, Janine Richards and Monique Maneveld.

The parish of Christ the King in Wentworth, in Durban, celebrated its 50th anniversary with a Mass celebrated by Cardinal Wilfrid Napier. Papal awards were presented to parishioners for their service to the parish. (Front from left) Les and Colleen Willard, Cardinal Napier, Dorothy Houston, Eugenie Coleman, Maureen Fynn. (Middle) Hugo Hayes, Rosie Johns, Peter Stalls, Albert Stephens, Errol Coleman. (Back) Aubrey Johns, Errol Burgess, Edna Burgess. Absent from the photo are Doreen Lamalette and Theresa Williams.

Fr Vusumuzi Magagula of Witbank diocese celebrated the 10th anniversary of his ordination. The Mass was held at Sacred Heart parish in Mashishing and concelebrated by four priests from the diocese.

Sr Gabisile Mavimbela of the Mantellate Sisters Servants of Mary made her final vows in Hluthi, Swaziland. Sr Mavimbela (centre left) is pictured with her fellow sisters and Bishop José Luis Ponce de León of Ingwavuma, who has been appointed bishop of Manzini in Swaziland.

Altar servers at St Clare’s parish in Elsie’s River, Cape Town, were recommissioned. They are pictured with parish priest Fr Job Kaleekaparampil MSFS.

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

The RCIA group of pre-catechumens, confirmation candidates and their sponsors are pictured at St John Bosco parish in Robertsham, Johannesburg. The group is led by Sr Patricia Finn (back far left), assisted by Iris Seabrook (back far right) and Deacons Mike Nolan and Victor Ho (both absent).

The Southern Cross, January 1 to January 7, 2014

FAITH

Giving skills is key to helping the poor Catholic organisations are at the forefront of helping the poor, especially refugees and the homeless, to be uplifted, as PORTIA MTHEMBU reports.

VER the past few years South Africa has witnessed a surge in the number of foreigners seeking refuge in the country. Fleeing their native countries because of traumatic political violence and economic instability, many migrants have flocked to South Africa in search of a safe haven and better opportunities. However, when in the country, these non-nationals face numerous obstacles such as bureaucratic redtape, lack of social and medical assistance, deportation, theft, xenophobia, rape and even murder. Catholic-based organisations have opened up their doors to cater to the interests and needs of those displaced and underprivileged. One example is the Denis Hurley Centre in Durban. Established in 1956 as the Emmanuel Cathedral Parish Centre, it is now, among other things, a refuge for the city’s poor and migrants who come in need of help and support. The centre aims to train and develop the vulnerable so that instead of relying on handouts and welfare, they become self-reliant. It works with a number of organisations, including the Inner-city Network of Christian Churches, the Diakonia Council of Churches, the World Council of Religions for Peace, Refugee Social Services, Lawyers for Human Rights and a number of other parishes supporting its projects. The biggest need for refugees is learning how to survive in an often hostile country. The current economic climate and the attitude of entitlement and jealousy expressed by many South Africans makes the challenge even harder. “Refugees find themselves in communities where they are faced with the same socio-economic needs as their hosts. The scramble for the little available resources coupled with poor or even a lack of service delivery have in many instances led to the undesirable absence of xenophilia and afrophilia,” Fr Rampe Hlobo SJ,

country director of the Jesuit Refugee Service, told The Southern Cross. A key to addressing this is assimilation. “Refugees need much training in learning how to adapt to living in South Africa, as well as learning English and isiZulu”, or whichever indigenous language predominates in the region they live in, said Fr Stephen Tulley, administrator of Durban’s Emmanuel cathedral, which runs the Denis Hurley Centre. Refugees often have an impressive work ethic and dedication. Yet, although equipped with the skills that South Africa is in need of, they struggle to find employment as their qualifications are not recognised. It is both an expensive and time-consuming process to acquire the acceptable qualifications. Homeless migrants are faced with several particular challenges when trying to integrate into society. “They find it almost impossible to get back into a healthy lifestyle,” said Fr Tulley. Added to the feeling of embarrassment, homeless people tend to be disillusioned with themselves and society at large. They also have little confidence and self-worth. Fr Tulley believes that the key to changing their attitude lies in “befriending them and slowly building up their trust with an earnest and honest attempt to help them move at their own pace”.

orking in partnership with The Development House, the Denis Hurley Centre has been very successful in assisting its clients find jobs, through its Job Linx Project. The project is aimed at providing job readiness training to unemployed young adults, helping them to improve their job descriptions and teaching them how to conduct themselves in interview situations. Paddy Kearney, the coordinator of the centre, explained that of the 750 CVs received in the past three months, 450 people came for the programme. Of these more than 300 found jobs. The centre has also been successful in helping those who initially came in search of hot meals, to receive medical assistance, papers for citizenship and to look for jobs. Also catering to the needs of the marginalised is The Carpenter’s Shop in Cape Town, located just a few metres from parliament and St Mary’s cathedral.

Spiritans–Missionaries Worldwide Join Holy Spirit Congregation of Religious Priests and Brothers

 Founded on Pentecost Sunday 1703 in France.  Consecrated to the Holy Spirit [Lk. 4:18-21].  Live in Community with One Heart, One Soul Motto.  Serving the Poor and Vulnerable Groups in 68 Countries.  Ready to serve the local Church in places most in need of personnel. Please Contact: Fr. Nkosinathi Nkabinde, CSSp E-mail: nkosinathimichael@ymail.com Cell: 072 918 6192, Box 318, Mohlakeng 1760 OR Fr. Ikechukwu Onoyima, CSSp Email: aikon2x@hotmail.com Cell: 071 457 2240, Box 179 Westonaria 1780.

Job Linx in Johannesburg is a corporate social responsibility project of The Development House, assisted by staff of the Nkosinathi Project. On Thursdays it offers workshops on “job readiness”, which help unemployed people learn how to write a CV, how to behave in a job interview and how to look for work.

Graduates from The Carpenter’s Shop in Cape Town are pictured with their certificates in carpentry training, car washing and valet and life skills. The area is populated by many of Cape Town’s street people. The Carpenter’s Shop works with local organisations in a team effort to assist and support the destitute. It runs a day-care centre in which food, clothing, employment and overnight accommodation are offered. Aiming to rehabilitate and reintegrate its clients back into society, The Carpenter’s Shop houses up to 40 residents in its second-phase shelter. The inhabitants, employed outside of the haven, are offered temporary accommodation in which they take care of their own needs. “Encouraging the residential people to do their own cooking and washing, promotes independency and allows them to find their way back into society,” said Dee Wills, director of the facility. The unemployed also form part of the organisation and are trained in either carpentry or car valet. Carpentry training involves recycling

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

The Carpenter’s Shop observed International Homeless Day.

The poor and migrants come for help and support to the Denis Hurley Centre in Durban.

dismantled pallets to produce items such as benches, wine boxes and toy trolleys. The street people who drop in on a daily basis are also cared for. They make use of the ablution facilities where showers and toilets are provided for both men and women. They may also wash their clothes in the basins provided and are given donations of toiletries and clothing. Ms Wills, a Catholic, said that her work fulfils her Christian calling, adding that it is satisfying to know that she has made a difference in people’s lives. Fr Hlobo emphasised that skills centres are important, “because they are like catalysts to the recovery of the marginalised”. “They help and empower people to become self-reliant and to a greater extent restore their human dignity,” he said. The Catholic Church established such centres because it understood that human dignity is intrinsic and

thus must be protected. In Catholic teaching, each of us is made in the image of God; consequently to protect human rights and human dignity is to protect God. Successive popes have advocated this teaching, declaring that human rights cannot simply be debated under judicial systems because they are “intrinsically in harmony with ethical and religious beliefs based on the natural law written in the human heart”, according to Fr Hlobo, citing Popes John XXIII and Benedict XVI especially. The success of the centres can be measured in numbers by predetermined parameters, but Fr Hlobo believes that there are results that cannot be measured. “Skills centres are successful if they have managed to produce selfless men and women who are using their skills for their own welfare as well as that of their neighbours,” the Jesuit said.

ON TAPE

A group of readers is preparing audio tapes of excerpts from The Southern Cross for interested people who are blind, sight-impaired, unable to hold a newspaper or illiterate.

Anyone wanting to receive tapes as part of this service, available for an annual subscription fee of only R50, may contact Mr Len Pothier, 8 The Spinney Retirement Village, Main Rd, Hout Bay, 7806 or phone 021-790 1317.

The Post Office will deliver and return tapes without charge. Should you know of any interested blind or otherwise reading-impaired person, please inform them of this service.

The Southern Cross, January 1 to January 7, 2014

CINEMA

Religious films back in Hollywood fashion

Hollywood productions are not always edifying for the followers of Christ, but a line-up of films with religious and biblical themes suggests that faith is making a comeback in Tinseltown. KuRT JENSEN explains.

HE long-standing charge against Hollywood by people of faith is that Tinseltown doesn’t take believers seriously when it comes to film fare. But with a fistful of biblical epics ready to roll out in 2014, there will be plenty of evidence to test that assumption. First up on the big screen next year is Son of God, which will be released in the US on February 28. Based on The Bible, last year’s TV ratings hit for the History cable channel, it is directed by Christopher Spencer. Using additional footage from the 10-part miniseries, it’s a life of Christ with Portuguese actor (and former model) Diogo Morgado as Jesus and Roma Downey—remembered by many for her role in the hit TV series Touched By An Angel—as his mother, Mary. Both are reprising their roles from the TV series. Downey, a Catholic, co-produced The Bible with husband Mark Burnett; they also produced Son of God. Coming out in December 2014 is Mary, which has been described as a prequel to The Passion of the Christ. Israeli-born Odeya Rush, who will turn 17 in May, takes on the role of the Blessed Virgin escaping from King Herod along with husband Joseph. It will also look at several stages of Mary’s life between ages eight and 27. Ben Kingsley plays Herod, and Julia Ormond stars as Mary’s older cousin Elizabeth. It’s directed by Alister Grierson. Moses will certainly get his due in 2014. Just one such treatment is Exodus, which already is pencilled to premiere in the US on December 12. Exodus, directed by Ridley Scott (Alien, Blade Runner, Prometheus), is a big-budget retelling of the saga of the Hebrew slaves in Egypt and Moses’ role in leading them to the Promised Land. The movie stars Oscar winner Christian Bale as Moses, Aaron Paul (Jesse Pinkman in the TV series Breaking Bad) as Joshua, Joel Edgerton as Ramses, Sigourney

Weaver as Ramses’ mother Tuya, and Indira Varma as Miriam. Scott used locations in Spain to fill in for ancient Egypt. In the development pipeline at Warner Bros is Gods and Kings, a still-vague project that has received recent attention only because Steven Spielberg dropped out as director, and was replaced by Ang Lee. In this one, Moses may or may not be portrayed as some sort of action hero, depending on which unreliable website one chooses to visit. Wouldn’t delivering the Ten Commandments and parting the Red Sea more or less qualify him for that title, anyway? The stone tablets are coming to TV as well. Producer Harvey Weinstein, a co-founder of Miramax Films, has announced plans for a 10-part Ten Commandments—one episode per commandment—using big-name directors such as Wes Craven and Lee Daniels. Weinstein, or one of his associates, let it slip that he’s also considering singer Madonna to direct an episode. There’s no indication yet whether Exodus or the other adaptations will include Dathan, the sceptical character mentioned in the Book of Numbers and memorably portrayed by Edward G Robinson in 1956’s The Ten Commandments directed by Cecil B DeMille. Robinson never actually delivered the famous sneering line, “Where’s your messiah now?” That originated in a stand-up routine by Billy Crystal, but has become so culturally embedded, it has been quoted by Chief Wiggum twice on The Simpsons.

ther films, with their announced release dates: Scheduled for release on March 28 is Noah, with Russell Crowe as the builder of the ark, Anthony Hopkins as Methuselah, and a big floating zoo of computer-generated animals, presumably boarding two by two. Filmed in Iceland, it is directed by Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan, The Wrestler) with Harry Potter star Emma Watson as Ila, Noah’s adopted daughter, and Jennifer Connelly (A Beautiful Mind) as Naameh, Noah’s wife. Noah’s nemesis Tubal-cain (referred to in Genesis 4:22) is played by Ray Winstone. The $125 million film comes with pre-manufactured outrage— ”buzz”, if you prefer—because of its angels. Turn, if you will, to the Book of

Do you feel called to the Franciscan way of life?

Contact: Brother Evenie Turner O.F.M. 082 599 7718, 012 345 3732, PO Box 914-1192, Wingate Park, 0153,

Email: evenieturner63@gmail.com

Enoch, Chapter 9, which mentions the archangels Michael, Raphael, Gabriel and Uriel, the last of whom, according to the following chapter, is sent to warn Noah of the coming destruction of the earth. The Book of Enoch—which is accepted as canonical only by the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Churches—doesn’t describe the archangels in detail. Aronofsky, who co-scripted with Ari Handel, decided it would be really spectacular if they were five-and-a-half metres tall and had six arms. That makes them a mite spooky, but they’re supposed to get Noah’s attention, and that would certainly do it. There has been no advance word on how many rainbows will be seen from atop Mount Ararat. In Heaven Is for Real, scheduled to come out in the US on April 16, Greg Kinnear and Kelly Reilly star as Todd and Sonja Burpo. Directed by Randall Wallace (who wrote the screenplay for the 1995 film Braveheart), it is based on Todd’s best-selling book about his son Colton’s glimpse of heaven as the result of a near-death experience during surgery. Connor Corum plays the revivified lad. Slated for a 2015 release, Pontius Pilate will star Brad Pitt as Christ’s Roman judge. Pilate has received his own story a few times, but typically, as in the gospels, he’s a supporting character. He was previously portrayed by the likes of Telly Savalas, Richard Boone, David Bowie and—memorably—by Australian actor Frank Thring in 1959’s Ben-Hur. Thring played the governor of Judea as a sniveling, world-weary oaf. Pitt’s last costume epic was Troy in 2004. Also due for 2015 is The Redemption of Cain. It is listed here because the film, directed by Will Smith, is supposed to be loosely based on the story of Cain and Abel. It also involves vampires, but that, of course, you won’t find in Genesis. Hence, “loosely”. Resurrection is not being made yet, though Kevin Reynolds (Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves) is currently “attached”, the trade papers report, to direct the story of the first 40 days following the resurrection of Jesus. And in 2015, or later, we might see the third big-screen version of Ben-Hur, following the 1925 and 1959 films (if we disregard the silent one reeler from 1907). Because, after all, who doesn’t like a good chariot race?—CNS • Additional reporting by The Southern Cross staff reporters.

Diego Morgado as Jesus in Son of God, which draws from the ten-part TV mini-series The Bible. Both were co-produced by Catholic actress Roma Downey, who also stars as the Blessed Virgin. The film will be released in the uS in February. (Photo: Fox)

Jennifer Connelly and Russell Crowe in the movie Noah, which is due to be released in the uS and other parts of the world before Easter. (Photo: Paramount)

Kolping Guest House & Conference facility

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Connor Corum and Greg Kinnear in the movie Heaven Is for Real, based on a true near-death experience. It will be released in the uS in April. (Photo: Paramount)

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

The classic Ben-Hur is expected to be remade for release in 2015, because...who doesn’t like a good chariot race?

The Southern Cross, January 1 to January 7, 2014

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.

DEATH

Corpus Christi parish in Wynberg, Cape Town, celebrated the end of catechism year by presenting a Nativity play at the church hall.The cast included the catechism children and the choir who sang Christmas carols.

Liturgical Calendar Year A Weekdays Cycle Year 2

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 Monday, January 6, St André Bessette 1 John 3:22, 4:6, Psalm 2:7-8, 10-12, Matthew 4:12-17, 23-25 Tuesday, January 7 1 John 4:7-10, Psalm 72:1-4, 7-8, Mark 6:34-44 Wednesday, January 8 1 John 4:11-18, Psalm 72:1-2, 10, 12-13, Mark 6:45-52 Thursday, January 9 1 John 4:19, 5:4, Psalm 72:1-2, 14-15, 17, Luke 4:14-22 Friday, January 10 1 John 5:5-13, Psalm 147:12-15, 19-20, Luke 5:12-16 Saturday, January 11 1 John 5:14-21, Psalm 149:1-6, 9, John 3:22-30 Sunday, January 12, Baptism of the Lord Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Psalm 29:1-4, 3, 9-10, Acts 10: 34-38, Matthew 3:13-17

Fr Adrian Tsoaeli Lelimo was ordained at Potchefstroom by retired Bishop Patrick Mvemve of Klerksdorp.

Word of the Week

BALSAM: An aromatic resin obtained from certain trees and used in some medicines and perfumes. It is one of the ingredients of chrism, along with olive oil, for the administration of the sacrament of confirmation and in ceremonies of public baptism. Balsam symbolises the reception of grace to preserve oneself from the corruption of the world, and to send forth by a devout life the fragrance of Christian virtue. BARSABBAS: One of the two candidates nominated to succeed Judas as the twelfth Apostle (Acts 1:23-26). Tradition holds that Barsabbas and Matthias were among the 72 disciples chosen by Christ (Luke 10:1). Lots were drawn and Matthias was chosen. —Modern Catholic Dictionary, Fr John Hardon SJ

Community Calendar

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

CAPE TOWN: Padre Pio: Holy Hour 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.

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 583. ACROSS: 3 To pay Paul, 8 Icon, 9 Medically, 10 Patted, 11 Rebel, 14 Route, 15 Saul, 16 Saved, 18 Grim, 20 Endow, 21 Canal, 24 Differ, 25 Basilicas, 26 Soon, 27 Womanlike. DOWN: 1 Disparage, 2 Soft music, 4 Obed, 5 Alice, 6 Phases, 7 Ugly, 9 Medes, 11 Revel, 12 Land of Nod, 13 Flowering, 17 Denis, 19 Manila, 22 A will, 23 Halo, 24. Dark.

DEVOTI—Margaret. Holy Cross Sister, Sr Margaret Devoti, aged 76, passed away in hospital in Pretoria, on December 8, 2013. Lovingly remembered by the Holy Cross Sisters, especially the Sisters at Lady Selborne, Pretoria, the Devoti family circle in Cape Town, her friends and former students. May she rest in peace!

IN MEMORIAM

DAVIDS—Dominic. In loving memory of brother, brother in law, and uncle, who passed away a year ago, on December 31, 2012, RIP. In our thoughts always, love Tina, Basil, Taryn and Bronwyn Langley. HARKER—Reynold, died 4/1/2009. Those we love don’t go away; they walk beside us everyday. Prayerfully remembered by your ever-loving Mom, sister, and brother-in-law, Sharlene and Dominic, nieces Lauren and Megan (Australia) Aunty Suzanne, relatives and friends. Rest in peace. NUNAN—Patricia Mary. 20/12/2012. Gone a year but never forgotten. We miss you so much our dear Mom, Gran and wife, Allan, family and friends. RADEMEYER—Freddy. A loving heart stopped beating two years ago on January 6, 2012. Sadly missed but remembered by his wife, Neavera, children and grandchildren. Peace in your heavenly abode.

helpless Babe who cracks the world asunder. We kneel before you shepherds, innkeepers, wisemen. Help us to rise bigger than we are. Amen.

THANKS

Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. Help me now in my urgent need and grant my petitions. In return I promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. Amen. CH. HOLY ST JUDE, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depth of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. Help me now in my urgent need and grant my petitions. In return I promise to make your name known and publish this prayer. Amen. RCP.

PERSONAL

ABORTION is murder— Silence on this issue is not golden, it’s yellow! Avoid ‘Pro-abortion’ politicians. CAN YOU be silent on abortion and walk with God? Matthew 7:21 See www.180movie.com www.abortioninstruments.com is the graphic truth that will set you free.

PRAYERS

HOLY ST JUDE, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus

LORD, in this holy season of prayer and song and laughter, we praise you for the great wonders you have sent us: for shining star and angel's song, for infant's cry in lowly manger. We praise you for the Word made flesh in a little Child. We behold his glory, and are bathed in its radiance. Be with us as we sing the ironies of Christmas, the incomprehensible comprehended, the poetry made hard fact, the

ST. KIZITO CHILDREN’S PROGRAMME St. Kizito Children’s Programme (SKCP) is a community-based response to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children, established through the Good Hope Development Fund in 2004 in response to the Church’s call to reach out to those in need. Operating as a movement within the Archdiocese of Cape Town, SKCP empowers volunteers from the target communities to respond to the needs of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) living in their areas. The SKCP volunteers belong to Parish Groups that are established at Parishes in target communities. Through the St. Kizito Movement, the physical, intellectual, emotional and psycho-social needs of OVCs are met in an holistic way. Parish Groups provide children and families with a variety of essential services, while the SKCP office provides the groups with comprehensive training and on-going support. In order to continue its work, SKCP requires on-going support from generous donors. Funds are needed to cover costs such as volunteer training and support, emergency relief, school uniforms and children’s excursions. Grants and donations of any size are always appreciated. We are also grateful to receive donations of toys, clothes and blankets that can be distributed to needy children and families.

If you would like to find out more about St. Kizito Children’s Programme, or if you would like to make a donation, please contact Shirley Dunn on (021) 782 2792 Email info@stkizito.org.za. Donations can also be deposited into our bank account: ABSA Branch: Claremont, 632005; Account Name: Good Hope Development Fund; Account Number: 4059820320 This advertisement has been kindly sponsored

GRATEFUL thanks to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, Our Mother Mary and Ss Joseph, Anthony, Jude and Martin de Porres for prayers answered. RCP

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

LONDON, Protea House: Single R350, twin R560 per/night. Self-catering, busses and underground nearby. Phone Peter 021 851 5200, 0044 208 748 4834. FISH HOEK: Self-catering accommodation, sleeps 4. Secure parking. Tel: 021 785 1247. KNYSNA: Self-catering accommodation for 2 in Old Belvidere with wonderful lagoon views. 044 387 1052. MARIANELLA: Guest House, Simon’s Town: “Come experience the peace and beauty of God with us”. Fully equipped with amazing sea views. Secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. Special rates for pensioners and clergy. Tel: Malcolm Salida 082 784 5675 or mjsalida@gmail.com SEDGEFIELD: Beautiful self-catering garden holiday flat, sleeps four, two bedrooms, open-plan lounge, kitchen, fully equipped. 5 min walk to lagoon. Out of season specials. Contact Les or Bernadette 044 343 3242, 082 900 6282. STRAND: Beachfront flat to let. Stunning views, fully equipped. One bedroom, sleeps 3. Seasonal rates. From R600 p/night for 2 people—low season. Garage. Ph Brenda 082 822 0607.

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

The Southern Cross is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations of South Africa. Printed by Paarl Coldset (Pty) Ltd, 10 Freedom Way, Milnerton. Published by the proprietors, The Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Co Ltd, at the company’s registered office, 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001.

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

Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, staff or directors of The Southern Cross.

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Baptism of the Lord: January 12 Readings: Isaiah 42:1-4, 6-7, Psalm 29:1-4, 9-10, Acts 10:34-38, Matthew 3:13-17

EXT Sunday we lapse into the “Ordinary Time of the Year”; but that is where we are invited to find God, of course, quite as much as in the excitement of Christmas and Advent. This is the annual celebration of the Lord’s baptism. The first reading is quoted again in the gospel account of Jesus’ baptism, and invites us to gaze at God’s Servant; we do not quite know who it might be in the original setting, but the early Christians soon learned to apply it to Jesus, “my servant, I hold onto him, I put my Spirit upon him; he will produce justice for the nations”. It is not an easy task for this one who “does not raise his voice in the street” but there is a certain firmness of purpose “until he establishes justice on the earth; the coastlands wait for his teaching”. It all comes back to God: “I the Lord have called you in righteousness, and held you by your hand…a covenant for the people, and light for the nations.” And what is this for? “To open the eyes of the blind”; that is God’s calling for the Ser-

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Know that you are loved by God Nicholas King SJ

Sunday Reflections

vant, for Jesus, and for each of us who read these words. Our response has to be that of Jesus, who kept his eyes on God. That is the invitation made to us by the author of the psalm for next Sunday, with his characteristic exuberance: “Give to the Lord, children of the gods, give to the Lord glory for his name; worship the Lord in holy attire.” Then comes a long meditation on “the voice of the Lord”, no less than six times; and, of course, we hear that voice in the gospel for the day; here it is “over the waters…in power… in splendour”, and “in his Temple, they all cry ‘glory’ ”. The ancients had a healthy respect for

the power of water, and could think of nothing more impressive than to say of God, “the Lord sits over the flood”. The second reading for next Sunday comes at a moment when the gospel turns outwards to the “nations” mentioned in our first reading, thanks to the vision granted to Peter, that “God is no snob—no: those who fear God in every nation and who do works of righteousness are acceptable to him.” It all goes back to Jesus “and the baptism that John proclaimed”: “Jesus from Nazareth, how God anointed him with the Holy Spirit and with power”; and that anointing had its effect, for “he went through, doing good, and healing all those who are oppressed by the devil—for God was with him”. That will be our task also. In the gospel we have the account given by Matthew. He tells it slightly differently from Mark; for one thing, he makes it clear that Jesus comes quite deliberately to be baptised by John.

Breathe out, breathe in: Is karma going to get you? F

AITH and instinct both give us a sense of what Hindus and Buddhists call the law of karma. Simply put, we have a gut-feeling that our actions, good and bad, have consequences that come back to either bless or haunt us. But is this true? Do we really have to pay for everything we do? Mary Jo Leddy, in her wonderful book Radical Gratitude (2002), claims that one of the great principles innate within reality itself is this: “The air you breathe into the universe is the air that it will breathe back and if your energy is right it will renew itself even as you give it away.” In essence, that’s the law of karma, a mystery expressed in different ways in all the great religions of the world. Jesus, for instance, puts it this way: “The measure you measure out is the measure you will be given.” The air you breathe out is the air you will re-inhale. If that’s true, and it is, it explains a lot of things (though not necessarily to our liking). Why, perennially, are we caught up in situations of pettiness, jealousy, and nonforgiveness? Why are we inhaling so much bitter air? Perhaps it has to do with the air we’re breathing out. What are we breathing out? We’d like, of course, to think that we’re breathing out the air of gratitude, generosity, forgiveness, honesty, blessing, self-effacement, joy, delight. We’d also like to believe that we are breathing out the air of concern for the

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Final Reflection

poor, the suffering, the unattractive, the bothersome. And, we’d like to believe too that we’re big-hearted people, breathing out understanding and reconciliation. Would it were so. Too often we’re blind to what’s really going on inside us and are unconsciously breathing out the air of arrogance, self-interest, pettiness, jealousy, competition, fear, paranoia, dishonesty, interest in others only when it’s convenient, and are emitting signals that others are a threat to us as we seek attention and popularity, and jostle with them for sexual, financial, and professional position. We can learn something from watching toddlers play. There’s a disarming, brutal honesty in them. They simply rip what they want from each others’ hands and try to shout louder than the rest to gain attention. We do the same thing, except in more subtle and less honest ways. Beneath the surface of our everyday politeness and decorum, in ways we don’t often have the courage to look at or acknowledge, we’re still toddlers trying to snatch the toys from each other and trying to shout louder than others to get attention.

The real air we’re breathing out is fraught with self-interest, jealousy, competitiveness, pettiness, fear, and less than full honesty. In subtle, and not-so-subtle, ways we’re saying to each other: “You’re a rival—sexually, professionally, and in terms of popularity and attention.” “Who do you think you are?” “I’m more important than you.” “I’m brighter and more successful than you.” “I’m better looking than you.” “I’ve had more life-experience than you.” “I’m sophisticated beyond your naiveté.” “I’m the person here who’s the most knowledgeable, everyone should be listening to me.” “My sufferings are deeper and more important than yours.” “I’m more interesting than others and my story is more important.” “I hate you for your good looks and good luck, none of which you deserve.” “I really don’t like you, but I’ll be nice to you until I find a way to free myself of this relationship that circumstance has dictated.” We would never admit that we feel these things, but, too often, that’s the air we’re breathing out. Is it any mystery then that our lives are full of competition, jealousy, bitterness, anger, accusation, and false judgment? Is it a mystery why so often, beneath a polite surface, there is so much thinly disguised competition, jealousy, and non-forgiveness around? We’re breathing these things into the world, should we be surprised that we’re reinhaling them? The measure we’re measuring out is the measure that we’re receiving. And Jesus takes this even further: “To those who have much, even more will be given; and from those who have little, even what they have will be taken away.” That sounds so unfair, the innate cruelty of nature, the survival of the fittest applied to the gospels, Jesus as Darwin. Isn’t Jesus’ message supposed to be about the survival of the weakest? It is, but a certain law of karma still applies: To the big of heart, who breathe out what’s large and honest and full of blessing, the world will return a hundredfold in kind, honesty and blessing that swells the heart even more. Conversely, to the miserly of heart and dishonest of spirit, the world will give back too in kind, pettiness and lies that shrink the heart still further. That’s the deep mystery at the centre of the universe: The air we breathe out into the world is the air we will re-inhale.

For another thing, he depicts John as trying to prevent this from happening: “I have need to be baptised by you—and are you coming to me?” Jesus gently demurs: “For so it is fitting for us to fulfil all righteousness” (and that word “righteousness”, or “justice”, is of great significance for Matthew). The baptism itself combines elements from all the previous readings: the water from the psalm, the Spirit (“like a dove”) from the first reading, and the working of the “Spirit and power…starting from Galilee” in the person of “Jesus from Nazareth”. The most interesting difference, though, comes in Matthew’s presentation of the “voice of God” (from our psalm, remember), which, unlike Mark’s version, is addressed to everybody, quoting our first reading: “This is my Son, the beloved, in whom I am well pleased”. That is a word we should take with us; it should echo in the ears of each of us that we are God’s beloved daughters and sons.

Southern Crossword #583

ACROSS 3. Why Peter was robbed? (2,3,4) 8. Image on the coin? (4) 9. This way, if proved possible, it’s no miracle (9) 10. Stroked Patrick and Edward briefly (6) 11. One who opposes authority (5) 14. Outer way round to get there (5) 15. He came from Tarsus (4) 16. Rescued (5) 18. Stern-faced (4) 20. We nod and bestow (5) 21. Waterway learner follows where Jesus made the wine (5) 24. Be unlike (6) 25. Important Roman churches (9) 26. Anon (4) 27. The appearance of a female person (9)

DOWN 1. Gasped air to denigrate (9) 2. It may be the air in the background in the church (4,5) 4. King David’s grandfather (Ruth 4) (4) 5. Lewis Carroll character with a band (5) 6. Shapes of the moon (6) 7. Plug lyrics partly. They are not pretty (4) 9. With the Persians their law is irrevocable (Dan 6) (5) 11. Pull back the lever for a lively time (5) 12. Cain settled in this place (Gen 4) (4,2,3) 13. Blossoming (9) 17. Patron saint of France (5) 19. Filipino bishop may live here (6) 22. Where you have it you will find a way (1,4) 23. It makes a saint lightheaded (4) 24. 500 before Noah’s ship after nightfall (4) Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

DRUNK man gets on the bus late one night, staggers up the aisle, and sits next to an elderly woman. She looks the man up and down and says: “I’ve got news for you—you’re going straight to hell!” The man jumps up out of his seat and shouts, “Good heavens, I'm on the wrong bus!” Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.