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Church leaders: We must protect Thuli’s office By CLAiRe MATHieSon

R not everybody was impressed with the famous visitor to the church of Santa Maria dell’orazione in the suburb of Setteville di Guidonia, on the northern outskirts of Rome. Pope Francis addressed parishioners during a pastoral visit to the parish. (Photo: Paul Haring)

Pope: Read Bible on way to work By Cindy Wooden

F you get a seat on a crowded bus or train, you should use your travel time to read a few lines from the Bible, Pope Francis told members of a suburban parish filled with people who commute to Rome for work. “A Christian’s first task is to listen to the word of God, to listen to Jesus, because he speaks to us and saves us with his word,” the pope said during a homily at the parish of Santa Maria dell’Orazione in Setteville di Guidonia, on the north-east outskirts of Rome. Everyone should carry a small Bible or pocket edition of the Gospels and should find at least a few minutes every day to read the word of God, Pope Francis said. The pope suggested a bus-ride reading of the Gospels, when possible, “because many times on the bus we’re packed in and have to maintain our balance and defend our pockets” from pickpockets. “But when you have a seat” on the bus or a minute or so free somewhere else, “pick up the Gospel and read a few words”. God tells the disciples and all followers of Jesus to listen to his son “to nourish our faith”, the pope said. “He makes our faith

With

The

more robust and stronger with his word.” People listen to the radio, to television and to gossip throughout the day—but “do we take a bit of time each day to listen to Jesus?” Pope Francis asked. Earlier in the day, leading the recitation of the Angelus with visitors in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis asked members of the crowd to commit to reading a few lines of the Gospel each day. “Next Sunday tell me if you’ve done this [and] if you have a little Bible in your pocket or purse to read a passage during the day,” he said. “This is important. It’s Jesus who speaks to us in the Gospel. Think about that.” The church of Santa Maria dell’Orazione, inaugurated in 2002, was packed for the pope’s Mass. Hundreds of people lined the streets leading to the church. Pope Francis began his evening visit to the parish with the younger generation, met with the sick and people with disabilities and heard confessions before Mass. After the Mass, he went onto the rooftop terrace of the church to greet the hundreds of people gathered outside. He asked them to pray for him that he would be a good bishop and not make too many mistakes.—CNS

ESPONDING to harsh and sustained criticism of the Public Protector, Church leaders have warned that undermining the institutions of the Constitution harms our democracy. Fr Peter-John Pearson, director of the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO) of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, commented on the recent upsurge in criticisms directed at Public Protector Thuli Madonsela in the wake of the release of reports that have been critical of the government, the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and the Independent Electoral Commission (IEC). “This is not about Thuli. This is about ensuring that we don’t allow political affiliation to get in the way of an important democratic institution,” Fr Pearson said . He said that Chapter Nine Institutions— which include the Public Protector, the IEC and the Auditor General—enhance democracy. “These offices are intended to have the most objective minds; they are taken out of political favour,” Fr Pearson told The Southern Cross. Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town, the primate of his church in South Africa, has also defended the office of the Public Protector. He issued a strongly worded statement which criticised Christian leaders who had condemned reports by the Public Protector. “We in the churches deeply regret that certain clergy have ganged up against the public protector in the name of the church,” Archbishop Makgoba said in a statement. “They have done so without adequate knowledge of her reports and their intervention only serves to undermine the fight against corruption,” he said. The Christian leaders had criticised Ms Madonsela for her probe into SABC chief operating officer Hlaudi Motsoeneng, IEC chairwoman Pansy Tlakula, and the report on the president’s residence in Nkandla. The religious leaders said they were concerned with “demonic forces which planned

to derail the revolution and the freedom of our people”. The group’s spokesman, self-styled bishop Pule Makgethi, said they represented African independent churches which had a combined membership of more than 1 million. He declined to name the churches. Archbishop Makgoba’s statement called on civil society to join forces in defending the office of the Public Protector. “It is shameful to see the dirty tactics being employed by politicians against the Public Protector.” Similarly, Fr Pearson said to detract or knock the office because of short-term political gains can be damaging to the office of the Public Protector. “The office is there to bring value to the democracy. This is not a theological issue,” he said. “Common good requires institutions that don’t have political leniencies.” Fr Pearson said popes through the past 50 years—from Pope Paul VI to Pope Francis— have believed no political system is ideal. “But democracy is the best that we have. We need strong democratic institutions to ensure this.” The CPLO director said there could be reasons to criticise the office—if one goes looking for problems. “But on the whole, I think [Ms Mandonsela] is doing a good job and the office is acting as it should,” he said. “All reports should be interrogated. It’s part of our public participation which is accepted in a healthy democracy,” said Fr Pearson. But, the reasons for criticisms “should not be an attempt to debunk the system”. Meanwhile Trevor Manuel, minister in the presidency, has warned fellow ANC members and the public to stop attacking constitutional institutions. The minister urged respect for institutions of state regardless of who holds office. “You don’t have to like the individual, but you have to respect the office,” he said. Mr Manuel, who is stepping down as planning minister after the May elections, said attacks on institutions of state such as the courts and the Public Protector would weaken these bodies.

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The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 2014

LOCAL

Carmelites recall St Teresa T STAFF RePoRTeR

HE Carmelite family of Cape Town—priests, nuns and secular Carmelites—will celebrate the birth of St Teresa of Jesus on March 28 with a special Mass. Born near Avila, Spain, on March 28, 1515, St Teresa was the daughter of a Toledo merchant and his second wife, who died when Teresa was 15, one of ten children. The future saint joined the Carmelite order in 1535, where she fell sick, leaving her legs paralysed for three years during which time she experienced a vision of the “sorely wounded Christ”. “From this point forward, Teresa moved into a period of increasingly ecstatic experiences in which she came to focus more sharply on Christ’s passion,” said Sr Mary Lawrence Segovia OCD. Teresa set herself to reform the order, endeavouring to create a more primitive type of Carmelite. She was canonised in 1622 and in 1867 was made patroness of Spain. In 1970, she the first woman to be declared a doctor of the Church. St Teresa is considered the reformer of Carmel and foundress of the Discalced Carmelites, now a separate branch of the Carmelite order. The Discalced Carmelite nuns are considered to belong to the contemplative branch of religious sisters in the Catholic Church, meaning they live an enclosed life dedicated to praying for the Church and its needs, especially for priests, explained Sr Segovia.

St Teresa of Avila The first Carmelite monastery in South Africa was founded in 1931 with eight sisters in Rivonia, Johannesburg, later moving to Benoni. In November 1952, the community founded another monastery, in Wynberg, Cape Town, which has since moved to Retreat where there are at present ten sisters who live a life of prayer and service for the Church. They earn their living by baking altar breads, and making rosaries and cards. A third monastery was founded in Mafikeng in April 1993. “The secular order of Discalced Carmelites flourished with the arrival of the Carmelite nuns, who inspired these lay people with Carmelite spirituality and prayer. They live out the Carmelite way of prayer in their own families and workplaces. “There are at present ten professed and active members and four in the initial stages of becom-

ing members,” said Sr Segovia. The latest member of the Carmelite family to come to Cape Town are the Carmelite fathers, who only arrived in Cape Town in July 2012. The Discalced Carmelite fathers have been present in Benoni, Gauteng, for the past 15 years. They live the same life of prayer as the nuns but they also run parishes and retreat centres. Sr Segovia said the celebration of St Teresa would be an opportunity for the Carmelite family to get together and for anyone interested in the Carmelite presence and life of prayer to learn more. “St Teresa tells us that each one is born for a personal intimate union with God here and now and forever. “In St Teresa, we have someone whose whole life was one of great passionate attachment to our Lord. “She invites us to get caught up in God’s consuming fire: we must ask God (with all our mind, soul, heart, and whole strength) to show us his face, to allow us to know him in a personal and intimate way for which reason alone God became man; and Teresa tells us this is not hard at all.” Holy Mass will be celebrated by Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town at 18:00 on March 28 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Retreat. All are welcome. n The Southern Cross pilgrimage with Bishop Joao Rodrigues to Fatima and Lourdes in September/October this year will also include a visit to Avila and to Alba de Tormes, where St Teresa died. See front-page for details.

THE BEAUTY OF LIFE IN THE WOMB

delegates of the Symposium for episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar met in Johannesburg to discuss justice and peace issues on the continent.

SECAM more than just a talkshop STAFF RePoRTeR

HIRTY secretaries-general of the regional and national episcopal conferences of Africa gathered in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, to discuss their role in the promotion of reconciliation, justice and peace in accordance with the post-synodal exhortations Ecclesia in Africa and Africae Munus. This conference, convened by the secretariat of the Symposium for Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM), was officially opened by Archbishop Stephen Brislin, president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Mgr Kevin Randall represented Archbishop Mario Cassari, the apostolic nuncio. He invited the delegates to join in welcoming the “Roman spring”, referring to the undergoing reforms in the Catholic Church. Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha, who is a member of the standing committee of SECAM, gave the keynote address in which he stressed that there should be concrete results from this conference so that it is not just another talkshop. In a frank analysis of Africa and

South Africa in particular, Bishop Sipuka showed how much reconciliation, and justice and peace, are still scarce commodities. He went further to say that this was, unfortunately, a reality even within the Church. Delegates also participated in a workshop facilitated by the Ogilvy Digital Marketing Academy on the use of social media to effect positive change. Another highlight of the conference was the analysis of key conflicts in Africa by Hippolyt Pul, regional director of Catholic Relief Services in West Africa. He was joined by Fr Sean O’Leary of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute, who gave the Church’s perspective. The delegation also discussed the experience of the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office as a model for the establishment of a working relationship between the bishops’ conferences and parliaments. The conference ended with a tour of historical sites in Soweto and Mass in the historic Regina Mundi church whose theme was “Using One’s Influence ProLife: Lessons from Esther”.

Knights’ success in East London STAFF RePoRTeR

NIGHTS of da Gama of St Patrick, Council 23 in East London, have raised significant funds for their two big projects: the Feed the Hungry campaign and the Relay for Cansa, for cancer research, treatment and homes. Council treasurer Charles Hutchinson said Feed the Hungry had continued at two outlets, in Berea and Spargs. The food collected was distributed to the needy in and around East London with the help of the St Vincent de Paul Society. Mr Hutchinson said the 5 413 tins and 184 packets had an estimated value of R77 943. He thanked the pub-

lic for support and the two Spar supermarkets for allowing collections. The second big project of the year was the 12-hour non-stop Relay for Cansa. “Last year and again this year we were joined by our brothers from Council 38, St Martin De Porres in King William’s Town,” Mr Hutchinson said. Together the groups raised more than R4 000 for Cansa. The relay starts on a Saturday at 17:00 and ends at 06:00 on Sunday. “The reason for the relay taking place overnight is that cancer never sleeps,” Mr Hutchinson said. The track is surrounded by candles, each one representing someone who has succumbed to the disease.

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The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 2014

LOCAL

Men in Christ camp gets down to work By ATTA MAGAdLA SiBeTTA

WO gunshots were fired to wake a group of men up and get ready for breakfast, while three shots would mean it was time for breakfast. These were some of the surprising methods used at the Men in Christ (MIC) camp which saw a group of men from Gauteng gather in Vaalwater, Limpopo, for a weekend of faith-sharing and bonding. MIC is a group of men from various Catholic parishes in Gauteng. The group gets together every second Tuesday of the month at various parishes and members share in the word of God, proclaim his word, give testimony and pray together. Twice a year they also hold camps and embark on hiking trails and bonding expeditions, as well as other sporting and outdoor adventures. Formed five years ago through the coordination of Albert de Nobrega and Carlos Camara, the group has a strong membership of about 65 men and growing. They thrive on the slogan “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another”. Their role in the Catholic Church is to bring out the male element, making them more active within the Church.

Participants describe the camps as “spiritual outdoor adventures”, with each session being a spiritual and uplifting experience. It is during these camping adventures—when the men are cut off from phone use, newspapers, radio and television—that their mental state is brought to focus on rebuilding inner spiritual strength with God and through God. This year’s first camping adventure I decided to take along my best friend Thabo Ncapodi, who also serves as a sacristan in our parish at Maria Regina Catholic church in Lyttelton, Centurion, in the Pretoria archdiocese. In 1993 Thabo attended his Oblates of Mary Immaculate (OMI) pre-novitiate course at St Thomas’. I am still belting it out with my diaconate training, which is a big calling and challenge on its own. Thus I felt the two of us needed to tackle this adventure, with open arms, so off we went on the twohour journey from Centurion to Vaalwater at 18:00, with our camping gear all complete and packed in the car. The two-hour journey turned out to be a six-hour trip due to the congested traffic. This did not dampen our morale as we were both reminded of going back to

Participants at the Men in Christ camp join together in the kitchen to get supper on the boil. boarding school or university. We arrived at the campsite at 23:30, feeling exhausted and looking forward to a good rest. The men’s weekend included a

lecture by Paul Cook entitled “The Man in You”, game playing and bonding, hiking and an evening Mass, with adoration, celebrated by Fr Basel Hendricks OFM and Fr

Joseph Wilson. These were all a great learning experience and spiritually uplifting. The depth of each lecture or homily was based on the building of each man in his home, workplace and with people. A number of articles from scripture were also used as reference for us to compare to today’s lifestyle and growing as a man. Fr Wilson’s lecture on the Saturday night was a reflection on each men’s outlook on life. He outlined the importance of not giving up on God and facing our responsibilities in our homes. The men were also walked through the Mass. “It is clear that many of us don’t actually know why we do certain things during the Mass and why certain prayers are recited when they are,” said one of the participants. “We were fortunate to learn all the parts of the Holy Mass as Fr Joseph took us through each step of it. It was beautiful as one understands the importance of each part of the celebration,” he said. The men left the weekend spiritually filled, vowing to return again for the experience. n For more on MIC, contact Carlos Camara on 082 402 5319.

2014 INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF THE FAMILY Holy Rosary School in edenvale, Johannesburg, received a cross from St Benedict’s College as part of a pilgrimage to unite the youth in a journey to make the world a better place. Holy Rosary will pass the cross on to Belgravia, where the pilgrimage will culminate in all the Catholic schools’ Grade 11s meeting at the Johannesburg cathedral in May.

Holy Land expert in SA STAFF RePoRTeR

nesburg and Cape Town. Mr Makhlouf said LEADING guide most of his groups are from the Holy Land from the United States, will visit South including several that Africa in early April to dewere led by the Catholic liver public lectures and author Scott Hahn. speak on Radio Veritas In February he guided about what is known as a group from San Franthe “Fifth Gospel”. cisco led by South Rimon Makhlouf, a African twin priests Frs Latin-rite Catholic from Ivan and Wayne Dawson. East Jerusalem, will speak Fr Emil Blaser OP will in Johannesburg, Pretoria conduct an in-studio inand Cape Town. terview with Mr The “Fifth Gospel” is a Holy Land expert Makhlouf on Radio Veripopular concept to deRimon Makhlouf tas on Monday, April 7 at scribe how seeing the 8:30am. land of Christ and his disciples enAt the public lectures, Mr hances understanding of the Bible. Makhlouf will speak for about 45 A former professor in tourism at minutes and then be available to anthe University of Bethlehem, Mr swer questions. Makhlouf also trains tour guides and He will be brought to South Africa sits on the tour guides’ examination by pilgrimage operator Fowler Tours. panel. Mr Makhlouf will speak in: In May 2013 he guided The South- Johannesburg: April 7 at Immacuern Cross’ pilgrimage with Arch- late Conception parish, Rosebank, at bishop William Slattery as well as the 19:00. Radio Veritas pilgrimage in October. Along with a pilgrimage led by Fr Pretoria: April 8 at Christ the King Thomas Tshabalala OFM in Septem- parish, Queenswood, at 19:00. ber, these were his first South African Cape Town: April 10 at St Michael’s parish, Rondebosch, at 19:00. groups. Entrance is free and all are welHe will also guide the Southern Cross pilgrimage in May led by Arch- come. bishop Stephen Brislin and Bishop n Please RSVP to Gail at Fowler Tours at Dabula Mpako, and meet the group info@fowlertours.co.za or phone/SMS in preparation meetings in Johan- 076 352-3809.

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The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 2014

INTERNATIONAL

Aussie bishops: Bring back Friday fast By MATTHeW BiddLe

EVERAL Australian bishops said they would support re-establishment of year-round Friday abstinence in Australia, following the lead of England and Wales. Auxiliary Bishop Peter Elliott of Melbourne, Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett of Lismore and Bishop Michael Kennedy of Armidale are among prelates who said they support Friday abstinence from meat—without sanction of sin—almost 30 years after it became non-compulsory in Australia. In 2011, the Catholic bishops of England and Wales restored Friday abstinence. Friday penance regulations in England and Wales were relaxed in 1985, as they were in Australia, allowing Catholics to perform an alternative form of penance. Many bishops’ conferences dropped the Friday fast after Pope Paul VI issued his apostolic constitution on penance in 1966, titled Paenitemini. Looking back at the decision to end Friday abstinence in Australia, Bishop Elliott said it was a “big pastoral and spiritual mistake”. “I can understand why that happened, in the mood of that era, but I believe it failed to take into account human psychology,” he said. Friday abstinence was a universal

practice that Catholics were obliged to fulfil under pain of sin until Pope Paul VI’s Paenitemini. The document gave bishops, acting through their episcopal conferences, the ability to establish the norms “they consider the most opportune and efficacious” in regard to fasting and abstinence. The 1983 Code of Canon Law confirmed that authority, stating that “the penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent”, but that any conference of bishops can “substitute other forms of penance” in place of abstinence. It defined abstinence as applying to all Catholics 14 and older on all Fridays unless a solemnity falls on that day. In 1985, the Australian bishops declared that Friday penance could be fulfilled by prayer, self-denial or helping others. However, some of the bishops believe permitting Catholics to determine their own penance has failed. “Allowing people to work out some penance was idealistic and unrealistic,” Bishop Elliott said. Since the change, Bishop Elliott said, most Catholics are unaware of or have forgotten the obligation entirely. Having the Church decide what penance should be done would make it easier to remember and would promote stronger Catholic

identity, he said. “In the wide and inclusive Church, proclaimed by Pope Francis, we need to offer ways for the casual Catholics to make simple acts of belonging, and not eating meat on Friday was just that,” he explained. Bishop Lismore echoed his colleague, saying that he found only a small number of Catholics fulfil the Friday penance during the year. “It has been difficult for priests to preach it when it remains only a principle with no uniform discipline attached to it,” he said. Bishop Jarrett described Friday abstinence as “an ancient and universal practice for Catholics deeply ingrained in our identity with Christ and the Church”. Archbishop Julian Porteous of Hobart said that returning the Friday fast had “been mooted here among some bishops though no action has been taken in any diocese...and it has not been formally discussed by the bishops’ conference,” he said. He said by removing Friday abstinence, the Church “lost a distinguishing sign of our identity as Catholics”. “In the past it was one of those practices that everyone knew: Catholics don’t eat meat on Fridays,” he said.—CNS

Justice as three are convicted of nun’s rape, but six go free

Lisbon ex-patriarch dies at 78 By Cindy Wooden

ORTUGUESE Cardinal José da Cruz Policarpo, the retired archbishop of Lisbon, died on March 12 at the age of 78, apparently of a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He had been on retreat in Fatima when he experienced chest pains and was taken to a hospital in Lisbon, where he died. He led the Church in Portugal from 1998 to 2013, serving as archbishop or, officially, as “patriarch of Lisbon”. Made a cardinal by Pope John Paul II in 2001, he participated in the 2005 conclave that elected Pope Benedict XVI and in the 2013 conclave that elected Pope Francis. A prolific writer and dedicated teacher, he spent most of his priesthood working in the field of education, either in seminaries or at the Portuguese Catholic University. Born in 1936 in Alvorninha, western Portugal, he studied at the minor seminaries of Santarém and

Almada before completing his preparation for the priesthood at Christ the King seminary in Olivais. Ordained to the priesthood in 1961, he was sent to Rome for further studies at the Pontifical Gregorian University, earning his degree in dogmatic theology in 1968. In 1970 he began teaching at the Portuguese Catholic University and simultaneously serving as rector of the Olivais seminary. In 1988 he became rector of the university. Named an auxiliary bishop of Lisbon in 1978, he became archbishop in 1998. His death left the College of Cardinals with 217 members, 120 of whom were under the age of 80 and, therefore, eligible to participate in a conclave.—CNS

By AnTo AKKARA

TRIAL court in Cuttack, in the Indian state of Odisha, has convicted three men for an August 2008 incident in which a nun was raped and paraded around semi-naked. Six of those charged in the incident were acquitted for lack of evidence. The nun, a member of the Congregation of Handmaids of Mary, described the court verdict as “a victory for the Church and the suffering people”. “Yes, the [court] verdict has proved that it [the rape] is true. Truth has been upheld,” she told Catholic News Service. “For more than five years, I have been going to the court. I am happy the painful trial is over and

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imprisonment; Gajendra Digal and Saroj Badhei were given of sentences of 26 months each for “outraging the modesty” of the victim. Hindu nationalists initially demanded the arrest of the raped nun for “defaming Orissa police”. Two months later, the nun addressed a crowded news conference in New Delhi, demanding impartial federal police investigation into the rape. Fr Santhosh Digal, spokesman for the archdiocese of CuttackBhubaneswar, which includes Kandhamal, said: “We are happy that the truth has been upheld, but the conviction of three people is not enough. “Several people were behind the parading and rape of the nun in public. They, too, should be taken to task,” Fr Digal said.—CNS

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fruitful. We have been craving for justice. We are happy,” she said. The widespread anti-Christian violence in which the incident occurred was triggered by the murder of a Hindu leader. The violence left more than 100 dead, nearly 300 churches desecrated and 6 000 Christian houses looted and plundered in Orissa state’s Kandhamal district. The nun, then 28, and Fr Thomas Chellan, director of the pastoral centre in Kandhamal, were pulled from a Hindu house where they had taken shelter; the nun was raped in a burned church building before both of them were paraded, semi-naked, along the road in police presence. The court sentenced Mitu Patnaik, one of the accused, to 11 years’

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The handgun used by Mehmet Ali Agca in an unsuccessful assassination attempt on Bl John Paul ii on May 13, 1981 is seen during a news conference at the Museum of Criminology in Rome. The gun was presented on loan to a museum in Wadowice, Poland, Bl John Paul’s birthplace. The Browning 9mm caliber pistol will be on display there for three years. Agca shot the pope during a papal audience in St Peter’s Square in the Vatican on May 13, 1981. Bl John Paul attributed his survival to the protection of our Lady of Fatima. The bullet from Agca’s gun is now in the crown of the statue of the Blessed Virgin in Fatima, Portugal. (Photo: Tony Gentile, Reuters/CnS)

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Father Dieter Osthus and The German Speaking Catholic Community of the Cape Peninsula March 2014

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 2014

Uganda bishops ‘safe and silent’ on anti-gay law By JAMeS MARTone

W Javier Cortese leads tours sponsored by the Buenos Aires municipal government on sites important or notable during the life of Pope Francis. The tours take in the city’s cathedral with its neo-classical facade. The full story appeared in The Southern Cross’ newsletter last week (to receive the newsletter go to eepurl.com/cKyV). (Photo: david Agren/CnS)

Pope: Don’t judge other people

O judge someone is always easier than to be merciful and understanding, Pope Francis has

said. The difficulty is why it is so important to keep reminding oneself, “Who am I to judge?” the pope said at a morning Mass in the Domus Sanctae Marthae, where he resides. Pope Francis said that to fight the natural inclination to judge others, one must recognise that “we are sin-

ners”, be ashamed of one’s sins and ask the grace of God’s mercy and forgiveness. In the face of repentance, he said, “the justice of God is transformed into mercy and forgiveness.” “It’s true that none of us has killed anyone, but we have done many little things, many daily sins every day,” and when one realises that every sin is a sin against God, it’s a cause for shame.—CNS

EEKS after a controversial bill against homosexuality became law in their country, there was still no official word from Ugandan Catholic bishops on how they perceived it, said a senior Catholic spokesman. An informed Ugandan priest, meanwhile, suggested the bishops had opted to keep “safe” and silent over the Uganda Anti-Homosexuality Act. “I am not aware that there has been an official statement...nor that there should be,” said Mgr John Wynand Katende, spokesman for the archdiocese of Kampala, Uganda’s capital. He noted that, in response to the law, different Catholic clergy had made “general statements” in line with “the official teachings” of the Church regarding homosexuality. “The official teachings of the Church are clear; the Church is not against homosexuals or people oriented that way. But God is against sin and sodomy...and sodomy is a sin,” he said. A Catholic priest based in Uganda, speaking on condition of anonymity, suggested that the bishops have “to my knowledge, opted to keep safe off the issue, saying that they were not given the original text.

But now...they have said that the law should not be politicised,” the priest said . “Some bishops privately have congratulated” Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni for the new bill, he said, adding that the country’s “Anglican bishops are totally in favour” of it. “We pray that common sense prevails. Humanity is fragile and the more laws we [make], the more problems we create. It is already too much to keep the Ten Commandments, imagine more laws,” the priest said.

he Uganda Episcopal Conference expressed objections to a 2009 version of the anti-gay bill due to the harsh punishments it proposed, including the death penalty for “aggravated homosexuality”. The new law does away with the death penalty, but threatens life in jail for “aggravated homosexuality” and a seven-year term for “aiding and abetting homosexuality”. Several Western nations and institutions, including the United States and the United Nations, have condemned the law. Several international donors have consequently withheld aid. Since the signing of the bill, there have been allegations of violence and retaliation against people known

or suspected to be gay, a coalition of 50 local rights groups told the Ugandan independent newspaper, Daily Monitor. A Ugandan Comboni missionary speculated the law would not be applied in the nation of 36 million people. “What I know is that in Africa, there are many laws which are written but not practised. This will be one of them,” Fr Paulino Mondo said. In early March, more than a week after Mr Museveni had signed the law, Mgr John Baptist Kauta, secretary-general of the Uganda Episcopal Conference, said that the country’s bishops had only just begun studying an official draft of the law and that they would comment soon, in a way that incorporated all their opinions. Since then, repeated attempts to reach Mgr Kauta have failed. Earlier this month Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson, president of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace, criticised the harsh penalties in the law, saying “that “homosexuals are not criminals” and shouldn’t be sentenced to life in prison. But he added that the Vatican also urges the international community to keep providing aid to Uganda.— CNS

Bill Gates: I go to Mass Friars take to web to raise funds for

HE world’s richest man, Bill Gates, has revealed that he and his wife regularly attend Mass in their local Catholic church, and raised their daughter Jennifer as a Catholic. In an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Mr Gates, whose wife is Catholic, said that “the moral systems of religion, I think, are superimportant. We’ve raised our kids in a religious way; they’ve gone to the Catholic church that Melinda goes to and I participate in”. Mr and Mrs Gates have frequently been criticised by pro-life activists for the funds they disperse through their foundation to probirth control, and abortion agencies. In the interview the Microsoft founder said their funding work through the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which also funds poverty relief programmes around the word, is inspired by religious ethics. “I’ve been very lucky, and therefore I owe it to try and reduce the inequity in the world. And that’s kind of a religious belief. I mean, it’s at least a moral belief,” said Mr

restoration of St Francis’ Rome room By CARoL GLATz

A Bill and Melinda Gates. in an interview with Rolling Stone magazine, the world’s richest man talked about going to Mass. (Photo: Kjetil Ree) Gates, who once featured in lists of non-religious people. While he endorsed atheist campaigner Richard Dawkin’s view that before scientific insights “mankind felt the need for creation myths”, the 58-year-old added: “But the mystery and the beauty of the world is overwhelmingly amazing, and there’s no scientific explanation of how it came about. To say that it was generated by random numbers, that does seem, you know, sort of an uncharitable view. I think it makes sense to believe in God.”

Benedict XVI gave pope interview crit

OPE Emeritus Benedict XVI sent a four-page commentary to Pope Francis on the September 2013 interview he granted to the Jesuit magazine La Civiltà Cattolica, according to Archbishop Georg Gänswein, prefect of the Pontifical Household. In an interview with the German television station ZDF, Archbishop Gänswein, who is also Benedict XVI’s secretary, said the retired pope wrote the commentary at the request of Pope Francis. The instruction from the pope to his predecessor was that he “should write down all the criticism that comes to mind”. Archbishop Gänswein said that he delivered a copy of the interview. “Three days later, he gave me four pages—not written by hand of course, but dictated...in a letter.” “He did his homework,” the archbishop said of the former pontiff. “He read it and responded to the request of his successor, offering some reflections and some observations about certain statements or questions which he thought could perhaps be developed later on another occasion.”—CNA

COMMUNITY of Franciscan friars are “taking it to the streets”, appealing to the general public—and not strapped government coffers—to finance the restoration of a darkened cell where St Francis of Assisi stayed during his visits to Rome. The Franciscans in charge of Rome’s church of St Francis at Ripa have turned to the Kickstarter “crowd-funding” platform in the hopes of raising a quarter of a million dollars in 40 days. The friars turned to Kickstarter, they said, because they wanted it to be a grassroots effort so “the highest number of people around the world” could join their efforts and have a stake in the restoration project. Donors can make pledges on the website; the donations will be processed only if the target is reached by the cut-off date, which in the case of the Franciscan project is on April 11.

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The stone which St Francis used as a pillow during his stay in Rome in 1209 is seen behind a grid Also, given today’s severe economic crisis, the friars didn’t want to ask for funding from the government, which is facing a continued budget crisis, and whose resources, they said, should be dedicated to urgent and basic public assistance. All donors will have their names inscribed on panels near the entrance of the restored cell as well as

receive a certificate that’s “suitable for framing”. Depending on the amount given, donors receive additional gifts. St Francis first stayed in the tiny room when he came to Rome in 1209 to meet Pope Innocent III to get official approval for the Franciscan order. He stayed in the same cell on several occasions, using for a pillow a slab of stone, which can still be seen by visitors. The Franciscans hope the room, with its soot-covered walls, rotting wooden ceiling, scuffed floors and flaking frescoes, can be restored in time for this year’s October 4 feast day of St Francis. His namesake, Pope Francis, has been invited to the restoration’s unveiling that same day, they said.— CNS n To pledge a donation or to see how close to the target the Friars are, go to www.kickstarter.com/ projects/671087979/st-francis-inrome-the-restoration

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The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 2014

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Give the divorced a second chance

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

Some unlearned lessons

N April Rwanda will mark the 20th anniversary of its genocide, which in 100 unforgiving days killed an estimated 800 000 people. Perpetrators of the genocide are still being prosecuted. This month an ex-officer was convicted in a court in Paris. While the orgy of murder was orchestrated by one ethnic group, the Hutus, against another, the Tutsis (as well as moderate Hutus), some responsibility resided with the international community. Former United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan—then head of the UN’s peacekeeping arm—took personal and institutional responsibility for failing to intercede in the conflict. Indeed, few can take refuge in excuses. The genocide might have been preventable. When it erupted, the world prevaricated, hesitated and disregarded until more than half a million civilians had been shot and hacked to death. Commemorations of the Rwandan catastrophe tend to prompt a resounding chorus on the familiar theme of “never again”. Rwanda, we keep being told, is a lesson the world dare not forget. Signs are that the lessons have not been altogether learnt, within Africa and beyond. The heartbreaking situation in South Sudan, the continent’s youngest country, may stand as evidence of that. A country that less than three years ago was in the international focus and which held so much hope, is imploding, with more than 10 000 killed and almost a million displaced since the conflict, which has taken on an ethnic guise, erupted in midDecember. Rebel forces, which appear to trade on ethnicity, have looted even hospitals. Churches have been vandalised and robbed. The undermanned UN presence in the country is powerless to intervene. The protracted series of wars in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 1996, exacerbated by the self-serving interventions of several African countries, has resulted in the death of several million people. The international community aims at containment, presumably feeling powerless to put an end to the myriad conflicts which appear to be impossible to solve. The recent conflict in the Central African Republic, which was

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.

waged under misleading sectarian banners, has killed multitudes and left hundreds of thousands displaced. Order is being gradually restored—in part thanks to belated international intervention, especially by French forces—and encouraging efforts are being made at reconciliation. Still, the poison of the civil war will be felt for a long time, in the people’s psyche and in food shortages when harvests fail to materialise on untilled land. These are but a few emergency areas of Africa. One might add to the flashpoints terrorism by Islamic fundamentalists, and the persecution of homosexuals in Uganda and Nigeria where new anti-gay laws reportedly have encouraged random attacks on homosexuals in both countries. The spirit of these laws and the rhetoric accompanying them in some areas sound an ominous echo of the propaganda that preceded the Rwandan genocide. Of course, Africa has its success stories, too. Ghana’s transition to democracy provides a model for the whole continent. South Africa celebrates its 20th anniversary of democracy in April. For all its problems, South Africa is a great example of how a constitutional democracy can succeed—though this requires constant vigilance and defence, for there are some politicians and their cronies for whom the structures of our Constitution are an undesirable impediment. Would the world respond quicker now to an imminent genocide than it did 20 years ago? The people of South Sudan or the Central African Republic might suggest it does not. The development of the African Union’s Standby Force to intervene in armed conflicts as they arise is giving some grounds for hope. But while a system facilitating quick reaction is to be welcomed, the accent must be on prevention. This requires resolute efforts at broad and sustainable economic development to forestall competition between ethnic groups, and reconciliation between historical antagonisms which many times have been expressed in acts of unspeakable violence. The focus must not be on what has been accomplished so far, but on what still needs to be done to create a permanent peace throughout Africa.

ATHER Kevin Reynolds’ article (February 26) about God giving us a second chance is refreshingly honest. His paragraph about “moral imperatives” is something the bishops should be concerning themselves with when they meet for their synod in October. Communion for remarried divorcees is one topic that Pope Francis has included for discussion. Getting divorced is not a crime, nor is it a misdemeanour. It is to do with loyalty, or the lack thereof. In Muslim culture, divorce is acceptable but a stipulation is made that

What did SA families say?

T is quite disappointing that The Southern Cross could report about the German/Swiss and Japanese findings on the questionnaire on the family sent out by the Vatican in late 2013, but not about the situation in South Africa. Why are our Southern African bishops not publicly releasing the South African findings? Though African Catholicism is generally less liberal than Western European Catholicism, I have a suspicion that the South African answers to the Vatican questionnaire would look quite similar to the German answers. In related matters, I would also be curious to learn some social facts about what percent of South African priests secretly have girlfriends in order to circumvent the medieval celibacy rules. Stefan Gruner, Pretoria

Wrong reporting

HERE seems to be a mischievous gremlin that becomes hyperactive whenever the media has to report positively on the Church. How else does one explain how the message so often comes out wrong? Take the extraordinary synod convened by Pope Francis for October 2014. It has been widely reported by the media that Pope Francis was responsible for the questionnaire going out to the laity for the first time. In fact all synods of bishops, regardless of the topic to be discussed, are preceded by a discussion document, or lineamenta, which sets out the topic in its various aspects, namely life experience, scripture, theology, ecclesiology, spirituality, and so on. It invariably seeks to solicit responses by setting questions at the end of each section or chapter. Whether the lineamenta questions reach the various levels of the Church—bishops, clergy, religious and lay faithful—depends on the

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the husband has to provide equally for both his new and previous wife. This obviously safeguards the now divorced woman from becoming destitute and prevents huge sums of money being spent on lawyers. Fr Reynolds also mentions unrealistic ideals that the laity are expected to achieve. Yes, some do but I bet they are in the minority. JH Goossens (March 5) criticises our late Archbishop Denis Hurley’s views on contraception. Although endorsed by the Church, isn’t the natural family planning method also a form of contraception? If one diocesan bishops and priests, and the diocesan structure through which all the faithful might be reached. Given the crucial importance and immediate impact of topics for the coming synod, as well as the extraordinary spirit that Pope Francis has brought into the Church, it is no wonder that most bishops’ conferences and individual bishops responded by getting as many people as possible involved, even though the time was extremely short. Personally, I am amazed at the ready receptiveness and responsiveness of the laity in the archdiocese of Durban. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Archbishop of Durban

Let us respect life

N response to Bernard Cole’s letter “Blaming Mandela” (February 26), all governments should protect life. All human beings have basic, natural rights, and of these the most fundamental is the right to life—regardless of age, dependency, ability or whether or not they have been born. It is the function of government to protect our natural rights and to protect the weak, because from that flow all other liberties. President Nelson Mandela and his ANC government failed to extend any dignity of human rights to the human life during development in the womb. I believe that God will be terribly upset with Mr Mandela for, as Dr Cole puts it, “adding a bit to his own problems” (that is, playing God). God’s plan has not changed since Genesis 6:6. Peter Throp, Value Life, Cape Town

Miscarriage gives new abortion view

ERNARD Cole of Krugersdorp (February 26) wonders about some correspondents (and I belong to their number) to your letters page who have a problem with Nelson Mandela’s signing of the Termination of Pregnancy Act. Mr Cole estimates that “the number of spontaneous abortions must be some 10 million annually for which God is responsible”. What is his point? Being the author of life, God alone has the right to decide whether our lives should end before, during or after birth. I have had a problem with deliberate abortions since losing my own fifth child at three months pregnant. The baby I had miscarried was smaller than my hand—a perfectly formed little human being, though I could not tell its gender. I asked if I could have it buried properly but the doctor said that was not allowed at that stage of the child’s prenatal development. I was too browbeaten to ask why not. So I took some water and baptised the child before the doctor removed it. I named it Anthony or Theresa. I still wonder where he took the little body but I believe the soul went up to God and that thought continues to comfort me 43 years later. That day I realised that to destroy a foetus deliberately is tantamount to destroying a grown human being deliberately. I urge

looks at birth statistics in South Africa, which average out at three children per family, it effectively means upwards of nine potential children per family are denied being brought into this world. Nelson Mandela has also been criticised for signing the abortion bill. Jan Smuts was a prominent figure in politics when the controversial 1913 Land Act was signed. Great leaders such as Hurley, Smuts and Mandela will always be candidates for criticism but without them our country would be a lot worse off. Patrick Dacey, Johannesburg our lawmakers to reconsider our current abortion legislation as I am told is presently being done in several American states and some other countries. Luky Whittle, Kroonstad

Wilful abortion

ERNARD Cole (February 26) informs us that each year all over the world at least 10 million spontaneous abortions occur. That is all God’s work. Now he thinks that God wouldn’t mind if we help him a bit by adding to that number the not so spontaneous, willfully induced abortions. Dr Cole seems to forget what 2 000 years ago the pagans knew, Quod licet Jovi, non licet bovi, which means, “What is allowed to God, is therefore not allowed to people”. So God will indeed be very upset with Nelson Mandela for signing the Termination of Pregnancy Act. And God will surely not countersign any application for Mr Mandela’s canonisation, as discussed in Michael Shackleton’s Open Door column of the same edition. JH Goossens, Dundee

Vernacular right

ESPONDING to Bishop Edward Risi’s letter (March 5), the point of having the Mass in the vernacular is that everybody would then be able to understand what was actually being said instead of reading a translation of the Latin in their missals. I am amazed that Bishop Risi is happy to say that now, after all these years of understanding, we must go and buy another book in order to understand the new translation of the Mass. What about those whose first language is not English? Will they have to buy a book to explain the book which explains the Mass? Bridget Stephens, Cape Town

Game, set, match

REFER to the two letters on the new missal texts by Fr Liam MacDermott OFM (February 19) and Bishop Edward Risi OMI (March 5). In the old translation, the opening prayer (collect) on the Thursday after Ash Wednesday reads: “Lord, may everything we do begin with your inspiration, continue with your help, and reach perfection under your guidance.” The new translation reads: “Prompt our actions with your inspiration, we pray, O Lord, and further them with your constant help, that all we do or say may always begin from you and by you be brought to completion.” Though only one example, in my opinion, it’s “Game, set and match” to Fr MacDermott. CI McLoughlin, Johannesburg opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in Letters to the editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in particular is a forum in which readers may exchange opinions on matters of debate. Letters must not be understood to necessarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or policies of the Church accurately. Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 2014

PERSPECTIVES

Let’s pray for our priests A S I put pen to paper, my heart is still saddened by the news of a Pretoria priest who is alleged to have committed sexual abuse. I am sad because this incident has brought a lot of hurt and confusion to my former Pretoria parish. This is a very difficult time for them and I feel helpless being so far away from home and unable to share in the grieving and healing process with my community, many of whom have become like family to me. But it is not my intention to focus on this possible case of abuse, to speculate, or feed the rumour mill. I trust that our Church authorities and the South African legal system will establish the truth, whatever that may be, and take the appropriate measures. I also believe that in the hurt, there can be great grace. The way in which people at my parish back home have really rallied to keep our perpetual Adoration of 24-hours a day unbroken is a sign of this grace. Instead, I want to focus on the advice of Fr Chris Townsend, quoted in The Southern Cross’ report, when he called on Catholics “to pray, pray, pray”. Pray for what, you might ask? For justice? Yes. For healing? Most definitely, and not only for the parties directly involved in the legal proceedings, but also for all victims of abuse and all those who feel betrayed by the Church and it members. But it's also a call to pray for a group of people that we sometimes forget about completely—our priests. During Lent, we recall the story of how Jesus was tempted by the devil. Satan offered Jesus instant gratification, power, self-aggrandisement. Had Christ succumbed to any of these temptations, our salvation would have been in jeopardy. Instead, Jesus was able to look Satan in the eye, recognise him for who he was, and send him packing—and from there begin his ministry of salvation.

In the same way as Satan tempted Jesus, I truly believe that he tries just as vehemently to harm our priests and rob them of their priesthood. We are all tempted, yes, but I suspect that our priests are tempted in ways we cannot imagine. Who else but our priests can make Christ physically present to us in his body, blood, soul and divinity in the Eucharist? So in a sense, our priests are a direct point of contact between us and Christ. The devil doesn't want that. In fact, he wants us as far away from God as possible. The fewer priests there are, the harder it is to receive Jesus in Holy Communion, the more the devil thinks he can win souls for himself.

ur priests should not be alone in this battle. They are a part of the Church. So are we, the laity. This is why sin doesn't just hurt the individual, it hurts the entire community. When we ask pardon for our sins in Mass, we publically confess three times to "my fault, my fault, my most grievous fault". This is because when we sin, we hurt ourselves by distancing ourselves from God's love, we hurt God who created us in love, but our sin is also a sin against the community of God's people. And this is why we ask the entire com-

This Lent, pray especially for all our priests.

Sarah-Leah Pimentel

The Mustard Seeds

munity for forgiveness: "therefore I ask the Blessed Mary ever Virgin and you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord, our God." So if a priest sins, he sins against God but he also sins against us. But what about us? Do we sin against our priests? Sin can also be omission— "what I have failed to do." Have we failed our priests by not praying for them? By not helping them in their ministry and the work of the Church? By not caring? By not taking the time to get to know them? If this is true, then we are also, in some small way, responsible for their failings. Instead of helping them to stand strong against Satan's temptations, our indifference may have made it easier for anger, bitterness, weariness, loneliness or a crisis of faith to set in, weakening their defences against the devil's cunning ploys. So perhaps this Lent, we can pray especially for our priests. Pray for all priests, pray for the priests who have walked through your life, pray for your parish priest. Maybe this Lent others may feel called to do something more practical for our priests, those men who have given up so much to minister to us, share our heartaches, walk through our troubled lives. How about personally thanking our parish priest for all he does for us, helping with some of the duties in the parish that he would otherwise need to do alone, engaging him in finding the best solutions to some of the difficult situations that occur in parish life, or any other action that could help to refresh his soul through the battles of his own life. For more ideas on how we can better support our priests go to www.schoenstatt. org/en/news/223/182/Called-to-support-ourPriests.htm

25 special years of service to Church Mary Anne S Murray OMETIMES he had his team, sometimes he served alone; but the profile and outline of Jason Craig Ayliff Frittelli has filtered through the eyes and hearts of each and every one in our parish somewhere along the line as a familiar, integral part of the Mass, or the procession or a church event. His serious face always focuses on his duties which he carries out to perfection. His 25 year service to the Church—in Johannesburg, Oudtshoorn diocese, and much of it in the parish of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Durbanville, Cape Town—has been marked by total reliability and commitment. Part of those duties is to ensure that the younger servers understand what has to be done. He explains this to them carefully and patiently helps them when they falter. We have been told that Jason was born prematurely on May 1, 1978 into a large Catholic family at the Marymount Maternity Hospital in Johannesburg. At the age of five he submitted to open heart surgery, and over the years he has amazed everyone with his uncanny ability to bounce back from several medical interventions. Battling the effects of Down’s Syndrome, he has proved to be a fighter second to none, and he has accepted the challenges and obstacles which life threw into his path with great gusto, remembering the power of prayer and motivated by his love of the Church and all its teachings. His father fondly remembers him playing the part of baby Jesus in a nativity play at St Theresa’s church in Edenvale where

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Jason Frittelli receives a blessing from Mgr Andrew Borello. his family lived at the time. Grandparents are always special, as to Jason is his grandmother Dorothy Anne Frittelli and grandfather Hugo, both of whom were very involved in the Church. Attending a regular nursery school in Olifantsfontein assisted his development. The support, love and understanding of his brother Darren, sister Jacquelyn and several cousins enabled him to blossom further. He became a weekly boarder at Camphill in Hermanus until they decided to close the junior section. This meant moving to Eljada in Oudtshoorn which had a family atmosphere and was near his now retired, beloved grandparents. He stayed there until he was 18 years old with weekends and holidays spent with family and grandparents. He excelled in athletics and swimming

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and represented South Western Districts in both, obtaining a gold medal for athletics, of which he remains very proud. His career as an altar server started at the age of 10 at St Anthony’s parish in Sedgefield, Oudtshoorn diocese, with the late Fr Gummersbach. He progressed to serving at the Oudtshoorn cathedral with Bishop Edward Adams while still at school. More than that, he even used to sing in the choir of the Dutch Reformed Church. Volunteering is part of his generous character. A family wedding would not be complete without Jason being the altar server, and he proudly attended the weddings of his sister and all his cousins. At 18 he moved to Cape Town and began his chosen path serving Durbanville parish. All the parish’s clergy have appreciated his wonderful commitment, dedication and skill. Mgr Andrew Borello, under whom Jason served on the altar for 12 years, was always especially encouraging. The parishioners of Durbanville are very proud of what Jason has achieved, and is still going to achieve. We can learn a great deal from his tenacity, commitment and total dedication. We at Durbanville parish claim this young man—he is “Our Jason”.

Chris Chatteris SJ

Pray with the Pope

Can less be more? General Intention: That governments may foster the protection of creation and the just distribution of natural resources.

HE fresh bread we buy at the supermarket bakery is one of the few things that we can actually see being produced where it’s sold. Almost everything else comes from distant factories and fields, some beyond our borders. Thus the modern economy unwittingly creates the illusion that the goods it turns out are independent of the resources of the natural world; made out of nothing. This contributes to the further illusion that we can expand production indefinitely. The magical notion of endless growth is convenient for politicians as it allows them to put off hard choices about equality. As long as an economy is growing, governments can persuade the poor to be patient while the bigger cake is being baked. “One day,” politicians promise the poor, “you too will get a bigger share.” It’s true that a bigger cake can be produced through greater efficiency, but over the long term, growth consumes more and more irreplaceable natural resources—land, water, minerals and fossil fuel—and growth stalls. In Europe the poorer states like Greece want a bigger share of the European economic cake. The problem is that the cake isn’t growing very much anymore. And in Switzerland—yes Switzerland!— there’s a movement to limit the level of inequality between the highest and lowest paid workers in any business to 12:1. We all want to protect and use our natural resources more justly, but the practical implication is likely to be greater sharing and the real possibility that some of us will have to make do with less. Of course, to consume less does not necessarily mean a lower quality of life, for we do not live on bread alone. But do we dare pray to have less?

Our bed of pain Missionary Intention: That the Risen Lord may fill with hope the hearts of those who are being tested by pain and sickness. remember an old Jesuit returning rather thoughtful from a visit to one of his contemporaries who was dying. He said he thought that the pious idea about how prayerful we should be in sickness was all very well, but what if, as he described his brother Jesuit, one was “incapable of a human act”? We all know the problem even from the mild illnesses we suffer from periodically. How difficult it is to “raise the mind and the heart to God” in prayer when we have an ingrowing toenail, an unruly stomach or a splitting headache. We’re more likely to curse our lot quietly than contemplate the risen or even crucified Lord. This is hardly surprising for nothing drives us to selfabsorption like pain and sickness and self-absorption makes opening up to others, even the Lord, mighty difficult. And yet, to have some sense of the crucified and risen Lord with us is clearly what we need on our “bed of pain”. Happily we have the mediating power of the Church to bring the Lord to us—to be Christ for us in the loving visits of her members. We need them to lay healing hands to bridge the terrible gap that can open up between the sick and the healthy. We need to know the reassurance of continuing connection to Christ’s body. We need them to pray for us, not just in the usual sense, but in the sense that since we are unable to pray they must take over. We need the rituals of the Church’s sacraments and sacramentals to strengthen our feeble faith and our stalled spiritual life. If we’re “incapable of a human act”, then we certainly need others to make up for what is lacking in us. Therefore, let us pray for the sick and for those of us who minister to the sick.

Got married recently? Send us your wedding photos The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 2014

COMMUNITY

and stand to win a prize sponsored by Mariannhill Mission Press. E-mail to weddings@scross.co.za or post to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000

A young hospitality minister greets a parishioner before Mass at our Lady of the Annunciation in Milnerton, Cape Town. The parish, which includes our Lady of the Assumption in Brooklyn, introduced hospitality ministers to greet parishioners as they arrive. Altar servers from Sacred Heart parish in Mangete, eshowe diocese, are pictured with (from left) Fr nhlanhla Mazibuko and parish priest Fr Jabulani ndaba.

ester Schrikker of St Matthew’s parish in Bonteheuwel, Cape Town, celebrated her 97th birthday. Mrs Schrikker is the oldest person in the parish.

A day of recollection was held by the prayer group of Ascension parish in Mthatha, eastern Cape. Parish priest Fr Francis ngadi CMM is pictured with the group on the far right. Matric pupils from Holy Rosary High School, St Benedict’s College and Assumption Convent in Johannesburg, held their annual matric breakfast, hosted by Holy Rosary. The guest speaker was Gavin Sharples, who spoke of the importance of being a “Section 8” person—people who are true to themselves and make a difference in their own lives and those around them. Pictured (from left) are St Benedict’s College deputy-headboy Sebastian Julicher, Assumption Convent’s headgirl Raquel de Sousa, guest speaker Gavin Sharples, Holy Rosary headgirl Michela Agostinetto and St Benedict’s College deputy-headboy Mitchel Losper.

The convert group of St Michael’s parish in Red Hill, durban, attended a retreat in Mariannhill.

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The Catholic Women’s League of our Lady of Fatima parish in durban north celebrated deacon Peter Venter’s 12th anniversary of ordination to the diaconate with a breakfast.

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Association of Catholic Tertiary Students studying medical and health sciences at Stellenbosch University held a welcoming excursion for new and old members, which included Mass, a lunch and a visit to the Castle of Good Hope. They are pictured outside St Mary’s cathedral in Cape Town after Mass.

CHURCH

The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 2014

Swaziland: The Church makes a difference CLAIRE MATHIESON learns more about Swaziland and the contribution the Church has made over the last century and the plans its new bishop has to take it forward.

HEN he was installed as bishop of Manzini— Swaziland’s only diocese in January—Bishop José Luís Ponce de León hailed the work the Church had done in Swaziland over the past 100 years and committed the Church to helping eradicate Aids and promote hope for the youth. This was no formality. The Church has made an enormous contribution to the life span of the Swazi people; the statistics on Aids in Swaziland are staggering but could have been far worse had the Church not become involved at ground level. The country reportedly has the highest per capita infection rate in the world and a direct result has been a decrease in life expectancy, which has fallen from 61 years in 2000 to 32 years in 2009. A whopping 64% of all deaths in the country are caused by HIV/Aids and nearly everyone is affected by it. The interventions made by the Aids Office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference have been profound. From the distribution of anti-retroviral medication, the endorsement of abstinence and the promotion of home-based care, the Church and especially women religious have worked hard to slow the rate of infection and postively boost the statistics. Without the Church’s contribution, the small landlocked kingdom would have a higher unemployment rate (currently 40%) and more than the current 70% of the population would be living below the poverty line of $5 per day. “The knock-on effect of the disease has had a great impact in the economy. From a healthcare burden, orphans and vulnerable children, and a dwindling workforce, the disease has had social, economic and even political ramifica-

(Left) The new bishop of Swaziland, Bishop José Luís Ponce de León, hopes to continue the work of the Church in the fight against HiV/Aids until it becomes a disease “our children will only learn about in books of the history of our country”. (Centre) The coat of arms of the diocese of Swaziland. (Right) The Church in Swaziland runs many outreach projects like St Philip’s which cares for orphaned and vulnerable children. tions,” said Fr Peter Ndwande of Our Lady of the Assumption cathedral. But the Church has been a shining light in the fight, even though only an estimated 55 000 of the 1 million population are Catholic. Through the years the Church has built seven fully equipped clinics (St Juliana’s in Mahlabane, Regina Mundi in Piggs-Peak, St Theresa in Manzini, St Florence in Luve, Our Lady of Sorrows in Hluthi, St Philip’s in Mhlatuze and St Mary’s in Lobamba), one hospital (Good Shepherd Hospital) and a number of healthcare outreaches. And while this is an impressive contribution, for its new bishop the dream is not to just treat the needy, but to make Aids part of history, something that “our children will only learn about in books of the history of our country”.

he Swaziland mission was given over to the Order of the Servants of Mary (Servites) by the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith in 1913. In 1923, it was separated from the Natal vicariate and constituted the prefecture apostolic of Swaziland and in 1939 elevated to vicariate. On January 11, 1951, it became the diocese of Bremersdorp, the name of the town later being changed to Manzini. For most the country’s history, more than 50% of the priests were Servites, joined predominantly by

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Salesians. However, today about half of the priests are diocesan priests, the other half represented by the Servites and the Salesians. This growth in local priests has been necessary and part of the local Church becoming self-sufficient. Today, the diocese of Manzini has 15 parishes with a number of sub-parishes all over the country serving 55 000 Catholics in the faith, and many more in social services. For the diocese to continue to grow in numbers, the evangelisation of the country now goes hand-in-hand with outreach in order to evolve into an independent self-ministering, self-supporting and self-propagating Church.

uch of the evangelical and pastoral work with the laity has been done by women religious in Swaziland, who have made a profound contribution. Through healthcare services, education and social outreach, the country’s religious have been battling the statistics of a sick country, but while the Dominicans, Mantellate Sisters, Cabrini Sisters and Servites have been active, keeping their own vocations strong has been a challenge, resulting in the withdrawal of the Dominicans. It was the Catholic missionaries who built the country’s first, formal schools. In the early days of the country, the schools were little

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REMEMBERING OUR DEAD

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more than rugged shelters, however, the Church made an all-out attempt to improve standards and, by the time Swaziland gained independence in 1968, the Catholics directed 60% of education. In the past 45 years the state has built many schools and today pays all teachers’ salaries including those at Catholic schools. Today the Church boasts of about 47 primary schools and 12 high schools scattered all over the country in the mission stations. Education in Swaziland is now free at primary level, mainly Grades 1-4 and it is also free for orphaned and vulnerable children. The contribution the Catholic Church has made to the country’s education has been hailed by King Mswati III through his son, Prince Simelane, who at Bishop Ponce de León’s installation said the Church’s assistance was very commendable. “Swazis are very happy with the contribution the Church has made to the education system. You have built schools and admit even those living with disabilities.” The prince said all the Catholic Church has done for Swazis was commended by God. He said the Church would receive its reward in heaven. Bishop Ponce de León has committed the Church to assisting further with quality education in Swaziland. But as the focus on schooling has changed, so has the Church’s

role and today it runs more than 30 self-help projects where members of the community are taught sewing, knitting and gardening, more especially in the plains of the country, reflecting the Church’s objective to make its people more self-sufficient. Another challenge facing the diocese includes caring for the refugees at Malindza—an increasing concern for the Church. But as the Church has made an impact in education, she strives to make an equally important impact in general healthcare. “The Church in Swaziland has matured in the provision of humanitarian services with Caritas Swaziland which is the social responsibility arm of the Church; Hope House in Manzini which caters for the terminally ill; St Joseph, a centre for rehabilitation and home for blind, crippled and handicapped children; St Philip’s centre for orphans and vulnerable children; and the Salesians who work with street children and various empowerment projects around the country,” said Fr Nwande. Bishop Ponce de León said the Church will work hard to continue to disseminate hope in Swaziland through all its outreach programmess. And this is the message Manzini’s bishop hopes to promote. “We need to ensure that young people never lose hope for their futures.”

The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 2014

FOCUS

Jerusalem film changes teen’s views A 3-D documentary film on Jerusalem is narrated by three young women—a Christian, a Muslim and a Jew. MARK PATTISON spoke to them about their experience and how it changed their preconceptions.

HEY have been seen in cinemas around the world with Imax and 3-D capabilities, but the three teenage girls featured in the movie Jerusalem seem much bigger in real life. And it’s not because they’re a little older now than when they were filmed. The girls—one Christian, one Jewish and one Muslim— display an effortless maturity well beyond their years. Never having known each other before filming began, their first encounter was on a street in the Old City that serves as the final scene of the movie. They subsequently talked with one another with the cameras rolling for possible inclusion in Jerusalem, but even as teenagers, their minds were so full of presuppositions and stereotypes that the result was unsatisfying. Not knowing who would be cast as her counterparts, “I thought the Muslim girl would be dressed in a hijab. I thought the Jewish girl would be dressed in black and white” garb worn by Israel’s ultra-Orthodox Jews, said Nadia Tadros, now 20, the Palestinian Christian featured in Jerusalem. Each of them later individually asked director Daniel Ferguson to not include their conversation in the movie. Ms Tadros, whose mother is a Latin-rite Catholic and whose father is Greek Orthodox, said that during a two-week late-winter tour of the United States and Canada, they have since found out they’re all “crazy about shoes”, but also proud of their respective religious and cultural traditions.

Farah Ammouri, who is Muslim, nadia Tadros, a Christian, and Revital zacharie, who is Jewish, are featured in the 3-d film Jerusalem, about how the three religions are lived in the city. never having known each other before filming began, the three first met on a street in the old City that serves as the final scene of the movie. (Photos courtesy of imax) Nor have they been afraid to talk among themselves about the political issues that have roiled Jerusalem, the Middle East and its interfaith inhabitants throughout the centuries. “I describe it as an open relationship,” said Revital Zacharie, 19, who represented Judaism in Jerusalem. She was headed back to continue her compulsory service in the Israeli military after a promotional tour of North America ended. But not all are returning to Jerusalem. Farah Ammouri, now 18, studies at a college near Dallas, Texas. “My brother lives in Dallas and my father has business in Dallas,” Ms Ammouri, the movie’s Muslim representative, told Catholic News Service. Ms Ammouri, a Palestinian, graduated last year from a Catholic high school, Rosary Sisters’ High School in Jerusalem. In fact, it was the same high school from which Ms Tadros graduated. “I knew of her,” Ms Ammouri said of Ms Tadros, but never forged a friendship until the movie was

being made, and that friendship has grown even more during the promotional trip.

he three young women, none of whom claim English as a first language but all of whom can speak at least four languages, were cast in the movie in different ways. Ms Ammouri said a notice was posted on a bulletin board at Rosary Sisters’ High School looking for Muslims who had lived in the Old City. Ms Zacharie said she saw a Facebook posting and was initially sceptical, but decided to respond. Ms Tadros said she was grooming her younger brother to be chosen as the Christian representative, but in the interview session with the movie’s producers “I did all the talking”, she said. Even though she was beyond the age the producers were looking for, “they decided they could go with a mature woman,” joked Ms Tadros, who is one and two years older than her co-stars. That final scene, where all three appear together for the only time in the film, looks as if it was

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arranged by chance. Not so, they said. “One hundred and twenty takes,” Ms Tadros sighed. None of them currently live in the Old City, which is the focus of Jerusalem, although all worship there. Ms Zacharie has cousins who live there—“having cousins who live in the Old City is a big deal,” she said—and Ms Tadros has worked there for the last five years. They all rue the fact that Jerusalem is only 45 minutes long. All three get equal time, but also have to cede screen time to a renowned archaeologist Jodi Magness, who literally unearths truths about the city from digging expeditions conducted before new construction takes place. Ms Zacharie, for instance, said she would have liked the film to examine the greater diversity of Jewish life than what the movie displays, and for the film to show the Jerusalem that has grown beyond the walls of the Old City. The film has not yet been seen there; Ms Zacharie said the equal treatment given to each of the Abrahamic faiths would upset

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some Jews who want their religion to be dominant on screen. Ms Tadros, because of her dual Christian heritage, will celebrate “two Easters” to go along with the “two Christmases” celebrated on different days by Catholics and the Orthodox. She is also enrolled at two schools: Birzeit University, near Ramallah in the West Bank, for marketing, and Magnificat Institute, a Franciscan School of Music in the heart of Jerusalem’s Old City, for vocal studies. A soprano with a wide range, she has already recorded several songs she’s written. She is seen in Jerusalem with a guitar slung across her back, and is preparing to sing as part of Pope Francis’ late-May visit to the Holy Land. “There is a wall surrounding the city,” Ms Tardos told an audience at a screening. “But there are another million walls inside the city—borders that will need forever to be broken.” Farah Ammouri, Nadia Tadros and Revital Zacharie have taken the first steps to crumbling those barriers.—CNS

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Community Calendar

Deacon Eric Haupt

EACON Eric Haupt of Cape Town was born on July 28, 1929 on Robben Island and died on January 31. His parents both nursed on Robben Island, caring for lepers and mental patients, the outcasts of society. His father died at 42, leaving his mother with 11 children to raise. Deacon Haupt spoke highly of his mother even though he spent some years in Nazareth House when he was a young boy. Out of 11 children, one joined the Holy Cross Order and two became deacons. In 1958 he married Jutta Wiederhold, who came from Germany before the end of World War II. Her family was helped by American soldiers to flee, as her mother had Jewish blood. They married at St Patrick’s in Mowbray, Cape Town, in 1958, and had five children. He was in national service as a sergeant-major, where he was constantly belittled for his non-racist view. Fr Michael Hulgraine nomi-

nated him as a deacon 26 years ago. He attended daily Mass, as well as meeting family commitments. Deacon Haupt was the chaplain for Valkenberg Hospital for 26 years. “I would go at Christmas time with my children, and see all the patients my dad knew by name and how they loved his visits, which would strengthen them in their difficult times,” his daughter Anne Silva said. Deacon Haupt was buried on February 7 in a plain cremation box, as he had been moved by the simple life Pope Francis is showing the world.

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: Holy Cross Funfair: March 28 at Bloemhof Street, Bellville. Call 021 919 434. Rides from 10:30 to 20:00, food fair open until 20:00. 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. Good Shepherd, Bothasig. Perpetual eucharistic Adoration in the chapel. All hours. All welcome.

MARIANNHILL

A pilgrimage of young Catholic men to Kevelaer mission at donnybrook in Kzn is planned for March 29-30. For inforamtion contact Mariannhill at 031 700 2704.

Sr Noreen Mortell XoLiSA PHiLLiP

HE “Mother Teresa” of an impoverished community in Port Elizabeth has been laid to rest. Dominican Sister Noreen Mortell, born in Limerick in Ireland in 1935, died in Port Elizabeth on March 7. Sr Mortell dedicated three decades of her life to serving Kleinskool in Port Elizabeth’s northern areas. She came to South Africa in the late 1950s, and served various poor communities in Cape Town, Kroonstad and eventually Port Elizabeth. Her funeral Mass was held at St Bernadette’s Catholic church in Walmer, and she was buried at St Dominic’s priory cemetery. Fr John Clarke of St Vincent’s parish in Algoa Park said Sr Mortell’s death left a huge gap in the Kleinskool community. “When she first came to Port Elizabeth, she asked to be placed in a poor community. She was jolly, kind and caring,” he said. “Some Kleinskool residents say they feel orphaned by her passing. She was a mother and adviser,” Fr Clarke said.—Copyright The Herald.

Sr noreen Mortell serves children at a soup kitchen in Kleinskool, Port elizabeth. (Photo: Sam Majela)

Word of the Week

Vespers: A portion of the Church's divine office recited each day by priests. Also called Evening Prayer.

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 595. ACROSS: 5 Kick, 7 Ordination, 8 Door, 10 Taciturn, 11 Repair, 12 Recuse, 14 Closes, 16 Oberon, 17 Homilies, 19 Eddy, 21 Aristocrat, 22 Prim. DOWN: 1 Word, 2 Misreads, 3 Cantor, 4 Pincer, 5 Knit, 6 Correspond, 9 Overlooker, 13 Credence, 15 Spirit, 16 Onsets, 18 Imam, 21 Yeti.

Our bishops’ anniversaries This week we congratulate: March 28: Bishop Jan de Groef of Bethlehem on the seventh anniversary of his episcopal ordination.

Liturgical Calendar Year A Weekdays Cycle Year 2 Sunday, March 30, Fourth Sunday of Lent 1 Samuel 16:1, 6-7, 10-13, Psalm 23:1-6, Ephesians 5:8-14, John 9:1-41 or John 9:1, 6-9, 1317, 34-38 Monday, March 31 Isaiah 65:17-21, Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, John 4:43-54 Tuesday, April 1 Ezekiel 47:1-9, 12, Psalm 46: 2-3, 5-6, 8-9, John 5:1-16 Wednesday, April 2 Isaiah 49:8-15, Psalm 145:8-9, 13-14, 17-18, John 5:17-30 Thursday, April 3 Exodus 32:7-14, Psalm 106:19-23, John 5:31-47 Friday, April 4 Wisdom 2:1, 12-22, Psalm 34:17-21, 23, John 7:1-2, 10, 25-30 Saturday, April 5 Jeremiah 11:18-20, Psalm 7:2-3, 9-12, John 7:4053 Sunday, April 6, Fifth Sunday of Lent Ezekiel 37:12-14, Psalm 130:1-8, Romans 8:8-1, John 11:1-45 or John 11:3-7, 17, 20-27, 33-45

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The Southern Cross, March 26 to April 1, 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 (R1,37 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

IN MEMORIAM

BLUNDEN and GUNTER—Trevor, Rochelle and William. Three years now and we still miss you so, Mom, dad and William. May the Lord cradle you gently and grant you eternal rest. Lovingly remembered by your children Liz, Chris, Kathy, Mike, Genevieve, Shaun, Terry and david. DEEB—Alexander Joseph “Joe”. in loving memory of my dearest, wonderful husband, father, grandfather, greatgrandfather and father-in-law. We cherish and honour the memories that keep you near to us. you are in our hearts and prayers and are forever loved and remembered. you are missed terribly and inconsolably by your wife Thelma (56 years together) your children, emily, Carol, Glenn and Anthony – your daughters-in-law, son-in-law, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. PILLAY—Mrs Johanna of Springbok, namaqualand. in loving memory of a dear mother, passed away March 31, 2001. A loving mother gone to rest, for all of us she did her best. Always remembered by your children, daughtersin-law, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, all other families and friends. Rest in peace.

PERSONAL

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PRAYERS

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

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ful 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. MAny THAnKS To ST JUde FoR AnSWeRinG oUR PRAyeRS. BenediCT And SARAH. YOU, 0 eternal Trinity, are a deep sea into which, the more i enter, the more i find. And the more i find, the more i seek. 0 abyss, 0 eternal Godhead, 0 sea profound, what more could you give me than yourself? Prayer of Awe— St Catherine of Siena.

HAIL, HOLY Queen, Mother of Mercy! our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished children of eve; to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this valley, of tears. Turn, then, most gracious Advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us; and after this our exile show unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus; o clement, o loving, o sweet Virgin Mary. ALMIGHTY eternal God, source of all compassion, the promise of your mercy and saving help fills our hearts with hope. Hear the cries of the people of Syria; bring healing to those suffering from the violence, and comfort to those mourning the dead. empower and encourage Syria’s neighbours in their care and welcome for refugees. Convert the hearts of those who have taken up arms, and strengthen the resolve of those committed to peace. o God of hope and Father of mercy, your Holy Spirit inspires us to look beyond ourselves and our own needs. inspire leaders to choose peace over violence and to seek reconciliation with enemies. inspire the Church around the world with compassion for the people of Syria, and fill us with hope for a future of peace built on justice for all. We ask this through Jesus Christ, Prince of Peace and Light of the World, who lives and reigns for ever and ever. Amen. Prayer courtesy of the USCCB. HAVE mercy on me, o God, according to your steadfast love; according to your abundant mercy blot out my transgressions. Wash me thoroughly from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin. For i know my transgressions, and my sin is ever before me. Against you, you alone, have i sinned, and done what is evil in your sight, so that

you are justified in your sentence and blameless when you pass judgment. indeed, i was born guilty, a sinner when my mother conceived me. you desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart. Purge me with hyssop, and i shall be clean; wash me, and i shall be whiter than snow. Let me hear joy and gladness; let the bones that you have crushed rejoice. Hide your face from my sins, and blot out all my iniquities. Create in me a clean heart, o God, and put a new and right spirit within me. do not cast me away from your presence, and do not take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and sustain in me a willing spirit. Psalm 511 ST Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle, be our protection against the malice and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him we humbly pray; and do thou, o Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan and all evil spirits who wander through the world for the ruin of souls. Amen.

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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, 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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EXT Sunday our Lenten journey moves into that deeper and more sombre time that used to be called Passiontide, and our focus is more on Jesus (and therefore inevitably on God), particularly on God’s power over death. In the first reading we overhear the prophet Ezekiel being given his instructions— about what he is to say to the Israelites exiled in Babylon, who have lost faith in God’s ability to restore them from that particular form of death: “Thus says the Lord: ‘Look! I am opening your graves, and I am making you go up from your graves, my people, to the soil of Israel.’” It follows the wonderful image of the dry bones clattering together, and we hear God saying: “I am giving them my spirit, and they shall live, and I shall give them rest on their soil, and they will know that I, the Lord, have spoken and I shall act.” That is the power we are invited to contemplate in the coming weeks. It is the same power attested by the psalm for next Sunday, the much-loved De Profundis. What we need to hear is the confidence of the poet who has looked death in the face, and knows that he can rely on God, but also has to beg him to pay attention “to the voice of my pleading”, just in case God is not listening.

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FTER Mother Teresa died, her diaries revealed something that shocked many people. During the last 60 years of her life, from age 27 until she died at age 87, she struggled to imagine that God existed and had no affective experience of either the person or the existence of God. Yet, during all those years, everything in her life incarnated and radiated an exceptional, one-in-a-hundred-million selflessness, altruism, and faith commitment. On the surface this might seem incongruous, even contradictory; but those two things—her feeling that God was absent and her exceptional selflessness—are not unconnected. The opposite. The latter depends precisely upon the former; her inability to feel God affectively, the dryness of her faith experience, the dark night that enveloped her, were precisely the reason her faith was so pure and her actions were so selfless. In short, with all affective feelings gone, she was no longer able to manipulate her experience of God and reshape it to fit her own needs. She had to receive God on God’s own terms, not on her terms. The very dryness of her faith was what made it so pure. The seeming absence of God also helped assure the absence of her own ego. To more fully appreciate what is being said here it can be helpful to contrast Mother Teresa—both in the barrenness of

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God shows his power over death

Nicholas King SJ

Sunday Reflections

Basically, though, it is a matter of confidence in God’s power and (still more important, perhaps) God’s good intentions: “My soul longs for the Lord more than watchmen for the morning—let Israel look to the Lord… it is [the Lord] who redeems Israel from all their iniquity.” In the second reading, Paul has a different way of expressing that power over death (and everything else that threatens us), and he does so by the opposition between “flesh”, which is humanity as closed to God, and “spirit”, humanity understood as open to God. It is a matter of “belonging to Christ”; and if we have that, then our “spirit is life because of justification”, even though the “body is dead because of sin”. And this “spirit” is precisely the “Spirit of the One who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in us”. Paul expresses himself all too briefly here,

but we shall do well to truly reflect on it during the coming week. The gospel for next Sunday is the extraordinary story of the raising of Lazarus. Now, obviously, this has to do precisely with God’s power over death, but it goes through several puzzling stages. First, we are told of the basic situation: Lazarus was sick, and he and his sisters had a special relationship with Jesus, so the sisters send a message. One oddity is that the story looks ahead to an anointing that will come only in the next chapter, as though it had already taken place. A second oddity is that although Jesus loved the desperate family, he stayed around for two more days, commenting not on the tragedy of it all, but that “this sickness is to death, but for the glory of God, that the Son of God might be glorified through it”, which might seem just a touch self-regarding. Then, somewhat unexpectedly, Jesus decides to go after all into Judea, which the disciples regard as crazy: “The Judeans were just now looking to stone you!” Jesus’ response is at best enigmatic: “If someone walks in the day-time, they do not stumble, because they see the light of this world”. Only then does he reveal to them that Lazarus has “fallen asleep”, which they regard

What dark nights do for us

Conrad

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FIFTH SUNDAY IN LENT: April 6 Readings: Ezekiel 37:12-14, Psalm 130:1-8, Romans 8:8-11, John 11:1-45

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Final Reflection

her experience of faith and the effect this had on her life—with countless popular religious figures, past and present, who, sadly, too frequently radiate the exact opposite. They boast of a robust, affective faith, declaring how real God is in their lives and how deeply they sense Jesus. And indeed, there is no reason to doubt their sincerity; a genuine fervour does flow out of them.

ut, unlike Mother Teresa, both their preaching and their own lives often exhibit far too much ego, narcissism, projection and manipulation of God and religion for their own benefit. Without being cruel, it is fair to say that we, and indeed the whole world, never much confuse many of our popular religious preachers and writers with Mother Teresa. We see in their religious fervour far too much of themselves and how their religious experience benefits them. The irony is that they—so many popular religious preachers and writers—boast of a much stronger faith than did Mother

Teresa, but their experience of God translates far less altruistically into their lives. The philosophers Ludwig Feuerbach and Friedrich Nietzsche have written perhaps the most penetrating critique yet of religion and religious experience. Their theory is that all religious experience is ultimately human projection, that we create God in our own image and likeness, and that we then use that image of God for our own benefit. For them, all religious experience is ultimately self-created for our own benefit. In their view, inside of all religious experience there is always an element of manipulation, rationalisation, and dishonesty, although the person having the experience is blind to that fact. He or she is convinced that God is somehow dictating what is happening inside his or her soul, when in fact it is mostly self-interest that is dictating what is happening inside the soul, and that is why we so commonly see that distressing discrepancy between the religious fervour inside so many of us and the self-interest that is ultimately served by that religiosity. What’s to be said about this? My guess is that Nietzsche and Feuerbach are 95% correct. However they are 5% wrong—and that 5% makes all the difference. The evidence suggests that 95% of the time we do manipulate our experience of God to serve our own interests. However, God arranges things so that we cannot do this all the time. God corrects our proclivity to create a God who works for our self-interest by sending us, as he did to Mother Teresa, crushing dark nights of the soul, namely, periods of imaginative and affective dryness within which we simply are unable to imagine and affectively feel either God’s existence or God’s love for us. While we continue to somehow “know” God at a deeper level, our imaginations and our emotions run out of steam, completely. God can then flow into us purely, with our egos, narcissism, and selfishness now unable to colour the experience. The singer-songwriter Leonard Cohen coined this now-famous line: “There is a crack in everything, but that’s how the light gets in!” Since we cannot resist habitually manipulating our faith and religious experience to make it work for our own benefit, God eventually puts a stop to it. As he did with Mother Teresa, God sends us crushing dark nights that purify us, in spite of ourselves.

as a hopeful sign: “if he has [merely] fallen asleep, he is going to be saved”; so the puzzle goes deeper as he tells them the full truth: “Lazarus has died—and I am glad, for your sakes, that you might come to faith, that I wasn’t there.”. This is a cue for Thomas, who is rather more of a character in John’s gospel than in the other three, to show a kind of doughty loyalty: “Let us also go with him, to die with him.”. Then we discover that Lazarus has been dead for four days, so it would have not made any difference if they had moved earlier. Now Jesus has to endure the reproaches of Martha and Mary, with their different degrees of faith, and the complaints of the onlookers about Jesus’ failure to prevent the death. Read the rest of the story for yourself, this week; admire Martha’s matter-of-fact practicality, be astonished at Lazarus coming out of the tomb, and marvel at the relationship between Jesus and his Father. You might also reflect that according to John’s Gospel, this episode is what led to Jesus’ death. God’s power is not simply a matter of destroying all his enemies.

Southern Crossword #595

ACROSS 5. Dead right way to strike bucket (4) 7. Dior confused nation to make a priest (10) 8. Kind of trap to let you in (4) 10. Being uncommunicative, ruin tact (8) 11. Bring couple together again to fix it (6) 12. Secure way to excuse yourself (6) 14. Shuts 8 ac (6) 16. Robe on fairy king (6) 17. Discourses from the pulpit (8) 19. Man among the red dynamos (4) 21. One of noble birth (10) 22. Kind of rose that is also proper (4)

DOWN 1. John says it was in the beginning (4) 2. Dear Miss, she interprets wrongly (8) 3. Synagogue soloist (6) 4. Prince altered lobster’s claw (6) 5. Broken bone will do it without needles (4) 6. Match and exchange letters (10) 9. Supervisor who fails to notice (10) 13. Belief this table is in the sanctuary (8) 15. Holy in the Trinity (6) 16. So sent attacks (6) 18. In Lima, met a Muslim (4) 21. Himalayan snowman (4)

Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

HE Rand finally dies and all the units of money gather outside the gates of heaven. St Peter looks at the sorry lot, beckons the R1 coin and lets it through the gate. Then the R2 coin and the R5 coin. The banknotes think they’ve got the hang of the process and saunter up to St Peter, but suddenly he blocks the way. “But that’s unfair,” the shout. “R1, R2 and R5 got through, but you won’t allow us in. Why?” “I’m sorry,” says St Peter, “but I never saw any of you in church.” Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, Po Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.