140416

The

S outhern C ross

April 16 to April 22, 2014

Reg No. 1920/002058/06 No 4869

Easter: A time to let go of old grudges

Page 7

SACBC’s Zuma statement not ‘anti-ANC’

BY CLAIRE MATHIESON

A

N official of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has emphasised that the statement issued by the bishops on President Jacob Zuma’s response to the Public Protector’s Nkandla Report must not be seen as being party political.

“The bishops do not speak for any political party. The bishops speak for the common good,” said Fr S’milo Mngadi, the SACBC’s communications officer, in response to criticism the statement received from Catholics who interpreted it as an attack on the African National Congress (ANC).

The statement, signed by SACBC president Archbishop Stephen Brislin, said that President Zuma’s decision not to respond promptly and comprehensively to the report “undermines both the Public Protector’s office and Parliament”.

“It is unacceptable for the president to expect the country to wait for an explanation until the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has completed its investigation, which may be only in June”, the bishops said.

“The findings of the Public Protector’s enquiry are perfectly clear— there was excessive expenditure on the security upgrades, and millions of rands of taxpayers’ money was spent on private items that should have been paid for by the president himself.”

www.scross.co.za

R7,00 (incl VAT RSA)

Behind the scenes of Son of God film

Pictures Page: Wedding photos special

Page 9

Page 8

The Editor and staff of The Southern Cross wish all readers, advertisers, Associates, supporters, contributors and friends a blessed Easter filled with the hope and joy of our Risen Lord.

Catholic supporters of the ANC took to social media in reaction to what they felt was political bias.

“The Church should take a neutral position at all times. Be critical of the action, not the person, in this case the president,” one commenter said on Facebook, adding that the statement seemed objective. “There should be a distinction made between what the Church says and what individuals within the Church say,” he said, with others stating their agreement.

Others said that the release of statements on political matters during an election campaign could be understood as the Church interfering in the process, or even as the Church guiding Catholics on how to vote.

F

ather Mngadi said the bishops’ statement was not of a political but ethical nature, issuing a call for the president of the country to act appropriately and swiftly on any acts relating to corruption. It implied no criticism or endorsement of any political party.

“Corruption is a cancer threatening the very core of our democracy and economic development. For the president to merely postpone dealing with the matter through a letter to a Speaker of Parliament does not suffice,” Fr Mngadi said.

“At least, he should be addressing South Africans that, while he awaits the SIU reports, he is unequivocally against any form of corruption,

NEXT WEEK: CANONISATION SOUVENIR EDITION

With background on Popes John XIII and John Paul II, who will be canonised on April 27, and a pOSTER of the two new saints.

To order extra copies, contact Avril at subscriptions@scross.co.za or phone 021 465 5007

The

A Catholic pilgrim wears a white robe and holds a candle as he prays during the Easter Vigil in the church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old City last year. The church is the site of Golgotha, were Jesus was crucified, laid into the tomb and rose again on the third day. (Photo: Debbie Hill/CNS)

notwithstanding the beneficiary,” he said.

“The bishops’ statement is about ethics in leadership and not party politics.”

Fr Mngadi said the Church does not support any one party and only speaks on politics in light of the greater good. The statement was about the ethics and accountability of the president’s office—and not the political party the current president represents.

“He represents the people of South Africa and should be accountable to them,” the priest said.

The bishops’ statement said the Church expects that a head of state, when faced with such serious findings, would “take the earliest opportunity to provide a full and comprehensive explanation of his

own involvement, and of what he plans to do to remedy the situation”.

M

eanwhile, some believed the Church should instead pray for integrity in government. “It looks like we are too much of an opposing political party than a Church that purifies people's lives,” said one commentator.

But Fr Mngadi said it was “impossible for the Church to just pray”.

“If there are injustices, we must speak,” he told The Southern Cross.

The statement called on Mr Zuma “to tell the nation now, not in June, how and when he plans to pay back the costs of items such as the swimming pool, the chicken run and others that have nothing to do with security”, and noted with con-

cern that “the president has claimed that, since he did not personally request such enhancements to his property, he is under no obligation to repay the costs thereof”.

Citing the Freedom Charter, the bishops noted that “millions of our people continue to live in poverty and that many lack even rudimentary housing or shelter”.

“This makes it all the more scandalous that nearly a quarter of a billion rands could be spent on the security and comfort of one citizen,” the bishops said.

National Assembly speaker Max Sisulu has decided to investigate the Nkandla Report before the May 7 elections Neither the presidency nor the ANC responded to the bishops’ statement.

Southern Cross & Archbishop William Slattery invite you to a special pilgrimage to

HOLY LAND • ROME • TURIN Rare chance to view Shroud of Turin!

7-21 May 2015

Jerusalem | Bethlehem | Nazareth | Boatride on Sea of Gailee | River Jordan | Turin with reserved viewing of the Holy Shroud | Florence | Papal Audience in the Vatican |Sistine Chapel | Catacombs | Ancient & Baroque Rome | Four Major Basilicas | and much more...

For info or to book phone Gail at 076 352 3809 or 021 551 3923 info@fowlertours.co.za www.fowlertours.co.za

2

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

LOCAL

Priests become Knights M

Archbishop Stephen Brislin hands a stole to Fr Peter-John Pearson, with Mgr Clifford Stokes to his right, as the two vicarsgeneral of the Cape Town archdiocese are invested as Knights of the Holy Sepulchre.

(Photo: Günther Simmermacher)

STAFF REPORTER

ONSIGNOR Clifford Stokes and Fr Peter-John Pearson, vicars-general of the archdiocese of Cape Town, were invested into the Equestrian Order of the Knights and Dames of the Holy Sepulchre by Archbishop Stephen Brislin at Corpus Christi church in Wynberg.

Archbishop Brislin is the grand prior of the order in South Africa.

In his homily, Archbishop Brislin called for solidarity with the Christians of the Holy Land, most of whom are Palestinians.

In his closing remarks, Fr Pearson outlined the suffering of Christians in the occupied West Bank and especially Gaza, which is suffering under a blockade by Israel.

The Order of the Holy Sepulchre, which does developmental work in the Holy Land and encourages pilgrimages there, was represented by local magistral delegate Joseph Quinn along with knights from Britain and the commander dame from South Africa, Nancy Quinn.

While the history of the order can be traced to the Crusades, its modern history begins when Pope Pius IX reestablished the Latin pa-

triarchate of Jerusalem in 1847 and reorganised the order and gave it the mandate to support Christians in the Holy Land.

The order supports Christians in the Holy Land through prayer, pilgrimages and financial contribution, raising $15 million annually for the Church and its outreach projects, 60 parishes, 45 schools and institutions. Christian and Muslim Palestinians benefit from the order’s works.

The order has about 30 000 members around the world. Their membership has been likened to a vocation.

Win a safari worth R35 000 and help nuns STAFF REPORTER

A

SAFARI for two worth R35 000 is up for grabs in a raffle organised to raise funds for a cash-strapped convent.

Marist-educated businessmen Laurence Saad and Piero Colia became aware of the financial problems faced by the Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters in Umzumbe on the KwaZulu-Natal South Coast, and decided to pool their resources to put together a five-star safari experience as a prize for the raffle.

Each ticket costs R100, and a maximum of 1 000 will be sold.

The prize is a five-day, four-night luxury safari for two people at private lodges in the Balule section of the Kruger National Park. Included in the package are return airfares from the winners’ nearest airport to Johannesburg from where Viva Sa-

faris will transfer them to the Kruger Park.

Mr Saad runs the five-star Ezulwini Lodges while Mr Colia is the owner of Viva Safaris, a tour operator specialising in Kruger Park safaris and a long-time advertiser in The Southern Cross.

The Capuchin Poor Clare Sisters of Capuchin Adoration convent is an enclosed community of 17 sisters who maintain a perpetual adoration before the Blessed Sacrament 24 hours a day.

“As contemplatives, we pray for

the whole of humanity, sensitive to the daily problems of each person.

There is no concern, suffering, anguish or discouragement of others which does not find an echo in our hearts,” the nuns said in an e-mail to The Southern Cross.

“We carry out our tasks with joyful readiness—everything is done with joy for the love of God.” Entry into the raffle is through bank transfer. Importantly, the reference number on the bank transfer must be the person’s cell number, to which the raffle number will be sent by SMS. n The banking details are: Account name: CAPUCHIN CONVENT UMZUMBE—RAFFLE; Account no: 053431901; Branch: Umhlanga, Branch code: 05 7829; Account type: Savings; Reference: Your cellphone number.

THE BEAUTY OF LIFE IN THE WOMB

The Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office hosted a round table on new political parties and coalitions in the 2014 elections. Discussing why their parties were founded, Andrew Gasnolar (right) of Agang South Africa said there was a need for greater accountability, adding that citizens need to be at the centre of democracy. Andile Mngxitama (left) said the Economic Freedom Fighters was a protest party, aimed at stamping out corruption. Cheryllyn Dudley, MP of the African Christian Democratic Party, discussed why her party joined the Collective for Democracy, a new coalition, stating that a diverse nation needed a diverse government that isn’t afraid to hold itself accountable.The panelists are seen with Mike Pothier of the CPLO. (Photo: Claire Mathieson)

College rebuilds hall after fire STAFF REPORTER

A

YEAR after the historic hall at Holy Family College in Johannesburg burnt down, construction is racing ahead to ensure that the completion date of August 1 is met.

“There were considerable delays in starting the project as we had to comply with various heritage council conditions before we could begin,” said principal Mark Potterton.

“The construction process was

CASA SERENA The retirement home with the Italian flair.

7A Marais Road, Bedfordview, Jhb. Provides full board and lodging, medical services and transport.

Senior citizens wishing to retire in this beautiful Home, please phone

The full set of 11 posters on A3 format can be ordered at info@mscaidssa.org.za for R 160

011 284 2917 www.casaserena.co.za

slowed down as we had to wait for a special order of bricks to match the existing ones,” he said.

The hall’s oak floors originally came from the United States and this wood will now be imported from Canada.

“Insurance is covering most of the costs but the school is still trying to raise an additional R180 000 to cover the costs of repairing latent defects in the original building process,” Mr Potterton said.

O RFO R D

CONSTRUCTION

ESTABLISHED 1982

professional Supervision

Project Management Specialists in:

New Houses • Renovations • Alterations • Additions • Painting • Plumbing

• property Management and Care For Advice call Julian Orford B.Sc. (Civ.Eng) Tel: (021) 788 9321 Fax: (021) 788 4401 Cell: 082 493 0563 E-mail: julian@orfordconstruction.co.za www.orfordconstruction.co.za

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

LOCAL

3

Live happily to reach 100 Oakford Sisters celebrate 125 years I T STAFF REPORTER

SABEL Akal began the celebration of her 100th birthday in the presence of God. She wouldn’t have wanted it any other way.

A special Mass was held in Mrs Akal’s honour at what has been her spiritual home for more than 40 years, Our Lady of Fatima parish in Durban North.

“A more devout Catholic you will struggle to find,” said Deacon Peter Venter. “Until very recently, Mrs Akal has attended early morning Mass nearly every day. She also spends several hours in prayer daily and her rosary is never out of reach.”

It was no surprise, he added, that she would be awarded the Bene Merenti papal medal for her long and exceptional service to the Catholic Church. The medal was awarded on her birthday in the company of friends and family, including Mrs Akal’s nephew, Fr Warwick Akal, who had travelled from California to attend the celebration.

When he was asked to give Mrs Akal a special blessing, he instead asked his aunt to bless him, before asking the congregation to extend their arms in prayer over her.

Longtime friend Mgr Paul Nadal handed Mrs Akal the medal. Her first words, even on her 100th birthday, were: “Why me?”

Mrs Akal, née Assad, was born in Johannesburg to immigrant parents from the Lebanon. She was the fourth of seven children and attended boarding school at the Dominican Convent in Ermelo. This education laid the foundation for her deep spirituality.

After matriculating, Mrs Akal returned to Barberton, where her parents lived. “Every day, she

STAFF REPORTER

With centenarian Isabel Akal on receiving her papal honour are (from left) her nephew Fr Warwick Akal, who came from California for the occasion, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Mgr Paul Nadal, and her parish priest, Fr Desmond Nair of Durban North. undertook the long journey to church, crossing a donga on the way, to attend the 6am Mass before work,” said Deacon Venter of the beloved parishioner.

Mrs Akal married George Akal in April 1938, after which they moved to Durban. “Their home became known as a halfway house for priests and a shelter for the needy,” said Deacon Venter. Her daughter Marcelle still recalls how the family were encouraged to hold back to ensure there was enough food for their many guests.

Mrs Akal has also been a member of several church organisations at the old St Joseph’s church in Durban.

Her husband died in 1974 but Mrs Akal continued attending daily Mass until her 94th birthday, when she decided to stop driving.

“Mrs Akal has five children, nine grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. She’s hard of hearing and suffers with arthritis, but even at a

hundred, her mind is as sharp as a razor blade,” said Deacon Venter.

Sharing her secret to longevity, Mrs Akal said she was not a big eater and did not drink alcohol but she “does not hold back when it comes to tea and sugar”.

“Up until recently, I drank about five cups a day, each with three heaped spoons of sugar”, she said.

“And I’ve never followed a diet. I cook with butter, full cream milk and olive oil, and I enjoy the odd chocolate and peppermint.”

Despite battling to walk, Mrs Akal still runs a double-storey home, walking up and down the stairs several times a day. When someone expresses concern about her ailments, her immediate response is: “That’s nothing compared to others.”

Mrs Akal said the real secret to longevity was to have a very happy family and community-oriented childhood.

HE Dominican Sisters of St Catherine of Siena of Oakford, KwaZulu-Natal, have celebrated the 125th anniversary of the foundation of the congregation.

The celebration Mass of thanksgiving was joined by three bishops and several priests. Also present were parishioners of Sacred Heart parish in Oakford, former students and teachers from Oakford schools, and many friends who came from around South Africa.

They joined the sisters in marking the exact date 125 years ago when the first eight sisters had arrived at Oakford, and in giving thanks for the presence and fidelity of God over so many years.

Sr Paula-Mary van der Walt, congregational prioress, outlined something of the faith journey undertaken by the pioneer sisters who had left what was familiar to them in Augsburg, Germany, and then in King William’s Town for a new mission at the invitation of Bishop Charles Jolivet of Natal.

In less than a year, a branch house of the King William’s Town Dominicans became a new diocesan congregation. It was affiliated to the Dominican order in 1915, and became a congregation of pontifical right in 1926.

It spread across four continents, with sisters engaged in education, health care, and diverse forms of social outreach to those on the margins of society.

The congregation experienced great growth from 1889 to the 1970s and there were many young

Oakford Dominican Sister Anna Maria Sr Anna Maria Khumalo lights the jubilee candle of her congregation at Montebello, KwaZulu-Natal. sisters. Today there are few young sisters, and the congregation has had to let go of houses and ministries.

In his homily, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban reiterated the importance of looking back in thanksgiving and looking forward in faith, trusting in the plans of God. Bishop Barry Wood, auxiliary bishop of Durban, noted with appreciation his long association with Oakford, going back to his Young Christian Student days and remembering the beauty of compline sung in the chapel full of sisters.

During the celebrations, the Oakford sisters embarked on a pilgrimage to some of the places associated with the history and expansion of the congregation.

They visited Montebello in the Dalton area of KwaZulu-Natal to see the Dominican Sisters of Montebello, a daughter-congregation of Oakford. Dominican Sisters have Continued on page 11

4

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

INTERNATIONAL

Rwanda genocide remembered

BY CINDY WOODEN

BY CINDY WOODEN

A

S Rwanda marked a weeklong period of official mourning to mark the 20th anniversary of its genocide, Pope Francis urged the country’s bishops to be resolute in continuing the work of healing and reconciliation.

“Twenty years after those tragic events,” when as many as 1 million people were murdered in savage acts of ethnic violence, Pope Francis said, “reconciliation and the healing of wounds must remain the priority of the Church in Rwanda”.

Meeting the country’s bishops during their ad limina visits to the Vatican, the pope offered his prayers for all Rwandans “without distinction of religion, ethnicity or politics”.

Forgiveness for what happened and “authentic reconciliation can seem impossible from a human point of view,” the pope said, but they are gifts people can “receive from Christ through a life of faith and prayer”.

“The path is long and requires patience, mutual respect and dialogue,” he said.

Mostly Tutsis and some moderate Hutus, ethnic groups with a history of rivalry, were killed in the 1994 genocide. Some massacres took place in churches; in some cases, entire congregations were murdered. Leaders of various Christian churches, including the Catholic Church, were implicated in the violence because of ties to one or the other ethnic group.

Pope Francis said the schools and hospitals the Catholic Church operates in Rwanda have an essential role to play in ensuring a future

Martyred Jesuit refused to leave Syria’s suffering

T

A woman holds a child during Mass at St Famille church in Kigali, Rwanda, as the country commemorated the 20th anniversary of the 100-day genocide.

An estimated 1 million people were murdered in savage acts of ethnic violence in 1994. (Photo: Noor Khamis, Reuters/CNS) of peace in the country, but nothing they do can be as effective as Catholics being united in love and allowing “the Gospel to touch and convert their hearts”.

“It is important that, overcoming prejudice and ethnic divisions, the Church speaks with one voice, demonstrating its unity,” Pope Francis told the bishops.

Pope Francis also encouraged the bishops to do everything possible to strengthen “relationships of trust between the Church and state”, saying that, too, would contribute to reconciliation in the country.

“A constructive and authentic dialogue with the authorities can favour common works of reconcil-

iation and the reconstruction of society based on the values of human dignity, justice and peace.”

The pope also encouraged Rwanda’s Catholics to entrust themselves to the maternal care of Mary, who appeared to three young Rwandan girls in the 1980s at Kibeho.

“The mother of Jesus wanted to show herself to your country’s children, reminding them of the effectiveness of fasting and prayer, especially the rosary,” Pope Francis said. “It is my ardent hope that you can make the shrine of Kibeho once again radiate the love of Mary for her children, especially the poorest and those who are wounded.”—CNS

HE 75-year-old Dutch Jesuit priest who was beaten and then shot dead by Syrian rebels had been urged to leave the city of Homs. Instead Fr Frans van der Lugt decided to stay with the faithful, the poor and homeless of the war-torn city.

Fr van der Lugt (pictured), who had worked in Syria since 1966, declined suggestions to leave because he wanted to help Syria’s suffering civilians—“Christians and Muslims—anyone in need”, said Fr Giuseppe Bellucci, head of the Jesuits’ press office.

Fr Van der Lugt’s killers beat him and then shot him dead in front of the Jesuit residence in Homs.

The Jesuit became known around the world after appealing for aid for the people of the besieged city of Homs in a video posted on YouTube in late January.

The United Nations supervised an evacuation of about 1 400 people from Homs in early February; arriv-

ing in Jordan camps, the refugees confirmed Fr van der Lugt’s accounts of people, especially young children, starving to death.

Speaking to Catholic News Service by telephone on February 6, the Jesuit had said: “There has been no food. People are hungry and waiting for help. No injured people have been allowed to leave. Families have been hoping to get out of the siege and out of the fighting between the two sides.”

“The wounded have not received proper treatment, so healing has been difficult. Newborns die very quickly because of a lack of milk,” he said. “There have been cases of death due to hunger and starvation.”—CNS

Crimea’s Catholic Church fears becoming illegal

BY JONATHAN LuXMOORE

ject those it sees as a threat. After the recent ethnic cleansing, this will amount to religious cleansing.”

Bishop Dzyurakh spoke to Catholic News Service in early April as pro-Russian protesters stormed Ukrainian government buildings in the eastern cities of Donetsk, Lugansk and Kharkiv, raising fears of a new Russian military intervention after the March annexation of Crimea.

He said the situation in Crimea remained “tense and dangerous” for Catholic clergy, after one priest was arrested and threatened with prison, and others were branded “Vatican agents” and warned to leave.

“Catholics are still leaving Crimea—hardly anyone remains in some communities, and it’s hard to see how our pastoral work can survive,” he said.

“We’re consulting legal experts about our rights under international law, since these are issues of fundamental religious freedom too important to be left St Francis of Assisi Pilgrimage in the hands of local Holy Land. Istanbul. Ephesus.

Kusadasi. officials,” he said.

YSt John’s L St Paul’s Amphitheatre.

Tomb.

D L Vermaak The bishop said E Led by Fr Jonathan CO U two Redemptorist OK Brown EscortedFby:OGlynn priests were currently 28 AprilB– 9 May 2014 running the Church ================ Regina Mundi Pilgrimage in Crimea, and plans Rome. Assisi. San Giovanni Rotondo (Padre Pio) had been made to reLanciano. Monte Cassino. place clergy with Led by Fr Sebastian Rossouw OMI families with unmar7 – 15 September 2014 ried pastors from reli================ gious orders.

La Madonna della Speranza Pilgrimage In Crimea, “the Rome. Assisi. San Giovanni Rotondo (Padre Pio) threats and accusaLanciano. Monte Cassino Led by Fr Bernard Madiba tions against us recall 29 June - 7 July 2015 Soviet propaganda ================ from when our St Theresa Pilgrimage Church was supHoly Land: Jacob’s Well. 1st Century synagogue. pressed in 1945-46, All special sites. Rome: Audience Holy Father and we’ve no illu(TBC). Cathedrals. sions as to what this Led by Fr Eliot Vumbanyama portends,” Bishop 3 – 15 August 2014.

Dzyurakh said. ================ Church of the Resurrection Pilgrimage “Catholics who Holy Land & Cairo, Nablus, Magdala support Ukraine’s in(1st Century Synogogue) dependence and terLed by Fr Kevin Dadswell ritorial integrity are 15 – 25 October 2014 being viewed as ene================ mies. Priests’ families St Anthony’s Pilgrimage are also being misHoly Land & Cairo. All the special new sites. treated by people inLed by Fr Jude Nnorom CSSP fluenced by Russian 1 – 11 February 2015 propaganda, which Tel: (021) 683 0300 Fax: 086 691 9308 has succeeded in fuP O Box 273, Rondebosch, 7701 elling aggression between citizens who Email: karis@tangneytours.co.za previously lived in peace.”—CNS

A

UKRAINIAN Catholic bishop has warned his Church could lose its legal status in Crimea under Russian rule and pledged to use “all possible means in the international arena” to defend it.

“Greek Catholic communities like ours are denied rights in the Russian Federation, which we see as a violation of freedom of conscience and religion,” said Bishop Bohdan Dzyurakh, secretary-general of the Ukrainian Catholic Synod of Bishops.

“We hoped these restrictions wouldn’t be applied to our Church in Crimea, but we’ve been told all religious communities must now reregister there. This means the local government usurps the power to re-

Tangney

Special Interest Tours

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

5

Pope to youth: I made mistakes in the past

BY CAROL GLATZ

P

OPE Francis has told a group of young people to be honest with themselves and others and figure out what they hold dear: money and pride or the desire to do good.

He also told them he has made plenty of mistakes in life, being guilty of being too bossy and stubborn.

“They say mankind is the only animal that falls in the same well twice,” he said. While mistakes are the “great teachers” in life, “I think there are some I haven’t learned because I’m hardheaded,” he said, rapping his knuckles on his wooden desk and laughing. “It’s not easy learning, but I learned from many mistakes, and this has done me good.”

The pope spoke to six young students and reporters from Belgium, who were accompanied by Bishop Lucas Van Looy of Ghent. They video-recorded the interview in the papal study of the Vatican’s Apostolic Palace and aired an edited version on Belgian TV. When asked why the pope agreed to do the interview with them, the pope said because he sensed they had a feeling of “apprehension” or unease about life and “I think it is my duty to serve young people”, to listen to and help guide their anxiety, which is “like a seed that grows and in time bears fruit”.

The 25-year-old reporter operating the camera asked the pope whether he was happy.

“Absolutely,” he smiled, “absolutely, I am happy.”

“I have a certain inner peace, a great peace and happiness that

Pope Francis blesses a boy through a fence as he visited the church of St Gregory the Great in Rome this month. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) come with age, too.” Even though he has always encountered problems in his life, he said, “this happiness does not disappear when there are problems”.

W

hen one young woman said: “I have my fears. What makes you afraid?” The pope laughed and responded: “Myself.”

He said the reason Jesus constantly says, “Be not afraid”, is because “he knows that fear is something, that I would say is, quote-unquote, ‘normal’. We are afraid of life, of challenges, we are even afraid before God, right?”

Everyone is afraid, so the real issue is to figure out the difference between “good fear and bad fear.

Good fear is prudence”, being careful and “bad fear” is something that

Holy Land leaders: Stop speaking of ‘persecution’

R

EPEATED references to persecution of Christians, “usually referring only to what Christians suffer at the hands of criminals claiming to be Muslims, plays into the hands of extremists”, Catholic leaders in the Holy Land have said.

“In the name of truth, we must point out that Christians are not the only victims of this violence and savagery. Secular Muslims, all those defined as ‘heretic’, ‘schismatic’ or simply ‘non-conformist’, are being attacked and murdered in the prevailing chaos,” said a statement from the Assembly of Catholic Ordinaries in the Holy Land.

“In areas where Sunni extremists dominate, Shiites are being slaughtered. In areas where Shiite extremists dominate, Sunnis are being killed,” the bishops said.

“Yes, the Christians are at times targeted precisely because they are Christians, having a different set of beliefs and unprotected. However, they fall victim alongside many others who are suffering and dying in these times of death and destruction. They are driven from their homes alongside many others and together they become refugees, in total destitution.”

The bishops said the extremists,

“at home and abroad”, hope to “sow prejudice and hatred, setting peoples and religions against one another”.

They acknowledged that Christians had lived in relative security under some of the dictatorial regimes in the Middle East, so Christian leaders defended these regimes that were overthrown as part of the Arab Spring.

“Instead, loyalty to their faith and concern for the good of their country should perhaps have led them to speak out much earlier, telling the truth and calling for necessary reforms, in view of more justice and respect of human rights, standing alongside both many courageous Christians and Muslims who did speak out,” the bishops said.

The bishops also said that international powers could not help them; people of the Middle East had to stand together and help themselves. “International and local political powers seek their own interests,” they added.

“We have to adapt ourselves to our realities, even realities of death, and must learn together how to emerge from persecution and destruction into a new dignified life in our own countries,” they added.—CNS

Bishop to sell bling residence

A

RCHBISHOP Wilton Gregory of Atlanta, Georgia, has announced that he will vacate the archbishop’s controversial residence in early May and move into another available archdiocesan property.

He said that he has decided to sell the property and “invest the proceeds from that sale into the needs of the Catholic community”.

The announcement was his latest action following public and media criticism about the new $2,2 million (R24,2 million) residence.

Archbishop Gregory issued a

statement of apology in The Georgia Bulletin, the archdiocesan newspaper, acknowledging he had received “heartfelt, genuine and candidly rebuking letters, e-mails and telephone messages” during the past weeks about the residence.

His decision came after consulting with members of the archdiocesan pastoral and finance councils and the council of priests, he said, “and hundreds of well-meaning parishioners of differing points of view—some who sent written observations—as well as my own personal reflection and prayer”.—CNS

“cancels you out, turns you into nothing,” preventing the person from doing anything, and that kind of fear must be “thrown out”.

The interpreter clarified that the woman was specifically looking for a way to face her fear of evangelis-

ing, especially in such a secular culture.

“If you go with your faith with a banner, like the Crusades, and you go and proselytise, that’s not good,” the pope said.

Instead, “give witness with simplicity” and humility, show people who you are “without triumphalism... This isn’t scary. Don’t go on the Crusades.”

One young man asked what mistakes the pope has learned from.

The pope laughed, saying, “I’ve made mistakes, I still make mistakes.”

The example he highlighted was when he was elected superior of the Jesuit province of Argentina and Uruguay at the age of 36. “I was very young,” he said, “I was too authoritarian.”

But with time, he said, he learned that it’s important to truly listen to what other people think and to dialogue with them.

It took a while to find a happy medium between being too hard and too lax—“but I still make mistakes, you know?”

One woman told the pope she

dominican Pilgrimage jouRnEyS oF

HoLy LAnd & RomE

with Fr EmiL BLASER oP 31 Aug - 11 Sep 2014 See all the great sites of the Holy Land and Rome, with PAPAL AudiEncE!

ALL WELcomE!

Video: www.bit.ly/1fcF90

A LiFETimE! Contact Gail at 076 352 3809 or 021 551 3923

info@fowlertours.co.za

facebook.com/FowlerToursSa

fowlertours.co.za

does not believe in God, but “your acts and ideas inspire me”. She asked what kind of message he would give to the whole world—believers and non-believers alike.

The important thing, Pope Francis said, is to “find a way to speak with authenticity”, which involves seeing and speaking to others as our brothers and sisters.

When his guests said they were ready to ask the last question, the pope laughed, “Ah, the last! The last is always terrible.”

They asked the pope to pose a question for them.

He said his question came from the Gospel, when Jesus says to not store up treasure on earth, but in heaven, “For where your treasure is, there also will your heart be.”

The pope asked them: What do you treasure and hold close to your hearts?

Is it “power, money, pride or goodness, beauty, the desire to do good?” It can be many things, he said, and he asked them to find the answer “for yourselves, alone, at home.”—CNS

576AM 870

www.radioveritas.co.za streaming live

SMS 41809 MASS followed by Mass Intention 41809 VERI followed by comments

PO Box 4599, Edenvale, 1610 (t) 011 663-4700 eblaser@radioveritas.co.za

6

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher Guest Easter editorial by Margaret Blackie

The fruits of a catastrophe

I

N the gospel of John, Jesus says: “Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit” (12:24).

When we are in the midst of grief following some significant loss, this phrase can seem meaningless and almost cruel. The fruit is far from evident, all there appears to be is barren soil.

But think of the disciples on that brutal Friday so many years ago. The shock, the numbness, the sense of utter pointlessness of all that had gone before. And then, when they finally get to the tomb to finish attending to his body, it is empty.

Is it any wonder that in the encounter with Mary Magdalene it took Jesus three attempts before she actually recognised him, or that the disciples on the road to Emmaus could not identify him?

The story of the resurrection continues to echo down the centuries. We can find resonances in our own lives—not of literal resurrection, but of grace flowering in the wasteland of a fallen dream.

Much like the experience of the actual resurrection, the grace is unexpected and occasionally a little unnerving. It is sometimes hard to embrace the new vision.

Like the disciples, we can be left for a while holed up in the upper room, sitting with the knowledge of new life, but yet not quite sure how to proceed.

And then the inspiration strikes (or perhaps gently dawns) and the way forward begins to clear. We have sufficient light for the next step. Slowly, slowly, we live our way into a new way of being. A way of living that we had not imagined possible, but there is hope and grace and promise.

When our dreams fail—perhaps through death, perhaps through broken relationships, perhaps through betrayal or injury—it is useful to remember the utter dejection of the disciples on Good Friday night.

How could a man of such goodness, such mercy, such vision be cut down in this way?

How could the Son of God be killed?

There are times when our dreams feel as though they have been ordained by God. Good dreams which have come about as an answer to prayer are suddenly laid to waste. How can this be? We, too, feel lost and dejected.

But again and again, if we have the courage to wait with hope, new life emerges. It always takes a little longer than is comfortable.

Just like the disciples, it may demand new things from us.

They had to step up from the role as followers to proclaimers of the Word. Some had to travel to new places. No doubt the lives of all of them were significantly different to what they had been even when they were following Jesus.

The catastrophe of the crucifixion with the terrible loss of Jesus, in the end, through the resurrection, results in the spreading of the Christian message across the world. But the resurrection by itself was not sufficient.

The proclamation of the Gospel required the participation of the disciples. Those men and women needed to be willing to live a new version of their lives.

This new vision was not what they had signed on for when they began to follow Jesus, but now, this was the invitation, this was what was required.

So too, in our own lives, in the aftermath of catastrophe there will be an invitation to a new way of being.

It takes tremendous courage to choose the new path, and for most of us the transition doesn’t occur nearly as quickly as it did for the disciples. But if we have the courage to follow it, in time, we will see the experience as being laden with grace.

What we thought was wasteland is now covered in green, with the promise of an abundant harvest. n Margaret Blackie is a spiritual director and author of Rooted in Love: Integrating Ignatian Spirituality Into Daily Life.

VIVA SAFARIS

Explore the Kruger Park with

www.vivasafaris.com for options, photos and videos

RESERVATIONS:

ALICE 071 842-5547 or PIERO 082 444-7654 or e-mail vivasaf@icon.co.za

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.

Pray for peace in one-state Palestine

I

READ with great interest of Pope Francis’ pending visit to Bethlehem in occupied Palestine, as well as Claire Mathieson’s front page article, “South Africans give Palestinians hope” (January 29).

Full marks to Fr Peter-John Pearson and Archbishop Stephen Brislin. Their steps in Gaza will be of great historical significance in the future.

The concept that Jewish people, Lebanese people and Palestinian people can live in peace and harmony is not as far off as one would expect.

Slowly but surely all the myths and

Training youth

T

HE letter “Younger Catholics lost to the faith” by RG Pitchford (March 5) puts our problems as parents on the priest and the Church. The Church must change and cope with cellphones and computers. No way!

We as parents have failed, and are failing, our youth.

We need to tell them about their baptism at a young age, pray at home, say the rosary, the chaplets of Divine Mercy, pray the Angelus, explain why we go to Mass on Sunday, read the Bible with them. In this season of grace and repentance we need to attend the stations of the cross with our family and explain to the little ones why we do that—or do we ourselves not know why?

We need to participate in their catechism classes, let them hear from us about first holy Communion and confirmation, and tell them about ours.

We need to motivate our youth to serve in church as altar servers and ministers of hospitality, to join youth groups, to sing, dance, and join a youth band.

Don’t let them simply be dropped off at church.

Let them ask Jesus: “What can I do more for you, Lord?”

We put our problems and failures with our youth at the door of the priest and the Church. Our children are dressed-up models with special name tags. We feed them with so may wrong wants and fail to feed them spiritually.

We, with our youth, are the Church, and we as parents must help our youth to do that, to “serve”. We have what no other church has, the true body and blood of Jesus Christ in the Mass, and other sacraments too.

How lucky we are, and we don’t see it. We have priests with anointed hands to give us all that.

Our priests are like a breath of fresh air, to feed us spiritually, not to discuss cellphones and computers.

I don’t even want to say how destructive both can be.

untruths are being exposed.

Nelson Mandela, FW de Klerk and South Africa will always be a shining example that two nations can live peacefully.

The example that two nations can live under one roof, in peace and harmony, as in Belgium and in Switzerland, must be noted.

The Zionists will, sooner than we expect, have to take that giant step of a one-state solution, where all are equal under the law. Students of the Middle East know that the Zionists, unwittingly, have already created one state.

We must tell our youth about Good Friday and Easter celebrations, how important it is to take part in them, and not think it’s a weekend of fun and going camping.

Share this holy time of grace and repentance with your family, have a holy and blessed Lent, and a holy Easter weekend.

God bless you Catholics who are true to your faith.

Mary Bowers, Cape Town

Where’s ubuntu?

T

HE recent brutal beating and public humiliation of a foreign national, a Nigerian, by some policemen in Cape Town showed that our police force has not learnt a thing from its past human rights violations.

This was the second time that South African policemen were caught on camera brutally abusing foreign nationals. Last year in Gauteng, a Mozambican young man was ruthlessly beaten by policemen, tied to their van and then towed to the cell where he eventually died from his injuries.

Acts of this nature no doubt inflict grievous harm to victims, but also damage South Africa’s image both locally and abroad.

They depict South Africa as a country where foreigners are no longer welcome and their safety is never guaranteed.

It is a shame that such atrocious acts are taking place in a country which is well known for its ubuntu philosophy, which embraces everyone and abhors all forms of discrimination irrespective of one’s origin.

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

See the richness of South Africa’s wildlife close-up with ViVA SAFARiS. Look for the Big Five in the company of our trained rangers, take a guided bushwalk you will never forget, and after dinner around a fire relax in our chalets – or in a treehouse.

We offer a wide choice of affordable programmes for backpackers and bush connoisseurs alike.

For young people we offer VoLunTEER SAFARiS (see www.volunteer safaris.co.za)

Pray that the 5 million Jewish people in occupied Palestine can be set free, that 5 million Palestinians in occupied Palestine can be set free, that 5 million Palestinians in the diaspora can visit their homeland with dignity, and that Jewish people worldwide can visit Jerusalem with a clear conscience, that there will be no borders between the “people of the cedars and Palestine”, and that the 14 million Lebanese people in the diaspora can visit the cedars of the Lord and Jerusalem one day.

Please help dispel the myth that the current Zionists are the Hebrews and the Israelites of the Bible.

Ken Hanna, Johannesburg

It is high time that every South African began soul-searching for ways of rejuvenating this life-giving philosophy of ubuntu.

We must commend members of the public who witnessed these ordeals and brought them to public attention, especially those of Cape Town, heard in the video, who questioned the particular policemen’s brutality and urged them to stop abusing the victim.

Their courage to challenge that brutality makes them heroes and true champions of ubuntu.

Douglas Momanyi Ogato, Merrivale, KZN

Family findings

A

FTER the enthusiastic frontpage build-up given the “family survey”, like Stefan Gruner (March 26) many Catholics cannot help but wonder what the Southern African bishops reported back on the input received.

How many of the laity actually participated and gave their “on-theground” input? How did that differ from the clergy’s perception? It would be interesting to know what percentage of responses actually have daily experience of modern family life—and what was eventually submitted?

We are all “Church” and have a God-given (and canon law?) right and responsibility to ensure our beloved Church benefits from our hands-on experience and knowledge.

Surely the old days of Catholics being expected to “pay, pray and obey” should be a thing of the past.

No longer are the clergy necessarily the best-educated, or most experienced people in the parishes and we are not children, to be only “seen and not heard”.

So please publish the results for all to see and consider. Or, in this instance, would secrecy be an example of an authoritarian attitude—“the hierarchy knows what’s best”?

Geoff Harris, Rooi Els, Western Cape

MONK?

YES! (please leave your contact details in case of donations)

admin@stanthonyshome.org

If you are seeking God …And you desire to live a life of prayer and personal transformation …And you are able to live the common life…

Perhaps you have the vocation to do so as a Benedictine Monk

For more information contact:

The Abbot Inkamana Abbey P/Bag X9333 Vryheid 3100

OR

The Prior Benedictine Abbey Subiaco PO Box 2189 Pietersburg 0700

PERSPECTIVES

At Easter, let go of grudges

W

HEN is Easter not yet Easter? I suggest it is when we fail to forgive; when we celebrate Easter loaded with the baggage of bitterness.

It’s not Easter for us when we bear grudges, because Easter is about resurrection. And it’s in resurrection that we ought to rise again from the death of acrimony and vengeance. At Easter we have to leave behind the hurts and anger in our past and move on with the risen Lord.

Forgiving those who have wronged us can be difficult, especially when it is our own who have betrayed or disappointed us—our children or parents, siblings, colleagues, communities. It can take a while for us to let go and move on.

Easter is the pinnacle of our year as Christians. What an opportunity to rise from our past! And yet, Easter can come and go without any impact in our lives.

It is at Easter that we renew our baptismal promises. And in the profession of faith, we proclaim: “I believe in the forgiveness of sins.” In the sacrament of reconcilation, having made our full confession and performed the appointed penance, we expect God to forgive our sins.

And still one can hear good Catholics say things like, “I will never forgive him because of what he did to me.” As Christians, following the risen Lord, we can’t say that.

We have to let the Lord intervene. We have to allow the Lord to transform us to be forgiving people.

On Easter Sunday, we share the bread of Christ in the Easter Mass, just as we do in any other Eucharistic celebration. The say-

ing goes that we become what we eat, but we can’t be what we eat if we don’t forgive.

When we avoid shaking hands with that person behind us during the sign of peace, it’s not yet Easter for us; when we can’t attend a Mass because our in-laws will be there, it’s not yet Easter; if we can’t receive Communion from a certain minister and so avoid their queue, it’s not yet Easter for us.

In all areas of our lives, but especially as Catholics, we have to rise from the all too common culture of blaming and complaining. Even in our deepest hurts or hottest anger, we must know that it will not be night, ever. One day it will be okay.

Jesus on the cross, having been sentenced to an excruciating public death and brutally scourged, forgave his tormentors. Is that not amazing? Jesus is the perfect model of forgiveness, and as his followers we must

A woman holds an Easter egg to a candle.

In his column, Anthony Gathambiri suggests that Easter is the perfect time to extinguish the flames of bitterness and grudges.

Anthony Gathambiri

Point of Reflection

follow him in that respect, too. To be a Christian requires us to do our best to imitate Christ every day; and part of that package is to forgive our trespassers.

Christ, who tells us that he came so that we may have life and have it to the fullness, is risen. If we want to live a life without bitterness and vengeance, we have to invite him to our lives. We shouldn’t be afraid to tell him who our enemies are and ask for the grace to forgive them.

And if that is too tall an order even for many a good Catholic, then there are the more tangible benefits of forgiveness.

Holding on to grudges is bad for our health, physical and mental. The deeper the feelings of acrimony are, and the more we plot and yearn for settling scores, the more stress we inflict upon ourselves.

If you have sleepless nights because you are angry with somebody, or replay the point of rupture in a relationship, or plot ways of getting even, then you have a problem—and if the person who wronged you wanted to hurt you, then they have already won, no matter what happens.

Easter for many means receiving fabulous chocolates and other gifts. But the greatest Easter gift, to ourselves and to those who have hurt us, is the liberation from bitterness, anger and hatred.

After the resurrection Christ keeps saying: “Peace be with you.” May this Easter be a time of making peace, within ourselves and with others.

The paschal mystery lives in the family Toni Rowland

I

LOVE stories and pictures to illustrate concepts and reflections, as anyone who regularly reads Marfam publications or listens to my programme on Radio Veritas will know.

The stories and sometimes the pictures present a different perspective to the biblical event, and by contextualising these in a modern setting, mainly from a family perspective, I try to make the event a little more relatable to us, the family people of today Imagine if you will, if Jesus was with us in the world today, where would he be carrying out his ministry? In Rome? In Syria?

Or closer to home, perhaps in Bekkersdal, Khayelitsha or Limpopo, alongside protestors against poor service delivery?

He chose in his own day not to form a political party and would not be out electioneering. He might even keep away from the Public Protector but would nevertheless have his say about corruption, greed and power struggles, even taking on the rulers in debate.

An important part of my ministry over the years has been to promote family faithsharing which uses scripture readings alongside real-life situations. There are resources for this but families are encouraged to use their own issues and situations as well as the current events around them for personal reflection—but, importantly, also for sharing with one another, which is the most difficult part.

Being family-friendly can mean using the events from Palm Sunday, when the people wanted to make Jesus king, until Good Friday, when they turned on him demanding his execution.

The Songs of the Suffering Servant from

Family Friendly

Families have their Good Friday moments but their decisions to love together with God’s mercy and care lead to Resurrection times. Image of thre Resurrection from St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria (Photo: Fr Chris Townsend).

Isaiah, as the liturgical readings of the time, can be linked with a thought on marriage and faithfulness, justice, a culture of violence, abuse of power and the meaning of sacrifice.

The Stations of the Cross can be prayed by families, linking the Jesus event to something in their own lives. For example, Jesus was betrayed and unjustly condemned: “On what occasions has such a thing happened to me?” Jesus fell, but got up and continued his painful journey: “From my own experience, can I relate to how difficult that must have been?”

Even today Jesus would say, as he did on that Holy Thursday almost 2 000 years ago: “My way is different, even though I will be made to suffer. This is my message to you.

Greater love has no one than to lay down their life for their friends. Love one another as I have loved you.”

WIN A

LUXURY SAFARI for two worth R35,000 and support a Capuchin Convent See page 2 in this issue for more info

Retirement Home, Rivonia, Johannesburg Tel:011 803 1451 www.lourdeshouse.org

GOD BLESS AFRICA Guard our people, guide our leaders and give us peace.

Luke 11:1-13

Frail/assisted care in shared or single rooms.

Independent care in single/double rooms with en-suite bathrooms.

Rates include meals, laundry and 24-hour nursing.

Day Care and short stay facilities also available.

He had given them his vision, given them himself, this motley bunch from all sectors of society—young families, middleaged and old, men and women, sick and healthy, rich and poor.

“Blessed are the pure in heart, the merciful, those who hunger and thirst for justice, the poor in spirit. Blessed are you when from the love you experience you can reach out and share my love with others.”

They knew they were still at the beginning of a journey for life, but they were ready to live out the beatitudes. “So when we are gathered all together, let us strive to keep our minds free of division. May there be an end to malice, strife and quarrels and let Christ our God be dwelling here amongst us” (Ubi Caritas, Holy Thursday.

From Thoughts For The Day: April To June, Marfam).

Families live and experience the paschal mystery over and over. They offer innumerable sacrifices which when joined to the sacrifice of the Eucharist become acceptable to God. Families have their Good Friday moments but their decisions to love together with God’s mercy and care lead to Resurrection times. That is the life of the domestic church.

A Blessed Easter to all—and here is an Easter diet tip: Eat an Easter egg before each meal. It’ll take the edge off your appetite, and that way you’ll eat less.

uniquE cHRiSTiAn GiFTS www.uniquechristiangifts.co.za

We are a safe and secure online business specialising in: unique Holy Land Products Olive wood crosses with embedded holy water and soil, rosaries and other stunning olive wood handcrafts— brought to you from the Holy Land.

Sterling Silver jewellery A range of beautiful Christian-themed jewellery (pendants, necklaces, bracelets and earrings) crafted from genuine 925 sterling silver, decorated with the most incredible gemstones.

Handcrafted crosses Crafted with a scroll saw (rare in SA), our products are a range of solid wooden (walnut, oak etc.) crosses, designed to be heirloom gifts. unique Bibles Browse our unique leather covered bibles, various versions available.

Visit our website now: www.uniquechristiangifts.co.za

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

7

Michael Shackleton

Open Door

Must Communion wine be red?

Recently I received communion under both species in Pretoria. The chalice contained transubstantiated white wine that, in this case, was colourless, like the anaemia that Jesus suffered during his passion. The fact that the accidents did not resemble the substance made my faith uncertain of what it saw, instead of becoming certain of what it did not see. Why not red wine? JH Goossens

D

UE to the advances in the fields of physics and chemistry, as well as in phenomenological thinking, the terms substance and accidents have become controversial in modern times, and there has been a lot of debate about how the bread and wine of the Eucharist can be converted into the real body and blood of Christ.

The Church holds to the teaching of the Council of Trent (1551) that “in the nourishing sacrament of the holy Eucharist after the consecration of the bread and wine, our Lord Jesus Christ, true God and man, is truly, really and substantially contained under the species of those sensible things”, that is, the outward properties of bread and wine as perceived by our senses (Session 13).

When we see, smell, taste or touch bread and wine, we are in fact doing so through the way bread and wine appear to the senses. The substance, which does not stimulate our senses, is the underlying essence of the thing which remains amid all outward change. Bread can be brown, white, coarse, whole-wheat, crusty, and so forth. Wine, too, can be red, white, sweet, dry, sparkling or still. The outward appearances may differ, the reality of the substance remains.

This explanation may not appeal to a physicist today, but it underlines the unique change from one thing into another by divine action, not by the laws of physics.

You question why white wine should be used for communion instead of red. And you observe that the accidents of wine (white), which you can see, do not resemble the substance of Jesus’ blood (red), which you cannot see.

It is a mistake to think that the substance of Jesus’ blood is red. Blood is normally red but this is an element of its accidents, its appearance, which is not its substance. Comparing the colour of the wine with the colour of Jesus’ blood focuses on accidental qualities rather than on the reality of transubstantiation.

Notwithstanding contradictions by deviant theologies, the Church, Catholic and Orthodox, has never wavered from the ancient doctrine that after the consecration, bread and wine are the true body and blood of Jesus Christ.

n Send your queries to Open Door, Box 2372, Cape Town,

8000; or e-mail: opendoor@scross.co.za; or fax (021) 465 3850. Anonymity can be preserved by arrangement, but questions must be signed, and may be edited for clarity. Only published questions will be answered.

MICASA TOURS

pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago Compostela and Lourdes led by Fr Emil Blaser 10-23 October 2014 pilgrimage to Turkey and Medjugorje led by Father Andrew Knott 25 September-10 October 2014 pilgrimage of Thanksgiving to Italy & Medjugorje led by Fr Teboho Matseke 14-29 September 2014 pilgrimage to Fatima, Santiago de Compostela and Lourdes, paris & Nevers led by Fr Cletus Mtshali 28 September-11 October 2014 pilgrimage Fatima and Medjugorje led by Father Laszlo Karpati 10-21 October 2014 pilgrimage to the Holy Land, Israel led by Fr Shiya—Our Lady of the Wayside, Maryvale, Johannesburg 12-21 October 2014 R15 500. Terms and conditions apply Contact: Tel: 012 342 0179/072 637 0508 (Michelle) E-Mail: info@micasatours.co.za

8

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

COMMUNITY Send us your Wedding Photos!

H Nina Isaacs, daughter of Theresa and Terence, married Quintin William Kemp, son of Wendy and Billy, on December 12, at Corpus Christi church in Wynberg, Cape Town. Celebrant: Fr Christopher Clohessy. Photographer: Paul Solomon, paulnicholas.co.za

Candice Bharosa, daughter of Frank and Dawn, married Hugh Delport, son of Albert and Olga on September 28, at Our Lady of Good Hope church in Sea Point, Cape Town.

Celebrant: Mgr Clifford Stokes. Photographer: Warren Nelson, warrennelsonphotography.co.za

ERE are the first five finalists in our wedding photos competition which will run until April 2015.

Send your entries to weddings@scross.co.za. or post to PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 2001.

The caption must state the bride’s maiden name, the groom’s name, the names of the parents, the date of the wedding, the name and location of the church, and the name of the officiating priest. The name of the photographer (and website, if professional) may be given as well.

Please include contact details of the bridal couple.

For competition rules see www.scross.co.za/2014/01/ wedding-photos-competition/

Nicole Hartman, daughter of Len and Rosa, married Leslie Potgieter, son of Derek and Colleen, on January 25, at Our Lady of Fatima church in Durban North. Celebrant: Fr Stephen Tulley.

Photographer: Matt Masson, mattmasson.co.za

Eve-lyn Mary van Schoor, daughter of Charles and Lydia, married Adam John Bremner, son of John and Tot, on December 27, at Holy Redeemer church in Bergvliet, Cape Town. Celebrant: Fr Sean Wales CSsR. Photographer: Craig Corker, craigcorker photography.tumblr.com

Luanshya Mandolyn Hiralall, daughter of Roshan and Jeromie, married Trevohn Naidoo, son of Steve and Susheila, on December 16, at St John’s church in Chatsworth, Durban. Celebrant: Fr Tembelani Ngcobo. Photographer: Vashnie Singh, bodhivision photography.wordpress.com

DIVINE MERCY FEAST 2014

CORPUS CHRISTI CATHOLIC CHURCH WYNBERG

Friday 25th April 2014

Holy Hour & confessions mass celebrated by Fr Roger Hickley

;TÇÉ|Çà|Çz<

Saturday 26th April 2014

Holy Hour & confessions mass celebrated by Fr dick o’Riordan

;cÜtç|Çz ã|à{ Ä|à vtÇwÄx<

Sunday 27th April 2014

Holy Hour & confessions mass celebrated by Fr Ralph de Hahn

3:00 pm.

4:00 pm.

3:00 pm.

4:00 pm.

3:00 pm.

4:00 pm.

;ixÇxÜtà|ÉÇ Éy à{x W|ä|Çx `xÜvç \Åtzx<

exyÜxá{ÅxÇàá ÑÜÉä|wxw uç à{x fv{ÉxÇáàtàà YtÅ|Äç ZÜÉâÑ office Tel: 021 761-3337

For more Information

Fax: 021 761-3388

Email: corpuschristiWynberg@gmail.com

FILM

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

9

Son of God film ‘a love story’ A new film about the life of Christ is opening this weekend in South Africa. MARK PATTISON spoke to the producers about Son of God.

T

HE movie Son of God, which opens in South Africa on April 17, should be seen as “a love story”, according to two of its executive producers, the husband-andwife team of Mark Burnett and Roma Downey.

“This really is a love story—the greatest love story ever told,” Downey said.

The couple brought the 10-hour miniseries The Bible to television last year, garnering sizable ratings on the History cable channel in many parts of the world (DStv’s version of the channel did not broadcast the series).

Among those ten hours was the story of Jesus. But Burnett and Downey decided even before the miniseries was televised that they would make a separate movie focusing on Jesus.

“When we were in Morocco filming, I said to Mark, ‘We should have been making a film here’,” Downey said in an interview.

Downey, a Catholic who is perhaps best known for her starring role for nine seasons on the popular ’90s TV series Touched by an Angel, plays Mary, mother of the adult Jesus.

Diogo Morgado, a Portuguese actor, plays the role of Jesus Christ in the movie Son of God. (Photos from CNS)

Husband-and-wife team Roma Downey and Mark Burnett produced Son of God which follows on the success of the miniseries The Bible.

Burnett, whose TV successes have been primarily in reality programming from Survivor to Shark Tank to The Voice to The Apprentice to Are You Smarter Than a Fifth Grader, concurred, but noted: “It wasn’t shot any differently” for multiplexes than The Bible had been for TV. “We use different camera angles.

We shoot so much film of every scene it’s easy to make alternate choices.”

Son of God tells the story of Jesus through the eyes of an elderly St John—the only apostle who did not meet a martyr’s fate—on the isle of Patmos.

Downey said the endorsement of religious leaders is a big help.

The events that led up to Jesus’ death may resonate even today.

Pontius Pilate having been the fourth Roman governor of a politically restive Judea; Jerusalem’s temple leaders, embodied by Caiaphas, being aware of Pilate’s threat to shut down the temple, even at Passover, if Jewish unrest is not tamped down; and the arrival into the Holy City of a Nazarene miracle-worker whose reputation precedes him.

Burnett said his hope that Son of God audiences “could actually see themselves as the disciples” in this

New Jesus film is uneven but epochal Reviewed by John Mulderig

A

S the first wide-release film in nearly 50 years to focus on the life of Jesus as a whole, Son of God represents an epochal event for believing moviegoers.

Though not the most powerful mass media treatment of its subject—that accolade continues to belong to Franco Zeffirelli’s 1977 television miniseries Jesus of Nazareth—director Christopher Spencer’s reverent but uneven screen version of the gospel story ranks as a worthy revival of the Hollywood biblical epic.

The screenwriters, led by Nic Young, find an efficient entrée into their narrative by entrusting it to an aged St John the Evangelist (Sebastian Knapp) during his exile on the island of Patmos. This is theologically helpful because the opening lines of the beloved disciple’s gospel, as recited here, describe the Incarnation, a mystery without which all that follows could easily be misconstrued.

Early scenes leading up to and including the Nativity will remind at least some viewers that Son of God is an outgrowth of last year’s highly successful miniseries on the History cable channel series, The Bible. The new footage that follows is at its best in its portrayal of the events that culminated in the crucifixion of Jesus (Diogo Morgado).

Thus Judas (Joe Wredden), Caiaphas the high priest (Adrian Schiller) and Pontius Pilate (Greg Hicks) are all assigned believable motives, while Morgado succeeds in blending messianic vision with very human pain in a thoroughly compelling way—one that accords, moreover, with the scriptural account.

Catholic viewers will also appreciate the unqualified acknowledgement of St Peter (Darwin Shaw) as the leader of the apostles as well as scenes highlighting Mary’s (Roma Downey) closeness to her son.

And, though the portrayal of the Last Supper seems somewhat noncommittal as to the meaning of the Eucharist, a rough-and-ready celebra-

Jesus is baptised in a scene from the movie Son of God. tion of the sacrament is shown to be the chosen moment for the Lord’s first post-resurrection appearance to the Twelve.

As for the ministry and preaching that precede the Passion—during which Jesus draws the disapproving attention of Simon the Pharisee (Paul Marc Davis)—there are moments that range from the moving to the awkward.

Morgado brings the requisite gravity to bear in announcing that the passage from the prophet Isaiah he has just read aloud in Nazareth’s synagogue has now been fulfilled.

But the story of Lazarus’ death and revivification is truncated—and drained of much of its impact—by the absence of any hint of Jesus’ previous friendship with him and with his mourning sisters.

Despite such shortcomings, as produced by Downey, Mark Burnett and Richard Bedser, Spencer’s picture offers some solid catechesis and an easy introduction to the Lord’s earthly biography.

That’s all the more valuable given the erosion in religious literacy our society has experienced since the appearance of Son of God’s most recent—yet far distant—predecessor, George Stevens’ 1965 Gospel drama The Greatest Story Ever Told.

In that context, and despite its unflinching treatment of the Redeemer’s sufferings, “Son of God” is probably acceptable for older teens.—CNS

The film portrays the same kind of brutality seen in The Passion of the Christ a decade ago, although it is concealed or suggested, as it had been in the miniseries.

Downey did not dwell on the violent aspect of the movie, but in comparing the two films, she noted that Mel Gibson’s film presupposes the viewer knows the story of Jesus, as it begins with Holy Thursday. Son of God, though, begins with Jesus’ birth, and through the signs and wonders he performs in the first hour of the movie, she said, “you get a chance to fall in love with him all over again”.

stew of political intrigue.

One of Downey’s favourite moments in the movie is not from the dramatic side of the movie, but something that wasn’t even in the script. In a scene presaging Jesus’ feeding of the five thousand, Jesus and the apostles are in a boat near the coastline. Children running along the shore wave to Jesus, and Jesus, played by Diogo Morgado, waves back and smiles.

“That wasn’t Jesus waving,” Downey said. “That was Diogo waving.

“We got so much feedback [after the miniseries] from people saying they liked what Diogo Morgado brought to the role.”

Morgado is a native of Portugal who is a popular TV star there. He has starred in films produced in Brazil and Spain. He has leading roles in two US independent films, which will be released shortly.

On a tour to promote The Bible last year, Downey said she wished they had 20 hours to tell Bible stories instead of the 10 that was eventually settled on for the TV audience. Now, with two-plus more hours, they were able to go into a bit more depth with Jesus’ story. “It could have just as easily been three hours and 20 minutes,” Burnett said.

The success of The Bible also produced another spinoff: A.D, a 12hour miniseries to be shown on US television, which takes the story of the apostles and the early Christians to the small screen.—CNS

10

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

INTERVIEW

Winter theology prof led by St Augustine World renowned professor of ethics Al Gini will be leading this year’s Winter Living Theology. CLAIRE MATHIESON learns more about the man who will be lecturing countrywide on leadership.

‘L

EADERSHIP is about fate.

Who we choose to be our leaders, radically impacts our future and our fate.” This is the belief of ethics professor and respected author Al Gini, who will be leading this year’s Winter Living Theology where he hopes to redefine our understanding of leadership.

“Leadership is about those who are led, and not the leader.”

Prof Gini has three heroes: Abraham Lincoln, Viktor Frankl and Nelson Mandela. While these names seem like a fairly typical response of any foreign lecturer about to address a South African audience, Prof Gini has a special place in his heart for the country, having first travelled to South Africa 15 years ago with his then girlfriend.

“We fell in love in Africa and got married in Cape Town 13 years ago. And ever since then, South Africa has had both a personal and political place in my life,” he told The Southern Cross.

Two of his heroes had prison numbers but all of them were men of courage, fortitude, and moral strength.

“As a student of leadership, I am convinced that the sacrifices of

Supported by the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Mandela and all of his associates whom he represented is the reason that South Africa is free today. He called his prison cell on the island, the university. There he said he became a better man and a better leader. His greatness, I think, exceeds Lincoln’s.”

The professor of business ethics and chair of the Department of Management in the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola University Chicago said he believes that what happens in South Africa, and all of Africa, is “a metaphor for what could happen in the world”.

“How Africa solves its political problems, its economic problems and its various health problems is a barometer for the future for all of us.”

Prof Gini calls the leadership phenomenon in South Africa “amazing”.

“As recently as ten years ago, I think many critics feared that the death of Mandela and many of the other Elders would engender the re-establishment of blood feuds between the whites and blacks. Happily this has not occurred.

Although the revolution needs to be augmented by yet another economic revolution, I think the South African people are now committed to the politics of democracy and not the politics of the gun.”

Prof Gini said while many of the leaders since Mr Mandela might have been “inept or corrupt”, this is a problem of new democracies.

“You have to learn how to lead, and the people have to learn how to choose.”

The professor said being asked to return to the country and share his thoughts on ethics and leadership is in some sense “payback for all the good things that have hap-

Al Gini will direct this year’s Winter Living Theology course presented by the Jesuit Institute. He is a professor of business ethics and chair of the Department of Management in the Quinlan School of Business at Loyola university in Chicago. pened in my life”.

He believes the Winter Living Theology talks reflect the Jesuit commitment to social justice. “In some small way, I hope I’m contributing to that mission.”

P

rof Gini said his talks are geared towards a general audience and his comments range across a broad perspective. “I do not plan to only speak to theologians, because I am not one. My training is in philosophy, but I must admit, I am a philosopher open to dialogue with theologians.”

Prof Gini will be led in his talks by a quote from St Augustine: “The first and last job of leadership is the well-being and safety of those they lead.”

“I believe that faith is never totally blind or simply an emotional commitment to a thought or an idea. I think people come to faith through reason as well,” Prof Gini said.

He said the focus of all of his comments will be about his personal commitment that leadership must be based on ethics, character and stewardship for others.

“We measure the success of leadership by the quality of the lives of those they lead. The purpose of leadership was followers.

Mandela believed that. Mandela believed in ubuntu. That chieftaincy was about the wellbeing of others and not the chief,” he said.

“Leadership is about moral courage, living out what we believe. Leadership is about the fact that no one can live an excellent life without a commitment to something greater than oneself.”

This year’s Winter Living Theology theme is “The Leaders We Deserve?”

The director of the Jesuit Institute, Raymond Perrier, said that the institute wanted to focus on leadership given the 2014 elections and the 20th anniversary of democracy as well as the arrival on the world scene of Pope Francis.

“These have provoked much discussion about the kind of leaders we have,” Mr Perrier told The Southern Cross.

The three-day course is open to everyone; not just priests and religious but anyone who is concerned about leadership in South Africa today. There will also be evening workshops in each city for those who cannot attend a three-day course.

The Winter Living Theology will take place at the Pauline’s centre in Kensington, Johannesburg from 20-22 May, Glenmore in Durban from 26-28 May and in Cape Town at the Schoenstatt retreat from 3-5 June. n For more information contact admin@jesuitinstitute.org.za or call 011 482 4237.

CLASSIFIEDS Oakford Sisters 125th anniversary Continued from page 3 lived at Montebello since 1904, with the formal establishment of the new Montebello Congregation taking place in 1938.

Celebrating the Dominican heritage and charism, Montebello Sister Celestine Ndlovu gave a powerful reflection on Dominican values in South

Word of the Week

LITURGICAL COLOURS: Colours used in vestments and altar coverings to denote special times in the Church year. Green is used in ordinary time, red denotes solemn feast days, purple denotes penitential times and white is used for joyful occasions including Christmas, Easter and some saints’ feast days.

ESCHATOLOGY: Doctrine concerning the last things: death, judgment, heaven and hell, and the final state of perfection of the people and the kingdom of God at the end of the world.

ASPERGILLUM: A vessel or device used for sprinkling holy water during special blessings.

The ordinary type is a metallic rod with a bulbous tip which absorbs the holy water and discharges it at the motion of the user’s hand.

Community Calendar

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

CApE TOWN: padre pio Holy Hour 15:30 every 3rd Sunday of the month at Holy Redeemer parish in Bergvliet.

Helpers of God’s precious Infants meet the last Saturday of the month. Mass at 9:30am, Sacred Heart church in Somerset Road, followed by a vigil and procession to Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Bree Street. Colette Thomas on 083 412 4836 or 021 593 9875 or Br Daniel Manuel on 083 544 3375.

Good Shepherd, Bothasig.

Perpetual Eucharistic Adoration in the chapel. All hours. All welcome.

NELSpRUIT: Adoration of the blessed sacrament at St Peter’s parish. Every Tuesday from 8am to 4:45pm followed by Rosary, Divine Mercy prayers, then a Mass/Communion service at 5:30pm. pIETERMARITZBURG Couples for Christ “Behold and ponder” Couples retreat on May 23, 24 and 25 at FET College, Northdale, cnr Balambra Way and Olympia Way, Pietermaritzburg. Registration fee: R220 per head.

Phone 031 302 1217 or email admin@cfcsouth africa.co.za.

Africa today, challenging all present to hold fast to the four pillars of prayer, study, community life and preaching.

Sr Alison Munro OP said there has been collaboration between the two congregations around the training of novices and in various Dominican projects.

Our bishops’ anniversaries This week we congratulate: April 18: Bishop José Ponce de León of Manzini on the fifth anniversary of his episcopal ordination.

April 18: Bishop Joaõ Rodrigues of Tzaneen on the fourth anniversary of his episcopal ordination.

Liturgical Calendar Year A Weekdays Cycle Year 2

Sunday, April 20, Easter Sunday Acts 10:34, 37-43, Psalm 118:1-2, 16-17, 22-23, Colossians 3:1-4 or 1 Corinthians 5:6-8, John 20:1-9 Monday, April 21 Acts 2:14, 22-33, Psalm 16:1-2, 5, 7-11, Matthew 28:8-15 Tuesday, April 22 Acts 2:36-41, Psalm 33:4-5, 18-20, 22, John 20:11-18 Wednesday, April 23 Acts 3:1-10, Psalm 105:1-4, 6-9, Luke 24:13-35 Thursday, April 24 Acts 3:11-26, Psalm 8:2, 5-9, Luke 24:35-48 Friday, April 25 Acts 4:1-12, Psalm 118:1-2, 4, 22-27, John 21:114 Saturday, April 26 Acts 4:13-21, Psalm 118:1, 14-21, Mark 16:9-15 Sunday, April 27, Divine Mercy Sunday Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 118:2-4, 13-15, 22-24, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 598. ACROSS: 3 All aboard, 8 Omen, 9 Apple a day, 10 Enable, 11 Creep, 14 North, 15 Sage, 16 Axiom, 18 Thor, 20 Allot, 21 Moses, 24 Wonder, 25 Redaction, 26 Ludo, 27 Prescribe. DOWN: 1 Solemnity, 2 Get a broom, 4 Lope, 5 Abler, 6 Orates, 7 Roam, 9 Alpha, 11 Chips, 12 Palladium, 13 Centurion, 17 Mason, 19 Romans, 22 Enter, 23 Peer, 24 Womb.

NEW FOR 2014 13 to 26 Sep

pILGRIMAGE OF pEACE

Do you feel called to the Franciscan way of life?

Visiting the Vatican City, Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo (Tomb of padre pio), Loreto, and Medjugorje

Organisers Marlene Cillieris and Nomsa Malindisa. Accompanied by a Spiritual Director Cost from R24 300 Tel: (031) 266 7702 Fax: (031) 266 8982 Email: judyeichhorst@telkomsa.net

OUR GIFT TO YOU!

Subscribe now to the digital or print edition, for yourself or for someone you love, and we will send you a beautiful

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

Email: evenieturner63@gmail.com

made by Christians in the land of Christ and blessed with holy water in Jerusalem.

*Offer valid while stocks last

The Southern Cross, April 16 to April 22, 2014

CLASSIFIEDS

11

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.

WEDDING ANNIVERSARY

60TH WEDDING ANNIVERSARY: DIESEL—Alan and Joan (née Paige). Married in Bloemfontein by Archbishop Meising on 19 April, 1954. We give thanks to God for all His Blessings.

IN MEMORIAM

year away from us, still feels like one day away.

You bravely fought the fight, but God saw you becoming weary and took you into his loving arms to your eternal home. We will always cherish the fond memories we have of you and missing you sorely.

May your soul RIP. From your Mom, Dad, sisters, brother and son.

GAYKO—Reinhold E (Rhino). It is a year ago that you left us, 17th April 2013. I thank God for the gift of you, the 52 years we had together, and the memories to warm my lonely heart. Your ever-loving wife, LJG.

pRAYERS

MOODLEY—Trevor, Joan & Vanessa. Our precious parents, grandparents, sister & Aunt. Just a prayer from your family who loved you, Just a memory fond and true, In our hearts you’ll stay forever, Because we think the world of you, We hold you close within our hearts, And there you shall remain, To walk with us throughout our lives, until we meet again. So rest in peace dear Mama, Papa & Swee. And thanks for all you’ve done, We know that God has given you, The crown you’ve truly won. All our love, Caroline, Richard, Nadira, Cassandra & Vivek

DOWLING—“Chummy” Charles Humphrey. In memory of a loving husband, father and grandfather who passed away six years ago. Fondly missed and lovingly remembered by your wife, Bridget and the Pasensie and Flores Families.

ABRAHAMS—Mandy (née Petersen). In loving memory of our daughter, sister and mother of Carlisle who passed away on 21/04/2013. Your 1st

MY most loving Father, You have promised, “I am the God who heals you” (Exodus 15:26) I place in your loving care my sick body, worried mind, my emotional wounds and sinful nature. I believe that only You have the power to heal me completely. Loving Father, I trust in Your love for me, Help me to love You more. Help me to increase my faith in You. I surrender to you (here mention your illness or emotional hurt) Cleanse me with the precious blood of Jesus, purify me and set me free from anger, resentment, hatred, unresolved hurts and greed.

Help me to remember that the power of the Holy Trinity dwells within me and all power to forgive and overcome sin is in me. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit and Your peace. Amen. Sacred Heart of Jesus and Immaculate Heart of Mary, please protect us.

pERSONAL

GENTLEMAN seeks Catholic lady friend with view to a relationship, Cape Town. 073 000 5918.

LADY seeks accommodation with a Catholic family in or near Bellville, Cape Town. 079 957 3817.

MATURE lady seeks livein companion position 071 332 3607 NOTHING is politically right if it is morally wrong.

Abortion is evil. Value life! www.abortioninstru ments.com is the graphic truth that will set you free.

ABORTION WARNING: The pill can abort (chemical abortion) Catholics must be told, for their eternal welfare and the

survival of their unborn infants. See www.epm.org/ static/uploads/down loads/bcpill.pdf

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

BALLITO: up-market penthouse on beach, selfcatering, 084 790 6562.

CApE TOWN: Fully equipped self-catering 2 bedroom apartment with parking, in Strandfontein.

R500 per night (4 persons) Paul 021 393 2503, 083 553 9856, vivilla@ telkomsa.net.

FISH HOEK: Self-catering accommodation sleeps 4.

Secure parking. Tel: 021 785 1247.

KNYSNA: Self-catering accommodation for 2 in Old Belvidere with wonderful Lagoon views. 044 387 1052.

LONDON, Protea House: Single R350, twin R560 per/night. Self-catering, busses and underground nearby. Phone Peter 021 851 5200.

MARIANELLA Guest House, Simon’s Town: “Come experience the peace and beauty of God with us.” Fully equipped with amazing sea views.

Secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. Special rates for pensioners and clergy. Malcolm Salida 082 784 5675, mjsalida@ gmail.com SEDGEFIELD: Beautiful self-catering garden holiday flat, sleeps four, two bedrooms, open-plan lounge, kitchen, fully equipped. 5min walk to lagoon. Out of season specials. Contact Les or Bernadette 044 343 3242, 082 900 6282.

SELF-CATERING 2 bedroomed flatlet in Lovemore Heights, Port Elizabeth.

Main bedroom has a double bed- 2nd bedroom has a double bunk with the bottom bunk being a double bed and the top a single bed. Sleeps 5 people.

R500 per day to be paid in advance. Phone: 041 368 5283 or 083 9480117.

STELLENBOSCH: Christian Brothers Centre. 14 suites (double/twin beds), some with fridge & microwave, others beside kitchenette & lounge, ecospirituality library. Countryside vineyard/forest/mountain views/walks; beach 20 minute drive. Affordable.

021 880 0242 or www.cb centre.co.za or cbcstel@gmail.com.

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.

Tony Wyllie & Co. Catholic Funeral Home

Personal and Dignified 24-hour service 469 Voortrekker Rd, Maitland Tel: 021 593 8820 48 Main Rd, Muizenberg Tel: 021 788 3728 Member of the NFDA

NOAH OLD AGE HOMES

We can use your old clothing, bric-a-brac, furniture and books for our 2nd hand shop.

Help us to create an avenue to generate much needed funds for our work with the elderly.

Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 • 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001 Tel: (021) 465 5007 • Fax: (021) 465 3850

Editorial: editor@scross.co.za

•

Advertising: advertising@scross.co.za

Website: www.scross.co.za Second Sunday of Easter: April 27 Readings: Acts 2:42-47, Psalm 118: 2-4 1315, 22-24, 1 Peter 1:3-9, John 20:19-31

•

Business manager: admin@scross.co.za

•

Subscriptions: subscriptions@scross.co.za

Digital edition: www.digital.scross.co.za

•

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thescross

Torn between joy and grim reality Nicholas King SJ

N

EXT Sunday we find ourselves still in the octave of Easter, reeling perhaps in astonishment at the good news that it represents. “Can it really be true?” we ask, torn between joy and the sometimes-grim reality of our lives.

The first reading is one of those summaries of life in the early Church in Jerusalem that make us feel rather inferior, with all the talk of their “being united to the teaching of the apostles and to the fellowship and breaking of bread and the prayers”.

We look at our sometimes painfully divided situation as Christians, and feel that we have lost our way somewhere or other: they had “fear on every soul”, as well as wall-towall miracles, unanimity wherever you look, and possessions held in common. They were “in the Temple every day, and broke bread at home, and shared meals together with joy and simplicity of heart”. Not only that, but they were “praising God and in favour with all the people. Each day the Lord was adding to the number of those being saved”.

Where did we get it wrong? Well, perhaps all we need to do, this week, is keep our eyes on what God has done at Easter, and hang onto that.

This, at any rate, is what the psalmist is suggesting, with his refrain of “for his great

Sunday Reflections

love is for ever”, placed on the lips of various sections of Israelite society. However, there is no idle pretence that all is well, for the poet is well aware of trouble in his life: “You pressed me hard, and I almost fell; the Lord helped me—the Lord is my strength and power; he will be my saviour.” And there is a reminder of what has happened before Easter: “The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone.”

So we rejoice with clear eyes about how bad things can be, recognising always that God is stronger. Only then can we join in the great Easter refrain, “This is the day the Lord made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.”

The second reading, from almost the beginning of 1 Peter, which we shall be following for the rest of the Easter season, is full of excitement about what God has done: “He has given us new birth into a living hope

through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, into an incorruptible and undefiled and unwithered inheritance, kept in heaven for us.”

So we are encouraged to “rejoice”, but just as you are sourly muttering “it’s all very well for you”, the author reminds us that he is well aware of how difficult things can be: “[You are] grieved by testings of different kinds.”

But that is only to reassure us that what looks like pain is in fact just a way of assessing our mettle. Joy should still be the keynote, for God is in charge.

The gospel, as always for this Sunday, is a tale of two appearances.

The first is Jesus, after his death, appearing for the first time to his disciples. They obviously do not believe that Jesus has risen, because “the doors were locked, for fear of the Judeans”.

Jesus effortlessly (as always) breaks through the locks, and offers them the sign of peace. They are not convinced, however, until he shows them the terrible wounds that he has suffered.

Then they are given a job to do, with the breathing-on of the Holy Spirit.

The second appearance comes after those disciples have gloated to Thomas that they

Why Jesus let Lazarus die ‘B

EFORE you get serious about Jesus, first consider how good you are going to look on wood!”

That’s a line from Fr Daniel Berrigan that rightly warns us that faith in Jesus and the resurrection won’t save us from humiliation, pain, and death in this life.

Faith isn’t meant to do that. Jesus doesn’t grant special exemptions to his friends, no more than God granted special exemptions to Jesus. We see this everywhere in the Gospels, though most clearly in Jesus’ resurrection. To understand this, it’s helpful to compare Jesus’ resurrection to what Jesus himself does in raising Lazarus from the dead.

The Lazarus story begs a lot of questions. John tells us the story. He begins by pointing out that Lazarus and his sisters, Martha and Mary, were very close friends of Jesus. Hence, we are understandably taken aback by Jesus’ seeming lack of response to Lazarus’ illness and the request to come and heal him.

Lazarus’ sisters sent word to Jesus that “the man you love is ill”, with the implied request that Jesus should come and heal him. But Jesus’ reaction is curious. He doesn’t rush off immediately to try to heal his close friend. Instead he remains where he is for two days longer while his friend dies. Then, after Lazarus has died, he sets off to visit him.

As he approaches Bethany, the village

Conrad

Contact Ian Veary on 021 447 6334 www.noah.org.za

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

where Lazarus has died, he is met by Martha and then, later, by Mary. Each, in turn, asks him the question: “Why?” Why, since you loved this man, did you not come to save him from death? Indeed, Mary’s question implies even more: “Why?” Why is it that God invariably seems absent when bad things happen to good people? Why doesn’t God rescue his loved ones and save them from pain and death?

Jesus doesn’t offer any theoretical apologia in response. Instead he asks where they have laid the body, lets them take him there, sees the burial site, weeps in sorrow, and then raises his dead friend back to life.

S

o why did he let him die in the first place? The story begs that question: Why? Why didn’t Jesus rush down to save Lazarus since he loved him?

The answer to that question teaches a very important lesson about Jesus, God, and faith. God is not a God who ordinarily

rescues us, but is rather a God who redeems us. God doesn’t ordinarily intervene to save us from humiliation, pain, and death; rather he redeems humiliation, pain, and death after the fact.

Simply put, Jesus treats Lazarus exactly the same way as God, the Father, treats Jesus: Jesus is deeply and intimately loved by his Father and yet his Father doesn’t rescue him from humiliation, pain, and death.

In his lowest hour, when he is humiliated, suffering, and dying on the cross, Jesus is jeered by the crowd with the challenge: “If God is your father, let him rescue you!” But there’s no rescue. Instead Jesus dies inside the humiliation and pain. God raises him up only after his death.

This is one of the key revelations inside the resurrection: we have a redeeming, not a rescuing, God. Indeed, the story of the raising of Lazarus in John’s Gospel was meant to answer a burning question inside the first generation of Christians: They had known Jesus in the flesh, had been intimate friends with him, had seen him heal people and raise people from the dead, so why was he letting them die? Why wasn’t Jesus rescuing them?

Like us, they struggled with the fact that someone can have a deep, genuine faith, be deeply loved by God, and still have to suffer humiliation, pain, and death like everyone else. God didn’t spare Jesus from suffering and death, and Jesus doesn’t spare us from them.

That is one of the key revelations inside the resurrection and is the one we perhaps most misunderstand. We are forever predicating our faith on, and preaching, a rescuing God, a God who promises special exemptions to those of genuine faith: Have a genuine faith in Jesus, and you will be spared from life’s humiliations and pains!

Have a genuine faith in Jesus, and prosperity will come your way! Believe in the resurrection, and rainbows will surround your life!

Would it were so! But Jesus never promised us rescue, exemptions, immunity from cancer, or escape from death. He promised rather that, in the end, there will be redemption, vindication, immunity from suffering, and eternal life.

But that’s in the end; meantime, in the early and intermediate chapters of our lives, there will be the same kinds of humiliation, pain, and death that everyone else suffers.

The death and resurrection of Jesus reveal a redeeming, not a rescuing, God.

had seen Jesus, at which he made some fairly crude remarks about not believing a word of it, and demanding evidence. Jesus then once more breaks in (the doors are still locked shut, we notice, so their encounter with him a week ago did not make much difference to their belief), and offers Thomas precisely the evidence that he has been asking for.

To our astonishment, Thomas makes a move that we should never have predicted; he does not simply say: “Oh yes—it’s you all right, and you have risen from the dead.” Instead, he utters a statement of profound faith, which we who have read the gospel all the way through (and if you have not, then do it this week), know to be absolutely correct: “My Lord and my God!” Jesus then turns to us who struggle to believe in the Resurrection in the midst of a life that has its share of pain, and says: “Happy are those who have not seen and [yet] believe.”

What of us, this week? Listen to the evangelist’s final words: “These things have been written in order that you may come to faith that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by having faith you may have life in his name.” That is true, no matter how bad things may seem.

Southern Crossword #598

ACROSS 3. Noah’s last words before sailing! (3,6) 8. Women hide this portent (4) 9. It’s supposed to keep the physician out (5,1,3) 10. Make possible (6) 11. Your flesh will do it in fear (5) 14. The rest of the compass needle (5) 15. Herb for one of the Magi (4) 16. Maxim (5) 18. The god who thunders (4) 20. Apportion from tall ottoman (5) 21. He stood with Jesus at the Transfiguration (5) 24. Land for Alice (6) 25. I don’t care about edited text (9) 26. Board game (4) 27. Doctor will do it before the writer (9)

DOWN 1. Sacred celebration done with gravity? (9) 2. How you make a clean sweep (3,1,5) 4. Walk around pole (4) 5. More competent (5) 6. Declaims about a store (6) 7. Wander around this city, we are told (4) 9. First Greek letter (5) 11. They can be served with fish on Friday (5) 12. I pull Adam over to find chemical element (9) 13. Roman who came to Jesus (Mt 8) (9) 17. Stoneworker who may be free (5) 19. Paul wrote to them first (6) 22. Put into the register (5) 23. British parliamentarian who could be your equal (4) 24. The one spotless ... (hymn) (4)

Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

A

SHEPHERD and his dog were at Mass, listening to the sermon.

The priest preached: “A good shepherd never leaves his sheep.”

Said the shepherd to the dog: “Let’s go, Rover.

Father is nagging us again.”