150624

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The

S outhern C ross

June 24 to June 30, 2015

reg no. 1920/002058/06

no 4930

www.scross.co.za

With God in prison

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Composer legend Morricone writes Mass for pope

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r7,00 (incl VAT rSA)

Profile of a remarkable Catholic

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Priest: Devil worship on the rise in SA By STUArT GrAHAM

D Cardinal Wilfrid napier blesses a joint Muslim-Christian project for the homeless at the denis Hurley Centre in durban. He is flanked by representatives from the Juma Masjid Grey Street mosque, the SA national Zakah Fund, faith leaders and homeless men and women. The initiative increases the denis Hurley Centre’s capacity to feed the homeless from three to four times a week. (Photo: Publicity Matters)

Busy summer for pope emeritus By AlAn Holdren

P

OPE Emeritus Benedict XVI’s summer is set to be the most active since he stepped down from the pontificate in 2013, with plans for participation in at least two public events and a two-week stay at the papal summer residence at Castel Gandolfo. “Pope Francis invited Benedict XVI to spend some time in Castel Gandolfo in the month of July and Benedict accepted,” Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi SJ told journalists. Castel Gandolfo, which lies about 25km south-east of Rome, has not been officially used as a papal residence since Benedict XVI spent just over two months there following his February 28, 2013 retirement. He currently lives in the Mater Ecclesiae monastery in the Vatican Gardens. Pope Francis is not expected to join his predecessor, according to Fr Lombardi. In his first two summers, the Argentinian pope has remained at the Vatican’s Domus Sanctae Marthae residence where he resides the rest of the year. While in Castel Gandolfo on July 3, Pope

Benedict is also set to receive an honorary doctorate from the Krakow-based Pontifical University of John Paul II and its music academy. The honour specifically recognises Pope Benedict’s “great respect for the musical tradition of the Church” and “special concern for the noble beauty of sacred music and its proper place in the celebration of the sacred liturgical rites of the Church”, according to a press release from the university. On August 30, Pope Benedict will also take part in the inauguration of the “Joseph Ratzinger-Benedict XVI Roman Library” at the Pontifical Teutonic College in Rome. The Ratzinger Foundation confirmed that he will first celebrate Mass at the college for this year’s meeting of his former theology students called the “Schülerkreis” (“Circle of Pupils”). Following Mass, he will take part in an inauguration ceremony at the library. The library section dedicated to his life and thought is currently in the process of being catalogued. It includes books by or about him and his studies, many donated by Pope Benedict himself.—CNA

EVIL worshipping is “growing” in towns across South Africa, with children as young as six involved in Satanism, one of the Church’s most experienced exorcists has warned. Fr Colin Bowes, who is based in Noupoort near Colesberg in De Aar diocese, said Satanists used various tactics such as “instilling curiosity in the demon world” to attract new members. “Once you fall into that, they manipulate you. Later comes confusion. Then they control you by fear. The last stage is possession.” Fr Bowes, who regularly performs demonic exorcisms in small towns in the Karoo, said he is not afraid of his work as he has “God’s protection”. “I am 81 now. There aren’t many priests in this, and there is an increase in Satanism,” he said. “Many don’t want to go into this kind of work. But I am not afraid. If God is for us, who can be against us? Why must I be afraid? God is there. St Michael is always defending us,” he said. Fr Bowes named Durban, Bloemfontein and Krugersdorp as particular hot spots for Satanists. He said he recently visited a school in the Kalahari where children between the ages of six and 11 had urged their principal to join a Satanic group. “The principal asked me to come” after that. “Some of the children said they spent whole nights causing accidents and drink the blood of victims,” the priest said. “During the day they are so tired they can’t take in any lessons. They sit in class and stare at the teacher with blank expressions.” Fr Bowes said he works with the police, performing exorcisms when required. “As an exorcist I perform almost weekly... I deal with a lot of these things... I have been to the Kalahari three times. What people tell me is that Satanism is found in every town.” Satanic groups work mostly at night.

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They are well organised, with groups that focus on different activities. “Some groups specialise in breaking up marriages. Others cause trouble in churches. They get up to all sorts of things,” Fr Bowes said. Catholic experts have noted that occult activity and the resulting need for exorcisms has reached a critical level worldwide. The International Association of Exorcists (AIE) met for their 12th annual conference in Rome last October. According to AIE spokesperson Dr Valter Cascioli, an increasing number of bishops and cardinals asked to participate in the conference due to an increase in demonic activity. “It’s becoming a pastoral emergency,” Dr Cascioli told the Catholic News Agency. “At the moment the number of disturbances of extraordinary demonic activity is on the rise.” The rise in demonic activity can be attributed to a decreasing faith among individuals, coupled with an increase in curiosity and participation in occult activity such as Ouija boards and seances, Dr Cascioli said. The South African Police Service said that occult-related crimes are on the increase, with dozens of cases being investigated in Gauteng. The police have advised parents and guardians to be on the lookout for signs that their children are experimenting with satanic groups. These include rebellion, low self-worth, drug abuse, animal mutilation, increased hatred and body markings. Common markings include the goat’s head, inverted cross, skull, pentagram, a black rose and the swastika. People who witness or suspect occult behaviour are advised to report these to the police and to approach their priest. Drug abuse is the common denominator in all levels of Satanism and is a primary source of mind-altering experiences for satanists. The police occult unit also investigates muti murders, spiritual intimidation and astral coercion, curses intended to cause harm, Continued on page 3

Rome, Assisi, Florence, Siena, Padua, Milan, Venice and more PLUS ONE DAY IN PARIS! 6 - 18 September 2015


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