151118 by The Southern Cross

The

S outher n C ross

November 18 to November 24, 2015

reg No. 1920/002058/06

No 4951

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Pope: No to power-hunger in the Church

Page 4

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Fr Townsend: Open up the church doors

The story behind Martyrs of Uganda

Page 9

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Rector leaves national seminary By MAThiBELA SEBOThOMA

HE seminary community, friends, benefactors and fraternity filled the chapel of St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria to say farewell to outgoing rector Fr Molewe Machingoane. The Witbank priest has a reputation for being a humorist, formator, canonist and father. He started at the seminary as a teacher in 2008 and was appointed rector in 2011. In his homily, Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria, speaking on behalf of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said Fr Machingoane was friendly and generous. Archbishop Slattery noted that “with his hospitality and kindness” Fr Machingoane had “built a community of staff, professors and students who come from very varied backgrounds”, adding that the rector “knew all the students by their names and their family background”. It was Archbishop Slattery who had convinced Fr Machingoane to study canon law instead of Scripture in Italy, describing him as “one of the finest minds of canon law in our country”. Fr Machingoane received permission from Witbank’s former bishop, Paul Mandla Khumalo, to study canon law in Italy, where he graduated with a licentiate from the Pontifical Urbaniana University. In addition he has a master’s degree from St Augustine Catholic University in Johannesburg. Addressing Fr Machingoane directly, Archbishop Slattery said: “You will still play a role in our national Church.” As a former rector of St John Vianney Seminary in the 1980s, the archbishop noted that “to be a rector of a seminary can be very

Outgoing rector at St John vianney seminary Fr Molewe Machingoane (centre) with Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria (left) and Bishop Joe Sandri of Witbank. lonely, especially when you have to make decisions on whether a student is fit for the priesthood or not”. He encouraged seminarians to emulate their outgoing rector and make him proud with their fruitful lives. “You students must not attempt to build a monument to Fr Machingoane, but you must rather become his living monuments.” St John Vianney vice-rector Fr John Selemela said he would remember his friend as “a listener and a man who had many questions”. “The rector knew how to make us laugh,” said student Elvis Komane. “Students will remember Fr Machingoane for what they know as his trademark PW Botha finger-wagging belligerence.” The bishops have named Fr Paul Themba Manci as Fr Machingoane’s successor as rector. Fr Manci, who studied at St John Vianey and at the University of South Africa, is awaiting official appointment by the Vatican after a strong recommendation by the SACBC.

Israel bulldozes Church building

HE Latin-rite Catholic patriarch of Jerusalem has condemned the Israeli government’s demolition of a building owned by the Catholic Church, according to L’Agence France-Presse. “This act is against the law, against justice, and against humanity—against any ideology upon which peace can be built— and increases segregation and hate,” said Patriarch Fouad Twal after Israeli security forces bulldozed the Church-owned building in East Jerusalem that was occupied by a family of 14. Israeli officials said that the building was ordered for demolition because it was constructed without a permit. The patriarchate

pointed out that the building had been in place since before Israel took control of Jerusalem in 1967. Church officials said that they had not been informed about the demolition plans until the bulldozers arrived, and said they would lodge formal complaints. East Jerusalem is traditionally the Palestinian area of the city, but lately Israel has built settlements there, in contravention of international law. The demolition of the Church-owned building came amid rumours that Israel is planning to demolish 15 000 flats housing Palestinians in East Jerusalem, where there are housing shortages and high rents.

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier is interviewed after the official opening and blessing of the Denis hurley Centre in Durban. The ceremony formed part of several events at the centre and in the adjacent Emmanuel cathedral to mark the centenary of Archbishop Denis hurley’s birth. See page 10 for a round-up and photos. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher)

What pope wants to see in Poland By JuNNO ArOChO ESTEvES

OPE Francis wants to visit the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa as well as the Auschwitz concentration camp when he travels to Poland next year, according to Polish President Andrzej Duda. After meeting Pope Francis, Mr Duda told journalists of the pope’s desire to visit the two historical sites during his apostolic trip to the country in July for World Youth Day 2016. The monastery of Jasna Gora houses the famed icon of the Black Madonna of Czestochowa, which, according to legend, was painted by St Luke on a tabletop built by Jesus and was brought to Europe after its discovery by St Helen, the mother of Emperor Constantine. The monastery, which is one of the largest pilgrimage sites in the world, was visited by St John Paul II four times during his pontificate and by Pope Benedict XVI in 2006. The Polish president said that the pope also wishes to follow in the footsteps of his predecessors and pray at the Auschwitz concentration camp where more than 1 million people, the majority of them Jewish, were systematically murdered by the Nazis. The Vatican said that Pope Francis and Mr Duda also discussed issues of mutual interest, including “the promotion of the family, sup-

The icon of Our Lady of Czestochowa at the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland. (Photo: Nancy Wiechec/ CNS) port for social groups most in need and the welcoming of migrants”. The statement added “Some themes regarding the international community were discussed, such as peace and security, the conflict in Ukraine and the situation in the Middle East.” n The Southern Cross and Bishop Stan Dziuba of Umzimkulu will visit Poland on pilgrimage from May 13-21, 2016. See page 5 for details

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The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

LOCAL

Talks on Zuma jet ‘a good sign’ By STuArT GrAhAM

HE government’s openness on a new multi-billion-rand jet for President Jacob Zuma is a welcome sign, the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO) has said. The presidency had shown “relative openness and transparency” on the matter, which suggested that a more modest option will be chosen, said Mike Pothier, research coordinator at the CPLO. “It is encouraging that no refuge has been taken behind the catch-all excuse of ‘security’, which is so often trotted out to justify a refusal to give details or to engage in public dialogue on similar matters,” he said. “At a time when we are witnessing the ‘securitisation’ of many areas of public life, from parliament to the police service to Mr Zuma’s private residence [in Nkandla], it might have been expected that any discussion relating to the president’s travel arrangements would have been avoided,” Mr Pothier said. “That it was not is a very welcome departure from recent practice.” Military officials say the jet—estimated to cost R4 billion, with an ensuite bedroom, a fully equipped kitchen and a conference room for eight—is vital for the president’s safe and reliable transport. Zimpande Msimang , chief of the SA Air Force, said the jet is an absolute necessity as South Africa must have “excellent capability to maintain diplomatic relations”. Armscor chief executive Kevin Wakeford said the plane was not a

toy. “People don’t sit on the plane and do nothing; they work,” Mr Wakeford said at a press conference in Pretoria. “It’s a strategic asset.” But opposition parties have blasted the idea, saying Mr Zuma already has one jet, Inkwazi, which is periodically grounded for maintenance work. Mr Zuma has been widely criticised after his homestead in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal was upgraded with a swimming pool and football pitch at taxpayers’ expense. Security officials have defended the R250 million rand upgrade, saying the swimming pool was in fact a water reservoir in case of fire. Mr Pothier said it could be argued that South Africa cannot afford “anything remotely” like a R4 billion presidential jet, and that “there are far more economical ways of flying our political leadership around”. “And that the very idea, coming as it does at a time when the universities are in ferment over fee increases, and when drought and general economic stagnation threaten to impoverish tens of thousands of people, shows how out of touch the government is with the needs of the country.” However, even if the expenditure on the new presidential jet is open to challenge, the government had achieved a proper degree of democratic accountability by being open about the process, Mr Pothier said. “That is something to be acknowledged and to be built upon,” he said.

St Peter Claver parish in Pimville, Soweto, was visited by novices to motivate young men in the parish to think about a vocation to the priesthood. (Photo: Sello Mokoka)

Care for earth and the poor as one By DyLAN APPOLiS

EMBERS of the social justice and advocacy desk of the Edmund Rice Network of South Africa joined a sabbatical group at the Christian Brothers’ Centre in Stellenbosch to discuss the link between eco and social justice. “The focus of the discussion was on the fact that justice for the planet and justice for all people are two profound conversations that are happening simultaneously, but often in different rooms,” advocacy desk coordinator Jessica Dewhurst told The Southern Cross. “This separation has hugely negative effects on our world as people continue to ignore the interconnectedness of daily human life and the state of the earth,” she said. The advocacy desk believes eco and social justice cannot be separated, and the links between them

Children play in a slum in Asuncion, Paraguay. The Edmund rice Network sees eco and social justice as interconnected. (Photo: CNS/Jorge Adorno, reuters) must be identified to build a united front in advocating for the entire world, both natural and human. “Issues that affect the environment will ultimately also affect people as well, and as in most cases it’s

those made poor who will suffer the most,” said Ms Dewhurst. “On top of trying to deal with existing social issues within vulnerable societies, these societies will also find it incredibly hard to access the necessary resources to help relieve the negative effects of environmental disasters and other concerns. “This means that the effects of eco injustice almost always end up being issues of social injustice as well.” During the presentation linking eco and social justice, the advocacy desk facilitated an activity where participants were able to go step by step through an advocacy kit, assisting them in building their own campaigns in their own areas. n If you would like the Edmund Rice advocacy desk to come and present at one of your events, e-mail Jessica Dewhurst at Jessica@ernsa.org or contact her on 021 434 6731.

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The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

LOCAL The diocese of Kokstad dedicated a month specifically to the year of Consecrated Life, culminating in a Day of recollection led by Fr hugh Lagan for all the priests, sisters, brothers and vocations of Kokstad diocese, their provincials and superiors, and those rendering service in the diocese. Bishop Zolile Mpambani, a member of the Priests of the Sacred heart order, described the day as “very memorable”, adding that Fr Lagan was inspiring.

Catholic lawyers offer their legal services for free By DyLAN APPOLiS

Jesuit Institute calls for facilitators T By DyLAN APPOLiS

HE Jesuit Institute is training facilitators to lead Ignatian parish retreats. The parish retreats are known as Tsoseletsa (Renew) weeks, and the training programme for them was recently offered over 13 Saturdays in Tembisa on the East Rand, with 37 participants. The programme is led by Jesuit Institute spiritual director Puleng Matsaneng and trained volunteers. “In order to be able to offer more

Tsoseletsa weeks in parishes around the country, we need to train more facilitators,” Ms Matsaneng said. Participants in the training programme learn how to teach people different forms of prayer including Lectio Divina, Gospel contemplation and the examination of conscience. They are also trained to give input on different aspects of Ignatian spirituality, the life of St Ignatius, and a basic introduction to the Jesuit Discernment of Spirits. “The development of listening and group facilitation skills is a key

to training participants; they are able to practise these skills and receive feedback,” said Ms Matsaneng. “During the Tsoseletsa weeks participants will be facilitating, people are encouraged to share something of their own faith stories,” she said. “Often a great deal of pain is expressed, and facilitators need to be well trained to create a safe environment in which people can share freely,” said Ms Matsaneng. “The fact that many young adults are taking part in the training is an exciting development.”

Little Eden homes’ staff commended By DyLAN APPOLiS

ACH staff member of Little Eden has been acknowledged for devotion and hard work by receiving special gifts from the homes’ children at their end-ofyear function at the society’s Edenvale and Bapsfontein homes in Gauteng. The homes employ 257 staff providing care for the 300 children and adults with profound intellectual disability. “The staff members work in shifts so that there is personnel on duty 24 hours a day throughout the year,” said Nichollette Muthige, Little Eden’s communications officer. “Caring for these special youngsters is a mammoth task. The staff have to be extremely patient and understanding, giving of themselves day in and day out,” she said. “Being a staff member at Little Eden is not just a job—it is a calling.” At the function, Little Eden CEO

HE Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s Justice and Peace Commission (J&P) has established a platform called Christian Lawyers for Human Dignity, which creates opportunities for Christian lawyers to use their professional skills to minister to the poor and the most vulnerable in society. The pro bono platform is built around the assumption that the legal profession can also be transformed into a vocation. It can be transformed into a ministry of hope to the poor and the suffering. Tony Tshivhase, one of the lawyers involved in the platform, explained why he decided to join: “Hundreds of Catholics who are lawyers in South Africa are already involved in various pro bono initiatives. I decided to be a part of the Christian Lawyers for Human Dignity because it enables us to transform our pro bono activities into a ministry through which God can bless us and our families. It also offers us an opportunity to network spiritually and professionally as lawyers who are Catholics. I encourage other lawyers to join us”

Staff members at Little Eden were acknowledged for their hard work. Lucy Slaviero said: “The most important thing is that we must always work together as a team; as a family. Thank you all for what you have given of yourself this year to ensure the ongoing love and care of our angels, allowing them to smile,

laugh, learn and develop—each on his or her own level and own pace.” Staff members expressed their appreciation to management and the residents by singing songs of gratitude and spending time with colleagues and friends.

s a platform, Christian Lawyers for Human Dignity is constituted as an arm of the J&P. In South Africa, there are hundreds of cases that require legal intervention on behalf of the poor. Each year, the platform will, however, select a few public interest cases that will have the effect of creating massive and lasting change in the lives of the poor—the precedent-setting cases. “Some could be afraid that their membership of the pro bono platform would demand too much of their time. This is not the case. In a year, they could be involved in one or two cases, according to their choice and availability,” explained Mr Tshivhase.

The pro bono platform works in partnership with several public interest organisations in South Africa. J&P serves as a clearing house that matches the cases initiated by public interest organisations with Christian lawyers on the pro bono platform who are willing and able to assist J&P to join the case as the friend of the court.

&P coordinator Fr Stan Muyebe OP told The Southern Cross: “Given the high levels of poverty and inequality in South Africa, the focus wil be on cases relating to social and economic rights: education, healthcare, food, rights of farm workers, mine-affected communities, informal settlers. “The lawyers will also avail themselves to assist the Church in cases that have a direct bearing on the moral teaching of the Church, like the case of assisted suicide,” added Fr Muyebe. The pro bono platform is also accompanied by opportunities for spiritual support and networking. This includes opportunities for retreats as lawyers and access to spirituality materials from J&P. Fr Muyebe highlighted the spiritual component. “St Raymond of Penyafort, a Spanish Dominican, is one of the patron saints of lawyers. J&P constantly prays to St Raymond to intercede for lawyers and their families as they sacrifice their time and skills to minister to the poor and the suffering in South Africa. “Among other things, in 2015, Lawyers for Human Dignity offered legal support to activists in Masakhaneni community who faced death threats after challenging a mining company on issues of consultation and consent,” said Fr Muyebe. n For more information on Christian Lawyers for Human Dignity, contact Fr Stan Muyebe at smuyebe@sacbc. org.za or 072 597 2219.

2016 family calendar out now STAFF rEPOrTEr

S the Southern African bishops’ three-year Focus on the Family continues, the SACBC Family Life Desk has produced its annual wall calendar. The theme of the 2016 family year planner is Building Families of Merciful Love, which echoes the focus Pope Francis has chosen for the Year of Mercy: “Merciful Like the Father. “ The family year planner has been published by the Family Life Desk for several years. This year it was produced and distributed by the Marriage and Family Life Renewal Ministry (Marfam), an independent family ministry programme. “The year planner becomes a liturgical calendar for the domestic church of the home when important family commemorations are added as opportunities for family prayer and sharing,” said Marfam’s Toni Rowland. “The theme for the year is broken down into monthly themes relating to different aspects of family life and incorporating generally recognised days in the South African calendar and community,” she explained. An explanation sheet is provided with orders and published on www.marfam.org.za for downloading. Small reflection booklets titled Mercy Minutes complement the year planner. “The reflections link the monthly themes with family life situations, Scripture, daily readings, extracts from Pope Francis’ writings,” Mrs Rowland said. More in-depth articles on familylife appear in the Family Matters mag-

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azines, also published by Marfam. Marfam’s website, Facebook page and e-mail postings complement the family media ministry. “Parishes can adopt the family year planner, even make it available to all parish families,” Mrs Rowland said. She encouraged parishes to use the monthly themes and short reflections in their newsletters, bidding prayers or faith-sharing groups. “Events on the different topics can be planned from time to time,” Mrs Rowland said. “For example, Grandparents’ Day around July 26 has become a meaningful occasion to honour the older generation.” One hundred calendars cost R350 and R60 for postage and packaging, 50 calendars R200 and R50 p&p, and 25 calendars R120 and R40 p&p. Smaller quantities cost R5 each. The Mercy Minutes booklets cost R10 each. Discounts apply for orders of 20 and more. Subscription to Family Matters (published three times a year) is R160. n Orders can be placed with Marfam, PO Box 2881, Randburg, 2125 or info@marfam.org.za or phone 082 552 1275.

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The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

INTERNATIONAL

Pope: No more fearful, power-hungry Church By CArOL GLATZ

EETING workers and addressing a major gathering of the Catholic Church in Italy, Pope Francis demanded an end to economic exploitation, to clerics “obsessed” with power, to apathy among the youth and to a cold, fearful Church that forgets Christ is always by its side. “These times of ours demand that we experience problems as challenges and not like obstacles: The Lord is active and at work in the world,” he said inside Florence’s cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore—the third-largest church in Europe. In a trip that covered a normal 8-to-5 workday, the pope rallied workers, young people and hundreds of Church leaders representing the entire Italian peninsula; he met with the sick, kissed babies, admired Renaissance artwork and venerated an ancient relic. He ate lunch with the poor and homeless and celebrated Mass in a city football stadium. Much of the city seemed empty of residents, yet filled with people who came to see the pope and tourists curious about the beefedup security and roadblocks. Speaking to hundreds of Italian cardinals, bishops and laypeople attending a national congress held only every ten years, the pope gave a lengthy, yet clear indication of where their discussions and pastoral mission should be heading. “We must not tame the power of the face of Jesus, who takes on the face of the humiliated, the enslaved and the emptied,” he said. A divine Christ reflects a very human gaze of humility and selflessness, and he insists his disciples follow the beatitudes like he did, the pope said. “We must not be obsessed with power,” the pope said, even if it is a useful or seemingly innocuous way of getting things done. Otherwise the Church “loses its way, loses its meaning”. Standing at a lectern beneath a stunning painted dome ceiling representing the Last Judgment, the pope said the beatitudes indicate whether the Church is following its mission or is only thinking of protecting its own interests. Measuring oneself against the beatitudes “is a mirror that never lies”, he said.

Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze (centre) with Ghanaian Cardinal Peter Turkson during a conference on Gaudium et Spes at the vatican. At left is Cardinal Andrea di Montezemolo. (Photo: Paul haring/CNS)

Pope Francis gestures during a meeting with bishops in the Duomo, the cathedral of Santa Maria del Fiore in Florence, italy. (Photo: Alessandro Bianchi, reuters/CNS)

eading animatedly from his written remarks, the pope also found moments to offer a bit of humour, like when warning Church leaders against various temptations. Do not feel superior and place complete trust in structures and perfect plans, he said. This focus on the abstract and on security “often leads us to take on a style of control, harshness, regulation”. When “facing evils or problems in the Church”, he said, “it is useless to seek solutions in conservatism and fundamentalism, in the restoration of outdated conduct and forms” that are no longer culturally relevant or meaningful. Christian doctrine, in fact, isn’t a closed system void of questions or doubts, but is alive, restless, animated. Its face “isn’t rigid, its body moves and develops, it has tender flesh. Its name is Jesus Christ”. He also told priests and bishops to be shepherds, “nothing more. Shepherds”. He recalled an old practice in Italy when mothers, who were unable to care for their newborns left behind a small medallion, snapped in half, with the babies they gave up for adoption at a Catholic hospital. The birth mothers would keep

the other half, he said, in the hopes that one day, when times had improved, they would be able to find their children. “We have that other half. The mother Church has the other half of everyone’s medallion and it recognises all of its abandoned, oppressed and tired children,” he said. “The Lord shed his blood for everyone, not a select few.” “I want a happy Church with the face of a mother, who understands, accompanies, caresses. Dream for this Church, too; believe in this: innovate with freedom,” he told the bishops, pastors and lay leaders. The pope flew by helicopter from Rome early in the morning to land first in the industrial town of Prato on the outskirts of Florence. He apologised for his brief 90minute visit there, saying he had come as “a pilgrim, a pilgrim in passing”. From the cathedral balcony, he greeted thousands of people who had woken very early for the encounter or slept there overnight in sleeping bags. To cheers and applause, he urged young people and workers to fight to the very roots of the problem of “the cancer of corruption” and “the cancer of human and worker exploitation”.—CNS

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Vatican II torch passed on to a new generation By CiNDy WOODEN

GROUP of young adults from North and South America, Europe, Africa and Asia received scrolls commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council’s Pastoral Constitution on the Church in the Modern World; dangling from the ribbon around each scroll was a flash drive containing the entire text of the document. At the Vatican, the document was handed on to a new generation by: Nigerian Cardinal Francis Arinze, 83, a member of the council; Swiss Cardinal Georges Cottier, 93, an expert at the council; Alain Delaunoy, 89, an expert on financial matters at the council; and Cardinal Andrea Cordero Lanza di Montezemolo, 90. In his testimony to the young people, Cardinal Montezemolo explained that just before the third session of the council began, he opened a copy of the Vatican newspaper, L’Osservatore Romano, and saw a headline that Pope Paul VI had decided to name women as council observers. “I remember saying to myself, ‘Now women are even entering the council!’” he told the young people in a tone that did not convey complete approval. “Then I read the names and the first woman mentioned was my mother!” Amalia di Montezemolo led an Italian association, made up mostly of widows like herself, who worked with the country’s military ordinary providing spiritual and material as-

sistance to members of the military and their families. The Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace gathered Cardinal Montezemolo and the others as firsthand witnesses to the council and to speak specifically about the pastoral constitution, which is widely known by its Latin title Gaudium et Spes. Gaudium et Spes insists that laypeople take charge of their “specific apostolate” of bringing the Gospel to bear on politics, social life and the economy”, Cardinal Arinze of Nigeria said. “Laypeople must not expect from their pastors an answer to every question that arises in matters social, political, cultural,” he said. “The layperson, paying attention to the doctrine of the Church and with the aid of the sacraments, takes on his distinctive role or her distinctive role.” Mr Delaunoy told young people that perhaps the most important impact of the council was the freedom and responsibility it gave laypeople. The Church at the Second Vatican Council encouraged all Catholics to pray, to read Scripture, to understand Church teaching and to apply it in their lives. Religion was more a matter of “convention than conviction”, Mr Delaunoy said. Today young people are questioning and searching. Those who arrive at faith will be better Christians and more able to help the world around them.—CNS

Stay or go? Syrian refugees face bleak winter months By DALE GAvLAK

S a number of Syrian refugees enter their fourth winter of displacement, without an end in sight to violent fighting in their nation, Mahmoud summed up how they feel. “There seems to be nothing ahead of us or behind, every day, week or month, people are being buried back home. But nothing changed for the positive in this situation,” the father of four said. “Our life in Syria was different from our difficult existence in this camp living as Syrian refugees,” Mahmoud said, referring to Jordan’s largest camp, located in the desert, a mere dozen miles away from the border of his war torn homeland. Because of a lack of international funding to the United Nations and host countries such as Jordan, financial aid for food and living expenses has been cut. Refugees now get just R7 a day per person, forcing some Syrians to consider whether to remain in Jordan, travel back to Syria or beyond. “At the moment, refugees are leaving because the overall assistance is not sufficient and they have a lack of hope here,” said Andrew Harper, the

UN refugee agency’s representative in Jordan. The UN refugee agency reports that, currently, about 100 Syrians living in Jordan return home nearly every day. However, scores of Syrians still cross Jordan’s border in search of safety, particularly as Syria’s southern Daraa province has come under renewed bombing. With winter’s approach, Syrian refugees like Mahmoud said they prefer to stay put in Jordan. They have heard tales from relatives and friends saying the journey to Europe in search of a better life has turned sour for some who have risked the perilous trip. “Some friends and my brother went to Germany. I speak with him on Skype,” Mahmoud said. “He finds himself moving from one place to another there.” Mahmoud said his brother told him “he now wishes that he didn’t make the journey to Germany. He was dreaming of a normal life and to bring his family there, but it takes much longer than he expected, with a lot of paperwork involved,” said Mahmoud. “The situation isn’t as they saw it on the news.”—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

Soup kitchen nun wins Warmer temperatures are Chopped cooking show just part of the problem I Y By JOyCE DuriGA

T looked like prayer and the Lord were on Franciscan Sister Alicia Torres’ side as she won a special Thanksgiving competition on a US show Chopped. On the show, Sr Alicia, 30, a Franciscan of the Eucharist of Chicago who ministers at Chicago’s Mission of Our Lady of the Angels, competed against three other chefs who, like herself, work in soup kitchens. In the first round, the chefs made appetisers using typical Thanksgiving leftovers of turkey, cranberries, green beans and potatoes. They were given similar ingredients to make entrees and then dessert. The chefs competed for a R140 000 donation to their charity. Sr Alicia said competing on Chopped deepened her faith experience. “I didn’t expect that. I was very confident going into the competition that I very much could win,” she told the Catholic New World, Chicago’s archdiocesan newspaper. “And there were many people praying for me leading up to the competition and on the day of the competition.” The fact that she was able to go on the competition at all was a sign from God, she said. “I mean, come on. Why did God take me to this place and on this show if he wasn’t going to do something really powerful with it?” Sr Alicia’s cooking skills come in handy during regular meals for the neighbourhood such as the Tuesday programme for seniors. “We have about 30 to 50 senior citizens from the neighbourhood that come together for Bible study, exercise and then we serve them a healthy meal. That’s a really great opportunity, not only to get them food that’s healthy but also to build community,” she said. Sr Alicia joked that “the process of elimination” led to her becoming lead chef for her community. “You know when you enter religious life you come to serve, right? And you come to share your gifts and talents that you probably haven’t before. I always loved

By DENNiS SADOWSKi

Franciscan Sister Alicia Torres competed and won on Chopped. (Photo: Karen Callaway/Catholic New World/CNS) cooking before I was a sister. I was always known in college for the big dinners and cheesecakes.” When she entered religious life, she was the one in the community with the most cooking experience. The fact that she can cook well, despite not being an organised person, surprises her. “For whatever reason, when I am in the kitchen and when it comes to food, it’s like, bam, like I can actually do it,” she said. “I think that there’s certainly a gift from God when it comes to me and food because I have no professional training in cooking. Nothing. But, for whatever reason, I have the ability, I think, through the Lord to help get out a breakfast for 500 people." Sr Alicia wasn’t familiar with Chopped until she heard the show was looking for women religious participants. She went to Fr Lombardo, head of the Franciscan mission in Chicago, telling him, “You know, I think I have a fairly good chance of getting on this TV show.” He gave his permission, she applied and within 24 hours of receiving her application, the show’s producers gave her a call. After it was over she called the whole experience “incredible” and was grateful the show raised awareness about hunger.—CNS

Church slams Iraq’s child conversion law By SiMON CALDWELL

HE patriarch of the Chaldean Catholic Church has called upon Iraq’s president to veto a law that will force some Christian children to convert to Islam. The Assyrian International News Agency reported that Chaldean Patriarch Louis Sako of Baghdad met Iraqi President Fuad Masum and asked him to reject a new national charter approved by the Assembly of Deputies which demands that children under the age of 18 must become Muslims if their father converts to Islam or if their mother marries a Muslim. Patriarch Sako told the president that the charter violates the sections of the Iraqi constitution that guarantees freedom of religion and conscience. He urged Nr Masum to return the charter to parliament for modifications instead of signing it into law. He later issued a statement denouncing the charter as “contrary to human rights standards and international treaties” and threatened to appeal to international authorities if it were entered into law. A report on the website of the Assyrian International News Agency said Mr Masum acknowl-

edged that the law included constitutional violations and said he would seek a solution that was acceptable to all parties. Following the meeting, Patriarch Sako sent a statement to Asianews, a Vatican news agency, in which he described the charter as “unacceptable”. “We want to assert the principle that the child should keep their religious affiliation, so that he or she can freely decide their faith, according to belief, when they come of age,” he continued. “After all, religion is a matter which concerns only the relationship between God and man, and should not be bound by any obligations,” Patriarch Sako said. Chaldean Bishop Rabban Al-Qas of Amadiyah and Zakho, a diocese in the Kurdish territory of Iraq, predicted that the charter would have the effect of accelerating the exodus of Christians from the country. “We are facing a genocide in a country that knows only death and liberticidal laws,” Bishop Al-Qas told Asianews. “It is not just a political project, there are also traces of an Islam that wants to eliminate minorities...If you change your religion, it will be forever,” the bishop said.—CNS

EB Sano, former climate change commissioner for the Philippines, is so concerned about global warming that he and other Catholic pilgrims are walking 1 500km from Rome to Paris for the UN climate change conference. The walkers left Rome at the end of September and plan to arrive in time for the summit, which runs from November 30 to December 11. The pilgrimage is among dozens of actions Catholics are taking in preparation for the upcoming 21st Conference of Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. Many Catholic environmental advocates are hopeful— yet some are doubtful—that the Paris summit will result in a long-term pact to reduce carbon emissions with the goal of slowing climate change. Ahead of the Paris gathering, 119 countries, including the United States and China, have submitted proposals to reduce greenhouse gases by 2030. Such a response comes as faith leaders mount a growing campaign to bring the moral message of Laudato Si' to Paris: that climate change, disrespect for the environment and consumer-driven lifestyles impact the poorest people most and that the world has a responsibility to act. Aid and social justice organisations plan to send representatives to Paris. Some will attend the UN meetings while others will be at side

Protesters chant and display signs during a climate change rally in Washington. Faith-based environmental advocates will be among thousands of people in Paris for a rally on November 29, ahead of the uN climate change conference. (Photo: Shawn Thew, EPA/CNS) events. Caritas Internationalis will be the Church’s official representative. In addition, Catholic advocates said they will be pushing for the final agreement to include reduced deforestation, assurance of territorial rights for indigenous people, land rights and access to markets for subsistence farmers, human rights in contested mining regions and financial commitments to help communities in the global South adapt to climate change. In Africa, the Climate Justice Cycling Caravan was scheduled to end a 6 500km trip from Maputo, Mozambique, to Nairobi, Kenya. During the trip, riders talked to communities about environmental issues and gathered signatures on a petition that calls on world leaders to help

the world’s poorest people to cope with the impact of climate change. Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg said it is crucial that world leaders “hear the voices on the ground”. Noting that the task of preserving and protecting the environment belongs to everyone, Bishop Dowling said the African faith sector initiatives have been “empowering in their teaching about our interdependence and our responsibilities”. Elsewhere in the lead-up to the Paris climate conference, faith communities are conducting a month of prayer, fasting and action under the identity of #Pray4cop21.The Global Catholic Climate Movement is circulating an online petition, which will be presented to the conference— CNS

7-21 MAY 2015

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The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

The trap of prostitution

HEN Jesus ministered to and even socialised with prostitutes, he gave his followers a mandate to aid these most widely reviled women in society. The popular image of sex workers as women of loose morals engaging freely in sinful behaviour rarely corresponds with reality. While there are those who adopt prostitution as a way of making quick money, especially those at the high end of the industry, most women (and some men) in the sex trade enter that life not out of free choice, but through the circumstances in which they find themselves. There is little allure in a life of prostitution. Though some highearning prostitutes might contend that their prosperity beats the alternatives, the inherent sinfulness of prostitution damages all involved in it. While we must regard transactional sex—even if it is between two consenting adults (which often it isn’t)—as sinful, we may not disown those who offer it. For some women, transactional sex is the only way of feeding their family. For them, the humiliation of prostituting themselves, casually or professionally, trumps the prospect of severe hunger—even at the risk of contracting HIV. Some impoverished families sell their daughters’ bodies in acts of desperation to secure money, goods, services, remission of debts or favours. Thus despoiled, the marriage opportunities for such misused girls diminish. Some of them continue a life of transactional sex. Testimony given at last month’s International Human Trafficking Conference for Africa held in Cape Town that children as young as ten are prostituting themselves to truck drivers in Beaufort West for as little as R10 must alarm us. This situation of child prostitution is replicated in variations throughout South Africa. Many prostitutes emerge from a childhood of sexual abuse. Obviously most who have suffered such abuse do not become prostitutes, but for some the degradation of their sexuality has compromised the scruples which might otherwise have deterred them from entering a life of sex work. Others sell their bodies to escape a ruinous homelife or to feed an addiction, often falling into the clutches of pimps or organised crime syndicates who exploit and

often debase them. Crime syndicates are behind the most distressing form of prostitution, that involving human trafficking. Women are lured under false pretexts to strange cities or countries where they are then systematically brutalised and forced to submit their bodies to transactional sex in inhumane conditions. Not every story of prostitution is necessarily rooted in tragedy, but behind most sex workers’ stories resides a chronicle of anguish and desperation, and a future without much hope. Such women need our compassion, not contempt. The Christian response is to find ways of helping and empowering them, not to condemn and marginalise them. Pope Francis, who has encountered women jailed for prostitution during his visits to prisons, counsels us to offer real compassion to the marginalised and oppressed. This means that we must find ways of helping sex workers find a way out of the situation that traps them in that profession. For example, funding must be made available to provide skillstraining for women who wish to escape the iniquity of transactional sex. Such programmes should include ancillary but necessary services, such as counselling and, where required, drug rehabilitation. These programmes might reach only a small number of sex workers, and even then only those who are in a position to extricate themselves from prostitution. Nonetheless, it is necessary that alternative options are made available. Those who are trapped in prostitution—be it by controlling pimps, crime syndicates, or their families—must not be discarded by government or society. The government ought to revise legislation governing the sex trade to include greater protection for vulnerable women and children trapped in it. What such legislation would entail must be a subject of wide-reaching dialogue. While there are many reasons for Catholics to be cautious about advocating regulation of the sex industry, some have called for just that, even as they condemn prostitution as immoral and degrading. Like Jesus, we must make explicit our concern for women who sell their bodies, and remove their condition from the shadows of marginalisation.

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Legalism breeds lifeless belief ATHER Ron Rolheiser’s excellent I have found in the Church that Fblooded” article “Let holiness be hot- many of those who resent change, (October 14) refers. such as giving the sign of peace, are Many non-Christians seem to perceive us as sad people. I am sure the problem is rooted in the fact that many of us are trying to “achieve” our own salvation by our own efforts, with a stiff upper lip. Earthiness and music, even music which is the flavour of the day, as Fr Rolheiser suggests, are not in opposition to a robust faith. If we are trying to save ourselves by our own efforts (Pelagianism), we will not witness to a joyful faith. Faith will then be a forbidding list of do’s and dont’s. The fruit of the Spirit, calling us to graced good works, will be absent.

What is Jesus’ voice on divorce?

READ with great sympathy the letters from Peter Sadie and Carmen Smith regarding remarried Catholics. It seems wrong to me that a person should be penalised eternally for a mistake, and I know that Jesus would not have done so. The problem is that the Church has chosen to interpret Jesus’ saying as a total ban on divorce, notwithstanding his rider in Matthew, “except for unchastity”. Of course, the explanation given is that he didn’t really mean “unchastity”, but rather the breaking of relationship laws. Thereby the magisterium has drawn a line they cannot see their way clear to removing. Without wishing to cheapen the sacrament of marriage, I feel strongly that some solution should be found to enable those good people—and I know that many of my acquaintances are really good people—to participate once again in the rituals of the Church. In my mind’s eye I can see one of these standing, or perhaps kneeling, before Jesus. What would his words be: “Go and get rid of that partner you have been supporting for the past years, that person who has given you the comfort that your previous partner would not, the one who has given you children to bring up in the fear of God! Go and send them away—let them fend for themselves—then come back to me!” Or would he repeat the words he spoke to Mary Magdalene and many others: “Go and sin no more”? The Church maintains the attitude that any continuation of the “illicit” union would imply repeated sin. Would Jesus do so? When the time comes for this person to stand before his or her Creator at judgment, would they hear the words: “Depart from me, you accursed”? I think not—not the God in whom I believe.

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

in leading roles in our parishes, as sacristans, extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, readers and proclaimers of the Word, even lording it over others, with a judgmental and unwelcoming attitude, especially to newcomers. There can be no enthusiasm for evangelisation here. As the Russian Orthodox saint Ignatius Brianchanoff puts it (rather harshly, perhaps), even asceticism can become perverted: “Those who do not practise ascetical means, all the actions in church—such as fasting, bowing, praying, without conversion—remain animals. Those I am fully aware that I have not proposed any solution, I have been critical only. But then, we have a huge body of experts who have had this problem before them for many, many centuries—surely they could by now have provided a solution. Moses is probably the most revered of our prophets, and is said to have allowed a bill of divorce. He spoke to God direct—did he misunderstand God’s Law? We know that God is all-knowing, he is infallible— he couldn’t have made a mistake. The problem does not lie with God. The problem is that, as said earlier, the Church has drawn a line, and doesn’t know how, with grace, to retreat from that position. Perhaps a little humility might help. Tom Drake, Johannesburg

Warm memories of Denis Hurley

ECALLING Archbishop Denis Hurley, I certainly could not count as a “friend” of our beloved “Arch” but I do have a few fond memories of him. During the infamous forced removals in northern Natal, I was part of a group of well-intentioned Christians in Ladysmith who formed what eventually became Interchurch Aid (of which I was secretary). We—members of several churches in Ladysmith–—under the initial leadership of our then parish priest Fr Wilfrid Jackson and subsequently Fr Neil McGovern, were in 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

who make these ascetic practices the essence of their faith actually become demons.” (See The Catholic Church at the End of the Age by Ralph Martin.) There is a world of difference between searching for an elusive God and practising the Good News as a way of life. St Paul lashed out at legalism in Col 2:20-23 and in St Matthew’s gospel we read: “Thus you present to view a holy exterior while hypocrisy and evil fill you within.” To merely follow the rules results in a dull and lifeless Christianity. Christianity is a passionate (even earthy!) love affair with Jesus, our Lord and Saviour. If that isn’t there, legal observance, even in God’s name, will gain us nothing. John Lee, Johannesburg contact with the Bantu Affairs Commission and visited several of the areas of people already removed or proposed for removal. We worked with the approval of Archbishop Hurley and once travelled to Durban to join a meeting under his chairmanship, at which we were so impressed by his gentle but firm leadership. He later came to visit our parish in Ladysmith, coincidentally being present at a meeting of the Catholic Women’s League (CWL). After Benediction we were presented to His Grace. I took his hand and genuflected to kiss his ring, lost my balance and the extended holy hand became a firm grip and helped me upright, to my great appreciation. He even attended our CWL meeting and drew our attention to his slimmer outline, joking that he was “taking the arch out of the bishop”. He later took me to task, in a gentle, friendly way, when he mentioned Fr William Dahille, and I jumped in eagerly to claim knowledge of the priest, saying: “He married us, in St Patrick’s church, Vincent, East London” and then went on to say that I’d heard he’d been ill lately. The archbishop gently asked me if I’d heard of a non sequitur and drew my attention to what I had said made it appear that Fr Dahille had been ill as a result of marrying Ted and me—to the amusement of us all! We loved him and laughed a lot during that CWL meeting, and were proud that he had the kindness to spare us his time. Fr McGovern told us another time that he was complaining on the phone to the archbishop about an article in Die Vaderland, only his Irish tongue mangled the centre d in Vaderland and it became a t, at which Archbishop Hurley gravely told him: “Watch your tongue, Neil.” I leave it to your imagination just what Vaderland sounded like with a central t. Carmen Smith, Somerset West

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PERSPECTIVES

Open up the church doors

AM fascinated by church architecture. Buildings and their design and what that says about our vision and notion of community. It is a most frustrating interest, especially in the South African context where many of our church buildings are either notoriously utilitarian or so sadly fiddled with that their original “building language” has been lost, or interpreted with the wrong dictionary. In a few days, the Holy Father will have the great holy doors opened at St Peter’s in Rome. In this powerful symbolic action, the Church opens extra doors for the faithful so that no one may be denied access. In the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, this strong symbol gives us space to reflect on how open our Church is to welcome, and to openness itself. The vision of the heavenly Jerusalem in the apocalypse of St John has the perfect Church built on the foundation of the apostles, with three doors or gates at the cardinal points: north, south, east and west. This is a symbol of the Heavenly Church open to all cultures and peoples and their experiences. Further, the gates are always open, to all comers. The Lamb himself is the Light, both attracting all comers to the light and, in an extension of the metaphor-vision, the light that streams out of the open doors. In this mission month at the opening of the Extraordinary Jubilee Year of Mercy, our challenge as communities is to reach out beyond the doors of a fortress church to a world in wait for the healing mercy and invitation to inclusion that the Messiah asks us to extend. In some of the parishes I have worked in, the doors have stood as significant anti-symbols of this idea of openness, welcome and inclusion.

At the national seminary, the chapel doors were studded with what were probably bullet tips. In Meadowlands, the main doors of the church were virtually bulletproof, full metal-jacketed, barred monstrosities. In Coronationville—one of the most significant architectural designs of a post-Vatican II Church in Johannesburg—the idiom of the building had been so sadly fiddled with as to render the main doors obsolete. The most magnificent cathedral church in South Africa, the cathedral of Christ the King in Johannesburg, sadly had the angel guardians on the great open

Flashback: St John Paul ii pushes open the holy Door and walks into St Peter’s basilica to launch the holy year in 2000. (Photo: Arturo Mari/CNS)

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In the months that followed, the monks pondered this and wondered whether there was any possible significance to the rabbi’s words: “The Messiah is among us? Could he possibly have meant that the Messiah is one of us monks here at the monastery? If that’s the case, which one of us is the Messiah? Do you suppose he meant the abbot? Yes, if he meant anyone, he probably meant Father Abbot. Certainly he could not have meant Brother Elred! Elred gets crotchety at times. But come to think of it, even so, Elred is virtually always right. Maybe the rabbi did mean Brother Elred. “Of course the rabbi didn’t mean me. He couldn’t possibly have meant me. I’m just an ordinary person. Yet supposing he did? Suppose I am the Messiah?” s they contemplated in this manner, the monks began to treat each other with extraordinary respect on the off-

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and inclusive Western façade—the great west doors—stolen or removed. All these, in a sense, are also symbols of the journeys that these communities have faced. In our response to the Holy Father’s call in the Year of Mercy, we are asked to re-examine our physical symbols of unity, welcome and inclusion. In my current parish assignment, the doors are fantastic. When open fully, they’re at the end of a street, an open invitation vista. One could drive straight through them. The symbol-value of this is enormous. They welcome and invite into a worship space. They are also formidable. Barriers in some way, especially when we feel safer, warmer with them closed. Ours is a perpetual adoration parish. Our church is open—or at least accessible—24 hours a day. This has been the case for the last 15 years. This openness is difficult, but I can see no other way to keep showing a Church that is open and accessible. The fortress church—embattled, sometimes embittered, closed in on itself as a cosy exclusive club—risks becoming increasingly irrelevant to the concerns of the “outside world”. In the focus on mission and mercy in this time of grace, I see our challenge as keeping the doors open, not only inviting people to come in out of curiosity, but also being a symbol of the Church in the modern world. We must present a Church out there, unafraid of the message of life, love and the ultimate joy with which we are entrusted, not for our own sake, but precisely for the sake of the that big, bad, scary world out there. Fear not.

Faith and Life

Mariannhill monastery near Durban. in her column, Judith Turner recounts a story set in an abbey. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher

Pastor’s Notebook

Judith Turner

Are you the Messiah? T HERE is a story about community and peace which I really like very much. It’s from M Scott Peck’s book The Different Drum, and is titled “The Rabbi’s Gift”. It goes like this: A decaying monastery now had only five monks left. Once it had been a great order, but now it was dying. In the surrounding deep woods, there was a little hut that a rabbi from a nearby town used from time to time. The monks always knew the rabbi was home when they saw the smoke from his fire rise above the treetops. As the abbot agonised over the imminent death of his order, it occurred to him to ask the rabbi if he could offer any advice that might save the monastery. The rabbi welcomed the abbot at his hut. When the abbot explained the reason for his visit, the rabbi could only commiserate with him. ”I know how it is,” he exclaimed. ”The spirit has gone out of the people. It is the same in my town. Almost no one comes to the synagogue anymore.” So the abbot and the rabbi sat together discussing the Bible and their faiths. The time came when the abbot had to leave. ”It has been a wonderful visit,” said the abbot, ”but I have failed in my purpose. Is there nothing you can tell me to help save my dying order?” “The only thing I can tell you,” said the rabbi, ”is that the Messiah is among you.” When the abbot returned to the monastery, his fellow monks gathered around him and asked: ”What did the rabbi say?” “He couldn’t help,” the abbot answered. ”The only thing he did say, as I was leaving, was that the Messiah is among us. Though I do not know what these words mean.”

Fr Chris Townsend

chance that one among them might be the Messiah and in turn, each monk began to treat himself with extraordinary respect. It so happened that people still occasionally came to visit the beautiful forest and monastery. Without even being conscious of it, visitors began to sense a powerful spiritual aura. They were sensing the extraordinary respect that now filled the monastery. Hardly knowing why, people began to come to the monastery frequently to picnic, to play, and to pray. They began to bring their friends, and their friends brought their friends. Then it happened that some of the younger men who came to visit the monastery started to talk more and more with the older monks. After a while, one asked if he could join them. Then, another and another asked if they too could join the abbot and older monks. Within a few years, the monastery once again became a thriving order, a vibrant centre of light and spirituality in the realm. Here are two points we can consider and ponder on as we work towards building community: • By assuming the specialness of every person, we build a culture of respect that generates energy, creativity, and magnetism—something that people can sense and feel, and to which they are drawn. • In our daily lives, we can create a culture of respect with every personal interaction we have, whether it is with a shop assistant, a colleague, a parishioner, a funder or a client.

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The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

Michael Shackleton

Open Door

Where do our souls go after death? The soul is defined as “a pure spirit, subject of thought, distinct from the body, that survives bodily death” (Dictionary of the Bible, by J L McKenzie SJ). The physicist Paul Davies suggests that “the soul may indeed go somewhere on bodily release”, even suggesting that it may enter the cosmos and maybe become part of the celestial (Japanese philosophy). If so, where is purgatory and does time mean anything? Rex Barnes HE relevant part of your question is the quote from Fr McKenzie’s book, which describes the accepted, essential attributes of the soul. This is because we are dealing here with a Catholic understanding of the question. The teaching authority of the Church tells us that each human person has an individual spiritual soul which is rational and immortal. The soul is created directly by God. It is not part of the divine substance nor does it pre-exist the body. It is the vital principle which gives human persons their life and so has an essential relation to the body. Vatican II expressed it simply like this: “Though made of body and soul, man is one” (Gaudium et Spes, 14). The separation that occurs at death between immortal soul and mortal body does not reduce that oneness of the human person. We are all programmed to die. But from the point of view of our faith, death was not in the divine plan from the beginning. Death was God’s punishment for disobedience to his will (Gn 2:17; 3:19). Although it was sin that brought about death, at the resurrection each person’s glorified body will be restored to life by its reunion with its own soul. Christ died not for the salvation of souls but for the salvation of persons. Can the soul become part of the celestial cosmos? The cosmos consists of material objects. The soul is not material. It could not be at home there. The Christian martyrs of the early centuries were acclaimed as saints who were in the immediate presence of Christ after death. It was impossible to believe that their self-sacrifice and the intense mutual love between them and their Lord would abruptly be snuffed out by death. This remains the Church’s stand. The souls of the departed are with Christ and totally happy. However, they await the resurrection of the body when Christ will reign over his eternal kingdom forever. This waiting is not the passing of time because time is an earthly dimension. It is something that belongs to the mystery of our faith. The souls in purgatory are in a kind of transition between bodily death and their union with their Lord. This state of expectancy is something beyond our comprehension now, but these souls are happily filled with anticipation of the glory to come.

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.

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The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

COMMUNITY

Parishioners from Mariannhill diocese went on pilgrimage to Marian shrines in Kevelaer, Donnybrook and Our Lady of Shongweni in KwaZuluNatal.

Springfield Convent in Cape Town held a leadership induction ceremony for the class of 2016. (From left) Jessica Brown (deputy head SrC), Cara Dunn (head SrC), Barbara houghton (headmistress), Zahra Ayyoub (head girl) and Megan Downie (deputy head girl).

St Benedictâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s College in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, recently refurbished the tabernacle in the chapel on campus. The refurbished tabernacle was funded by donations from the parents and boys of the class of 2014. School chaplain Fr vitalis Marole is seen blessing the tabernacle at Mass.

Fr Chudze Masina SCP blessed the marriage of Molefe and Dorothy rapoo at the Church of the Annunciation in Moeka, Pretoria, on October 10.

St Dominics Priory in Port Elizabeth announced its head students for 2016. (From left) Anesu Machite (deputy head boy), Kyle de Beer (head boy), Kirsten vieira (head girl), Claudia Schaberg (deputy head girl).

Third Order Franciscan priests together with the Secular Franciscan Order of Durban, Marriannhill, umzimkulu, Kokstad, Matatiele, Lusikisiki and Lesotho, celebrated the feast of St Francis of Assisi in Ntshongweni Durban region. (From left) Fr Bongani Mkhize, spiritual assistant Marriannhill region, Deacon Sandiso Zamisa, minister provincial of South Africa Fr Cosmas Mdladla and Fr Mxolisi Paulos Ndlovu, spiritual assistant Durban region.

St John the Baptist parish in Atlantis, Cape Town, held its annual spring ball. (From left) Denise Taylor, Marie Petersen, parish priest Fr ivanhoe Allies, Joyce Smith, Eleanore van rooyen and Edel vlotman.

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De La Salle holy Cross College in victory Park, Johannesburg, announced its leaders and councillors for 2016. (Back from left) Oliver ribeiro, Michael Joannou, Cameron roach (house captain), Elizabeth Stone, Daniella Zoghby (house captain), Pippa Mungle (house captain), Daniel van den Berg, John Maree (head of SrC) and Daniel dos Santos (house captain). (Middle) Dylan Sadie (house captain), Kacie Aikman, robert Kay (deputy head boy), Keeanu Jardim (head boy), Tanika de Waal (head of SrC) and holly Firth. (Front) Daniella da Silva, Emma Knight (deputy head girl), Sofia Gouveia (head girl), Larissa Jacobs, Claudia da Silva and Diandra rodrigues (house captain).

...but please have patience: Sometimes we have an overflow of photos awaiting publication.

The youth of St Peter Claver and St Albert the Great parishes in Maokeng, Kroonstad, were confirmed. They are pictured in traditional dress with Bishop Peter holiday (centre back) and Fr Thabo Chomane (far left).

The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

FAITH

The story of the Ugandan martyrs The defining moment of the evangelisation of Africa was the martyrdom of 55 Christians in Uganda between 1885-87. As Pope Francis prepares to leave for his six-day visit to Africa, WiNNiE GrAhAM and GÜNThEr SiMMErMAChEr look at the circumstances behind the Martyrs of Uganda.

hen Pope Francis visits Africa from November 2530, one stop will be Uganda where between November 1885 and January 1887, some 22 Catholics and 23 Anglican Christians were executed by the local king because they refused to deny their newly acquired faith in Christ. Their martyrdom 130 years ago is regarded as the spark that ignited a flame of Christianity in Africa. So strong was the young men’s belief in Christ that they endured brutal torture, had their limbs chopped off and uncomplainingly faced death by fire rather than appease their young, barbaric king. The Catholic martyrs, headed by St Charles Lwanga, were beatified in 1920 and canonised in1964. The kabaka was the hereditary ruler of the province of Bugunda, later to become a province of Uganda. At the time the kabaka was Mwanga II, who had ascended the throne at the age of 18 in 1884. It was a time when Catholic Missionaries for Africa from France, Anglicans from Britain and Muslims from Zanzibar were converting the local people, including chiefs. To Mwanga II, this was a political threat, to the extent that on October 29, 1885 he had the new Anglican Bishop James Hannington of Eastern Equatorial Africa and his companions assassinated. One senior member of the court had advised the king against the assassination. Joseph Mukasa, a convert to Catholicism, protested against the murder, before and after. On top of that, Mukasa did his best to protect the court’s pageboys from Mwanga’s practice of sodomy.

A stained glass depiction of the ugandan martyrs being burnt to death on a pyre. Their martyrdom is considered to be a turning point in the evangelisation of Africa. An eyewitness reported: “At the time the kabaka practised the works of Sodom… Pagans were prepared to do these things with him but the Catholics absolutely refused. For that reason the kabaka began to detest us. “I heard him deliberate with the pagans about putting us [Catholics] to death. With my own ears I heard him utter words of anger because young Catholics refused to sin. I, for one, was often importuned by him but refused.” Mwanga had two points of resentment against these pages: he felt patronised by their education and threatened by their religion, and he saw their refusal to be sodomised by him as an act against the total obedience which was required of them. First he had Joseph Mukasa tried

and executed on November 15, 1885. The same day he had most of Mukasa’s supporters arrested. Over a period of just over a year, they were executed. Mukasa’s place was taken by the 25-year-old Charles Lwanga. That very day, Lwanga sought and received the sacrament of baptism. Like Mukasa before him, Lwanga protected those who refused to have sexual relations with the king.

n June 3, 1886, Lwanga and others were sentenced to death. As he was being burnt, Lwanga told his executioner: “It is as if you are pouring water on me. Please repent and become a Christian like me.” Perhaps the saddest story of the persecution is that of a father, Mukajanga, who recognised his

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son tossed in the funeral pyre saying his prayers, a serene expression on his face, his hands tied behind his back. He had the boy untied and implored him to give up his “nonsense”. The boy replied: “I have no desire to give up my service to Jesus. I am happy to have the chance of dying for him.” In spite of his pain, the father admired the determination of the young man. Out of pity he ordered his assistants to club him on his neck and throw his lifeless body on the flames. After killing his son, Mukajanga took out his handkerchief, covered his face and wept. He then had the funeral pyre made ready and ordered that it be lit at all four corners. One observer at the time, Denis Kamyuka, said when the flames

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flared up he heard coming from the pyre the murmur of Christian voices invoking God as they died. “From the moment of our arrest, I never saw one show any lack of courage. Even the executioners said they had put many people to death but had never seen the like of this,” he said. “There was not a sigh, not an angry word. All we heard was the soft murmur on their lips I heard the Christians each reciting prayers which came to mind at the supreme moment.” News of the martyrdom of these Christians spread fast, and a cult quickly developed. As early as 1890 a church in Senegal housed relics of the martyrs. Over time, St Charles Lwanga and St Kizito, the youngest of the martyrs, had many churches named after them throughout Africa, including South Africa. Charles Lwanga, Joseph Mukasa and the other martyred Catholics were canonised in 1964 by Pope Paul VI during his visit to Uganda. The Anglican martyrs were named “with the others, also deserving mention” for enduring “death for the name of Christ”. Despite the martyrs’ youth— most were in their teens and twenties—they are recognised as the “founding fathers” of the modern African Church, which displays so much vigour today. When Pope John Paul II visited the shrine of the Ugandan martyrs, he said their sacrifice was the seed that “helped to draw Uganda and all of Africa to Christ”. And what happened to Mwanga II, whose predilection for boys did not prevent him from having 16 wives? He was deposed in 1888 with the help of the British, but regained the throne—again with the help of the British—in 1889. He was deposed again, after declaring war on the British, in 1897. After an unsuccessful advance against the colonial power he was exiled to the Seychelles—where the persecutor of Christians became an Anglican, taking the name Danieri. He died in 1903. In Africa this month Pope Francis will remember the Martyrs of Uganda and recall their witness as he visits the vibrant African Church in Uganda, Kenya and the Central African Republic.

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

if you would like to find out more about St. Kizito Children’s Programme, or if you would like to make a donation, please contact Wayne Golding on 021 782 2880 or 082 301 9385 Email info@stkizito.org.za. Donations can also be deposited into our bank account: ABSA Branch: Claremont, 632005; Account Name: St Kizito Children’s Programme ; Account Number: 4059820320 This advertisement has been kindly sponsored

The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

People in Durban pass by the Denis hurley Centre and adjacent Emmanuel cathedral. (All photos: Günther Simmermacher)

HURLEY 100

Pupils of St henry’s Marist College served as ushers at the World religions in Concert gala in Emmanuel cathedral.

religious leaders give a blessing according to their faith traditions at the opening of the Denis hurley Centre.

raymond Perrier, KZN premier Senzo Mchunu, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier and Paddy Kearney before the opening of the Denis hurley Centre.

Hurley’s presence was felt everywhere A congregant reads The Southern Cross before Mass in Emmanuel cathedral.

The Church in Durban celebrated the centenary of the birth of Archbishop Denis Hurley in great style. GÜNThEr SiMMErMAChEr shares his impressions.

A Lisa Pillay and Nozipho Tembe sell hurley memorabilia after Mass.

Sr Shelagh Mary Waspe preaches at the Saturday Mass as Bishop Barry Wood, Fr Kevin randall and Fr Stephen Tully listen.

Cardinal Napier with the choir of St Augustine’s Primary, directed by Kurt holmes (back left).

RCHBISHOP Denis Hurley OMI would have approved of the celebrations of his 100th birthday. Friends and family had come from as far as the United States, Australia, England and Ireland to celebrate the centenary of South Africa’s greatest Catholic Churchman of the second half of the 20th century, and to witness the opening of the new centre named after him next to Emmanuel cathedral. These celebrations were thoughtfully devised and expertly executed to reflect the life and spirit of Archbishop Hurley. The archbishop was a strict liturgist, but he would have loved the idea that a woman, Sr Shelagh Mary Waspe HF, should preach the homily at one of the four weekend Masses in Emmanuel cathedral— with main celebrant Archbishop George Daniel, retired of Pretoria, on the altar, alongside Fr Kevin Randall, counsellor of the nunciature, Fr Stephen Tully and his successor as cathedral administrator, Fr Nkosinathi Ngcobo. Archbishop Hurley would have liked it that at all the weekend Masses The Southern Cross, a newspaper he loved and had a life-long relationship with, was distributed free of charge. The archbishop also would have loved the World Religions in Concert that closed the celebrations on his actual birthday, a sold-out event in the cathedral. The beautifully staged concert,

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anchored by the KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, was a celebration of Durban’s admirable interfaith work, a subject close to Archbishop Hurley’s heart. Cardinal Wilfrid Napier noted at a reception following the concert, that the concert was held just a day after the 50th anniversary of Nostra Aetate, Vatican II’s revolutionary document on interreligious and ecumenical relations. The concert, directed by an Orthodox Christian, Themi Venturas, closed with a Hurley hymn, “God, Our Maker”, set to the music of Beethoven’s “Ode To Joy”. Fr John Patterson, 92, a contemporary of his fellow Oblate, later joked that Archbishop Hurley had no ear for music, but added that he had a keen ear for poetry. The concert was the delicious dessert to the centenary celebrations which at their heart had the official opening and blessing of the Denis Hurley Centre. The centre has been in operation since last December, so this event was held over specifically for the centenary.

brainchild of Paddy Kearney and Fr Tully, the centre is a fitting monument to Archbishop Hurley, whose statue presides in the triangular foyer. It serves the poor where the poor are, with a kitchen for the homeless, a free clinic, programmes for immigrants, skills-training projects and so on. It also provides a space for interreligious contact. Its furnishings are austere; even centre director Raymond Perrier operates from a small, frugal office. Four days before the official opening the debt of building had been paid off—an astonishing accomplishment which underscores

the seriousness with which the Denis Hurley Centre operates. There is no doubt that the centre will succeed in implementing its many ambitious projects, some of which go as far as envisaging a rejuvenation of the area in which it is located. After KwaZulu-Natal premier Senzo Mchunu cut the ribbon to declare the centre open, guests listened to a series of speakers in the Gandhi-Luthuli Hall. Stressing the centre’s interfaith character, Mr Perrier called on representatives of various faith traditions to lead prayers; among them was Ela Gandhi, whose grandfather gave half the name of the hall. Cardinal Napier, who blessed the centre room-by-room, in his address bemoaned that after more than 20 years since the fall of apartheid “we are still talking about colour”. He noted how Archbishop Hurley had a “horror about the racial discrimination of people”. The cardinal said that his predecessor called on us “to see in each person the image of God”. To respect God means to respect all his people. Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg flew into Durban especially for the opening ceremony, and had to fly out immediately after. Speaking on behalf of the Denis Hurley Peace Institute (DHPI), a project of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Dowling recalled how in 1987 Archbishop Hurley had inspired him and Fr Sean O’Leary to lead the local Church’s initial outreach to South Sudan. This was the beginning of a journey which culminated in the region’s independence from Sudan in 2011, and is still ongoing. This was also the beginning of the DHPI, which was founded to be “standing with the ‘little ones’ who had been traumatised by war” in various parts of Africa, Bishop Dowling said.

A banner depicting Archbishop Denis hurley adorns the facade of Durban’s Emmanuel cathedral. The DHPI now works with Justice & Peace and the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office to empower “the ordinary who…are extraordinary” to effect transformation in their societies. Bishop Dowling expressed his hope that, likewise, the Denis Hurley Centre will serve “the little ones”, providing them through its projects with “a safe place”. In short, the centre is called to provide a service of love. The late archbishop’s nephew Jeremy Hurley, who came from Australia, noted this: “In the last years of his life it was clear that Uncle Denis focused more and more on love as the theme of everything he did. The Denis Hurley Centre is a place of love—not just for what it does but the way it does it." After the blessing of the building, a birthday cake donated by the Irish embassy was cut. As the Irish ambassador, Liam MacGabhann, and Sr Marion Millane HF cut the cake which the embassy had donated, a dove hovered at a window looking into the Gandhi-Luthuli Hall. It was just one of the many ways—both explicit and understated—that Archbishop Hurley’s presence was felt over the four days of celebrations.

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The KZN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Naum rousine, plays during the World religions in Concert gala in Emmanuel cathedral.

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Homeless man interviews pope By JuNNO ArOChO ESTEvES

NUNDATED with requests from major media outlets around the world, Pope Francis chose to sit down for an interview with a homeless man who makes his living selling newspapers in the Netherlands. The pope met with 51-yearold Marc, who was accompanied by Frank Dries, the Straatnieuws newspaper's editor; Stijn Fen, a journalist; and Jan-Willem Wits, the former spokesman of the Dutch bishops’ conference. The interview began with a question about the pope’s early days in Buenos Aires, Argentina, where the young Jorge Mario Bergoglio would often sneak out of his home to play football with his classmates. The pope admitted that although he loved to play, he wasn't exactly a star athlete. “In Buenos Aires, those who played soccer like me were called pata dura, which means ‘having two left feet.’ I played; I was the goalie many times,” he said. The pope's personal commitment to those in need was also rooted in his childhood, he said, recalling the poor Italian woman who worked as his family’s housekeeper. Her poverty, he said, “struck me” and his mother often gave her necessities that she lacked for her own family. “I accompanied her until she died at 93 years old. One day she gave me a Sacred Heart of Jesus medal that I carry with me every day,” the pope said. When asked if he fears that

Pope Francis takes off his zucchetto as he leaves his general audience in St Peter's Square at the vatican. (Photo: Paul haring/CNS) people will grow tired of his defence of the poor and of refugees, the pope noted that while he does feel that some may be tired of it, “it does not scare me. I must continue to speak the truth and how things are”. Pope Francis stressed that the Church must also be “a witness of poverty”, but there are also temptations to lead by words alone and not by deeds: “If a believer speaks about poverty or the homeless and lives the life of a pharaoh: this cannot be done.” He also warned against the dangers of corruption in both political and religious life, recalling that during the Falklands War with Britain, many people, including Catholics, would take home the food and supplies they had been tasked with distributing to others.

To place your event, call Mary Leveson at 021 465 5007 or e-mail m.leveson@scross.co.za (publication subject to space)

Devotion at 17:30pm on first Friday of every month. Sunday Mass at 9am. 031 309 3496. 9018 or 031 209 2536. Overport rosary group. At Emakhosini hotel, 73 East Street every Wednesday at 6.30 pm. Contact Keith at 083 372 NELSPRUIT: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Peter’s parish every Tuesday from 8:00 to 16:45, followed by Rosary, Divine Mercy prayers, then a Mass/Communion service at 17:30pm.

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Regarding the fact that, as pontiff, he is confined “like a prisoner in the Vatican”, the pope was asked if he had a desire to switch places with a homeless person. The pope compared his life to the Mark Twain classic The Prince and the Pauper, saying that while the prince lacks nothing and even has friends, he still lives in a “gilded cage”. Asked if he ever dreamed of becoming pope, Pope Francis replied with a categorical no, adding that as a child, he had very different aspirations. He said: “I would go grocery shopping with my mother and grandmother. I was very small, I was four years old. And once they asked me, ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ I answered, ‘A butcher!’ ”—CNS

Liturgical Calendar Year B – Weekdays Cycle Year 1 Sunday November 22, Christ the King Daniel 7:13-14, Psalms 93:1-2, 5, Revelation 1:5-8, John 18:33-37 Monday November 23, Ss Clement and Columban Daniel 1:1-6, 8-20, Daniel 3:52-56, Luke 21:1-4 Tuesday November 24, Ss Andrew Dung-Lac and companions Daniel 2:31-45, Daniel 3:57-61, Luke 21:5-11 Wednesday November 25, St Catharine of Alexandria Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28, Daniel 3:6267, Luke 21:12-19 Thursday November 26 Daniel 6:12-28, Daniel 3:68-74, Luke 21:20-28 Friday November 27 Daniel 7:2-14, Daniel 3:75-81, Luke 21:29-33 Saturday November 28, Saturday Mass of Our Lady Daniel 7:15-27, Daniel 3:82-87, Luke 21:34-36 Sunday November 29, First Sunday of Advent Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalms 25:4-5, 8-9, 10.14, 1 Thessalonians 3:12--4:2, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

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Community Calendar

CAPE TOWN: Helpers of God’s Precious Infants. Mass on last Saturday of every month at 9:30 at Sacred heart church in Somerset road, Cape Town. Followed by vigil at Marie Stopes abortion clinic in Bree Street. Contact Colette Thomas on 083 412 4836 or 021 593 9875 or Br Daniel SCP on 078 739 2988. DURBAN: Holy Mass and Novena to St Anthony at St Anthony’s parish every Tuesday at 9am. Holy Mass and Divine Mercy

The Southern Cross, November 18 to November 24, 2015

CLOETE—in loving memory of my husband, our father and grandfather Samuel who left us November 20, 1991. When thoughts go back as they often do; we cherish the memories we have of you. Lovingly remembered by your wife Catherine, children, grandchildren and great-grandson. FITZGERALD—Mary, died 22/11/2014. Lovingly remembered, rest in peace. rosemary and others left behind. SHARKEY—Brian, went home to God on 25/11/2010. Five long years have passed; i miss and love you each and every day. your loving wife, val.

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loads/downloads/bcpill.pdf GATHERING at Shantivanam Ashram of Bede Griffiths, December 2015. For details visit http:// oblatesofshantivanam. yolasite.com/ VISIT PIOUS KINTU’S OFFICIAL WEBSITE at http://avemaria832.simple site.com. This website has been set up to give glory to the Most holy Trinity through the healing power of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. view amazing pictures of Pious Kintu’s work in various African countries since 2007. Also read about African Stigmatist reverend Sister Josephine Sul and Padre Pio, among others.

PRAYERS

O MOST holy virgin Mary, who chose to appear on the Sierra de Aire, in the Cova de iria, to three young shepherds to reveal the treasures of grace held in the recitation of the rosary, impress upon our souls a fervent love for this devotion. By meditating on the mysteries of our redemption, may we learn how to use the teachings which lie therein and obtain the graces we ask in this prayer. For the Glory of God and the redeeming of our souls. Amen. Novena from 5 to 13 each month. For prayers/hymns write to jjvcamara@gmail.com

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Word of the Week

Ecclesiastical: Refers to official structures or legal and organisational aspects of the Church.

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the

1st Sunday of Advent: November 29 Readings: Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:4-5, 8-10, 14, 1 Thessalonians 3:12-4:2, Luke 21:25-28, 34-36

UT there, you will have noticed, it has been Christmas for some time, as the worthy retailers endeavour to seduce our money from us and make this “the best Christmas ever”—for them, you understand. For us, though, it is not yet Advent (never mind Christmas); for Advent starts next Sunday. And to get Advent (never mind Christmas) right, what we have to do, according to the readings for next Sunday, is to work out “what is God doing?” The first reading comes from one of the more cheerful parts of Jeremiah (though you probably need to know that the prophet is currently imprisoned as he writes). Nevertheless he is quite clear that God is at work: “Look! The days are coming, says the Lord, and I shall lift up the good word which I spoke to the house of Israel and to the house of Judah.” We must remember that Israel and Judah are currently in exile, so that it does not seem to them that God is doing anything very much at all. It is God who will “raise up a

S outher n C ross

Get ready for Advent shoot of righteousness for David…Judah will be saved and Jerusalem shall live in security”. Remember too that Jerusalem has been destroyed; so this is a very daring claim to make. The psalm for next Sunday is a lament, but, as always, utterly focused on what God is doing. It starts with a request that you and I might profitably make our own during Advent: “Make me know your ways, Lord; teach me your paths…for you are the God of my salvation.” And the poet continues: “The Lord is good and upright, and so he makes sinners see the way.” (So your journey through Advent will be guided because God is good, not because you are.) God “gives the path in righteousness to the oppressed”; and that is the secret to your Advent (and Christmas). “All the Lord’s paths are love and truth,” as the poet sings, besotted with the love of God: “The Lord’s counsel is for those who fear him, and his covenant gives them knowledge.”

The second reading, likewise, concentrates on what God is up to; it is from 1 Thessalonians, the first document of our New Testament, and we notice that God is asked to “fill you and make your love for each other and for all overflow”. He wants his Thessalonians to know “how you must behave and please God”, which is not a bad Advent thought. The Gospel comes from Luke (whom we shall be following on Sundays for the next 12 months), giving warning of what it will be like when Jesus returns. “There will be signs in the sun and the moon and the stars, and on the earth anguish of nations, puzzled by the roar of the sea and waves. Human beings will expire from fear and anticipation of what is coming on the inhabited world; for the powers of heaven shall be shaken.” So if just at present you are looking at a world that seems dark and confused, there is really nothing to worry about, because God is at work. And so is Jesus: “Then they will see

When God is wrong with you I

Crawford wrote those words, describing her own painful journey through darkness into a deeper maturity. To be saved, we have to first realise that we’re lost, and usually some kind of bottom has to fall out of our lives for us to come to that realisation. Sometimes there’s no other cure for arrogance and presumption than a painful loss of certitude about our own ideas about God, faith, and religion. St John of the Cross suggests that a deeper religious faith begins when, as he puts it, we are forced to understand more by not understanding than by understanding. But that can be a very confusing and painful experience that precisely prompts the feeling: What’s wrong with me?

curious, paradoxical dynamic lies behind this: We tend to confuse faith with our capacity on any given day to conjure up a concept of God and imagine God’s existence. Moreover, we think our faith is strongest at those times when we have affective and emotive feelings attached to our imaginations about God. Our faith feels strongest when bolstered by and inflamed by feelings of fervour. Great spiritual writers will tell us that this stage of fervour is a good stage in our faith, but an initiatory one, one more commonly experienced when we are neophytes. Experience tends to support this. In the earlier stages of a religious journey it is common to possess strong, affective im-

Conrad

N one of his books on contemplative prayer, Thomas Keating shares with us a line that he occasionally uses in spiritual direction. People come to him, sharing how they used to have a warm and solid sense of God in their lives but now complain that all that warmth and confidence have disappeared and they’re left struggling with belief and struggling to pray as they used to. They feel a deep sense of loss and invariably this is their question: “What’s wrong with me?” Keating’s answer: God is wrong with you! His answer, in essence, says this: Despite your pain, there is something very right with you. You have moved past being a religious neophyte, past an initiatory stage of religious growth, which was right for you for its time, and are now being led into a deeper, not lesser, faith. Moreover, that loss of fervour has brought you to a deeper maturity. So, in effect, what you’re asking is this: “I used to be quite sure of myself religiously and, no doubt, probably somewhat arrogant and judgmental. I felt I understood God and religion and I looked with some disdain at the world. Then the bottom fell out of my faith and my certainty and I’m now finding myself a lot less sure of myself, considerably more humble, more empathetic, and less judgmental. What’s wrong with me?” Asked in this way, the question answers itself. Clearly that person is growing, not regressing. Lost is a place too! The author Christina

For further info or to book contact Michael or Gail at 076 352 3809 or 021 551 3923 info@fowlertours.co.za www.fowlertours.co.za/ poland-2016/

Sunday reflections

the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory.” Next we are told what our Advent reaction is to be: “When these things begin to happen, stand up straight and lift up your heads, because your redemption is drawing near.” Then there is a warning about all those parties that you were planning: “Pay attention to yourselves, your brains are not to be weighted down with hangovers and drunkenness and worldly concerns.” So our business is to be alert for God’s work and for the coming of Jesus. And we have to pray. This is the Advent prayer that the Gospel wants to put on our lips: “that you may be strong enough to escape all these things that are going to happen, and to stand before the Son of Man”. What are you going to do, this Advent, to be ready for Christmas (when it comes)?

Southern Crossword #681

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final reflection

ages and feelings about God. At this stage, our relationship with God parallels the relationship between a couple on their honeymoon. On your honeymoon you have strong emotions and possess a certain certainty about your love. But it’s a place you come home from. A honeymoon is an initiatory stage in love, a valuable gift, but something that disappears after it has done its work. A honeymoon is not a marriage, though often confused with one. It’s the same with faith; strong imaginative images of God are not faith, though they’re often confused with it. Strong imaginative images and strong feelings about God are, in the end, just that, images. Wonderful, but images nonetheless, icons. An image is not the reality. An icon can be beautiful and helpful and point us in the right direction, but when mistaken for the reality it becomes an idol. For this reason, the great spiritual writers tell us that God at certain moments of our spiritual journey “takes away” our certainty and deprives us of all warm, felt feelings in faith. God does this precisely so that we cannot turn our icons into idols, so that we cannot let the experience of faith get in the way of the end of faith itself, namely, an encounter with the reality and person of God. Mystics such as John of the Cross call this experience of seemingly losing our faith, “a dark night of the soul”. This describes the experience where we used to feel God’s presence with a certain warmth and solidity but now we feel like God is non-existent and we are left in doubt. This is what Jesus experienced on the cross and this is what Mother Teresa wrote about in her journals. And while that darkness can be confusing, it can also be maturing. It can help move us from being arrogant, judgmental, religious neophytes to being humble, empathic men and women, living inside a cloud of unknowing, understanding more by not understanding than by understanding, helpfully lost in a darkness we cannot manipulate or control, so as to finally be pushed into genuine faith, hope, and charity.

St John Paul II Pilgrimage to Poland Southern Cross

Nicholas King SJ

ACRoSS

3. Having a firm faith (9) 8. They went with the Thummim (Ex 28) (4) 9. Rigorous rent sting (9) 10. King of Judah (2 Kg 21) (6) 11. It holds maps of the mountains (5) 14. A crab turns into Dominican mother-house (5) 15. First king of Israel (4) 16. Land of the bishop of Port-au-Prince (5) 18. Roman currency today (4) 20. Gets close to the coarse snare (5) 21. Hint of an elbow? (5) 24. Lose one’s life (6) 25. You could be convinced by this super read (9) 26. Healing oil (4) 27. He denounced Paul to the governor (Ac 24) (9)

DoWn

1. Subordinated (9) 2. Eldest child (9) 4. Speak the truth under it (4) 5. God made Ezekiel’s forehead harder than this (Ez 3) (5) 6. No doubt about these teachings (6) 7. Hear the religious sister for nothing (4) 9. Abraham’s wife (5) 11. Mass vestment (5) 12. Find a good man at Marian’s (9) 13. Profane speech (9) 17. Bury in winter’s coldness (5) 19. Group that’s not in at the start (6) 22. A girl sought by King Arthur (5) 23. Move feet at parish bazaar (4) 24. St Rose’s land (4) Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

uring the recent synod, a cardinal entered St Peter’s, knelt down before the Body of Christ, and said: “I’m not worthy.” Another cardinal entered, knelt down next to the first cardinal, and said: “I’m not worthy.” A third cardinal entered, knelt next to the other two cardinals, and said: “I’m not worthy.” Said the first cardinal to the second: “Oh, look who thinks he’s not worthy!” (Adapted from Archbishop Hurley)

A journey to the places of St John Paul II’s life and devotions, led by a Bishop who knows Poland intimately.

Led by Bishop Stan Dziuba 13 - 21 May 2016