The
S outher n C ross
June 29 to July 5, 2016
reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 4983
www.scross.co.za
Ex-prisoner: Going straight is made difficult
Page 9
Remembering SA’s great artist-priest
Page 10
r8,00 (incl Vat rSa)
Fr Townsend: I try to be a better preacher
Page 7
Ailing organ donor priest dies at 37 By MaNdla zIBI
T
HE priest whose article on promoting organ donations moved Southern Cross readers just a few weeks ago has died at 37. Fr Xolisile Augustine Kondlo of Port Elizabeth, who had a rare lung condition and needed a transplant to live, died at 10:30 on Saturday June 18 in the city. Fr Kondlo had been in hospital for a week and slipped into a coma some time before he breathed his last and commended his life to God. In his article in the edition of May 25, Fr Kondlo said that his illness had given him a new ministry: to promote organ donation awareness through his Facebook group #1DonorSaves7Lives, articles in the media and lectures in parishes. The priest, who was ordained in 2012, was breathing through a portable oxygen machine, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. “Daily I am fighting for every breath I take, and the only cure for me is to get a new set of lungs via a transplant,” he said. Sadly this was not to be and widespread reaction has followed his demise. Southern Cross editor Günther Simmermacher said Fr Kondlo still had more to give. “Just over as week before Fr Kondlo’s death we were discussing further articles. One thing he felt strongly about was the cultural prejudice against organ transplants,” Mr Simmermacher said. “He texted me: ‘There is a lot, especially in the black communities, that needs to be done to make people aware of organ donation as an option. Many people have this belief that their ancestors won’t accept them and they can’t be ancestors if they are missing an organ.’ He wanted to address that,” said the editor. Fr Kondlo had also made an appeal to the Church to do more on the promotion of organ donation. “The Church is silent on this huge matter. Therefore I am calling on the leadership to do more. Here I am, one of
the newly appointed apostolic nuncio to Botswana, lesotho, Namibia, South africa and Swaziland, archbishop Peter Wells, recently visited little Eden’s Elvira rota Village in Bapsfontein, Gauteng, with archbishop William Slattery oFM of the archdiocese of Pretoria. (From left) lucy Slaviero (little Eden CEo), archbishop Wells, Sisters of the Imitation of Christ, Bethany Generalate, Srs Magie, therese and roopa, and archbishop Slattery.
Fr Kondlo, who died this month, was a dedicated activist for organ donation and addressed many groups on the lifesaving gift of donating an organ. their sons, struggling with my health, but I’m still willing to do awareness. It is frustrating to sit around my flat all day long.” Gillian Walker, national liaison officer of the Organ Donor Foundation, with which Fr Kondlo was working, told The Southern Cross: “It is incredibly sad to hear of the passing of Fr Xolisile Kondlo and our condolences go out to his family and friends during this difficult time.” “He was a brave man and fought his illness as well as the need for organ donor awareness. “I would like to ask the community to live his legacy and continue to spread organ donor awareness and encourage those around you to register to become organ donors.” A full obituary of Fr Xolisile Augustine Kondlo will be published in the next edition of The Southern Cross. n See Page 11 for a tribute to Fr Kondlo by former communications chief at the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Fr S’milo Mngadi.
Pope thanks circus workers By Carol Glatz
M
EETING with acrobats, clowns, carnival workers, street performers, musicians and magicians, Pope Francis thanked the artists for bringing beauty and joy to an often dark, sad world. “You cannot imagine what good you do, the good you sow,” he said during a special audience celebrating the jubilee of circus and travellingshow performers. While they may never know the impact they have on people, “you can be sure,” he said, that “you sow these seeds that do many people good.” Hundreds of performers, family members and supporters gathered in the Paul VI hall as part of a two-day pilgrimage to Rome for the Year of Mercy. To the tune of “O Sole Mio” played by an organ grinder, an animal wrangler used a baby bottle filled with milk to lure a tiger toward the pope, who was invited to pet it. Looking hesitant at first, the pope approached and touched the animal from behind, which caused the skittish cat to dart sideways. After assistants helped reassure both pope and feline Pope Francis stroked the tiger, who was still straining to drink the last of its milk. The event’s ringmaster and MC said the pope’s white clothing is what caught the cat off-guard. In his talk, the pope noted the performers’ special ability to bring a smile to a child’s face,
Pope Francis pets a tiger during an audience with circus members in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) brighten a lonely person’s day and draw people closer together. “You can also frighten the pope” when petting a tiger, he said. “You are powerful!” he said to great applause. Calling them “artisans” of wonder, beauty and celebration, the pope praised their abilities to lift people’s spirits.—CNS