170201

The

S outher n C ross www.scross.co.za

February 1 to February 7, 2017

Lesotho’s first cardinal gets his red hat at last

Reg No. 1920/002058/06

‘Why I need religion in a bleak world’

Page 2

Page 7

No 5018

R8,00 (incl VAT RSA)

Behind top knight’s resignation

Pages 5 & 7

New SACBC Laity Council launched

BY MANDLA ZIBI

T

HE SACBC Laity Council, an initiative that has been several years in the making, finally became living reality when it was launched at the plenary of the Southern Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Pretoria.

“In line with the teaching of Vatican II’s call for a deeper participation of lay people in the life and mission of the Church, the Church in our region is celebrating a historic moment which should be embraced by all as the mission of the Church is brought more and more close to all of us,” said Malatsi Leonard Kope, the chairman of the new council.

The council is envisaged to be a link between the Church hierarchy and the faithful and will draw on the experience of lay structures such as parish pastoral councils, deanery pastoral councils, and others to provide the parishes, deaneries, and dioceses with the wisdom of the laity for the good of the Church.

According to its constitution, lay Church leaders “are called to share with one another and with the clergy and/or hierarchical ordained leadership of the Church, their insights honestly, with courage, sincerity, respect and prudence through the relevant structures”.

The Laity Council is intended to serve as a “special resource vehicle to communicate all the necessary concerns, observations, suggestions and other relevant matters” to the bishops’ conference, through the Department for Formation, Life, and Apostolate of the Laity.

The council is also expected to share information with the “lay faithful about the issues, directives, teachings and other relevant matters from the bishops and the Church. In this way the Church is strengthened by unity of effort that is achieved in reverence, respect and charity”.

Mr Kope described the Laity Council as a fruit of Vatican II, which emphasised the importance of lay structures and their leadership in the life of the Universal Church.

“After the conclusion of [Vatican II] we saw more awareness and the importance of the laity in the life of the Church being given more attention. The Church called for the renewal in the life and the role of the Church with regard to the laity,” he said.

But despite this awareness there remains a fundamental lack of understanding of the lay

Leaders of the new SACBC Laity Council. faithful and its role in the Church’s mission, Mr Kope said.

“To many of us lay faithful, there is a notion that the only real vocation in the Church is in the ordained or vowed priesthood and religious. We still believe the Church is the ordained office, and that the priests and religious are the only ones who are called to serve.”

Mr Kope maintained that the actual teaching of the Church is that lay people have a distinct and very real role in the spreading of the Gospel, “which the Church desperately needs them to carry out with authority, creativity and power that the Holy Spirit has given to them in baptism”, he said.

He described the launch of the Laity Council as a “historic moment in our region”.

“We would like to sincerely thank our bishops for bringing awareness and encouraging the lay people to play a distinct role in the life of the Church, under the Department for Formation, Life and Apostolate of the Laity,” he said.

Mr Kope called on the Catholic lay faithful to encourage the youth to “go to school and study hard” and attend Catholic schools to be formed through Catholic education. Adult faithful, he said, must “be good professionals who will in turn Christianise the secular culture for the benefit of humanity”.

Further explaining the relationship between the clergy and the laity, Mr Kope quoted Pope Benedict XVI in his message to the International Forum of Catholic Action in 2012: “Lay women and men should not be regarded as collaborators of the clergy, but rather as people who are genuinely co-responsible for the Church.”

This, Mr Kope said, “is a powerful and empowering call to all of us and we can all benefit greatly from it”.

Bishops of Southern Africa at their plenary session in Pretoria. In front are (from left) SACBC first vice-president Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha, president Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town, and second vice-president Bishop Valentine Seane of Gaborone. Papal nuncio Archbishop Peter Wells is at right, second row from front. See page 3 for his address to the bishops. (Photo: Mathibela Sebothoma)

Jesuits, Methodist team up for Lenten book of reflections

T

WO Jesuits teamed up with a Methodist minister to write a book of daily Lenten reflections, titled Deepening Friendship with God and published by the Jesuit Institute.

The 128-page book was written by Jesuit Fathers Anthony Egan and Russell Pollitt, and Methodist Rev Trevor Hudson.

The book offers a reflection for each day, based on the Scripture texts of the day, beginning on Ash Wednesday and ending on the last day of the Easter Octave (the Second Sunday of Easter).

“This year each day’s reflection is followed by three questions to help the reader enter into a time of prayer,” said Fr Pollitt. “There are also poems which were especially written, thematically, for the beginning of each week.”

Rev Hudson has worked with the Jesuit Institute for many years. Recently he was part of the institute’s Spiritual Directors’ Training team.

“Rev Hudson’s commitment to the spiritual life, and his wonderful insights into how God is active in our daily lives, brings another level of depth to this text,” Fr Pollitt said.

The days of Lent were divided up between the three writers to try and make the text as rich as possible, the priest said. “The aim was to make the text practical, grounding it in a

contemporary lived experience of faith.”

In the foreword, Fr Michael Lewis SJ, president of the Conference of Jesuit Provincials of Africa and Madagascar, says: “This book helps us open up generously to God. [It] is simple and clear and I recommend it to anyone who wants to take their journey through Lent seriously. This text will help you to be alone with God and have a new and refreshed look at the world after the 40 days of Lent are done.”

Theologian Dr Nontando Hadebe also commended the book “for its rich and varied insights that nurture one’s friendship with God”.

Deepening Friendship with God also received praise from outside the Catholic Church. Dr Johan Geyser of the Mosaïek Church in Johannesburg said that “this book might just be a life-transforming experience”. n The book is available from the Jesuit Institute at R100 plus p&p. Contact lent@jesuitinsti tute.org.za

S outher n C ross Pilgrimage HOLY LAND • ROME •ASSISI • CAIRO 25 Aug - 8 Sept 2017 • Led by Archbishop William Slattery OFM For more information or to book, please contact Gail info@fowlertours.co.za or 076 352-3809

www.fowlertours.co.za/slattery

2

The Southern Cross, February 1 to February 7, 2017

LOCAL

Lesotho’s first cardinal finally installed

BY MANDLA ZIBI

C

Bishop Sebastian Koto Khoarai OMI, seen here at centre with his red cardinal’s cap, was installed as a cardinal in a ceremony presided over by Cardinal Wilfrid Napier in Mohale’s Hoek in Lesotho. (Photo: Khanya Lithabe)

ARDINAL Sebastian Koto Khoarai OMI, Lesotho’s first cardinal since the arrival of the country’s first Catholic missionaries in 1862, finally received his red hat at a ceremony held in Mohale’s Hoek, the diocese he served for many years.

Named a cardinal by Pope Francis last year, the 87-year-old could not travel to Rome for the November consistory because of his age and ill health.

According to Fr Mookameli Chale, spokesman for the bishops of Lesotho, a special request was made to the pope through the papal nuncio, Archbishop Peter Wells, that Cardinal Khoarai be excused from attending the consistory.

The ceremony in Mohale’s Hoek, where Cardinal Khoarai had served as bishop from 1978 to 2014, was presided over by Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban. Archbishop Gerard Lerotholi of Maseru delivered the homily.

Also in attendance were Lesotho’s King Letsie III and Prime Minister Pakalitha Mosilili, as well as some of his cabinet members.

The four bishops of Lesotho, and two from South Africa, were also present. There were also priests, religious and lay faithful from all over Lesotho and South Africa.

Radio Veritas covered the installation from Lesotho.

In his speech, Cardinal Napier explained that the cardinal forms part of a college of bishops that advises the Holy Father.

While cardinals elect a new pope, they must be under the age of 80 at the beginning of a conclave, which means that Cardinal Khoarai is not eligible to participate in a conclave should the need arise.

Cardinal Khoarai was born in Koaling in the diocese of Leribe in 1929. He entered the Oblates of Mary Immaculate and was ordained a priest in 1956.

In November 1977 he was appointed bishop of Mohale’s Hoek, and was ordained in April 1978.

From 1982-87 he served as president of the Episcopal Conference of Lesotho.

In May 2006, he submitted his resignation upon reaching the age limit, but remained as apostolic administrator of the diocese until February 2014.

Cape Town parishes forge ahead with child safety policy

BY MANDLA ZIBI

E

IGHT months after the official launch of the archdiocese of Cape Town’s Child Safeguarding Policy (CSP), implementation is “well under way”, and parishes are making good progress in familiarising themselves with its contents.

Michael Baker, who is credited with getting the CSP off the ground, said the policy was designed to ensure a safe environment for children within the Church.

The policy was promulgated only for the archdiocese of Cape Town.

“Archbishop Stephen Brislin decided to go ahead with implementing the process of safeguarding children even as the national policy is still being formulated. As such, the work being done in this archdiocese has already invited the interest of other parts of the country,” said Mr Baker.

“The aim is for every one of our parishes to be in a position to actu-

ally operate all aspects of the policy.

And the parishes are really making good progress. We are conducting workshops to train all personnel, with a particular focus on those that interact with children on behalf of the Church,” he said.

The workshops are conducted at the request of parishes and other diocesan groups and bodies.

When it comes to those who work with children on behalf of the Church, Mr Baker said, no half measures are taken. “If people interact with children on behalf of the Church and in terms of their ministries, they need particular clearances such as those from the police.

There is also a need to check they are not listed on Register B in terms of the Children’s Act. Appropriate references are also sought,” he said.

At the workshops, all personnel in the parish are made aware of the existence of the policy and receive

Seen after a workshop at Durbanville parish on the Child Safeguarding Policy of the archdiocese of Cape Town are (from left) pastoral council chairman Denzil Smerdon, Deacon Des Eyden, CSP parish coordinators Antonio Pepe, Nigel Copley, Anita McCallum (front), Christine Copley (back), parish priest Fr Michael van Heerden and CSP officer Michael Baker. copies of the safeguarding elements.

Those interacting with children also get further training.

In January, Mr Baker led a workshop on the CSP at Our Lady of Per-

A NEW WAY OF HELPING THE SOUTHERN CROSS There is a NEW way to become part of The Southern Cross through a monthly contribution to the Associates’ Campaign.

Dorothy Day was an American Catholic social activist and newspaper publisher.

Our new Dorothy Day patron category is available for those who wish to make a monthly debit or credit card contribution of any amount.

Please support our Associates Campaign with a monthly or annual contribution (our other patron categories still apply) For more information please visit www.scross.co.za/associates-campaign DEBIT ORDER AUTHORISATION I would like to donate a monthly gift to The Southern Cross.

Debit my bank account R...........................per month with effect from................(month) ...................(year) Account:

□ Cheque □ Savings □ Transmission

Account holders name........................................................

Account address..................................................................

Bank.....................................................................................

Branch & branch no.............................................................

Account no...........................................................................

Signature............................................

Tel: (W).......................................

Date.........................

(H)............................

E-mail...................................................................................

PAYMENT BY CREDIT CARD

I would like to make my donation by Credit Card Please debit my credit card with R......................

Please tick: Monthly Once only Type of Card: Visa Master

□ □ □ □ □□□□ □□□□ □□□ □ □ □□□ □□ □

(Please include the last 3 numbers on reverse of the card) Card expiry date ............month..............year

Cardholder’s name..................................................................................

Cardholder’s address..............................................................................

Cardholder’s signature............................................................................

Date..................................Tel (H)............................................................

W/Cell...............................E-mail.............................................................

petual Help parish in Durbanville, Cape Town.

“Those present were able to question and get clarity on the provisions of the policy, as well as the responsi-

bilities of parishioners and those involved in parish ministries. All necessary documentation was also completed, and police clearance checks carried out where necessary,” said Nigel Copley, a CSP coordinator at Durbanville parish.

The Cape Town archdiocese has three contact persons, who are the primary Church contacts for complaints related to child abuse or misconduct in terms of the CSP. They are Jane Payne (082 421 4618); Bernie Ross (061 052 3650) and Susan Duncan (082 581 2890).

If someone knows of a sexual offence committed against a child by any person who is interacting with children on behalf of a parish or diocesan body, in addition to the legal obligation to report it to the authorities they must also report it to one of the contact persons. n A copy of the CSP is also available on www.adct.org.za

Catholic Bible Foundation

OFFICE ASSISTANT

We are seeking the services of a competent Office Assistant (preferably Catholic) to work half day and help with the running of daily administrative operations of the company. The ideal candidate will be a professional able to undertake a variety of office support tasks and work diligently even under pressure. This person should be comfortable working with a high degree of attention to detail and discretion as well as incorporating new and effective ways to achieve better results.

Responsibilities • Performs reception duties; Types various correspondence; Attends to banking • Organises office and assists associates in ways that optimises procedures • Sorts and distributes communications timely • Creates and updates records ensuring accuracy and validity of information • Schedules appointments; plans meetings; takes, writes and circulates minutes • Prepares facilitators’ packs and reconciles them • Monitors level of supplies and handles shortages • Resolves office-related malfunctions of equipment and responds to requests and/or issues • Maintains trusting relationships with suppliers, customers and colleagues Requirements • Matric including English and Maths/Maths Literacy. Proficiency in at least one African Language is an added advantage • Well groomed, energetic and mannered • Proven experience as an office assistant or in another relevant administrative role • Working knowledge of office equipment • Thorough understanding of office management procedures • Excellent organizational and time management skills • Analytical abilities and aptitude in problem-solving • Excellent written and verbal communication skills • Proficiency in MS Office, electronic mailing and social media • Possession of a valid driver’s licence would be an added advantage

Applications with a most recent passport size photograph on your cv should be submitted no later than close of business on 17th February 2017 to mike@catholicbible.org.za Only suitably qualified applicants with relevant experience need apply. Canvassing will disqualify applicants

The Southern Cross, February 1 to February 7, 2017

LOCAL

Churches: profound need for theology departments

F

ORMER students of the longclosed department of divinity at Rhodes University gathered on the lawns of its old site in remembrance of a golden era of ecumenical education.

The group was there to celebrate the contribution made by both the former theology department at Rhodes (open from 1947 to 2000) and the Federal Theological Seminary of Southern Africa (Fedsem) in Alice (open from 1963 to 1993) to churches in South Africa over the years.

The event, which had the theme of “Remember, Rejoice and Renew” and was repeated in Alice the following day, fell under the auspices of the Church Unity Commission and was given full support by Rhodes vicechancellor Dr Sizwe Mabizela.

Bishop Paul Verryn of the Central Methodist Church, an alumnus of the ecumenical department of divinity, opened proceedings with prayer before leading a discussion with Rev Donald Cragg, a senior graduate, in the Rhodes chapel.

Seeking to bring closure to the pain caused in the ending of the cooperation between the department of divinity, Fedsem and the churches, and envisioning possible ways forward together, the group sought to answer two questions: what had been lost, and how that could be regained.

The speakers—who included Rev Cragg, Redemptorist Father Larry Kaufmann, Minister Glen Craig from Kenton-on-Sea (also an alumnus of the department of divinity), and Emeritus Professor of Contemporary Spirituality from the department, Felicity Edwards—shared their positive experiences of the department, as well as the challenges they had faced.

It emerged that the reasons for the closure of the department were varied, but primarily included finances and a concern that what was being taught was becoming irrelevant, particularly in the face of a shifting academic focus from humanities subjects to science and commerce.

The participants discussed a need for the recreation of divinity departments at South African universities, as well as a need to “break down the silos” between churches.

Under the auspices of the Church Unity Commission, ministers and academics gathered outside the Rhodes University chapel.

Bishop Verryn committed himself to engaging with authorities to look at ways of re-establishing a department of divinity in some way.

“A university needs to have a department of theology or religious studies—call it what you may—[as] a place where the profound issues of human existence are scrutinised, debated and understood,” he said, echoing the sentiment of Fedsem alumnus Prof Itumeleng Mosala during the talks.

“That place is critical in building an ethical core and conscience in society, and creating a narrative of hope.”

There was a call to strengthen theological education in the country.

“We need to meet each other ecumenically to move forward,” said Rev Lungile Mpetsheni, secretary-general of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.

The discussion was followed by a special service at the chapel, with Prof Mosala serving as the preacher and the liturgy designed by Canon John Suggit.

Another event will be held in Pietermaritzburg on February 18.

Nuncio: Look to St Joseph

BY MANDLA ZIBI

L

OOK to St Joseph as the perfect role model for South Africa’s crisis of the “absent father”, the papal nuncio told the local bishops.

Archbishop Peter Wells, the apostolic nuncio to Southern Africa, addressed the annual plenary of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference in Pretoria.

Addressing the SACBC for the first time since taking office last April, Archbishop Wells said he already felt “a strong bond of fellowship” with his brother bishops.

“My wish is that this continues to grow and that as the bishops’ conference you will feel the concern and the support of the nunciature both personally and for all the activities you engage in at the service of the Church,” he said.

Speaking about a crisis of the “absent father”, the nuncio referred to research by the Human Sciences Research Council and the South African Race Relations Institute which found that 60% of the country’s children have absent fathers and more than 40% of mothers are single parents.

Archbishop Wells commended efforts in some dioceses to encourage men’s forums, groups and sodalities “with the specific aim to challenge Catholic men to fully respond to their responsibilities as husbands and fathers”, but added that more could be done.

“If we wish to propose a role model for husbands and fathers,

Archbishop Peter Wells we will find none greater than St Joseph, the protector of the Holy Family,” said Archbishop Wells, quoting from a homily given by Pope Paul VI in 1969 on the feast of St Joseph.

A

rchbishop Wells also devoted part of his address to urge the bishops to consider what he called a “preferential option for our young people”, his thoughts on the theme of youth and formation to be discussed at the 15th ordinary general assembly of the Synod of Bishops in 2018.

“To engage with youth is a good thing in itself, but also because, without our young people, the very future of the Church is in jeopardy. Yes, we know it’s challenging to work with today’s youth. Their world is hugely different from the one we grew up in. But deep down they are

searching for meaning in their lives, for authentic relationships, for a spirituality that allows them to be fully alive,” the nuncio said.

Archbishop Wells said the Church needed to be “dynamic and creative” when dealing with young people.

“One possibility is an initiative which could be termed ‘youth evangelising youth’,” he said.

“We know how important the peer group is for young people. It is one thing for an adult to preach to a teenager about the value of chastity in pre-marital relationships; it’s quite another for teenagers to listen to someone their own age explaining why they have made a choice to remain chaste until they are married.”

Noting the Year of Mercy which ended in November, the archbishop drew the bishops’ attention to Pope Francis’ apostolic letter Misericordia et Misera, which he said was “primarily written with the aim of engaging the universal Church in a programme of action to carry out an intensive pastoral mission of mercy”.

As a “tangible lasting sign” of the Year of Mercy, he said: “The Holy Father suggests that on the 33rd Sunday of ordinary time, the entire Church celebrate the Word Day of the Poor.”

The nuncio also praised the bishops for proclaiming February 8 the feast day of St Josephine Bakhita, as a day of prayer and reflection on the scourge of women and children abuse, with a particular focus on human trafficking.

Guiding the hearts and minds of o tomorrow’s leadders

Open Dayy 1 February 2017 09:00 11 00 - 12:00

Pilgrimage to Fatima 100th Anniversary Exclusive accommodation close to shrine

Neighbourhood Old Age Homes

We can use your old clothing, bric-a-brac, furniture and books for our second-hand shop in Woodstock, Cape Town.

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

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

OMI STAMPS YOUR USED STAMPS

can help in the education of South Africans for the PRIESTHOOD at St Joseph’s Scholasticate, Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal.

Please send them to: OMI Stamps, Box 101352, Scottsville, 3209

Packages start from R32 995.00 per person incl. Airport taxes

Pilgrimage to Fatima, Salamanca, Avila, Loyola and Paris Led by Fr. Justin Stirton 11 June – 21 June 2017 R 29 995.00 incl. Airport taxes

Life of Christ Pilgrimage to The Holy Land Led by Fr. Alfred Igwebuike 05 July – 14 July 2017 R 22 995.00 incl. Airport taxes

Tel: 012 342 0179/Fax: 086 676 9715 info@micasatours.co.za

3

Grade 8 20188 Diagnostic & Schholarship assessments ents 1 February 2017 08:00 18 00 - 12:00 dŽ ƌĞŐŝƐƚĞƌ͕ Žƌ ĨŽƌ ĨƵƌƚŚĞƌ ŝŶĨŽƌŵĂƟŽŶ͕ ĐĂůů Ϭϭϭ ϳϬϲ ϳϰϬϰ Žƌ ĞŵĂŝů ĂĚŵŝƐƐŝŽŶƐΛďƌĞƐĐŝĂ͘ĐŽ͘njĂ ǁǁǁ͘ďƌĞƐĐŝĂ͘ĐŽ͘njĂ

4

The Southern Cross, February 1 to Febraury 7, 2017

INTERNATIONAL

Pope to world’s media: Spread hope, not fear

BY CINDY WOODEN

A

T a time when the media seem to feed a “vicious cycle of anxiety” and a “spiral of fear”, Christians should respond with honest stories that identify problems and evil, but also inspire real solutions, Pope Francis said.

“Every new tragedy that occurs in the world’s history can also become a setting for good news, inasmuch as love can find a way to draw near and to raise up sympathetic hearts, resolute faces and hands ready to build anew,” the pope wrote in his message for World Communications Day. The Vatican and most dioceses will mark World Communications Day on May 28, the Sunday before Pentecost.

The pope chose “‘Fear Not, For I Am With You.’ Communicating Hope and Trust in Our Time” as the theme for the 2017 commemoration.

Mgr Dario Vigano, prefect of the Vatican Secretariat for Communications, has called for a discussion of the pope’s message.

“The pope is not calling us to recount the world of Heidi” or any other fairy tale, Mgr Vigano said.

Trials and suffering are part of real people’s lives, but the stories of those struggles also should “open spaces of hope”.

For example, he said, the real story in late January about a hotel

A statue of St Francis de Sales, patron saint of journalists. (Photo: Sam Lucero, The Compass/CNS) in Italy buried by an avalanche after a series of earthquakes includes not only the recovery of the bodies of victims, but stories of the courage of the rescuers and the generosity and solidarity of people in nearby towns.

In his letter, Pope Francis said promoting hope and confidence is not to pretend evil does not exist or to spread misinformation, rather it means identifying and reporting ills in a way that does not “generate apathy, fear or the idea that evil has no limits”.

A particular problem today, he said, is reporting about tragedies and human suffering in a way that almost turns the story into entertainment.

What is needed, he said, is “an open and creative style of communication that never seeks to glamourise evil but instead to concentrate on solutions and to inspire a positive and responsible approach on the part of its recipients”.

The story of Jesus is a clear example, the pope wrote. “This good news —Jesus himself—is not good because it has nothing to do with suffering, but rather because suffering itself becomes part of a bigger picture. It is seen as an integral part of Jesus’ love for the father and for all mankind.”

For Jesus and for all who believe in him, “hardship and the cross do not obstruct, but bring about God’s salvation,” he said. “Weakness proves stronger than any human power, and failure can be the prelude to the fulfillment of all things in love.”

Faith tells Christians that God is at work at every moment in an individual’s life and at every moment of human history, he said.

That confidence always has given Christians hope, which is “the humblest of virtues for it remains hidden in the recesses of life, yet it is like the yeast that leavens all the dough”.—CNS

Pope to Dominicans: Lead people to the ‘solid ground of the Gospel’

BY CINDY WOODEN

I

N an age that often seems to be a “carnival of worldly curiosity”, Christians are called to lead people to the solid ground of the Gospel like St Dominic did, Pope Francis said.

“We are moving in a so-called ‘liquid society’, which is without fixed points, scattered, deprived of solid and stable reference points, a culture of the ephemeral, of the use-and-dispose,” the pope told members of the Dominican order.

At Rome’s basilica of St John Lateran, the pope celebrated Mass with the Order of Preachers, founded 800 years ago, and with women religious and lay people who trace their spirituality to St Dominic.

In his homily, Pope Francis re-

flected on Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy and its description of proclaiming the Gospel at a time when people were “always seeking new teachers, myths, different doctrines and ideologies”.

The situation today is even more exaggerated, the pope said, because of “the seduction of subjective relativism”.

The response must be to attract people to the unchanging truth of faith in God and in the Gospel, he told the Dominicans.

When a Christian gives glory to God through his or her actions and words, Pope Francis said, people will notice and ask, “Why does that person act that way?”

The Gospel calls Christians to be salt of the earth and light for the world, he said. “Woe to a Church that loses its flavour. Woe to a

priest, a consecrated person, a congregation that loses its flavour.”

St Dominic, he said, was “full of the light and salt of Christ” and preached the Gospel with “the word and his life”, helping many men and women “not become lost in the carnival of worldly curiosity”, but experience “the taste of sound doctrine, the taste of the Gospel and become, in turn, light and salt, artisans of good works”.

Closing the celebrations of the Dominicans’ 800th anniversary, the Mass came at the end of a fiveday Congress on Mission to examine the situations in which Dominicans are called to preach, to promote cooperation across the different Dominican branches and evaluate where the order’s missionary outreach needs strengthening.—CNS

Boys carry sandwiches in Aleppo, Syria. Conveying Pope Francis’ closeness to the Syrian people, a Vatican delegation visited Aleppo following the end of the hostilities that left thousands dead and the city in ruins.

(Photo: Khalil Ashawi, Reuters/CNS)

Vatican officials visit war-torn Aleppo

BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES

C

ONVEYING Pope Francis’ closeness to the Syrian people, a Vatican delegation visited Aleppo following the end of the hostilities that left thousands dead and the city in ruins.

Mgr Giampietro Dal Toso, secretary-delegate of the dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development, visited the city accompanied by Cardinal Mario Zenari, apostolic nuncio to Syria, and Mgr Thomas Habib, an official at the nunciature.

The delegation met with “Christian communities and their pastors, who expressed gratitude to the pope for his constant concern for beloved Syria”, a Vatican statement said.

They also visited several refugee camps and Catholic institutions assisting in relief efforts, including a humanitarian assistance centre run

by Caritas Aleppo.

According to the Vatican, during a meeting with the Church’s charitable institutions, Mgr Dal Toso and the delegation emphasised the importance of providing relief assistance to the Syrian people.

“With the support of the universal Church and thanks to the generous contribution of the international community, such help may be intensified in the future to meet the growing needs of the people,” the Vatican said.

Members of the delegation also took part in an ecumenical prayer service that coincided with the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity, as well as several meetings with Islamic representatives.

The “responsibilities of religions in educating for peace and reconciliation” was among the issues discussed during the meetings, the Vatican noted.—CNS

Vatican museum shares masterpieces on YouTube

BY CAROL GLATZ

I

N an effort to share its masterpieces with even more people around the world, the Vatican Museums has established a YouTube channel and revamped its website to offer high-resolution images and mobile-friendly information.

The “Musei Vaticani” YouTube channel lists short visual “tours”of some of its collections along with a handful of promotional videos highlighting specially tailored tours and services offered on-site, including signing guides for the deaf or

hard-of-hearing.

Its website, (museivaticani.va) has been completely revamped to be compatible with all platforms and devices in order to extend its reach to even “remote corners of the earth”, said Barbara Jatta, the museums’ new director.

The website provides information about booking visits and purchasing tickets to the museums, the Vatican Gardens, the Via Triumphalis, necropolis under the Vatican hill, and the pontifical villas at Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome.—CNS

MONASTERY RETREAT HOUSE PO Box 11095, Mariannhill 3624

Individual, directed or private retreats can be arranged for periods of 2-8 days throughout the year. Diocesan, Parish and Church meetings and workshops should be booked well in advance Reception: 031 700 2155 Fr Urs Fischer 031 700 2890 Fax 031 700 2738 Email: monretreat@saol.com

For Bookings:

Tapestry by Margret Mkhize

Cellphones: 083 963 3848 083 544 1504 082 730 7180

MISSIONARY SISTERS OF THE PRECIOUS BLOOD MARIANNHILL

Contact: Sister Patricia Mary cps The Convent, or P.O. Box 10487 Ashwood 3605 Phone 071 211 5097

Fr Urs Fischer Bro Crispin Mrs N Qupa

Sr Eunice cps Precious Blood Convent P.O. Box 23 Bizana 4800 Phone 039 2511 0042

www.facebook.com/thescross

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, February 1 to February 7, 2017

5

Pope on mafia: The devil comes in through pockets

BY CAROL GLATZ

V Pope Francis greets actor Arnold Schwarzenegger during his general audience in Paul VI hall at the Vatican. (Photo: L’Osservatore Romano/CNS)

Pope forces top Knight of Malta to resign

BY CINDY WOODEN

A

FTER weeks of very public tensions with the Vatican, the head of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta accepted Pope Francis’ request that he submit his resignation.

The order’s communications office confirmed that Fra Matthew Festing, the 67-year-old grand master, met with Pope Francis the day before and agreed to resign.

The Vatican said that Pope Francis intends to appoint a pontifical delegate to govern the order.

Fra Festing, temporarily led the world’s largest chivalric order since 2008. His resignation cuts short what normally is a life-time appointment.

A short Vatican statement said Fra Festing offered to resign and Pope Francis accepted his offer the next day while “expressing to Fra Festing appreciation and recognition of his sentiments of loyalty and devotion to the successor of Peter and his openness to humbly serving the good of the order and the Church”.

The Order of Malta is made up of more than 13 500 knights and dames; about 50 of them are professed religious, having taken vows of poverty, chastity and obedience.

The grand master is elected for life from among the professed knights.

Fra Festing’s offer to resign came after Pope Francis set up a commission to investigate Fra Festing’s removal of the order’s grand chancellor, Albrecht von Boeselager.

A member of the commission said that Pope Francis received the

Pope Francis talks with Fra Matthew Festing, former grand master of the Order of Malta, last June. (Photo: Maria Grazia Picciarella/CNS) commission report before meeting with Fra Festing and asking for his resignation.

In a statement in December, the order said Mr Boeselager was removed “due to severe problems which occurred during Mr Boeselager’s tenure as grand hospitaller of the Order of Malta and his subsequent concealment of these problems from the Grand Magistry”. It was widely reported the problems had to do with the distribution of contraceptives to prevent HIV/Aids in health clinics run by or funded

by Malteser International, the order’s humanitarian relief agency.

Fra Festing insisted the removal of Mr Boeselager was an internal matter and, in letters leaked to the press, urged members not to cooperate with the Vatican commission.—CNS

Pope confirms new Opus Dei prelate

BY JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES

P

OPE Francis has confirmed the election of Spanish Mgr Fernando Ocariz as the new prelate of Opus Dei. The 72-year-old monsignor, who had been auxiliary vicar of Opus Dei, was elected and confirmed by the pope on the first day of voting by Opus Dei’s electoral congress, a gathering of priests and laymen.

Mgr Ocariz succeeds Bishop Javier Echevarria, who died in December.

Born in Paris in 1944 to a family exiled during the Spanish civil war, Mgr Ocariz lived in Rome in an Opus Dei house along with St Josemaria Escriva, the Opus Dei founder, prior to receiving his licentiate in theology from Rome’s Pontifical Lateran University in 1969 and a doctorate in theology from the University of Navarra in 1971, the same year of his ordination.

Mgr Ocariz serves as a consultor to several Vatican offices, including the Congregation for the Doctrine of

Spanish Mgr Fernando Ocariz was elected as the new head of the prelature of Opus Dei. (Photo: courtesy of Opus Dei/CNS the Faith, the Congregation for Clergy and the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelisation.

The process that led to Mgr Ocariz’s election began with a consultation involving more than three dozen women who are members of the Central Advisory.—CNS

ICTIMS of human trafficking and migrants smuggled across borders by criminal networks are the weakest of the weak and need increased protection and care, Pope Francis said.

“All those who flee their own country because of war, violence and persecution have the right to find an appropriate welcome and adequate protection in countries that describe themselves [as] civilised,” he said.

The pope made his remarks during an audience with about 40 representatives from Italy’s national anti-mafia and anti-terrorism office.

He thanked them for their difficult and dangerous work and encouraged them to continue their “extremely essential” efforts in liberating people from criminal associations that are responsible for violence and an abuse of power “stained with human blood”.

Communities need to be saved from “corruption, extortion, the illegal trafficking of drugs and weapons, the trafficking of human beings, including so many children who are reduced to slavery”, he said.

Terrorist and criminal networks are a global challenge that require a global, effective and determined response, Pope Francis said.

The pope urged them to work especially hard in “fighting human trafficking and the smuggling of

Pope Francis greets Franco Roberti, Italy's chief prosecutor of terrorism and organised crime, during an audience with about 40 representatives from Italy’s national anti-mafia and anti-terrorism office at the Vatican.

(Photo: L'Osservatore Romano) migrants. These are very grave crimes that hit the weakest of the weak”.

As such, “it is necessary to increase efforts in safeguarding victims, providing for legal and social assistance for these brothers and sisters of ours seeking peace and a future”, he said.

The pope called on schools, sports groups, families, Christian parishes and organisations and cultural associations to do more in shaping the moral conscience and building respect for the law in the minds of today’s young people.

Pope Francis asked that everyone involved in various mafia organisations stop the harm they are causing and change their ways.

Money made from their “dirty business” and crimes is money that is soaked in blood and leads to “unjust power”, he said. “We all know that the devil comes in through the pocket,” he added.

Mafioso activities and mindsets need to be fought because they are part of “the culture of death”, he said. They have nothing to do with the Christian faith, which always supports life.—CNS

6

The Southern Cross, February 1 to February 7, 2017

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

We must be feminists

O

N February 8, the feast day of St Josephine Bakhita, Southern Africa’s Catholics are called by the bishops to turn their prayerful focus on the abuse of women and children, human trafficking and gender equality.

Announcing the day, the bishops’ spokesman, Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria, told The Southern Cross: “Despite men and women being equally children of God, women have been massively discriminated against; they are paid less, even when allowed to do the same work as men; they are sexually abused; forced into early marriages; abandoned to care for children alone. They bear the brunt of domestic violence, and with children they are the objects of human trafficking.”

This echoes the teachings of Pope Francis. In his document of the family, Amoris Laetitia, the pope wrote: “Even though significant advances have been made in the recognition of women’s rights and their participation in public life, in some countries much remains to be done to promote these rights. Unacceptable customs still need to be eliminated.”

In his comments to The Southern Cross, Archbishop Slattery noted: “Central to the problem of gender inequality is the culture of patriarchy. This refers to an entrenched system of domination by males.”

It is the patriarchal system of power relations that stands in the way of giving women full equal rights in all spheres of life, from rural villages to boardrooms. It is from the patriarchal system that women must be emancipated.

Of course, as Pope Francis notes, much progress has been made in improving women’s rights, and many success stories can be told of individual women breaking through patriarchal obstacles—usually by working harder and making greater sacrifices than their male counterparts.

These success stories are inspiring, but they must not blind us to the realities which women around the world face, such as the commodification of the female body and the sexual exploitation of women (ranging from sexual harassment and rape to forced prostitution), gender biases in societal norms and justice systems, labour exploitation and unequal pay, domestic abuse, genital mutilation, “honour” killings, “corrective” rapes of lesbians, and so on…

In combating these scandals against human dignity, the com-

VERITAS

Communal confession takes hours

I

mon sense position for Christians is to be feminist.

And here we must resist defining feminism as an ideological monolith, but as a movement that accommodates many broad philosophies and specific policies—much, in fact, as the Catholic Church does. Just as the Church’s central premise is the salvation of souls, so is the feminist movement’s central premise the social, economic and political equality of women and the liberation from the patriarchal system that dictates to women.

Some men see this as a threat to their patriarchal privilege. They regard the idea that men should not exercise domination over women as emasculating, even seeing themselves as victims of the feminine claim to equality.

Often such men articulate their frustration by resort to verbal or physical violence. This cannot be tolerated. Violence against women, whatever the source, must at all times be unequivocally condemned.

The answer to gender violence and other forms of domination is to step up the efforts for the emancipation if women.

The Catholic Church also needs to enter into a more rigorous dialogue about gender. Even if we leave aside the thorny issue of female priests, it is clear that the Church is structurally still profoundly male dominated.

There is much to be addressed, including how the theory of “complementarity” may serve to entrench archaic gender roles, and how its language tends to reduce the role of women primarily to that of wifehood.

But its own limitations must not disqualify or discourage the Church from emphatically condemning the resurgence of misogyny and insisting on gender equality in all spheres of society.

These are not radical propositions. The equality of human dignity is a non-negotiable Gospel demand.

Even as we Catholics reject certain dominant streams within the women’s movement—especially in terms of reproductive rights— we must embrace it.

As Pope Francis puts it in Amoris Laetitia: “If certain forms of feminism have arisen which we must consider inadequate, we must nonetheless see in the women’s movement the working of the Spirit for a clearer recognition of the dignity and rights of women.”

Star of the Sea School

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.

SYMPATHISE with the Open Door query posted by Mildred (January 18) about the length of a communal penitential service.

I sympathise even more because of Michael Shackleton’s reply which missed the point and ended up being rather condescending.

I have a similar problem in our parish in New Zealand. I also had to

Desecration at mosque appals

T

HE recent Simon’s Town mosque desecration is an opportunity for us to speak out.

The disrespect, desecration, blasphemy and violence that was displayed at the historic 120-year-old mosque in Simon’s Town, Cape Town, was shocking.

How can anyone, irrespective of what faith they belong to, have the disrespect to splatter pigs’ blood all over the walls of a place of worship, in this case a mosque? How can anyone have the utter contempt to smear the pulpit in a place of worship as was done at this mosque?

After all the religious-based acts of hatred that we see worldwide, how can any South African not see that this is unacceptable, and then still want to contribute to this?

I’m heartened to see the unified condemnation of these acts from all sectors of society, including the Christian and Jewish communities.

I am, however, disappointed by the lack of voices speaking out against these despicable acts by non-Muslim members of the public.

We need to develop an attitude that when such an act takes place, particularly when one is not directly affected, one needs to condemn it even louder than those who are personally offended.

The famous words of German Pastor Martin Niemöller come to mind: “First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out, because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak for me.”

Any of these despicable acts or any display of racism, sexism, xenophobia, homophobia, anti-Semitism and Islamophobia must all be opportunities for each one of us to speak out publically and privately against these acts against humanity.

This is the only way that we will build the rainbow nation that our beloved Nelson Mandela spoke about, fought for and dreamt about.

Manny de Freitas, Johannesburg

Star of the Sea Convent School invites applications for the following part-time post to commence 1 April 2017 or sooner

GRADE 7 ENGLISH AND RELIGIOUS EDUCATION TEACHER

The successful applicant will: • Be fully qualified with experience teaching in the Intermediate and Senior Phase; • Understand, identify with and contribute to the Catholic ethos and values of the school; • Be able to teach the Catholic religious education syllabus ‘Lifebound’ to Grade 5 to 7; • Be a specialist in the area of English teaching to Grade 7; • Have effective organisational and administrative skills; • Have sound computer skills and knowledge; • Be willing to be fully involved in the sacramental life of the school; • Be registered with SACE. Apply in writing, giving details of qualifications, experience and the names of three contactable referees, including your Parish Priest or Minister, to: The Principal, 74 Main Road, St James, Cape Town, 7945 Or Email: admin@starofthesea.co.za Closing date for applications: 14 February 2017

walk out/“back out” from a confession queue due to time constraints. I had set aside an hour and a half, knowing there were three priests, and left after an hour. I heard others had left “unrepentant” as well.

The answer, I suspect, lies in establishing expectations. If the priest indicates in the first part of the service that he is available for any pro-

Combat lust!

P

AUL Collins (January 11) doubts that the message of abstaining from sexual relations will be successful in combating HIV/Aids. By citing experts, he seems to suggest the help of condoms.

More successful would be to combat the underlying problem of lust.

Man cannot live without joy, that is why, once deprived of spiritual joy, he goes over to carnal pleasures.

The source of lust is sloth, laziness, boredom, indifference. Sloth is a sin of omission: the refusal to inform oneself about religion, the Church and God. A rejection of the presence of God, a refusal to move towards the good, even when a great spiritual good is present.

The cure to sloth is true passion and joy, spiritual passion and joy.

Saints are not addicted to lust because they know something even more passionate, more exciting.

They know God. The entire purpose of the Church is to produce saints. We are on the production line. Don’t fall off.

JH Goossens, Pretoria

Donald Trump deserves a go

T

HERE appears to be an obsession in the media (including The Southern Cross) in reporting on and portraying Donald Trump in the most vile and inappropriate manner. He has upset the bleeding heart liberals and their cohorts, the human rights lobby, who are part of the problems facing all countries and not the solution.

We know that all humans are flawed and Donald Trump is no exception, but he is no more or no less flawed than the rest of the previous US presidents. I am sure there are excesses in every nation in the world.

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

longed discussion or advice at some other time, then penitents will not be frustrated.

Mr Shackleton’s simile with a doctor is valid, and being a GP myself, I do have to gently prioritise a veritable shopping list of complaints, attend to the most important, and have a management plan for the rest.

Perhaps the clergy would like to comment.

Chris Radloff, Pukekohe, New Zealand Instead of all denigrating Mr Trump, let us be charitable and pray that God gives him the wisdom to serve all the American people with fairness and justice for the short period that he is in office.

Fr Chris Chatteris in his article (January 11) speaks of the new word “post-truth”, which surely is a derivative of half-truth.

I hope that Americans who are disappointed about the outcome of the election turn from bitter, destructive ambitions and work for the wellbeing of all citizens, which should be the objective of every nation.

Bernie Moat, St Helena Bay, Western Cape

We’re not all seaside vandals

I

WISH to voice my strong objection to Kelsay Correa’s article “What is it about the sea?” (January 11) How can she write such a damning attack on thousands of us from Johannesburg going to “the sea” for our holidays?

If it’s not her favourite place, she shouldn’t have gone at all.

All her negativity, including bringing politics into the article, is absurd. Did she care to pick up the glass in the path of her two littlies who did not want to wear shoes?

Our entire family has enjoyed an annual holiday to the sea on the KZN South Coast for over 70 years.

The wonder of God’s creation still enthrals us all every year, and this includes all my seven grandchildren, even this year our 4-year-old twins.

How wonderful an experience, which money cannot buy, when a 4-year-old picks up the tiniest of shells on the beach and comes running to show what a precious shell she has found.

To end this letter, may I share with you the tragedy of losing our brother (age 59), who was swept out to sea by a riptide eight years ago?

His body was never found.

My late father’s words then were: “When our human minds cannot help us and answer our why, only our faith can.”

Please don’t assume that all rich people are white and careless with their rubbish. I can’t believe you still bring race into your arguments.

Irmingard Jansen, Johannesburg

PERSPECTIVES

Why I need religion in a bleak world Mphuthumi P Ntabeni RESIDENT Zuma has been at it again, calling out, in desperation, about how the African National Congress was founded by God, thus wanting to equate it with the church. And by church I mean an assembly that is called into existence by divine invention.

Every lie, to be believable, needs to have a modicum of truth. The ANC was initially founded by men of the cloth, reverends and all. As much as we commend them for understanding that spiritual freedom has to transfer to the physical one too, we cannot escape the fact that they didn’t found the organisation as a “church” but as a political party.

Also, not all founders of the ANC were of religious persuasions. For that matter, facts demand that we say the founders of Ingqungquthela—what later came to be called the ANC—were educated blacks, which at the time meant reverends and journalists. These were the first popular careers for black people. So those who rubbish Mr Zuma’s statements as unfounded and opportunistic are correct.

Having said that, Christian mission isn’t only individual. It’s social, cultural and political, too. An authentic Christian has a duty to bring Christ-like consciousness of the divine to the issues of our time, because without God in our individual and collective lives, our characters and culture decay.

And when that happens human beings suffer through scandals like economic depravity, gross income inequalities and such things that come with the selfishness of our egos.

Resurrecting the idea of a Christian society should be uppermost in our lives. But we must take care that this would not translate into the wrong idea of theocracy.

For an authentic religion to mature, it must exist cheek by jowl with secular culture. Yeshua, the Christ, already informed us through the parable that it has pleased the Father for the wheat to grow with weeds until harvest time.

I am a strong believer in the Catholic faith, but I would not want to live in any kind of theocracy, including the Roman faith one. History has taught us the downsides of that. People who want to live

under sharia state law and other theocratic legal codes have yet to learn from this history.

It is usually those wavering in their materialist truths who want to invoke religious formulas for all to live by. From there it is usually a slippery slope towards demonising those who do not share your faith.

O

f course, secularism has its own problems of intolerance—from both sides, the religious fundamentalism and what I call fake humanism.

It amuses me no end how these fake humanists suddenly become overzealous, particularly during Christmas time, in pointing out what they see as the errors of religion and the supposed absurdity of faith.

They become hostile to belief, especially on social media, where they like to caricature us with stale arguments about Christ not having been born on December 25—ignoring that it was Christians themselves who pointed this out a long time ago. And they are glibly ignorant of the fact that what today are called the values of secularism and progress were themselves Christian inventions.

We Catholics need to speak in confidence and forthrightly about the doctrines of our faith. The cynicism of fake human-

“My worldview is bleak. That is why I need religion, to teach me how to believe in other people, and give me the strength to ask God real questions,” Mphuthumi Ntabeni writes. (Photo: Frank Becker)

The Public Square

ists should not bother us much if our faith has depth. When we are bothered to the point of losing our tolerance, we betray a shallowness in our faith also.

We must inhabit a secular culture— though it may sometimes be hostile to what we believe—with the confidence of those who know that the scales have already fallen from our eyes. But we must always guard against condescending to others, and especially against the first enemy who spoils everything—pride.

Even as our positions are caricatured, our intentions misconstrued and confused, we must always love kindly and walk humbly with our God. We must always hope that others will ultimately share in the joy and gratitude we feel for this unmerited gift of faith.

One thing I have learned from men like De Bois, Fanon, Baldwin, Biko, Coates and so on is how to disguise hope in righteous anger. I’ve also learned that I don’t share their hope—far too many bad people believe in their own righteousness, and that to me is the major part of the problem.

My worldview is bleak. That is why I need religion, to teach me how to believe in other people, and give me the strength to ask God real questions.

Mine is the anger of Job. I do not doubt God’s existence but God’s absolute justice.

I am not really excited about God’s or my own revenge on the sinners after the sin has ravaged this side of heaven. I do not see how the punishment of a blind creature would please the God I believe in.

I understand that sin is the self choosing to live outside the divine reality. But, were I God, an omnipotent Goodness, separation from my sinner child would be an eternal scar I would wish to undo. That is my existential faith crises.

I look forward to death when I shall see things in unity with the divine perspective, inshallah.

An African evangelisation for Africa Kelvin Banda OP A FRICA has been labelled as a continent which is full of tropical diseases, parasites, conflicts, violence, war, poverty and hunger. And yet, Africa is actually the prime mover of human life and civilisation, since Africa is blessed with abundant natural resources.

These God-given resources have proved to be something of a curse. Africa continues to be exploited and divided.

The colonisers underestimated the African mind, believing that an African person did not have the capacity to think or develop concepts. For the colonisers and missionaries, all that pertained to African religion was seen as evil. This led to the brainwashing of the African mind and personhood.

Christ as liberator came to give full meaning to African religion, to the African human person. Christ came neither to destroy nor distort its value and morality, but to enhance it and give it a vigorous character and flavour. Yet, some colonisers and missionaries could not see the essence of African religion.

The heart of African religion, on the foundation of which Christianity could have built, was dismantled.

The politics that are brought to Africa by investors, and the wars that are inflicted upon Africa in order to steal its natural resources, make evangelisation even more difficult. In countries where there is much violence, God is no longer seen as

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

Point of Reflection

Dancers at an outdoor liturgy in Mozambique. (Photo courtesy Bishop José Ponce de Leon) effective and powerful, but a mere god who cannot even help the neediest.

Such violence has destroyed African indigenous values and ethics which could help to evangelise, promote life, peace, human rights and integral freedom which African people believe in.

T

o adapt the 7th-century archbishop of Canterbury, Deusdekit, evangelisation in Africa requires a paradigm shift so that the churches, by the virtue of Christ, can work together for a new African society and a new African humanitarian society.

As preachers of Christ, we need a new system of evangelisation that can speak and bring Christ to an African, through an approach that would uproot injustice

Frail/assisted care in shared or single rooms.

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

Rates include meals, laundry and 24-hour nursing.

Day Care and short stay facilities also available.

and restore social justice and morality by sustaining human dignity, life, joy and peace.

The Gospel of Christ can penetrate the challenges of evangelisation only if the mind and heart of an African woman and man strives to unity, working towards the ethnic/original/native backgrounds that once existed in African society; that is living in communities in which Christ can be seen as living among African people.

St Paul, as Christ’s evangeliser, recognised and affirmed different traditional religions and helped people build their faith on that towards Christ. Therefore, there is a great need for every Christian to find an approach to evangelise by uprooting the divisions and injustices that lead to much poverty and exploitation among African people and to speak out on injustice.

This, then, is a challenge to every human person, whether educated or not: to address vital issues and the crises affecting Africa so that evangelisation can be visible by bringing a new hope, faith and healing to African personhood.

Tony Wyllie & Co. Catholic Funeral Home Personal and Dignified 24-hour service

469 Voortrekker Rd, Maitland, Tel: 021 593 8820

48 Main Rd, Muizenberg, Tel: 021 788 3728 carol@wylliefunerals.co.za andrew@wylliefunerals.co.za Member of the NFDA

The Southern Cross, February 1 to February 7, 2017

Günther Simmermacher

7

Point of Church

Lesson: Don’t mess with the pope

T

HE unexpected resignation of the head of the Knights of Malta at the request of Pope Francis is a big deal. It shows that for all his goodnatured openness, the Holy Father still demands respect, loyalty and discipline.

The Order of the Knights of Malta goes back to the times of the Crusaders in Jerusalem as the Knights Hospitallers (the Malta connection refers to a time in exile. The order is now based in Rome, near the basilica of Santa Sabina).

They do fine charitable work in 120 countries, including in Mandeni in KwaZulu-Natal. The order has sovereign diplomatic standing, so they're not just a big NGO. They are powerful.

Cardinal Raymond Burke, an outspoken critic of Pope Francis, is their “patron”, or chief chaplain.

Here is a brief—and slightly flippant—timeline of the events leading to the resignation of Fra Matthew Festing.

1. Festing wants to fire his #2, Albrecht von Boeselager. The pretext is that Boeselager had cooperated with an organisation which distributed condoms to prostitutes in Asia.

2. A hearing is called in December. The Holy See asks the Knights to settle this issue fairly and amicably. Their preference seems to be that Boeselager should not be fired.

3. In the meeting, facing Festing and Cardinal Burke, Boeselager refuses to resign. Festing or Cardinal Burke (it seems unclear who) apparently tells him that it is the wish of the Holy See that he resign—an “alternative fact”, in current parlance.

4. Boeselager refuses to resign and is fired. The Vatican isn’t happy—even less so when the alternative fact Boeselager was presented with becomes public.

5. The pope appoints a commission to investigate what happened.

6. Festing says the pope has no authority to investigate because the order is sovereign, and even instructs members not to cooperate with the commission. The Vatican replies: “Oh, but he does have the authority to investigate, since the Knights swear an oath of loyalty to the pope.” Festing says: “Oh no, he doesn’t” and blows a raspberry in the direction of the Domus Sanctae Martae…

7. …where Pope Francis lets out a big sigh at the shenanigans of those who think he’s a fool.

8. Festing is called to meet with Pope Francis.

The Holy Father asks him to resign. Festing suddenly realises that the pope actually does have authority and is not a fool after all. His holds a losing hand and quickly folds.

9. The pope is now appointing a pontifical delegate to the order to fix what the pope sees as a mess, especially what he reportedly believes to be an excessive attachment to money.

Then there is the question of Cardinal Burke’s role in the false representation of the Vatican wishes and the subsequent rebellion against the pope’s authority. Many believe that the cardinal used the order as a proxy in his endless campaign against Pope Francis. If so, that should come to an end now, though it’s unlikely that Cardinal Burke will be fired or demoted.

10. And the lesson is this: Don’t confuse kindness and mercy with weakness. When he has to be, Pope Francis is every bit as tough as his two predecessors—because that’s what a pope sometimes has to be.

VIVA SAFARIS KRUGER PARK with

Send your overseas friends and family on an unforgettable safari with VIVA SAFARIS

www.vivasafaris.com Bookings: vivasaf@icon.co.za or 071 842 5547

8

The Southern Cross, February 1 to February 7, 2017

COMMUNITY The community of Kreste Modisa church in Mafikeng, in Kimberley diocese, surprised parish priest Fr Peter Kalungi after Masses to celebrate his 16th anniversary of ordination.

In their midst was Br Bakang Khunou, who was home for the holidays but continued to serve the community and assist the parish priest.

Send your photos to

St Martin de Porres parish in Lavistown, Cape Town, went on a pilgrimage that included visits to Fatima, Lourdes, Assisi and the Vatican, including a papal audience. The pilgrimage was led by Fr Jerome Aranes (middle of back row).

pics@scross.co.za Catholic Women’s League members from Our Lady of the Assumption parish in Umbilo, Durban, had tea with Vera Bruce who was presented with a certificate for 65 years of service and is now living at Nazareth House in Durban. (Front from left) Violet Fayle and Vera Bruce, (back from left) CWL vice-president Doreen Plint, treasurer Nellie Smith and secretary Ramona Nulliah.

Bishop Barry Wood of Durban is pictured with Fr Jean-Baptiste Mpuni Langong and Deacons Peter Landsberg and Andrew Small, led

by Rudolph (“Buddy”) Carpede, “minister of hospitality”, at Christ the King parish in Wentworth, Durban, before a confirmation Mass.

Assumption Convent School in Germiston, Johannesburg, welcomed all its new girls and parents, especially the Grade 1s and the Grade 8s, who are starting new chapters in their lives.

Charli Mills, a Grade 1 pupil at St Dominics Priory in Port Elizabeth, uses play dough in her music lesson.

Springfield Convent School in Cape Town was the top-achieving school in the Western Cape in 2016. This includes all state and independent schools. Seen here are principal Barbara Houghton and Bianca van Zyl, who was Springfield’s top-achieving pupil for 2016.

www.catholic-pe.co.za/stpius

Our bedrooms accommodate up to 58 - Plus 20 for dormetries, Small, medium & large conference facilities Dining rooms with full kitchen facilities - Full catering or self catering - Very competitive rates - Situated in the suburb of Cambridge - Multidenomenational Chapel.

Our Lady of Loreto parish in Kempton Park, Johannesburg, honoured its altar servers.

They are seen with parish priest Fr Peter Rebello after a Mass celebrated with family, friends and well-wishers. Fr Rebello gave thanks to the young ones helping in the normal celebration of the Mass. (Photo: Farayi Matondo)

The Eucharistic Heart of Jesus parish in Cambridge, East London, held its Christmas dinner, with the Nativity play being the highlight of the evening.

Sacred Heart College in Observatory, Johannesburg, named the top members of its Learner Leadership Council for 2017. (From left) Mujahied Moses (co-president), Julia Barry (codeputy president), Heather Blanckensee (high school principal), Tanya Maravanyika (copresident) and Ahmad Voorajee (co-deputy president).

SOCIAL ISSUES

The Southern Cross, February 1 to February 7, 2017

9

What stands in the way of gender equality?

Fifty years ago, Pope Paul VI made a landmark contribution by linking Catholic social teaching and peace with development.

COLLEEN CONSTABLE examines the roles of gender in our society.

I

N his encyclical Populorum Progressio Paul VI introduced the concept of “integral human development”, called for an equitable distribution of world resources and spoke against global inequality and poverty, emphasising the need for solidarity and cooperation at international levels.

Two years earlier, the Vatican II constitution Gaudium et Spes (Joy and Hope) called for a social transformation in society when it noted that: “Women now work in almost all spheres. It is fitting that they are able to assume their proper role in accordance with their own nature.”

The document taught further that “with respect to the fundamental rights of the person, every type of discrimination, whether social or cultural, whether based on sex, race, colour, social condition, language or religion, is to be overcome and eradicated as contrary to God’s intent”.

Pope John Paul II took this seriously. In 1988 he noted: “The Synod Fathers, when confronted with the various forms of discrimination and marginalisation to which women are subjected simply because they are women, time and again strongly affirmed the urgency to defend and promote the personal dignity of woman, and consequently, her equality with man” (Christifidelis Laici).

And in his 1995 encyclical Evangelium Vitae the saintly pope said: “In transforming culture so that it supports life, women occupy a place, in thought and action, which is unique and decisive.

It depends on them to promote a ‘new feminism’…to acknowledge and affirm the true genius of women in every aspect of the life of society, and overcome all discrimination, violence and exploitation.”

St John Paul supported feminism, as does Pope Francis: “There are those who believe that many of today’s problems have arisen because of feminine emancipation.

This argument…is not valid, it is false…it is a form of male chauvinism,” he wrote in last year’s Amoris Laetitia.

“Families have come to enjoy greater freedom through an equitable distribution of duties, responsibilities and tasks,” Pope Francis wrote. “Neither today’s society nor that to which we are progressing allow an uncritical survival of older forms and models. History is burdened by the excesses of patriarchal culture that considered women inferior.”

Inspired by Church teaching, I reflected about the perspectives of social transformation held by two influential South African faith

leaders: Cardinal Wilfrid Napier and Angus Buchan, the “Mighty Men Conferences” evangelist.

Mr Buchan draws more than 200 000 men (mostly white) to his “Mighty Men” conferences annually. A few years ago, in a Carte Blanche television interview, he explained his analogy of masculinity: “Men’s masculinity in the world today, in this 21st century, is being eroded and broken down…some young men don’t know what a man is supposed to be!”

He said that men “have got to represent your family, your business, your company”.

Mr Buchan is known to promote submissiveness of women: man leads, woman follows. He associates leadership roles in the private and public space as a privilege of men only.

Cardinal Napier has on several occasions emphasised a need for men’s ministries. Last year he shared his vision in the newsletter of the archdiocese of Durban.

In a reflection titled “Rooting out violence from the home and society”, he asked: “What about the man…who is filled with resentment at being deposed from his traditional position in the family and in society, so much so that he does not dare to talk any more about being the head of his family, or of the community in which he lives?”

The cardinal argued that “to regain those three core components of his self-image, [‘sense of selfworth, self-esteem and self-respect’], man must be given back his position as leader in the relationship that his family and community have lived and passed on from generation to generation for centuries…that pattern has its origins in the early chapters of Genesis.”

Crisis in masculinity?

Both Cardinal Napier and Mr Buchan perceive “a crisis in masculinity”. They hold a dominant view: restoration of male identity through male power, ownership and roles within a system that favours men only.

Both draw their perspectives from a Higher Authority, using the Old Testament as reference. Their reasoning suggests that women’s emancipation has negatively affected men’s social status. And that efficacy of social transformation and economic sustainability is associated with male power: men’s advancement and social status.

This analogy constitutes a hierarchical model of power and control through male supremacy and dominance: masculinism.

Through inequality based on male dominance and discrimination, men sustain power “from generation to generation”.

Patriarchy is packaged as a spirituality that appeals to disillusioned men. It holds consequences for the quality of life of women, children and marginalised groups.

According to the BuchanNapier analogy, revolutionary transformation and rapid social change holds men back. Both leaders associate social and economic transformation and gender equality with patriarchal, hierarchical

relations that produces negative masculine behaviours.

The Napier/Buchan perspectives seek to uphold “traditional” or hegemonic masculinity. They also shape the emergence of a “new” hegemonic masculinity that offers resistance towards social transformation in a democracy and embraces modernised patriarchy.

This approach, in reality, holds men back from becoming active and respected participants, building a post-democratic society. It holds men back from developing dignified relationships with women. It destroys positive communication between women and men. It gives men false hope: to live with nostalgia of the past.

A human rights culture

The idea that the process of women’s emancipation is negatively affecting men’s social status, as proposed by Christian leaders such as Cardinal Napier and Angus Buchan, must be challenged, argues Collen Constable. leadership: power and authority invested in the hands of men only.

In reality, research evidence suggests women who are active in the economy, are more inclined to use their earnings to benefit their families and communities, thereby facilitating social change.

Inspired by Church teaching, the example set by Jesus during his earthly mission and his commandment to love and our secular constitutional values, I share some alternative thoughts.

Language promotes inequality First, the Buchan-Napier analogy and language promotes inequality. They draw from the Old Testament, but without integrating the Gospel, the “Signs of the Times”, and science to offer the best pastoral care option.

Theirs is a gender-based socialisation highly dependable on association of social prestige in the home and society with men. It creates a culture of discrimination against women on the basis of religious beliefs and gender, making patriarchy and Christianity compatible. Femininity is then associated with women through submissiveness and roles related to the home.

Women’s roles in the public space become less attractive and their active participation becomes “invisible”. Women’s capacity to influence or effect positive change becomes limited as their decisionmaking power and authority is diminished.

This analogy promotes male domination and male power over women, using “controlling” and “positional” power as a source for men’s roles and privileges.

Second, the analogy is discriminatory. The association of economic advancement and sustainability in the public space with men only means the distribution of power is controlled by men.

This “revives” a working class system where women are confined

to subordinate roles in the public space or no roles at all, on the basis of gender.

In the domestic sphere (private space) women run the risk of being exposed to a sub-culture of “behaviours and habits of male domination in everyday life”. This form of male power has been linked in numerous studies to be at the heart of violence.

This “controlling” and “positional” power-base is carried over from father to son to grandson. It shapes a negative, destructive form of masculinity known as “hegemonic masculinity”.

‘A dangerous philosophy’ Third, according to Sarojini Nadar of the School of Religion and Theology at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, Mr Buchan promotes “a dangerous philosophy that validates and justifies the power to conquer, to rule, to take over possessions and people”.

She further said: “Mighty Men’s Conferences are the emergence of a new version of Afrikaner hegemonic masculinity…nonAfrikaner men will be attracted by the gender implications of the new hegemonic masculinity.” It is important to understand that masculinity, race, culture and gender are interconnected.

Hegemonic masculinity is formed by a dominant view of own, others’ and external affairs. It is characterised by the tendency towards oppression of the vulnerable and marginalised. It is sustained by negative traditional practices that influence and shape behaviour, attitude and expectations.

The upbringing, family, area, work, sub-cultural influences and socio-economic positioning of individual men further constructs masculinity and shapes men’s identities. The ideology of capitalism based on wealth accumulation, without sharing benefits with those at the bottom of the economy and the reluctance to give up privileges, encourages a network of

Fourth, the hallmark of our constitutional value system is based on a human rights culture.

This is the foundation for transformation from a state of oppression (apartheid) towards a society that unites different religions, cultures, languages and race groups for the sake of justice, freedom and peace.

It aims to encourage people to live together upholding the human dignity of the other; create a culture of tolerance, respect, equality, non-discrimination and a violence-free society.

This transformation affords greater decision-making and participation to women in all spheres of life. More women and black men are now in leadership roles in the public space than ever before in the history of the country.

The emergence of a post-democracy form of hegemonic masculinity seems to be based on characteristics such as vulnerability to transformation, fear, oppressive practices and attitudes. It encourages risk-taking associated with extreme violent behaviour.

A recent example of hegemonic masculinity manifested in the violence against Victor Rethabile Mlotshwa. Two white men (who have now been arrested) allegedly assaulted him and put him into a coffin. They posted the video on YouTube—an indication that they perceived their behaviour as commendable.

In December 2016 a white manallegedly drove over Silence Mabinda, a general worker, in an alleged racist incident. The white male now faces charges of attempted murder and is in custody.

He has been on parole since 2008, after having been convicted four years earlier for the murder of a worker whom he threw into a lion enclosure.

If the People of God are committed to eradicate inequality and poverty, eliminate violence and build a peaceful and sustainable society, with a deeper sense of God’s presence, we should navigate with boldness instead of fear, guided by the profound teachings of the Church formulated under the visionary leadership of Popes Paul VI, John Paul II, Benedict XVI and Francis. n Colleen Constable is co-founder of the South African Institute for Violence Prevention (SAIVP). She is a Catholic feminist and an alumna of Harvard University and Stellenbosch University.

PILGRIMAGE TO THE PROMISED LAND 2017

In tribute to Fr Xolile Kondlo (1978-2016) register today to be an Organ Donor today.

It’s easy at www.odf.org.za

Toll Free 0800 22 66 11

21-29 OCT 2017

A wonderful spiritual and informative journey to where Christianity began, Israel. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus and Mary. Christian sites to include Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Nazareth, Galilee to name but a few. Well known Bible stories will become clear.

Short stop in Old Constantinople (Istanbul) en route.

Organised and led by Rev Fr Stephen Tully.

Cost from R21850 Tel: (031) 266 7702 Fax: (031) 266 8982 Email: judyeichhorst@telkomsa.net

Contact us: Tel 041 373-0039 / Mobile 074 376-5833 / Email retreat@catholic-pe.co.za

10

The Southern Cross, February 1 to February 7, 2017

CHURCH

How women are building peace in a slum A women’s empowerrment project developed in Nairobi’s biggest slum is now bulding peace, as MELANIE LIDMAN reports.

T

WO years ago, the women of the Ngando women’s peacemaking group, an empowerment project in a slum of Nairobi, Kenya, used to sit on a blanket and make their beaded handicrafts under the shade of a tree in the church courtyard.

But with the arrival of a new shop in a converted container, proudly advertising their wares along the busy Ngong Road, the group has blossomed. The peacemaking circle has doubled in size and implemented a thriving “table banking” system, providing temporary loans to up to five women per week.

There’s one difference: You may not see them dancing for the customers.

Previously, customers who purchased an array of beaded work from the women were met with exclamations of joy, ululations and traditional dancing. The women were thrilled beyond belief that their items were selling.

But now they have a brisk business from their new shop with an inviting, shaded balcony on a busy thoroughfare. They find themselves hosting more visitors interested in the peacemaking programme, and selling many more handmade goods, in addition to grains and vegetables for their neighbours.

While the women are appreciative of their customers, the transactions no longer provoke the same reaction because they are much more commonplace.

Global Sisters Report first visited the Women’s Peacemaking project in Ngando in January 2015. The Ngando project is one of the local chapters of a countrywide initiative

in which the Association of Sisterhoods of Kenya’s Justice & Peace Commission has trained more than 500 women, who completed a summer-long conflict resolution and economic empowerment training.

The trainees are mostly laywomen, but include a few religious sisters. They hail from across the country and gain tools for defusing small local conflicts, like disputes over fences or resources.

After the training, these women return to their communities across all 25 dioceses of Kenya and share their knowledge by creating “peacemaking circles”, groups of women from their neighbourhood whom they train to act as local mediators.

In this way, the conflict resolution training trickles out to the most local level.

In 2014, Solphine Othuol, an HIV counsellor from Kibera who completed the peacemaking training, started the women’s group in Ngando, since she used to work at a clinic in the neighbourhood.

Once a week, she laid a blanket under a tree in the courtyard of St Vincent Pallotti church, and up to 30 women would gather for seminars on conflict resolution, empowerment and health. They also learned beading techniques to make small crafts to sell at local markets.

“There is a lot of conflict here, like tribal clashes or petty issues with neighbours any time people live so close together,” she explained.

N

gando is a neighbourhood in Kibera, Nairobi’s largest slum.

More than a million people live in its sprawling network of mud alleys filled with trash, crowding into shacks crammed into every inch of space.

Refugees from the 2008 post-election violence make up the majority of Ngando. After accusations of fraud sparked conflicts along tribal lines, more than 1 000 people died in the violence, and 660 000 more were displaced from their homes, according to Amnesty International.

Veronica, one of the original “Peacemakers”, holds new items sold in their shop.

Women “Peacemakers” outside their new shop in Nairobi. The empowerment group sells wares and provides up to five temporary loans per week. (Photos: Melanie Lidman/Global Sisters Report) After their homes and fields were destroyed, many fled to Nairobi, and landed in Kibera.

Ngando became a blend of internal refugees from many different ethnic groups, crowded together in hastily built shacks.

As in any impoverished urban slum, conflicts are inevitable. Many of the refugees were farmers, and when they moved to the city, they lost the only livelihood they knew.

Many are also HIV-positive. Residents came from different tribes, arriving as a result of trauma and loss, which exacerbated the situation.

This year, two sisters from the Justice & Peace Commission who facilitate the peacemaking programme located a shipping container from a donor, and organised with St Vincent Pallotti parish and the city council to set up the roadside shop just in front of the church.

The city council has waived taxes and fees for setting up the shop, except for a low annual tax. The church donated electricity and a cement floor for the porch. St Vincent will use half of the container for a religious bookshop, and the priest told the sisters he will pay the women rent, though the bookshop has yet to open.

The process of creating a permanent space where the women can meet and sell their goods has completely transformed the group.

“We are so much happier because we get a place to call ours,” said Sr Josephine Muthoni Kwenga, who facilitates a number of peacemaking groups in the greater Nairobi area.

“We can meet, we can store things, we can work. We used to be outside in the rain. Now we can meet as a group even when it’s raining.”

Their public spot has also raised the profile of the women’s group. A local charity called the NavigatorsKenya passed by the shop, saw the

items women were selling, and asked the sisters if the charity could run its two-month women’s entrepreneurship course for the peacemakers group Economic Projects Transformational Facility.

As the group has grown, so have the women. “Through interactions with one another when we come to meet, you can get out of yourself,” said Jan Wangari Donu, a 55-yearold Ngando resident who was part of the original class of Ngando peacemakers.

“When you stay alone, you are only looking at your own difficulties and you sink into yourself. When we meet together, you begin to learn from what others are sharing. We have a partner who trained us to know ourselves and our potential.

We are discovering other ways of uplifting ourselves,” she said.

T

he transformation is most evident in the way the women carry themselves: more confident, more willing to speak up and share their experiences, even in English, which few had the confidence to speak before.

Some of that is due to the table banking, an informal loan programme that enables the women to pool their small resources in order to help each other get small loans. This allows them to build up their own small businesses, such as selling items at the market, and the women are more economically stable than they were two years ago.

Sr Kwenga said: “Now sometimes the family will say, if they see one of the women getting angry, ‘Isn’t it time for you to go to the meeting of the women?’”

One of their most popular techniques for conflict resolution that they teach is still the “sip of water” tactic, she said. “We teach them to take a sip of water and hold it in your mouth,” said Sr Kwenga. “It means you can’t talk. That gives you a pause to think how to react.”

The next class of peacemakers in Ngando will start soon with the sixmonth peacemaking training, before they move on to beadwork workshops. Approximately 30 women will take part in the next course.

There are still a number of challenges to overcome. Though the beadwork is selling better than before, the women still struggle to sell their items, as they lament that they “haven’t tapped into the right market”. Because the items don’t sell, the group doesn’t have enough money to buy more materials to make more things. So although the women want to keep working, they cannot take the materials home to expand their output.

The women have expanded into items like vegetables and grains, which should increase their sales among local residents.

Although they may not have enough materials, some women are still taking the lessons to heart. “I advise women that there’s always work to do with your hands,” said Jan Kiambi, 36. “Don’t sit at home and think, ‘I’m unemployed and helpless’. There’s a lot you can do for yourself.”

Mrs Donu added: “I sell firewood, and before I came to the group and learned peacebuilding, if someone stopped ordering from me I would get so angry and stop talking to them.

“Today, I won’t get angry at them. I will still love them as a person and talk to them. He’s not the one losing—when I get angry, I lose,” she said.

“The way I have approached such challenges has changed me. Before I joined the group, I was alone. When you’re managing your life alone, it’s full of suffering, you never think anyone can love you. But now I have gained confidence and peace in how we are,” she said. n Melanie Lidman is Middle East and Africa correspondent for Global Sisters Report based in Israel.

OUR GIFT TO YOU!

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

Mater Domini Launches the Circle of Friends “100 Club” Planned Giving initiative.

Mater Domini is well known for its good work across the Cape Peninsula, providing vital services to Women in Crisis Pregnancy.

Join the 'The Mater Domini Circle of Friends 100 Club'. – donate at least R100 per month Please join hands with us and help us to make a strong start to this initiative!

For more details on how you can be a part of The Circle of Friends “100 Club” visit our website: www.materdomini.net and fill in the form under the 100 Club tab in the menu.

Or contact us at: E-mail: communications@materdomini.net Tel: 021 6716008 - Cell: 079 8916749

Olive-Wood Jerusalem Rosary made by Christians in the land of Christ in Jerusalem.

*Offer valid while stocks last. For new subscriptions only.

GET YOUR CATHOLIC NEWSPAPER EVERY WEEK Digital subscription R385 a year

Postal subscription R450 a year (SA rate)

Go to www.scross.co.za/subscribe

Or e-mail subscriptions@scross.co.za or telephone 021-465-5007

The Southern Cross, February 1 to February 7, 2017

CLASSIFIEDS

Sr Servatius Nyhan OP

D

OMINICAN Sr Servatius Nyhan died on October 24. She was laid to rest in the beautiful cemetery of St Dominic’s Priory, Port Elizabeth.

One of the most renowned nuns of the local church, Sr Servatius was born in 1927 in Tallaght in County Dublin, Ireland.

At the time Tallaght was a small village whose only claim to fame was the Dominican friary that was built nearby.

Her father was the local police officer so was well-respected in the small community.

Her baptismal name was quite impressive: Catherine Teresa Monica Nyhan.

She attended local schools and after her matric she decided to join the Dominican Sisters.

She had already developed her great love of music so when she came to South Africa, she went to Stellenbosch University to study music.

Practically all her life was devoted to teaching music and singing, mainly in Port Elizabeth.

Her special love was church music. Over several decades she played the organ on Sundays and

holy days at St Bernadette’s parish in Walmer and trained the choir. She was well-loved by all the pupils, teachers and parishioners.

As music teacher and choir mistress at St Dominic’s, she directed many of the Gilbert and Sullivan operas (that gets her a special place in heaven!) and other musical shows to a high standard.

Sr Servatius also provided musical expertise to any other parishes that called on her. She

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

CAPE TOWN: Retreat day/quiet prayer last Saturday of each month except December, at Springfield Convent in Wynberg, Cape Town. Hosted

by CLC, 10.00-3.30. Contact Jill 083 on 021 282 6763 or Jane on 082 783 0331.

078 739 2988.

DURBAN: Holy Mass and Novena to St Anthony at St Anthony’s parish every Tuesday at 9:00. Holy Mass and Divine Mercy Devotion at 17:30 on first Friday of every month.

Sunday Mass at 9:00.

Phone 031 309 3496 or 031 209 2536.

Overport rosary group.

At Emakhosini Hotel, 73 East Street every Wednesday at 18.30.

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 17:30.

Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Good Shepherd parish, Bothasig, welcomes all visitors. Open 24 hours a day. The parish is at 1 Goede Hoop St, Bothasig.

Phone 021 558 1412.

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

prepared my own ordination liturgy in my home parish of St Bernadette’s as a heavenly experience for me and everybody who attended.

Many a broadcast Mass from Port Elizabeth’s St Augustine’s cathedral was musically prepared to perfection by the enthusiastic Sr Servatius. Her enthusiasm was infectious.

Her other great love was for the lay Dominicans. She started the first group in Port Elizabeth and guided them for many years.

Passionate about her Dominican vocation, she travelled far and wide around the city to establish and keep the lay Dominican communities (Tertiaries) going and fired up.

Sr Servatius was at the heart of all things liturgical, all things ecclesiastical and all things Dominican. She gave every ounce of her time and energy to use her gifts in these directions.

Her Requiem Mass was celebrated by Fr Grant James CO (and many other concelebrants) at St Bernadette’s on Friday 28 October, 2016.

By Fr Sean Collins CSsR

Liturgical Calendar Year A – Weekdays Cycle Year 1 Sunday February 5, 5th Sunday of the Year Isaiah 58:7-10, Psalms 112:4-9, 1 Corinthians 2:1-5, Matthew 5:13-16 Monday February 6, Ss Paul Miki and companions Genesis 1:1-19, Psalms 104:1-2, 5-6, 10, 12, 24, 35, Mark 6:53-56 Tuesday February 7 Genesis 1:20--2:4, Psalms 8:4-9, Mark 7:1-13 Wednesday February 8, St Josephine Bakhita, St Jerome Emiliani Genesis 2:4-9, 15-17, Psalms 104:1-2, 27-30, Mark 7:14-23 Thursday February 9 Genesis 2:18-25, Psalms 128:1-5, Mark 7:24-30 Friday February 10, St Scholastica Genesis 3:1-8, Psalms 32:1-2, 5-7, Mark 7:31-37 Saturday February 11, Our Lady of Lourdes, World Day of Prayer for the Sick Genesis 3:9-24, Psalms 90:2-6, 12-13, Mark 8:110. Or memorial Isaiah 66:10-14, Psalms Judith 13:18-19, John 2:1-11 Sunday 12, 6th Sunday of the Year Sirach 15:15-20, Psalms 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 3334, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Matthew 5:17-37

PRICE CHECK

For the price of one issue of The Southern Cross you get a slice of pizza – with a bite taken out The

S outhern C ross www.scross.co.za

January 25 to January 31, 2017

Priest: From crack addict to ordination

Page 4

Reg No. 1920/002058/06 No 5017

Perrier: Behold the flower, and thank God for it

Page 7

R8,00 (incl VAT RSA)

When the Holy Family came to Africa

Page 10

Second Daswa feast on Feb 1 STAFF REPORTER

S

When her baby brother Luca was baptised in Holy Trinity church in Braamfontein, Johannesburg, four-year-old Gabriella Pereira proved to be a great “volunteer server” to Fr Russell Pollitt SJ, with whom she prays in this picture. (Photo: Devin Lester Photography)

OUTHERN Africa’s faithful have been urged to celebrate the second feast of Bl Benedict Daswa with a special liturgy, prayers and a novena, while a programme of events will take place in the martyr’s home diocese of Tzaneen.

Bl Daswa became the first South African to be beatified, the final step before canonical recognition of sainthood, in September 2015.

He was martyred by a mob near Thohoyandou, in what is now Limpopo, for refusing to participate in a witch-hunt.

“We encourage all dioceses and parishes throughout South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland to celebrate this feast using the proper liturgical texts approved by the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in Rome,” said Sr Claudette Hiosan FDNSC, the promoter of Bl Daswa’s sainthood cause.

The approved liturgy is available from the official Benedict Daswa website (www.bene dictdaswa.org.za).

“Visitors to the diocese of Tzaneen wishing to celebrate the feast in the parish of Thohoyandou will have the opportunity of visiting sites associated with the life and martyrdom of Bl Benedict,” Sr Hiosan said.

On the day before the feast, January 31, the faithful are invited to spend a period of silent adoration, prayer and reflection in the church of Our Lady of the Assumption in Nweli, the church Bl Daswa helped build and where his remains are kept.

From 15:00 to 18:00 there will be adoration of the exposed sacrament. Priests will be available for confession.

It will “be a time of grace, reconciliation and healing close to the place where the mortal remains of Bl Benedict Daswa rest,” the programme for the feast notes.

“Before entering the church, all will receive a short, personal message [by Bl Daswa], inviting them to live more deeply the Gospel call of loving kindness and mercy,” it says.

“This atmosphere of prayerful silence will offer all the opportunity of listening to Jesus speaking in their hearts, and of having a heart-to-heart chat with him about their lives, hopes, fears, deep longings and needs,” the programme says.

Exposition will close with benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament.

The church will remain open afterwards for those who wish to spend more time there.

or

Bl Benedict Daswa pictured in December 1989, less than two months before his martyrdom. His feast day is on February 1.

The celebrations of the feast of Bl Daswa, February 1, will be held at Tshitanini village, where the beatification took place in 2015, and where the future shrine and pilgrimage centre will be located.

From 7:00 there will be veneration of the relics of Bl Daswa during which priests will be available for the sacrament of reconciliation.

The feast’s Mass will be celebrated at 9:00, followed by veneration of the relics until noon.

A novena began on January 23, to end on the 31st. The faithful are urged “to perform three acts of kindness each day of the novena in remembrance of the three acts of charity which Bl Benedict performed the day he was martyred”.

Sr Hiosan encouraged the faithful “to pray earnestly through the intercession of Bl Benedict for the graces and favours they need from God”.

“An ever-widening circle of prayer will be the most powerful means of begging God to grant the miracle required for Bl Benedict to be proclaimed a saint of the Universal Church,” she said.

See page 11 for your cut-out-and-keep prayer for the canonisation of Bl Benedict Daswa.

Feed your soul with The

S outher n C ross

IT’S WORTH IT!

CLASSIFIEDS

Births • First Communion • Confirmation • Engagement/Marriage • Wedding anniversary • Ordination jubilee • Congratulations • Deaths • In memoriam • Thanks • Prayers • Accommodation • Holiday Accommodation • Personal • Services • Employment • Property • Others Please include payment (R1,70 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

DEATHS

HICKEY—Sr Wilfrid. Holy Cross Sister, Sr Wilfrid, aged 87 years, passed away at Holy Cross Home, Lady Selborne, Pretoria, on December 10, 2016. Lovingly remembered by the Holy Cross Sisters, the Hickey family circle, Ballyadeen, County Cork, Ireland, and the people whom she served in South Africa and Zimbabwe. May she rest in peace!

IN MEMORIAM

CIOLLI—Mary-Anne (Dickie) née Dixon. Who passed away on January 18, 2015, after a long illness, borne with dignity and great courage, deeply mourned and will be forever remembered, with great love, Remo, Catherine, Michael, David, Stephan and grandchildren. RIP

PERSONAL

ABORTION WARNING: The truth will convict a silent Church. See www.valuelifeabortion isevil.co.za ABORTION WARNING: The Pill can abort. All Catholic users (married or cohabiting) must be told, to save their souls and their unborn infants. See www.epm.org/static/up loads/downloads/bcpill.pdf CHAR WORK—Elizabeth is a very nice mature Coloured lady (Catholic) presently doing one day a week for me. She is in the Sea Point, Camps Bay, Kloof Nek area. She is a charlady and also home carer, baby minder and can cook. I have no hesitation recommending her. Contact Mrs Neva Levings at neva. levings@gmail.com

NEW MONASTIC COMMUNITY for men starting in North West province. Benedictine in tradition, contemporary in thought and life. A modern monastery for today’s contemporary Catholic. For more information, write to Monastic Vocations, Postnet Suite #8, P/B X10, Flamwood 2572 or e-mail newmonastery 2017@gmail.com

HOLIDAY ACCOMMODATION

GORDON’S BAY: Harbour Park. Sleeps 2 adults and 2 children. Fully furnished.

R2 100 per week. Phone Alison on 084 577 1356 or Delton on 083 414 6534.

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

Secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. Special rates for pensioners and clergy. Malcolm Salida on 082 784 5675 or mjsalida@ gmail.com

PRAYERS

LORD GOD, this candle that I light here today reminds me of the light that you enkindled in me at my Baptism. Renew the flame of your Love in me. Let it burn away all my egotism, my jealousy, my pride and

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 744. ACROSS: 4 Acolyte, 8 Apexes, 9 Pioneer, 10 Taught, 11 Drench, 12 Misnomer, 18 Tone deaf, 20 Accent, 21 Dolour, 22 Pacific, 23 Fusion, 24 Calypso. DOWN: 1 Daytime, 2 Repulse, 3 Jethro, 5 Children, 6 Lenten, 7 Thence, 13 Matthias, 14 Bedouin, 15 Affront, 16 Achaia, 17 Levity, 19 Exodus.

LORD, inspire those men and women who bear the titles “husband” and “wife”.

Help them to look to You, to themselves, to one another to rediscover the fullness and mystery they once felt in their union. Let them be honest enough to ask: “Where have we been together and where are we going?” Let them be brave enough to question: “How have we failed?” Let each be foolhardy enough to say: “For me, we come first.”

Help them, together, to reexamine their commitment in the light of Your love, willingly, openly, compassionately.

The

Southern Cross

Published independently by the Catholic Newspaper and Publishing Co since 1920

Editor: Günther Simmermacher Business Manager: Pamela Davids Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 Tel: (021) 465 5007

Fax: (021) 465 3850

Editorial: editor@scross.co.za

Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament Chapel 36 Central Avenue, Pinelands, Cape Town

News editor: news@scross.co.za Business manager:

admin@scross.co.za

Call 0712914501 for details.

Email:sspx.capetown@gmail.com

Guard our people, guide our leaders and give us peace.

Luke 11:1-13

my failure to love. Let me have a warm and generous heart. Lord, I am not able to remain here in this church very much longer: I have to go. So, please accept this candle in my place. Let it be like a part of me that I give to you. Here, before the image of Blessed Mary, Mother of God, and imploring her powerful intercession, I ask you, as I offer you this humble candle, to allow my prayer to penetrate every activity and every facet of my life, so that everything will be shaped and formed by the burning flame of your Love.

I ask this for Jesus’ sake.

Amen.

10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001

Traditional Latin Mass

GOD BLESS AFRICA

11

Reg. number 012-905 NPO

Advertising: advertising@scross.co.za

SCREEN PRINTING

Commemorate your special occasion, PRINT your logo and event on T-SHIRTS! Contact Alledene Cupido for a quotation at PRISON CARE AND SUPPORT NETWORK Monday to Friday between 09:00-13:00.

021 697-4174 (Tel/Fax) or 086 628 4499 e-mail: prisoncare@mweb.co.za WE OFFER REASONABLE RATES!

576AM IN JO’BURG & BEYOND

DStv Audio 870 streaming live wordwide on www.radioveritas.co.za

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

Subs/Orders: subscriptions@scross.co.za Website: www.scross.co.za

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/thescross

Subscriptions:

Digital: R385 p.a. (anywhere in the world) Print by mail: R450 p.a.

(SA. International rates on enquiry)

The Southern Cross is a member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations of South Africa. Printed by Paarl Coldset (Pty) Ltd, 10 Freedom Way, Milnerton.

Published by the proprietors, The Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Co Ltd, at the company’s registered office, 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001.

The Southern Cross is published independently by the Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Company Ltd. Address: PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000. Tel: (021) 465 5007 Fax: (021) 465 3850 www.scross.co.za

Editor: Günther Simmermacher (editor@scross.co.za), Business Manager: Pamela Davids (admin@scross.co.za), Advisory Editor: Michael Shackleton, News Editor: Mandla Zibi (m.zibi@scross.co.za), Editorial: Claire Allen (c.allen@scross.co.za), Mary Leveson (m.leveson@scross.co.za), Advertising: Yolanda Timm (advertising@scross.co.za), Subscriptions: Michelle Perry (subscriptions@scross.co.za), Accounts: Desirée Chanquin (accounts@scross.co.za) Directors: R Shields (Chair), J O’Leary (Vice-chair), Archbishop S Brislin, S Duval, E Jackson, B Jordan, Sr H Makoro CPS, J Mathurine, R Riedlinger, G Stubbs, Z Tom Editorial Advisory Board: Fr Chris Chatteris SJ, Kelsay Correa, Dr Nontando Hadebe, Prof Derrick Kourie, Claire Mathieson, Fr Lawrence Mduduzi Ndlovu, Palesa Ngwenya, Sr Dr Connie O’Brien I.Sch, Kevin Roussel, Fr Paul Tatu CSS

Opinions expressed in this newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the editor, staff, directors or advisory board of The Southern Cross.

the

6th Sunday: February 12 Readings: Ecclesiasticus 15:15-20, Psalm 119:1-2, 4-5, 17-18, 33-34, 1 Corinthians 2:6-10, Matthew 5:17-37

I

S the Law of God a nuisance or a gift? For Jews it was (and remains) a precious gift, offering a signpost, God-given, to help us through the complexities of life.

You get something of this in next Sunday’s first reading, written for fellow-Jews who were starting to get a bit dazzled by the bright attractions of the Greek culture in which they found themselves living in the three centuries or so before the birth of Jesus.

Some of them were starting to mutter that “This Law is a bit old-fashioned, isn’t it, and who can keep it, in any case?” In response to these murmurings, our aged sage argues: “You are going to be able to keep the commandments, and act out the faith.” Not only that, but God “has set fire and water before you, or life and death”. All we have to do is “stretch out your hand”, and remember that “God did not command anybody to behave impiously, or give anyone permission to sin”.

Our psalm for next Sunday is a slightly random selection from the longest psalm in the book, a great hymn of thanksgiving for

S outher n C ross

God’s Law. And notice that it starts with the word “happy”, applied to “those who are pure in their way, who walk in the Lord’s Torah”; “happy” [he continues] “those who keep his decrees, and seek him with all their heart”.

That attitude of “seeking” is all-important here; the “Law” is not an imposition but a sign of our relationship with God: “Do good to your servant and I shall live.” He finishes, peacefully enough: “Lord, teach me the way of your decrees and I shall keep them with care; give me insight, and I shall observe your Torah, and keep it with all my heart.”

Paul, in the second reading, was not a great one for the Law, sometimes regarding it as a bit of an imposition; but he wants to stop the Corinthians from fighting, and he wants to talk to them about “wisdom”.

Or rather, that is what they want to talk to him about, because they thought that Paul did not have enough of it. And that has rather annoyed him, so he ripostes that what he is talking of is “a wisdom that is not of this

world, nor of the rulers of this world—they are being cancelled out”.

Instead, he says: “We are talking of God’s wisdom, hidden in a mystery, which God preordained before the ages for our glory.” What we are talking of here is “the things that God has prepared for those who love him”, which, if you think about it, is not all that far from the way Jews understand the Law of God. In the Gospel, continuing the Sermon on the Mount, Matthew is quite clear that Jesus has not come to “destroy the Torah or the Prophets; I did not come to destroy but to fulfil”, and he is quite clear that every tiny letter of the Law is to be fulfilled.

Then he says something very striking indeed: “Unless your righteousness overflows more than that of the scribes and Pharisees [and his hearers could hardly imagine anything superior to their lofty ethical standards].”

Then Jesus indicates what he understands by “fulfilling” the Law, with a series of what are called “antitheses”, interpretations of the Law that make it more, not less, serious, of

Get your Sabbath on now E

of thought. What were her conclusions?

In brief, her view is that acedia is not a clinical diagnosis, meaning that it isn’t a pathology requiring treatment, nor is it an ordinary depression. Rather the symptoms of acedia are the result of a healthy instinctual reflex of our bodies and minds which, when they are not given something they need, sometimes forcefully shut us down, much like an ordinary depression shuts someone down. Except that in the case of acedia, the shutdown of energy is for the purpose of health.

Simplistically put, because we won’t sit down on our own and give our bodies and minds the rest, nourishment and space they need, our bodies and minds conspire together to sit us down, forcibly. In essence, that’s acedia, and, in essence, it’s for our own health.

As a psychologist, she didn’t go on to draw out the potential ramifications of this for spirituality, particularly how this might relate to the practice of Sabbath in our lives, but all the implications are there.

W

hen you read the Judeo-Christian scriptures, particularly the early sections in Genesis which chronicle the creation of the world and how God “rested” on the Sabbath, you see that there’s a divinely ordered rhythm to how work and rest are supposed to unfold in our lives.

Briefly stated, there’s to be a pattern, a rhythm, to our lives which works this way: You work for six days, and then have a one-day sabbatical; you work for seven

Conrad

ARLY Christian monks believed in something they called “acedia”. More colloquially, they called it the “Noonday Devil”, a name that essentially describes the concept.

Acedia, for them, was different from ordinary depression in that it didn’t draw you into the dark, chaotic areas of your mind and heart, to have you diseased before your own complex and infinite depth.

It was more of a flattening out, a dearth of energy, that put you into a semi-vegetative state that simply deadened all deep feeling and thoughts.

The early Church considered it one of the seven capital sins. Later it was renamed as “sloth”.

There’s an abundance of good spiritual literature on the concept of acedia, not least Kathleen Norris’ rather definitive work on how acedia was understood by the early Church.

But until recently, acedia hadn’t been studied in depth as a psychological concept. Happily that’s changing, with important implications for spirituality.

To offer just one example: I recently attended a lecture on acedia given by a Jungian specialist, Lauren Morgan Wuest. I cannot do justice to her full thesis here, but let me risk an over-simplified synopsis.

Having read the literature of the Desert Fathers and the various commentaries on the idea of acedia, she attempted to interface that spiritual literature with the insights of contemporary psychology, particularly those from the Jungian school

Nicholas King SJ

Jesus deepens the Law

Pregnant? Need Help?

Sunday Reflections

the form “You have heard it said…but I say to you.” In this case it reads “You have heard it said, ‘Thou shalt not kill’, but I say to you, ‘anyone who is angry with their brother or sister will be liable to condemnation’.”

What is going on here is that Jesus is going deeper than the literal sense of the words, the forbidden action, and inviting us to reflect on the inner dispositions that obedience to the Law requires. Then he does the same with the command “Thou shalt not commit adultery”, and rereads it in terms of inner disposition: “Everyone who looks at a woman so as to desire her has already committed adultery with her in his heart”, and even forbids divorce (allowed by the Torah), and swearing an oath.

So whatever else we may say about the Law, Jesus is in favour of it, and indeed goes deeper into its meaning. But all the time Jesus is inviting us relish God’s gift of the Law. Will you respond, this week?

Southern Crossword #744

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

years, and then have a one-year sabbatical; you work for seven times seven years, and then have a jubilee year, a sabbatical for the whole planet; and then you work for a lifetime, and go on an eternity of sabbatical.

In essence, our lives of work, our everyday agenda, and our normal anxieties, are to be regularly punctuated by a time in which we lay down the hammer, lay down our agenda, lay down our workday worries and simply sit, rest, vegetate, enjoy, soakin, luxuriate, contemplate, pray, and let things take care of themselves for a while.

That’s the biblical formula for health, spiritual, human, psychic, and bodily.

And whenever we don’t do this voluntarily—in effect, whenever we neglect to do Sabbath in our lives—then our bodies and minds are likely to do it for us by shutting down our energies.

Acedia is our friend here: “We will do Sabbath, one way or the other.”

It’s no secret that today the practice of Sabbath is more and more disappearing within our culture. Indeed, our culture constitutes a virtual conspiracy against the practice of Sabbath.

Among the many culprits responsible for this, I highlight our addiction to information technology, our current inability to go for any stretch of time without being connected to others and the world through a phone, a tablet or a computer screen. We are finding ourselves less and less able to step away from all that we are connected to through information technology, and consequently we are finding ourselves less and less able to simply rest, to let go of things, to be in Sabbath-mode.

Perhaps the most important ascetical practice for us today would be the practice of cyber-Sabbaths.

Already 700 years ago, the Sufi poet Rumi lamented: “I have lived too long where I can be reached!” That’s a cry for Sabbath time that went up long before today’s information technology placed us where we can always be reached, and that cry is going up everywhere today as our addiction to information technology increases.

One worries that we will not find the asceticism needed to curb our addiction— but then acedia may well do for us what we cannot do for ourselves.

ACROSS

4. Could be a minister with candle (7) 8. They are pointedly at the rooftop (6) 9. The first missionary, perhaps (7) 10. Teach what’s past (6) 11. Thoroughly wet (6) 12. Wrong term (8) 18. One fated in the choir to sing off-key (4,4) 20. Special emphasis on the letter of the word (6) 21. One of Our Lady’s sorrows (6) 22. Ocean of tranquillity (7) 23. If on us, it is a blend of cooking styles (6) 24. Lay cops around for West Indian song (7)

Solutions on page 11

DOWN

1. It’s after sunrise (7) 2. Rebuff again the heartthrob (7) 3. Moses’ father-in-law (Ex 18) (6) 5. Jesus encouraged them to come to him (8) 6. Southern African bishops’ appeal (6) 7. From there as a consequence (6) 13. He succeeded Judas (Ac 1) (8) 14. Arabian nomads (7) 15. An offence not behind your back, we hear (7) 16. Gallio was proconsul here (Ac 18) (6) 17. In Levy it shows lack of respect (6) 19. Bible book (6)

CHURCH CHUCKLE

A

PAIR of Irish ditch diggers were repairing road damage directly across the street from a house of prostitution.

They witnessed a Protestant minister lurking about, then duck into the house.

“Would ye look at that, Darby!” said Pat. “What a shameful disgrace, those Protestant reverends sinning in a house the likes of that place!”

A short time later they saw a rabbi look around cautiously and then dart into the house. “Did ye see that, Darby?” Pat asked in shock and disbelief, “Is nothing holy to those rabbis?”

Not much later a third man, a Catholic priest, was seen lurking about the house, then quietly sneaking in. “Oh no, Darby, look!” said Pat, removing his cap and crossing himself. “One of the poor girls musta died....”

WE CARE

081 418 5414, 079 663 2634 DBN 079 742 8861 JHB

We welcome prayers, volunteers and donations.

www.birthright.co.za

For all your Sand and Stone requirements in Piet Retief, Southern Mpumalanga

Tel: 017 826 0054/5 Cell: 082 904 7840 Email: sales@eskaycrushers.co.za