The
S outher n C ross
September 13 to September 19, 2017
Pope Francis reveals his mind in long interview
Page 8
www.scross.co.za
Reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 5049
R8,00 (incl VAT RSA)
How South Africa’s Church grew
Lessons from an unrequited crush
Pages 7 &10
Page 7
Do private lives of politicians matter to us? BY ERIN CARELLSE
D
EPUTY PRESIDENT Cyril Ramaphosa’s alleged affairs do not make him ineligible for higher office, and if the allegations are indeed part of a “deliberate smear campaign”, the public should treat them with caution, Catholic political commentator Mike Pothier has said. In recent weeks, Mr Ramaphosa—who is standing for the presidency of the African National Congress at its national conference in December—has been accused of having had affairs with as many as eight different women, based on leaked e-mails. The e-mails, which were not from an official government server but from Mr Ramaphosa’s private accounts, listed the names of eight women who, the deputy president, said were students whom he and his wife Tshepo were assisting financially. Mr Ramaphosa has admitted to an extramarital affair which ended eight years ago, saying he had dealt with it with his wife. “There is a difference between someone who had morally taken steps to resolve past issues and was upfront about it and worked on it with his wife, and someone who tries to hide it,” said Mr Pothier. “The women he has been accused of having the affairs with have all said that it’s not true, with some saying they’d never even met the man. People need to think critically about who is behind this,” he said. Speaking on the moral conduct of political leaders in general, and independent from the allegations against Mr Ramaphosa, a Catholic bishop said the public should expect a high standard of ethics from them in both public and private lives. Bishop Abel Gabuza, chairperson of the Justice & Peace Commission for the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, said that political leaders must be expected “to be people who conduct themselves in an acceptable moral manner”. “They must be people of integrity, the
Thandeka Msweli (left) and Melita Vurden welcome spring in Durban’s Botanic Gardens. Thandeka and Melita are part of the Conference Company team which is planning the Mini World Youth Day, a highlight in the calendar of young Catholics across Southern Africa, taking place in December in Durban. (Photo: Val Adamson) Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa, who has been accused of extramarital affairs—allegations which he has rejected. type that manifests in their conduct no scandals of whatever kind. These leaders are role models,” Bishop Gabuza told The Southern Cross. “One is not saying that leaders should be perfect, but we expect leaders to maintain a high standard of ethical leadership in all areas of their lives, private and public. The personal morality of a leader in his private space, house or home should not contradict how or she conducts himself or herself in public. Once there is a contradiction, it leads to many questions, suspicions and lack of trust in that leader,” the bishop said. The public must ask: “ When a person makes a clean confession about his past, shows remorse and commits himself to the challenge of being a moral heroic leader, does it qualify him to lead the people of South Africa?” he said. In a statement Mr Ramaphosa said that he and his wife provide monthly financial assistance by bank transfer to 54 students, both men and women. He said it was “unfortunate that evidence of these bank transfers has been used to make scandalous allegations against me and, worse, to make public the names of some of the people assisted”.
Catholic Ireland
A pilgrimage with Bishop Victor Phalana
Feast day at shrine of Our Lady of Knock, PAPAL MASS in Dublin*, and much more * subject to confirmation
Bishop resigns over health STAFF REPORTER
P
OPE Francis has accepted the resignation for reasons of health of Bishop Michael Wüstenberg of Aliwal North. The pope has appointed Bishop Adam Musialek of the neighbouring diocese of De Aar administrator of Aliwal until a new bishop is installed. German-born Bishop Wüstenberg, 63, was appointed to head Aliwal North diocese in December 2007. He succeeded Bishop Fritz Lobinger, also a German, who had headed the diocese from 1987 to 2004. In a letter announcing his resignation, Bishop Wüstenberg said that a medical checkup in June had revealed that his diabetic condition had deteriorated. “Adjustments of medicines and diet would not be sufficient. Due to the impact of the pressures of my professional life, various doctors advised me to resign from my present ministry to at least slow down or perhaps to stop the—as one called it—life-threatening development,” Bishop Wüstenberg said. “After consulting various people and seeking advice, I accepted the inevitable and asked Pope Francis to release me from my office as bishop of Aliwal. It is a sad decision.”
The
He told The Southern Cross that he would “go to Germany for some further treatment. And then I will see, what I can still contribute, where and how.” He called on the faithful of Aliwal to support Bishop Musialek so that the mission of being a “Community serving Humanity” may be perpetuated in that Bishop Wüstenberg poor region. He gave thanks to those who supported him during his 25 years in South Africa. “I am convinced that what we practise here with the Small Christian Communities and leadership, as well as biblical ministry, can give inspiration for developments in the Church elsewhere,” Bishop Wüstenberg said. He had been appointed bishop of Aliwal in December 2007 and ordained in February 2008.
S outher n C ross
in association with the Diocese of Klerksdorp
17-28 August 2018 For information or to book contact Gail at 076 352-3809 or info@fowlertours.co.za www.fowlertours.co.za/ireland