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S outher n C ross
November 1 to November 7, 2017
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Nuns, beer, motorbikes and chainsaws
Pfanner’s sons go back to their roots
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Reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 5056
Feast of All Saints
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Follow the footsteps of the departed
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SA’s Churches came together in Durban H
ISTORY was made in Durban when Cardinal Wilfrid Napier welcomed clergy from across the different Christian denominations to an ecumenical service to commemorate 500 years since the start of the Reformation. Emmanuel cathedral was packed to overflowing and there were over 80 clergy present at the service: bishops, priests, pastors and deacons; Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Dutch Reformed, Zion Christians and others; men and women; from South Africa, other parts of Africa and from Europe. Also present was Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp, chair of the Southern African bishops’ Department for Ecumenism and Inter-Religious Dialogue. As they reached the sanctuary, the religious leaders sat side by side around the cathedra—the seat of authority after which a cathedral takes its name—which on this occasion was the place not of any one bishop but instead of the Book of the Gospels. Guest of honour was Bishop Munib Younan, the Lutheran bishop of the Holy Land and the former head of the Lutheran World Federation. “The Holy Spirit was working in Lund [in Sweden in late October2016] when I was able to welcome His Holiness Pope Francis to the Lutheran cathedral,” Bishop Younan said. “And I feel now that the Holy Spirit is working here in Emmanuel cathedral as we come together for unity in Christ.” The event was initiated by the Denis Hurley Centre, building on the ecumenical foundations of Archbishop Denis Hurley who started working with other Christian leaders even before Vatican II. Also involved were the Diakonia Council of Churches, the Anglican St Paul’s church, and the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Southern Africa (ELCSA). The ELCSA was in Durban all weekend for their national anniversary celebration. It is 500 years since October 31, 1517 when Martin Luther nailed to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany, his 95 Theses that called the Church to reform. Luther was a member of the Augustinian
Gabbi Ryan and Tyla Edwards with Daughters of Divine Charity Sisters Ann and Danuta in a new high-profile British four-part TV documentary called Bad Habits: Holy Orders in which five “party girls” are sent to a convent for two weeks.
Party girls’ convent makeover Representatives of various Church bodies in South Africa met in Durban. Guest of honour was Lutheran Bishop Munib Younan of the Holy Land (standing front centre). Cardinal Wilfrid Napier stands third left in front; Bishop Victor Phalana is second left in the back. order at the time. In a remarkable resonance, both an Augustinian priest and an Augustinian prioress were present for the Durban service. “He [Luther] is my brother,” said Augustinian Father Sunday Ikpe, the Nigerian parish priest at Kloof, Durban. Bishop Younan made the point that Luther’s actions came out of his love for the Catholic Church: “Luther loved the Church so much he was not afraid to challenge it.” The bishop later added that all churches— including the Lutherans—had to be constantly reforming if we are to reform the world through the Gospel of Love. In his words of welcome, Cardinal Napier referred to the fear of some that, after “unimaginable progress in working together”, the ecumenical movement has got stuck in a winter. Bishop Younan said he sees “an ecumenical spring”. “There are both convergences and diversity but we share a common search for meaning in the world. And we remain certain that Continued on page 2
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
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GROUP of religious Sisters was offering free meals in a restaurant in a trendy neighbourhood of London, but on one condition—the customers must forfeit the use of their phones and converse with fellow diners. “We give you a little food for the soul. We don’t just mean the food that you eat, but something for you to take away and reflect on in your life,” said Sr Anna of the Daughters of Divine Charity. The Sisters of the congregation, which is based in rural Swaffam, Norfolk, ran their pop-up restaurant for three days in October as part of a new reality TV series titled Bad Habits: Holy Orders. They named the restaurant in Shoreditch “Nundos”, a play on the name of the South African chicken fast-food chain, which is popular in Britain. But rather than serving peri-peri chicken the Sisters offered chicken broth, lentil soup, breads, and homemade pies. If the costumer’s phone was put aside, the wholesome meals were offered free of charge as a means to deter people from the distractions of social media. The TV series, which began broadcasting weekly in late October, takes five foulmouthed millennial party girls and follows their two-week transition from a materialistic and dissolute lifestyle to the simple life of the convent. The girls’ beliefs are then challenged by the religious community as they participate in the nuns’ activities, like early morning prayers and works of charity. The five young women, aged 18-23, signed
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up for a “spiritual journey”, no doubt expecting it would involve yoga on a beach rather than the strict life of a convent. “We showed them there’s another way of life and that they don’t have to be partying every night to be happy,” said Sr Michaela, 23, who is originally from Eastern Europe and has been at the convent for only a year. “It’s not bad to go and have a drink—but not remembering the next day what you did last night, that shows a lack of dignity and respect for yourself.” Since filming ended—SPOILER ALERT—all five women have turned away from their old lifestyle. “I feel 100% happier and am really grateful for my time in the convent,’ said Rebecca Cheng, who initially was the most resistant to convent life. She now proudly declares to be monogamous. Contact between the Sisters and former party girls has survived beyond filming. ‘They are wonderful, beautiful people who we think about in our prayers,’ said Sr Francis Ridler, the convent’s deputy head. “The girls opened my eyes to how intelligent, confident people can go the wrong way in life—and, of course, we want to know how they’re getting on, so we stay in touch via a group chat on WhatsApp called WWSS— What Would Sister Say?’,” she said. “I am happy with the film as entertainment and we think it will bring the lives of the Sisters into people’s homes and help them to understand better what we do and are all about,” said Sr Francis.
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