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Meghan Markle went to a Catholic school

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The Nativity

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n s

Thousands prayed for SA Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban and SACBC secretary-general Hermenegild Makoro CPS (behind the cardinal) are joined by the Mini World Youth Day Presidium and members of the organising committee during a site visit to the Durban Exhibition Centre where the region’s youth is gathering from December 6-10. Some 3 650 pilgrims are signed up to participate in the event. MWYD can be followed on Facebook (MWYDDurban), Twitter (@MWYD_Durban) and Instagram (mwyd_durban). See miniworldyouthday.co.za for the full programme. (Photo: Fr Paul Tatu CSS)

Hello to 4000 new readers

W

ITH this issue we welcome the 4 000 Catholics who are receiving The Southern Cross in their pilgrim packs at Mini World Youth Day. For some, this may be the first time that they see The Southern Cross.

This newspaper is the only national Catholic weekly in South Africa, and is read throughout Southern Africa and as far afield as Zambia.

The Southern Cross has been published since 1920, and is sold in parishes and by subscription. It is available in print format as well as digitally in PDF format.

If your church does not sell The Southern Cross, please ask your parish pastoral council or parish priest to place a weekly order for you and for interested parishioners.

You can also subscribe to the paper edition or the digital issue (see panel ad on page 8 for details). A subscription to the digital edition gives you access to our archives going back to 2010.

To subscribe go to scross.co.za/subscribe or contact Michelle at subscriptions@ scross.co.za (Michelle can also help parishes get weekly orders of The Southern Cross).

The Southern Cross has a lively website with

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an archive of thousands of articles on the Catholic faith (www.scross.co.za). We are on Facebook (thescross), Instagram (southerncrossmedia) and Twitter (@ScrossZA).

MWYD articles Pilgrims and readers who missed last week’s issue with our pre-MWYD coverage can catch up with it. We are making the edition of November 29 to December 5 digitally available at www.scross.co.za/2017/12/freescross17129.

No log-ins required—just go there and grab the paper!

Among the many great articles is our profile of Thandeka Dube-Ndhlovu, who co-wrote the MWYD anthem “The Mighty One”.

WIN SUBSCRIPTIONS! And now to the really exciting part: We are giving away 12 free six-month subscriptions to MWYD pilgrims.

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Entries close on December 15 at noon. Winners will be notified by e-mail.

BY ERIN CARELSE

C

ATHOLICS have hailed the National Day of Prayer for South Africa at Soccer City (or FNB Stadium) in Johannesburg, with the bishops’ communication officer saying the event was a clear sign that God comes first in the lives of many people.

“We sincerely thank all who were a part of this ‘dawn of a new history’, and all who were with us in spirit to pray for South Africa,” said Fr Paul Tatu CSS, communications officer if the Southern African Catholics Bishops’ Conference.

Leaders of diverse faith-based organisations and people from all walks of life gathered at Soccer City in a show of unity. The purpose of the day was to pray for unity in South Africa, to pray for the poor, marginalised and the disadvantaged, and to pray for guidance, leadership, and blessings for a bright future for all South Africans.

The National Day of Prayer was sponsored by the Motsepe Foundation, an initiative of billionaire Patrice Motsepe, a Catholic.

The Motsepe Foundation and faith-based organisations had previously held discussions about the serious and far-reaching problems and challenges facing all South Africans. Together they saw the need to hold a National Day of Prayer.

Present at Soccer City were various politicians, who in spite of their political differences came together and be united in prayer.

Members of denominations like the Zion Christian Church spent the night in vigil at the stadium to pray for South Africa.

“We must stand up against corruption in the government and against poverty. It should not only end here with a prayer, we

S outher n C ross

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Feast day at shrine of OUR LADY OF KNOCK, 17-28 PAPAL MASS in Dublin*, August 2018 and much more...

must also take action for a better South Africa,” said Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg.

Anglican Archbishop emeritus Desmond Tutu, who has been out of the public eye for a while, addressed the gathering at noon in a prayer focused on economical inequality.

Gospel artists Rebecca Malope and Winnie Mashaba also performed.

People who attended the event were given free tickets to enter the stadium, and those who were outside could watch it live on eight big screens situated around the huge arena.

The event was broadcast live on Radio Veritas. Mahadi Buthelezi, the station’s marketing coordinator, said that one could feel the presence of the Holy Spirit in the stadium.

“History was made in South Africa and this is a clear indicator that we need to be united as one in order for our country to progress and succeed,” she said.

Fr Tatu said that in the past there have been occasions when people have prayed for the nation—but coming together physically in such numbers in the name of God was remarkable.

“The National Prayer Day for South Africa was inspired by the Spirit of God. It reminds everybody in the country that relegating religion to the peripheries is one of the biggest mistakes [of] the leadership of any country,” Fr Tatu said.

“We do what we can to the best wisdom of our human nature—but God is the author of the same wisdom,” he said.

“I congratulate all the leaders of religious and faith-based organisations and the Motsepe Foundation for reminding everyone that God is in charge—and where God is in charge no evil shall prevail,” Fr Tatu said.

CATHOLIC IRELAND A pilgrimage with Bishop Victor Phalana

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2

The Southern Cross, December 6 to December 12, 2017

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The Southern Cross, December 6 to December 13, 2017

3

Radio Veritas groups pamper priests

BY ERIN CARELSE

F

OLLOWING the inaugural event in 2016, the Radio Veritas Warriors, together with Radio Veritas, hosted the second annual “Shepherds on the Green” for priests from around the country.

Shepherds on the Green aims to give priests a day of rest, activity and fun. It takes them away from their daily work and toil to enjoy a day of sport, indoor games, simple entertainment—and each other’s company.

The Benoni Country Club in Ekurhuleni on the East Rand near Johannesburg played host to priests from around the country.

The special day started out with a nutritious five-star breakfast, followed by different sports and activities.

The priests were able to partici-

Priests from across the country attended the Radio Veritas and Veritas Warriors’ Shepherds on the Green day.

Older priests got chatting and younger priests headed to the soccer field. pate in soccer games, cycling, golf, tennis, bowls, squash and a variety of board games, or they could take to the country club’s scenic trail for Waterwise worker priests Fr Aaron Gabela of Durban archdiocese (right) and Fr Chris Chatteris SJ installed a new roof tank at St Francis Xavier Seminary in drought-ravaged Cape Town. The tank was donated

by Archbishop Stephen Brislin as a gift of Cape Town archdiocese.

Durban nativity and carols

T

HE Durban Catholic Players’ Guild is presenting its anual nativity presentation and Carols by Candlelight event.

There will be two performances: on December 16 at 15:00 at Mariannhill mission church, and on December 17 at 19:00 at Greyville Racecourse.

Both events are free. Carols will be led by a local choir. Candles and the lyrics of favourite Christmas carols will be provided so that everyone can join in the singing.

1 Plein Street, Sidwell, Port Elizabeth

Secure parking is available in the grounds at both venues. At Mariannhill, the tea garden will be open. At Greyville, seating is sheltered so the production will proceed in all weather conditions At both events, those participating are asked to bring a toy (new or used) for the underprivileged.

Toys will be brought to the manger in procession led by Cardinal Wilfrid Napier. n Enquiries Dawn Haynes on 083 564 2929.

cycling, walking and/or running.

Priests were treated to massages, haircuts and pampering. Members of the Catholic Nurses’ Guild offered

general health check-ups.

Following the activity-packed day, the priests freshened up to get ready for the gala dinner. They were

treated to a three-course meal with entertainment, and they were also thanked for their service to the community.

Radio Veritas executive director Fr Emil Blaser OP declared Shepherds on the Green a “resounding success” and said he hoped to see even more priests next year.

“We were thrilled to have Priests from many diocese such as Eshowe, Pretoria, Kimberley, Rustenburg, Witbank and Mariannhill , all gather together for this wonderful social day,” he said.

The event was organised to show priests the appreciation that they so often do not get for the work they do for the Church as well as their local communities.

The Veritas Warriors is a group of Catholic men who have volunteered their time to help Radio Veritas reach out to and evangelise men.

Sisters treated to lunch and manicures SR WINNIE MOGOLLON OSF

I

N Bloemfontein archdiocese, there is a group called Friends of the Sisters. This group consists of about 30 members who have been raised in convents or taught/ nursed/attended to by religious Sisters in one way or another.

The formation of the group was inspired by the fact that Sisters in the Church are actively involved in many different ministries, and not everyone recognises their worth.

Friends of the Sisters is guided by Fr Molikeng Lebofa.

The group held an event to show appreciation for all Sisters in the archdiocese, from congregations including the Order of St Francis (known as the Franciscan Sisters of Siessen), the Holy Cross Sisters, the Sisters of Divine Love, the Dominican Sisters, the St Joseph’s Sisters, the Sisters of St Paul and the Holy Family sisters.

A keynote speaker was theologian Dr Nontando Hadebe, wellknown from Radio Veritas as she presents the programme “Looking at Life with Dr Nontando”.

The occasion started with Mass

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The group Friends of the Sisters in Bloemfontein archdiocese held an event to pay tribute to religious Sisters. This included Mass, lunch, a talk

by Dr Nontando Hadebe, nail treatments, and songs and dancing. at St Rose’s parish, celebrated by Fr Tshediso Moleko OMI assisted

by Fr Lebofa.

After Dr Hadebe’s talk in the church hall, lunch was served, followed by some spoiling of the Sisters, with presents and nail treatments. There was lots of entertainment, including children

singing and dancing.

The Sisters thanked each and every one who helped make the day possible, including Friends of the Sisters and parish members who prepared lunch and assisted with the beautiful decoration of the tables.

Friends of the Sisters also thanked Fr Lebofa for his spiritual help.

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The Southern Cross, December 6 to December 12, 2017

INTERNATIONAL

Congo Bishops to Pres Kabila: Don’t run again C ONGO’S bishops asked President Joseph Kabila to contribute to the stability of the country by declaring that he will not be a candidate for the next presidential election.

In a statement after a three-day meeting in the capital, the bishops reminded Mr Kabila that he was the “guarrantor of the constitution”. Although the Democratic Republic of Congo’s constitution does not allow Mr Kabila to run for a third term, many people fear he will try to do so.

The bishops also emphasised it was important not to delay elections any longer.

After a flareup in political violence late last year, the bishops helped the government and opposition sign an agreement that said Mr Kabila would remain in office, but elections would be held before the end of 2017. The DRC’s Independent

Congolese President Joseph Kabila at the UN headquarters.

Catholic bishops in Congo have asked Kabila not to run for the next presidential election. (Photo: Andrew Gombert, EPA/CNA)

National Electoral Commission recently announced elections would be held in December 2018.

The bishops urged the electoral commission to reassure the public of its independence and to operate with transparency.

US Bishop Oscar Cantu of Las Cruces, New Mexico, speaking from Kinshasa, said widespread corruption is depleting government coffers.

“Questions being asked here are will Mr Kabila relinquish power, and will the transfer of power be peaceful,” Bishop Cantu added.

In their statement, the DRC’s bishops reminded citizens that change could not happen without them. The bishops urged people to remain vigilant, actively participate in the electoral process and, if they objected to something, to protest peacefully.—CNS

Irish virtual calendar for Advent

BY PERRY WEST

A

RCHBISHOP Eamon Martin of Armagh, Northern Ireland, and Primate of All Ireland, has launched a 2017 virtual Advent calendar, saying that the online prayers and reflections will help parishioners spiritually prepare for this Christmas season.

“The season of Advent marks the beginning of the Catholic year and the time of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s coming at Christmas. It is

a time of waiting, conversion and hope.

“Our online calendar is a helpful resource in this journey,” Archbishop Martin told Derry Now. The online calendar includes virtual “doors” which can be opened daily for prayers and reflections. The calendar became available online on December 3, the first Sunday of Advent, at www.catholicbishops.ie/adventcalendar.

Archbishop Martin said that “as Christians, we must always be pre-

pared for the coming of the Lord” but that the process takes time and effort to set aside the busy holiday schedule.

“Preparation does not happen at once but over time and so each day of Advent amounts to a period of time which allows us to journey and reflect on the joy of the Gospel,” he said. “I encourage the faithful, notwithstanding our hectic schedule over the coming weeks, to make time to pray—alone, and with their family.”—CNA

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Prince Harry and actress Meghan Markle at Kensington Palace in London after announcing their engagement. Ms Markle attended a Catholic school in Los Angeles. (Photo: Toby Melville, Reuters/CNS)

Meghan schooled by Church

T

HE actress who is engaged to be married to England’s Prince Harry attended a Catholic school for ten years.

Meghan Markle, star of the TV series Suits, attended the prestigious, all-girl Catholic Immaculate Heart High School in Los Angeles for ten years. Coming from a Protestant family, she was not baptised as a baby.

Founded in 1906, Immaculate Heart High School has produced several well-known actresses and other celebrities, including the late Mary Tyler Moore, supermodel Tyra Banks, and actress Yara Shahidi (Black-ish).

The students at the school said they were excited about the announcement of Ms Markle’s engagement to Prince Harry.

“She’s so inspirational to many of us, not just as an actress, but also as someone who is into philanthropy and altruism and giving back,” stu-

dent Mia Speier told ABC News in the US. At the school, Ms Markle was part of the Genesian Club while in high school, which is dedicated to the preservation of the performing arts.

The engagement of the bi-racial actress has stirred up the British establishment.

The conservative Daily Telegraph noted: “A divorced, mixed-race, Hollywood actress who attended a Roman Catholic school is to marry the son of the next king… Such a sentence could simply not have been written a generation ago.”

Ms Markle will be baptised and confirmed into the Church of England ahead of her wedding..

She has campaigned with the UN on gender equality, written about the stigma surrounding menstruation, and travelled to Rwanda as global ambassador for the charity World Vision Canada.

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.

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INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, Decemmber 6 to December 12, 2017

Bishops must act as judges in annulments

BY CAROL GLATz

A

DIOCESAN bishop is the sole judge in the streamlined process for handling marriage annulments, Pope Francis said.

The simplified process “is not an option that the diocesan bishop can choose, but rather an obligation that derives from his consecration and from the mission received”, making the bishop the sole and exclusive authority in charge throughout the three phases of the briefer process, the pope said.

The pope made his remarks during an audience with canon lawyers, priests and pastoral workers attending a course sponsored by the Roman Rota, a Vatican tribunal that mainly deals with marriage annulment cases.

The pope encouraged them to be close to those who are suffering and who expect help “to restore peace to their consciences and God’s will on readmission to the Eucharist”.

The new process “is an expression of the Church that it is able to welcome and care for those who

are wounded in various ways by life and, at the same time, it is an appeal for the defence of the sacredness of the marriage bond,” he said.

Pope Francis used the occasion to clarify and strongly emphasise how a bishop should not delegate completely the duty of deciding marriage cases to the offices of his curia, especially in the streamlined process for handling cases of clear nullity that were established with new norms that took effect at the end of 2015.

The norms were outlined in two papal documents, Mitis Iudex Dominus Iesus (“The Lord Jesus, the Gentle Judge”) for the Latin-rite Church and Mitis et misericors Iesus, (“The Meek and Merciful Jesus”) for the Eastern Catholic Churches.

P

ointing out the clear role of the diocesan bishop as sole judges in the briefer process was meant to help apply the new laws and increasingly recover an appropriate practice of synodality, he said.

The diocesan bishop has always been charged with exercising judicial power personally or through

others; but, the pope said, that principle has been interpreted in such a way that the bishop no longer personally exercises that power and delegates “almost everything to the tribunals”.

Given the unique nature of the abbreviated process in determining the nullity of marriages, the pope set out a number of points that he deemed to be “decisive and exclusive in the personal exercise of the role of judge by the diocesan bishop”.

The abbreviated process was instituted not to facilitate annulments, but rather to simplify and speed up the processes necessary to determine and declare the truth about the nullity of a marriage, in other words, declaring that it never existed as a valid sacrament.

The changes, the pope wrote in 2015, were motivated by “concern for the salvation of souls”, and particularly “charity and mercy” towards those who feel alienated from the Church because of their marriage situations and the perceived complexity of the Church’s annulment process.—CNS

Pope leads peace prayer for Africa

BY CINDY WOODEN

A

LTHOUGH it has not been possible to visit South Sudan as he had hoped, Pope Francis said that “prayer is more important, because it is more powerful. Prayer works by the power of God for whom nothing is impossible”.

With hundreds of women and men from dozens of religious orders, with migrants from Africa and representatives from a number of Christian churches and a variety of religions, the pope presided over an evening prayer service for peace in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

As the service began in St Peter’s Basilica, religious carried in procession large photographs of women and children from the two wartorn countries. The images were placed on easels at the foot of the sanctuary steps.

Flanking the photos were paintings of St Josephine Bakhita from Sudan and Bl Anuarite Nengapeta from Congo.

On the cross, Pope Francis said, Jesus “took upon himself all the evil of the world, including the sins that spawn and fuel wars: pride, greed, lust for power, lies”.

The pope's brief reflection at the service ended with a series of prayers that began: “May the risen

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Lord break down the walls of hostility that today divide brothers and sisters, especially in South Sudan and the Democratic Republic of Congo.”

Echoing the petitions read during the service, he prayed that God would “comfort those women who are the victims of violence in war zones and throughout the world”.

“May he protect children who suffer from conflicts in which they have no part, but which rob them of their childhood and at times of life itself,” he prayed.

He added: “How hypocritical it is to deny the mass murder of women and children! Here war shows its most horrid face.”—CNS

5

Pope Francis and Aung San Suu Kyi, state counsellor and foreign minister of Myanmar, with children during the papal visit to Naypyitaw. See next wek’s issue for a full round-up of the pope’s trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS)

Catholics saddened

by India’s pope snub

P

OPE Francis’ trip to Myanmar and Bangladesh has left Catholics in neighbouring India regretting that they missed a chance to meet him in their homeland, reported ucanews.com.

Catholic groups began discussing plans to host the pontiff earlier this year, after the Vatican confirmed a papal visit to the region.

Nobody then expected a papal itinerary would not include India, a nation of 19 million Catholics.

Cardinal Baselios Cleemis Thottunkal, president of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of India, said the Indian Catholic Church was expecting to receive Pope Francis, “but it did not happen”.

In August, the Vatican announced that the journey would include only Myanmar and Bangladesh, whereas the original plan had been to visit India and Bangladesh.

The absence of an official invitation for Pope Francis to visit India is widely seen as being the result of political considerations by Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government.

The government is run by the Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party.

Observers say the BJP feared that

Mr Modi hosting Pope Francis would have alienated majority-Hindu voters ahead of scheduled 2019 national elections.

However, Cardinal George Alencherry of Ernakulam-Angamaly said the outcome had disappointed the entire Indian Church. Cardinal Alencherry was scheduled to join a papal Mass in Bangladesh.

A wide cross-section of Indians interviewed said a papal visit would have uplifted Christians facing violence and threats from extremist Hindu groups, especially in northern India.

One of those unhappy about Pope Francis not visiting India was Johana Xalxo, an Oraon ethnic minority woman and a school principal in New Delhi.

Ms Xalxo, 52, said she was privileged to have met Pope John Paul II in 1986 when he toured some 15 Indian cities, including her city of Ranchi. She was part of a group that danced to welcome him.

Ms Xalxo noted that papal visits lifted the morale of indigenous Christians, who often felt weak and neglected, providing them with a sense of belonging to a larger community.—CNS

Franciscan Sisters

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6

The Southern Cross, December 6 to December 12, 2017

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: GĂźnther Simmermacher

Happy Holidays?

A

MONG Christians there is a potent call to “Put Christ Back Into Christmas�, drawing from a slogan that is already several decades old.

The obvious implication of it is that, to cite the time-honoured phrase, “Christ is the reason for the season�, and therefore should not be excluded.

One may argue that, historically, there never was a time when the celebration of Christmas was specifically Christ-centred. But the sentiment is commendable; it is indeed important to sound the reminder that Christmas—the feast of the Nativity of the Lord—is about the Incarnation, not about Santa Claus and accumulation of possessions.

The cause to place Christ at the centre of Christmas even includes semantics.

Lately there has been a vocal resistance by Christians to the rather innocuous greeting “Happy Holidays�, with a suggestion that its use should be subject to protest because it is intended to secularise Christmas.

Of course, in the United States, the greeting “Happy Holidays� has stood alongside the more faith-centred “Merry Christmas� for a long time.

For the popular singer Andy Williams, “Happy Holidays� was a hit in the early 1960s. Twenty years earlier, the crooner Bing Crosby—a devout Catholic—had a song titled “Happy Holiday� in his seasonal repertoire, alongside the nostalgic “White Christmas� (which oxymoronically blares out in South African malls even in the summer of 2017).

Between Christians, there is no good reason why “Happy Holidays� should be used as a seasonal greeting instead of “Merry Christmas� (and there is no justification to ever use the ghastly phrase “Compliments of the Season� or its slightly less disagreeable cousin, “Season’s Greetings�).

There are times, however, when saying “Happy Holidays� is perfectly acceptable, for example when the person issuing the greeting or the recipient are not Christians. This applies also to retailers who serve non-Christians.

But Christians must be alert: if a retailer makes it a point of greeting members of other faiths on their specific religious feasts, then Christians should expect to receive well-wishes with specific reference to what they are cele-

brating: namely Christmas, not “holidays�. When this is not the case, Christians are entitled to state their objection.

But we must be wary of interpreting the use of seasonal greetings as evidence of the supposed “War on Christmas�.

There doubtless is a secular campaign to marginalise religion, and especially Christianity, to the peripheries of society and eliminate faith from the public discourse. This must be resisted, with due civility.

But no good is served by defending the faith from being sidelined with resort to lies. And these lies are spreading easily through social media.

To be sure: No English council has replaced Christmas with “winterval�; former US President Barack Obama did not replace Christmas trees with “holiday trees�; no hospital has banned Christmas CDs for mentioning Jesus; “Merry Christmas� and carols have not been banned in US schools (indeed, the US Supreme Court has ruled that they can’t be); Muslims do not object to Christmas; and Santa Claus has not been racially reclassified.

If there is a war on Christmas, then it resides not in greetings and venues for decorated trees but in the rampant commercialism that forms part of the season, and the general indifference amid the spending mania to people who are suffering in poverty.

The real war on Christmas is found in the hypocrisy of people who piously sing carols about there being no rooms at the inn while shouting about keeping migrants out; people who sing about silent and holy nights while helping—by action or inaction—to fan the flames of war elsewhere.

For Catholics, the season of Advent is a good time to introspect whether we honour the Incarnation by living the Gospel message well. The Gospel instructs us to be peacemakers, not sowers of discord.

So when somebody wishes us “Happy Holidays�, we should graciously accept their wellwishes and simply reciprocate by saying “Merry Christmas�.

And to those who claim that there is a “War on Christmas�, we might extend the first of all Christmas greetings: “Peace on earth, goodwill to all men�—and then aim to live by that salutation.

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Abuse: a survivor’s view

F

OLLOWING your courageous editorial on the #metoo campaign (October 25), I wish to add my voice as an adult woman victim/survivor of clerical sexual abuse.

We need not look as far as Harvey Weinstein and Hollywood for a patriarchal system that has for years, by men in positions of power, coveredup the sexual (and other) abuse of women (abuse in traumatic forms right through to rape) committed by some of its priests, religious, superiors and lay ministers—the patriarchal system I speak of here is the Catholic Church.

The scandal of clerical sexual abuse in the Church does not only comprise the sexual abuse of minors but also of adult women (and men), whether they be lay or religious, who were vulnerable at the time they were preyed upon and sexually abused (at the hands of a spiritual director, or whatever other position of power the predator priest/religious/ superior/lay minister held, betrayed and abused).

I

t is vital for restorative justice and the victim’s healing, and for the building of a more Christ-like Church, that the hierarchy treat sexual abuse of adults by some members of its clergy with the gravity it justly deserves.

Women (and men) who have been sexually abused in the Church must be encouraged to speak out and stand up to these crimes committed against their whole persons.

To break the silence on the abuse frees the victim from feeling powerfully trapped by the perpetrator in a hell of isolation, abuse and despair.

Breaking the silence also strives to obtain justice and healing for the victim and for the protection of others from such powerful predators in the future.

At the same time, it is the just and

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AYMOND Perrier’s article (November 1) about a pilgrimage to sites associated with the late Archbishop Denis Hurley evoked a distant memory from the 1970s.

The Durban archdiocesan Catholic Women’s League had organised a day of reflection with the archbishop at his residence in Morningside, and luckily I was one of the participants.

We had to give a brief synopsis of our own lives, with His Grace telling us of his time on Robben Island as a boy.

One CWL member jokingly told the amused archbishop: “Your Grace, if you continue your activism role so boldly in this apartheid era, you may find yourself back on Robben Island!�

The Theological Education by Extension College is registered with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a 3ULYDWH +LJKHU (GXFDWLRQ ,QVWLWXWLRQ XQGHU WKH +LJKHU (GXFDWLRQ $FW RI 5HJLVWUDWLRQ &HUWLĂ€ FDWH 1R +(

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roper healing cannot easily take place for the victim as long as: • the violence of the sexual abuse of women by some members of the clergy in the Church continues to be covered up, unacknowledged or downplayed by the Church and its hierarchy • the victims are bullied into silence and/or ignored and abandoned by them • their deep trauma and suffering is not given a compassionate listening ear • full acknowledgement of the crime committed against them is not made, a genuine humble apology not offered • accountability, by both perpeOpinions expressed in The Southern Cross do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy.

Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

Fortunately this did not happen, and today we applaud Archbishop Hurley for the example he set so bravely and consistently.

Kay Temple, Pietermaritzburg

Catechism rules

T

HE article in The Southern Cross (October 4) headed “Group calls pope a ‘heretic’ � stated, inter alia, the following: The papal exhortation Amoris Laetitia “seemed to open the possibility—in certain cases and after the discernment process—of allowing

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merciful thing to do towards perpetrators to expose them and their evil actions in the hope that it will bring them to true remorse and a conversion of heart.

Women who have been sexually abused by clergy in the Church may, understandably, be afraid to speak out as they may fear suffering possible further abuse and injustice at the hands of an all-male hierarchy and patriarchal Church system which either ignores or downplays the gravity of sexual abuse of women committed by some of its clergy.

In doing so, the hierarchy becomes complicit in the abuse of these women. This further abuse and injustice towards these victims deepens their trauma, pain and suffering.

Just as with the sexual abuse of minors, the sexual abuse of women by some members of the clergy is a trauma that spans every level of abuse—psychological, emotional, sexual and spiritual. It is, all of it, a grave abuse; a serious crime!

Sexual abuse is highly traumatic and damaging to the entire person and life of the victim, no matter at what age it occurs.

admin@stanthonyshome.org www.stanthonyshome.org

trator and Church hierarchy, and restorative justice are absent • there is a lack of support and solidarity the victims justly deserve by the Church and its hierarchy to help them rebuild their lives—lives which “men of Godâ€? and an unjust patriarchal Church system have destroyed.

And such an unjust Church can never stand as a trustworthy and righteous mouthpiece against the violence and injustices committed against women in the world “out there�, nor can it be a credible international ambassador for the promotion of women’s rights (indeed of all human’s rights), justice, peace and the integrity of all of creation.

A

Church that is tolerant of, and complicit in, the evil of sexual abuse of women is a Church of hypocrisy that is not living true to the Gospel values of Jesus Christ who deeply valued women (who are the carriers of the feminine qualities of God) and always treated them with the greatest respect due to them; Jesus Christ the just Advocate who always upheld women’s dignity, integrity and rights, and who stood for gender equality both in society and in the Church.

What would the victim-count look like in Africa (or South Africa) alone should an investigation be carried out by the Boston Globe on the number of women (lay and religious) who have been sexually abused by clergy, religious, superiors and lay ministers in the Church?

This crime, this evil, must, without delay, be acknowledged, addressed and rooted out of the Church, “for there is nothing hidden that will not be revealed, and nothing concealed that will not be known and illuminated� (Lk 8:17) for “everything exposed by the light becomes visible� (Eph 5:13), and lastly, “I tell you, [Jesus] answered, ‘if they remain silent, the very stones will cry out’� (Lk 19:40).

Name withheld

them [persons who have divorced and remarried civilly] to receive absolution and Communion, even without promising to abstain from sexual relations with their new partner�.

It did not, however, mention the following basic Catholic truths: • Those referred to above are living in the mortal sin of adultery. • Absolution from this sin is impossible without repentance, and a firm resolution to cease committing it, immediately and permanently. • The reception of Communion in a state of mortal sin is a sacrilege.

Finally, if the Church started to condone adultery, it would be logically obliged to also condone the mortal sin of extra-marital cohabitation and of abortive birth-control methods.

Glenys Newbury, Johannesburg

PERSPECTIVES

Do you want fries with the gossip?

Nthabiseng L Maphisa IKE many people, I enjoy cheeseburgers. I love it when I can delicately hold a warm, seeded bun filled with a variation of grilled beef (and who knows what other animal), crispy cool lettuce, badly sliced tomatoes and melt-off-thepatty cheese.

There are many things that can ruin my day: arrogant lecturers and rude Jo’burg motorists in the city’s bad traffic. But, there’s nothing like digging my teeth into a well-layered sandwich of fried goodness to make me forget about them all.

In the process of clogging my arteries with cholesterol, I enjoy washing down my favourite burger with a liquid solution of citric acid, preservatives and green food colouring otherwise known to you and me as cream soda.

Oh, the joys of junk food! Ever so tasty, irresistible—and bad for your health.

And just as I am tempted to bite into a burger combo, I am in the same way tempted to sink my teeth into the daily dish of parish affairs. That’s right, people, ain’t no gossip like church gossip.

It’s ridiculous how my ears perk up at murmurings of who’s working for which company, who’s found a new girlfriend and whether or not she’s a Catholic. And “Just wait ‘til Father hears about this!” It seems that there is always someone changing jobs, changing parishes and changing boyfriends.

Perhaps there is no greater victim of gossip than the parish priest. I alert you that this is no starter-size gossip. This is the Big Mac with supersize fries and supersize cola gossip sauced with extra insults, raised eyebrows and rumours.

My heart goes out to some priests who are, in their parishes, either loved with the sweetness of a cool drink or despised with the saltiness of a cheap, greasy pizza.

Noticeably, some people really don’t “hold the mayo” when it comes to sharing

their opinions and factions. Just as the foul stench of oil hits one’s nose when driving past a fast-food joint, so does gossip reek from the bricks of the church steps and the oak of the church doors.

We feast on nuggets and more nuggets of the whisperings of who hasn’t been to confession in years but is still taking Communion. This serves only to make us ill and we start to wonder why we consumed them in the first place.

Talking about your fellow parishioner’s unchanging “single and ready to mingle” relationship status is like ploughing through a bucket of fried chicken. It’s all good and tasty until you feel the four-dayold oil welling up in the back of your mouth. The guilt of gossip can make us feel a little bit sick.

P

erhaps nothing is worse than downing a tall, cold glass of judgment. There is nothing that strokes the ego quite like climbing on one’s very high horse and looking down on those who aren’t as holy as we think they should be.

Why do we talk about people and their lives behind their backs and judge them in

In her column Nthabiseng Maphisa finds that gossip is much like fast-food.

Pop Culture Catholic

the process? Are we helping ourselves to extra servings of envy? Why is it that tabloids sell out like pancakes on Shrove Tuesday? Surely there can’t be anything spiritually enlightening about Brangelina’s divorce?

Or are they still married? I will have to satisfy my need for salacious gossip later and find out.

I can’t wait for the next brain-cell destroying episode of the Wendy Williams Show. I am going to devour it like a teenage boy with a fried chicken Streetwise Two. There’s something inviting about the way she leans in and dishes out the sordid happenings of the lives of people who are very far away from me—the latter making it easier for me to consume.

It is widely acknowledged that the kitchens of some fast-food eateries have rotting leftovers scattered on counters, and in the sinks dishwater as black as shoe polish. Certainly, no sensible manager of such an establishment would wish for his guests to catch a glimpse of this. Rather, he desires that his guests focus on the brightly-coloured couches and the twofor-the-price-of-one burger special.

So it is with human beings. Hidden in the crowded kitchens of our souls are greasy frying pans and unwashed cutlery.

We desire for no one to see this and find ways to draw their attention to our flashing neon lights and free toys.

So the next time I think of gossiping I hope to remember the stained glasses and sticky serviettes that are crowding my kitchen.

Writer’s lessons from a hard mom Mphuthumi I Ntabeni T has been a year when the dark clouds of death came into closer proximity to me in more ways than one.

As it closes we are again about to bury a lifetime friend and peer who finally lost her battle to an aggressive form of cancer.

Some of us also have heard the distant footsteps of the cancer-reaper’s cycle. But, inshallah, we still hope for more decades to burn.

Sherman Alexie, an American writer of native descent, recently released a heartwrenching memoir about growing up in the American Indian Spokane Reserves. It is more of an interrogation of his vaguely felt love for his mom, and a veiled mourning for her death from cancer. This can be determined from the melancholy title of the book: You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me. Alexie begins by saying that “poverty was our spirit animal”. We, the children who grew up under apartheid, know the totem poverty as well.

“Self-preservation was my religion,” Alexie writes. Again, this sounds just about right for all poor children.

You’d expect the book to be depressing, Dickensian even, but Alexie is a gifted writer who uses irony and self-deprecation in a masterly way: “I don’t believe in ghosts.

But I see them all the time.”

Such sentences are common in his writing. And the ghost in this book, of course, is that of his mother. Alexie feels he ought to fault her indifference to them as children but can’t quite make himself do that because he recognises that without it he couldn’t not have been the tough-love father himself he has become.

For instance, he narrates an occasion when his mother was first committed to the hospital. The obvious thing would have

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Author Sherman Alexie and the cover of his book You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me. been for him to spend a few days besides her bed, be the dutiful son and all, like his siblings.

But, he says, “because our mother had often abandoned us as children, I knew exactly that my place at that moment was to be with my own children, not her”.

That is the gift-lesson he received from her wrong choices; the severe mercy of how to choose when it comes to the crunch. It makes you appreciate more St Paul’s saying that everything works for good to them who are called for the purpose of goodness.

A

lexie goes on interrogating the latent guilt such decisions leave one with. We know that every decision has consequences we must learn to live by.

He doesn’t deny that from the outside this looks callous, like him avenging himself on his mother. From within, things are much more complicated than that, is what he is saying, taking greater comfort in knowing that his mother would probably approve.

This is not a book, like C.S Lewis’ Grief Observed, but an instruction manual of how

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to cope, not only with grief but also with the feelings of guilt that come with surviving (he knows his body is going to end up succumbing to cancer also).

Something about growing up poor, and outside the Western culture, makes one not peg too much on verbal communication, something pop psychology regards as the golden path to better understanding.

When you grow up poor, particularly in native culture, you learn to understand people’s communication by their silences, and judge them by their actions rather than by what they say.

Most of the time, the words of the poor are lies to help them cope with untenable situations, so a child quickly learns not to put too much emphasis on them.

Being poor hones one’s skills to read people’s intentions by even their failures and cruelties rather than their phony kindness and bribing love. This is the reason why poor children are better matured at early ages.

For instance, a poor child will understand by instinct that a relative with a flogging rod is usually a safer place to be than one who bribes by presents of sweets, which can lead to all sorts of horrible abuses.

As a writer, Alexie calls himself a “talented liar”—it’s his own warning to the reader of the memoir that he is not a reliable witness of his own experiences.

He feels there’s more real truth in novels Continued on page 11

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The Southern Cross, December 6 to December 12, 2017

Günther Simmermacher

7

Point of Television

Best TV show of 2017 – with nuns I

T might have been the best thing I’ve seen on TV this year—and it was a reality show.

The British television four-parter Bad Habits: Holy Orders could easily have resulted in something banal. It turned out to be uplifting and moving.

The premise had five young women who lead a hedonistic, amoral lifestyle come to a convent on what they were told would be a spiritual retreat.

The young women, aged between 18 and 23, were not misled, but their expectations evidently involved yoga on beaches in Bali, not a nunnery in rural Swaffam, England.

So when they arrive there, suitcases filled with bikinis and skimpy dresses for the after-yoga parties, they are a little more than disappointed. One exclaims: “This is hell.”

The Sisters, members of the Daughters of Divine Charity congregation, are a little nervous themselves about having their serene house populated by skimpily-dressed women who swearing as they lug their oversized suitcases upstairs.

The convent is headed by the elderly, lovely mother superior and her deputy, the no-nonsense but kindly headmistress of the adjacent Sacred Heart school. There are several younger Sisters there, though none of them English.

The convent’s demographics turn out to be a benefit: the older Sisters give structure and wisdom to their guests, the younger Sisters become identification figures.

It doesn’t begin well for the young women who are required to surrender their smartphones, be in bed by 10pm, up for 4am prayers, and perform manual tasks alongside the Sisters.

T

here is a vodka incident, when the girls try to smuggle a bottle of liquor into the convent. The Sisters, who may be simple but not stupid, spot the plot before the plonk even reaches the convent.

Caught out, the scared girls expect to be punished or even expelled; instead they are confronted with the disappointment which their breach of trust created, and are then forgiven. It’s an early turning point for these troubled girls.

Later the young women are sent to other convents for a few days. They are less than keen about being with the contemplative Poor Clares, but they positively bloom in convents where they can serve others, in soup kitchens and hospitals.

The transformation of these young women is beautiful to observe, and at times very moving. All of them returned home determined to leave behind their old hedonistic ways—realising that this may be a long road yet—and a couple took concrete action to set their lives on a new course.

The Sisters, with love, guidance and non-judgment, revealed to these girls their true self-worth, something they learnt cannot be measured by the number of likes for a selfie or a prolific series of onenight stands.

The girls, who entered and left as non-believers, might not understand it, nor probably most viewers, but God was present in their transformation.

Bad Habits: Holy Orders was produced by atheists, but the programme documents the power of faith—an important message in a country where 53% of people are totally divorced from religion.

It also presents the vocation to the consecrated life positively. The Sisters are just as we Catholics know and love our Sisters: kind, practical, prayerful and radiant with God’s love. The six young women fell in love with the Sisters of Swaffam, and so surely did the viewers.

As I watched these four episodes (and a second season is to follow), I was thinking that there must be convents in South Africa looking for a new social purpose—and new streams of revenue to sustain them. Maybe Bad Habits: Holy Orders could provide a template for a programme whereby young people with troubled lives could be guided in their transformation in local convents.

Let’s just float this balloon…

8

The Southern Cross, December 6 to December 12, 2017

COMMUNITY The Men’s Prayer Group of St Martin de Porres parish in Bishop Lavis, Cape Town, went on a weekend retreat in Bergkroon, Wellington.

Parish priest Fr Jerome Aranes (back third from right) was among the keynote speakers. (Submitted by Martin Keith Julie)

Brescia House School in Johannesburg’s new leaders for 2018 are (from left) deputy-headgirl Nompumelelo Tshabalala, headgirl Mokgethi Mkalipe and deputy-headgirl Courtney Arthur.

Pupils at Sacred Heart College in Johannesburg made their First Communion.

The following learners celebrated: Tomas Correia, Felix Doherty, Jessica Dunu, Erin Gore, Luke Julian, Angelo Linda, Bibi Luhembe, Hlulani Maluleke, Rifumo Maluleke, Reatlegile Masuku, Dintle Malebo, Valentina Milani, Michelle Nkamankeng and Annabelle Teixeira.

A special Mass was held in the school chapel with family, teachers and friends.

Send your

photos to

pics@scross.co.za Comboni Father Robert Ndung’u, the new parish priest of St Augustine’s in Silverton, Pretoria, enrolled two altar servers into the Archconfraternity of the Guild of St Stephen for Altar Servers: Amy Goa (front left) and Khosi Madihlaba (front third from right). Pictured are (front from left) Amy, Mufaro Chikazunga, Fr Ndung’u, Khosi, Lesego Tshehla, and Panashe Garepi and (back from left) Tumi Pare, altar servers’ coordinator Professor Callum Scott and Munashe Chikazunga.

The men of St Anthony’s parish in Sedgefield, Oudtshoorn diocese, donned aprons and utensils to cook breakfast on skottels in the presbytery garden for parishioners after Sunday Mass in appreciation for all the help given during 2017. Pictured are Bernard, John, Chris, Dave J, Corrie, Martin, Tony and Roy. (Submitted by Yvonne Morgan-Smith)

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Catholic Women’s League members at St Peter Claver parish in Pimville, Soweto, celebrated the branch’s 25-year anniversary. (From left) Tshidi Mahasha, Elizabeth Maepa, Sophie Letsholo, Betty Africa, Elsie Mazazane, Nankie Radebe, Marjorie Phetoe, Margaret Hlobo, Patricia Mlambo and Mosotho Lushabe. (Photo: Sello Mokoka)

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PERSONALITY

The Southern Cross, December 6 to December 12, 2017

9

50 years a priest: A ‘blunt instrument’ thanks God One of South Africa’s most popular priests is celebrating 50 years of priesthood on December 8. ERIN CARELSE spoke to Fr Emil Blaser OP about his priestly life.

F

OR Dominican Father Emil Blaser, his golden jubilee of ordination this month is an occasion of thanksgiving and celebration, and for looking back with gratitude on the many moments which have touched him deeply in his half-century journey in the priesthood.

A Dominican friar with many years of experience in leadership and broadcasting, Fr Blaser has been presenting radio and television religious programmes since 1976. In 1995 he also presented a weekly Catholic TV programme on M-Net, titled Light of the Nations.

A former provincial of the Dominicans in South Africa, he served as associate secretary-general and media officer of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference in the 1990s.

It was while at the SACBC that he conceived Radio Veritas—and it was a long battle to get the station on air. It now broadcasts in Gauteng on 576AM as well as on DStv audio channel 870.

Fr Blaser, who still serves as station director, presents the Radio Veritas morning show.

He remembers being given the go-ahead by the bishops and the Dominican Order to establish Radio Veritas as one of his greatest moments.

“I have enjoyed and continue to enjoy every moment of this min-

istry,” Fr Blaser said.

“It has not been easy due to financial constraints, and these have made me a fundraiser. Over the years I have learned much about effective communication and fundraising and have met many wonderful and generous people.”.

ments of privilege. As provincial of the Dominicans, I visited many countries and met many great people. What a privilege it was to welcome new Brothers into the order— and sad to see some leave.

I have rejoiced in the achievements of our young Brothers.”

Moments of joy

A happy priesthood

Fr Blaser remembers how deeply moved he was when his mother Margherita was decorated with the highly prestigious papal award Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice. “I am still very proud of her,” Fr Blaser said of his mother who died in 2012 at the age of 108.

The priest is grateful for the many privileges he has had in his priesthood.

“In my years as a priest, I have been to many places in the Vatican which are not normally open to the public. What a joy it was to meet with Pope John Paul II on several occasions. What a privilege to celebrate Mass over the tomb of Pope John XXIII. I was privileged to celebrate Mass at several of our famous Marian shrines, and as a priest, I have preached at many retreats and been humbled to experience God’s working in so many people.”

Fr Blaser enjoyed leading pilgrimages, a number of which he did in tours hosted jointly by Radio Veritas and The Southern Cross. Health problems mean that he cannot travel any longer; the “Saints of Italy” pilgrimage in September 2015 was his last.

There were privileges in encounters, too.

“I shall never forget how humbled I felt hearing the confession of Archbishop Denis Hurley during a retreat. During my years as SACBC associate secretary-general, I met many prominent leaders; among them was Nelson Mandela.

“But these were fleeting mo-

Fr Blaser says he has enjoyed his life in the priesthood.

“I am truly happy that after 50 years I am just a simple priest still enjoying time behind the microphone and ministering to Sisters in the twilight of their lives. At 75 I am still productive although somewhat restricted due to my physical handicap of an inflammatory disorder of the peripheral nervous system”.

The condition has robbed him of feeling in his fingers and toes, making even walking difficult.

“But even this is a blessing in disguise,” Fr Blaser said, “because it is an opportunity to combine my suffering with that of Christ, and thus my suffering is redemptive.”

He added: “I wish I didn’t have this cross to carry.”

This time of his life has seen a deepening of spiritual life and prayer for Fr Blaser. “How I wish that some of the realisations I now have could’ve been with me years ago. But God understands and continues to be patient with me. I am humbled that despite my weaknesses and shortcomings, the Lord continues to use me in a powerful way,” the priest said.

Fr Blaser on the mic in the Radio Veritas studios and as a newly-ordained priest featured in The Southern Cross in December 1967.

‘Why me Lord?’

He loves his Dominican life and priesthood and says he knows that he was born for this and accepts this gift and vocation—but always with the question: “Why me, Lord?”

“That’s the mystery of our vocation. And I can only answer with the words of St Peter at the Transfiguration: ‘It is good to be here’,” Fr Blaser said.

“I pray that I will continue to have the strength and inspiration to continue doing what I have been doing for so many years.

“For these years I am truly grateful to God, who has been very patient with this blunt instrument, and to all those who have walked this road with me— my family, my Dominican brothers and sisters, and all those who have shared my ministry in the media.

“For their encouragement, especially in moments of darkness, I shall forever be grateful.”

He recounts fondly the

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Fr Emil Blaser OP celebrates Mass at the tomb of St John XXIII in St Peter’s basilica in 2015. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher) many that have walked the 50 years of priesthood with him, and as much as he would have loved them all to be at his golden jubilee, unfortunately, many were away and were unable to attend.

“There was a time in my life when I loved all the fuss and celebration, but I think I have grown through that to where I am today.

I look back with gratefulness to many moments which have touched me deeply,” he said.

Fr Blaser wasn’t going to have any celebration at all due to the expenses involved, but he will have a small celebration of his 50 years of priesthood on December 8 at the Johannesburg convent where he lives with retired Dominican sis-

ters, whom he regards as his immediate family and support.

“In these difficult economic times, we simply do not have money to spend on big celebrations. I’ve invited a handful of people to share this joyous occasion with me.”

Asked if he would do it all the same way again, Fr Blaser replied: “Certainly, without hesitation.”

But there would be tweaks. “I would, however, value the opportunity of doing studies in communication and being given the opportunity of studying languages in various countries. I love sound, music and languages. Much of what I know I have picked up along the way in life.”

10

The Southern Cross, December 6 to December 12, 2017

SA CHURCH 200

Why SA’s Catholic history matters The 200th anniversary of the Catholic Church establishing its presence in South Africa is a jubilee that must be celebrated. Martin Keenan, whose series of articles on the beginnings of the Church in our country will start next week, tells us why.

I

N the year leading up to the 200th anniversary of the Catholic Church being established in South Africa, we are running several articles on the history of the early Church.

Fr Anthony Egan SJ is giving the general overview of that history; four of his articles have already appeared.

Martin Keenan, a Catholic from Paarl in the Western Cape, has researched the history of the very early Church in South Africa in detail, and his series of articles will begin to run in The Southern Cross starting next week.

In this Q&A, Mr Keenan explains why the anniversary is so important to the whole Southern African Church.

We are in the run-up to the 200th anniversary of the Catholic Church being established in Southern Africa, with the celebrations culminating next June. What happened in June 1818?

On June 7, 1818, Pope Pius VII received in audience the secretary of Propaganda Fide and approved their decision to create a new vicariate, with the English Benedictine priest Edward Bede Slater as vicar-apostolic receiving the title and character of bishop. The pope also directed that the necessary documents, called “papal briefs�, be drawn up.

There are a few things to unpack here. Firstly, what is Propaganda Fide?

It is a department of the Roman curia which was established in 1622 by Pope Gregory XV to help him better carry out the divine mandate to go and make disciples of all nations (Mt 28:19).

It used to be known in English as the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith. Its current name is the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.

Briefly, what do we need to know about Pope Pius VII? Barnaba Chiaramonti (1742-1823) was an Italian Benedictine monk.

He was 58 when he was elected

Martin Keenan, who has researched the history of the early Catholic Church in South Africa, and especially Cape Town. In this interview he explains why the 200th anniversary of the Catholic Church’s presence in South Africa is so important. pope in 1800. He had a turbulent time with Napoleon Bonaparte who cajoled and bullied him, invaded Rome in 1809, took him prisoner, blocked papal administration until 1814, and forced him to dismiss his right-hand man, Cardinal Ercole Consalvi.

What is a vicariate, such as the one which Pope Pius VII set up in South Africa in 1818?

It is a territory under the pope’s immediate jurisdiction which he exercises both through his local representative—the vicar apostolic, who has the title of bishop— and his team of assistants in Rome, the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples.

In the Southern African pastoral region there is presently one vicariate, Ingwavuma in KwaZuluNatal. Francistown in Botswana was recently upgraded from a vicariate to a diocese.

What vicariate was created in 1818?

The papal brief, written in Latin, describes it as the vicariate apostolic “Promontorii Bonae Spei cum locis adjacentibus atque insula Madagascaria�, which means the vicariate apostolic of The Cape of Good Hope with surrounding regions and the Island of Madagascar. In 1829 Madagascar was separated from the Cape vicariate.

It is often said that this South African vicariate is the “Mother Church� of Australia. Is that correct?

The idea is appealing, but no. In April 1819, Pius VII approved the decision of Propaganda Fide to give Bishop Slater additional responsibility for the two British colonies in Australia, New Holland

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(now New South Wales) and van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania).

In 1834 Pope Gregory XVI appointed another bishop to take over Australia. In 1837 he entrusted the Cape to an Irishman, Bishop Griffith, leaving Bishop Slater’s successor, Bishop Morris, with Mauritius. So Australia was never part of the Cape vicariate.

Bishop Slater didn’t reside in Cape Town but went to live on Mauritius? Why was that?

In March 1819 Pius VII had previously agreed with Propaganda Fide to give Bishop Slater responsibility for the vicariate of Mauritius as well. There were far more Catholics in Mauritius than at the Cape.

The British government was also anxious not to cause ill-feeling among Anglicans at the Cape who had no bishop at that time.

So it made better sense for Bishop Slater to reside in Mauritius Did Bishop Slater ever visit South Africa?

On New Year’s Day 1820 he stopped at Cape Town on his way to Mauritius and spent three Sundays there.

He said Mass in Rondebosch, introduced to the governor Fr Patrick Scully—the Irish priest whom he would leave behind— and approved a committee of elected laymen to run the finances of the Catholic congregation.

Was Fr Scully the first priest to live in the Cape?

Three Dutch priests had come as missionaries in October 1805, but when the British recaptured the Cape in January 1806, they agreed to repatriate the Dutch garrison at Britain’s expense.

The three Dutch priests were all on the military roll as chaplains and were repatriated along with the garrison. That’s all we know.

So if there were priests in the Cape in 1805, why didn’t we celebrate the bicentenary in 2005?

There is no reason why we should not have done, but through force of circumstance the Dutch plan— directed and supervised by Propaganda Fide—broke down and no vicariate was created under the earlier plan.

The plan implemented in 1818 was a new start and has run without a break until today, although with administrative changes from time to time.

Why so long from the Dutch priests’ departure in 1806 to Fr Scully’s arrival?

It was hoped the British government might allow the Dutch priests to return, and pay them salaries as military chaplains as before. But Britain was fighting a worldwide war with France, and no request for government assis-

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South Africa’s first chapel specifically built for local Catholics stood in Cape Town’s Harrington Street from 1823 to 1837. The story of that chapel, and two that preceded it—including the first Catholic building of any kind on South African territory—will run in next week’s special issue of The Southern Cross. tance was made until 1817.

Also, from 1806 to 1814 Propaganda Fide was paralysed by French interference, and the pope was isolated from his advisers due to his exile.

Is there any Catholic history before 1805?

Yes. During the Portuguese voyages of discovery in the 15th century, navigators consecrated Southern Africa to God by naming natural features after events in salvation history, or after the Blessed Virgin Mary, or saints.

For example, Vasco da Gama, having sailed for many days out of sight of land, named the land sighted on Christmas day, 1498, Tierra de Natal (the land of the Nativity).

Under the colonial administration of the Dutch East India Company, or V.O.C., many Catholics lived at the Cape, although they were deprived of Holy Mass.

Without priests there are no sacraments, and without bishops there is no Church. The events of June 1818 launched the official presence of the Catholic Church in Southern Africa, even though at that time the vicar-apostolic didn’t actually take up residence here.

Before 1805, wasn’t Catholicism prohibited at the Cape?

Before 1805 there were Catholics but no resident priests and there were restrictions on what visiting priests could do, but they were never punished or forbidden to meet Catholics. There is no evidence Catholics were harassed or had to live in fear of being discovered.

There is only one case—in 1824 under the British—where we know a Catholic suffered financially for his faith, and that was because of a discriminatory law abolished in 1829.

Let’s turn back to Fr Scully, the first parish priest in South Africa, so to speak. What did he do in Cape Town?

From February 1820 Holy Mass was said on Sundays and Holy Days at 11am in a warehouse on the Buitenkant.

In April 1821 Fr Scully asked the Burgher Senate to give him land on which to build a church, parsonage and school. The parsonage and church, built mostly with bank loans, were both in use before he left for London in July 1824.

What is the darkest part of the early history?

In May 1832 the congregation in Cape Town split into two camps.

One faction wanted the priests excluded from all involvement in the congregation’s finances. There was a rowdy meeting in the chapel on Trinity Sunday and harsh words were spoken. It was a total breakdown in charity.

Those who didn’t get their way left the Church, although some were later reconciled.

How was that crisis resolved?

In June 1832 Fr Rishton, a successor of Fr Scully, approved new statutes for the churchwardens.

Minutes of their meetings down to December 1836 are still in the diocesan archives in Cape Town.

We can see it operated exactly like a modern parish finance council, presided over by the parish priest. They kept careful records of income and expenditure and informed the congregation about major developments.

Wasn’t the Catholic Church a “settler church� at the beginning?

No. From the first eye-witness account in 1685, Catholics in Southern Africa have been of all races, all classes and all conditions of life: black, white, rich, poor, slave, free.

Until 1838 when the last trace of legal slavery ended, the Church at the Cape was just like the early Church as we find her in the New Testament: universal.

How do we know about any of this history?

There are all sorts of original documents in archives in Europe and Cape Town, many of which have been published, including the Papal Briefs of 1818 and 1819.

Through the Internet, these are becoming more and more accessible.

For the rest it is necessary to visit the archives. All that work has been done, most of it in the years from 1908 to now.

What makes this history important?

Pope Pius VII brought Southern Africa within the jurisdiction of the Apostolic See; for that reason the Catholic Church here belongs to the Latin Rite.

Because he and his successors in the Chair of Peter have never ceased sending bishops here, it is not mere history but part of a link in a chain uniting us with the Apostles.

And so how should we celebrate the bicentenary?

On a practical level, the archdiocese of Cape Town has a busy programme, and, at the invitation of Archbishop Brislin, the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference has embraced the bicentennial jubilee and decided to mark it—because this is not just a local event but one that applies to all of Southern Africa.

But there is the spiritual dimension as well. We celebrate the life of the Catholic Church as she has grown over the last 200 years.

Because it is not just an anniversary but a time of grace, it is called a jubilee: a time for repentance, for making a firm purpose to amend our lives individually, and as a community, and for thanking our heavenly Father for the gifts with which he constantly blesses us. n The first of Martin Keenan’s articles, in search of SA’s first three chapels, will run next week.

CLASSIFIEDS Your prayer to cut out and collect

Liturgical Calendar Year B – Weekdays Cycle Year 2 Sunday December 10, 2nd Sunday of Advent Isaiah 40:1-5, 9-11, Psalms 85:9-14, 2 Peter 3:8-14, Mark 1:1-8 Monday December 11, St Damasus Isaiah 35:1-10, Psalms 85:9-14, Luke 5:17-26 Tuesday December 12, Our Lady of Guadalupe Isaiah 40:1-11, Psalms 96:1-3, 10-13, Matthew 18:12-14 Wednesday December 13, St Lucy Isaiah 40:25-31, Psalms 103:1-4, 8, 10, Matthew 11:28-30 Thursday December 14, St John of the Cross Isaiah 41:13-20, Psalms 145:1, 9-13, Matthew 11:11-15 Friday December 15 Isaiah 48:17-19, Psalms 1:1-4, 6, Matthew 11:16-19 Saturday December 16 St John of the Cross Sirach 48:1-4, 9-11, Psalms 80:2-3, 15-16, 18-19, Matthew 17:10-13 Sunday December 17, 3rd Sunday of Advent Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11, Responsorial psalms Luke 1:46-50, 53-54, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28

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Continued from page 7 than in non-fiction books. Alexie relishes in the sad irony that the only voice his over-domineering mother has now is what remains in her children’s memories, which in some perverse sense is actually a final triumph over her.

From there he brilliantly goes into the psychological forests of how the abused tend to become the abuser, a chain he is determined to break in his own branch of the family.

You Don’t Have To Say You Love Me is a book of harsh realities and wisdom learned from the ultimate strains of life.

Those who can’t take much of harsh reality may not be able to stomach it. But there’s something about death that makes us urgently weary of pretences, vanities and games of egoistical self-deception.

For those who have reached that stage, it is a marvellous book of quintessential stoicism.

And who is to say that many of us haven’t reached that stage at the end of this tortuous year?

May we live in uninteresting times in the coming years.

GAERTNER—Maria Margherita (Vidmar). DOB 18/11/1933. Passed away peacefully 18/11/2017. Lovingly remembered by her children Monika, Ingrid, Erwin and Richard, her inlaws Janet and Brian Gaybba, her grandchildren Jenny, Richard, Natalie, Peter, Bianca and Hannah, and her great-grandchildren Luke, Joshua and Lily, plus 16 nieces and nephews.

RIP.

IN MEMORIAM

BRUYNS—Noel. Noel left us on December 6, 2004.

Still fondly remembered by his colleagues at The Southern Cross.

MAHER—Herbert and Cicily Myrtle. Herbert died 6/12/2002 and Cicely Myrtle died 11/12/2006. Dearly beloved parents of Joan, the late Michael, James and Sharon. Rest in peace.

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Youth Day all ready to start Bishop Frank Nubuasah (seated) receives the applause from papal nuncio Archbishop Peter Wells and Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria as his newly-erected diocese of Francistown in Botswana celebrated its inaugural Mass at Mater Spei College. More than 3 000 Catholics were present. Pope Francis raised the apostolic vicariate of Francistown, which Bishop Nubuasah has headed since 1998, to the status of diocese in October. The diocese’s patron is St Francis of Assisi.

Pope: Don’t drive and text

BY CAROL GLATZ

P

UTTING the brakes on dangerous and distracted driving, Pope Francis has criticised using cellphones when at the wheel and treating roads like racetracks.

While praising the work and sacrifice of traffic officers, he also cautioned them against turning the just use of force into brutality.

“Wisdom and self-control are needed, especially when the police officer is viewed with mistrust or seen almost as an enemy, instead of as a guardian of the common good,” he said.

The pope made his remarks in a speech to staff and managers of the central administration of the Italian traffic and transport police.

With so many people depending on increased mobility, the pope said traffic officers have a lot to do, especially when driving and commuting has become “increasingly complex and unruly”.

Not only do roads and safety measures lack needed improvements and investments, officers must deal with the “poor sense of responsibility by many drivers, who often seem not to realise the serious consequences of being distracted—for example, with the improper use of cellphones—or being reckless”, Pope Francis said.

He said these behaviours are caused by people being in too much of a hurry or competitive, which turns “other drivers into hurdles or adversaries to overtake, transforming roads into ‘Formula One’ racetracks and traffic lights into the starting line for a grand prize”.

Increased fines will not be enough, he said.

Education and a greater awareness of responsibility and a civic duty towards one’s fellow travellers are needed.

While often they are not appreciated enough, traffic officers are “on the front lines” in fighting that which harms others, creates chaos and feeds unlawfulness that hinders progress and happiness, the pope said.–CNS

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

BY ERIN CARELSE

A

LL logistics are in place and final numbers for Mini World Youth Day (MWYD) have been confirmed—and the organisers are ready and excited for the event in Durban from December 6-10.

Final registrations for MWYD officially closed on November 20, seeing the total number of pilgrims registered at 3 669, said Fr Mthembeni Dlamini CMM, national chaplain for youth and young adults ministry.

The spirit at the final preparation meeting for MWYD in late November was very good, Fr Dlamini told The Southern Cross.

“We are very happy with the number of youth that will be attending, and we’ve done everything possible to ensure that MWYD will be a resounding success that the young people will enjoy.”

Official deadlines had been shifted to allow for later registrations.

The archdiocese of Johannesburg is bringing the biggest number of participants— even more than the hosting archdiocese of Durban.

Young people from all walks of life, representing different cultures, different languages and different geographical locations will come together in Durban to deepen their faith and be encouraged to become more active, thoughtful, engaging and caring global citizens.

The five-day event will include community engagement; prayerful activities; discussion groups and pilgrimages; and opportunities for young people to have unprecedented access to their bishops through interaction in catechetical sessions.

The catechetical sessions will be taking place over two days of the programme. On Thursday, December 7 they will be looking at the faith of young people; the sessions on

The

Saturday, December 9 will be dedicated to the vocations of young people, helping them to recognise and respond to the voice of God calling them to different ministries and ways of life.

The catechetical sessions will start with morning prayer, followed by an hour’s lesson and an hour for sharing, questions, and answers, ending with praise and worship.

The sessions will be led by Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha, Bishop Edward Risi of Keimoes-Upington, and Bishop Vincent Zungu of Port Elizabeth.

Messages from Pope Francis will be conveyed by Archbishop Peter Wells, the apostolic nuncio to Southern Africa, and Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban, who recently met with the pope and told him about the preparations for MWYD. MWYD will be preceded by the “Days in the Parish”, from December 3-5 in the dioceses of Eshowe and Mariannhill. This is a separate activity which the young people could choose to participate in.

The hosting parishes and parishioners have shown a great response and are excited to host the youth, Fr Dlamini said.

Part of the MWYD activities will be a Youth Cultural Festival that is planned for the evening of December 7. Some 33 religious societies and vocation stands are confirmed to be taking part in a vocations fair.

Other activities include a night vigil, the formation of a “human rosary”, Stations of the Cross, the sacrament of reconciliation, and a “Catholics Have Talent” show. Mass will be celebrated daily.

An SACBC communiqué said the bishops hope that a successful MWYD may pave the way for the future hosting of World Youth Day in South Africa.

More at www.miniworldyouthday.co.za

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was done to me, and You who are in all instances in my life. I want to Thank You for everything and confirm with you once more I never want to be separated from You no matter how great the material desire may be. I want to be with you and my loved ones in your perpetual Glory. Amen. Make request MNF.

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Advent Prayer for Light Son of God, You are the light of the world.

This Advent shine your light on all our choices this day.

Create in us the ability to let your light shine forth for others.

We ask this in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

Amen.

The Southern Cross, December 6 to December 12, 2017

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IT’S WORTH IT!

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

Luke 11:1-13

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the

3rd Sunday of Advent: December 17 Readings: Isaiah 61:1-2, 10-11, Luke 1:4650, 53-53, 1 Thessalonians 5:16-24, John 1:6-8, 19-28

N

EXT Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent, when traditionally you are permitted (even encouraged) to mitigate your fasting; and so joy is the keynote of the readings for the day.

The first reading is from that passage that Jesus used in his first sermon in Nazareth, about “good news to the poor, healing to the broken-hearted …to heal the broken-hearted …to comfort all those who mourn”.

And the singer is quite serious about it: “I shall rejoice mightily in the Lord, my spirit rejoices in my God, for he has clothed me with garments of salvation.” And he uses a spectacular image to capture this sense of joy: “like a bridegroom…like a bride”, and then paints a picture of “the earth making its plants spring up, like a garden pushing up its growth in the sight of the Gentiles”.

Then the responsorial psalm for next Sunday, from Luke, is a part of Mary’s lovely song, “The Magnificat”, which echoes many of these themes of joy: “My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Saviour”, and her sudden realisation that

S outher n C ross

“from now on, all generations are going to congratulate me, because the Powerful One has done great things for me”, and she sums it up with “[God] has helped his servant Israel, to remember the Mercy.” There is immense joy here.

The second reading is taken from the very earliest of our New Testament documents, the First Letter to the Thessalonians: “Rejoice all the time, pray without ceasing; give thanks in everything.” There is an immense lift here, but also (of course) a certain warning: “Don’t quench the Spirit, don’t despise prophecies… steer clear of every kind of evil.”

And it concludes with a good deal of confidence: “The one who is calling you is to be trusted—he is going to do it.” There is much room for joy here.

The Gospel is perhaps not quite so well equipped with joy. It is two parts of the first chapter of John’s gospel, which we shall be hearing a good deal in the days ahead.

We should notice, however, what it is trying to do, and that there is joy here. For what

the evangelist is doing is aiming to make sure that we are focusing on the person of Jesus.

And the Gospel achieves this through the figure of John the Baptist (though he is not precisely identified as such): “There came to be a man, who had been sent from God—his name, John.”

We are supposed to know that this is the Baptist; but, more important, we are to realise that this one is pointing away from himself towards Another: “This one came for witness, in order to bear witness about the light, in order that all might come to faith through him.” However we have to be absolutely clear about who’s who: “That one was not the Light—but his purpose was to bear witness to the Light.”

Then we proceed to meet the Baptist once more, being interrogated by the religious authorities (“priests and Levites”).

“Who are you?” they ask. And we dimly realise that this is an important question, because the Messiah might be coming just about now, and so the evangelist makes sure

Why lies are blasphemy I

that, among all sins, failure to acknowledge the truth is far and away the most dangerous. We see this motif particularly in the text that warns us that we can commit a sin that’s unforgiveable because it’s a blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.

What’s this sin? Why is it unforgiveable? And what has it got to do with telling lies?

The unforgiveable sin is precisely the sin of lying which can become unforgivable because of what lying can do to us.

H

ere’s how the biblical text unfolds: Jesus has just cast out a demon. Part of the Jewish faith at that time was the belief that only someone who came from God had power to cast out a demon. Jesus had done that, but the Scribes and Pharisees who have just witnessed this found it to be an inconvenient truth since they denied Jesus’ goodness.

So in the face of truth they had to either acknowledge something that they did not want to, or they had to manipulate the truth to give it a different meaning. They chose the latter and, clearly aware that they were manipulating the truth, accused Jesus of performing the miracle through the power of Satan. They knew better, knew they were lying, but the actual truth was too difficult to accept.

Jesus initially tries to argue with them, pointing out that there’s no logic in suggesting that Satan is casting out demons.

Conrad

T can be quite disheartening to watch the news these days. Our world is full of hatred, bigotry, racism, and over-stimulated greed and ego. The gap between the rich and poor is widening, and random, senseless violence is an everyday occurrence.

One lives with hope, but without much optimism.

Among all of this, perhaps the most distressing thing of all is the erosion of our capacity to recognise and acknowledge the truth.

From the highest government offices, to the major media outlets, to our local newspapers, to the thousands of bloggers, down to our dinner tables—we are becoming irresponsible, manipulative, and outright dishonest with the truth, denying it where it’s inconvenient, bending it to suit our own purposes, or labelling it as “fake news”, “an alternative fact”, “misinformation”, “a truth that’s no longer operative”, or as “political correctness” with no truth value.

Studies from major scientific institutes are dismissed as just another opinion with the result that we are creating an entire society within which it’s becoming more and more difficult for any of us to trust what’s a fact and what isn’t.

That’s dangerous territory, not just politically but especially spiritually.

Scripture tells us that “Satan is the Prince of Lies” and Jesus makes it clear

Nicholas King SJ

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Sunday Reflections

that we hear the strength of John’s denial: “He confessed; and he did not deny; and he confessed: ‘I am not the Messiah’.”

So they try certain other hats on him: “So what? Are you Elijah?...The Prophet?” And none of them works, but as we rejoice at John’s sterling ability to cope with the interrogation, they demand a bit more, “so that we can give an answer to those who sent us”: “What do you say about yourself?”

To that, the only answer that he can give is that of Isaiah of Babylon: “I am the voice of one crying in the desert: make straight the way of the Lord.”

But that is still not quite enough, and they want to know “Why are you baptising?” John gives a powerful, possibly joyful, answer: “I am baptising with water. In the middle of you there stands One whom you do not know, The One Coming After me.”

We should rejoice if we grasp whom he is talking about.

Southern Crossword #788

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

They persist, and it’s then Jesus utters his warning: “In truth I tell you, all human sins will be forgiven, and all the blasphemies ever uttered, but anyone who blasphemes against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven, but is guilty of an eternal sin” (Mark 3:28-29; parallel text in Matthew 12:31-32). What exactly is this warning?

Jesus is saying this: Be careful about what you are doing just now, putting a false spin on something because it is too awkward to accept as true. The danger is that if you continue doing this you may eventually come to believe your own lie.

That will be unforgivable, given that you will no longer want to be forgiven because you will see truth as a lie and a lie as the truth. The sin cannot be forgiven, not because God doesn’t want to forgive it but because we no longer want to be forgiven.

Dictionaries tell us that blasphemy is the act of insulting or showing contempt or lack of reverence for God. We don’t blaspheme when we use foul language when we’re frustrated; nor do we blaspheme when we shake our fists at God in anger or turn away from him in bitterness. God can handle that.

The one thing God cannot handle is lying, where we lie to the point of believing our own lies (the real danger in lying) because that eventually warps our consciences so that we can no longer tell truth from falsehood or falsehood from truth.

Theology teaches us that God is One; this means that God’s inner integrity assures that all of reality also has an inner integrity, an intelligibility, meaning that something cannot be and not be at the same time; meaning that two plus two cannot equal anything but four; meaning that a tree is always a tree no matter what you say it is; and meaning that black can never be white.

God’s Oneness allows us to both trust reality and trust our normal perception of it.

That’s what’s under attack today, almost everywhere. It’s the ultimate moral danger: God is One and so two plus two can never be five—and if it is, then we are no longer in touch with God or with reality, are warped in conscience, and are blaspheming the Holy Spirit.

ACROSS

4. The bishop of Rome (7) 8. All I be is legally responsible (6) 9. Gift-bearing sages (4,3) 10. Uneasy feeling Eve had on seeing the serpent (6) 11. Wickedly (6) 12. St Charles sweeps with ore broom (8) 18. Legally forbidden (8) 20. One who carries the cross (6) 21. Hedgehog’s pens? (6) 22. The man praying in the minaret (7) 23. Secure way to save (6) 24. Massacre of the Holy Innocents (7)

DOWN

1. Cop able for medicine for the mind (7) 2. Moves swiftly to occupations (6) 3. City in Syria (6) 5. It’s used to anoint you and your food (5,3) 6. Lithe sister holds a dissertation (6) 7. How to do it voluntarily (5) 13. To thee we send up our sighs, ... and weeping (prayer) (8) 14. Cause pain at cliff (7) 15. Title of one awaiting sainthood (7) 16. Amused about petrifying Greek goddess (6) 17. Turned into ice (6) 19. Bade us to be cruelly Solutions on page 11 treated (6)

F

CHURCH CHUCKLE

ATHER Murphy walked into a pub and said to the first man he met: “Do you want to go to heaven?”

The man replied: “I do, Father.”

The priest said: “Then stand over there against the wall.”

Then the priest asked a second man: “Do you want to go to heaven?”

“Certainly, Father,” was the man’s reply.

The priest said: “Then stand over there against the wall.”

Then Fr Murphy walked up to O’Toole and said: “Do you want to go to heaven?”

O’Toole said: “No, I don’t, Father.”

The priest said: “I don’t believe this. You mean to tell me that when you die you don’t want to go to heaven?”

O’Toole said: “Oh, when I die, yes. I thought you were getting a group together to go right now.”

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