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September 5 to September 11, 2018

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Pope starts Dublin Mass with penitential plea

Priest’s long journey in a wheelchair

Catholics who did the devil’s work

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Fr Mallon SJ: Just get your parish to pray by chriSten torreS

ATHER James Mallon, a Canadian priest from Nova Scotia and author of the bestselling book Divine Renovation: From A Maintenance To A Missional Parish, toured South Africa delivering a series of talks on parish renewal and health. He spoke to Jesuit Father Russell Pollitt, director of the Jesuit Institute about his experience of parishes in South Africa. “Even though our cultural context is very different, and some things need to be contextualised, the underlying issues are the same.” One of the key elements of Fr Mallon’s talks is parish health. It starts with the way a parish thinks of itself. “In terms of the key ingredients that make a parish healthy, it is really as simple as bearing a healthy fruit. If you think of a tree, there is nothing wrong with the plant, as there is nothing wrong with God’s word. So some people have an image of a miserly God who is reluctant to pour out the grace of renewal for the Church, therefore we have to pray [for regeneration of people],”said Fr Mallon. “I think the Lord is asking the same question he has always been asking which is ‘who will I send?’”. “I think the Lord has buckets of grace and is asking ‘Where is there even an opening?’ and he is looking for people to say, here I am Lord, send me. I am willing to do something.” Fr Mallon says he always insists on parish priests and lay leaders being present together at his talks. “What happens when I only speak to priests by themselves, and I don’t only just speak to priests for this reason anymore, is that they are very excited about what they hear but when they go to their parishes and open the door, they get buried in all the work that they have to do in their parishes. “If a priest has lay leaders with him, they can say to each other, ‘Lets hold each other accountable, we are going to do something about this.’ Mutual accountability. And that is

(From Left) Loreto Sisters Monica Shanley, Marie brady and rosaleen o’Kane enjoying one of their last dinners in South Africa. the Sisters will be leaving Strand in cape town, where they have devoted 93 years of service to the church since 1925. they return to ireland this month.

Western Cape’s Loreto Sisters bid sad farewell to South Africa Fr James Mallon, who has been highly praised for his work regarding parish renewal and new evangelisation, toured South Africa giving talks on parish health and conversion. the beginning of a whole new model of leadership. Not just a priest but a whole team leading because you’ve got that accountability built in.” Fr Mallon said he has seen parishes change through the transformation of the parishioners themselves. They are now asking things like, “What would happen if our parish was actually living its full potential?” Fr Mallon details the three distinctive elements of Divine Renovation. Firstly, ‘Divine Evangelisation’, “making that primary in all aspects of pastoral ministry in the parish. A lot of people say that it is (already) primary but if you look closely, you see that it is not”. “The second element is the ‘Best of Leadership’. A lot can be said about that,” explains Fr Mallon. “The third element is the ‘Experience of the Powerful Holy Spirit’. If you begin to lean into these principles it will make a difference.” Fr Mallon proposes a basic way for parishes to reach this potential: “Get people praying, all your prayer teams and prayer ministries. Get them praying. Just start praying.”

by chriSten torreS

TRAND’S St Peter’s parish is bidding farewell to three of the last four Loreto Sisters in the Western Cape. Srs Monica Shanley, Rosaleen O’Kane and Marie Brady will be returning home to Ireland this month, and only Sr Jacinta Bannon, who lives in Somerset West, will remain. The Loreto Sisters first came to South Africa in 1878, opening a school in Pretoria that year. The Loreto school in Strand opened in 1925, with three pupils, and continues today. Sr Shanley said the Loreto Sisters were founded, by English nun Mary Ward in 1609, with the specific intention of educating girls. “Girls were sidelined by society, particularly in regard to education,” she explained. “Mary saw this, and the belief that women’s only place was in the home. She knew education was very important to girls, in society and within the family too,’’ she added. More recently, the Sisters have focused on aspects of adult education: teaching evening classes, training catechists, working in the prison ministry, offering retreats, and raising awareness of human trafficking. The Loreto Sisters are well-known for their work educating disadvantaged adults during the apartheid era. The local Loreto Old Girls’ Association, upon hearing about the nuns’ departure,

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helped organise a celebratory farewell. Maureen Fernandes, an Old Girls’ representative, explained thanking the Sisters for their work. “I think it is so important to talk about how wonderful they have been, and all they have given over many years,” she said. Vanessa Oertle, principal of Loreto Primary School in Strand, headed the organising of the farewell Mass and tea at the school. “They have been here for 93 years, and brought their founders’ values with them,” she said. “With these values, the school continues to flourish, based on Loreto teaching.’’ The Sisters expressed their sorrow at leaving South Africa, and “wonderful” friends. “It will be sad to have a permanent break, because at our ages we won’t be returning,” they said. “It’s been a wonderful country, and we have received so much from it.” However, the Sisters did acknowledge what going home to Ireland meant for them, “We will be reuniting with Loreto communities in Ireland and family members. We did go home every two or three years, but it will be wonderful to reconnect with them frequently.’’ Loreto communities will live on in Southern Africa in Pretoria, Lukulu, Zambia, and newly in Lusaka. Sr Marian Moriarty of Loreto in Pretoria concluded: “This is the pattern of our lives… endings and new beginnings.”

the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

LOCAL

Will 2019 election be organised and fair? by chriSten torreS

HE Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office hosted a roundtable discussion on whether the nation will be ready for the 2019 general election. The three speakers were deputychief outreach officer at the Electoral Commission Dr Nomsa Masuku; head of African Futures and Innovation Dr Jakkie Cilliers; and national coordinator of nonprofit My Vote Counts, Janine Ogle. Statistics show that only 75% of those eligible to vote are actually registered to vote. “There is a link between politicians and voting,” explained Dr Masuku. “When people are disillusioned by leaders and politics, they take it out on voting stations. People say, ‘You are telling me to come out and vote, but I don’t see what voting is doing for me,’’’ she said. According to studies, a large portion of the youth fall into the “missing 25%” bracket. However, unlike in other countries, it is not because the youth are not interested in politics. “The youth in South Africa are strongly engaged in politics,” said Dr Masuku, “they are just not engaged with voting registration.” A key focus was the importance

(From left) Dr Jakkie cilliers, Fr Peter-John Pearson, Dr nomsa Masuku and Janine ogle at a roundtable conference hosted by the catholic Parliamentary Liaison office on how prepared the nation is for the 2019 general election. Fr Pearson is the cPLo director. of the Electoral Commission (IEC), the independent body responsible for South Africa’s election management. Milestones for the IEC include the deadline for registered voting in February 2019; candidate nominations in March-April 2019; and the election itself in May-August 2019.

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Dr Masuku noted that the IEC welcomes questions regarding all election processes. “If you mishandle elections, you can cause a war tomorrow. That is why the IEC deserves a little more scrutiny,’’ she said. “However, accusations that are not backed up by facts can be harmful as they cast

doubt on the IEC,’’ Dr Masuku warned. She stressed that critiques and questions from the public, backed up with facts, were a must, especially in regard to guaranteeing the integrity of the elections. “Scrutiny of the IEC can never be enough. The IEC is in charge of your future,” Dr Masuku said. Dr Cilliers detailed the positive and negative elements of the upcoming election. Positives, he said, included the facts that the 2016 local government elections were more prone to violence than the 2019 national/provincial elections are; Zuma is no longer in power; the country has the promise of a more coherent and effective government. Dr Cilliers nevertheless highlighted a number of concerns. Will non-voting ANC supporters in urban areas come out and vote for President Cyril Ramaphosa? Will the DA regain its 2017 momentum or will it falter? And will the EFF adopt a new policy or will it continue exploiting the seizure of land? Dr Cilliers predicted that the national battle will largely hang on Gauteng province. “And therefore I think the future of South Africa will largely depend

on the future of Gauteng,’’ he noted. Ms Ogle urged the public to read the public protector’s report. She also said it was very disturbing that private funding of election campaigns is still unregulated, with no law to compel political parties to disclose the names of persons or organisations that donate. This means the public is not informed about where political parties get a large share of their money from and how they spend it. Last year My Vote Counts successfully applied to the Constitutional Court to have the Protection and Access to Information Act revised to force political parties to declare their donors. This year the court ordered parliament either to review the Act or pass new legislation to compel parties to declare who their donors are. Civil society groups, such as My Vote Counts, fear Ramaphosa is being pressured not to sign the Political Party Funding Bill until after the 2019 election, and are lobbying for the president to sign the Bill this year. “If passed, the 2019 general election will mark the first time South Africans go to the ballot knowing who is providing financial backing to the parties,” Ms Ogle said.

Retired SA bishop tells Irish vocations conference of key lay pastoral leaders by SArAh MAcDonALD

FORMER South African bishop shared his experiences of the country with an international conference on vocations held in Ireland. Retired Bishop Michael Wüstenberg of Aliwal North addressed 150 delegates at the two-day conference, titled “The Future of the Irish Parish: Lessons from Abroad”. The conference was organised by the Irish Institute for Pastoral Studies at Mary Immaculate College’s campus in Thurles to address the sharp decline in vocations in Ireland. Bishop Wüstenberg spoke on the theme “Lessons from South Africa: The Parish as a Community of Communities”. He described the priest-dependent model as the one “provided for the Church” and said that in this passive model, the priest does everything. The model of a community of communities in South Africa has fostered Small Christian Communities that gather weekly around the Bible and then come together on Sunday to celebrate a Liturgy of the Word. The gatherings are often led by lay leaders because priests visit for Mass once a month, the bishop said.

When German-born Bishop Wüstenberg arrived in 1992 in the rural Eastern Cape diocese, there were 16 priests for 42 300 Catholics and large distances separated parishes. By the time he retired in 2017, the number of priests had dropped to nine. But one major change was that all of the priests were African while all of the European missionaries had retired. The promotion of lay leaders was necessary because of “the lack of priests”, Bishop Wüstenberg told Catholic News Service. The move was prompted by the Second Vatican Council and its call to more broadly involve laypeople in the life of the Church, and an internal discussion about the role of the people of God as well as the Church’s role in South Africa under apartheid. Unlike in other regions where lay pastoral leaders have paid positions, the leadership roles in the Aliwal North diocese are voluntary. Ongoing training happens “on the job”, with priests helping with training where possible, the bishop said. “Enthusiasm is essential. A tired guy won’t move anything with anybody. But a spirit of holy daring is also essential,” he said.–CNS

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retired bishop Michael Wüstenberg of Aliwal north told a conference on the future of parishes in ireland that promotion of lay leaders was necessary in the diocese because of a lack of priests. (Photo: Sarah MacDonald/cnS)

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the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

LOCAL

Advancing and protecting young people in digital age by chriSten torreS

SEMINAR to equip young learners for the digital world is being presented by the Jesuit Institute of South Africa and the Catholic Institute of Education this month. Web Rangers, one of the participants, stresses the importance of digital and media literacy skills for young people, both for advancement and protection. “They can then develop their own capabilities and contribute to the development of South Africa, and will also be able to protect themselves from risk and potential harm, including cyber-bullying and inappropriate sexual conduct online.’’ Web Rangers, an initiative led by Media Monitoring Africa, began in 2016, and aims to improve young people’s digital literacy. The seminar’s speakers include: • Emilar Gandhi, Facebook’s public policy manager for the Southern African Development Community region • Fortune Mgwili Sibanda, public policy manager at Google South Africa • Professor Tanya Robinson, CEO of sustainable development con-

sultant Tacmin Rafiki, has been in forensic private practice for the past 20 years • Fr Hugh Lagan, clinical psychologist with graduate studies in counselling and clinical psychology • Professor Justine Limpitlaw, independent communications law consultant • Anthony Egbers, director of technology at Dainfern College • Zaheerah Pochee, facilitator at iSchoolAfrica, an education technology initiative • Tinka Labuschagne, writer of the Gauteng Department of Education guidelines on suspected and confirmed cases of child abuse • Phakamile Khumalo, who has an honours in development studies and a post-graduate certificate from the Thabo Mbeki African Leadership Institute MTN and the Film and Publication Board are also involved with the seminar. The Digital Pathfinding Seminar runs from September 13-14 at the Sierra Hotel in Randburg, Johannesburg, and costs R1 500 per person. n For more information visit www. cie.org.co.za or contact Kelsay at 011 433 188 or kelsay@cie.org.za

SACBC Aids Office’s housebuilding project offers hope by chriSten torreS

ANY families affected by HIV/Aids living in dire conditions now have the chance of a home of their own—thanks to the Aids Office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). The Aids Office, over the past ten years, has launched a number of programmes to directly address the crisis, including a recent housebuilding project. This is aimed specifically at lower-income people who have long been awaiting housing promised by the government. An Aids Office report detailing the house-building project notes: “When people see the realities in which some of the poor live, or even just pictures, they are horrified that such conditions exist, and so it is heartening to be able to make some improvement, however small. “Usually, there is an average of about five people, children and adults, living in a house. Sometimes the numbers are far higher,’’ the report stated. Explaining the context of the urgent need for housing, the report further noted: “One may need a reminder that although South Africa is a middle-income country, it has huge disparities between rich and poor, evidenced in both rural and urban areas.”

the bishops’ Aids office now has a house-building project for lower-income families dealing with the effects of hiV/Aids. Many people from rural areas migrate to the cities in search of job opportunities not available to them in the countryside, adding to the housing pressure in urban areas. Regarding the wider reaction to HIV/Aids, Catholic groups and individuals have stepped up to help too. The Aids Office website states that “the response at a diocesan level was overwhelming as parishes, religious congregations and retired nurses and professionals offered care and support’’ to those suffering from the effects of the HIV/Aids epidemic. The report says that “because the beneficiaries are identified by people working at diocesan level in con-

junction with local communities, it is true to say that beneficiaries are part of the Church’s network”. “Some have already received other services provided locally by the Church, such as support to keep children in school, or food parcels, or assistance with accessing government social grants. This means that there is some form of ongoing support available.’’ In addition, communities have also begun food gardens which provide different forms of skills training, in an effort to make beneficiaries more independent. Some of the skills taught are sewing, baking, and developing computer literacy.

Mariannhill priest releases tenth gospel album

Fr Lawrence Mota of Mariannhill has released his tenth gospel album, tackling problematic social issues in our society. (Photo: Mauricio Langa)

by MAuricio LAnGA

AR from celebrities and buzzing city life, Mariannhill Father Lawrence Mota composes music in his humble, secluded room at Mariannhill monastery in KwaZulu-Natal. The view overlooking the monastery’s iconic arched gate and the grotto of Our Lady is ideal for crafting musical sounds that have inspired and capti-

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vated many. Fr Mota debuted with his gospel album Sisize Baba in 2010, and the newly released nine-track gospel album Udumo KuNkulunkulu is his tenth. He has always worked with other musicians, and on this latest release has featured two of his confreres, Frs Sibusiso Mkhize and Siyabonga Mbeje. Fr Mota, who is also the superior of Mariannhill monastery,

says the album is a tool to highlight the problematic social issues that are deep-rooted in our communities, such as alcohol and drug abuse, and violence against women and children. He says these difficult situations are faced by many, often the most vulnerable in society, and this encourages him to challenge those in leadership to address them. Fr Mota says when battling such situations,

people find it difficult to praise and glorify God. He says all members of communities have the responsibility to fight crime, corruption and violence. “That is why this new album is a call based on human values and the spirit of ubuntu”, Fr Mota concluded. n Udumo KuNkulunkulu (R60) can be bought at the Mariannhill monastery repository. Phone 031 700 1031.

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the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

INTERNATIONAL

Pope begins Mass in Dublin with penitential plea by cinDy WooDen

S children’s shoes and toys are seen on a pavement in Dublin as part of a demonstration against clerical sex abuse. Pope Francis met privately for an hour and half with eight irish survivors of clerical, religious and institutional abuse. (Photo: clodagh Kilcoyne, reuters/cnS)

Pope meets Irish abuse victims P OPE Francis spent 90 minutes meeting privately with eight survivors of sexual, physical and emotional abuse at the hands of Catholic clergy or in Catholic-run schools and institutions. The meeting took place at the Vatican nunciature in Dublin, the first day of Pope Francis’ two-day visit to Ireland. Afterwards, two of the survivors published a statement describing the meeting. They said, “Pope Francis condemned corruption and coverups within the Church as ‘caca’—literally the filth as one sees in a toilet, his translator clarified.” The Vatican named seven of the survivors who met with the pope and said the eighth asked to remain anonymous. Those named were: Marie Collins, a former member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors; Fr Patrick McCafferty, who was abused in a seminary; Fr Joe McDonald; Damian O’Farrell; Paul Jude Redmond; Clodagh Malone; and Bernadette Fahy. The sexual and physical abuse of children and vulnerable adults by clergy and religious occurred on an unprecedented scale in Ireland, leaving thousands of victims in its wake and toppling the authority and the

social and political influence of the Catholic Church in Ireland. Redmond and Malone, two of the survivors who met the pope, issued a statement afterwards through their Coalition of Mother and Baby Home Survivors. According to the statement, “Malone, who was born in St Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home in Dublin, asked the pope to clearly state that the natural mothers who lost their babies to adoption had done nothing wrong and to call for reconciliation and reunion for these families broken by the Catholic Church both in Ireland and around the world.” Redmond, who was born in Castlepollard Mother and Baby Home, the statement said, asked Pope Francis to call on the religious orders that ran the homes “to accept their responsibilities for the horror that went on for generations in the homes”. Evidence suggests that the babies of many of the unwed mothers who gave birth to their children in the Catholic-run homes were placed for adoption without the consent of the mothers. “The pope did apologise to all of us for what happened in the homes,” their statement said.—CNS

OUTHERN Cross pilgrims and South African clergy shared in the joy of the papal Mass held in Dublin, Ireland. Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria, Bishop Zolile Peter Mpambani of Kokstad, Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp and Bishop Michael Wüstenberg, retired of Aliwal North, attended the closing Mass for the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin. Before celebrating Mass, Pope Francis solemnly asked forgiveness for the thousands of cases of sexual and physical abuse perpetrated by Catholics in Ireland. “We ask forgiveness for the abuse in Ireland, abuse of power and of conscience, sexual abuse” by clergy and religious, he said. “In a special way, we ask forgiveness for all the abuse committed in the different institutions run by religious men and religious women and other members of the Church.” In a litany of recognition and prayers for the Lord's mercy, Pope Francis formally asked forgiveness for the forced labour that even children were forced to perform in Church institutions. And, responding to a request made by two survivors he had met, the pope asked forgiveness for all the babies taken from their unwed mothers and put up for adoption without their mothers’ consent. The mothers were told later it would be a “mortal sin” for them to try to find the children, but the pope said explicitly: “It is not a mortal sin. It is the Fourth Commandment,” which states, “Honour your father and your mother.” “We apologise for some members of the hierarchy who did not own up to these painful situations and remained silent,” he said. “We ask for forgiveness.” The pope's penitential plea followed the introductory remarks of Archbishop Diarmuid Martin of Dublin, who told the pope, “The Church in Ireland has gone through challenging times. People have been wounded in the depth of their being

Pope Francis celebrates the closing Mass for the World Meeting of Families at Phoenix Park in Dublin. (Photo: Paul haring/cnS) by Church people; people's faith has been challenged and the Church of Jesus Christ has been wounded.” The Mass was the official closing of the World Meeting of Families, and Pope Francis used his homily to urge families from around the world to harness their joy and use it to transform the world into a place where all people feel loved, welcomed and supported in their commitments to each other.

he previous day Pope Francis visited the Marian shrine of Our Lady of Knock in County Mayo, and prayed for all those who suffered sexual and physical abuse by Catholic clergy or in Catholic-run institutions in Ireland. “None of us can fail to be moved by the stories of young people who suffered abuse, were robbed of their innocence, or taken from their mothers, and left scarred by painful memories,” the pope said. The “open wound” of the memory and trauma of abuse “challenges us to be firm and decisive in the pursuit of truth and justice”, the pope told thousands of people filling the

shrine church and seated outside. “I beg the Lord’s forgiveness for these sins and for the scandal and betrayal felt by so many others in God’s family.” He prayed that Mary would “intercede for the healing of the survivors and to confirm every member of our Christian family in the resolve never again to permit these situations to occur”. The pope left a golden rosary at the shrine and told the people his gift was a recognition of “how important the tradition of the family rosary has been in this country. Who can tell how many hearts, of fathers, mothers and children alike, have drawn comfort and strength over the years from meditating on Our Lady’s participation in the joyful, luminous, sorrowful and glorious mysteries of Christ’s life!” The tiny town of Knock became a popular pilgrimage site after local people claimed to witness a vision of Mary—with St Joseph and St John— outside the parish church in August 21, 1879. Church authorities later ruled the apparition worthy of belief.—CNS

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OD wants every person to love and be loved, creating a family or community where love is nurtured and shared with all who are poor, lonely or in need, Pope Francis said. En route to joining thousands of people at the World Meeting of Families, the Vatican-sponsored event being hosted in Dublin, the pope met with more than 350 recently married or soon-to-be married couples in the city’s St Mary’s procathedral. Before listening to what a couple married 50 years had to say to the younger spouses, Pope Francis went to a side chapel where the Blessed Sacrament is reserved and where a special candle burns. Known as the “candle of innocence”, it is a memorial to the victims of abuse at the hands of Church personnel. Brief, but significant events came immediately before and after the pope’s meeting with the young couples. First, he stopped outside the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes to venerate relics associated with Matt Talbot, a candidate for sainthood who found in faith the strength to overcome alcoholism. And after the meeting, he went to a day centre for the homeless run by Capuchin friars. Looking at all the young couples in the pro-cathedral, Pope Francis told them he found it hard to believe how people say that young people don’t want to get married anymore. “To marry and share your life is a beautiful thing,” he said, thanking them for their witness. He also had some kind words for the babies whose cries rang out occasionally

Pope Francis greets a recently married couple as he visits St Mary’s pro-cathedral in Dublin. (Photo: Paul haring/cnS) during the meeting. “It’s beautiful to hear that music, the babies crying,” he said. “It’s the most beautiful music and the best preaching because it is a cry of hope. “Love is God’s dream for us and for the whole human family,” the pope told the couples. “Please, never forget this! God has a dream for us, and he asks us to make it our own.” Many people today wonder if there is anything that can last forever, the pope said, but “marriage is unique”. “It is about a love that gives rise to new life,” he said. “It involves mutual responsibility for the transmission of God’s gift of life, and it provides a stable environment in which that new life can

grow and flourish.” The sacrament of marriage, he said, adds to that relationship a share “in the mystery of God’s eternal love. When a Christian man and woman enter into the bond of marriage, the Lord’s grace enables them freely to promise one another an exclusive and enduring love. Their union thus becomes a sacramental sign of the new and eternal covenant between the Lord and his bride, the Church”. If a couple is not committed to making their love grow, it won’t last, he said, in one of many departures from his prepared text. “That ‘for life’ is a commitment to make love grow, because real love is not temporary. That is enthusiasm or, I don’t know, enchantment, but love—love is forever.” When couples have children, the pope said, they are responsible for educating them in the faith and in love, a task that is accomplished most of all through example: praying together, going to Mass and helping the poor. But also being affectionate with one another. “The virtues and truths the Lord teaches us are not necessarily popular in today’s world, which has little use for the weak, the vulnerable and all those it deems ‘unproductive’,” he told the couples. “The world tells us to be strong and independent, with little care for those who are alone or sad, rejected or sick, not yet born or dying. “Our world needs a revolution of love,” the pope said. “Let that revolution begin with you and your families!”—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

How are Catholics to know the truth? by cinDy WooDen

C A statue of Matt talbot in Dublin. talbot, a 19th-century irish labourer and saint-in-the-making, could be a new role model for those seeking freedom from addiction. (Photo: clodagh Kilcoyne, reuters/cnS)

From sot to saint: St Talbot gives hope by GinA chriStiAn

19TH-CENTURY Irish labourer and saint-in-the-making could be a new role model for those seeking freedom from addiction, according to a growing apostolate led by a Dublin priest. At a presentation during the World Meeting of Families, Fr Brian Lawless described how Venerable Matt Talbot, once a hard-drinking warehouse hand, was transformed into a sober “urban mystic” through his Catholic faith. More than 60 attendees listened as Fr Lawless surveyed Talbot’s life as an obscure and impoverished worker in Dublin’s slums, which ranked among the worst in Europe at the time. Talbot’s visibility grew when Pope Francis made a special point of stopping at Our Lady of Lourdes church to pray before some relics of Talbot. Born in 1856, Talbot was the second-eldest of 10 children who survived out of 12. Largely uneducated, he began working at age 12 for a company that bottled Guinness stout. Talbot took to sampling the product, a common practice among the other child labourers. By age 16, he also started drinking whiskey, and he spent the next 12 years as an alcoholic. “Every penny that he earned was used to buy alcohol,” said Fr Lawless. At age 28, Talbot had “a conver-

sion experience”, something shared by many in addiction recovery who “come to a realisation that something has to change”, Fr Lawless said. For Talbot, the breaking point came after a week of unemployment left him penniless and unable to buy a drink. Realising that “his future looked as bleak as his past”, said Fr Lawless, Talbot decided to “take the pledge” and commit to a threemonth period of abstinence, a common practice encouraged by temperance movements of the day. Yet Talbot quickly realised that sobriety was not a matter of having an iron will. Suffering from alcohol withdrawal a few days after abstaining, he went into a church and acknowledged in prayer that only God’s grace could sustain him. “He emptied himself,” said Fr Lawless, adding that addiction is an effort to fill “a hole in the soul” that can only be completed by God. A secular Franciscan, Talbot died in 1925 and his cause for canonisation began almost immediately. Pope Paul VI declared Talbot venerable in 1975. Any miracles in support of Talbot’s canonisation would have to be “medical in nature”, said Fr Lawless, since recovery from addiction often involves relapses that would disqualify such healings from consideration. Nevertheless, Talbot remains a powerful intercessor for those longing for liberation from alcohol and drugs.—CNS

German church condemns latest xenophobic violence by JonAthAn LuxMoore

ERMAN Catholic leaders condemned anti-immigrant riots in an eastern German town that erupted after a German man was killed in a brawl with migrants. “This deadly stabbing is a criminal offence which needs clearing up and sanctioning by the rule of law. It can never justify xenophobic, inhuman mass demonstrations,” Bishop Heinrich Timmerevers of DresdenMeissen told KNA, Germany’s Catholic news agency. “From a Christian perspective, violence cannot be an answer to violence. An offence must not be utilised to incite anger against entire ethnic groups,” the bishop said. Riots in Chemnitz left at least 20 seriously injured when police failed to separate 6 000 right-wing protesters from a smaller counter-demonstration. Meanwhile, the president of the German bishops’ conference urged Christians to counter “nationalism, injustice and the restriction of freedom” with “vigilance and political action”. “We have to look at how people speak, how some nations fall back into nationalism, and how warlike language is trumpeted again,” Cardinal Reinhard Marx of Munich and

Freising said during Mass in Munich’s St Kajetan church. “As Christians, we know where we have to stand. The Catholic social gospel must be applied to concrete historical times, with its fundamental principles of human dignity, freedom, justice for all and commitment to peace and reconciliation,” Cardinal Marx said. Police said the riots were sparked when a 35-year-old German was stabbed following a street festival in Chemnitz, 200km south of Berlin. An Iraqi-born man and a Syrian-born man face charges in connection with the killing. The minister president of Saxony, Michael Kretschmer said the mood had been inflamed by “xenophobic comments, false information and conspiracy theories” posted on social media by right-wing groups, including Germany’s anti-Muslim Pegida movement. The riots, which German Chancellor Angela Merkel criticised as “mob-like”, were the latest of several xenophobic incidents, mainly in poorer eastern Germany, where the Christian Democrat-led government has been widely criticised for accepting migrants and refugees from wartorn countries in 2015 and 2016.—CNS

ATHOLICS in the pews and even priests in the Vatican are confused about the long document Archbishop Carlo Maria Vigano published claiming Pope Francis turned a blind eye to information he had about the sexual misconduct of then-Cardinal, now demoted to Archbishop Theodore McCarrick. Pope Francis’ response to journalists that they should read the document carefully, investigate and make their own decisions was not a big help. Littered with repeated accusations about a “homosexual current” of cardinals and archbishops close to Pope Francis, the document’s central claim is that the pope knew about now-Archbishop McCarrick’s abusive behaviour as early as June 2013 and did nothing about it. In fact, Archbishop Vigano said, Pope Francis, “in the case of McCarrick, not only did not oppose evil but associated himself in doing evil with someone he knew to be deeply corrupt. He followed the advice of someone he knew well to be a pervert, thus multiplying exponentially with his supreme authority the evil done by McCarrick”. Archbishop Vigano states that in “2009 or 2010” Pope Benedict XVI “had imposed on Cardinal McCarrick sanctions similar to those now imposed on him by Pope Francis: the cardinal was to leave the semi-

Pope Francis aboard his flight from Dublin to rome.the pope declined to coment on allegations made by italian Archbishop carlo Maria Vigano concerning then-cardinal theodore Mccarrick. (Photo: Paul haring/cnS) nary where he was living, he was forbidden to celebrate Mass in public, to participate in public meetings, to give lectures, to travel, with the obligation of dedicating himself to a life of prayer and penance”. But such a sanction was never announced publicly. It could be that Pope Benedict did not want to draw attention to behavior that was not public knowledge. But, as one canon lawyer at the Vatican said: “At best it’s weird, an anomaly” not to publish a sanction that has public consequences, such as forbidding the cardinal to celebrate Mass publicly or make public appearances. Yet, then-Cardinal McCarrick continued to celebrate Mass pub-

licly in the US and to visit the Vatican, even being part of group audiences with Pope Benedict and later Pope Francis. Also strange is the fact that Archbishop Vigano himself appeared at public events with thenCardinal McCarrick, including at a May 2, 2012 gala dinner of the Pontifical Mission Societies. Clearly, if there were sanctions, they were not enforced. But the question remains, were there sanctions and did Pope Francis know about them before the archdiocese of New York announced an investigation found credible evidence that now-Archbishop McCarrick sexually abused a minor? Cardinal Daniel DiNardo, president of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, and many individual bishops, have asked for a thorough investigation of the Archbishop McCarrick situation, including Archbishop Vigano’s claims. “The questions raised deserve answers that are conclusive and based on evidence,” Cardinal DiNardo said. “Without those answers, innocent men may be tainted by false accusations and the guilty may be left to repeat sins of the past.” In the eyes of many, the fact that Archbishop Vigano consulted with and was even assisted by journalists and bloggers who have worked publicly to oppose and discredit Pope Francis does not help his cause.— CNS

the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher Guest editorial: Michael Shackleton

Celebrating Our Lady’s birthday

HE celebration of the feast of the Nativity of Our Blessed Lady occurs every year on September 8. Oddly, despite the Church’s huge respect and veneration of Mary and her indispensable role in Christian history, there is very little fanfare or effort to keep this occasion as a special day. It is special because it has ancient origins. Martyrs and saintly men and women found a memory in the Church’s calendar usually on the anniversary of the day of their death. Mary’s birthday went against the trend. There are records dating from the second century to establish that the Virgin’s day of birth was observed annually among Christians. Even though the accuracy of these records is questionable, the fact is that they are there, presenting us with a glimpse of the piety of our ancestors in the faith. What is remarkable is that the date, September 8, remains constant among the many traditions of the Western and Eastern Churches. Its significance is an indicator of how, from shortly after the missionary activities of the Apostles, the widespread Christian faithful held Mary in the highest regard among the saints. Mary’s birthday has a place of honour in the third chapter of the Qur’an, with her father named as Imran and her mother as Hannah. Old Christian writings named them as Joachim and Anna respectively. Around the time of the sixth century, the Christian Church fixed the Nativity of the Virgin Mary in its official calendar to be marked on September 8. Feasts of the Blessed Virgin are many in our liturgy. Seen together, they point to the holiness of this privileged woman who was born into this world sanctified without Original Sin, and made ready in the divine

plan to become the Mother of God, her greatest blessing of all. Like the other saints, her death is remembered in the important feast of her Assumption body and soul into heavenly glory, on August 15. Vatican II gave us a closer look at the mystery of Mary’s part in salvation history when it declared that “the mother of Jesus, in the glory which she possesses in body and soul in heaven, is the image and beginning of the Church as it is to be perfected in the world to come. Likewise, she shines forth on earth, until the Day of the Lord shall come, a sign of certain hope and comfort to the pilgrim People of God” (Lumen Gentium, 68). Everybody has a birthday. Mostly, it is a joyful occasion, another milestone in life, though some would prefer not to be reminded of their ageing. The Church has rejoiced in the birth of the Virgin Mary for two millennia. The anniversary has lost some of its prominence in the calendar but it cannot be ignored. The Church is well aware that without Mary’s cooperation there would be no Word made Flesh in Jesus Christ. Liturgical and devotional reverence for the Mother of God has always been appropriate because of Mary’s uniqueness among the saints of God. Marian shrines are to be discovered in almost every parish in the world. Catholic and Orthodox Christians could not imagine their faith without the prayers that Mary pours out ceaselessly for us “in this valley of tears”. September 8 is the perfect day for members of the Church of Southern Africa to honour our patron, Queen Assumed into Heaven, to celebrate her birthday joyfully, and to earnestly ask for her special intercession right now.

The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special circumstances and at the Editor’s discretion. Name and address of the writer must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered.

Enough is indeed enough

ONDERFUL, but it’s taken a courageous and intelligent woman, Dr Annemarie Paulin-Campbell of the Jesuit Institute, to say enough is enough regarding the Church’s sexual abuse crisis, and so it is. If we cannot even trust our priests who are part of the Church founded by Christ, then something is seriously wrong. None of us are without sin, but for adult men in a position of trust to abuse children, that must be one of the worst sins. In addition, those responsible for such men do little more than slap their wrists and wring their own hands. This is Dr Paulin-Campbell’s published article: “The grand jury report on clergy sexual abuse in Pennsylvania was recently released. It details horrific abuse by 300 priests of at least 1 000 victims. It exposes an entrenched culture of covering up such abuse by Church authorities. “These revelations have rightly evoked angry responses globally. Clergy sexual abuse is one of the most psychologically and spiritually destructive things a person can ever experience. “Pope Francis wrote a strongly worded letter to the whole Catholic Church expressing shame and sorrow. He said that no effort should ‘be spared to create a culture able to prevent such situations from happening’. “However, he says little about what concrete things will be done to change

Church in freefall: where to begin?

AYBE it’s not good to write something when emotions are heightened. I have been considering addressing various issues spiritual, theological and religious over the past weeks and months. However, having spent the weekend following the pope’s visit to Ireland on television, I am left with a lot of mixed emotions. Our Church is so badly in need of reform in so many areas that it is hard to know where to begin. If I was an insurance broker looking at the situation I would declare it a writeoff. It’s not just issues of sexual abuse; I believe those to be symptomatic of deeper issues of honesty, trust, justice, humility, faith, and all the things we consider fundamental to a proper relationship with God. In the years when I ministered as a priest during apartheid, I called for responsibility. Many people thought I was blaming them for something they neither created nor supported, and I had to keep reiterating that it was not about blame but about responding in a Christian way to the reality in which we found ourselves. Perhaps it was easier from the pulpit. Today, from the pews, I see the need for responsibility for the unholy mess that

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the Church. “This is a Kairos moment for the Church. The time for Band-Aid approaches is over. Unless we swiftly address the systemic issues that have given rise to such atrocities, we cannot move forward with integrity. The blame-game and scapegoating of some groups must stop. We face a deeply rooted institutional crisis at the heart of Catholicism. “First and foremost, among the issues needing urgent attention is clericalism and the abuse of power. Pope Francis says: ‘To say no to abuse is to say an emphatic no to clericalism.’ “Priests are part of the community of baptised believers, called by God to pastoral care and service. There are many dedicated priests who are men of integrity; they too are appalled and deeply distressed by the situation. It is when power, status and privilege distort God’s call that terrible things happen. Unfortunately, lay people were taught to put inordinate and uncritical trust in priests, further exacerbating the situation. “The conflation of ordination with decision-making power in the Church is a key problem. Priesthood needs a servant-leadership approach. “We need to rethink making celibacy a prerequisite for priests. It is a particular call and gift of its own. By linking it with priesthood, we place unnecessary pressures on those who may have a genuine call to priesthood

the Holy Catholic Church is in, but how do we take up that challenge? Perhaps we begin by dropping the “Holy” from our description of the Church, and follow Pope Francis’ example of beginning our liturgies with a true and explicit confession of our sins as Church. Perhaps we need a Holy Year of Repentance in which we all pray for forgiveness and initiate an examination of conscience as to where we really are in relation to abuse—sexual, spiritual and moral. Where we stand in terms of justice towards our members, clerical, lay, male or female. How we exercise our authority or abuse our power, and who we have left behind in the process. There is a huge agenda for us to tease out but it is an agenda for all of us. It is our responsibility. Where do we begin and how? Paul Traynor, Benoni

Now we reel again with new scandal

S YOUR editorial (August 8) points out, there is yet another sexual scandal among our clergy and religious. Though “the Catholic Church’s institutional culture of secrecy, its patriarchal structure, clericalism, misogynist prejudices, vows of obedience, fear and shame—remain powerful”, the truth

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but not to celibacy. “The issue of women’s inclusion in decision-making and ministry also needs attention. In addition to the abuse of children, the abuse of women (especially women religious which too has been in the media recently) is, in part, the result of power exercised over them by priests. Women are thus disempowered. “Seminary formation is a key concern. Priests are trained away from the realities of life; they are told they are ‘set apart’ and even dress up to further entrench this. Many start their training immediately after school. They may never have had the experience of adult life in an ordinary context. The psycho-sexual development of students should be a critical part of their formation; currently it is inadequate. “Bishops need to be held accountable. Apart from following protocols, they must ensure that complaints against priests are properly dealt with by civil authorities. “We need to expunge the medieval prince-bishop model we still emulate, and reject the pomp and ceremony around bishops. They must be shepherds. Lay people must have significantly more say in the running of the Church at all levels. “We must confront this horrific evil head on. Prayerfully. Discerningly. Courageously. We owe it to those who have been so grievously hurt and to the future generations. Enough is enough.” We thank God we still have people such as Annemarie Paulin-Campbell. Roy Glover, Knysna

will emerge, and once again our beloved Church will be shamed and subjected to untold damage, ridicule and abuse—not only for the sexual activities among clerics and religious but even more so for the endemic and systematic cover-ups. We are still staggering from the fallout of the abuse of minors and this additional sad indictment of our Church (and, most importantly, of those who purport to be our leaders in faith and morals) will provide great fodder to again lampoon the Catholic Church. Will yet another wave of the faithful join those who have already “voted with their feet”? What a dreadful disgrace this is. We can only hope that some good might eventually emerge—but if the history of the Church is anything to go by, don’t hold your breath! The situation begs the question: “What has happened to the children born of these unions? Where are they now and who is, or has been, looking after them?” Geoff Harris, Rooiels, Western Cape opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in Letters to the editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the catholic hierarchy. Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, Cape Town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

PERSPECTIVES

Why I (still) want to be a priest Andrew de W Silva HEN I was in university and then as a young adult, I wanted to be married and have a family, but in my mid-20s I heard God’s call to something else. A call to something radical, sacrificial, and even “noble sounding”, and it was accompanied with a promise of God’s divine help to live it out. This divine call joined an innate desire I always had to combine fulfillment and joy with a life of service. I was called to be a Catholic priest. Now, with less than a year until ordination, like so many Catholics, I was horrified at the evil revealed inside the very heart of the Church. I am angry and scandalised by the unspeakable abuses by priests and the titanic cover-up by the bishops. While the report does appear to show that the national Church reforms enacted since 2002 in the United States have been successful in radically reducing the amount of abuse, another scandal of prevents me from relegating this evil to the past. The face of the Catholic response to the 2002 clergy child abuse scandal, Cardinal Theodore McCarrick, allegedly abused children and seminarians and continued to rise through the ranks of the Church hierarchy despite attempts by priests and lay people to blow the whistle. In spite of all this, I still feel called by God. Am I naïve?

they were supposed to lead, I am angry at them, not God. God calls priests to join in his Son’s mission to all people. A call which is only possible through intense unity with him, a unity of prayer; a unity of life. God has always chosen human intermediaries to act between himself and humankind. In the Old Testament these include prophets, kings, judges. Since the Incarnation, there have been countless good and holy men and women acting as mediators, but a particular part of God’s plan is his priests.

s Catholic Christians, we believe that God speaks to us through his Word. So I understand my own call through Jesus calling Peter and Andrew to be “fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). I hear Jesus speak to me when he offers those “whom he desires” (Mark 3:13) a share in his own priesthood. I listen with incredulity when, in John 13, Jesus offers Peter a “share” in himself, washing the feet of his soon-to-be priests. Jesus was priest and victim at the Cross when he offered himself for my salvation (and everyone else’s) and has been calling men for 2 000 years to share in this work. This is how I hear God’s call: to live a life sharing in the mission of Jesus. Jesus’ mission is to “re-establish all things to-

very time I have been involved in an organisation that does not strive actively for transparency and accountability by its leader or leaders, I have encountered abuse of power. The Church can change its culture. I have been an officer in the US Army Reserves Chaplain Corps for five years and have seen the Army grow through a serious attempt to change its old boy culture to one where sexual harassment and abuse are no longer tolerated. Outside groups have assisted the Army to change its culture and currently every unit has someone to whom soldiers are encouraged to report transgressions outside the chain of command. While it would be naïve and wrong to say the problem is fixed, I have been heartened that there has been a marked change in the Army’s institutional culture. Despite any organisational similarities between the Army and the Church, we know the Church has a divine founder and when those in the Church forget this, they fall. So, when I reflect on these priests and bishops who have so failed the people

Deacon Andrew de Silva is still committed to his viocation despite the church’s failings. (Photo: tony Gentile, reuters/cnS)

church and Faith

gether in him, both on earth and in heaven” (Eph. 1:10). This “bringing together” of all in Jesus is the call of a priest: to be with people at every important moment of their lives, pray with and for them, support them, love them, serve them. To feed them for the journey and then walk with them and, like Jesus, to offer himself as a sacrifice for them. To be a priest separate from Jesus is to be a driedup stream; a bag of hot air in the best circumstance and diabolical in the worst. Yes, I want to be a Catholic priest; because of all the incredible men who are good and holy priests and have helped and supported me in my own life. Because of the much-needed ministry I have been privileged to provide already as a religious Brother; doing Army chaplain ministry and as a seminarian. Because God has chosen to make himself present in the Eucharist in the hands of a priest. Because we as Catholics believe that the priest, despite his own frailty, has the awesome power to forgive sins. But mostly, because God has called me in this incredible way and I wish to answer that call. There are institutional problems that can and must be fixed. We must do everything in our power to ensure that human leaders of the Chuch live their call. We must pray, fast and sacrifice for victims and our Church. But let us also remember and appreciate that Jesus is actively calling certain of us to be his priests and thank him for it. I know that when I am ordained a priest in May next year, much of the institutional goodwill for the Catholic priest will not exist as it used to. I cannot change this. I can, however, take up the challenge to have greater faith in the God who calls me. With his immeasurable help overcoming my own weakness, I can resolve to be ever-more united to his Son the priest, and yes, the victim. n Deacon Andrew de Silva is a seminarian who will be ordained a priest in May 2019 for the archdiocese of Newark, New Jersey in the US. As a transitional deacon, he is assigned to St Aloysius parish in Jersey City and is a first lieutenant in the US Army Reserves Chaplain Corps.—CNS

Catholics who do the devil’s work Günther T Simmermacher HE last place you’d expect to find a practising Catholic to ply his trade is in a satanic rock group called Deicide. But so it was with Ralph Santolla, a guitarist who died in June at the age of 51. As a member of Deicide, Santolla shared a stage with the band’s leader, a professed satanist by the name of Dick Benton. It seems that the Catholic and the devil worshipper got on well personally. Deicide fans, however, protested against Santolla’s membership in the band, since these people don’t like the idea of a Christian doing the devil’s work—much, I suppose, as our side might object to a satanist doing God’s work. Some Deicide fans even issued death threats against Santolla, who once declared his favourite Deicide song was one which itself called for Jesus’ death (maybe it had a nice tune). Santolla didn’t give in to the satanic intimidation, saying he wouldn’t betray his faith just to be liked. “At the end of the day, I just want to play my guitar and play metal and have a good time,” he said. When he left Deicide in 2007, it was over boring business matters, not a clash of faiths. He died on June 6 after being in a coma following a heart attack. I have been unable to find any information about whether Santolla received a Catholic funeral. I hope he did, and I hope he died a spiritually good death. Rick Santolla made no claims to being a saint, but there is strength in defiantly holding on to your Catholic faith in an environment where that faith is not just ac-

Point of reflection

Guitarist ralph Santolla, a catholic who played in death metal bands. died at 51. tively despised but even the cause for receiving death threats. Members of satanic bands are no rolemodels, of course. It’s never okay to engage in blasphemy and other forms of darkness. Santolla the guitarist is absolutely not to be commended for his vocational choices. But Santolla the man refused to deny Christ, even when pressured to do so. He should have walked away from the satanic stuff, but he was in it and still remained a Catholic. Many good and decent Christians lack that kind of fortitude in much less daunting conditions.

antolla is hardly the first practising Catholic to have meddled in Satan’s work. How many politicians and businesspeople aren’t doing the devil’s work behind a mask of piety?

Take General Augusto Pinochet, the military dictator of Chile from 1973 to 1990 who tortured and killed political opponents. Pinochet went daily to Mass, receiving the Eucharist on the very tongue that ordered so many deaths of those who sought democracy. Or take the British entertainer Jimmy Saville, who had a papal medal to go with his knighthood from the queen to prove just how great a Catholic he was. After his death it emerged that he was a serial rapist of underage girls. Who of these three was the “better” Catholic? Neither Santolla, Pinochet nor Saville are likely to be anything like you or me (presuming that you, dear reader, are not a rock musician playing in a satanic death metal band, political mass murderer or serial rapist). They had their faith; whether that qualified them for salvation is entirely God’s business. But these men, and so many others like them, are worth looking at. And then let them look back at us with the question: “Yes, but are you so free of hypocrisy yourself?” Even if we are nothing like them at all, the answers to an honest introspection might still surprise and perhaps even disturb us.

the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

Michael Shackleton

open Door

Must we give beggars money? At almost every traffic light, as soon as I stop the car, there is someone at my window wanting money. I give a little cash now and then, depending on how safe I feel, but most times I turn a cold shoulder, and I am upset to do so. Am I doing my Christian duty? What to do? Scrupulous Sue

OLLOWING the example of the Good Samaritan who showed great compassion to the man attacked on the road to Jericho, Christians have a duty to render assistance to their neighbour who is desperate for a helping hand. The best manner in which to do this is through the initiative of the local Christian community, your parish. You can donate cash or clothing to organisations like the St Vincent de Paul Society or to others that make special appeals for the needy. We can get a lead from Acts 11:29 where the disciples ask one another for donations to help the Church in Jerusalem whose members were struck by a famine. Each disciple gave something “according to their means”, or what each could afford. We all have limited resources. Whatever we contribute to a charitable cause must fall within our limit. When the parish community wants to imitate the Good Samaritan it will ask you to dip into your purse and add your gift to the kitty. You can be assured that you are doing your Christian duty in this way. You are not among the community when you are on your own and face someone who begs for your compassion. Here you must judge whether you can trust that this person really needs your money or is an opportunist playing on your sensitivities. You cannot be expected to give every time you are approached at a red light or stop street. If it’s someone who is regularly there day after day, you can be reasonably sure that this person gets help from many donors, otherwise he or she would not persistently stand there. You are one among many. There is no need to feel scrupulous. There is also the consideration that welfare organisations routinely discourage us from handing out assistance through car windows because of the dangers involved. When you are confronted by someone in real distress or destitution, you have to see that this person is one created in the image and likeness of God and may not be ignored. It may be someone who has been attacked (like the man on the road to Jericho), or a sick or desperate soul who urgently needs your assistance to survive. It is hardly likely that such a case will be discerned from the driving seat of your car, but wherever it arises you will know, and your conscience will guide you.

n Send your queries to Open Door, Box 2372, Cape Town,

8000; or e-mail: opendoor@scross.co.za; or fax (021) 465 3850. Anonymity can be preserved by arrangement, but questions must be signed, and may be edited for clarity. Only published questions will be answered.

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the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

COMMUNITY

St Mary’s cathedral in cape town celebrated the confirmation of five young people. candidates (from left) Keanu, Pamela, tafadswa, erinLeigh and Praise. clerics (from left) guest Fr noel rucastle, Archbishop Stephen brislin, administrator Fr rohan Smuts, and Deacon Stephen Armstrong. Assistant priest Fr celestine okekeofojebe (not shown) also participated. (Submitted by Michelle Perry)

Greater Durban catholic senior schools presented their annual concert of sacred, popular and choral music at Maris Stella School in Musgrave. the participating schools were hosts Maris Stella, our Lady of Fatima in Durban north, St henry’s in Glenwood, St benedict’s in Pinetown, thomas More in Kloof, St Francis in Mariannhill, holy Family college in Glenwood, and Kwa thintwa School for the Deaf in inchanga. Seen are the holy Family choir with their student conductor. A collection was taken for the Denis hurley centre where learners from the various schools work regularly as volunteers. (Photo: Sithimbiso Shoba)

our Lady help of christians parish in Lansdowne, cape town, together with nearby parishes, celebrated the Assumption of our Lady with a focus on youth. the event included hymns, a video of MiniWorld youth Day in Durban, a procession from the porch of the church to the sanctuary, talks by young parishioners, a reply by Archbishop Stephen brislin, exposition of the blessed Sacrament, benediction, and finally the massed singing of the national anthem. in the procession (left) were liturgical dancers from bonteheuwel, elsies river, Grassy Park, Kraaifontein and Welcome estate parishes, men carrying flags of the Vatican and South Africa, seminarians from St Francis xavier Seminary in Athlone, Knights of the holy Sepulchre carrying a statue of our Lady, the archbishop, and Frs charles Prince and Peter-John Pearson. (Submitted by capuchin postulant Jordan carelse of St Francis xavier)

St Joseph’s parish in Goodwood, cape town, celebrated the confirmation of 23 young people by Archbishop Stephen brislin, parish priest Fr Mari Joseph, and Fr Anthony Stephen. their facilitators were tania young and Liz taylor. (Submitted by Liz taylor)

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Fr Mallon SJ: Just get your parish to pray F

ather James Mallon, a Canadian priest from Nova Scotia and author of the bestselling book Divine Renovation: From A Maintenance To A Missional Parish, toured South Africa delivering a series of talks on parish renewal and health. He spoke to Russel Politt SJ about his experience of parishes in South Africa. “Even though our cultural context is very different, and some things need to be contextualised, the underlying issues are the same. If you have identity confusion, we’re not and cannot be intentional about the mission and we are therefore very dysfunctional when it comes to leadership.” One of the key elements of Fr Mallon’s talks is parish health. It starts with the way a parish thinks of itself. “In terms of the key ingredients that make a parish healthy, it is really as simple as bearing a healthy fruit. If you think of a tree, there is nothing wrong with the plant, as is there is nothing wrong with God’s word. So some people have an image of a miserly God who is reluctant to pour out the grace of renewal for the Church, therefore we have to pray.”said Fr Mallon. “I think the Lord is asking the same question he has always been asking which is ‘who will I send?’. I think the Lord has buckets of grace and is asking ‘where is there even an opening?’ and he is looking for people to say here I am Lord, send me. I am willing to do something.” Fr Mallon says he always insists on parish priests and lay leaders being present together at his talks. “What happens when I only speak to priests by themselves, and I don’t only just speak to priests for this reason anymore, is that they are very excited about what they hear but when they go to their parishes and open the door, they get buried in all the work that they have to do in their parishes. And all of the urgency. Urgency always

(From Left) Loreto Sisters Monica, Marie Brady and Rosaleen enjoying one of their last dinners in South Africa. The Sisters will be leaving Strand in Cape Town, where they have devoted 93 years of service to the Church since 1925. They return back to Ireland in September.

Western Cape’s Loreto Sisters bid sad farewell to South Africa Fr James Mallon, who has been highly praised for his work regarding parish renewal and new evangelisation, toured South Africa giving talks on parish renewal. kills the most important things”, explained Fr Mallon. “If a priest has lay leaders with them, they can say to each other: lets hold each other accountable, we are going to do something about this. Mutual accountability. And that is the beginning of a whole new model of leadership. Not just a priest but a whole team leading because you got that accountability built in.” Fr Mallon said he has seen parishes change through the transformation of the parishioners themselves. They are now asking things like: “What would happen if our parish was actually living its full potential?” “The three distinctive elements of Divine Renovation are Divine Evangelisation, Best of Leadership and Experience of the Powerful Holy Spirit. If you begin to lean into these principles it will make a difference.” Fr Mallon proposes the way for parishes to reach this potential: “Get people praying, all your prayer teams and prayer ministries. Get them praying. Just start praying.”

BY CHRISTEN TORRES

TRAND’S St Peter’s parish is bidding farewell to three of the last four Loreto Sisters in the Western Cape. Srs Monica Shanley, Rosaleen O’Kane and Marie Brady will be returning home to Ireland this month, and only Sr Jacinta Bannon, who lives in Somerset West, will remain. The Loreto Sisters first came to South Africa in 1878, opening a school in Pretoria that year. The Loreto school in Strand opened in 1925, with three pupils, and continues today. Sr Shanley said the Loreto Sisters were founded, by English nun Mary Ward in 1609, with the specific intention of educating girls. “Girls were sidelined by society, particularly in regard to education,” she explained. “Mary saw this, and the belief that women’s only place was in the home. She knew education was very important to girls, in society and within the family too,’’ added Sr Shanley. More recently, the Sisters have focused on aspects of adult education: teaching evening classes, training catechists, working in the prison ministry, offering retreats, and raising awareness of human trafficking. The Loreto Sisters are well-known for their work educating disadvantaged adults during the apartheid era. The local Loreto Old Girls’ Association, hearing about the nuns’ departure, helped or-

S o u t h e r n C r o s s Pilgrimage

5-17 May 2019

HOLY LAND & ROME Led by Fr Russell Pollitt SJ with

Günther Simmermacher, author of The Holy Land Trek For more information or to book, please contact Gail at info@fowlertours.co.za or phone/WhatsApp 076 352-3809

www.fowlertours.co.za/pollitt

ganise a celebratory farewell. Moreen Vernandes, an Old Girls’ representative, explained thanking the Sisters for their work. “I think it is so important to talk about how wonderful they have been, and all they have given over many years,” she said. Vanessa Oertle, principal of Loreto Primary School in Strand, headed the organising of the farewell Mass and tea at the school. “They have been here for 93 years, and brought their founders’ values with them,” she said. “With these values, the school continues to flourish, based on Loreto teaching.’’ The Sisters expressed their sorrow at leaving South Africa, and “wonderful” friends. “It will be sad to have a permanent break, because at our ages we won’t be returning,” they said. “It’s been a wonderful country, and we have received so much from it.” However, the Sisters did acknowledge what going home to Ireland meant for them, “We will be reuniting with Loreto communities in Ireland and family members. We did go home every two or three years, but it will wonderful to reconnect with them frequently.’’ Loreto communities will live on in Southern Africa in Pretoria, Lukulu, Zambia, and newly in Lusaka. Sr Marian Moriarty of Loreto in Pretoria concluded: “This is the pattern of our lives… endings and new beginnings.”

Feed your soul with The

S outher n C ross

IT’S WORTH IT!

pics@scross.co.za

First confession and first communion candidates from St Joseph’s parish in Primrose, Germiston, in Johannesburg archdiocese, attended a retreat which ended with Sunday Mass. the candidates, with teachers Laura roque and cheryl Lessing, are shown displaying their retreat craftwork. (Submitted by Karen biassoni)

PRICE CHECK September 5 to September 11, 2018

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candidates who will be confirmed at our Lady of Lourdes parish in rivonia, Johannesburg, this year at their retreat in preparation for this event at the ha Phororo youth retreat centre at hartebeespoort Dam. (Submitted by cliff brooke)

the capuchin Poor clares, with the Secular Franciscan order of St theresa’s parish in Welcome estate, cape town, celebrated the transitus (the annual marking by all Franciscans of the passing of St Francis from this life to life with God) and the feast of St clare at the capuchin Adoration convent in Swellendam in the Western cape. (Submitted by riccardo Jansen)

T he

Members of the catholic Women’s League at our Lady of Fatima parish in Durban north rededicated themselves to their charity work on their feast day. (Submitted by Anna Accolla)

on Women’s Day, parishes of the Vaal deanery in Johannesburg archdiocese got together for a family faith and fun walk in ennerdale. children, parents and grandparents enjoyed the 6km walk to the top of a hill and back. nurses of the parishes organised various health screenings and the programme concluded with Mass concelebrated by Frs Kgomotso and Francois Dufour. (Photo: Mashadi Makhondo)

the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

FAITH

Catholic Bible Foundation turns 25 As the Catholic Bible Foundation turns 25, br MiKe chALMerS cFc looks back at how it started – in the most unlikely of places.

HE Catholic Bible Foundation (CBF) will celebrate its 25th birthday on September 12—a quarter of a century of bringing the Word of God to the Catholics of Southern Africa. The CBF was “born” in a remote village near Elandskop, in rural KwaZulu Natal, when two Holy Family Sisters entered the home of Mrs Mdaweni. It was the humblest of homes and Mrs Mdaweni was among the poorest of the poor. At the time Mrs Mdaweni’s son was dying of cancer. Her dearest possession was a picture of the Sacred Heart; she owned very little else. Holy Family Sister Mary Doyle and her companion had come to enquire if they could do anything to assist this poverty-stricken family. Much to their surprise Mrs Mdaweni responded: “Sisters, we know that you can do nothing about our poverty. We will handle that ourselves. What we want you to do is bring us the Word of God.” Out of this grew a Bible-sharing group in which all denominations found a home. Sr Doyle treasured these memories. In time she would be able to devote her life to answering God’s call coming to her from the people of rural Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Little did anyone present on these occasions realise the far-reaching impact the words, “Bring us the Word of God”, would have.

Meanwhile, far away Meanwhile, a thousand kilometres away in Klerksdorp, North-West Province, Bishop Daniel Verstraete OMI was busy preparing for the day when he would be able to realise his dream of establishing an organisation that would have as its sole aim the promotion of Scripture in the Church. Providence took over. The time came when Sr Doyle wrote a letter to Bishop Verstraete telling him about her wish to respond to what she knew was the prompting of the Holy Spirit. Thirty years before, the Second Vatican Council had promulgated the document Dei Verbum, calling for a renewed interest and love of Scripture among all Catholics. As Bishop Verstraete read that let-

25 years of service During our 25 years we have worked in most dioceses in the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops’ Conference region, including Botswana, as well as in Kenya, Zambia, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

What the CBF offers T HE Catholic Bible Foundation describes its programmes as “hands on”—always taking you to Scripture and providing insights that help you draw from the treasure in the Word and live a full life”. The programmes intend to reveal the transforming power of the Word by providing different tools that demonstrate how you can enjoy the kingdom of heaven: loving self, loving others as ourselves, and loving God. “Our unique gift is that we show how the Word of God is a book for all times; how it can be consulted in every situation; how it can bring you love, peace, hope and healing,” the CBF says. The CBF’s programmes, described in the foundation’s own words, are:

Bible spirituality seminar This is the starting point of a life-long journey with the Word of God. The seminar introduces participants to Sacred Scripture in all its richness. It presents an overview of the Bible, its origins, and the Old and New Testaments.

Windows on God’s Word Understanding the depth of meaning and beauty of God’s Word is not reserved for learned scholars. With a little help, each one of us can discover from the biblical text “the Living Word of God that examines, steers and moulds our lives” (Pope John Paul II). The programme offers tools needed to find greater meaning in the Word. Among others, these include characters, significance of repetition; emotions, wholeness and completeness.

Gospel of the Year Insights obtained from this workshop help us learn from the text how we can learn from Christ and be like him. The programme focuses on

We take our inspiration from the teaching of the Church: Vatican II’s Dei Verbum (1965), the teachings of Pope John Paul ll, and Verbum Domini, the 2010 post-synodal apostolic exhortation by Pope Benedict XVI. Christ himself is present in his Word, since it is he who speaks when Scripture is read in Church, as Pope Benedict said in Verbum Domini (52). Pope John Paul ll in 1996 noted that the Word of God is the first source of all Christian spirituality. It gives rise to a personal relationship with the living God. Let all remember that prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that God and man may talk together for we speak to him when we pray; we hear him when we read the Divine sayings (Dei Verbum 25). Currently the CBF offers programmes at all school levels. For

ter from Sr Doyle he went down on his knees praying in thanksgiving. And so the Catholic Bible Foundation of SA came into existence. The vision of the Catholic Bible Foundation is “to help people enter into a living and dynamic relationship with the Word of God, Jesus Christ, through the Word of God in Scripture”. That relationship with the Word of God has the power to change people. My confrères noticed that in me. “Mike, you have changed since you started working for the Catholic Bible Foundation,” they said. I hope that all will have the same experience.

The

br Mike chalmers parishes, dioceses and religious houses of formation we offer Basic Biblical Spirituality, Windows on God’s Word, Lectio Divina, Gospel of the Year, Exploring Scripture Together, Scripture for Lectors and Eucharistic Ministers and Lenten Retreats. Since 2005 the CBF has organised and promoted Bible Sunday on the last Sunday in August. For ten years we offered the archdiocese of Johannesburg a monthly article on the Word of God. Commentaries on the Sunday readings are published on our website. n Br Mike Chalmers is the director of the Catholic Bible Foundation. His book Bread That Will Last was published in 2015. His new book, Meet God in His Word, will be launched on September 12 as part of the CBF’s 25th anniversary celebrations.

S outher n C ross Pilgrimage to

CATHOLIC

FRANCE 6-16 October 2019

Lourdes the study of the Gospel for the liturgical year: Matthew, Mark and Luke. The Gospel of John is handled as a weekend retreat. It offers more time for reflection and meditation. It is designed for those who seek to grow from the joy of gospels or deepen their relationship with God, including and especially, catechists, religious education teachers, parents, the family, parish leadership, religious, and those in leadership positions in parishes, at work or in business.

Exploring Scripture together It is an exciting and fun method of sharing Scripture. The programme offers clear commentary on texts used. It complements other Scripture sharing programmes like Renew Africa, Alpha and others. It provides more meaning and understanding to what God is saying to us.

Retreats Silent and Lenten retreats are offered, as well as retreats for First Holy Communion, Confirmation, Grades 1-12, families, sodalities, leadership, teachers, or as requested.

Lay ministers’ workshops These are aimed at proclaimers of the Word and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist. The workshop prepares one to appreciate and execute the extraordinary responsibilityof communicating God’s message and distributing Communion to his people.

Mercy workshop

plus Paris (with Miraculous Medal Chapel), Paray-le-Monial (Sacred Heart of Jesus devotion), Marseilles (OMI founder St Mazenod), Nevers, Avignon, Bourges, Orléans and more

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Getting to know the God of Mercy and how we can be merciful like him.

Leadership workshop Nurturing divine-inspired leadership for those who hold leadership positions in the Church.

Lectio Divina This is an enriching method of praying Scripture, offering guided prayer and reflection. The programme allows the healing power of the Word to become active and present in our lives. n Contact the Catholic Bible Foundation at jhb@catholicbible.org.za or dbn@catholicbible.org.za or visit www.catholicbible.org.za/ contact-us/

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

Frail/assisted care in shared or single rooms. Independent care in single/double rooms with en-suite bathrooms. Rates include meals, laundry and 24-hour nursing. Day Care and short stay facilities also available.

the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

PERSONALITY

Priest’s long journey in a wheelchair One day early into his priesthood, Fr Molibeli Lisene was involved in car accident which left him bound to a wheelchair. On September 11 this remarkable priest will celebrate the 25th anniversary of his ordination. br MxoLiSi nDAKAnA pays tribute.

S human beings, our lives are characterised by two conflicting opposites: there is up or down, left or right, warm or cold, and so forth. But there are two opposites that exist with us at all times: happiness and tragedy. Preachers always encourage us to strive for happiness; but, more importantly, they encourage us to embrace tragedy. In proverbial terms, they might say: “When life throws you lemons, make lemonade.” This is the lesson behind the life of Fr Molibeli Lisene, a wheelchair-bound priest from Kroonstad diocese. Some 21 years ago, after serving four years as a priest, Fr Lisene was involved in a car accident which left him wheelchair-bound and with no hope of ever regaining the use of his legs. Before the accident, the lack of priests in the diocese of Kroonstad meant that Fr Lisene, like many other pastors, had to take care of more than one parish. The accident that took away the use of his legs happened on a Sunday morning when he was travel-

ling between his parishes. There is no purpose in revisiting the tragedy or its immediate aftermath. But there is great value in observing how this priest responded to his calamity.

Nobody stronger What is remarkable about this priest is that, after losing the use of his legs, he never gave in. More than that, this tragedy made him even stronger. That helped him deal with the times when he was not welcomed in many parishes because of his “situation”. Some saw him as incomplete, or even thought that physical handicap limits mental capacity! Fr Lisene never paid much mind to what other people thought of him. Rather, he continued to serve with zeal. His life reflects the famous quote attributed to St Francis of Assisi: “Preach always and, if necessary, use words.” Fr Lisene’s life is and continues to be a testimony on its own. I believe Fr Lisene is as enduring a person as this world has seen, firm and strong in character. He maintained his unwavering faith that God will always be with him. His movements may be impeded at times, but this does not stop him from ministering to God’s people. Even bound to a wheelchair, he has proven to be a priest without borders. September 11 will mark the

25th anniversary of Fr Lisene’s priestly ordination. Of these 25 years, he has spent 21 in the wheelchair, performing his vocation as every other priest. He has worked in parishes in Monyakeng, Tikwana, Phomolong, Maokeng, Thabong, Kutloanong, Kgotsong, Rammulutsi

Having once been a lecturer and formator at St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria, today Fr Lisene is in charge of one of the biggest parishes in the diocese. He is also the vicar-general, vocations director and spiritual father of the Sodality of the Sacred Heart at diocesan level. Indeed, the will of God can never lead where his grace wouldn’t sustain! We, the faithful of Kroonstad and beyond, will always pray for him to continue pastoring the flock of God. We can safely conclude that Fr Lisene is no ordinary man; he is indeed a blessing from God. A lot can be learnt from him and his life.

A rich harvest

and Meloding. Fr Lisene also worked closely with the late Bishop Johannes Brenninkmeijer, and with his successor Bishop Stephen Brislin (now archbishop of Cape Town). Presently, Fr Lisene’s ministry is flourishing under the episcopal leadership of Bishop Peter Holiday.

He has contributed greatly to his diocese, helping to shape it to be what it is today. This is a man Kroonstad diocese truly can be proud of—our hero and a source of strength. The diocese is harvesting vocations in great part because of the seed that he has sown. His faith remains certain and truly unshakeable. Fr Lisene says he remains grateful for the support from the bishops he has worked under and all the clergy. He also cannot forget the support of the parishioners and the youth of the diocese, saying that they have been the source of inspiration for him. Those who have shared ministry with him and worked under his leadership define him as a strict and humble man.

Deacon Johny Mphatse believes that “Fr Lisene’s wheelchair does not prevent his mission and ministry in touching many lives in our diocese”. Fr Molula Mokhoamathe describes the priest as “a model of how we should not let our incapacities distract us from fulfilling the path God has paved for us”. Fr Tebello Moeti says he is a hard worker—humble, yet not easily swayed. “Some of the things that he does are beyond what we, who are not in wheelchairs, can do.” Bishop Holiday sees Fr Lisene’s courage and dedicated service to God and his Church as a blessing for us all. He wishes that God may bless and continue to fill him with his love and peace in the years ahead. Looking towards the future, Fr Lisene sees great blessings because the diocese is doing well in terms of vocations; he has played his part. He looks at his life now in the words of Pope Francis: looking at the past with gratitude, living the present with passion, and embracing the future with hope. The whole diocese of Kroonstad remains grateful for the times we have spent with Fr Lisene, and we hope to cherish more and yet better days with him. At the moment, Bishop Holiday is planning to build a retirement home for the clergy in the diocese, and that will be a place where Fr Lisene will be looking forward to ultimately settle. But before it comes to that point, let us pray that God may bless and strengthen him in this ministry, on his 25th sacerdotal anniversary and always.

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CLASSIFIEDS

Fr Ignatius Ou CM

INCENTIAN Father Ignatius Ou has died at Nazareth House in Port Elizabeth, aged 95. Fr Ou was well-known and loved in the Chinese Catholic community in South Africa. He was born in 1922 in the Hangzhou archdiocese in Zhejiang, China, and in 1946 entered the Major Seminary in Ninpo diocese, run by the Vincentian Fathers. In 1947 Fr Ou was sent to Rome to the University of Urbano VII, where he studied philosophy for three years and theology for four. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in both. Fr Ou was ordained in Rome on December 21, 1952, by his own archbishop from China, Archbishop Jean-Joseph-Georges Deymier. In 1954, at the invitation of the then-bishop of Port Elizabeth, Bishop Hugh Boyle, Fr Ou came to teach Mandarin at the Assumption Chinese College, and to look after the spiritual welfare of the Chinese community of the diocese. In 1957 he edited and

printed the first edition of a newsletter, the Inter Nos, which ran for close on 50 years. In 1976 Fr Ou established the Port Elizabeth Chinese Catholic Association. He also had an audience with Pope Paul VI in Rome.

Your prayer to cut out and collect

In 1967 he imported a beautifully carved wooden altar from Taiwan, with Chinese figures etched on it. For close on 57 years, Fr Ou lived at his home, St Dominic’s in Sherlock Street, Port Elizabeth, but after surviving a brutal attack there in the early 2000s, he moved to Nazareth House. The late Bishop Michael Coleman asked him to bring his carved altar and Chinese statues to adorn the chapel at Nazareth House. In December 2012 Fr Ou celebrated 60 years of priesthood, and in 2013 his 90th birthday. His birthday event was held at St Luke’s Retreat Centre, and was organised by the Port Elizabeth Chinese Catholic Association. Fr Ou was especially happy to have three grand-nieces, from Canada, Hong Kong, and Swaziland, plus his grand-nephew and family from Cape Town, present, to share in the happy occasion. n Phone Dick Chan on 082 809 7733 for further information on Fr Ou. By Dick Chan

Liturgical Calendar Year B – Weekdays Cycle Year 2 Sunday September 9, 23rd Sunday of the Year Isaiah 35:4-7, Psalm 146:7-10, James 2:1-5, Mark 7:31-37 Monday September 10 1 Corinthians 5:1-8, Psalm 5:5-7, 12, Luke 6:6-11 Tuesday September 11 1 Corinthians 6:1-11, Psalm 149:1-6, 9, Luke 6:12-19 Wednesday September 12, Most Holy Name of Mary 1 Corinthians 7:25-31, Psalm 45:11-12, 14-17, Luke 6:20-26 or Galatians 4:4-7, Responsorial psalm Luke 1:46-55, Luke 1:39-47 Thursday September 13, St John Chrysostom 1 Corinthians 8:1-7, 11-13, Psalm 139:1-3, 13-14,

Word of the Week Canon: Greek for rule or norm, it is used in several ways in Church language. 1. The canon of Sacred Scripture is the list of books recognised as inspired by the Holy Spirit. 2. Before the Second Vatican Council, the single eucharistic prayer used universally in the Latin Mass was the Roman Canon. 3. Canon is another name for the Code of Canon Law. Canon law: A code of ecclesiastical laws governing the Church. In the Western Church, the governing code is the 1983 Code of Canon Law, a revision of the 1917 Code of Canon Law. A separate but parallel Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, issued in 1990, governs the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Neighbourhood Old Age Homes

the Southern cross, September 5 to September 11, 2018

YOUR CLASSiFiEDS

Anniversaries • Milestones • Prayers • Accommodation • holiday accommodation Personal • Services • employment • Property • Parish notices • thanks • others Please include payment (R1,80 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

PERSONAL

ABORTiON WARNiNG: the truth will convict a silent church. See www.valuelife abortionisevil.co.za ABORTiON WARNiNG: the Pill can abort. All catholic users (married or cohabiting) must be told, to save their souls and their unborn infants. See www.epm.org/ static/uploads/downloads/ bcpill.pdf COUNSELLiNG PSYCHOLOGiST: Fellyn collins. i offer individual therapy to children, adolescents and adults; as well as couples therapy. My therapy rooms are located in northcliff, randburg; northmead, benoni; Lambton, Germiston. Please contact me should you require further details: 0761109164 or fellyn.collins.psychology @gmail.com

HOLiDAY ACCOMMODATiON

CAPE TOWN: Looking for reasonably priced accommodation over the December/January holiday period? come to Kolbe house, set in beautiful, spacious gardens in rondebosch, nestled just under Devil’s Peak. Selfcatering, clean and peaceful, with spacious gardens. Safe parking. close to all shops and public transport. contact Pat 021 685 7370, 073 263 2105 or kolbe.house@ telkomsa.net MARiANELLA Guest house, Simon’s town: “come experience the peace and beauty of God with us.” Fully equipped with amazing sea views. Secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. Special rates for pensioners and clergy. Malcolm Salida 082 784 5675, mjsalida@gmail.com

PARiSH NOTiCES

JOHANNESBURG: St Anthony’s church in corona-

tionville is calling for donations of tinned fish, peanut butter, jam, butter and juice for their soup kitchen. contact Faried and nadine benn on 073 906 6037 or 083 658 2573. CAPE TOWN: retreat day/quiet prayer last Saturday of each month except December, at Springfield convent in Wynberg, cape town. hosted by cLc, 10.00-15.30. contact Jill on 083 282 6763 or Jane on 082 783 0331. Perpetual Adoration chapel at Good Shepherd parish, 1 Goede hoop St, bothasig, welcomes all visitors. open 24 hours a day. Phone 021 558 1412. helpers of God’s Precious infants. Mass on last Saturday of every month at 9:30 at Sacred heart church in Somerset road, cape town. Followed by vigil at abortion clinic. contact colette thomas on 083 412 4836 or 021 593 9875 or br Daniel ScP on 078 739 2988. DURBAN: holy Mass and novena to St Anthony at St Anthony’s parish every tuesday at 9:00. holy Mass and Divine Mercy Devotion at 17:30 on first Friday of every month. Sunday Mass at 9:00. Phone 031309 3496 or 031 209 2536. St Anthony’s rosary group. every Wednesday at 18:00 at St Anthony’s church opposite Greyville racecourse. All are welcome and lifts are available. contact Keith chetty on 083 372 9018. NELSPRUiT: Adoration of the blessed Sacrament at St Peter’s parish every tuesday from 8:00 to 16:45, followed by rosary, Divine Mercy prayers, then a Mass/communion service at 17:30.

PRAYERS

AY ALL i DO today begin with you, o Lord. Plant dreams and hopes within my

23-24, Luke 6:27-38 Exaltation of the Holy Cross

O ViRGiN Mother, in the depths of your heart you pondered the life of the Son you brought into the world. Give us your vision of Jesus and ask the Father to open our hearts, that we may always see his presence in our lives, and in the power of the holy Spirit, bring us into the joy and peace of the kingdom, where Jesus is Lord forever and ever. Amen

SOLUTIONS TO 827. ACROSS: 5 Nick, 7 Conference, 8 Soul, 10 Nugatory, 11 Stucco, 12 Swathe, 14 Offset, 16 Pastor, 17 Consider, 19 Nero, 21 Laundrette, 21 Isle. DOWN: 1 Acts, 2 Afflicts, 3 Franco, 4 In ages, 5 Next, 6 Churchgoer, 9 Out of doors, 13 Absentee, 15 Te Deum, 16 Parade, 18 Sole, 20 Omen.

Numbers 21:4-9 or Phillipians 2:6-11, Psalm 78:1-2, 34-38, John 3:13-17 Saturday September 15, Our Lady of Sorrows Hebrews 5:7-9, Psalm 31:1-5, 14-15, 19, John 19:25-27 or Luke 2:33-35

exaltation of the holy cross

Sunday September 16, 24th Sunday of the Year Isaiah 50:5-9, Psalm 116:1-6, 8-9, James 2:14-18, Mark 8:27-35

We can use your old clothing, bric-a-brac, furniture and books for our second-hand shop in Woodstock, Cape Town. Help us to create an avenue to generate much needed funds for our work with the elderly. Contact Ian Veary on 021 447 6334 www.noah.org.za

soul, revive my tired spirit: be with me today. May all i do today continue with your help, o Lord. be at my side and walk with me: be my support today. May all i do today reach far and wide, o Lord. My thoughts, my work, my life: make them blessings for your kingdom; let them go beyond today. o God, today is new unlike any other day, for God makes each day different. today God's everyday grace falls on my soul like abundant seed, though i may hardly see it. today is one of those days Jesus promised to be with me, a companion on my journey, and my life today, if i trust him, has consequences unseen. My life has a purpose. i have a mission. i am a link in a chain, a bond of connection between persons. God has not created me for naught. therefore i will trust him. Whatever, wherever i am, i can never be thrown away. God does nothing in vain. he knows what he is about. John Henry Newman

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the

24th Sunday: September 16 Readings: Isaiah 50:5-9, Psalm 116:1-6, 8-9, James 2:14-18, Mark 8:27-35

T IS not a comfortable business, this one of being a disciple. That is the message of the readings for next Sunday. The first reading is the third of the “Songs of the Suffering Servant”, who is showing gratitude because “the Lord opened his ear to me, and I did not turn back”, and he is glad that “I did not shield my face”. The key point here is that “the Lord God is my help, therefore I was not disgraced; therefore I set my face like flint”. There is, for all the discomfort, a quiet confidence that God is in charge: “The One who vindicates me is near.” The absolutely central element in all this is not our comfort, but what God is doing: “The Lord God will help me—who can put me in the wrong?” The psalm is a song of love from a place of acute discomfort: “I love the Lord because he listened to my voice of supplication”, even though “I was caught by the cords of death and the snares of Sheol”. All he did was the basic task of all of us: “I called on the name of the Lord—Lord, save my soul.” Then he experiences what God is like: “The Lord is compassionate and just; our God is merciful…I was helpless; the Lord saved me.” Next comes the ultimate expression of

S outher n C ross

comfort: “I shall walk before the Lord in the lands of the living.” That is the God-given confidence which keeps us going, whatever the discomfort. The second reading offers the uncomfortable dilemma about whether you can have faith but not put it into practice. James will have nothing to do with any such idea. Faith that does not turn into looking after the poor and deprived is, so far as he is concerned, not worth having. With his characteristic touch of sharp humour, James states: “If a brother or sister have no clothes at all, and lack their daily food, and someone says to them, ‘Go in peace, keep warm, and eat your fill’, but you fail to give them what their body needs—what’s the use of that?” Then he draws the uncomfortable conclusion: “In just the same way, if faith does not lead to doing something, then it is dead, all on its own.” At that point he imagines some of his flock arguing the toss: “You may have faith and I have actions; show me your faith without the actions, and I shall show you my faith on the basis of actions.” We perhaps do not fully understand what

It’s akin to telling someone freshly grieving the death of a loved one that “she’s in a better place.” The words are true, but the moment’s too raw for the words to be heard. They only become effective later. And that’s the situation now; we’re in a time of raw anger and dark grief. These are in fact the same emotion (just that one’s hard and the other soft) and so for many people dealing with the revelations of clerical sexual abuse and cover-up right now, apologies, while necessary, are not being heard. The moment is too raw. And, one last hesitation: as a priest with a vow of celibacy, I’m painfully aware that right now I’m at an understandable disadvantage to speak out on this. Victims speak from a position of moral privilege, rightly so, and their voices carry extra authority; but those who stand symbolically connected to the perpetrators, and that’s me, are understandably heard with suspicion. I accept that. How could it be otherwise? At this particularly charged moment, what moral authority can my voice carry on this issue? What does my apology add?

Conrad

ut, for what it’s worth, even given those caveats, I do offer an apology: as a Catholic priest, I want to publicly say that what’s happened in the Church in terms of sexual abuse by the clergy and cover-up by the hierarchy is inexcusable, deeply sinful, has harmed thousands of lives irrevocably,

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Sunday reflections

the issue is here, but we sense the discomfort. The Gospel reading comes from just about exactly the middle of the gospel of Mark, as it turns towards Jerusalem; but we should notice that Mark places this episode, which is something of a turning-point between the two halves of the gospel, at Caesarea Philippi. This is right at the very top of the Holy Land, almost on the frontier, where the waters from the melting snows of Mount Hermon come roaring out of the mountain to form the River Jordan, which will eventually lose itself in the bitter waters of the Dead Sea. Here (or on the way here) Jesus asks his disciples what the mood is on the street: “What are people saying I am?” They gallantly come up with various “hats” of a vaguely religious sort: “John the Baptist”, “Elijah”, “One of the prophets”. These are all plausible attempts, but Jesus wants something of their own: “What about you lot? Who do you say I am?” Peter, God bless him, now comes up with the goods: “You are the Messiah,” he says. Then, oddly and uncomfortably, Jesus “rebuked them, to tell no one about him”. And slowly we get the message, for at this point, and for the first time in the gospel, Jesus starts

How to respond to crisis OMETIMES all you can do is to put your mouth to the dust and wait. That’s counsel from the Book of Lamentations and while perhaps not the best response to the recent revelations of clerical sexual abuse and cover-up in the Church, it seems the only helpful response available to me as a Catholic priest today. Beyond prayer, I’ve been hesitant to respond otherwise for three reasons. My first hesitation has to do with the seeming futility of yet another apology and breast-beating. Since the report on sexual abuse and clerical cover-up was released in Pennsylvania a few weeks back, there have been apologies issued by virtually every diocese, every parish, and every priest in America, including one from the pope himself. While these apologies have been almost universally sincere, non-defensive, and rightly focused on the victims, they’ve also for the most part not been well-received. More generally the response has been: “What good does that do now! Where were you when this was all happening?” The apologies have generally met with more cynicism and anger than acceptance. And yet it’s important that they be made, though I’m not sure my adding another one will be helpful. My second hesitancy stems from the fact that there’s so much anger and grief around this issue right now that words, even the right ones, generally don’t hit their mark.

Nicholas King SJ

Being a disciple is tough

on his teaching about what kind of Messiah he is: “The Son of Man has to suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and the scribes—and be killed (and rise after three days).” Mark comments that “he was giving the message openly”. This produces an uncomfortably violent reaction from Peter, who “took hold of him and began to rebuke him”. This in turn elicits further discomfort, as Jesus “turned and caught sight of his disciples and said, “Get behind me, Satan—you’re not thinking Godthoughts but human thoughts.’” Then he has to explain to everyone, “summoning the crowd along with the disciples”, and makes clear the extent of the discomfort of discipleship: “If a person wants to follow after me, they are to deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. You see, anyone who wants to preserve their life is going to destroy it; and anyone who destroys their life for my sake and for the sake of the Gospel is going to save it.” There is comfort here, in this very uncomfortable passage.

Southern Crossword #827

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final reflection

and needs radical redress in terms of reaching out to the victims and of prompting structural change in the Church to ensure that this will never happen again. Let me add something else: first, as a Catholic priest, I do not distance myself from this by morally separating myself from those who have done wrong by declaring: “They’re guilty and I’m not!” The cross of Jesus doesn’t allow such an escape. Jesus was crucified between two thieves. He was innocent, they weren’t; but he didn’t protest his innocence, and those looking at three crosses that day didn’t distinguish between who was innocent and who was guilty. The crosses were all painted with the same brush. There are times when one does not protest one’s innocence. Part of Jesus’ mission was “to become sin for us”, to risk having his innocence mixed in with guilt, and be perceived as sin, so as to help carry darkness and sin for others. Beyond our apologies, all of us, clergy and laity alike, are invited to do something for the Church right now, namely, help carry this scandal as Jesus did. Indignantly separating ourselves morally from this sin is not the way of Jesus and the cross. Like Mary standing under the cross, we must not replicate the anger and darkness of the moment so as to give it back in kind. Instead, like her, we must do the only thing possible sometimes when standing beneath the consequence of sin. And that is, let our posture, like Mary’s, speak deeply through a voice that, unlike bitterness or collapse, says: “Today, I can’t stop this darkness, nobody can. Sometimes darkness just has its hour. But I can stop some of the sin and bitterness that’s in the moment by absorbing it, not distancing myself from it, and not giving it back in kind.” Sometimes darkness has its moment and we, followers of Jesus, may not selfservingly distance ourselves from the sin but need to help absorb it. Sometimes all we can do is put our mouths to the dust…and pray…and wait. Knowing that, at some future time, the stone will again roll away from the tomb.

ACROSS

5. The old devil with a little cut (4) 7. Fencer once from the regional bishops’ authority (10) 8. The immortal you (4) 10. Young rat harmed. It’s futile (8) 11. Cuts back small company to plaster church wall (6) 12. Has wet, so wrap in layers of fabric (6) 14. Compensate for television not being on (6) 16. Non-episcopal minister (6) 17. Since I or other think carefully (8) 19. Imperial arsonist of Rome (4) 21. Here you may wash and dry vestments (10) 22. In Paris least isolated spot is seen (4)

DOWN

1. The Apostles’ doings (4) 2. Causes suﬀering (8) 3. General dictator of Spain (6) 4. Long time in history (2,4) 5. Your standing close to the confessional? (4) 6. One you may see at Mass (10) 9. Where the open-air Mass is celebrated (3,2,5) 13. One who’s not at Mass (8) 15. Great Latin hymn of praise (2,4) 16. A padre turns up at the procession (6) 18. Lose the only one (4) 20. Sign turns up in the anemone (4)

Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

n Augustinian, a Franciscan, and a Jesuit all die and go to heaven. At the Pearly Gates St Peter asks: “If you could go back, what would you change?” The Augustinian ponders a while and says: “There’s so much sin in the world. If I went back, I’d try to stop people from sinning so much.” The Franciscan thinks, and says: “There’s so much poverty in the world. If I went back, I’d try and get people to share more of their wealth with the poor.” The Jesuit looks at St Peter and quickly replies: “If I went back, I’d change my doctor.”

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