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September 12 to September 18, 2018

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Archbishop asks abuse victims to L come forward

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STAFF REPORTER

N archbishop has emphasised that there must be “zero tolerance for the abuse of children by consecrated persons [and] for those who cover up the abuse of children by others”, and invited those who have been abused to come forward. In a pastoral letter addressed to the faithful of his archdiocese, Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town also called for a day of fasting and penance on September 15, the memorial of Our Lady of Sorrows, as a sign of solidarity with the survivors of abuse. Archbishop Brislin noted that “the wounds of the survivors who have suffered the abuse of power and of conscience at the hands of priests never fully heal”. “As Church we continue to acknowledge and condemn, with sorrow and shame, the atrocities perpetrated by consecrated persons, clerics and all those entrusted with caring for the most vulnerable, our children,” Archbishop Brislin said. He urged the Church to deal with the past, and strongly encouraged “those who have experienced abuse at the hands of someone in the Church...to come forward so that the Church can acknowledge the deep individual hurt caused by abuse and contribute, with humility, to the process of healing”. The archbishop immediately stressed that the law “requires that child abuse must be reported to the civil authorities. An person who is aware of such abuse is obligated to do so.” He noted that the scandals are causing a crisis of faith, but appealed to the faithful to see the crisis as one of human failure, not of faith itself. “Let us hold on to the reality that it is human failure that is at the centre of this crisis, and not our faith. Let this time of difficulty return us to the essence of our belief as embodied in the Creed, the Gospel, the Eucharist.” Quoting Pope Francis’ recent letter on abuse, Archbishop Brislin said that to overcome the crisis and “generate the necessary dynamics for sound and realistic change” must involve the participation of all the

Church’s members. In his letter, Pope Francis identified clericalism as being at the root of the crisis and appealed for the participation of all the faithful. “It is impossible to think of a conversion of our activity as a Church that does not include the active participation Archbishop Brislin of all the members of God’s People,” the pope said. “Indeed, whenever we have tried to replace, or silence, or ignore, or reduce the People of God to small elites, we end up creating communities, projects, theological approaches, spiritualities and structures without roots, without memory, without faces, without bodies and ultimately, without lives,” Pope Francis said. “This is clearly seen in a peculiar way of understanding the Church’s authority, one common in many communities where sexual abuse and the abuse of power and conscience have occurred.” Archbishop Brislin joined the pope’s call for prayer, penance and fasting. In his letter, Pope Francis said these “can awaken our conscience and arouse our solidarity and commitment to a culture of care that says ‘Never again’ to every form of abuse”. It is to this end that Archbishop Brislin called for the September 15 day of penance and fasting. “May we all abstain from some food or something enjoyable on that day,” he said. “In this way, may we show our repentance and beg forgivenesses of our own sins and the sins of others,” he said. “By doing so, may we show solidarity with all victims of sexual abuse and may our fast, in the words of the Holy Father, ‘make us hunger and thirst for justice and impel us to walk in the truth, supporting all the judicial measures that may be necessary’,” Archbishop Brislin said.

STAFF REPORTER

UNA Carelse became the first “Southern Cross baby” in more than a decade when she was born in late August to our journalist Erin Carelse and her husband Brent. In the past 25 years, only two Southern Cross staff members have given birth. The last Southern Cross babies—a pair of twins—were born to then-administrative assistant Ugeun Finlayson in 2007. Mrs Carelse’s pregnancy was not easy, with doctors believing at one point that she had miscarried. The latter parts of the pregnancy and the premature birth itself—Luna’s due date was September 30!—also caused moments of grave anxiety. But now both mother and her child— Mrs Carelse’s third—have recovered well. Mrs Carelse said she is grateful for God’s protection and the many prayers that were said on her and Luna’s behalf.

Pope: Why I keep silent on lies BY CINDY WOODEN

HE best way to respond to scandal and divisiveness, as Jesus himself showed, is to stay silent and pray, Pope Francis has

said. “With people lacking goodwill, with people who seek only scandal, with those who look only for division, who want only destruction”, he said, the best response is “silence. And prayer,” the pope said in a homily. The pope did not refer to the now discredited allegation by Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò, the former papal nuncio to the United States who called on Pope Francis to resign for allegedly ignoring sanctions Pope Benedict XVI had placed on then-Cardinal Theodore McCarrick for sexual misconduct. Archbishop Viganò has since backtracked, saying that the sanctions were “private”. Asked about the archbishop’s allegations, Pope Francis told reporters to read the document for themselves and make their own judgments. The Gospel for the Mass at which the pope preached recounted Jesus’ return to Nazareth and the fury of the townspeople when he refused to perform miracles for them. In his homily, Pope Francis said the reading should help Christians “reflect on how to

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act in daily life when there are misunderstandings”, but also to understand “how the father of lies, the accuser, the devil acts to destroy the unity of a family, of a people”. Pope Francis said that it was with his silence that Jesus defeated the “wild dogs”, the devil, who “had sown lies in hearts”. “It wasn’t people, it was a pack of wild dogs that chased him out of the city... With his silence [Jesus] defeats that wild pack and walks away because it was not yet his hour,” the pope said. “This teaches us that when there is this way of acting, of not seeing the truth, silence remains,” he said. Even in a family, he said, there are times when a discussion of politics or sports or money escalates into a truly destructive argument. “In these discussions in which you see the devil is there and wants to destroy—silence. Have your say, then keep quiet,” Pope Francis advised. “Because the truth is meek. The truth is silent. The truth is not noisy.” Remaining silent and refusing to fight back is not always easy, but it is what Jesus did and it is “anchored in the strength of God”, he said. “May the Lord grant us the grace to discern when we must speak and when we must remain silent,” the pope prayed.—CNS

The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

LOCAL

Legion of Mary celebrates 85th anniversary of founding in SA BY ChRISTEN TORRES

HE Legion of Mary, founded in Dublin, Ireland, in 1921, and in South Africa in 1933, has celebrated its 85th anniversary in Port Elizabeth, the country’s oldest basic unit or praesidium. The Legion was founded in South Africa by Dominican Sister Helena Raleigh, bringing to fruition the desire of Bishop Hugh MacSherry. Irish-born Sr Raleigh was prioress of Holy Rosary convent in Port Elizabeth, and, in a 1932 letter to Legion founder Frank Duff, she acknowledged the role of the organisation in her vocation. With the blessing of her parish priest Fr Brassil, she inaugurated the Legion’s first meeting on September 8, 1933, with the praesidium dedicated to Our Lady of Victories. The Legion was required to meet every week by Fr Brassil. After fulfilling that condition, it could nominate its first president, Joan Wilson. From Port Elizabeth the Legion spread quickly to other parts of South Africa. By 1934, a praesidium was founded in Johannesburg. The Legion of Mary is defined on its website as “a lay apostolic association of Catholics who, with the sanction of the Church and under the powerful leadership of Mary Im-

Eastern Cape legion of Mary officers (Back from left) Robert Febana, Elizabeth Maitland, Shireen Grootboom, Michelle Thomas and Felicity Febana. (Front from left) Virginia Kramer and Maureen Nolan lyons. maculate, Mediatrix of All Graces, serves the Church and their neighbours on a voluntary basis in about 170 countries”. The objective of the Legion is to prioritise “the spiritual and social welfare of each individual”, the website explains.

“The members participate in the life of the parish through visitation of families, the sick, both in their homes and in hospitals, and through collaboration in every apostolic and missionary undertaking sponsored by the parish.” At the weekly meetings, mem-

bers are assigned apostolic tasks. Those interested in becoming members will, after a period of successful probation, be asked to make a “legendary promise”, which is directed to the Holy Spirit. Finally, they are able to officially form part of the praesidium, and participate in assigned apostolic duties. Robert Febana, senatus of the Legion of Mary in the Southern Cape, said it does mostly charity work and “looks at the lapsed Catholics and those who are far away from God, and focuses on bringing them through Mary to Jesus”. “The Legion doesn’t work only with Catholics but also with nonCatholics and those who want to know God,” Mr Febana explained. “It also does community-related work, including hospital visits, and visits to prisons and broken homes. The Legion visits the sick at home too, especially those who are disadvantaged. It also looks at immigrants who have come into South Africa, and what struggles they may face here.” Mr Febana said the 85th anniversary of the founding of the Legion in Port Elizabeth is “significant because it was the first praesidium in South Africa. It is also celebrating the 85th anniversary of the Legion in South Africa.”

National Rosary rallies next month

HE South Africa Needs Our Lady campaign is again calling for “public square Rosary rallies” throughout the country next month. This entails groups of people— friends and family or whole parishes—praying a rosary in a public place of their choice on Saturday, October 13, at noon. The campaign will send “Rosary rally captains” a banner, instruction manual, and suggested prayers and hymns. “It’s so easy to do,” organiser Bernard Tuffin said. “Just take your Rosary, the banner we send you, and then stand in a public spot on October 13 with family and friends and pray the Rosary. That’s it.” The names of Rosary captains will be added to a large poster which will be taken to Fatima, “with a beautiful wreath of roses”, Mr Tuffin said. “This is another way to show Our Lady and the world how our public square Rosary rallies are growing each year along with devotion to her Immaculate Heart”, he added. n Rosary captains can sign up at https://bit.ly/2PB6B29

Education minister to speak at parish gala event

OLY Trinity in Olifantsfontein, in Pretoria archdiocese, whose number of parishioners has soared, is holding a gala dinner evening next month to raise funds to extend the church. Olifantsfontein in Midrand has grown rapidly over the past 20 years, with the new development of Clayville adding to numbers. Holy Trinity church, which once catered for 20 families, now has more than 120 families. Organisers of the gala dinner expect to host up to 300 guests, and

the parish is aiming to raise R120 000. Angie Motshekga has been invited as the guest of honour, both as a parishioner from nearby Midrand parish as well as being the minister of basic education. She will give a brief presentation on the role of the Church in education today. Various activities have been planned for the evening, including poetry, a live band, a ballet performance, music, and a fashion parade. The gala event will be held on

October 27 at the Olifantsfontein Community Hall, Pearce Street, from 18:00 to 23:00. Those who are unable to attend, but wish to make a donation, may deposit a contribution using the banking details below. Any amount is appreciated. Also, should people wish to buy a ticket via EFT cash payment instead, deposit the funds into Holy Trinity church’s bank account. E-mail or WhatsApp proof of payment and a ticket number will be sent.

Banking details are as follows: Name: Holy Trinity Catholic Church Olifantsfontein. Bank: Standard Bank Mall of Africa. Account Number: 046 483 136. Reference: HTO GE JLesisa. n For more info contact parish priest Fr Joseph Puliyilakat MSFS, on 065 869-7078, e-mail puliyilakat joseph@gmail.com; PPC chair Refiloe Ntsaoana, on 083 376-5641, e-mail refiloe.ntsaoana@gmail. com; or gala event organiser Jeanette Lesisa, on 083 286-0595, e-mail jmlesisa@gmail.com

Durban hosts Women’s Month conference BY KAlIE NAThANAEl

HE month of August nationally is dedicated to women, and Durban archdiocese’s Justice & Peace Commission has made hosting a conference on young girls and women an annual event. This year, with 70 participants, the meeting was held at Albert Falls Conference Centre in Pietermaritzburg. Motlalepula Radebe, deputy directorgeneral of the Kwazulu-Natal treasury, was the guest speaker. She encouraged women to stand united, seek recognition, and become managers in state departments. Among the key issues discussed was the Church’s response to domestic violence. Participants debated the role of parish pastoral councils and priests in helping victims of domestic violence by forming support groups, and building trust so that abused women could speak out, seek help, and have a plan of action. The conference also looked at violence against women in larger society, and suggested ways the Church could help by forming support groups, creating more awareness, offering prayer walks, and hosting spiritual upliftment retreats, and even sporting events for women. Regarding South Africa’s rape culture, participants said that in many households rape by a family member who is senior or a breadwinner is allowed and understood. However, rape leaves terrible scars, and many victims may not recover. Women at the conference said that, especially in Kwazulu-Natal and Eastern Cape, ukuthwala—abducting young girls and forcing them into marriage—is widely accepted. But, they said, it is actu-

The archdiocese of Durban’s Justice & Peace Commission hosted a conference for young girls and women. ally a form of abuse of young girls by family members and elderly men. Though sleeping with a girl younger than 16 is legally regarded as rape, the police do nothing, and even the justice system fails these girls, who tomorrow could have been the doctors, nurses, teachers and police officials the country desperately needs. Participants agreed that action by the Church alone, without the police and justice system, would not be enough. Discussion then turned to how to recognise abused women and how to help them. Women to watch out for are those who go into their shells, don’t communicate easily, are depressed, get aggres-

sive, make excuses, act extra-happy, have jealous husbands or boyfriends. At parish level, women can help by being friendly, and being available when others need them. Workshops, gym/exercise, and relaxing were also ideas. Teenage pregnancies were another key topic at the conference. Participants said parishes should start organising health desks, to talk about the dangers of HIV/Aids and sexually-transmitted infections. Teenagers also need to be spoken to about the effects of their actions on their families, and the Church practice of no sex before marriage should be discussed during confirmation classes.

The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

LOCAL

Bishop: no ‘navel-gazing’ by missionaries BY MATShIDISO MATlOu

ISHOP Abel Gabuza of Kimberley, on a pastoral visit to Molopo deanery in Mahikeng, paid tribute to early missionaries, saying they were committed idealists, with no time for “navel-gazing”. Addressing those gathered, the bishop acknowledged his predecessors for having brought the Catholic faith to South Africa, and for the invaluable infrastructure they built for communities. Bishops Anthony Gaughren, Matthew Gaughren, Charles Cox, Henry Meysing, John Bokenfohr and Erwin Hecht, all Oblates of Mary Immaculate, were acknowledged for their efforts, and a candle was lit to commemorate them. Bishop Gabuza noted that the same candle would be taken to various parishes to continue praying for his predecessors. The bishops, priests, brothers, sisters and lay missionaries, he said,

were “pathfinders, dreamers and hard-working individuals”. They were able to share the actual political, social and economic situations people were in, before the birth of a constitutional democracy, the bishop said. “They came and worked and lived among us, and in the process never held the view that the local people were inconsequential. They were able to hold others in high esteem, immersing themselves in local cultures.” Bishop Gabuza, turning to discussion of the annual diocesan collection, said he was greatly humbled by the positive and enthusiastic response of many Catholics. “The meeting of different communities in each deanery for this event is something to marvel about. Thank you! Thank you!” he said. But the bishop added that he would be deluding himself if he were to deny that some Catholics in

Bishop Abel Gabuza visited the Molopo deanery in Mahikeng for the annual diocesan collection. At Mass, youth in the deanery led the liturgy. the diocese did not see the point of joining those who gather in each deanery for the diocesan collection. “There are some disturbing dynamics every time we have the diocesan event in a deanery,” Bishop Gabuza said. “We are a people who do not appreciate celebrating what

we find foreign or different from our way of thinking. As a result, the diocesan collection becomes an event for ‘them’ and not for ‘us’.” Next, he explained the importance of diocesan collections, outlining where funds were spent. • Education of seminarians: The

contributions of 2017 were used to pay the fees of the nine seminarians in different houses of formation in 2018. The fees represented 70% of the total cost of educating a student. The remaining 30% came from the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. • Ongoing formation of priests abroad: Kimberley diocese has two priests in Rome doing further studies. They have received partial scholarships, and the diocese is expected to cover their pocket money, holiday allowance, and Mass stipends, including a language course for one priest, and a medical allowance for the other. • Ongoing formation of priests locally: All priests must attend retreats, workshops, and seminars each year. The chancery takes responsibility of all expenses. Bishop Gabuza ended by thanking the community for their efforts in making the Church sustainable.

Married after 25 years of friendship BY ChRISTEN TORRES

FTER a friendship lasting a quarter of a century, a Durban couple finally married. Janet and Gerald Breda, both widowed, married at Our Lady Star of the Sea church in Amanzimtoti, 25 years after meeting at the Lennon Peter Agency, where he worked as a warehouse manager and she as the company’s executive secretary. “We worked very closely together because there were a lot of union problems at the time, and so we got to know each other,” Janet recalls. The couple, devout Catholics, were both married when they first met, and then lost their spouses. When Janet’s husband died, Gerald, who had moved to Johannesburg, called to offer his sympathies. They stayed in regular touch for several months, then Gerald began flying from Johannesburg to Durban on an increasingly regular basis. “We would see each other often,” Janet said. “Finally he came down and popped the question. He

After a 25-year friendship Gerald and Janet Breda married at Our lady Star of the Sea church in Amanzimtoti, KwaZulu-Natal. Family friend Fr Isaac Khanyile officiated. said, ‘We have been best friends for years and I would like to marry you. What do you say? Would you want to marry me?’ I said yes.” After courting for three years, they married earlier this year, with parish priest Fr Isaac Khanyile, a family friend, officiating (acting as the stand-in for Fr Massimo Biancalani, who was on holiday). “I was so lucky Jesus was on our

side. Fr Isaac gave such a beautiful service,” Janet said. The couple will be living in Amanzimtoti, with Gerald officially moving back to Durban soon. “At the moment he is flying down every two weeks to see me,” Janet said. Having married 25 years after their first meeting, Janet simply states: “It’s wonderful. Gerald and I are best friends, and I am so in love.”

Pupils of dance teacher Rhônel Stoltz, who is the sacristan at St Pius X parish in Plumstead, Cape Town, participated in a festival at Artscape. The dancers come from local schools heathfield Primary, St Anne’s Catholic Primary, Bergvliet high, Norman henshilwood, Sans Souci and St Anthony’s Catholic Primary. Ms Stoltz is seen with three of her senior dancers. (From left) Wanda Mfundisi (Sans Souci), Rachel Redelinghuys (St Anne’s), and Chinique Dart (Norman henshilwood). (Submitted by Erin Burger)

Dominican Sisters Bernardis Kriener and Jordana Rechtien celebrated their diamond jubilees, 60 years of religious life, in East london. (From left) Deacon Wayne lawrence, Fr Gabriel Muyenga, Sr Bernardis Kriener, Sr Jordana Rechtien, and Fr Peter Whitehead.

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Bible Society launches new literacy guides

HE Bible Society of South Africa has launched its literacy material in Siswati and isiNdebele. Chief executive officer Rev Dirk Gevers quoted the late UN secretary general Kofi Annan, who said “literacy is a bridge from misery to hope”. Rev Gevers said the Bible Society wants to help South Africans, especially children, to cross that bridge. “We, however, also want to help children to discover the true hope at an early age through the message of the Bible.” The Siswati material launch took place at the Kanyamazane Community Hall in Kanyamazane, near Mbombela (Nelspruit), and the isiNdebele material at the Eric Jiyane Community Hall in Mhluzi, Middelburg. Among those at the events were mem-

bers of the Mpumalanga Education Department and the Pan-South African Language, foundation phase teachers, and Church and community leaders. Dr JE Ndlovu delivered the keynote address at the Siswati event, and Dr JM Khumalo was the speaker at the isiNdebele launch. The most important guests at both events were, however, the 300 Grade R, 1 and 2 learners in the area. Each child received a free set of the literacy booklets. The Bible Society worked with qualified mother-tongue speakers to help with development, translation and editing. Dr Sikelela Dlamini and Manesi Kekana did the development and translation of the Siswati material, and Nokuthula Ndlovu the editing. Vukile Masango was responsible for

the translation and development of the isiNdebele material, and Rev Msuswa Mabena for the editing. The literacy material has been available already in English, Afrikaans, isiXhosa, Sesotho, isiZulu, Sepedi, Tshivenda and Xitsonga. Siswati and isiNdebele have now been added, and the Setswana literacy material will be launched in October. Teaching is made easy through the use of colourful illustrations, icons, flashcards and activities such as reading, writing, numeracy, drawing and singing. A teacher’s manual is included. The Bible Society says any person who can read, can, with the help of the materials, teach others to master basic skills. n For more information, contact the nearest Bible House, phone 021 910 8757 or send an e-mail to sieberhagen@biblesociety.co.za

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The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

INTERNATIONAL

Why Church can’t break seal of confession BY CAROl GlATZ

HE seal of confession is so important and sacred that a priest would be automatically excommunicated under canon law for directly revealing the contents of a confession. The sacramental seal is absolutely inviolable and “admits no exceptions”—even if the intention was to prevent an imminent evil or serious crime, said Mgr Krzysztof Nykiel, regent of the Apostolic Penitentiary, a Vatican court dealing with matters of conscience. Not even the death of the penitent can release the confessor from the obligation to maintain the seal, he added. The Catholic Church has always given special importance to the confidential nature of administering the sacrament of penance, the monsignor wrote in an essay, published in Italian, in the Polish journal, Teka Komisji Prawniczej, in 2014. The penitentiary sponsored a conference at the Vatican the same year on “the confessional seal and pastoral privacy”. Since the seal has its origin and

foundation “in the truth and transcendence of God”, he wrote, “only God can open and reveal the secret that the seal encloses.” The “secret” nature of the sacrament of penance reflects and respects the intimate, personal encounter between God and the individual. Confession is to be a “holy place of this communication of love and friendship” where God can come and dwell, the monsignor wrote. The priest who hears confession is present “exclusively in the name and place of God”, not of himself, Mgr Nykiel wrote. “The seal and secret of confession must be preserved by the confessor, an interpreter and anyone who in any way, even casually, comes to know of the sins confessed. Any Catholic who makes a recording of a sacramental confession or divulges it through the media can be subject to automatic excommunication,” Mgr Nykiel added. Cardinal Mauro Piacenza, head of the Apostolic Penitentiary, told participants at the conference that it is important “to dispel any suspi-

A priest hears confession at the basilica of St John lateran in Rome. The Church cannot violate the seal of the confessional. (Photo: Paul haring/CNS) cion” that the Church’s commitment to the confessional seal “is designed to cover intrigues, plots or mysteries as people sometimes naively believe or, more easily, are led to believe”. The existence of the seal of confession and the secrecy the Church requires in its investigations of abuse allegations do not mean bishops or others are exempt from being vigilant or from acknowledging and

reporting crimes to relevant authorities. The suffering and pain endured by so many people—victims of sexual abuse, abuse of power and conscience—“impel us to strongly condemn and fight this atrocious crime and do everything possible to guarantee the protection of minors”, he said. In a number of countries, “if bishops become aware of crimes committed by their priests outside the sacramental seal of confession, they are obliged to report them to the judicial authorities,” according to Archbishop Charles Scicluna, president of a board of review handling abuse cases within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. While a confessor cannot reveal what was said during confession, penitents can speak about what they know. Confessors may try to encourage, but never coerce, penitents to bring allegations or concerns forward. If a person confesses to having committed abuse, the priest in the confessional—who is acting as a channel of God’s mercy at that mo-

ment—cannot order him to incriminate himself, but he should advise the penitent to seek appropriate help and to truly understand the consequences of his actions, Mgr Nykielsaid. In the case of hearing an allegation from a victim, he said the confessor can strongly urge the person to report the abuse to the police or others, and provide the penitent with specific information about who to turn to. “Confessors are not the masters of the sacrament of reconciliation, but ministers of mercy, therefore they cannot act according to their will, but must help the penitent in the light of Church teaching,” he said. Confessors are expected to be Christ-like and “love the freedom of the penitent, respect it” even when his or her choices are questionable, Cardinal Piacenza said. If the faithful, especially those most in need, who have recognised the gravity of their sins, could no longer be sure they were confiding only in God and no one else, they might no longer turn to the sacrament of penance, he said.—CNS

Priest takes on human traffickers, corrupt police

IGHTING human trafficking has become a daily routine over the past five years for Fr Chrisanctus Paschalis Saturnus, a priest in Indonesia’s Pangkal-Pinang diocese. Working in Batam—a transit hub for illegal workers in Riau Islands province, about 32km south of Singapore—makes human trafficking concerns part of the priest’s daily regimen, reported ucanews.com. They are also the diocese’s main priority. “New cases are always popping up and do not seem to end,” said the 38year-old priest, who is known as Fr Paschal. Since 2013, he and his team have rescued at least 500 people from traffickers. They are generally women and children hired to become domestic workers in other countries, particularly Malaysia, with some recruited to become sex workers, said Fr Saturnus, who chairs the diocesan commission for justice, peace, and migrant and itinerant people. “They don’t have documents and are deceived by recruiters with the lure of big salaries,” he explained, adding that many cross to Malaysia illegally by boat. The government reports that about 1,7 million out of the 6 million Indonesians working abroad are illegally recruited and are likely arbitrarily exploited by their recruiters and employers. Fr Saturnus said more than 50% of the victims he has helped were from the Christian-majority province of East Nusa Tenggara. In recent years, the province has recorded the highest number of trafficking cases in Indonesia. In 2014, the International Organisation for Migration recorded about 7,190 people from the region were victims of trafficking. “Victims are generally recruited

People gather outside St Monica church in Kitengela, Kenya. Several Kenyan priests have left the Church to join a breakaway Catholic group which allows its clergy to marry. (Photo: Fredrick Nzwili/CNS)

Fr Chrisanctus Paschalis Saturnus, second left, has been confronting human traffickers in Indonesia’s Riau Islands for the last five years, sometimes by leading raids on traffickers. (Photo: le Croix International) by people who are known to their families,” the priest said. “But above them are the big players who are difficult to catch.” Efforts by Fr Saturnus and his team to track recruiters have not been in vain. At least ten perpetrators have been imprisoned during the past five years and are serving jail terms of between one and nine years. Such work has called for Fr Saturnus’ team to adopt a very direct approach against recruiters, which has meant at times mounting their own raids on properties to rescue trafficked people because of police inaction. As such, it has meant having to confront uncooperative police officers not willing to assist in cases reported to them. The priest said lack of cooperation from police is an all too familiar occurrence, which has led him to be-

lieve that local officials work with the traffickers. “It’s no secret...many officials are,” he said, adding that relations with the police have been strained at times, especially with those who cover up cases. In July, Fr Saturnus said he reported a high-ranking police officer in Riau for protecting a trafficker who was a relative of a well-known businessman in Batam. “He refused to arrest him. This was an injustice, so I reported him,” the priest said. It paid off when a police team from another unit investigated and arrested the suspect. Investigating human trafficking is hardly a one-man operation. Fr Saturnus said his mission involves 20 lay volunteers. “By involving them, I want to remind them that this is part of the Church’s mission,” he said.—CNS

Kenyan priests join new Church to marry BY DOREEN AJIAMBO

HEN Peter Njogu was ordained a Catholic priest in 1989, he had made up his mind to be celibate for the rest of his life and serve God. But little did he know that 13 years later, all of that would change. In 2002, Fr Njogu was charged by the diocese of Nyeri with having a girlfriend, whom he had met while serving in Italy. He fervently denied the allegations, though he now admits they were true. Fr Njogu was formally excommunicated by the Vatican months later and joined the Renewed Universal Catholic Church as a bishop after being consecrated by former Zambian Archbishop Emmanuel Milingo. The splinter church at odds with Rome allows priests to marry and continue ministering. Rev Njogu later married Berith Karimi Njogu, his longtime girlfriend. Rev Njogu has since been meeting with priests at the Christ the King Major Seminary in Nyeri and across the country to urge them to abandon priestly celibacy, join the splinter group and get married if they desire. “I tell them to live their own lives because celibacy is not biblical and it does not sanctify priesthood,” said the 55-year-old father of three who is also a lecturer at Kenyatta University in Nairobi. “There is a huge difference between celibacy and a call to priesthood. Priestly celibacy should be made optional to encourage more young people to join the priesthood.” His campaign has yielded fruits. The Renewed Universal Catholic Church has more than 15 priests who have abandoned priestly

celibacy and married. The church has dioceses throughout Kenya, with priests who have left the Catholic Church being in charge of the breakaway church. “I know many priests and bishops with girlfriends because they are my friends,” Rev Njogu said. “Some even have secret families or children they have abandoned because they fear being excommunicated from the Church. ” Some priests who are still serving in the Catholic Church said the issue of celibacy still was a great challenge to many clergy in Kenya and around the world. One priest said if given another chance, many priests would choose to marry and at the same time serve God. Bishop Philip Anyolo of Homa Bay, Kenya, chairman of the Kenya Conference of Catholic Bishops, said the Church was not threatened by the few defectors. He reminded priests to remember what they have been called to by God. “We are not worried at all. They are now not Catholic priests and they can go ahead and do whatever they want. But once you are a Catholic priest, there are rules to follow,” he said. Rev Njogu dismissed Bishop Anyolo’s comments, saying many priests have been calling him expressing interest in joining the Renewed Universal Catholic Church. He said some of the men he has spoken with were afraid to leave the Roman Catholic Church because of the privileges that come with the priesthood such as good housing, vehicles and job security. Bishop Anyolo wished well all those who were willing to leave “We instead pray for them wherever they go to live dignified and righteous lives.”—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

Pope urges peace as war Clergy head: looms in northern Syria Fight clericalism BY JuNNO AROChO ESTEVES

BY JuNNO AROChO ESTEVES

OPE Francis appealed for peace and dialogue as the Syrian government and its allies prepare to launch strikes against the last major rebel stronghold in Idlib province in the country’s north-west. Speaking to hundreds of pilgrims gathered in St Peter’s Square for his Sunday Angelus, the pope warned that “the winds of war continue to blow” in the already warweary country. An attack against the Syrian province’s nearly 3 million people, he said, would cause “a humanitarian catastrophe”. “I renew my heartfelt appeal to the international community and to all the actors involved to make use of the instruments of diplomacy, dialogue and negotiations, in compliance with international humanitarian law and to safeguard the lives of civilians,” the pope said. Several world leaders had expressed concern over the looming attack and the possible use of chemical weapons by Syrian forces. The pope’s appeal echoed the sentiments of the United Nations and the United States, who have expressed similar concerns and fears that Syria, led by President

An overhead view taken by a drone in June shows the clock tower of the rebel-held city of Idlib, Syria. Pope Francis appealed for peace and dialogue as the Syrian government and its allies prepare to launch strikes against the last major rebel stronghold in Idlib province in the country’s north-west. (Photo: Ammar Abdullah, Reuters/CNS) Bashir al-Assad, would use chemical weapons against innocent civilians. UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres urged Syria and its allies, which include Russia, Turkey and Iran, “to exercise restraint and to prioritise the protection of civilians”.

“The secretary-general is deeply concerned about the growing risks of a humanitarian catastrophe in the event of a full-scale military operation in Idlib province in Syria and once again reaffirms that any use of chemical weapons is totally unacceptable,” a UN statement said.—CNS

LERICALISM has led to a distorted view of authority that has contributed to the problems of sexual abuse and the abuse of power and conscience affecting the Catholic Church, said the head of the Vatican’s clergy office. Cardinal Beniamino Stella, prefect of the Congregation for Clergy, said the crisis facing the Church would have been less grave if laity had been more involved in the formation of current and future priests. “Even the work of the dicastery attests that many situations in the lives of priests—generated by loneliness, tiredness and misunderstandings—would not have degenerated or would have been addressed in time if there had been listening, accompaniment and sharing by bishops and the entire Christian community,” Cardinal Stella said in Fatima, Portugal. Dedicating his talk to priestly ministry according to Pope Francis’ teachings, the cardinal said priests must be “permanent disciples of the Lord” who always are on guard against the temptation of “feeling accomplished”. “To be and feel like a disciple means avoiding the risk of habit, of being lukewarm, of routine and the

‘corporate executive syndrome’, thus avoiding falling into what Pope Francis has defined as ‘spiritual Alzheimer’s’,” the cardinal said. Cardinal Stella said addressing the problem of abuse does not depend “solely on the hierarchy and priests”. “On the contrary, precisely clericalism, and often the reduction of the Church to an elite class, has generated an anomalous way of understanding authority that has devalued baptismal grace and, not infrequently, has contributed to forms of abuse, especially on a person’s conscience,” he said. Laypeople can contribute to “the essential human formation of the priest and the necessary spiritual solidarity of his life”, he said. Citing Pope Francis’ letter, the cardinal said that the only way to root out the evil of sexual abuse and the abuse of conscience and power is “to experience it as a task regarding all of us as the People of God”. “Together, priests and laity, as the one people of God—each one according to the specificity of their vocation—we are invited to walk and work in the service of the Kingdom of God, supporting one another and sharing with tender love joys, difficulties and sufferings," Cardinal Stella said.—CNS

Pope: Strive for passion Papal trip to the Baltics BY CAROl GlATZ

tion of motorcyclists racing in an early September grand prix event along Italy’s Adriatic coast. He told members of the group to become “infected with passion. This world needs passion.” “Live with passion and not like someone who carries life like a burden,” he said. “Passion is moving forward.” While the word “champion” usually is associated with the world of sports, the pope noted the delegation’s use of the phrase “champion of life” in its greeting to the pope. A “champion of life is the one who lives with passion”, who lives life fully, he said.—CNS

EOPLE, especially the young, need to live with passion—the passion to persevere and not see life as a burden, Pope Francis said. “When I read news about young people committing suicide—and there are many,” the pope said, he asks himself, “What happened here?” “I can say at least that ‘passion’ was missing in that life; someone did not know how to sow a passion for living,” which meant life’s difficulties were not confronted with this passion, he said in off-the-cuff remarks. The pope was meeting with a delega-

BY CINDY WOODEN

HE Vatican has published a detailed schedule for the pope’s trip to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia, which includes visits to important Marian shrines and to places commemorating the nations’ fight for liberty, and a prayer at the monument to victims forced by the Nazis into the Vilnius ghetto. Under Nazi occupation, the city’s Jewish population went from an estimated 40 000 to zero. Arriving in Lithuania on September 22, the pope will visit the Shrine of Mary, Mother of Mercy (Mater Misericordiae). He will also meet

with young people at the city of Vilnius cathedral. The next day a papal Mass will be held at at Kaunas’ Santakos Park after which the pope will meet with bishops, priests and religious in Kaunas cathedral. The pope will pray at the the monument to the victims of the Vilnius ghetto and visit the Museum of Occupations and Freedom Fights. On September 24, the pope will fly to Riga, Latvia, where he will attend an ecumenical prayer service in the city’s Lutheran cathedral. A papal Mass will be held at the Shrine of Mary, Mother of God, in Aglona.

Kaunas cathedral in Vilnius, lithuania. (Photo: Wikipedia) The next day the pope will travel to Tallinn, Estonia, where he will hold an ecumenical encounter with young people in Kaarli Lutheran church, have lunch in a Brigidine Sisters’ convent and hold a papal Mass in Freedom Square.—CNS

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The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

Truth commission needed

OME Church leaders still find it difficult to acknowledge that the greater scandal in the distressing history of clerical abuse is the cover-ups and failure of diligence among bishops, the Vatican and other Church bureaucrats. The collective, institutional scandal lies in the collusion which concealed loathsome crimes by moving predators from parish to parish, or by intimidating victims, or by paying hush-money—and often also by pure incompetence, fear and helplessness. These acts of commission and omission protected sexual predators and put young people at risk. This is what people have been angry about ever since the scandal first broke big in the US in 2002. To date, there has been no adequate expression of contrition for the shameful cover-ups of the cover-ups. Some 16 years later, many in the hierarchy continue to struggle to understand the scandal of cover-ups. There is no room for fudging this issue. Nor is there any room for trying to throw others under the bus—be it the pope, individual bishops or clergy, homosexuals or the media. This scandal was caused by Church leaders on all levels. The responsibility is collective. It is risible when some Church leaders use the suffering of abuse survivors to score points. There must be censure for those who abuse the scandal in their prosecution of an ideological agenda, as Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò and his collaborators did in their devious and discredited attempt to implicate Pope Francis in a cover-up. The crisis has its roots in a pervasive institutional culture of clericalism which enabled the predators and facilitated their protection by those in authority. We, all the People of God, must work together to rebuild and heal our Church. That requires mutual trust and openness between hierarchy, clergy and laity. And it requires absolute honesty in identifying the wounds which the Body of Christ is suffering now. The Church has had 16 years, and longer, to respond proactively to the scandal. There have been commendable developments in instituting safeguards, but very little progress in dealing with the past.

There was an urgent need for a clearing of the tables and accountability already 16 years ago. That urgency is amplified by a decade and a half of persistent inaction. The most egregious cover-ups need to be brought to a tribunal or inquest of some sort—led by lay people, because the hierarchy does not command the confidence of people to do so itself. Where reports of abuse were handled with criminal negligence, these must be reported to the civil authorities for investigation and possible prosecution. And all credible cases of abuse must be brought into the open, in as far as the law allows (and not in as far as loopholes in the law allow). What is really needed is a Church-wide Truth and Reconciliation Commission, in the Vatican and in each conference region. A Vatican commission would give curia officials the opportunity to confess their contribution to the scandal, with sanctions imposed on those who continue to conceal the truth. Likewise, local commissions would give the hierarchies and individuals an opportunity to clear their cupboards of skeletons, and the survivors of abuse to tell their stories. These are necessary steps if the Church is serious about rebuilding itself so that it can credibly fulfil its evangelical mandate: to lead people to salvation. In this process, we must be under no illusion that there would be much pain. We would be exposed to more heartbreaking stories, and many people whom we love and hold in high esteem may be implicated in accusations of crimes, cover-ups or negligence. For this we must be prepared. For those who sincerely and with contrition confess their part in the scandal, there must be forgiveness. For those leaders who bungled cases of abuse because they were faced with situations which they were not equipped to handle, we must extend some understanding. A truth commission, in conjunction with structural reform, prosecution of the unrepentant and acts of sustained prayer will go a long way to healing the Church and those who were harmed by the actions and inactions of those claiming to have been acting in her name.

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.

Exile abusers and protectors I HAVE just returned from a fourweek trip to Ireland to be with our family. A large portion of the people there, for many years, have not attended their churches. I also watched a good deal of Pope Francis’ recent visit to Ireland, and believe his statement of taking

Humanae vitae was prophetic

IFTY years after the publication of Humanae vitae, Fr Anthony Egan in his Pope Paul VI articles is making me feel as pained as I was in 1968 by quoting the encyclical as creating “hostility to the Church, anger, bitterness and a sense of betrayal felt by many”. Actually, few pew Catholics cared when the encyclical appeared. Those faithful who had been breaking the Church’s conjugal teachings had not necessarily stayed away from Mass but from Communion—without rancour. Then the South African bishops jointly sent a letter of contradiction which was read from our pulpits. Many Catholics fell away and stayed away, and it broke my heart to watch them leave. My then-parish priest, unasked, informed me that he would give me absolution, should I go on the Pill, because he suffered my agony. The possibility had not even occurred to me. “No agony. I love kids,” I responded. “But do I obey the pope or Fr Billy (not his name)?” He yelled: “Neither the pope nor Fr Billy but the voice of your conscience.” I said: “Well, that tells me to obey the head of the Church which was doing fine in the 19 centuries before Fr Billy was ordained.” He left in high dudgeon. What did Pope Paul say in Humanae vitae that was untrue? He warned that artificial birth control would pave the way for marital infidelity and a general lowering of moral standards. Human beings, and especially the young, so exposed to temptation, require incentives to keep the moral law, and it is an evil thing to make it easy for them to break that law, he stated. Also, a man might forget reverence due to women, reducing her to being a mere instrument for the satisfaction of his own desires, no longer considering her as his partner whom he should surround with care and affection. The pope prophesied that there was a danger of this power being used by those public authorities who care little for the precepts of the moral law. Contraceptive use

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action was encouraging. While in Kerry, we travelled around the Main Ring of Kerry and stopped at Valencia, the Westernmost point of Europe. Out to sea were two islands (skelligs). One of them was called St Michael’s, after a monastery which had existed there centuries ago.

could be imposed on everyone. It could well happen, therefore, that when people experience the inherent difficulties of the divine law, and are determined to avoid them, they may give into the hands of public authority the power to intervene in the most intimate responsibility of husband and wife. Today, 50 years later, we know the pontiff did not say a word too much, since the contraceptive culture has borne bitter fruit. There are sterilisation and forced abortion policies in some places. Various side-effects include increased risks of breast cancer. Some schoolchildren are sexually active. The general lowering of moral standards has seen its fullest expression in the sale of body parts of aborted infants. We have seen married life go down the drain, and couples live together without benefit of clergy as an acceptable lifestyle. The rate of sexually transmitted diseases is off the chart. For teaching the truth, Pope Paul was ridiculed and denigrated by some of his own bishops and priests, who should have known better. With the grace of hindsight, I know he bore a spiritual martyrdom. In the glory of his canonisation, coming up in October, his courageous stance has been vindicated. It should no longer be queried by any Catholic writer. Luky Whittle, Kroonstad

Why are priests silent on morality?

O YOU ever hear a priest give a sermon on moral living? God said: “If you love me, keep my Commandments”, but if a priest should ask his congregation to name the fifth and eighth Commandments, most probably only 3% would put up their hands. Sermons often are flat, and there is no substance; nothing to chew on for the rest of the week. Also, few go to confession. People choose what suits them, not living according to what is right or wrong. Truth cannot be changed or altered: you seek it and live it. Simply take a walk and look at

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Southern C ross

August 15 to August 21, 2018Reg No. 1920/002058/06

New SACBC president: What it means

No 5096

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New focus on Church and media

Page 3

Pages 2& 7

How Pope Paul VI’s letter caused a big stir

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STAFF REPORTER

HE bishops of Southern Africa have approved the process of the sainthood cause for the Benedictine Sister whose visions of the Virgin Mary in the 1950s and ’70s are the source of devotion at the shrine of Ngome in Eshowe diocese. The cause for Sr Reinolda May, who died in 1981, will join two other current sainthood causes: those of the martyr Bl Benedict Daswa and of Abbot Franz Pfanner, founder of the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries and the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood. Bl Daswa was beatified in 2015, the first South African to reach the final stage before canonisation as a saint. For Bl Daswa’s canonisation, one Vaticanapproved miracle is necessary. For Sr Reinolda’s cause, a large amount of documentation and other bureaucratic processes are the first step. The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference at its August meeting in Mariannhill heard a presentation, led by Bishop Xolelo Thaddaeus Kumalo of Eshowe, on the proposed cause for the German-born nun before approving it. “With this approval the diocese of Eshowe will now request Pope Francis and the Vatican to examine the life of Sr Reinolda in the hope of declaring her a saint,” said SACBC spokesman Archbishop William Slattery in a statement. “Sr Reinolda worked for 38 years as a midwife and tutor of generations of nurses. All who knew her spoke of her gentleness and her total dedication to women giving birth,” Archbishop Slattery said. “One of the witnesses who it is hoped will give evidence is [Zulu] King Zwelithini whom Sister assisted into the world at his birth,” he said. The German missionary was a very popular midwife at Benedictine Mission Hospital in Nongoma—many thousands of

Bishops and officials of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference at their August plenary in Mariannhill at which they discussed economic transformation, elected a new leadership, and approved the sainthood cause for Sr Reinolda May of Ngome (more on pages 2 and 3). (Photo: SACBC)

Sr Reinolda May, whose sainthood cause was approved by the bishops of Southern Africa. Now Pope Francis must give the goahead for it to be formally launched. newborns went through her hands, from princes to the poorest. Born as Franziska May on October 21, 1901, in Pfahlheim, near Stuttgart, she was professed as a Benedictine Sisters of Tutzing in 1925 and left for South Africa the same year. She made her final vows in 1928. She worked for ten years in Mbongolwane in KwaZulu-Natal and at Inkamana Abbey, near Vryheid. Having obtained a diploma in midwifery in 1938, she opened the maternity section in the Benedictine Mission Hospital in Nongoma. Nicknamed Mashiyane by the locals on account if her thick eyebrows, Sr Reinolda was fluent in isiZulu.

ister Reinolda reported ten apparitions of Our Lady between 1955 and 1971. Eight of her apparitions took place in the 1950s; during one of them, Our Lady asked

for a shrine to be built at a place “where seven streams meet”. When Sr Reinolda identified Ngome—which was already sacred to Zulus—as that site, springs were found. A small church was built there in 1966, with the reluctant permission of Bishop Aurelian Bilgeri. First signs of devotion were evident already in 1966, but while the local bishop allowed a small church to be built there, he limited the devotion. Almost 12 years after the last of the eight 1950s apparitions, the Virgin appeared for twice more, as Mary, the Tabernacle of the Most High, in 1970 and 1971. The devotion grew after Sr Reinolda’s death at 79 on April 1, 1981. In 1992, Bishop Mansuet Biyase, who had initially been reluctant, allowed the construction of a new church and encouraged pilgrimages to Ngome. Ngome is becoming an increasingly popular Marian shrine with Catholics from throughout South Africa and neighbouring countries. “Great numbers of people have found Ngome a place of peace, reconciliation with God and recovery of their faith,” Archbishop Slattery said. Sr Reinolda “was renowned for her holiness, prayerfulness and total dedication as a nurse”, he said. Many pilgrims who go to Ngome also include a visit to Sr Reinolda’s grave at Inkamana Abbey.

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Four steps to sainthood HERE are four essential stages by which a cause for sainthood leads to canonisation, all including several smaller stages. Step 1: The local bishop presides over an initial investigation of the candidate’s life to determine whether that person is worthy of further consideration. If the bishop and his conference decide to proceed with the cause, the Vatican is asked to grant a Nihil Obstat (Latin for “nothing hinders”). This is the stage of Sr Reinolda May’s cause. Once a Nihil Obstat is granted, the candidate is called a “Servant of God”. Step 2: A Church official called “postulator” is appointed to coordinate the cause. His or her job is to prove that the candidate lived heroic virtues by compiling documents and testimonies. These are presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in Rome. Approved candidates are given the title “Venerable”. Step 3: To proceed to beatification, one miracle through the candidate’s intercession must be approved (except for martyrs, such as Bl Benedict Daswa). Step 4: Canonisation requires a second miracle after beatification, though a pope may waive that requirement.

the newspaper posters on lampposts, and you’ll see that there is an urgent need for sermons on moral living. My daily walk gives me the bad news. At the bottom of a local bridge is a list of children murdered in 2017. There are about 60; the younger ones aged 14 months, 18 months and two years, and on until the oldest of 16 years. This is the aftermath of the world’s sickness. We are not born rapists or murderers: we cultivate these evils in our own lives. Next I come to the posts with abortion adverts, which I usually tear off. For R300 you can murder the child within you—but if you discipline your child, you go to jail. Some priests also don’t have to take on the responsibilities; others do. Yes, it can be a lonely and difficult life as a priest, but on the other side of the coin they get positions, they get people’s respect, have jobs for life, and many drive new cars. If a priest really knew what married life is all about, he would soon gather that it is no piece of wedding cake. You can talk about running across the desert or doing an ultra-marathon only if you have done it. The Holy Land is the road you walk every day. When going shopping or out walking, show a little kindness to beggars along the way. They will show you the Road to Eternity. There are great priests, and Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI, in his weekly column in The Southern Cross, is the star of the show. It is priests of this calibre that I’d bend down to and kiss the soles of their feet. Also, remember that the crown jewels of the Catholic Church are its faithful men and women, including great saints who lived their entire lives true to God’s Word. Peter Hendricks, Cape Town Opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in letters to the Editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in particular is a forum in which readers may exchange opinions on matters of debate. letters must not be understood to necessarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or policies of the Church accurately. Letters can be sent to PO Box 2372, cape town 8000 or editor@scross.co.za or faxed to 021 465-3850

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Bishops OK Ngome nun’s saint cause T

Holy men had lived and prayed there, some possibly as a penance. I would like to suggest that Church sexual abusers and their protectors be asked by the pope to set up monasteries—not necessarily at St Michael’s Skellig—to do good works for the Church and pray for forgiveness to our Lord. Mike Lupton-Smith, Cape Town

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PERSPECTIVES

Let’s hear it for music! I LIKE to think that there is a song for every moment in our lives. In times of joy, rings and claps that sound together; in times of sadness, heavy drums and bass guitars that drag their beats. One may argue that a swish and a swoosh can be heard in times of shyness and sneakiness. Indeed, music speaks the language of our hearts. As blood flows through our veins and arteries, each precious note gives a life-saving touch, and our souls cannot resist it. The walls in my bathroom have grown accustomed to my hummings and various covers of songs by Nat King Cole, Adele—and any cheesy pop song that’s dancing on the airwaves at the moment. I enjoy music as much as I enjoy chocolate. Much like chocolate, coffee and other things in which people indulge, music is present in many varieties, and our choices are unlimited. The popularity of TV shows like Idols, The Voice and the X Factor testify to the insatiable appetite that we have for big microphones, big speakers and a powerful voice. But I would hate to picture my favourite chocolatier skimping on the milk and sugar when creating my mostloved truffles. That would not just upset me but would give me a good reason to

rally the chocolate-loving troops for mass social media-trolling. As it is with chocolate, so it shall be with music. Each song must be an expertly crafted blend of all that is sweet to the soul. Each note is like an ingredient in a recipe. At first glance one is unsure of its necessity but in the first spoonful each note sings and gives its unforgettable flavour. In that bowlful of goodness, you will rejoice in the decadence and in now knowing that each note makes perfect sense.

usic forms an integral part of the history of all civilisations. From drums in Africa to sitars in Asia and the

In her column, Nthabiseng Maphisa rhapsodises about music.

The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

Nthabiseng Maphisa

Pop Culture Catholic

beloved pianoforte in Western Europe, music has always been a well-respected and highly celebrated art. I lament that there are those who have betrayed the art of making music. In the pursuit of remaining relevant, some musicians have polluted radio stations and online streaming services with cheap imitations of that which I adore. They have left out important ingredients, all in the name of being current. Music, if well-brewed, should be timeless. It should not be left to those impatient, money-hungry craftsmen. I will then applaud those craftsmen and women who sit in their studios, basements and garages singing, writing and producing music. It is they who give weddings their endless dances, activists an anthem for their cause, and the faithful a means by which to praise God. I like to believe that there is a song for every moment in my life. When I am joyful, the fast-paced rhythms of Jennifer Lopez; when I am sad, the soothing whispers of Sade. Indeed, there is a song for the language of my heart, may it play in my soul and never depart.

I have no answers but many questions Fr S’milo T Mngadi HE widely reported instances of sexual abuse and sexual misconduct of the clergy—two separate concepts civilly but equally against the canonical requirement of clerical obligatory celibacy in the Latin-rite priesthood—call for a reflection. The first step is to address the idea of a “homosexual network” among the clergy as the cause for the crisis. Psychology teaches that homosexuality and paedophilia are not any more related than heterosexuality is related to paedophilia. The same could be inferred about homosexuality/heterosexuality and failures in maintaining clerical celibacy. It is presumed that girls are as abused as boys, and that there are as many cases of sexual misconduct with consenting adults, both women and men. . Statistics further show that child sex abuse and sexual misconduct are not an exclusively “Catholic priest” problem. It happens among “men/women of the cloth” across the religious spectrum. The focus on Catholic priests, I believe, thrives because they are professed “celibates”. Would introducing optional instead of obligatory celibacy for priests change anything? I have no answer but such questions and others like them need to be asked. Is it not possible that growth to full sexual maturity might not be easily realisable among candidates for the Catholic priesthood? Is it not possible that for many a young man, the development of “liking” to be a priest stunts their sexual growth? Is it not possible that they might later suffer

Collared & Content

If the Church’s power structures are the cause for the scandal of abuse and their cover-ups, should they be reformed. Fr S’milo Mngadi has this and other questions. from “arrested sexual development” and become adults who are in fact “sexual kids”? Again, I have no answers, only questions.

bligatory clerical celibacy creates a caste. Castes are fundamentally power entities. Some level of transcendence is attributed to priests: they are set apart for God’s work; only they may administer the “holy” (sacraments) and interpret the Word of God. They are “officials” (sometimes, “bureaucrats”) from an eight-year course in world-class tertiary institutions, fully paid for because they are being “special”. Canon law gives priests so much power

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in parishes, with less than effective accounting mechanisms. Pastoral councils are only consultative. Priests can veto finance committees as they hold the proxy of the parish legal entity. Deans are fellow priests running parishes themselves who either become “gentlemanly” or risk being told that you are as bad as well. Bishops either have a heavy workload or are so short-staffed that they turn a blind eye until something overtly scandalous happens. A number of psychologists have said that sexual abuse, like rape, is rarely just about sex, it is mainly about power. To a certain extent, sexual misconduct, especially with many partners, is also about power. If our ordained ministerial model is based on a caste system, with its power implications, is a review not overdue then? Perhaps a whole revamp may be needed, in recruitment, training/formation, personnel management, promotions, performance reviews and so forth. I may be wrong with some or all of the issues raised in this article, but these questions need adequate answers. Otherwise, all else will be just treating the symptoms and not the possible cause(s), cutting the tree and not uprooting it.

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God And The Bible

What the Bible is, and what it isn’t

ECENTLY I heard a radio interview with a professor who had once been an Evangelical, then what he called a “liberal Protestant” and finally now is an agnostic. He is a learned man and took his faith seriously enough to wrestle with hard realities, and in the end he abandoned faith in God. His reason? There is simply too much suffering in the world to believe in a God who would let it continue. There is indeed too much suffering in the world, but I wonder if this man’s understanding of Scripture stood in the way of allowing God’s Word to fully speak. He indicated that he was raised to believe that the Bible is true in every way, and that prayer is answered for those who believe. He began to struggle with why some people seem to have their prayers answered and others, such as children starving around the world, do not. Perhaps we, like the professor I heard, expect the Bible to be “true” in every possible way— historically, scientifically, psychologically—and when we find discrepancies or inconsistencies, we begin to doubt or even abandon all of it, including the God who used this sacred writing to reveal himself. Our Catholic tradition maintains that the books of Scripture teach “solidly, faithfully and without error that truth which God wanted put into sacred writings for the sake of salvation” (Dei Verbum, 11). In other words, the Bible teaches the truth God wants us to know for our salvation, the truth embodied in the person of Jesus Christ who proclaimed the fullness of God’s kingdom. While there are historical underpinnings to sections of the Bible such as the books of Kings or the gospels or the letters of Paul, the Bible is not written as pure history. Nor is it written as a science book, especially considering that what was considered science in the ancient world would not stand the test of accuracy by today’s standards. Science asks the question of “how” something occurred, and history asks the questions of “when” and “what” occurred. The Bible is much more a book that addresses the question of “why”: Why did creation occur? Why does God engage a relationship with mere humans? Why are the Commandments the foundation of the covenant? Why did God send his only Son and allow him to die? Why are we bound for new life promised in the Resurrection? When we ponder the larger questions, the “why” questions, we begin to see that the truth needed for our salvation cannot be limited to the simple transmission of facts. This truth goes much deeper. It has to do with God’s loving intention for the world and all its creatures, God’s generosity embodied in his Son, and God’s desire that we love God and neighbour so much that we begin to embody God’s own generosity and goodness in the world. As Catholic Christians, we expect to encounter God in the words of the Bible, and we expect to grow more in love with Christ each time we allow God’s Word to speak its simple and profound truths to us. When we pray and study the words of Scripture, we ask at least two fundamental questions of God: What do you want me to know in this reading? How do you want me to change? And what has Scripture promised and revealed to us about God’s truth? Here are a few ideas: l God’s generosity cannot be outdone. God’s mercy and love are never withdrawn. l The suffering and death of Jesus contained within them the promise to be with us in our own suffering. l The Resurrection ensures that suffering is never the final word. l God sends the Holy Spirit to animate and direct us. l Prayer is speaking to God, but it is also listening with the expectation of being moved to act, to be God’s love in the world. l God’s loving kindness, manifest in healing and mercy and justice, is most often accomplished through ordinary people. Reading the Bible is more than an intellectual exercise; it is a practice that instills in us the expectation that God’s truth will transform us so that we become the vehicles of God’s continuing work in the world. We participate in building the kingdom of God. n This is the third in a ten-part series of articles entitled “Why We Should Bother With The Bible”, produced by Little Rock Scripture Study. This article first appeared in the Arkansas Catholic.

The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

PILGRIMAGE

Spiritual director Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp (centre) is seen at Croagh Patrick with Frs Peter Whitehead (left) and John Shand. The mountain is where St Patrick fasted for 40 days in 441 AD. The group has lunch at the Benedictine Glenstal Abbey in County limerick.

The Southern Cross Ireland pilgrims are seen in the Pax Benedictine church at Kylemore Abbey in County Galway.

Pilgrimage to Ireland in pics Marion Carroll, a woman healed spontaneously from multiple sclerosis at Knock in 1989, talks to our pilgrims.

N August, a group of Southern Cross pilgrims, led by Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp, travelled to Ireland, with the itinerary framed around the anniversary of the apparition of Our Lady at Knock in the west of the country, and the papal Mass to close the World Meeting of Families in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. The pilgrims—four of whom were on last year’s Southern Cross pilgrimage to Fatima and Avila—visited holy sites like St Bridget’s Well, were guests at the Benedictine Glenstal Abbey near Limerick, had Masses at the cathedrals of Dublin and Galway, marvelled at famous sights such as the Cliffs of Moher, and much more. The photos on this page provide just some of the memorable scenes from this prayerful and holy pilgrimage, about which there will be more in The Southern Cross over the coming weeks. All photos except where indicated otherwise are courtesy of Günther Simmermacher. Pilgrims on the way to the Rock of Cashel, the ruins of an ancient cathedral in County Tipperary, a short way from limerick.

Pilgrim Pat Ferrandi reads at Mass in the Carmelite White Abbey church in Kildare.

Pilgrims in front of a sculpture of the Blessed Virgin in Galway’s cathedral of Our lady Assumed into heaven and St Nicholas.

Pilgrims pray at St Bridget’s Well in County Clare, the oldest of Ireland’s many wells that are said to have healing powers

Bishop Phalana leads the Stations of the Cross at the sanctuary of Our lady of Knock in County Mayo. In the background is Knock basilica.

SA bishops at the papal Mass in Dublin’s Phoenix Park. (From left) Bishops Michael Wüstenberg, retired of Aliwal North, Jan de Groef of Bethlehem, Victor Phalana, Zolile Mpambani of Kokstad and Archbishop William Slattery of Pretoria. (Photo courtesy of Bishop Phalana)

Waiting for the pope in a damp Phoenix Park were (from left) Theresa Soares, Jess Boado, Teresa dos Ramos, lindy Boado, lyn Argall, Norma Moonsamy, Milly Naidoo, Günther Simmermacher and Kevin Poovan. The long wait was worth it: the pope passed just a few metres away from the group, which had secured “front-row” places on the papal route.

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CHURCH

The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

How can we get past Church’s big crisis? If the Church wants to get past the abuse scandal, it needs to change its internal culture and power structures, argues FR RuSSEll POllITT SJ.

dency in the recent past to send sexoffending clergy to monasteries or place them in ministries where they had no access to children as a trajectory from the medieval model.

The power of bishops

The current crisis has put bishops under the spotlight. Catholics have been taught to trust, respect and obey bishops in order to be “good HE latest wave of sexual abuse faithful Catholics”. This has led to revelations by Catholic clergy an uncritical Church culture where, has rightly caused outrage and at best, there is only a disapproving anger globally. After the 2002 ex- silence when bishops do or say posé in Boston, which caused un- ridiculous things. speakable pain, many thought that Bishops decide how resources are the worst of the horrific scandal was used and how money is spent. over. Little did they know. Catholic bishops have absolute The fall of Washington’s former power in their jurisdiction in the archbishop, Theodore McCarrick— Church. who has resigned as cardinal and A bishop also decides on who enhas been sanctioned by Pope Fran- ters a seminary, who is ordained, cis—a few weeks ago and then the what parish a priest works in, how release of the Pennsylvania grand much a priest is paid, who is susjury report (which details how 300 pended from ministry, and who is priests abused at least 1 000 victims silenced. in that state) has plunged the This culture not only opens the Catholic Church into a crisis—per- door to abuse, but also creates a clihaps its worst since the Reforma- mate of immaturity. Because of the tion. power bishops have, priests are toA number of things have been tally dependent on them. Many cited as the cause of abuse in the priests live trying to please bishops, Church. The Church’s Second Vati- or in fear of them, as they know that can Council in the 1960s, the on- their wellbeing and future lies in the slaught of secularism, the mass bishop’s hands. media, the sexual revolution, gay This creates a culture of fear, misclergy and now, in the last few days, trust and unhealthy posturing for some are blaming Pope Francis him- position. It generates an atmosphere self. All these are red herrings. in which mistrust and betrayal beThe Church needs to come clean come the way of climbing the eccleabout sexual abuse, cover-ups and sial ladder—keep the bishop on side, who knew what and when. no matter who else you The welfare of victims step on, to rise in the should be prioritised and If the Church ranks. those responsible for these This is not a healthy is to regain model heinous crimes held truly of leadership. It accountable. Any alleged does not encourage its moral abuse must be reported to healthy relationships. civil authorities for investiintegrity, it There is too much power gation. on one man. However, true accountmust boldly centred One observer of this, ability means a thorough Capuchin Franciscan confront its the investigation which must Father Michael Crosby include the whole institu(who died in 2017), systemic tion, including recent neatly summed this up as popes. problems. a “dysfunctional The notorious McCarchurch”. rick, for example, was adFr Gerald Arbuckle, a vanced during the pontificate of St Marist priest who is a cultural anJohn Paul II. He surely had heard of thropologist, has also interpreted McCarrick’s reputation because so this dysfunctionality as a function many others seem to have known, of power that leads to destructiveeven people who worked closely ness, and has called repeatedly for a with him. Why did the pope ignore “refounding” of the Church. the rumours? All those who advised Last month, in a meeting with John Paul II should be investigated clerics from Peru, Francis said that too. The same applies to the pontif- the abuse scandal was “a great huicate of Pope Benedict XVI. miliation” for the Catholic Church. Even though this would be a He also went on to say that it shows good start, it will not eradicate abuse the Church’s fragility but also its in the Church. Accountability hypocrisy. mechanisms, protocols and strinIt was Pope Francis, not Popes gent legal procedures will not en- Benedict XVI or John Paul II (in tirely deal with the systemic whose pontificate the Boston crisis problems that we, the Catholic broke), who set up a Pontifical ComChurch, simply have to confront. mission for the Protection of MiSadly, there is still little willing- nors. Pope Francis has frequently ness to dig deeper. Scapegoating and (and more than any other pope) denialism are easy and have become met with survivors of sexual abuse part of our Church culture, in the both in Rome and on international hope that problems will vanish. trips—Ireland last month being the The leadership model of the most recent. Catholic Church is still based on All these are steps in the right diand entrenched in the monarchical rection. However, although Pope models of medieval Europe. The Francis acknowledges that there are monarch has absolute power and is problems in the priesthood, he has not accountable to anyone. A not done what seems most urgent: bishop is the king of the castle in his set in motion a thorough reform of diocese. There are few, if any, ac- the antiquated and dysfunctional countability structures in place for system that trains priests. bishops. The medieval Church, it should Training of priests be further noted, claimed and Priests are still trained in a system mostly had independent legal juris- that was devised at the Council of diction over its clergy. Priests, Trent (1545-63). This Council was monks and members of religious or- the major Catholic response to the ders charged with civil crimes were Protestant Reformation. tried in Church courts. If convicted Massimo Faggioli, professor of they were either imprisoned in theology at the Catholic Villanova Church prisons (often attached to University near Philadelphia, remonasteries) or, in the case of capi- cently described this system suctal offences, were turned over to cinctly in Commonweal magazine. civil authorities (called by the He said that it is a “quasi-monastic Church “the secular arm”) for exe- isolation from the rest of society and cution. the mediocrity of many proThis historical practice—perhaps grammes of formation have become too broadly sketched here—set a more of a problem today than they precedent: the Catholic Church’s were four or five centuries ago, tendency to resolve its legal prob- when there was less public scrutiny lems internally. of clerical culture”. A historian can easily see the ten-

Pope Francis prays in front of a candle in memory of victims of sexual abuse during a visit to St Mary’s pro-cathedral in Dublin, Ireland, last month. In his article Fr Russell Pollitt identifies how Church culture and practices have created the environment where sexual abuse and their cover-ups could occur. (Photo: Paul haring/CNS) He went on to say that the fact that seminarians live in a system where they have no rights and the institution exercises a “kind of totalitarian power over their lives” further complicates things. There is still an unwillingness on the part of the hierarchy in most parts of the world, including South Africa, to recognise that this system of training priests no longer equips them for the Church and world they are going to work in. In fact, the current system still teaches men who are preparing for ministry that they are “set apart” and somehow “special”. This “separation” bestows on clergy privilege and status. This distances them from the realities of life and lays the foundation for clericalism—an ideology in which the ordained are deemed superior over other people in the Church. Added to this is the complexity of the psycho-sexual development of many of the men who are being trained for the priesthood. Psychological testing is now mandatory for all men wanting to be priests. For some young men this is the first and the last time they have a candid conversation with another human being about lifelong celibacy in the seven-year training period before ordination. Many seminarians, when in a protected space where they feel they

can be honest, will report that although they are expected to live celibate lives, this is hardly ever discussed. Many are afraid of discussing this because, if they are honest, they fear dismissal from the system. This forces an unhealthy secrecy.

Revisit mandatory celibacy Furthermore, mandatory celibacy for all Latin-rite priests needs to be revisited and discussed. Clerical celibacy became the norm only in the 11th century. It should be noted too that clerical celibacy has never been understood as a religious doctrine but a discipline of the Church, a point reiterated by successive popes, most recently Pope Francis. Yet, whenever this topic is broached, many in power in the Church will shut it down. This further entrenches a culture of silence. Let me make this absolutely clear: I am not suggesting that celibacy causes sex abuse; this would be untrue. There is evidence to the contrary. The problem, rather, is that sick men are able to hide in a culture that prizes silence about sex. It is the system in which secrecy thrives because sexuality is not spoken about, that needs unbiased critique. There needs to be dialogue in the Church about human sexuality.

This dialogue must be one which is open to learning from the latest developments in medical and social science research. There are already resources available from excellent systematic and moral theologians, notably the works of Lisa Cahill, Todd Salzman, Michael Lawler, Margaret Farley, and James Alison. Yet these authors who confront the complexity of sexuality, and try to construct an ethic of fidelity, are not normally read in seminaries. In fact, they are often condemned. We cannot continue to think, as a Church, that we have all the answers when it comes to the evolving complexity of human sexuality. There is also an unhealthy conflation of ordination with decisionmaking power in the Catholic Church. Just as bishops hold a lot of power in their jurisdiction, priests hold power in the communities where they work. Although parishes are expected to have finance committees and parish councils, these are often treated as merely advisory bodies and priests still make decisions. Just recently a disgruntled parishioner told me that in a finance meeting, when interrogated about spending, a priest said: “You are here to advise but I make the final decision.” An open discussion about this and the extraction of decision-making power from ordination needs to be seriously considered if the Church is going to deal with the plague of clericalism. Pope Francis, in a recent letter to the whole Church, condemned clericalism (as he has a number of times) saying: “To say no to abuse is to say an emphatic ‘no’ to clericalism.” Until the Catholic Church courageously begins to face up to the systemic problems that face the institution, it will lurch from crisis to crisis. At the very least, blaming and scapegoating some groups, such as gay priests, must end. Prioritising the healing of victims over defending the reputation of the Church must become the norm. But if the Church is to find its moral compass again and regain its moral integrity, it must boldly confront its critical systemic problems. n Fr Russell Pollitt SJ is the director of the Jesuit Institute of South Africa. This article was first published on the Daily Maverick website.

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The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

YOUTH

Teen organist plays for God A teenager from the Cape Flats serves as resident organist of a great cathedral and has dreams of taking his talent into the world. ERIN CARElSE spoke to Dale de Windt.

EW cathedrals in the world boast organists who are too young to drive or vote, but congregants at Mass in Cape Town’s cathedral have regular reason to delight in the musical talents of a teenager. Dale de Windt is the gifted 17year-old resident organist of St Mary’s cathedral. Born on the Cape Flats, his dream is to attend one of the six leading music schools in the world. As a matriculant at Groote Schuur High School in Newlands, Dale naturally does music as a subject and plays in the school’s jazz ensemble. His love for music began at a very early age. “At four years old, I started learning how to play the recorder. I had a wonderful recorder teacher and I was very fascinated by ‘the music notes’,” Dale told The Southern Cross. “My love for the piano started at the same time, mainly because of the beautiful sound it produced. I then started taking lessons at the age of five. My dad got me a keyboard and I just started playing from memory,” he said. Listening to sacred and choral music is one of his favourite pastimes, he said. “It calms me down.” Dale is a knowledgable fan of classical music. His favourites include the great composers of sacred music, Johann Sebastian Bach, Dieterich Buxtehude (who taught Bach), as well as Claude Debussy and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart whom Dale wishes he could have met. Dale first started playing the organ at his local parish church, Our Lady of Good Counsel in

Bridgetown, Athlone. This brought him to the attention of Fr Rohan Smuts, the administrator of St Mary’s cathedral. In August 2016, the priest asked Dale if he could play at the cathedral for a month. Of course, Dale agreed. “That’s where it all started for me—and here I am today, enjoying every moment at this beautiful cathedral, being able to play the cathedral’s organ.” He loves playing the Cooper, Gill & Tomkins Three Manuals with 51 Ranks. “The great acoustics of this cathedral add to the fine sound of this beautiful organ,” Dale noted.

Love for the Church And playing it is not only about making music, but also about his love for the Church. “Each time I play at the cathedral I feel privileged and honoured because a cathedral is not just an ordinary church but it’s the mother church of our archdiocese and of South Africa, and the seat of the metropolitan archbishop of Cape Town,” Dale said. The young organist enjoys playing for various liturgies in the archdiocese. In June he played at the closing Mass of the Bicentennial Year at the Bellville Velodrome. Dale is well informed on the Church’s direction on liturgical music, quoting freely from Musicam Sacram, the instruction on Catholic sacred music issued by the Sacred Congregation of Rites in 1967. One passage in particular inspires him: “Liturgical worship is given a more noble form when it is celebrated in song, with the ministers of each degree fulfilling their ministry and the people participating in it,” Musicam Sacram said. “Indeed, through this form, prayer is expressed in a more attractive way, the mystery of the liturgy, with its hierarchical and community nature, is more openly shown, the unity of hearts is more profoundly achieved by the union of voices, minds are more easily raised to heavenly things by the beauty of the sacred rites, and the whole celebration more clearly pre-

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Dale de Windt, 17, is the resident organist at St Mary’s cathedral in Cape Town. The teenager’s dream is to study at one of the great music conservatories in the world. Recently, a recording of Dale performing on St Mary’s organ was made with a drone, perhaps a world-first. figures that heavenly liturgy which is enacted in the holy city of Jerusalem,” the document notes. One highlight of Dale’s still young musical career was his visit to the Chinese Central Conservatory of Music in Beijing for two weeks in July 2017. “Over those two weeks I learned about different Chinese instruments and their culture—and tasting different foods was definitely one of my highlights of that visit.” Another highlight came almost exactly a year later.

Recorded by drone Recently, Dale had the privilege

of having technicians recording him in the cathedral with a drone, for a YouTube video in a bid to help him achieve his dream. “A gentleman approached me one morning after Mass who was very moved by my playing. I introduced myself and we started having a conversation. He asked me what my intentions are after I complete my matric year and I explained to him that my dream would be to study at any good institution in Europe, but specifically The Royal College of Music” in London, one of the world’s greatest conservatories. That gentleman was Michael

Arendse from the South African National Arts Council (SANAC). Mr Arendse asked Dale if he would like to do a recording of organ pieces which could then be sent to the organ departments of the world’s six leading music institutions. Dale didn’t need to be asked twice. The recording was made at St Mary’s cathedral on July 28. “The interesting thing about this recording is that a drone was used as part of the recording,” said Dale. “I don’t think the use of a drone in a cathedral has been done anywhere in South Africa, and I don’t know about elsewhere.” The recording session lasted up to about two hours, and Dale found that it was extremely successful. “I’m very thankful to Mr Arendse and his a team for making this possible,” he said. He is also very grateful to all who have helped him and who continue to do so, especially his music teachers and mentors. His parent have always been very supportive of his music career since the very beginning, attending all of his concerts—and also ensuring that he maintains a balance between his music and academics. “It can be very tiring as I have to be at so many places in one day, but it is important to prioritise, which my parents help me to understand,” Dale said. He places his goal and dream to get some sort of a scholarship or bursary for one of the leading music schools in God’s hands. “I pray to God that I will achieve this because without him I cannot do it. God has given me a gift and I am using it.” His advice to other young people: “I urge anyone who has a talent to use it because one never knows where it can lead you, and in doing so you are giving a gift back to God.” In the meantime, when Dale strikes the keys of that Cooper, Gill & Tomkins, he does God’s work— to the delight of the congregants at St Mary’s cathedral.

Young talent’s passion is the organ BY ThEO lAWRENCE & MARY lEVEVSON

APE Town’s St Mary’s cathedral is fast becoming fertile ground for young organists. Its resident organist, Dale de Windt, is a teenager, and lately another young Catholic with great talent held his first cathedral organ recital there, playing solos and ensemble works with friends. Mikyle Adams, 20, became the youngest-ever choirmaster at Corpus Christi parish in Wynberg at the age of 14, as well as its organist. Also adept at the flute, his passion is the organ, which he showcased in the cathedral recital in mid-August. “People in the audience said they were moved by its technical capabilities,” he said. “This is what I wanted to achieve: showing the organ’s beauty as an instrument and its music.” Currently in his second year of study towards a bachelor of Music degree at the University of Cape Town’s African College of Music, Mikyle has a passion for Western classical music, especially Baroque, Romantic and sacred music. He is also the author of the blog “Organs in Cape Town”, a project he started earlier this year. The first aim is to record the history and

specifications of all the digital and pipe organs in and around Cape Town. Next, the project aims to share the heritage of these organs to help musicians who do not have knowledge of the organ to use the resources on his website (www.mikyle adams.com) to prepare themselves well for playing the instrument. The final objective is to publish the entire collection with audio samples to allow people to have a deeper appreciation of the instrument. Mr Adams credits Diane Abrahams, his primary school music teacher, Celeste Moses and Ingrid Solomon in high school, and Judith Jamie, organist at Corpus Christi, for providing vital mentorship in his early years. He says his major influences are Johann Sebastian Bach, Felix Mendelssohn, and the English composer Noel Rawsthorne. Organists he is inspired by include England’s Simon Johnson and South Africans Grant Bräsler and Zorada Temmingh (the latter is wellknown for improvisation), as well as pianists David Fray of France and South Africa’s Franklin Larey. The gifted musician is steadfastly working towards his goal of becoming a concert pianist and organist, music educator and researcher.

Mikyle Adams during a recital at Cape Town’s St Mary’s cathedral, as John Woodland looks on. The music student became choirmaster and organist at his parish in November 2012, when he was just 14.

CLASSIFIEDS

Jackie Loffell C HILDREN’S rights and social activist Dr Jackie Loffell of Johannesburg has died at the age of 68. Born on February 13, 1950, she was schooled at St Teresa’s Mercy Convent in Rosebank, and then graduated in social work from the University of the Witwatersrand. She worked for a time at the Catholic Women’s League Adoption Society, and thereafter at Johannesburg Child Welfare. After 1994 she played a prominent role in the development of legislation to protect and promote the rights of children. She co-authored a proposed national strategy on child abuse and neglect, and played a central role in the Children’s Bill Working Group which interrogated and debated every clause of the Bill. Jackie was very active in organising social workers into professional associations which she felt should have teeth. As coordinator of the Gauteng Welfare, Social Service and Development Forum, she repeatedly pointed out that the government relied on nonprofit groups to implement services required by the Bill of Rights, the Children’s Act, the Child Justice Act and the Older Persons Act, yet had no realistic system to ensure these groups were adequately funded. She was concerned that if the

system was under-resourced, abused children would be neglected, frail older people would be left destitute, and many others left adrift too. When she submitted her master’s thesis to Wits, on social work intervention in cases of child abuse, the examiners were so impressed that they awarded her a PhD instead. For more than 40 years Jackie was a parishioner at Johannesburg’s cathedral of Christ the King. She was a soprano in the choir at the 11:00 Sunday Mass, in the days when the choir’s repertoire included Mozart Masses and Palestrina motets. When the demographics of the area around the cathedral began changing, with people from various African countries settling nearby, many parishioners left the cathedral for other churches, but Jackie stayed and revelled in the new styles of liturgy and celebration. When someone complained that the liturgies could be a bit of a “fruit salad”, she replied: “But fruit salad is nice!” She continued her love for music and singing in the choir, sang at the 9:30 Mass, and made many new friends. Jackie took a keen interest in Church affairs. An activist sometimes in trouble with the security police during the time of apartheid, her faith was thoroughly integrated with her life.

iN MeMORiAM

She completed the theology course of the Johannesburg diocese with the likes of Frs Andrew Borello and Michael Austin SJ. About 12 years ago Jackie was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. When she was no longer able to look after herself, she moved into Nazareth House. Despite the loss of her independence and her illness, which left her “weak and wobbly”, as she said, she maintained her good spirits and positive outlook. Jackie remained single all her life. She leaves three brothers and two sisters, and many nieces and nephews, to whom she was a devoted and caring aunt. In a remarkable tribute, her fellow choristers from the 9:30 choir, many of them working people and students, came in their numbers to sing at her Requiem Mass at her beloved cathedral of Christ the King. By Lois Law, Jeanette Schmid and Fr Neil Mitchell OP

St Bonaventure’s Prayer to Our Lady of Sorrows

most holy Virgin, Mother of our Lord Jesus Christ, by the overwhelming grief you experienced when you witnessed the martyrdom, the crucifixion, and the death of your divine Son, look upon me with eyes of compassion, and awaken in my heart a tender commiseration for those sufferings, as well as a sincere detestation of my sins, in order that,being disengaged from all undue affection for the passing joys of this earth, I may sigh after the eternal Jerusalem, and that henceforward all my thoughts and all my actions may be directed towards this one most desirable object: Honour, glory, and love to our divine Lord Jesus, and to the holy and immaculate Mother of God. Amen.

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The Southern Cross, September 12 to September 18, 2018

LetORD—Edna Madeline. In loving memory of Edna Madeline, who passed away sixteen years ago on September 19, 2002. Will always be remembered and loved by her family helen, Stephen, Matthew, Thérèse and Kieran, Janet, Dean, Michael and Kyle, Anne, Basil, Sarah, Warren and Jessica, and her sister Joan Swanson. May her soul rest in peace.

PRAYeRS

HOLY St JUDe, Apostle and Martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depths of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. Please help me now in my urgent need and grant my petition. In return I promise to make your name known in distribution of this prayer that never fails. May the Sacred heart of Jesus be forever blessed and glorified. holy Mary Mother of God, pray for us and grant my request (name your request). Our Father, hail Mary, Glory Be. Dermot PE.

O LittLe Thérèse of lisieux, of the Child Jesus, please pick for me a rose from the heavenly gardens and send it to me as a message of love. little Flower of Jesus, ask God today to grant the favours I now place with confidence in your hands (mention your prayer requests). St Thérèse, help me to always believe, as you did, in God's great love for me so that I might imitate your “little Way” each day. Amen. (Say this prayer for nine days and promise to publish it so that others can also invoke the graces of St Thérèse and Our lord Jesus in their lives and be blessed).

WeDDiNG ANNiveRSARY

WULFF—Ron and Cleone. Married September 13, 1958, by late Fr George Clarke OMI at holy Rosary Catholic church in Krugersdorp, we will be celebrating our diamond wedding anniversary. We give grateful thanks for the many blessings in our 60 years together.

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 at 076 1109 164 or fellyn.collins.psychology @gmail.com

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Liturgical Calendar Year B – Weekdays Cycle Year 2 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 Monday September 17, St Robert Bellarmine 1 Corinthians 11:17-26, 33, Psalm 40:7-10, 17, Luke 7:1-10 Tuesday September 18

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 828. ACROSS: 1 Result, 4 Embalm, 9 Confraternity, 10 Odorous, 11 Tiara, 12 Stave, 14 Flask, 18 Inuit, 19 Burying, 21 Dedicated life, 22 Erring, 23 Leased. DOWN: 1 Rector, 2 Sons of thunder, 3 Largo, 5 Marital, 6 Animal spirits, 7 Mayday, 8 Stash, 13 Vatican, 15 Middle, 16 Abate, 17 Agreed, 20 Ridge.

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1 Corinthians 12:12-14, 27-31, Psalm 100, Luke 7:11-17 Wednesday September 19, St Januarius 1 Corinthians 12:31--13:13, Psalm 33:2-5, 12, 22, Luke 7:31-35 Thursday September 20, Ss Andrew Kim Taegon, Paul Chong HaSang and Companions 1 Corinthians 15:1-11, Psalm 118:1-2, 15-17, 28, Luke 7:36-50 Friday September 21, St Matthew Ephesians 4:1-7, 11-13, Psalm 19:2-5, Matthew 9:9-13 Saturday September 22, St Maurice and Companions

GOD BLeSS AFRicA Guard our people, guide our leaders and give us peace. Luke 11:1-13 The

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1 Corinthians 15:35-37, 42-49, Psalm 56:10-14, Luke 8:4-15 Sunday September 23, 25th Sunday of the Year Wisdom 2:12, 17-20, Psalm 54:3-6, 8, James 3:16--4:3, Mark 9:30-37

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the

25th Sunday: September 23 Readings: Wisdom 2:12, 17-20, Psalm 54:3-6, 8, James 3:16-4:3, Mark 9:30-37

ERSECUTION, as believers tend to find out, sooner or later, is part of the deal for Christians. That seems to be the message for next Sunday. In the first reading, we are invited to listen in to those who persecute the just person (this will have been a familiar experience for those Greek-speaking Jews in Egypt to whom the book is addressed, making them wonder whether their religion was not indeed rather out of date): “Let us ambush the moral person, because he is inconvenient and is opposed to what we do.” This is not written about Jesus, but you can see that when the early Christians read it, they would immediately apply it to him: “If he really is the Just One, the Son of God, then God will help him and deliver him from the power of his opponents—let’s test him with insults and torment…let us condemn him to a shameful death. Because according to what he says, God will care for him.” So if you are finding yourself to be unpopular just now, because of your religious faith, then Jesus (and those Jews in Alexandria before him) has been there before you.

S outher n C ross

Persecution part of the deal But we can cope with persecution only if God is in there with us. The psalm for next Sunday sings about that: “O God, save me by your name, by your power give me judgement, O God listen to my prayer; turn your ear to the words of my mouth.” And why does he need the divine assistance? Because he is facing persecution: “The proud have risen against me, and the ruthless are seeking my life; they do not place God before them.” But our poet does not lose his confidence: “Look! God is a helper for me, the Lord sustains my soul…I shall praise your name, for it is good.” Our second reading, continuing the journey through the Letter of James, is not about persecution, precisely, so much as about the sources of the fighting and quarrelling that go on inside Christian communities, in contrast to “wisdom from above which is pure, then peaceable, courteous, malleable, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial, sincere”. That is what can keep us going, rather than the “battles and fights” that tend to

Conrad

whole picture. Hence his book combines his deep love for his faith and his Church with his refusal to not turn a blind eye to the very real faults of Christians and the churches.

t one point in the book he gives voice to something which might be described as an “Ode to the Church”. It reads this way:

“How much I must criticise you, my Church, and yet how much I love you! “How you have made me suffer much and yet owe much to you. “I should like to see you destroyed and yet I need your presence. “You have given me much scandal and yet you alone have made me understand holiness. “Never in this world have I seen anything more obscurantist, more compromised, more false, and yet never in this world have I touched anything more pure, more generous, and more beautiful. “Many times I have felt like slamming the door of my soul in your face—and yet how often I have prayed that I might die in your sure arms! “No, I cannot be free of you, for I am one with you, even though not completely you. “Then, too—where would I go? To build another Church? “But I cannot build another without the same defects, for they are my own defeats I bear within me. “And again, if I build one, it will be my Church, and no longer Christ’s.

Sunday Reflections

disfigure the Christian community, “from the pleasures that are at war in your limbs”. So persecution can come from inside as well as from outside. Finally, the Gospel for next Sunday is the second of the three “passion predictions” that give the structure to the second half of Mark’s gospel. It starts, slightly mysteriously, with a “journey through the Galilee, and [Jesus] did not want anyone to know”; and what is the reason for this? It is that “he was teaching his disciples, and telling them that the Son of Man is being handed over into the power of human beings; and they are going to kill him. And when they have killed him, he will rise after three days”. Not surprisingly, they are baffled by this talk of persecution: “They did not know the thing—and they were afraid to ask him.” But then they have to reflect on what is going on inside their community, because when they get to Capharnaum, he asks: “What were you arguing about on the road?” This shuts them up: “They were

An Ode to the Church ARLO Carretto was an Italian monk who died in 1988. For many years he lived as a hermit in the Sahara desert, translated the scriptures into the Tuareg language, and from the solitude of the desert wrote some extraordinary spiritual books. His writings and his faith were special in that they had a rare capacity to combine an almost childlike piety with (when needed) a blistering iconoclasm. He loved the Church deeply, but he wasn’t blind to its faults and failures, and he wasn’t afraid to point out those shortcomings. Late in life, when his health forced him to leave the desert, he retired to a religious community in Italy. While there, he read a book by an atheist who took Jesus to task for a phrase in the Sermon on the Mount where he says, “Seek and you shall find” (Mt 7:7), meaning, of course, that if you seek God with an honest heart, you will find God. The atheist had entitled his book I Sought and I Didn’t Find, arguing from his own experience that an honest heart can seek God and come up empty. Carretto wrote a book in reply called I Sought and I Found. For him, Jesus’ counsel rang true. In his own search, despite encountering many things that could indicate the absence of God, he found God. But he admits the difficulties, and one of those difficulties is, at times, the Church. The Church can—and sometimes does, through its sin—make it difficult for some to believe in God. Carretto admits this with a disarming honesty but argues that it’s not the

Nicholas King SJ

silent, because they had been arguing on the road about who was Mr Big.” So they have to be taught afresh: “He sat down [taking up the position of the teacher] and called the Twelve, and said to them, ‘If anyone wants to be Number One, they are to be last of all and servant of all.’” This is insufficient, it seems, and they need a visual aid: “He took a little child and placed it in the middle of them, and took it in his arms and said to them, ‘Anyone who welcomes one of these little children in my name, welcomes me. And anyone who welcomes me welcomes not me, but the One who sent me.’” Once again, this is not precisely persecution that we are talking about, but the faultlines within the Christian community that create tension and battles, simply because people are doing their best to get to the top of the heap. There is much for us to reflect upon here.

Southern Crossword #828

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

“No, I am old enough to know that I am no better than others. “I shall not leave this Church, founded on so frail a rock, because I should be founding another one on an even frailer rock: myself. “And then, what do rocks matter? “What matters is Christ’s promise, what matters is the cement that binds the rocks into one: the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit alone can build the Church with stones as ill hewn as we.” This is an expression of a mature faith; one which isn’t so romantic and idealistic that it needs to be shielded from the darker side of things, and one which is real enough so as not to be so cynical that it blinds itself to the evident goodness that also emanates from the Church. In truth, the Church is both horribly compromised and wonderfully gracefilled. Honest eyes can see both. A mature heart can accept both. Children and novices need to be shielded from the dark underbelly of things; scandalised adults need to have their eyes opened to the evident goodness that’s also there. Many people have left the Church because it has scandalised them through its habitual sins, blind spots, defensiveness, self-serving nature, and arrogance. The recent revelations (again) of sexual abuse by priests and the cover-up by Church authorities have left many people wondering whether they can ever again trust the Church’s structure, ministers, and authorities. For many, this scandal seems too huge to digest. Carlo Carretto’s “Ode”, I believe, can help us all, whether scandalised or pious. To the pious, it can show how one can accept the Church despite its sin and how denial of that sin is not what’s called for by love and loyalty. To the scandalised, it can be a challenge to not miss the forest for the trees, to not miss seeing that in the Church, frailty and sin, while real, tragic, and scandalous, never eclipse the superabundant, life-giving grace of God.

ACROSS

1. Ulster can produce the outcome (6) 4. Keep the deceased for a while (6) 9. Religious brotherhood (13) 10. Badly smelling around outdoors without a letter (7) 11. Portia raffles her diadem inside (5) 12. Wooden post to write musical notes on? (5) 14. It can hold the Mass wine (5) 18. Unit I turn to Arctic people (5) 19. Putting into the underground (7) 21. The professed religious leads it (9,4) 22. Straying from true doctrine (6) 23. Sealed, then rented out (6)

DOWN

1. Priest in charge (6) 2. Nickname of Zebedee’s boys (Mk 3) (4,2,7) 3. Handel’s noted slow tempo (5) 5. Kind of nuptial bliss (7) 6. Exuberance found in a missal I print (6,7) 7. Distress signal in Our Lady’s month (6) 8. Store away safely (5) 13. State of the Holy Father (7) 15. Ages of medieval times (6) 16. A beat to become less intense (5) 17. Concurred, it’s a vice (6) 20. Some horrid gentle and long hilltop (5) Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

HE faith-healing archbishop visited a parish. “Anyone who needs a special prayer, please come forward to the altar.” Joey went up and said: “Your Grace, I need you to pray for help with my hearing.” Confident that he could help, the archbishop placed his hands over Joey’s ears, praying fervently as the congregation waited. After an intense while, the archbishop removed his hands, stood back and asked: “Joey, how is your hearing now?” Joey replied: “I don’t know, Your Grace. It’s not till next week...”

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