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‘Well-dressed’ looters anger archbishop

BY FR PAUL TATU CSS

The debutantes of Holy Rosary School in Edenvale, Johannesburg, raised R1 018 625 this year. The funds are going towards various charities which the school supports, including the HRS Phumelela Outreach Programme, as well as towards school development. Additionally, over 1 400 community service hours were completed by this group of 58 girls. This year of entrepreneurship, community service, fundraising, and self-development culminated in the Debutantes Ball, held at Emperor’s Palace. Seen here is the traditional photo of the girls, after modelling their dresses for the entire school on Monday.

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N archbishop has sharply condemned renewed outbreaks of xenophobic violence in South Africa.

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg, chairperson of the Office of Migrants & Refugees at the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, deplored recent attacks on foreign nationals in Soweto and Zeerust, among other places.

“Once again, we had to see media images of well-dressed, well-fed South Africans looting foreign-owned shops, assaulting the owners, threatening them with death and leaving destruction and shattered lives in their wake,” said Archbishop Tlhagale.

The archbishop said he was taken aback to see the looters loading fridges, stoves and other equipment onto trucks, and driving away with these stolen appliances while the police stood by and did nothing.

“In both Zeerust and Soweto, accusations of foreigners selling drugs and expired goods should have been brought to law enforcement agencies, instead of local residents taking the law unto themselves”, Archbishop Tlhagale said.

“We are therefore, furthermore, concerned about ongoing reports of incitement against foreign nationals” in other places.

More than 80% of South Africans claim to be Christians; therefore they are bound to adhere to the most important commandment, “to love their neighbour as they love themselves,” said Archbishop Tlhagale, quoting Mark 12:31.

He further said that hatred towards anyone—including those of a different nationality, tribe, race, gender or religion—is a direct violation of the command of love of neighbour.

Archbishop Tlhagale also quoted St Paul’s letter to the Galatians: “There is neither Jew nor Gentile, neither slave nor free, nor is there male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus” (3:28).

Jo’burg couple for sainthood?

STAFF REPORTER

A Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg has condemned renewed outbreaks of xenophobic violence in his archdiocese.

The archbishop appealed to the 80% Christians of South Africa to have a special concern for the refugees, love them and defend their cause; to love foreigners residing among them and welcome them.

He urged those still walking in the darkness of hatred, prejudice and ignorance to turn to the light of compassion and human solidarity.

Archbishop Tlhagale appealed to all South Africans to extend their hands to work with all people of goodwill who want to rid our country of xenophobic hatred and prejudice.

He concluded by reminding South Africans that every human being is created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27).

“It is only once we begin to collectively act according to this truth, that God will be able to bless us and heal our land,” he said.

JOHANNESBURG couple could one day become only the second married pair to be canonised, after Louis and Zélie Martin, the parents of St Thérèse of Lisieux.

The archdiocese of Johannesburg has laid the foundations for the sainthood cause of Domitilla and Daniel Hyams, founders of the Little Eden Society for intellectually disabled children in 1967.

Domitilla Hyams died in January 2011 at 92; Mr Hyams died the following year.

The recent plenary session of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference approved the investigation into the cause of the couple.

In looking at both as a couple, the archdiocese will be researching how they lived out the virtues—such as prudence, charity, faith and hope—in their married and family life, within their parish community of Edenvale, and in their work of establishing and running Little Eden.

With both spouses having died more than five years ago, this reflection is the first step in a long process that will investigate whether there are sufficient grounds for them to be presented to the Congregation for the Causes of Saints in the Vatican to be considered for possible beatification and eventual canonisation.

A formal petition known as a Libellus will

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soon be presented to Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg. The Libellus will then be published in the archdiocese, so that anyone with relevant information concerning the couple may contribute to the process, and in doing so assist the archbishop and the postulator of the cause. n For more information about the cause and the Little Eden Society, contact Nichollette Muthige on 011 609-7246 or info@littleeden.org.za

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Domitilla and Daniel Hyams, the founders of Little Eden.The archdiocese of Johannesburg is looking to begin an investigation into launching a sainthood cause for the late couple.

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The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

LOCAL

Bishop tells journalists to report abuse scandal STAFF REPORTER

A Staff members of HOPE Cape Town with representatives of the German bishops’ conference and German-speaking chaplaincies in Central and Southern Africa, in Blikkiesdorp township. (Photo: HOPE Cape Town)

German bishops’ officials visit projects in Cape Town STAFF REPORTER

O

FFICIALS of the German bishops’ conference visited projects of HOPE Cape Town, the HIV/Aids organisation founded by the German-speaking Catholic Community of the Cape Peninsula.

Mgr Peter Lang and Gregor Spiess of the German bishops’ foreign office visited HOPE’s clinic in Tygerberg Hospital, its township clinics in Delft and Blikkiesdorp, and the Manenberg Aftercare Centre, which HOPE supports.

Fr Stefan Hippler, chair of HOPE, guided the German officials, accompanied by representatives of the German chaplaincies in Kinshasa, Windhoek and Zambia.

The delegation was in Cape Town for a biennial conference for German chaplaincies in Central and Southern Africa.

HOPE is the only remaining relief NGO in Blikkiesdorp, whose people it supports with gardening training, artisanal courses, a soup kitchen and an education playgroup.

In Delft the group had to wear

mouthmasks to prevent TB infection from patients at HOPE’s clinic.

At the Manenberg Aftercare Centre, the delegation was met by Fr Wim Lindeque, who spearheaded the project when he was parish priest in the gang-ridden township.

Apart from the visits to HOPE Cape Town projects, the delegation held its conference, discussing current themes in Germany and in the respective countries that affect the chaplaincies.

The group also had a meeting and Mass with Archbishop Stephen Brislin, president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, with whom they discussed issues such as the German bishops’ process of allowing Communion for non-Catholic spouses of Catholics, communication, and the position of spiritual care for immigrant and migrant communities in the local Church.

The delegates also had an opportunity to visit Robben Island.

The next conference will likely take place in Zambia in 2020.

DDRESSING Catholic journalists from across Africa at a conference in Cape Town, Archbishop Stephen Brislin said they must “break the silence” regarding abuse in society or the Church, and also warned about using the sexual abuse scandal as a way of sowing ideological division.

Archbishop Brislin, who is also president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), noted that “the scandal of the covers-up is far greater than the abuse cases themselves”, since the cover-ups “enabled predators to continue abusing children, in some cases for many years”.

The abuse scandals are not just “Western problems”, he said. “What has been exposed in other places will indeed reach Africa.”

Catholic journalists cannot ignore the abuse cases and their tragedy of human suffering, and cannot turn a blind eye to other evils too, such as financial abuse, he said.

At the same time, the Catholic media must “recognise Christ active in the world, the good things being achieved by God’s servants”.

Archbishop Brislin also warned against those manipulating the abuse scandal to further their own ideological agendas.

“These people don’t care about those abused, they are using children’s suffering for their own purposes,” he said.

As falsehoods are spread and allegations made, people’s reputations are brought into disrepute or ruined. The result is a lack of confidence, distrust and increased anger among people, he said.

At the Union of Catholic African Press conference in Cape Town are (from left) SACBC media coordinator Fr Paul Tatu CSS, Southern Cross board chair Rosanne Shields, Vatican representative Fr Janvier Yameogo, and Southern Cross editor Günther Simmermacher. (Photo: Sydney Duval) “The Body of Christ is being ripped to pieces, to the extent that some even predict a new schism in the Church,” the archbishop said.

The conference theme was “Using the Media for Promotion of Integral Human Development in Africa”. Discussions focused on issues such as promoting peace, truth and reconciliation in Africa in the digital age, making the Church more relevant to youth, and promoting the Church’s social teachings.

Local presenters included Sr Phatsimo Ramokwebana of Botswana and Cape Town journalist Verna Rainers. SACBC communications officer Fr Paul Tatu and Rosanne Shields, chair of the Southern Cross board, helped facilitate the conference, which was chaired by UCAP

president George Sunguh of Kenya.

Delegates also had the chance to exchange experiences.

For example, Ethiopian delegate Habtamu Abdrew Beture said that in his country, with Catholics a tiny minority, no private religious radio broadcasts are allowed. Ethiopia’s only Catholic radio station has to broadcast via America.

By contrast, Frank Mugabi from Uganda noted that his country has 200 Catholic radio stations.

Delegates all agreed on the difficulty of getting Catholic businesses to advertise with them, either as a commercial proposition or as a way to keep these media going.

Charles Ayatan of Togo said bishops and priests must be mobilised to direct advertising to Catholic media.

‘Seeker after God’s heart’ turns 100

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Jane Jean-Pierre Thomas of Holy Family parish in Durban celebrated her 100th birthday surrounded by family and friends.

NE hundred years on and gran Jane Jean-Pierre Thomas of Durban is still living life to the full.

A grand birthday celebration was held at the Holy Family parish hall in Musgrave Road for Mrs Thomas.

Members of her brood of two surviving daughters from eight children, 52 grandchildren, about 100 great-grandchildren, and about 25 great-great-grandchildren, joined the party in honour of her.

Mrs Thomas is proof that age is just a number when you have God on your side.

The young-at-heart centenarian lived in Peters Road and worked at a laundry as a presser, then as a caregiver and housekeeper in her early years.

Mrs Thomas said her secret to longevity is being a “prayer-warrior and a seeker after God’s heart”.

The sprightly grandmother has selflessly taken care of her siblings, children, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren.

“Her good heart is open to all people from different backgrounds,” granddaughter Desiree Petersen said.

“The best lesson that I hope we all would be left with is her example of strength. Even with some of her challenges, she faced this world with faith and love,” her granddaughter said.

“Even when she can’t communicate in a way that we understand, her light still shines through,” Ms or Mrs Petersen added.

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The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

LOCAL

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SA Church to present project at UN

BY CHRiSTEN TORRES

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DELEGATION of South African Justice & Peace activists, led by Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp, will address the United Nations to present the “Tavern Project”, which has been implemented in North West province.

The Tavern Project is an antigender violence initiative in Klerksdorp diocese which started as a result of a workshop organised by the HeForShe campaign.

The delegation will introduce it at the UN headquarters in New York on September 25.

The Tavern Project—which began in Khuma, Kanana, Tigane and Jouberton—has mobilised more than 70 taverns to let men become key agents in combating gender-based violence.

In August the SACBC’s Justice & Peace Commission organised an inter-faith dialogue which saw Anne

Shongwe , the representative for UN Women’s South Africa Multi-Country Office, speak on the issue of sexual assault in South Africa.

Ms Shongwe highlighted the importance of religious institutions in fighting the country’s rape epidemic.

“The reason that we work with faith-based organisations is that you, more than anyone else, especially the leaders of different faiths, have the opportunity to shape different practices, different types of relationships between men and women, [and more] than anybody else, even the government,” she told the religious leaders.

Speaking at the same event, Bishop Abel Gabuza of Kimberley, chair of Justice & Peace, emphasised that “the faith-based sector should be at the forefront of efforts to end the scourge of violence against women in our country. This important task should not be left to the government alone.”

Ms Shongwe applauded Justice &

Peace for developing the project, which mobilises men and tavern owners to be key agents in the fight against gender-based violence.

The Tavern Project, which began with a three-day training workshop, in collaboration with the global HeForShe Campaign and Justice & Peace, informed and educated tavern owners on gender-based violence.

Tavern owners pledged to front and support the fight against harassment and violence against women and children.

Speaking on the project’s first event, Klerksdorp’s Bishop Phalana explained: “We chose to close the street in front of a very popular tavern in the township.

“We wanted to preach the message out there in the community, like Pope Francis encourages us to do, and not in the comfort of a building,” he said.

“We were very thankful that tavern owners came out and spent the entire day with us, considering it

Archbishop’s book to fund Marian shrine STAFF REPORTER

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HEN Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg left for Rome this month, he packed in his luggage a number of copies of his new book, Pastoral Letters on Mary and Matters Ancestral.

The book was compiled by Fr Jean-Marie Kuzituka Did’ho, chancellor of Johannesburg archdiocese, and forms part of the Mother of Mercy Marian Shrine project.

It was published by SA Catholic Online Books.

The homilies on Mary were delivered with the intention of promoting the veneration of Mary, Mother of the Redeemer, and to gather support for the project of building a Marian shrine in the archdiocese, the Mother of Mercy Shrine in the Magaliesberg.

Proceeds from the sale of the book will go towards the building of the shrine.

“The pastoral letters and articles on Catholicism and African traditional beliefs come at a time when

many Catholics find themselves at the crossroads between their traditional practices and their Christian faith,” said Frank Nunan of SA Catholic Online Books.

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Mr Nunan said that the book was edited, corrected, produced, published, printed and delivered in just 38 days—“which included a delay of five days while certain sources were being checked”.

“The manuscript arrived in my inbox from Fr Jean-Marie on July 27, and the books were delivered to the chancery in Johannesburg on September 3. This is certainly a record for me,” the publisher said.

“While there is no way I can know what Archbishop Tlhagale intends to do with the books he has taken to Rome, it would be nice to think that a copy could end up in the hands of Pope Francis,” Mr Nunan said. n The book is available at R200 per copy (plus P&P) from the office of Fr Jean-Marie Did’ho at did_ho@yahoo. co.uk; or through Morag Richardson at archbishopsec@catholicjhb.org.za or 011 402-6400; or from Lebo Majahe at adnewsreporter@catholicjhb. org.za or 011 402-6400. The book is also available online at www.sa catholiconline.org

Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp with tavern owners and customers.

The Tavern Project, which calls on men to actively combat violence against women, will be presented this month at the UN. would have been a busy day in and pregnant women,” he said. terms of business,” the bishop said.

Among those presenting the proj“This confirmed for us their com- ect at the UN will be Bishop Phalana, mitment to fighting any form of Robert Mafinyori of Justice & Peace, women-harassment, as well as to not and one of the tavern owners from selling alcohol to under-age youths the diocese of Klerksdorp.

Australian keynote speaker for youth empowerment conference

BY CHRiSTEN TORRES

A

CONFERENCE to empower youth will be held in Cape Town next month, with a keynote speaker from Australia and presentations from youth programmes.

The Organisation of African Youth and the youth chaplaincy of the archdiocese of Cape Town are hosting the Empower Youth Conference on October 6 at St Anthony’s church in Langa.

The conference is aimed at youth ministries in parishes and all in the archdiocese are asked to bring along at least two representatives.

The intention of the conference is to “nurture and support effective youth ministry in parishes”, archdiocesan youth chaplain Fr Charles Prince said.

“This will be aided through training and networking opportunities provided primarily for youth

leaders so that they can help build a Church full of young people who are alive and passionate about Jesus Christ,” he explained.

The keynote speaker will be Mark Doyle, director of NET Ministries in Australia. NET Ministries is a worldwide Catholic peer-to-peer youth ministry.

Youth programmes including Alpha, Life Teen and Taizé will present their work at the conference.

A discussion workshop will address issues facing youth leaders in their parishes. This is in line with the Synod of Bishops on Youth, which will be taking place in the Vatican at the same time.

The conference will also include input on youth programmes and activities that can be used in parishes. n Tickets at R90 per person, which includes lunch on the day, are available online at www.ticketwiz.co.za/ attendee/99/ticketwizard/

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The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

INTERNATIONAL

Bishops want action on rogue ‘Abuse scandal not priests who remain in Europe about gay priests’

BY JONATHAN LUxMOORE

C

ATHOLIC bishops in Africa have voiced concern about a growing number of priests who fail to return home after training or ministering in Europe, in violation of Church norms.

“Many priests respect agreements by coming back after working in Europe, but we’re concerned about those who don’t,” said Fr Emmanuel Wohi Nin, general-secretary of the bishops’ conference in Ivory Coast.

“Some Western bishops, lacking priests of their own, are allowing this to happen and saying nothing when our clergy stay on. We need solutions on both sides,” the priest said.

A firm agreement is needed among bishops’ conferences on rules and procedures for African priests in Europe, he said. The problem was raised by Bishop Ignace Bessi Dogbo of Katiola, president of the Ivory Coast bishops’ conference, at a meeting with his French counterpart, Archbishop Georges Pontier of Marseille, and is expected to be discussed again in an upcoming visit by a French delegation to Ivory Coast.

“While it’s true we have plenty of vocations and a vibrant popular religiosity, this doesn’t necessarily mean our faith is stronger. We still have a lot of work of our own to do in building up our Church communities,” Fr Nin said.

“Some priests are in Europe without their bishop’s permission, while others have obtained consent but not done what was agreed, often taking non-pastoral jobs,” said Fr Ralph

Fr Etienne Ruhatijuli, a Rwandan priest who serves legitmately at a parish in Dijon, France. (Photo: Stephane Remael) Madu, general secretary of the Nigerian bishops’ conference.

“There are limits to what any bishop can do when it comes to disobedient clergy, but so many are now missing that we must face up to the issue,” he said.

A

frican clergy have travelled to Europe routinely for studies or pastoral assignments for more than 60 years. However, in a 2001 instruction, the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples warned that those who refused to return would be “punished with an appropriate penalty”.

The instruction said the wish of some clergy “to leave their own country and reside in Europe or North America” had become a prevalent trend, often “based on the

higher living conditions which these countries offer”.

The problem of missing priests is worst in African countries with a history of conflict, Fr Lazarus Anondee, general secretary of the Ghanaian bishops’ conference said, noting that most Ghanaian clergy confine their foreign studies to Rome.

Fr Nin said the problem of absent clergy would be debated by the bishops’ conferences of West Africa at a May 2019 assembly in Burkina Faso.

“It’s the first time the issue is being openly talked about, and the solutions will clearly need input from bishops in both continents,” he said.

“Whatever the circumstances, the non-return of a priest harms his fundamental relationship with his diocese and pastor-bishop,” Archbishop Dominique Lebrun of Rouen, who heads a French Church working group on “priests from abroad”, was quoted as saying by France’s Catholic La Croix.

In France, 1 800 foreign priests— mostly from France’s former African colonies—are officially ministering, according to the French bishops’ conference website. French-born diocesan clergy have dropped by 40% in a decade to 11 500, with 105 ordinations expected during 2018 across the country’s 97 dioceses.

In Italy, up to 40% of parishes are run by foreign-born clergy, while Church leaders in Poland have said they may also seek clergy from India, Vietnam and the Philippines to make up for falling vocations.—CNS

BY GiNA CHRiSTiAN

M

ISCONCEPTIONS people may have about sexual abuse, sexual harassment and homosexuality as elements of the ongoing crisis in the church can hinder efforts to address it, according to a leading psychologist and expert on the crisis.

The complex nature of each of the elements can make it “hard for the average Catholic in the pew” to grasp key differences among them, delaying the formulation of “good, smart solutions,” said Dr Thomas Plante, a Santa Clara University psychologist.

Although many blame the abuse scandals on homosexuality among the clergy, same-sex attraction does not make priests more likely to sexually abuse children, Dr Plante said.

“It’s perfectly understandable that people could be confused by this, because we know that 80% or more of the clerical sexual abuse victims are boys,” Dr Plante said. “So people conclude that if you get rid of homosexuals in the clergy, then you’ve got the problem solved. And it doesn’t work that way.”

Most of the clerical sexual abuse perpetrators have been “situational generalists”, a term used throughout extensive John Jay College of Criminal Justice summary reports, the most recent in 2011, to the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.

Generalists do not have a specific sexual preference for youth, but instead “turn to children as a sort of substitute” due to psychological and

emotional difficulties in bonding with peers, Dr Plante observed.

Only a small number of abusive priests—and of sexual abusers in the general population—can be formally classified as paedophiles, according to the clinical definition.

“The paedophile is attracted to young, prepubescent children,” said Dr Plante. Prepubescence is typically defined as less than age 11.

Dr Plante also stressed that sexual harassment, perpetrated by a number of clerical superiors against seminarians, should be distinguished from child sexual abuse.

“Both involve power and sexual violation, but they are different,” he said. “Sexually harassing people at the workplace is not a sexual psychiatric disorder. It could be a personality disorder; it could be a variety of things, but it’s not a sexual disorder.

Historically, child sexual abuse has occurred in the Church and in human society “since the dawn of time”, said Dr Plante, noting that St Basil decried the problem in the fourth century.

Incidents of clerical sexual abuse rose during the 1960s and 1970s, paralleling a society-wide increase in other problematic behaviours such as substance abuse and sexual experimentation. By the early 1980s, the number of cases began to level off, due in part to increased research, mandated reporting, awareness and intervention strategies.

“I think the average person on the street thinks this is rampant today in 2018, when it’s not,” Dr Plante said.—CNS

Pope calls bishops to Rome to address Church scandals

BY CAROL GLATz

P

OPE Francis is calling the presidents of every Catholic bishops’ conference in the world to Rome in February to discuss the prevention of the abuse of minors and vulnerable adults.

The Vatican made the announcement after the pope and members of his international Council of Cardinals wrapped up three days of meetings.

After hearing from his council, the pope “decided to convoke a meeting with the presidents of the bishops’ conferences of the Church on the theme of the protection of minors”, the council said.

The members present “extensively reflected together with the Holy Father on the matters of

Pope Francis leads the 18th meeting of his Council of Cardinals at the Vatican. (Photo: L’Osservatore Romano/CNS) abuse” during their deliberations.

Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston, president of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, also updated those present with the commission’s ongoing efforts.

The papally-appointed group of nine cardinal members, the so-

called C9, has been tasked with helping advise the pope on the reform of the Vatican’s organisation and Church governance.

Three of the nine council members were absent for the meetings: Cardinal George Pell, who currently is on trial in Australia on sex abuse charges; Cardinal Francisco Javier Errazuriz Ossa, retired archbishop of Santiago, Chile, who is facing questioning over his handling of abuse allegations; and Cardinal Laurent Monsengwo Pasinya of Kinshasa, DR Congo.

Paloma Garcia Ovejero, vicedirector of the Vatican press office said that the council “expressed full solidarity with Pope Francis for what has happened in the last few weeks”.—CNS

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350-PAGE report commissioned by the German Bishops documents nearly 3 700 cases of alleged sexual abuse of minors by Catholic priests, deacons and clergy in Germany over a 68year period.

The release of the document caused shock in Germany, with many criticising the German bishops’ conference for its detailed knowledge of the abuse and their silence about it.

The Church-initiated four-year study examined cases from the postwar era in 1946-2014. Approximately 1 670 priests were implicated in the study. More than half the victims were 13 years old or younger at the time of the abuse.

The study states that the Church pursued only one-third of alleged abusers, who received min-

imal sanctions or none, while other accused priests often were relocated to other parishes without any information about the allegations being made public.

The bishops’ conference denounced the leaking of the document to the media, calling it “irresponsible”.

Bishop Stephan Ackermann of Trier released a statement on behalf of the conference, stating the bishops had planned to discuss the study during their autumn plenary assembly.

“We know the extent of the sexual abuse exposed through the results of the study,” said Bishop Ackermann. “It is depressing and shameful for us.”

Bishop Ackermann said the study provides data for the bishops to gain insights into the actions of perpetrators and the behaviour of Church officials in recent decades.—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

At eucharistic congress, cardinal prays for pardon

BY SiMON CALDwELL

A

N English cardinal prayed for the forgiveness of bishops who had brought “the face of evil” into the Catholic Church by allowing or carrying out acts of abuse.

Without naming the bishops, Cardinal Vincent Nichols of Westminster said such leaders had sowed “hurt, damage and mistrust” among the faithful.

He made his remarks before a crowd of 6 000 people gathered at Liverpool’s Echo Arena during the National Eucharistic Congress and Pilgrimage.

During reflections before the Blessed Sacrament, he told his audience that together they came to Christ “knowing our failings, sensing the anger in many hearts, knowing the face of evil”.

“I feel this with great keenness and sadness, for the failings of my fellow bishops are there for all to see,” said Cardinal Nichols, president of the bishops’ conference of England and Wales.

“As bishops, we are bound to each other,” he continued. “I come as a beggar, seeking forgiveness, laying the load of the hurt, damage and mistrust we have caused at the foot of the cross.”

Cardinal Nichols prayed that God would renew the Church “so that we may bring joy, not grief, trust not be-

trayal, love not anger in the hearts of all people, especially your poor and little ones”.

Speaking of the procession of the Blessed Sacrament through the streets of Liverpool, Cardinal Nichols said there was “not one iota of triumphalism or pride in our steps”.

“Ours is a penitential procession, for we are focused on Jesus, whom we have crucified. Yet we walk with a humble joy for he takes our failure, cruelty and deceit and overcomes it all with his love and mercy,” Cardinal Nichols said.

The national eucharistic congress was the first in England since 1908, when Catholics were forbidden to carry the Blessed Sacrament publicly through London in case their actions inflamed hostile Protestant sentiments.

In Liverpool, however, Anglican, Methodist and other religious leaders joined the Catholic bishops in their procession.

Pope Francis sent a message to the congress, read by Archbishop Edward Adams, papal nuncio to Great Britain, in which he encouraged the Catholics of England and Wales to be as steadfast as their martyrs.

“The history of the Church in your lands is marked in no small part by the central place that countless numbers of saints have given to the sacrifice of the Mass,” said the pope’s message.—CNS

The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

5

How to talk to kids about the clergy abuse scandal W

BY CHRiSTiNE ROUSSELLE

HEN speaking to their children about sexual abuse scandals in the Church, parents should listen to their children’s concerns and be careful to not to make assumptions, an expert has advised.

When discussing the issue of abuse, “the first step is to be sensitive [to] the age and stage the child’s in”, said Dr Gregory Popcak, executive director of the US Pastoral Solutions Institute.

A pre-schooler age obviously “would not need to know as much as an adolescent would”, he noted.

When broaching the issue, Dr Popcak said that parents should ask their children about what they understood about what they had heard, or what they think had happened.

Parents should determine what their children actually know before they ask them what they think about the situation, explained Dr Popcak.

He suggested parents ask questions to help frame the discussion, giving examples like, “When you heard that, what does that mean to you?”, and “What did you make of that?” to try to discern where to begin discussing sexual abuse.

Children need special sensitivity when it comes to talking to them about the Church abuse scandal. without scaring them, parents should be open to hearing children’s questions. (Photo: Guille Pozzi) Younger children especially may not know how to put their feelings into words.

Dr Popcak suggested that parents should provide multiple choices of answers, such as “scared”, “sad”, or “confused”. It is paramount in this type of conversation to identify a child’s knowledge, understanding, and reaction to a situation, he said, so a parent can address the child’s main concern.

Parents tend to “get really anxious and sometimes try to oversolve for the child”, and this is

why it is important to determine what exactly a child needs from his or her parents.

Instead of attempting to overexplain or resolve a problem, Dr Popcak said, the most important thing a parent could do is to reassure their child that while they may be afraid or confused, their parents will be there to look out for them and to protect them.

Small children should also be reminded that they can and should go to their parents to talk about things that upset them or make them uncomfortable.—CNA

Art ‘restoration’ in Spain Syriac patriarch: Christians have sparks outrage, hilarity overcome terror in Aleppo

BY MARY REzAC

BY DOREEN ABi RAAD

I

N the third known act of egregious artistic restoration of Spanish Catholic art in recent history, a 15th century statue of Christ and Mary has been given a fresh—and loud—coat of paint, simultaneously sparking hilarity and outrage online.

The wooden statue, from a chapel in the village of El Ranadoiro, about 56km west of Oviedo, depicts Christ on the lap of who appears to be his grandmother, St Anne, with his mother the Blessed Virgin Mary, standing to the side.

The figures, once plain wood, now sport bright colours, with St Anne in a hot pink veil and sky blue robes, Jesus in lime green, and Mary in a light turquoise veil and deep red robes. Each face has lined eyes and bold red lips; St Anne’s fingernails are painted a muted pink.

Amatuer artist and local resident Maria Luisa Menendez said she offered her talents to the parish priest, who gave her permission to paint the statues. She also painted two smaller figurines in the parish collection, one of Mary holding Christ, and one of St Peter, each with similarly bold strokes.

“I’m not a professional, but I always liked to do it, and the figures really needed to be painted. So I painted them as I could, with the colours that looked good to me, and the neighbours liked it,” Ms Menendez told local news-

I A statue of St Anne, Mary and the Christ child which was “restored” by a Spanish art enthusiast. paper El Comercio, as quoted by AFP. Reactions to the restoration on Twitter ranged from the amused to the outraged.

Spanish art conservation group ACRE bemoaned the botching of yet another piece of historic Spanish art.

“Does no one care about this continued plundering in our country?

What kind of society stands by as its ancestors’ legacy is destroyed before its eyes,” the group tweeted.

The incident also called to mind the uproar over a similarly botched statue earlier this year, when a 16th century St George statue was “restored” by a local arts and crafts teacher in Estella, another town in northern Spain.

The bright colours and odd expression on the refinished statue’s face left some comparing it to the Belgian comic character Tintin.—CNA

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N war-torn Aleppo, Syria, the Syriac Catholic patriarch proclaimed that “the will of life has overcome death; hope and security have overcome despair and chaos. Our people have overcome”.

Celebrating Mass at the inauguration and rededication of the restored Our Lady of the Assumption Syriac Catholic cathedral, Patriarch Ignace Joseph III Younan said: “We will always be people of hope and life.”

The cathedral’s inaugural Mass, filled with worshippers, was attended by Cardinal Mario Zenari, the Vatican nuncio to Syria; bishops of other Christian churches; and representatives of Aleppo civil authorities.

The patriarch led a procession through the nearby streets to the restored cathedral, then cut a white ribbon fastened to the

Syriac Catholic Patriarch ignace Joseph iii Younan leads a procession during Mass at the restored Our Lady of the Assumption Syriac Catholic cathedral in Aleppo. (Photo: Syriac Catholic Patriarchate/CNS) main door and entered.

In his homily, Patriarch Younan recalled his visit to Aleppo in 2017, when he celebrated Palm Sunday Mass in the

damaged cathedral with the faithful assembled under umbrellas “because the rain was falling on us from all sides of this cathedral”.

“We are gathered today to sing thanks and praise to the Lord who gave us this wonderful gift to be able to repair this cathedral in order to recuperate its beauty of the past. We are so delighted to come once again and pray with you, in this cathedral so dear to you,” the patriarch said.

“For many years, this house of God suffered a lot of devastation, being at the demarcation line with terrorists. It is now restored for worship, a sign of hope and victory of the good over the evil that destroyed so many churches and mosques in this beloved city, Aleppo,” Patriarch Younan said.

He noted that Aleppo was recognised for centuries as an most important centre for many Christian communities.—CNS

WAACSA Statement on the Abuse Crisis

in his 20th August letter ‘To the People of God’ on the abuse crisis, Pope Francis calls for “every one of the baptised to feel involved in the ecclesial and social change that we so greatly need. This change calls for a personal and communal conversion”.

we Are All Church, a movement of Catholics in South Africa (wAACSA) echoes this and repeats its long-standing call for a radical renewal in the life of the Church. Two roots of sexual abuse named by Pope Francis are a culture of fear and silence, and clericalism, both sustained by the abuse of power embedded in Church structures.

To eradicate these, and for our Church to undergo conversion, open dialogue and co-responsibility between laity and clergy are required.

To know more about WAACSA, or to contact us, go to: www.weareallchurch.co.za

6

The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

Why confession seal cannot be broken

C

ALLS are getting louder for the seal of the confessional in the sacrament of reconciliation to be loosened to compel a priest to report confessions of sexual abuse to the civil authorities.

The Catholic Church rightly rejects these calls, even as, at face value, they are reasonable.

If a priest learns of a serious crime being committed, the reasoning goes, he should be compelled to report that crime to the civil authorities. For those who have no attachment to the sacrament of reconciliation, that proposition is common sense.

Even for some Catholics, the protection of people from sexual predators should precede the theology which underpins the sacrament.

Most Catholics, however, would disagree. For the Church the seal of the confessional is inviolable, to the extent that a priest who reveals the content of a confession incurs automatic excommunication.

A confession is an act between a penitent and God, with the priest present merely as an intermediary of God’s mercy. In relation to confessions, a priest cannot act according to his own personal impulses (which in cases such as sexual abuse might well be to go straight to the police).

A law that would require a priest to reveal the content of a confession would neither encourage nor compel such a priest to report a crime to civil authorities, simply because he cannot do that. He would sooner go to jail. Such a law would criminalise priests for acting at that moment on behalf of God. There are also practical considerations which speak against legislation aimed at forcing a priest to reveal the content of confessions.

The most self-evident argument is that if confessions are not sealed in secrecy and the revelation of crimes would be liable to be reported, abusers would likely not reveal their crimes in the confessional.

This would deprive confessors of the opportunity to counsel abusers to change their ways and urge them to turn themselves over to the police, even at the

cost of self-incrimination.

The call to subject the seal of the confessional to limitations seems to work on the false assumption that absolution is granted automatically, with abusers cheerfully emerging from the confessional with a clean slate to resume their evil ways.

But penitents come to confession knowing that they cannot be validly absolved of their sins if they have no intention of ceasing their transgression (be it criminal or trivial).

Absolution demands a sincere desire to stop the sin. So an abuser—certainly one who lives with an overwhelming psychological drive to commit acts of sexual violence against his better judgment—might come to confession in search of help in overcoming these dark urges.

A confessor might be the only person such an abuser confides to about his (or her) crimes, and therefore would be the only person to shine a light of goodness into dark hearts.

The confessional offers a rare occasion for criminals to be advised of the consequences of their actions, to be urged to cease their evil and to seek help, and even to make things right by self-incrimination.

Since confession is secret, no statistics exist on how effective such guidance might be. But if we remove the recourse to counselling in the setting of confession, we may well exacerbate the problem of abuse, not root it out.

In cases where people report having been or being abused, a confessor must encourage the person to report that crime to the civil and Church authorities.

He might also offer assistance in doing so if asked to outside the confessional.

As Catholics, we cannot accept any law that would compromise the seal of the confessional.

But we can call on the Church to ensure that confessors are equipped to deal with the confessions of abusers and the confidences of abuse victims.

And we must pray for the heavy burden our priests bear in having to live with and keep secret the knowledge of the evils committed by others.

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.

Not free to see God as Woman I N an article by Keenan Williams (August 29), the conundrum of God’s gender, whether we should be free to see God as Woman, is raised.

The answer is that we cannot, because Jesus says God is not. The depiction of a female Christ crucified is historically inaccurate according to the Gospels and the historian Flavius Josephus.

It is human nature to query, explore, demystify. We threaten to run aground, however, when we attempt to recreate God. God was not created in man’s image but the reverse.

Testimonies to God’s Fatherhood and Jesus’ Sonship are extant within the Testaments. Feminine imagery of God and Jesus’ wish to shelter Jerusalem as a mother hen afford descriptions of divine attributes in place of proscriptive female gender.

According to the Catholic Catechism, God is neither man nor woman but pure Spirit in which there is no place for the difference between genders (CC370).

Christa Cross just crazy Manhattan

P

ROBABLY a number of readers were shocked to read in Keenan Williams’ article “Our Mother, who art in heaven?” (August 29) the account of the unveiling of the female Christa cross in Manhattan, New York City.

My advice to those readers is not to be upset. Anybody who has had to visit Manhattan as often as I did before I retired scarcely raises an eyebrow over anything one hears or reads of the goings-on there.

My wife and I used to refer to it as “probably the largest open-plan psychiatric clinic in the world”.

Paddy Ross, Cape Town

Seal of confession cannot continue

A

S a practising Catholic, I am deeply saddened by our Church’s continued assertion that it remains above the law of the country in which it serves.

If a person confesses to abusing a child and indicates he would most probably do it again, then that person must surely be held accountable by reporting this to the authorities. It is simply not good enough to hide behind the seal of the sacrament of the confessional.

The argument is often made that in “other professions”, like law, the lawyer is protected by client/lawyer privilege. This is only partly true: the professional privilege and duty of confidentiality which governs dealings with clients ceases to apply in certain, albeit limited, circum-

The human person is both corporeal and spiritual. God the Father is pure Spirit whose divine paternity is a mystery. God chose to incarnate his Son as a human male, a choice which is in no way an indictment of females. The movement to classify God as feminine may reflect concern with gender equality. This concern is a societal good, unless we project unresolved gender issues onto God. God’s true nature is revealed through Jesus Christ’s testimony (Mt 11:25; Jn 11:41; Jn 10:30; Mt 10:32).

Jesus taught the disciples to address God as Father. Peter is given the keys to the kingdom when he declares Jesus Messiah, the Son—not the Daughter—of God. Jesus responds: “Blessed are you Simon, son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven” (Mt 16:13-19).

God himself gave testimony to Jesus: “This is my Beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; listen to him” (Mt 3:17). We must heed Opinions expressed in The Southern Cross, especially in Letters to the Editor, do not necessarily reflect the views of the Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Catholic hierarchy.

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

stances, for example, if the lawyer suspects his/her client is involved in money-laundering or if a client informs that he intends to kill or seriously harm somebody.

In these circumstances, the lawyer is bound by law to report it to the authorities.

There is simply no common sense position nor good moral reason in my mind for a priest to be exempt from this same practice.

Constitutional law, in a secular state such as ours, supersedes religious law, especially when it involves the rights of children.

Perhaps the Catholic Church in South Africa should consider suspending the sacrament of confession if it feels it is unable to offer penitents the confidentiality that comes with the seal of confession?

It is also worth noting that our Children’s Act explicitly makes priests and those working within other religious organisations mandatory reporters of sexual abuse.

The Act confirms and makes provision for when reporting of any abuse must be done: “Section 110 of the Children’s Amendment Act [13]… implies that reporting of the suspicion of abuse must be done as soon as the suspicion is formed on reasonable grounds. The purpose of reporting is ultimately to ensure the safety and protection of the child in question. The reporting of a sexual of-

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God’s command to obey Jesus who taught us of God’s Fatherhood.

To rename God is to run the risk of disobedience to God’s command of obedience to his Son. It is to dispute the Way, the Truth, and the Life as capable of a falsehood. It is, in other words, blasphemy.

Pope Benedict XVI had this to say: “Christianity is not a philosophical speculation; it is not a construction of our minds. Christianity is not ‘our work’, it is a Revelation, it is a message that has been consigned to us, and we have no right to reconstruct it as we like or choose. Consequently, we are not authorised to change Our Father into Our Mother: the symbolism employed by Jesus is irreversible; it is based on the same Man-God relationship he came to reveal to us” (The Ratzinger Report).

God’s Fatherhood and Jesus’ incarnate Sonship should not be denied, but defended. Human speculation cannot rewrite divine history.

Nicolette Whittle, Kroonstad fence must be done ‘immediately’ according to Section 54(1)(a) of the Sexual Offences Act. “’Immediately’ can be interpreted as on becoming aware of the sexual abuse or when there is a reasonable suspicion of abuse of a sexual nature” (https://bit.ly/2O3ni5Y).

Dr Marie Keenan, the Irish academic who wrote Child Sex Abuse in the Catholic Church: Gender, Power and Organisational Culture, concludes her findings thus: “The very process of confession itself might therefore be seen as having enabled the abuse to continue not only in how the men used the secrecy and safety of the confessional space to resolve the issues of guilt, but also in the fact that within the walls of the confession, the problem of the sexual abuse of children was contained.”

Paul Lensen, Cape Town

Clergy must hear laity on abuse

F

OLLOWING the sexual abuse revelations of the Pennsylvania grand jury report and of now-Archbishop Theodore McCarrick, many Catholics have expressed thoughts about leaving the Church.

The pope and the bishops have responded with well-considered letters to the faithful. But for real healing to occur, opportunities also need to be created for Catholics to ask questions of their pastors and to express their feelings.

Urgent dialogue between clergy and laity on the abuse crisis is essential if we want to contain the crisis and move forward in a positive way.

Francoise Robertson, Cape Town

PERSPECTIVES

The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

I’m more than a ‘parish pump jockey’ Fr Chris I Townsend N order to break the current model of the parish church as a service centre, like a filling station, I think we need to be much more honest about the functioning of our parishes.

In our very pressurised lives as priests, we operate out of a service station mentality—and are often surprised when we are treated as “pump jockeys”.

We dispense sacraments and try our hardest to ensure that the buildings don’t fall down and that the children get exposure to at least some sort, sometimes halfhearted, catechesis.

We need to look at ideas such as “Divine Renovation” and other programmes like Alpha that ensure that we are an evangelising community.

But most of all, I think we priests need to have a chance to reconsider the model that we inherited.

Ask what parish you want—and then make it happen. So much of our Catholic community life is spent waiting for others with ideas, with courage, with the craziness to do things.

Recently I had the privilege of spending eight days in silence on retreat in KwaZuluNatal. No phones, no electronics, simple food eaten slowly.

In this space I was able to rethink what I think it means to be a priest in a parish.

The rethink in this case is not radical change, but just honouring myself and my parish commitment with an opportunity to look at what it means to be a parish.

The one thing that kept on coming into my reflection space is how little time we give to teaching a relationship with Jesus in prayer. Maybe it was because I admitted that function isn’t prayer and function isn’t prayerful. How do we do this?

One of the first points is to recognise

that the Sunday Mass (or gathering, which so many of our communities without priests must have) is a “roll-up” of a week (or weeks) of experience for the community that attends.

What do we need? Space: silence, prayer, community, and a way to experience the presence of God, by singing, dancing, serving, chatting.

I need to hear that as you cross the threshold into the eternity of the liturgy, you don’t do so without a fantastic array of baggage. Experiences, pains, joys. Somehow, this is the reality of the worship you come to participate in and make.

I

f we understand that, the structure of our worship lends itself to all those moments of prayer by allowing you to be all that— in a structure that gives you space. Without watches.

It also means that my Sunday Eucharist, as priest, is a “rolling-up” of all my experiences.

If I am to break the “pump jockey” mentality, then I need to admit that I am

Congregants pray at Mass. Fr Chris Townsend argues that a “divine renovation” in parishes must involve interrogating how we pray as a community.

The Year of Three Popes T HE death of Pope Paul VI at Castel Gandolfo in Italy on August 6, 1978, began an extraordinary sequence of events and led to 1978 being given the name of the “Year of Three Popes”.

Paul VI had been Bishop of Rome for some 15 years, following in the footsteps of John XXIII, a difficult journey for anyone to contemplate. It fell to Pope Paul to bring the Second Vatican Council to a close and then to guide the Church through the tempestuous and war-torn years of the 1960s and ’70s.

With his death, the due process of conclave followed, when cardinals worldwide were summoned to Rome to begin the process of electing his successor.

By all accounts, in the heat of a Roman summer, it was an uncomfortable gathering. On the fourth ballot, the name of the patriarch of Venice, Albino Luciani, received a significant majority of votes.

So it was on the evening of August 26 that the announcement of his election was given to a crowded St Peter's Square and his choice of name, John Paul, made known. He quickly became known as the “smiling pope”.

But his residency in Rome was to be brief for, some 33 days later, on September 28, this quiet, reserved man died of a heart attack. He was found in his bed on the morning of the 29th. The book he had been reading, Thomas à Kempis’ The Imitation of Christ, was still open and the bedside light still on.

The second pope of 1978 had been taken by the Lord. His funeral on October 4 was celebrated by Cardinal Confalonieri who spoke of John Paul I as “a flashing comet who briefly lit up the Church”. Yes, his papacy was brief but in so many ways it indicated the path that Pope Francis would tread many years later.

On a lighter note, my family had just

Pope John Paul i, who died after only a month in office 40 years ago on September 28. (Photo: L'Osservatore Romano/CNS) moved house that September and to ease the loss of friends, we bought my son a hamster, who promptly was named John Paul. When I heard the morning news and called upstairs that “John Paul is dead”, the howl from his bedroom only ceased when the confusion was explained.

So for a second time, the cardinals were summoned to Italy. Again it was to be a short conclave. It began on October 14 and after eight ballots, the cardinal archbishop of Krakow, Karol Wojtyla, was elected to the See of Rome, taking the name of John Paul II.

I

t was the start of a long, significant and at times controversial papacy.

Born in Poland in May 1920, he was a young man at the time of election by the College of Cardinals. Being Polish, his election broke with the long tradition of an Italian papacy.

His experience of living in communist Eastern Europe contributed to his playing a major part in the collapse of communism in 1989, when country after country of the Eastern bloc rejected the totalitarianism of

Pastor’s Notebook

a “Christian with you, a priest for you”, to misquote St Augustine. I also have the right to worship in Eucharist, for I too am a Catholic and a Christian, and it is my Sunday Eucharist, too.

I also come with my own baggage, my own issues. My experiences of being with you, and for you (and often against you!).

I can’t make my Eucharist about one of you as you often make your Eucharist about me… I’m here for Jesus too.

So where do we go with this? There are two ideas that spring to mind. Our Eucharist needs to be ours. Owned in a sense.

A village table on a Sunday.

The other idea is a solid and serious admission that many of us don’t find our Sunday Eucharist prayerful and refreshing.

This honesty needs to refresh our churches. Some want more music, different types of music. Some want no music.

Some hate the readers, the microphones, the flowers, themselves.

So we need to take a step back. What makes for prayer? How do we pray? How do we pray together? Do we pray?

This fundamental deliberation will go a long way to divinely renovate our parishes.

It will allow ourselves the space to rethink, recalibrate what our Sunday Mass is, and what we have to do as part of it.

The story of ministry becomes one of the admission of our own part of a journey that is often not easy. We often don’t feel Continued on page 11

Chris McDonnell

Point of Church

the Soviet era and the “Iron Curtain”.

Only three years after his election, on Wednesday, May 13, 1981, in the square outside St Peter's, Pope John Paul II was shot and wounded by Mehmet Ali Agca.

He was hit four times, and suffered severe injury. His would-be assassin was apprehended immediately and received a lifesentence from an Italian court. The pope later forgave Agca for the assassination attempt.

The later years of his papacy were marked by a conservative pattern of leadership as many subtle—and at times not so subtle—attempts were made to inhibit the decrees of Vatican II. John Paul II was without doubt a heroic figure, who travelled extensively.

As 1978, the Year of Three Popes, concluded, Peter Hebblethwaite wrote a very good account of that momentous summer and autumn with just that title, The Year of Three Popes. It is still available and well worth reading.

That time now is history, though 40 years on, its influence is still felt.

John Paul I wanted to address the crowded square after his election but he was reminded by the papal master of ceremonies that it was not usually “the done thing”.

How different when Francis stood on that same spot in 2013 and began with the words: “Good evening! You know that the duty of the conclave was to provide Rome with a bishop. It looks as if my brothers the cardinals went to fetch him from the end of the world.”

Yes, a long journey,but of benefit to us all. n This article was first published in the Catholic Times.

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7

Judith Turner

Faith and Life

Beware the thief of time and dreams

‘P

ROCRASTINATION is the thief of time,” the mid-18th-century English poet and dramatist Edward Young said in his book Night Thoughts.

While all of us are guilty of procrastinating at some point or another in our lives, some of us procrastinate all the time. We might be lucky enough to identify it in time and still do something about it, but for others, procrastination steals dreams and can even destroy lives.

I am a procrastinator. The reason people procrastinate varies from person to person and is not always obvious. Sometimes it is a hidden fear that we don’t want to acknowledge, or it could even be as simple as not wanting to do something because it just doesn’t motivate us.

In my case, I procrastinate because I always believe that I have enough time, which, unfortunately, is not always the case.

Over the years, besides the regrets of losing time, I have blown a few opportunities, some of which could have been life-changing, because of my procrastination. And I know those opportunities will never come again.

Now I would advise anyone to practise more diligence and discipline than I have. As soon as opportunity knocks, open the door! Fill out that application form, attend that meeting, submit that proposal, enter that competition.

Take advantage of the opportunity, because it is a God-given grace.

A

t other times I have set myself a goal, or painted a mental picture for myself of how I would like my life to be. And when it was time to take the first step towards my goal, there was resistance from my side. As I missed out, I’d ask myself: “Why am I not as good as others when it comes to taking opportunities?”

So you start doubting yourself and you might even question whether there’s something wrong with you. That is what procrastination does. It eats away at your confidence, slowly but surely, and it can make you feel like a failure.

Every 24 hours given by God are for us to use to the best of our abilities, with the gifts and talents which he has invested in us. When we procrastinate, we are not only putting off performing a task, we are actually not putting our God-given abilities into action, in appreciation and thanks to God. I came to the realisation that it amounts to taking our gifts and talents for granted, “knowing” that tomorrow they will be there again.

There have been so many times that I have made poor decisions, just because time ran out.

In the end, I settled for impulsive, poorlyplanned decisions. And these can lead to an unnecessary poor quality of being.

As the years go by and our procrastination habits continue, our reputation inevitably gets tarnished. Nobody wants empty promises. People might stop depending on us and hold back on offering us opportunities because they worry that we’ll procrastinate again and not deliver.

Procrastination also affects our physical as well as mental health. I love walking and I have many times tasted the positive effects of my regular walking habits, yet at times I waste weeks and months not doing anything. People also procrastinate by putting off medical checkups and appointments. This can have dire consequences and affect our quality of life.

Procrastination gives us a feeling of being out of control of matters, while being proactive gives us a feeling of being on top of things.

The latter is a positive state to be in and keeps away stress and anxiety, making us feel on top of the world.

Who doesn’t want that? I certainly do.

8

The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

PERSONALITY

Padre Pio: Holy and controversial He is one of the Church’s most popular saints, revered for his holiness, but there was a time when even a saintly pope opposed Padre Pio, who died 50 years ago next week.

CHRiSTEN TORRES looks at the times of the Capuchin friar from Pietrelcina.

S

EPTEMBER 23 will mark the 50th anniversary of St Padre Pio’s death at the age of 81.

By all measures, the Capuchin priest was an extraordinary spiritual person, and became widely known around the world as a confessor, for the countless miracles attributed to him even during his lifetime—including his reported ability to bilocate to different places—and the stigmata he bore for over 50 years as a priest.

But the priest was also controversial, even subjected to sanctions by a saintly pope.

Padre Pio—St Pio of Pietrelcina—was born Francesco Forgione to peasant parents on May 25, 1887 in Pietrelcina, in the southern Italian region of Campania.

Francesco had four siblings—an older brother and three younger sisters—and although the family did not have much in wealth, they were spiritually rich in their faith and love of God. From a young age, Francesco showed a strong devotion to God and spiritual life, dedicating his life to God at the age of five. His mother described him as “a quiet child who, from his earliest years, loved to go to church and pray”.

It is also said that from a young age, Francesco was able to communicate with his own guardian angel, as well as with the Virgin Mary and Jesus Christ. Padre Pio later said that he assumed that everybody could do that.

The road to priesthood In 1897, three years after he started school, Francesco expressed to his parents a desire to join the priesthood. His parents decided to

Padre Pio as we know him (left) and as a young friar. St Pio died 50 years ago on September 23. travel to a community of Capuchin monks, who assessed him. They decided that, because of his young age, Francesco needed to further his education before he could join them.

Francesco’s parents decided to hire a private tutor, to prepare the boy for a life in the priesthood.

Francesco’s father paid for the tuition by travelling to the United States, where he had found work, and sending money back home to Italy.

At age 15 Francesco was finally able to enter the novitiate of the Capuchin Order of the Friars Minor in Morcone, where he took the religious name Pio,’ in honour of 16th-century Pope Pius V. From an early age, Pio had been a very sickly child, having suffered from a gastroenteritis attack at age six as well as a typhoid fever at age ten. At the age of 17, Br Pio suddenly fell ill again, complaining of weight-loss, insomnia, fainting spells and exhaustion—some of the many ailments he continued to experience throughout his life.

Padre Pio devotees highlight this time as the beginning of the many inexplicable phenomena which were to occur in his life.

Throughout this period of illness, Br Pio still continued his study for the priesthood and main-

Pilgrims at the tomb of Padre Pio in San Giovanni Rotondo. His body, said to have been in a fairly good condition, was moved from a simple burial place in a crypt in the church of Our Lady of Grace to a richly-decorated tomb in 2008. His face is covered with a life-like silicone mask.

tained his spirituality. One fellow monk reportedly witnessed seeing how during a moment of prayer Br Pio levitated off the ground, in ecstasy.

On August 10, 1910, at the age of 23, Padre Pio was ordained to the priesthood, at the cathedral of Benevento.

Due to his fragile health, the young friar was allowed to stay with his family, while still retaining the Capuchin habit until 1916.

That year he joined the small Capuchin community in San Giovanni Rotondo, a small village in the south-eastern region of Foggia.

Except for a period of military service—altogether 182 days—he would remain there till his death.

The wounds of Christ In September 1918, while hearing confessions, Padre Pio experienced the first spontaneous occurrence of the stigmata on his body.

The physical marks, pain, and bleeding in bodily locations corresponding to the crucifixion wounds of Jesus Christ had also been suffered by St Francis of Assisi, founder of the Franciscan movement of which the Capuchins are part.

The stigmata left painful and bleeding wounds on his hands and feet, and would remain with Padre Pio for the rest of his life. The wounds would heal and reappear, but they were never infected.

The condition was also marked by the smell of perfume or flowers, particularly when the wounds bled.

Many Padre Pio devotees say they can smell these aromas when they experience his presence or intercession.

The miraculous nature of Padre Pio’s life was not without scrutiny and criticism from the public and the Church itself.

Because of the unusual nature of the miracles that were reported around Padre Pio, the Holy See launched an investigation into these accounts.

The local bishop, Archbishop Pasquale Gagliardi of Manfredonia, questioned Padre Pio’s reported miracles and suggested that his fellow Capuchin Brothers were seeking attention regarding Pio for financial gain.

Pope Pius XI, who became pontiff in 1922, along with the Vatican,

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Old church of Santa Maria delle Grazie, the friary in San Giovanni Rotondo where Padre Pio ministered and lived. became extremely doubtful about his namesake. The Vatican imposed severe bans on Padre Pio, including forbidding him to say Mass in public, bless people, answer letters written to him, publically show his stigmata and communicate with his spiritual director, Padre Benedetto.

Padre Pio was also to be relocated to another convent in northern Italy, but following riots from locals, the Vatican was forced to drop that plan.

From 1924-31 the Holy See issued several public statements which denied that any miraculous events that took place in Padre Pio’s life were in any way linked to a divine cause.

During this time Franciscan Father Agostino Gemelli, a physician and psychologist who was the founder of Milan’s Catholic University of the Sacred Heart, met Padre Pio, but was unable to examine his stigmata. Fr Gemelli denounced Padre Pio as “an ignorant and selfmutilating psychopath who exploited people's credulity”.

Dr Gemelli was among those who suggested that Padre Pio used carbolic acid to create the wounds of his stigmata. Archbishop Gagliardi further attempted to prove this theory when it was uncovered that a pharmacist had sold Padre Pio carbolic acid in 1919.

This accusation was investigated and later dismissed by the Vatican which noted that the carbolic acid was bought as a sterilising agent in injections to fight the Spanish flu, which was sweeping Europe at that time.

Throughout the 1920s, Padre Pio’s credibility was continually challenged, but the mood began to shift in the 1930s.

Padre Pio ban lifted In 1933 Pope Pius XI ordered the Holy See to reverse its ban on Padre Pio’s faculties to celebrate public Mass. “I have not been badly disposed towards Padre Pio, but I have been badly informed,” Pope Pius said.

Padre Pio was granted permission to hear confession in 1934 and then given honorary permission to preach, despite not having a preacher’s licence.

When Pope Pius XII assumed the papacy in 1939, he actively encouraged the public to visit Padre Pio. In 1956, with the help of the United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration, Padre Pio opened a hospital in San Giovanni Rotondo. He named it Casa Sollievodella Sofferenza (Home to Relieve Suffering).

Later in life Padre Pio became very well-known worldwide as a priest who was leading a life based on Franciscan spirituality which is characterised by a life of love, poverty, faith and nature.

As a spiritual director he detailed the five rules of spiritual growth: daily Communion, weekly confession, meditation, spiritual reading,

and the examination of the conscience.

The controversies around Padre Pio resurfaced in the early 1960s when Pope John XXIII imposed restrictions on him following (unproven) accusations of inappropriate contact with women.

But in 1964 a new pope, Paul VI, an admirer of Padre Pio, lifted all restrictions.

In his time, Padre Pio received many visitors at San Giovanni Rotondo. Among them in 1947 was a young Polish priest from Krakow in Poland.

“You will attain the highest post in the Church, though further confirmation is needed,” Padre Pio reportedly told the young Fr Karol Wojtyla—the future Pope St John Paul II. By 1962, now Bishop Wojtyla asked the friar to pray for a close friend, Wanda Poltawska, a concentration camp survivor who was told she would die from cancer within 18 months. Her inexplicable healing has been attributed to the intercession of Padre Pio.

Death and sainthood As the calendar turned to September 23, 1968—three days after the 50th anniversary of the first appearance of the stigmata—Padre Pio made his last confession and renewed his Franciscan vows.

Holding a rosary in his hands, he repeated the phrase, “Gesù, Maria”—”Jesus, Mary”.

At around 2:30 am, Padre Pio spoke of seeing two mothers (believed to be his mother and Mary) and finally released his last breath, whispering “Maria”.

It is said that an inspection of Padre Pio’s dead body revealed no stigmata wounds, nor any scars of wounds (which one would have expected to find, whether they were caused by stigmata or were self-inflicted). Only a small red mark was seen on his side, but that too disappeared.

Some 100 000 people attended his Requiem Mass in San Giovanni Rotondo, where he was buried (his body was later relocated to a bigger tomb).

In 1971, Pope Paul VI said of Padre Pio: “Look what fame he had, what a worldwide following gathered around him! But why? Perhaps because he was a philosopher? Because he was wise? Because he had resources at his disposal? Because he said Mass humbly, heard confessions from dawn to dusk and was—it is not easy to say it—one who bore the wounds of our Lord. He was a man of prayer and suffering.”

The cause for Padre Pio’s canonisation began in 1982. Pope John Paul II beatified him in 1997, and canonised him on June 16, 2002 before 300 000 people—including the pope’s friend Wanda Poltawska (who at 96 is still alive).

Padre Pio is the patron saint of civil defence volunteers, adolescents, and those suffering from stress. His feast day is on September 23.

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The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference My dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

On behalf of the Bishops of Southern Africa, I would like to thank you once again for your wonderful response to the annual Lenten Appeal collections in your different parishes. That is despite these challenging financial times, which is a true witness to your compassion, love and concern for the plight of the poor and needy that is served through the many projects of the Church. At the time of writing this letter we have raised a total amount of R10 664 544,26.

This is an increase of 2% compared to what we raised last year which was R10 409 643,03. On behalf of the Bishops’ Conference, I assure you our continued prayers and ongoing thanks for your generous giving, fully aware that the cost of living is a daily challenge for most of us.

The Bishops’ Lenten Appeal is the primary source of financial support for our local Church’s activities. The Bishops, in addition to being tasked with the responsibility of nurturing the spiritual wellbeing of our people are also concerned with the holistic development of the people of God. Your generous contributions to the Bishops’ Lenten Appeal continue to make this possible. We are extremely grateful to you for helping us fulfil our mission and this you have done faithfully over such a long period of time.

Because of the changing times we have to support many more poor and needy people, so we thank the generous benefactors that assist the Bishops’ Conference through the special grants that they have made possible for us to support the needy and poor especially our children. This year as I reported to the Bishops I confirmed that they have contributed close to R300 000, 00. We continue to thank them for their kind generosity.

This is how we will be using the money you so generously gave to the Bishops Lenten Appeal in 2018: Distribution BLA Promotion & Administration: R1 417 836,80

National Grants: R1 405 000,00 will be distributed between 12 applicants

Diocesan Grants: R1 483 059,11 will be distributed between 40 applicants

Our Seminaries: R1 900 000

SACBC General Secretariat: R4 285 000, 00 This leaves us with a balance of R173 678, 46 from the money that has been collected in Bishops’ Lenten Appeal in 2018. This we will put to good use.

May the good Lord continue to bless you all in the generosity of the work that you are doing. It is only through giving that we shall receive.

May God bless your kindness through the love that reflects in your heart.

In Christ Sincerely Bro. Ashley Tillek, OFM BLA National Director

BLA Promotion & Administration R 1417 836,80 SACBC General Secretariat R 4 285 000, 00

National Grants R 1 405 000, 00 Diocesan Grants R 1483 059 Seminaries R1 900 000

9

10

The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

PILGRIMAGE

From left: Daily Mass in Galway’s cathedral • Br Colmán Ó Clabaigh OSB (left) talks with Fr John Shand SCP at Glenstal Abbey • The pope live on TV in a Dublin pub • Pilgrims on their way to the papal Mass • Pope Francis drives through Phoenix Park in Dublin before the papal Mass. The Southern Cross group had a perfect view. (All photos Günther Simmermacher)

The Church in Ireland is still present After going on pilgrimage in Ireland last month, Southern Cross editor GÜNTHER SiMMERMACHER found a diminished but still present Church.

T

HE scene: a pub in Dublin’s Nassau Street, near Holy Trinity College and Grafton Street, on a Saturday afternoon.

The Southern Cross pilgrims to Ireland, led by Bishop Victor Phalana, had a couple of hours of free time after seeing the Book of Kells.

For my part, it was a good time to research Dublin’s beer culture.

As I ordered a stout from the hip young barman, I noticed that three of the pub’s four television screens were tuned to a live transmission of Pope Francis’ meeting with couples in the pro-cathedral (where our group had had its inaugural pilgrimage Mass six days earlier).

The other screen showed the Arsenal vs West Ham match, but the sound was set to the pope. It seemed the normal thing to do.

I found that remarkable: having a beer in a modern pub, watching the pope live on TV. It seems that the Church in Ireland has not disappeared. People might have left the Church and the practice of the faith in droves, and even be ill-disposed towards it, but the Church still has a presence in public life.

Of course, the first papal visit in almost 40 years concentrated minds. Although Pope Francis came for the World Meeting of Families, the whole trip was overshadowed by the sex abuse scandal.

TV programmes and newspaper column inches were dominated by the scandal. Often the rhetoric went beyond critique to assume anti-Catholic characteristics.

There was a lot of anger, and a lot of expectation that the pope would say or do something which might bring satisfaction. But it seemed clear that no words and no symbolic acts can ever accomplish that.

The Church’s decline If we had arrived in Ireland with ideas of seeing soutaned parish priests and bewimpled nuns roaming the streets, we were soon disabused of such romantic notions.

Earlier we had visited the Benedictine Glenstal Abbey near Limerick, housed in a previously private mansion. Part of our rewarding visit was a presentation and very frank conversation with one of the monks there, Br Colmán Ó Clabaigh.

Br Colmán filled us in on the discouraging figures of vocations to

the priesthood and religious life.

The seminaries and novitiates are empty—and the average age of active priests is nearing 70. At the current rate, Ireland will have only 114 active priests by 2030.

Where once there was such a surplus of vocations that Ireland could export missionaries to evangelise the world, including our Southern African region, ordinations are so rare now that when one occurs, it invariably makes front-page news in the venerable national Catholic weekly, The Irish Catholic.

The figures of practising Catholics is diminishing sharply, too. In the last census, the number of Ireland’s inhabitants who identified as Catholics dropped to 72%.

In the 1960s, it was 94%.

Br Colmán pointed out that the figure of Irish Catholics who attend Mass every week stands at 38%.

That’s a quite good number in the European context but an alarming decline in Ireland, where in 1989 the number of weekly Mass-goers was 87%, and in 2006 still 56%.

The joke question is whether Ireland will run out first of priests or of faithful. Clearly, the priesthood is diminishing at a faster rate.

And the identification of the people with the Catholic Church may yet rebound over generations, as the Church changes, old wounds heal, and the pervasive domination which the Church exercised over public life in the past is forgotten, and people look to return to Christ and tradition.

But by then, will there still be priests? That is a question which is exercising Ireland’s Church leaders.

Already there are parishes run by priests from countries where the call to vocation is still being heard.

For example, in Kildare—named after the Church of Oak founded by St Bridget in the 5th century—we had Mass in the White Abbey, a historic church now run by Carmelites from India.

While we were in Ireland, a conference was held about the future of parishes there. Bishop Michael Wüstenberg, retired of Aliwal North, introduced the conference to South Africa’s experience of Small Christian Communities. The former missions are now teaching the former missionaries about how to be Church in the 21st century.

Mass with the pope The decline in enthusiasm also found expression in the disappointing number of people who attended the papal Mass at Phoenix Park, the huge common in Dublin.

Where in 1979 about a million people came to have Mass with Pope John Paul II at the same venue, hopes for the first papal Mass in

I had seen something similar when St John Paul II celebrated Mass at Gosforth Park in Johannesburg in 1995. Surely refreshment stalls should be instructed to close for the duration of the Mass!

At the Mass and at other events on his brief visit to Ireland, Pope Francis strongly condemned sexual abuses in the Church and—with less clarity and force than I’d have liked—their cover-ups by Church officials.

On other occasions the pope has also called for the eradication of clericalism, which is at the root of the culture of silence and cover-ups.

His anti-clericalism message clearly has not yet infiltrated the world of papal ceremonies.

Bishop Phalana—who with our fellow pilgrims, Frs John Shand and Peter Whitehead, had joined the clergy at the papal altar—later told me that priests and bishops and cardinals were segregated as they were allocated their respective modes of transport from the congregation point to Phoenix Park.

Presence of the Church After the papal Mass in Dublin, all the irish daily newspapers led with his apology for abuses and their cover-ups. nearly 40 years was an attendance of 400 000. In the event, only 130 000 turned up (according to the police; the Vatican counted, with a healthy dollop of optimism, 300 000).

Let’s not be too disheartened by the fact of unmet expectations: getting together at least 130 000 people in a metro of 1,4 million people in a country with a population of 4,8 million is quite remarkable in its own right.

And numbers were certainly diminished by the weather forecast, which predicted relentless rain and strong winds, and what promised to be difficult conditions in reaching the venue (at the last minute, the nearest tram station on our route was closed, giving us a walk of 6km to get to our allocated area).

The papal Mass was all-ticket, so no walk-ins were admitted. Many people likely ordered their tickets on speculation, deciding to stay home and watch the Mass on TV if convenience demanded it.

Indeed, we were worried about the weather too, and about the arrangements. Even having come all the way from South Africa to be there, I was not looking forward to getting drenched by too much rain, with tired feet from too much walking, and a sore back from too much queueing.

In the event, it barely rained, the organisation was fine, and with

only a third of expected numbers turning up, we suffered no queues.

And the walk turned out to be quite lovely. From Smithfield station we passed houses with Vatican and Pope Francis flags hanging out of their windows, and churches decorated with yellow-and-white buntings.

As streams of other papal Massgoers converged with our route, there was a festive mood of animated expectancy. And the walk on the broad boulevards of Phoenix Park was agreeable (at least for those with the faculties and stamina to handle it).

We also had left early, so as to secure good places to see Pope Francis close-up as he was driven in the popemobile through the Mass site.

We occupied prime spots at the back of our allocated paddock, having worked out that Pope Francis would pass on that side. When he came—always a spine-tingling moment—we were just a few metres away from him.

The Mass was impressive. It is very special to receive the Eucharist which had been consecrated by the Vicar of Christ himself.

So it was all the more disconcerting to see, during the consecration, one man returning from the refreshments area armed with a milkshake. During the celebration of the Eucharist!

S outher n C ross Pilgrimage

5-17 May 2019

HOLY LAND & ROME Led by Fr Russell Pollitt SJ with

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

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The papal Mass was the penultimate event of our pilgrimage which had seen us visit the Marian shrine of Knock, Croagh Patrick, Galway, Glenstal and Kylemore abbeys, the Rock of Cashel, St Bridget’s Well, the Cliffs of Moher, Kildare cathedral and other sites.

On our final day in Dublin we joined the locals for Mass at St Teresa’s in Clarendon Street, a Carmelite church with a rich history. It is unremarkable from outside but magnificent inside.

Centrally-located, it’s said to be Dublin’s busiest church.

Our 11:30 Mass was well-attended (as was the morning Mass we had joined in Galway cathedral earlier). The church offers six Masses a day, aside from public devotions and various community outreach programmes.

The Church in Ireland is not irrelevant. On the day after the papal Mass, every newspaper carried Pope Francis on its front-page. All led with the pope’s apology for the abuse scandal. And all respected the pope for it.

The Church in Ireland is doubtless diminishing, but talk of its demise may be exaggerated. What is dying—maybe has died already—is that old all-powerful, dictatorial, clericalist Church. That Church has imploded, even if some are slow to accept that reality.

A new Church—smaller and less powerful but nonetheless present—is hopefully rising from the ashes of that old arrogant, calcified behemoth.

Next week: Pilgrims at Knock

CLASSIFIEDS

Grandparents have role in evangelising family

BY DAN RUSSO

N

OW, more than ever, grandparents have an essential role in their families, particularly when it comes to passing on the faith to future generations.

Crystal Crocker, an American Catholic, is known for spearheading one of the first diocesan ministries in the US focused on grandparents.

“We have to realise that while society doesn’t value grandparents, God does,” she told participants at a conference entitled “Grandparenting: Leaving a Legacy of Faith”.

“You’re needed. You still have a job to do,” she said.

Ms Crocker, director of the Office of Evangelisation for the archdiocese of St Paul and Minneapolis, urged those present to be “spiritual grandparents”.

Deacon Gary and Kay Aitchison, grandparents in the archdiocese, also spoke.

“We like to think that grandparents are blessings and anchors for their grandchildren,” Mrs Aitchison said.

Dubuque Archbishop Michael Jackels, in his homily at the conference Mass, said he could iden-

Deacon Gary Aitchison and his wife, Kay, with a photo of their grandchildren. The couple started a ministry for grandparents at their parish. (Photo: CNS/Dan Russo, The witness) tify with many present, worried about their adult children not practising their faith. As one of six children raised Catholic, he said, he was “the only one who still goes to church”.

The archbishop encouraged grandparents to show the truth

and power of Jesus’ love by their own actions.

“The wagging finger doesn’t work well with adult children; the most effective thing is the example, the imitation of Christ,” he said.

Matt Selby, director of the Office of Marriage and Family Life, offered guidance on reaching out to adult children and other family members.

“Don’t blame yourself,” Mr Selby said. “There’s free will involved. You’ve got to recognise their free will and don’t beat yourself up.”

He and Ms Crocker offered several practical “do’s and don’ts” when reaching out to adult children and other family members who are not practising their faith.

Both speakers emphasised the importance of prayer, fasting and sacrificing for children and grandchildren.

They also offered this tip: Let parents be parents.

“Let the parents discipline and you can come in and be the consoler,” said Ms Crocker. “Understand that it’s tough to be a parent. You can continue to influence, but you no longer have control. We can’t change people.

God can change them.”—CNS

More than just a Liturgical Calendar Year B – Weekdays Cycle Year 2 ‘parish pump jockey’ Continued from page 7 Spirit-filled and Spirit-led because we have no space even for ourselves. We are crowded out of our own lives.

Hence the need for parishes to become centres of honest prayer-mentoring. Of individuals, of groups. Of the Liturgy as Prayer.

I’m not sure I’m the man for all of that. But if we are honest, we can recognise that there are so many who pray in our communities. Some of them will be able to teach others to pray. And some of those can accompany others as prayer guides.

In our parish, we are looking at a retreat ministry: actually making space over recollection days and retreat weekends where we are able to discover, rediscover and explore prayer.

As groups. As individuals.

One of the greatest experiences of my own retreat was the giving and honouring of space.

This is what we need to do to rediscover our Sunday liturgy. It is, after all, our greatest expression of communal prayer.

Word of the Week

Religious priest/diocesan priest: Religious priests are professed members of a religious order. They live according to the rule of their order, and are under the jurisdiction of their local bishop, as well as of the superiors of their order. Diocesan, or secular, priests are under the direction of their local bishop. Most serve in the parishes of the diocese, but they may also be assigned to other diocesan posts and ministries, or outside the diocese.

Neighbourhood Old Age Homes

We can use your old clothing, bric-a-brac, furniture and books for our second-hand shop in Woodstock, Cape Town.

Help us to create an avenue to generate much needed funds for our work with the elderly.

Contact Ian Veary on 021 447 6334 www.noah.org.za

OMI STAMPS YOUR USED STAMPS

can help in the education of South Africans for the PRIESTHOOD at St Joseph’s Scholasticate, Cedara, KwaZulu-Natal.

Please send them to: OMI Stamps, Box 101352, Scottsville, 3209

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 Monday September 24 Proverbs 3:27-34, Psalm 15:1-5, Luke 8:16-18 Tuesday September 25 Proverbs 21:1-6, 10-13, Psalm 119:1, 27, 30, 3435, 44, Luke 8:19-21 Wednesday September 26, Ss Cosmas and Damian Proverbs 30:5-9, Psalm 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163, Luke 9:1-6 Thursday September 27, St Vincent de Paul (right) Ecclesiastes 1:2-11, Psalm 90:3-6, 12-14, 17, Luke 9:7-9 Friday September 28, St Wenceslaus, St Lawrence Ruiz and Companions Ecclesiastes 3:1-11, Psalm 144:1-4, Luke 9:18-22 Saturday September 29, Archangels Michael, Gabriel and Raphael Daniel 7:9-10, 13-14, Psalm 138:1-5, John 1:47-51 Sunday September 30, 26th Sunday of the Year Numbers 11:25-29, Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

576 AM in Johannesburg & beyond

DStv Audio 870

www.radioveritas.co.za streaming live

Catch our interviews with Southern Cross editor Günther Simmermacher every Friday on 8:30am 41809 MASS followed by Mass intention • 41809 VERi followed by comments

011 663-4700 eblaser@radioveritas.co.za

The Southern Cross, September 19 to September 25, 2018

YOUR CLASSiFiEDS

11

Anniversaries • Milestones • Prayers • Accommodation • Holiday accommodation Personal • Services • Employment • Property • Parish notices • Thanks • Others Please include payment (R1,80 a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication.

DEATH NOTiCE

HONEYWiLL—Mark Vincent. Passed away peacefully on August 25. He was a powerful presence in all the lives he touched and will be greatly missed by his sisters Sr Monica HF, Terri, and Sr Carmel MSA. May he live in peace.

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 on 076 110-9164 or fellyn.collins.psychology@ gmail.com

God with us.” Fully equipped with amazing sea views. Secure parking, ideal for rest and relaxation. Special rates for pensioners and clergy.

Malcolm Salida on 082 7845675, mjsalida@gmail.com

PRAYERS

LORD, inspire those men and women who bear the titles “husband” and “wife”.

Help them to look to You, to themselves, to one another to rediscover the fullness and mystery they once felt in their union. Let them be honest enough to ask: “where have we been together and where are we going?” Let them be brave enough to question: “How have we failed?” Let each be foolhardy enough to say: “For me, we come first.” Help them, together, to reexamine their commitment in the light of Your love, willingly, openly, compassionately.

HOLiDAY ACCOMMODATiON

CAPE TOWN—Looking for reasonably priced accommodation over the December/January holiday period?

Come to Kolbe House, set in beautiful, spacious gardens in Rondebosch, nestled just under Devil’s Peak. Selfcatering, clean and peaceful, with spacious gardens.Safe parking. Close to all shops and public transport. Contact Pat on 021 685-7370, 073 263-2105 or kolbe.house@ telkomsa.net MARiANELLA GUEST HOUSE iN SiMON’S TOWN—“Come experience the peace and beauty of

LET NOTHiNG DiSTURB YOU, Let nothing frighten you, All things are passing; God only is changeless. Patience gains all things. who has God wants nothing. God alone suffices.

St Teresa of Avila THANkS be to thee, my Lord Jesus Christ, For all the benefits thou hast won for me, For all the pains and insults thou hast borne for me. O most merciful Redeemer, Friend, and Brother, May i know thee more clearly, Love thee more dearly, And follow

thee more nearly, For ever and ever.

PARiSH NOTiCES

JOHANNESBURG: St Anthony’s church in Coronationville needs donations of tinned fish, peanut butter, jam, butter and juice for their soup kitchen. Contact Faried and Nadine Benn on 073 906 6037 or 083 658 2573.

CAPE TOWN: Retreat day/quiet prayer last Saturday of each month except December, at Springfield Convent in wynberg, Cape Town. Hosted by CLC, 10.00-15.30. Contact Jill on 083 282 6763 or Jane on 082 783 0331.

Perpetual Adoration Chapel at Good Shepherd parish, 1 Goede Hoop St, Bothasig, welcomes all visitors. Open 24 hours a day. Phone 021 558 1412.

Helpers of God’s Precious infants. Mass on last Saturday of every month at 9:30 at Sacred Heart church in Somerset Road, Cape Town.

Followed by vigil at abortion clinic. Contact Colette Thomas on 083 412 4836 or 021 593 9875 or Br Daniel SCP on 078 739 2988.

DURBAN: Holy Mass and Novena to St Anthony at St Anthony’s parish every Tuesday at 9:00. Holy Mass and Divine Mercy Devotion at 17:30 on first Friday of every month. Sunday Mass at 9:00. Phone 031309 3496 or 031 209 2536.

St Anthony’s rosary group.

Every wednesday at 18:00 at St Anthony’s church opposite Greyville racecourse. All are welcome and lifts are available. Contact Keith Chetty on 083 372 9018.

NELSPRUiT: Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament at St Peter’s parish every Tuesday from 8:00 to 16:45, followed by Rosary, Divine Mercy prayers, then a Mass/Communion service at 17:30.

Southern CrossWord solutions SOLUTIONS TO 829. ACROSS: 4 Speaker, 8 Orator, 9 Concede, 10 Satire, 11 Hoping, 12 Mass wine, 18 Fast time, 20 Cleave, 21 Geneva, 22 Drawing, 23 Dismal, 24 Saintly. DOWN: 1 Consume, 2 Baptist, 3 Sorrow, 5 Prophets, 6 Accept, 7 Ending, 13 Infernal, 14 Dilemma, 15 Cenacle, 16 Gloria, 17 Darwin, 19 Thesis.

Our bishops’ anniversaries This week we congratulate: September 24: Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town on his 62nd birthday September 24: Bishop Adam Musialek of De Aar on the 9th anniversary of his episcopal ordination

Pregnant? Need Help?

WE CARE

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We welcome prayers, volunteers and donations.

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26th Sunday: September 30 Readings: Numbers 11: 25-29, Psalm 19:8, 10, 12-14, James 5:1-6, Mark 9:38-43, 45, 47-48

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OD is different from us; and we too readily (and too arrogantly) assume that we know how God should behave.

You can see something of that in the readings for next Sunday.

In the first reading, God generously bestows the divine spirit (“The Lord came down in a cloud…and gave to seventy men of the elders, and as the Spirit came to rest on them, they prophesied”).

However, two of them, Eldad and Medad, had stayed in bed; but despite this behaviour, the Spirit was still generous enough to descend upon them, and “they prophesied in the camp”.

This does not at all fit Joshua’s notion of what is right and fitting, and he implores Moses (forgetting that he is only a servant): “My lord Moses—stop them!”

Moses, however, takes an altogether more relaxed view, and replies: “Are you jealous on my behalf? If only the Lord would turn the whole people into prophets! If only the Lord would give his Spirit upon them!”

The psalm for next Sunday puts the whole thing in context: what matters here is God and God’s self-revelation to us: “The Law of

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We are not akin to God the Lord is perfect; it refreshes the soul; the Lord’s decrees are to be relied upon; they give wisdom to the simple.”

So it is not our status that is of importance (we count among the “simple”), but what God is up to: “The fear of the Lord is pure, and it stands forever; the judgments of the Lord are true, and they stand forever.”

We have to recognise that we can get things wrong: “Cleanse me from my unknown faults.” So we pray: “Keep me from wilful sins, then I shall be innocent from serious sin.”

God is the context of all our relationships and of all that we do.

The second reading continues with the splendid letter of James;it is directed in the first place to those who might be expected to be arrogant: “Come now, you rich: weep and cry out over your miseries that are coming upon you.”

The point is, of course, that you can trust in God, but you cannot trust in your wealth, because “your wealth has rotted, and your clothes become moth-eaten”, and the same, it appears, for “your gold and silver”, whose rottenness will devour your flesh like fire”.

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Unfortunately, with few exceptions, our churches have never grasped sexuality well; just as our culture, with even fewer exceptions, has never grasped chastity well.

One searches, mostly in vain, for a Christian spirituality of sexuality that’s truly wholesome and which properly honours the wonderful gift God gave us in our sexuality. Likewise, one searches, mostly entirely in vain, for a secular voice that grasps the importance of chastity.

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Conrad

hen Moses was standing before the burning bush and God told him, “Take off your shoes because the ground you are standing on is holy”, God was speaking pre-eminently about how we, as humans, stand before each other inside the mystery of love and sexuality. Sex is life-giving only if it is given and received with proper respect.

Sexuality, as we know, is more than sex.

When God created the first human beings, God looked at them and said: “It’s not good for a person to be alone!”

That wasn’t just true for Adam and Eve; it’s true for every human being, every living thing, and every molecule and atom in the universe.

It’s not good to be alone and sexuality is the fire within us that at every level of our being, conscious and unconscious, body and soul, drives us outward beyond our aloneness, towards family, community, friendship, companionship, procreation, cocreation, delight, and consummation.

Sexuality is linked to our very instinct to

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Sunday Reflections

Not only that, but James accuses his readers of neglecting their workers: “The [unpaid] wages of your workers who mow your lawns cry out; and the shouts of the harvesters have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.”

We are charged with living too comfortable a life and with “slaughtering the just one, who is not opposed to you”. We have to behave, in contrast, as God would behave.

Then in the Gospel, John (son of Zebedee, and one of Jesus’ “inner cabinet”) thinks he knows exactly who can be a friend of Jesus, and tells him, clearly looking for praise: “Teacher, we saw someone casting out demons in your name, and we stopped him, because he was not a disciple with us.”

Jesus, perhaps a shade wearily, says: “Don’t stop him! You see, no one who performs a miracle in my name is going to be able to badmouth me in a hurry.”

Then he explains how his ministry is different from what John was clearly expecting: “You see, anyone who is not against us, is on our side.” And it goes deeper: “Anyone who gives you people a glass of water on the grounds that you belong to Christ, Amen, I’m telling you, they will not lose their reward.”

Why sexuality is sacred OE to chastity that is not practised out of love, but woe to love that excludes chastity.”

These are the words of Benoit Standaert, a Benedictine monk, and I believe they can be profitably read in our culture today where, to the detriment of everyone, the sexually active and vowed celibates alike, sexuality and chastity are generally seen as opposed to each other, as enemies.

Unfortunately, this opposition is not very well understood today, either in our culture or in our churches.

In our current culture, chastity is mostly seen as a naiveté, a lack of critical sophistication, a quality you honour and protect only in children. Indeed, within the popular culture today, chastity is often disdained and seen as a fear-based moral rigidity.

Ironically many of us in our churches who are trying to defend chastity are no healthier. We never link the chastity we defend to a spirituality that’s wholesome enough to be able to celebrate sexuality as a beautiful gift from God that’s intended to be linked to exuberance, spirituality, and delight.

Sexuality and chastity aren’t enemies, as our culture and churches make them out to be. They’re different sides of the same coin. They need each other.

Sexuality without chastity is invariably soulless and not respectful. Conversely, chastity that sees itself as somehow above or divorced from sex will invariably end up in sterility, judgment and anger. Woe to either—if it doesn’t take the other seriously.

Nicholas King SJ

But there is more to it than this: “Anyone who trips up one of these little ones who believe in me, it would be better for that person to have a millstone round his neck and thrown into the sea.”

God, you see, is different, and demands radically higher standards than we can easily grasp: “If your hand makes you trip up, cut it off…if your foot makes you trip up, cut it off… if your eye makes you trip up, throw it out.”

God is very different, and demands the highest standards of discipleship: “It is better to enter the Kingdom of God with just one eye than to be thrown into Gehenna with two eyes, where their worm does not die and the fire is not quenched.”

If we are shocked by this, that may be what God wants for us today, to recognise that God is different and that our values constantly need to be challenged if we are to become remotely worthy of the precious gift of discipleship.

This week, what is the challenge that the Lord is laying before you?

Southern Crossword #829

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

continue breathing and cannot be separated from the sacredness we feel inside us as creatures made in the image and likeness of God. And, as an energy, sexuality is sacred, never to be denigrated in the name of something higher or reduced to the casual.

Chastity, as we don’t always know, is first of all not even a sexual concept. It’s about much more. Chastity is proper respect and proper patience, not just for how we stand before sex but for how we stand before all of life.

Chastity is not celibacy, much less frigidity. One can be celibate but not chaste; just as one can be sexually active and chaste. Chastity, properly understood, is not anti-sexual; it strives to protect sexuality from its own excessive power by surrounding it with the needed filters, patience and respect, thus allowing the other person to be fully herself or himself, allowing us to be fully ourselves, and allowing sex to be what it was intended to be: a sacred, life-giving gift.

Annie Dillard in Holy the Firm offers an interesting image of chastity. She describes how one day, watching a butterfly struggle to emerge from its cocoon, she gave in to impatience.

The process was fascinating but interminably slow; at a point, she took a candle and added some heat to the cocoon.

The butterfly then emerged more quickly, but, because the process had not been given the necessary time and freedom to unfold on its own terms, the butterfly emerged with damaged wings.

The natural order of things had not been given its due, a fault in chastity, an ill-advised impatience, a prematurity that causes a limp in nature.

Sexuality and chastity need each other.

Sexuality brings the energy, the longing, the fire, and the urgency which keep us aware, consciously and unconsciously, that it’s not good to be alone. If we shut that off, we become sterile and angry.

Chastity, on the other hand, tells us that, in that process of seeking union with all that’s beyond us, we must have enough patience and respect to let the other fully be other and ourselves be fully ourselves.

ACROSS

4. It may be loud for a liturgical reader (7) 8. One who makes a public address (6) 9. Admit to the truth of the argument (7) 10. Tear is shed about public ridicule (6) 11. Trusting in a theological virtue (6) 12. The matter of transubstantiation (4,4) 18. Athlete’s rate of progress during Lent (4,4) 20. A hundred depart or split (6) 21. City associated with Calvin (6) 22. A rough sketch that could be attractive (7) 23. Gloomy pagan god is malicious internally (6) 24. Virtuous (7)

DOWN

1. Swallow the sacred Host (7) 2. Protestant like St John? (7) 3. You must express it for sin (6) 5. They are major or minor in the Old Testament (8) 6. Receive the Mass offerings (6) 7. Finishing with the last word (6) 13. Awful, having to do with hell (8) 14. A difficult choice with horns attached (7) 15. Room for the Last Supper (7) 16. She has a liturgical hymn of praise (6) 17. Charles the evolutionist (6) 19. Seth is about to provide a proposition (6) Solutions on page 11

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