The
S outher n C ross
February 13 to February 19, 2019
New column by a future priest
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reg No. 1920/002058/06
No 5122
www.scross.co.za
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r10 (incl Vat rSa) associates-campaign
Giving help after trauma of piracy
Part 3 of the Domitilla Hyams story
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SA’s political parties commit to ethics code By ErIN CarElSE
A
MAJOR part of the discussion at a January Electoral Code of Conduct meeting was impressing on political parties the need to exercise leadership that ensures their followers abide by and imbibe the ethics and rules they committed themselves to when they registered as parties. This is according to Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office director Fr Peter-John Pearson. Fr Pearson, who is part of the Electoral Code of Conduct organisation and was present at the meeting, explained that it was born of, and with the support of, the Electoral Commission of South Africa. So in provinces there are women and men who are leaders of faith communities, lawyers, media representatives, and heads of civil society organisations who can play a mediation role, exercise some leverage if needs be, and monitor the freeness and fairness not only of the election day and process but of the environment too. “We have the understanding that free and fair also pertains to the environment from the time an election is announced to well thereafter,” Fr Pearson said. “Because if the environment isn’t right, then obviously freeness and fairness have a procedural dimension and that’s not what we want, we want an environment that’s politically, socially, and emotionally conducive to people exercising their participation.” The Electoral Code of Conduct meeting, which took place in Cape Town, was with the provincial heads of the main political parties. Nine of the major parties were represented, and present. Fr Pearson said there is a commitment and joint understanding to abide by the code, and recognition of the importance of good leaders. “Leaders don’t go round tearing posters off walls,” he said. “Sometimes, in very contested situations, followers do, and that becomes a difficulty. So it’s also what kind of leadership parties offer the people.” Since 1998 a code of conduct on campaigning has been included in the Electoral Act. Political parties’ agents and candidates are
three Sisters of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood made their first profession at Sacred Heart Home in Ixopo, Kwazulu-Natal. the Sisters, carrying candles and wearing rosettes, are seen with members of the provincial council. (From left) Srs Mary Paul Makoa, Julitha Kijangwa, and Cynthia Mselule. (Submitted by Sr Marie-therese)
Fr Peter-John Pearson, of the Electoral Code of Conduct organisation, said parties understand their ethics commitments. (Photo: Keith Stober) required to subscribe to the code on submission of their nominations; and failure to adhere to the code is punishable by disqualification. Among the forbidden actions are: • Any form of speaking or behaviour that intimidates others, promotes violence, or plagiarises the emblems of other political parties. • Actions which deface, destroy or tamper with another party’s election material. “Hugely, the meeting was about engaging the political parties,” Fr Pearson said, “saying, ‘We are around, you are around, and together we need to provide the right kind of environment.’ We want to make it work as it is clearly going to be a contested election, and we need to ensure things don’t unnecessarily go awry.” Electoral Code of Conduct representatives were out and about on the final registration weekend at the end of January. Fr Pearson noted that there is a lot of vigilance and public support for the electoral system. “We were out checking registration venues were working, that everything was right, and there were no long queues,” he said. President Ramaphosa is expected to proclaim the election date sometime in February. The Southern Cross will be following up with Fr Pearson as the organisation will be meeting often in the upcoming weeks.
Abuse summit: ‘Action needed’ By Carol Glatz
A
T the upcoming meeting on protecting minors, Pope Francis wants leaders of the world’s bishops’ conferences to clearly understand what must be done to prevent abuse, care for victims, and ensure no case is whitewashed or covered up. “The pope wants it to be an assembly of pastors, not an academic conference—a meeting characterised by prayer and discernment, a catechetical and working gathering,” Alessandro Gisotti, interim director of the Vatican press office, told reporters. The meeting on the protection of minors in the Church runs from February 21-24. “The goal is that all of the bishops clearly understand what they need to do to prevent and combat the worldwide problem of the sexual abuse of minors,” Mr Gisotti said. “Pope Francis knows that a global problem can only be resolved with a global response.” The pope announced in September that he was calling the presidents of the world’s bishops’ conferences, heads of the Eastern Catholic churches, and representatives of the leadership groups of men’s and women’s religious orders to the Vatican to address the crisis. “It is fundamental for the Holy Father that when the bishops have returned to their countries, they understand the laws to be applied and take the necessary steps to prevent abuse, care for the victims and make sure that no case is covered up or buried,” Mr Gisotti said.
He acknowledged the “high expectations” surrounding the meeting and emphasised that “the Church is not at the beginning of the fight against abuse”. “The meeting is a stage along the painful journey that the Church has unceasingly and decisively undertaken for over 15 years,” Mr Gisotti said. The Vatican press office also said the meeting’s organising committee met Pope Francis. The committee members are Cardinals Blase Cupich of Chicago and Oswald Gracias of Mumbai, India; Archbishop Charles Scicluna of Malta, adjunct secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith; and Jesuit Father Hans Zollner, president of the Centre for the Protection of Minors at the Pontifical Gregorian University and a member of the Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors. The members informed the pope about their preparations for the gathering, which will include “listening to testimonies”. “Pope Francis has guaranteed his presence for the entire duration of the meeting,” the press office said. The organising committee has already informed bishops to prepare for the gathering by meeting survivors of abuse. “The first step must be acknowledging the truth. We urge each bishop to visit victim survivors of clergy sex abuse in their countries before travelling to Rome, to learn firsthand the suffering they have endured.”—CNS
S outher n C ross Pilgrimage
CATHOLIC FRANCE 6-16 October 2019
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