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February 27 to March 5, 2019

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No 5124

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What you need to know about Lent

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Chaplain: Why we must help prisoners

New insights: The science of being happy

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Ash Wednesday March 6

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Archbishop calls parishes, priests to action STAFF REPORTER

M Fr Elvis Komane (right) was ordained to the priesthood by Bishop Giuseppe Sandri of Witbank (left). The ordination Mass was held in the new priest’s home community at St Andrew’s church in Longtill in the parish of Steelpoort, a mining town in Limpopo province, on the border with Mpumalanga. The mission and its outstations fall under the diocese of Witbank. Fr Komane, who was born in Stocking village, studied at St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria. He was appointed to Mbombela/Nelspruit parish last year and will continue to serve there. (Photo: Mathiebela Sebothoma)

No people; cathedral for sale

A

CATHEDRAL in the Netherlands is expected to be closed and sold due to an ongoing decrease in attendance, as the ageing building has become more expensive to maintain.

St Catherine’s cathedral in Utrecht will likely be sold to the Museum Catharijne Convent, a former convent that has been turned into a religious art gallery.

An online petition has been opened by a group of parishioners who believe there is still a possibility for Catholic growth in the city.

“Closing the cathedral and thus removing the visibility of Catholicism in the inner city will prevent growth of the community in the future,” the petition reads.

St Catherine's was initially built as part of a Carmelite friary, between the 15th and 16th centuries. When the archdiocese of Utrecht was suppressed in 1580 amid the Dutch Revolt and the Protestant Reformation, the church was given over to Calvinists.

It was returned to the Catholic Church in the 19th century, and it became the cathedral when the Utrecht archdiocese was re-established in 1853.

Church historian Peter Nessen told NOS, a Dutch public broadcaster, that should St

T

St Catherine’s cathedral in Utrecht, Netherlands, which is to be to sold.

Catherine's be sold, the bishop's cathedra could be moved to St Augustine parish in Utrecht, or to a church in Apeldoorn, more than 40km east of Utrecht.

The historian added that it would be the first time a Dutch cathedral has had to be relocated because of insufficient funds and a low number of parishioners.

From a high of 942 000 Catholics in 1980, the Utrecht archdiocese, the number of Catholics was 754 000 in 2017.—CNA

ARKING his silver jubilee as a bishop, the archbishop of Pretoria urged priests to find the meaning of their vocation in faith, to trust God, to be ministers of the Word, and to have initiative in supervising the ministries of the archdiocese in their parishes.

“God’s grace is expressed in and by the ministries of the Church. Let all parishes and sodalities and individuals seek to contribute,” Archbishop William Slattery said in a letter addressed to his priests.

The Irish-born archbishop turned 75 last September. He was ordained bishop of Kokstad on February 19, 1994, succeeding his Franciscan confrere, Bishop (now Cardinal) Wilfrid Napier, who had been transferred to Durban.

He was appointed archbishop of Pretoria in December 2010.

In his letter to the clergy of his archdiocese, Archbishop Slattery urged priests to support the welfare of young families, especially through the parish, but in doing so let the laity lead.

“Since perfect families do not fall down from heaven, parish communities must make every effort to support couples in preparation for marriage and accompany them especially in the early years,” the archbishop said, adding: “Here is a field where the lead can come from the laity.”

He also encouraged priests to support the youth, by evangelising them and giving young people the freedom to lead.

Archbishop Slattery reminded the priests that the youth are not the future of the Church but “the Church present already, now”.

“Every generation is like a new continent to be won,” he said. “The youth are the agents of evangelisation to each other and to the whole Church. They must be encouraged to be the missionary disciples who will bring the light of faith to their peers.”

The archbishop also urged parishes to have sodalities for children “which will engage

Archbishop William Slattery, who has celebrated the 25th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. (Photo: Bishop Stanislaw Dziuba) them not only in catechetics but [also] in the work of service”, saying: “By participating they become.”

With so few Catholic children in Catholic schools, the responsibility of parents and parishes in evangelising children and the youth is important, he said..

“While we have archdiocesan committees zealously at work, our volunteers need urgent assistance from parents and supervision from priests. Can we engage seriously with post confirmation young adults?”

Noting that we “are surrounded by intolerable events; human trafficking, corruption, inequality, violence in the home, abuse and gender-based violence, racism, xenophobia, poor services and abuse of creation”, Archbishop Slattery called for increased Justice & Peace action in parishes.

A great challenge this year is the May 8 election. It is a task for all parishes and sodalities to oversee a peaceful and free national election, he noted.

As South Africa prepares to mark 25 years Continued on page 2

Thank you for helping your Southern Cross

hank you! Thank you to the priests who speak about The Southern Cross from the pulpit to encourage their parishioners to buy the newspaper.

Thank you to the parishes that sell editions of The Southern Cross which the Post Office failed to deliver on time.

Thank you to the many people who take such great care that The Southern Cross is collected, unpacked, displayed and sold in the parishes—and a special thanks to those who stand in doorways, refusing to let anyone pass with-

out buying the weekly Catholic newspaper.

These good people, most of them unknown to us, are just as important in the social communications apostolate of The Southern Cross as the editor.

Thank you to our advertisers, whether they advertise because they know it works or simply as a way of supporting The Southern Cross. As an independent newspaper we rely on circulation and advertising revenue— every advert that is placed helps us survive.

Thank you, our loyal readers. While

the impact of the digital revolution has not exempted The Southern Cross from declining circulation, the effect has not been nearly as dramatic as that experience by other newspapers. Our readers clearly love their Southern Cross, be it in newsprint or in the form of our digital edition.

Thank you to our volunteers who invest so much of their time in keeping the newspaper alive.

And thank you to those who support us through the Associates Campaign, such as the kind 90+ year old pensioner who signed up to safeguard

the newspaper’s future.

The Associates Campaign is tightly managed so that contributions can be used only for specified purposes. Most of it goes into outreach programmes and replenishing our depleted reserves.

There are many ways to support The Southern Cross to ensure its survival: by buying it, by promoting it in the parishes, by advertising in it, and by supporting our Associates Campaign with an annual contribution.

To do so is easy: choose one of the categories of Associates you would like

to join—Cardinal McCann Associate (R1 500 and above), St Maximilian Kolbe Associate (R500-1 499), St Francis de Sales Associate (R100-499), or Dorothy Day (any amount).

Make your contribution into the account: The Southern Cross, Standard Bank, Thibault Square Branch (Code 020909), Acc No: 276876016.

Please e-mail or fax payment details and your name and contact details to admin@scross.co.za or 021 465-3850.

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2

The Southern Cross, February 27 to March 5, 2019

LOCAL

Budget shows new pragmatism in crisis STAFF REPORTER

T

HIS year’s Budget by finance minister Tito Mboweni showed there has been significant progress since last year’s Budget speech. It recognised that “government had dug the economy into a large hole as a result of years of mismanagement, corruption and freespending; and that it was time to stop digging”, according to a Church political analyst.

Reviewing the 2019 Budget speech, Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office programme manager Mike Pothier said “the numbers are still quite horrific: our national debt is now approaching 60% of our GDP, as opposed to the very manageable 26% of GDP that it was in 2008”, the year before ex-President Jacob Zuma took over the presidency.

This means that this year South Africa will pay R209 billion in interest on this debt, just under a billion for every working day. “This is more than we spend on any other Budget item,” Mr Pothier noted.

“Economic growth remains negligibly low, and indeed the latest projections are lower than they were in October when Mr Mboweni delivered the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement. Unemployment remains, for practical purposes, at 40%,” he said, observing that government will spend a quarter of a trillion rand more than it earns from tax this year.

But not everything must be seen through a gloomy lens: “Perhaps paradoxically, the numbers are not the most crucial thing when assessing this Budget. They tend to change anyway,” Mr Pothier said.

“What is much more important for a country in economic crisis—as we are—is the attitude and approach displayed by the finance minister and the government,” he suggested.

“And this is where the speech set a new and encouraging tone.”

As with President Cyril Ramaphosa’s State of the Nation Address, “it gave the impression that the government is getting ready to

take the hard, and potentially unpopular, decisions without which we will not emerge from the hole”.

S

ix points in particular underpin this impression: • “Firstly, there was a tougher line than before on state-owned enterprises. Those that need bailouts may still get them, but government will impose ‘chief restructuring officers’ on them. Significantly, Mr Mboweni compared this to what happens in the private sector when a company is mismanaged—the banks ‘send in their own people’,” Mr Pothier said.

• Secondly, the finance minister noted that the state’s wage bill is unsustainable.

“For many years only the government sector has consistently employed more and more people; and it has done so while awarding generally high annual pay increases. This is not wholly bad—it aids social stability and allows people to start climbing the economic ladder—but it can end up costing too much; tak-

ing more out of the economy than it puts in,” Mr Pothier said.

“That is where we are now, and it is good that it is being recognised.

The planned remedy, largely a matter of offering early retirement packages, seems a little timid, but it is a start.”

• Thirdly, Mr Mboweni announced measures within SARS aimed at improving tax collection.

“The last thing Mr Zuma’s crooked cronies wanted was a tough, efficient, probing revenue service, and we know from the Nugent Commission of Enquiry how SARS was eviscerated during his administration. Heaven knows how much revenue was lost,” Mr Pothier said.

If the National Prosecuting Authority and SARS “can learn to work together again, the crooks will have a much more difficult task hiding their loot”.

• Fourthly, Mr Mboweni attacked the culture of non-payment.

“This is a problem at community level, where people feel entitled to use water and electricity without

paying, but it is far more serious within government itself. The biggest debtors to municipalities are provincial and national government departments,” Mr Pothier said.

• Fifthly, Mr Mboweni referred to corrections of policy, announcing an intention to attract scarce skills and talents from abroad, and to cut red tape to free up entrepreneurship.

• Finally, he announced that there will be no pay increases this year for ministers, MPs and members of provincial legislatures.

“We are still in the hole, and getting out if it will still be an immense challenge. But it seems the government is no longer in denial; it is beginning to come up with sensible, goal-directed and coherent approaches,” Mr Pothier said.

“If it perseveres, and if it ignores the various vested interests that will object to the strictures and innovations in this Budget, we ought to be in a more fiscally confident and economically secure position this time next year.”

Slattery letter on Biko and Malcolm X to his priests

Salesian gets on his bike US priest for lecture

By ERIN CARELSE

STAFF REPORTER

A

SALESIAN priest will take to the saddle for the Cape Town Cycle Tour 2019 to raise raise funds for young people from low-resourced communities on the Cape Flats to support their tertiary-level studies.

Fr Bongi Nhleko SDB will be cycling with the Salesian Life Choices (SLC) team, which unites Catholics on bicycles, beginning a new tradition in one of the world’s iconic cycling events.

He is aiming to raise money to aid alumni of the SLC’s Leaders’ Quest struggling to support themselves while studying.

Some students find it difficult to raise the money to register, while others lack the funds to pay for residences or travel each day to their university campuses.

SLC offers an emergency grant to assist alumni to enrol and also to continue their studies if they have a funding emergency during their courses.

Fr Nhleko will be cycling 109km on the day of the cycle tour and is asking supporters to sponsor him with at least R100 per kilometre, for as many kilometres as they would like.

Supporters stand a chance to win a Cape Town Youth book of inspir-

T Fr Bongi Nhleko will be participating in the Cape Town Cycle Tour to raise funds for tertiray students. ing stories of young people.

Other Catholic cyclists who support SLC during the race will wear shirts with the organisation’s branding and make a donation of R500.

That amount will cover the cost of the cycling shirt, with the rest going towards the work of SLC. The one-day road cycling event on Sunday, March 10, will again start at the Grand Parade precinct and see tens of thousands of local and international cyclists travel in and around the Cape and the Peninsula on the gruelling route. n Supporters can make their donations via the crowdfunding platform Back a Buddy. Fr Nhleko’s profile on Back a Buddy is at www.backabuddy.co.za/ fr-bongis-cycle-tour-2019

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HE US priest who led the Jesuit Institute’s Winter Living Theology series last year is returning to Johannesburg for a lecture on March 5.

Fr Bryan Massingale of Fordham University in New York, who toured South Africa last June and July to deliver lectures on racism, will look at the influence of South African and US black consciousness activists Steve Biko and Malcolm X in the public lecture, which will be held at St Augustine College in Johannesburg.

“There has been no previous scholarship that has put these two pivotal figures into conversation with each other,” he said. “Both were critical of Christianity for its complicity in racism, yet each also held some hope that faith-based institutions could be resources for the goal of creating multiracial democracies.

“For both the USA and South Africa, that goal is still a work in progress, at best,” Fr Massingale said.

“By examining these two figures, we gain insight into the similarities of the struggle for racial justice on both sides of the Atlantic, and retrieve insights for the work that re-

Fr Bryan Massingale, who led last year’s Winter Theology series, is returning for a lecture at St Augustine College. mains for inclusive justice.”

Fr Massingale is the author of the award-winning book Racial Justice and the Catholic Church, and a former president of the Catholic Theological Society of America.

The lecture, titled “Malcolm X, Steve Biko, and the Religious Dream for a Multiracial Democracy”, will be delivered on March 5 at 19:00 at St Augustine College (Lecture Room 5) in Victory Park.

Entrance is free but a donation to St Augustine will be appreciated.

Continued from page 1 of democratic government, we must reflect whether the country has achieved reconciliation in any way, the archbishop said.

He recalled that at a workshop for priests in December, many spoke “of the cry of so many people for healing: healing due to physical affliction, mental stress, psychological pain, emotional loss, spiritual fear, guilt, and evil forces”, Archbishop Slattery noted.

Jesus, he said “spent much time responding to all these needs in his time; the Church prolongs this work of Jesus”.

“We must as communities and priests offer much more practical healing, involvement and deliverance to all who plead with us.

“The Church not only has the means to make a great difference to our suffering friends—we have a serious responsibility to do so,” Archbishop Slattery said.

“Starting with the great sacraments of the Church—the fingers of Jesus—we have the rituals, blessings and sacramentals which have grown from the tradition and experience of the years,” the archbishop said.

SA group acclaims pope’s UAE visit

By ERIN CARELSE

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OPE Francis’ visit to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in February will be regarded as a historic moment in inter-faith relations, according to the secretary of Religions for Peace in Durban.

Saydoon Nisa Sayed noted that the pope’s visit was a response to the launch by the UAE of the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities last year.

The alliance seeks to unite religious leaders from around the world through a series of biannual forums and global workshops, to foster dialogue and take action to address important social challenges.

Ms Sayed attended the event in Abu Dhabi, at which Pope Francis commended the efforts of the Interfaith Alliance for Safer Communities and Abu Dhabi’s hosting of the Child Dignity Congress last year, which the pope noted “built on the message that was launched at the Child Dignity Congress held in Rome, to which I gave my full support and encouragement”.

Sheik Ahmad el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of Egypt’s al-Azhar mosque, and Pope Francis during the papal visit to Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) The three-day visit by the pope to the Muslim state was welcomed by all faiths as a unifying force of good.

It coincided with the UAE’s celebration of the Year of Tolerance, declared by the presi-

dent of the UAE last year.

The UAE is home to nearly a million Catholics, almost all of whom are foreign workers.

Ms Sayed said that in South Africa we are very fortunate that religious leaders had the

strength, boldness and courage to stand together to address the inequalities of apartheid.

“We continue to work together in inter-faith harmony work, creating caring communities,” she said.

“Many inter-faith initiatives are functional in South Africa such as the global Religions for Peace. In Durban we have the KwaZulu-Natal InterReligious Council, and there are inter-faith bodies in other provinces of South Africa,” Ms Sayed added.

“Inter-faith harmony is a [source of] pride in South Africa,” she said, noting that leaders such as Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Denis Hurley of Durban had been “great advocates of inter-faith dialogue and work”.

“The coming together of all faith communities in addressing some of the Sustainable Development Goals, sharing and contributing resources—that builds trust. Together as the inter-faith community, we can do wonders,” Ms Sayed said.

The Southern Cross, February 27 to March 5, 2019

LOCAL

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Education: ‘You can, ain’t nobody stopping you!’

By ERIN CARELSE

A

NOTED US community activist shared her insights with students and staff of a Catholic school in Durban.

Dr Anissa McNeil, founder of The Unstoppable Awards and the programme Education Works, was in South Africa to set up an orphanage and school, and took time out to speak at Holy Family College.

As a former foster youth, Dr McNeil stresses education as the pathway to a sustainable life.

Her own experience of homelessness, foster care, and then guardianship by her grandmother formed her beliefs and the wish to provide an opportunity for foster youth to achieve their educational goals and go on to live the lives they desire, she told the school.

“My grandmother did not know much about formal education but al-

ways encouraged me to continue my pursuit of education. She would say, ‘You can do it; ain’t nobody stopping you!’” Dr McNeil recalled.

“If you have a strong work ethic, no one can stop you,” she said.

“Take what you have and make it work.”

Her grandmother’s advice inspired the name for The Unstoppable Awards, a scholarship programme for foster youth which Dr McNeil launched in 2015.

She also initiated an orphan education programme named Education Works which partners with orphanages. It currently has programmes in South Africa, Haiti, Ethiopia and Uganda.

“I am thrilled to expand and to demonstrate that Education Works, works worldwide! Hard work and education have helped to change my life. I believe, and my life is an example, that education works,” Dr

Renowned US community activist Dr Anissa McNeil (centre) gave a talk on the value of education at Holy Family College in Durban.

McNeil said at Holy Family College.

Her advice was to “study hard, do your due diligence, and give of your

very best in everything you do—let people have the best of you”.

Referring to the school’s motto—

Quid Retribuam, which means, “What shall I render?”—she said that one must always ask: “What shall I render God? What else can I do?”

During questions and answers after Dr McNeil’s talk, Grade 12 learner Manelisi Luthuli asked: “How do you get ahead when every direction you take seems to be blocked?”

“Change your language, believe in yourself,” she said. “You are the only one who can get it done with God’s help.”

One must not see “dark tunnels” as impossible obstacles: “In business and real life, you will get lots of Nos—keep going until you get a Yes.” Dr McNeil advised another student: “You are not going to be perfect at everything you do—it’s okay to change course. At the end of the day, you want to be able to say, ‘I did my very best.’”

Statues donor calls on parishes to pray Rosary STAFF REPORTER

T Notre Dame double jubilee

I

T was a special day when Notre Dame Sisters Kathleen Anne Bridge (left) and Marie Therese Mcloughlin (right) celebrated their diamond jubilees in their congregation.

The day also marked the 215th anniversary of the Sisters of Notre Dame de Namur Foundation so all the Sisters present renewed their vows at a Mass by Bishop Peter Holiday (centre) of Kroonstad, who came especially to the convent in Melville, Johannesburg, for the occasion.

The Sisters of Notre Dame serve in 16 countries.

In South Africa they serve in Kroonstad and Johannesburg, and in Zimbabwe in Harare and Bulawayo.

HE businessman who donated 1 250 statues of Our Lady of Fatima worldwide has asked priests in South Africa to encourage weekly praying of the Rosary and First Saturdays Devotion.

“I don’t donate statues any more, but am involved in promoting prayer,” José Camara told The Southern Cross from Portugal, where he now lives.

Mr Camara’s project started with 12 statues to churches in South Africa. He said it had borne tangible fruits, including conversions in Mozambican jails.

“Our Lady asked us to pray the Rosary, so I want to encourage parish priests to do so with families, and to start the First Saturdays Devotion,” Mr Camara said.

According to Sr Lucia, one of the three visionaries of Fatima, the First Saturdays Devotion was requested by Our Lady in an apparition to her in Pontevedra, Spain, in 1925. The devotion is approved by the Church.

In the apparition, Mary promised to grant graces, especially at the hour of death, for those who for five consecutive first Saturdays of the month receive Communion while in a state of grace, recite a five-decade Rosary, and reflect for 15 minutes on the Mysteries of the Rosary as an act of reparation to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of God and Queen of Heaven. n Parishes that need prayers and other material to assist in establishing the First Saturdays Devotion in their communities can contact Mr Camara at jjvcamara@gmail.com

St Joseph and Our Lady of Fatima parish in Wedela, Carletonville, operates from a basic, leaky shelter. The parish has a church site and plan but urgently needs funds to start building.

Klerksdorp parishioners struggle with doorless church STAFF REPORTER

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PARISH in the diocese of Klerksdorp is appealing for help in building a church, so that Mass no longer has to be celebrated in a doorless shelter.

The parish of St Joseph and Our Lady of Fatima in Wedela, Carletonville, already has a church site and plan in place—but not enough funds to start building.

“We urgently need assistance in the form of a donation to build a church,” said priest-in-charge Fr Tom Maretlane.

“The parish has been in existence since the early 1980s when it was still an outstation, with very few parishioners,” he said.

“The congregation grew as the area developed and started worshipping in school classes, halls, under trees and in a tent.”

But none of these were permanent or adequate solutions.

“We eventually built a shelter but

that is not helping at all because when weather conditions are unfavourable, it also becomes inhospitable,” Fr Maretlane said.

“It is just a shelter; there are no doors, no proper windows, and when it is cold, parishioners stay away from Mass for health reasons,” he noted.

The shelter doubles as a garage for the priest’s car at night, and a place of worship by day. It also serves as the presbytery.

“We have a church site and plan, and we have also raised some money for the building,” Fr Maretlane said.

But since the community is poor, the funds raised so far are not enough to build a church where the parish can live their faith as a community, regardless of the weather. n Fr Maretlane can be contacted on 053 441-3112 or 073 578-6553, or at tommymaretlane@yahoo.com Donations of any size can be paid into the FNB account St Joseph and Our Lady of Fatima Parish, Account Number 62776608253, Fochville branch.

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It was a combined celebration as St Ursula’s School in Krugersdorp, Johannesburg archdiocese, turned 115 and Fr Terry Barnard OMI celebrated 50 years as a priest. Above: Grade 12s Liam Still and Mvelo Mpungose enjoy cupcakes at the event.

Left: St Ursula’s principal Tony Botha, Ursuline liaison officer Sr Diane Granger and jubilarian Fr Barnard join to cut their cakes.

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The Southern Cross, February 27 to March 5, 2019

INTERNATIONAL

Superiors: Why we were so slow to act on abuse

By CINDy WOODEN

T Worshippers pray inside St Michael church in Chamonix, France. A Church-backed organisation has warned of growing “anti-Christian hostility” in France after identifying assaults on churches and Christian monuments. (Photo: Denis Balibouse, Reuters/CNS)

Spate of anti-Catholic attacks in France alarms Church

By JONATHAN LUxMOORE

A

CHURCH-backed religious rights organisation has warned of growing “anti-Christian hostility” in France, identifying a spate of assaults on churches and Christian monuments.

“France is of particular concern now—while anti-Christian attacks are better documented here than in other European countries, the media pays little attention to them,” said Ellen Fantini, executive director of the Vienna-based Observatory on Intolerance and Discrimination against Christians in Europe, which is linked to the Council of Bishops’ Conferences of Europe.

In a report, the observatory said it had documented numerous incidents in the first ten days of February, including arson and vandalism against a Catholic cathedral in Lavaur, and attacks on three parish churches in France’s western Vendée region, during which sacred figures

were profaned and windows smashed.

The report said St Nicolas de Houilles church in Yvelines had been desecrated three times, destroying statues of Jesus and Mary, while a tabernacle had been thrown to the ground at the nearby church of St Nicolas de Maisons-Lafitte.

Archbishop Roland Minnerath of Dijon celebrated a Mass of reparation at his city’s Notre Dame church, two days after its tabernacle was forced open and consecrated hosts scattered in another incident documented by the observatory.

Meanwhile, Bishop Robert Wattebled of Nimes said Catholics had been “hurt in their deepest convictions” after a tabernacle and hosts were desecrated with excrement at the city’s Notre Dame des Enfants church. He said in a statement that Church leaders now faced “practical questions” over how to keep churches open without “excessive risks of vandalism”.—CNS

WISTED ideas of power and authority in the Catholic Church have contributed to the clerical sexual abuse crisis, leaders of religious orders said, but sometimes the positive “sense of family” in their own communities also made them slow to act.

“Pope Francis rightly attacks the culture of clericalism which has hindered our fight against abuse and indeed is one of the root causes,” said a statement from the women’s International Union of Superiors General and the men’s Union of Superiors General.

But, they said, “the strong sense of family in our orders and congregations—something usually so positive—can make it harder to condemn and expose abuse. It resulted in a misplaced loyalty, errors in judgment, slowness to act, denial and at times, cover-up”.

The superiors, who represent a combined total of almost 850 000 women and men religious, stated: “We still need conversion and we want to change.”

“We want to act with humility.

We want to see our blind spots.

We want to name any abuse of power. We commit to engage in a journey with those we serve, moving forward with transparency and trust, honesty and sincere repentance” said the statement from the two organisations of superiors general.

“The sexual abuse of children and the abuse of power and conscience by those in authority in the Church, especially bishops, priests and religious” is “a story stretching back for decades”, the statement said. It is “a narrative of immense pain for those who have suffered this abuse”.

The superiors general said: “We bow our heads in shame at the realisation that such abuse has taken place in our congregations and orders and in our Church” and that

A Dominican nun and Jesuit priest are pictured in a combination photo.

“Pope Francis rightly attacks the culture of clericalism which has hindered our fight against abuse and indeed is one of the root causes,” said a statement from the women’s International Union of Superiors General and the men’s Union of Superiors General. (Photo: CNS) the response of congregational leaders “has not been what it should have been. They failed to see warning signs or failed to take them seriously”.

A

cknowledging an oft-repeated observation that different approaches may be necessary for uncovering abuse in different cultures, the superiors said one thing must be clear: “The abuse of children is wrong anywhere and any time.”

In the statement, the leaders of Catholic religious orders vowed “to listen better to survivors” and asked Catholic parents, especially mothers, to assist them in responding to the abuse crisis.

“It is fair to say that if women had been asked for their advice and assistance in the evaluation of cases, stronger, faster and more effective action would have been taken,” the statement said. “Our ways of handling allegations would have been different, and

victims and their families would have been spared a great deal of suffering.”

“This is a matter of grave and shocking concern,” they said. “We pledge ourselves to do all in our power to find an effective response. We want to ensure that those who generously apply to join religious orders or who are trained in seminaries live in places of safety where their vocation is nourished and where their desire to love God and others is helped to grow to maturity.”

The superiors promised to strengthen safeguarding programmes in the schools and hospitals they run and to ensure all formation programs have a strong child-protection component.

“Those who have been abused by priests or religious may want to stay far distant from the Church,” they said. But others may want to attempt a “journey of healing and we will try humbly to journey with them”.—CNS

‘Don’t blame abuse on homosexuality’

By CAROL GLATz

P

Contact us: Tel 041 373-0039 / Mobile 074 376-5833 / Email retreat@catholic-pe.co.za

EOPLE must stop using homosexuals as scapegoats for the sexual abuse of children, two male survivors of abuse by priests told reporters.

“To make this link between homosexuality and paedophilia is absolutely immoral, it is unconscionable and has to stop,” said Peter Isely, a survivor and founding member of the survivor’s group SNAP. Speaking to reporters outside the Vatican press office, he said: “No matter what your sexual orientation is, if you’ve committed a criminal act against a child, you’re a criminal. That’s the designation that counts. Period.”

Phil Saviano, who founded SNAP’s New England chapter in the US and is a board member of BishopsAccountability.org, told re-

porters that he felt “there has been a lot of scapegoating of homosexual men as being child predators”.

To lay the blame for the abuse of children on homosexuality “tells me that they really don’t understand” the problem.

“I will admit that if a priest is abusing a 16-, 17- or 18-year-old boy, that part of the element that is going on there is homosexuality, but that is not the root of the problem” of abuse by clergy, he said at an event at the Foreign Press Association in Rome.

Mr Saviano was a prepubescent boy when he was abused by Fr David Holley of Worcester, Massachusetts, and he said, very often, a perpetrator is no longer “interested” in his victim when the child goes through puberty.

Mr Saviano, whose story of abuse triggered the Boston Globe

investigation and was featured in the film Spotlight, said he hears from victims from all over the world “and many of them are women who were abused as children”.

“Trying to lump it all together under homosexually,” he said, is “a dodge” and will not “lead to a proper solution”.

“It is also an insult to all the women who have been sexually abused as children,” he added.

The report of the John Jay College of Criminal Justice on clergy abuse in the Catholic Church in the US concluded clerical sexual abuse of children was more a crime of opportunity, with abusers violating whomever they had more unsupervised access to—regardless of age and gender—and that abusive priests almost always had more access to boys.—CNS

Pope lifts 34-year-old ban on priest

By CINDy WOODEN

P

OPE Francis has lifted the canonical penalties imposed 34 years ago on Fr Ernesto Cardenal, 94, the Nicaraguan poet and former member of the Sandinista government.

In a statement, Archbishop Waldemar Sommertag, the Vatican nuncio in Nicaragua, said Pope Francis had “granted with benevolence the absolution of all canonical censures” imposed on the ailing priest after he had made the request through the nunciature.

Pope John Paul II had suspended Fr Cardenal and several

Fr Ernesto Cardenal, 94, the Nicaraguan poet and former member of the Sandinista government. other priests from active ministry in 1985 for joining the Marxist-influenced Sandinista government.

Fr Cardenal resigned from the Sandinista Front in 1994.

Auxiliary Bishop Silvio José

Báez of Managua tweeted, “Today I visited in the hospital my priest friend, Fr Ernesto Cardenal, with whom I spoke for a few minutes.

After praying for him, I knelt down beside his bed and asked for his blessing as a priest of the Catholic Church, to which he agreed joyfully.”

When Pope John Paul visited Nicaragua in 1983, Fr Cardenal greeted him by dropping to one knee and attempting to kiss his ring. But the pope pulled his hand back and shook his finger at the priest in one of the best-remembered images of the Sandinista years.—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, February 27 to March 5, 2019

5

New book: Gay hypocrisy McCarrick victim ‘happy the pope believed him’ is rampant in Vatican A A

By JUNNO AROCHO ESTEVES

NEW book accuses Vatican officials of hypocrisy, claiming that the majority of prelates working within its walls live active homosexual lifestyles while at the same time they attack homosexuality.

The book, titled In the Closet of the Vatican: Power, Homosexuality, Hypocrisy, by French author and journalist Frederic Martel, was published in eight languages.

The author, who is openly gay, said he spent four years of “authoritative research” interviewing current and former Vatican officials, including priests, bishops and cardinals.

He also claimed that Pope Francis’ homilies on those in the Church who lead “double lives” refer to “the dizzying hypocrisy of those who advocate a rigid morality while at the same time having a companion, affairs and sometimes escorts”.

Among Mr Martel’s sources is Italian journalist Francesco Lepore, a former priest who, according to the the Vatican yearbook, served as one of several secretaries at the Vatican Apostolic Library in 2006.

Speaking to Mr Lepore about his experiences and the alleged sordid details of the secret lives of various prelates, Mr Martel asked him to estimate what percentage of Vatican officials were gay.

“I think the percentage is very high. I’d put it at around 80%,” Mr Lepore told the author.

While Mr Martel archbishop from claimed to interview 1979-90. several cardinals and Mr Martel also inbishops, those who terviewed several nospoke frankly about table Vatican figures their own homosexabout the allegations ual orientations chose against Cardinal to remain anonyLopez. Among them mous. was Cardinal Lorenzo The book, which Baldisseri, general-secoften recounts salaretary of the Synod of cious details of the Bishops, who served sexual activity of as apostolic nuncio in prelates or musings several Latin Amerion their lifestyles, ofcan countries. fers little concrete ev“I knew [Cardinal] idence outside Lopez Trujillo when testimony from unhe was vicar general in named sources. How- In the Closet of the VatiColombia. He was a ever, Mr Martel said a can by Frederic Martel ac- very controversial fig300-page document cuses the Vatican officials ure. He had a split perthat includes sources, of hypocrisy. sonality,” Cardinal notes and unpubBaldisseri said. lished chapters would Archbishop Claube made available online. dio Maria Celli, former president of the Pontifical Council for Social he author also took aim at sev- Communications, told Mr Martel eral prelates who have been out- that Cardinal Lopez “was not a spoken opponents of same-sex saint by any means”. marriage yet allegedly led double Mr Martel claimed that Pope lives, including the late Colombian Francis is currently engaged “in a Cardinal Alfonso Lopez Trujillo. ruthless battle against all those who Until his death in 2008, Cardinal use sexual morality” to conceal Lopez served as president of the their own “double lives” and that Pontifical Council for the Family “these secret homosexuals are in under Popes John Paul II and Bene- the majority, powerful and influendict XVI. tial”.

The author claimed that he “Threatened and attacked on all spoke to “dozens of witnesses” who sides and generally criticised, [Pope] confirmed that the Colombian Francis is said to be ‘among the prelate’s homosexuality was “an wolves’,” Mr Martel wrote. “It’s not open secret” both in the Vatican quite true: He’s among the and in Medellin, where he served as queens.”—CNS

T

T

IME, experience and reflection have “purified” liberation theology and its attempts to make clear what the Gospel says about social injustice, Pope Francis said.

“Today, we old people laugh about how worried we were about liberation theology,” the pope told 30 Jesuits from Central America.

“Let me tell you a funny story,” he said to the Jesuits. “The one most persecuted, Dominican Father Gustavo Gutierrez, a Peruvian, concelebrated Mass with me and the then-prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Gerhard Müller. And it happened because Müller himself brought him to me as his friend.”

“If anybody had said back then that the prefect of the CDF would have brought Gutierrez to concelebrate with the pope, they would

have taken him for a drunk,” the pope told the Jesuits.

A transcript of the pope’s question-and-answer session with his Jesuit confrères in Panama was published by La Civilta Cattolica.

Liberation theology emerged in Latin America in the 1960s and 1970s, looking to Scripture for the principles and inspiration for freeing people from unjust social situations.

Its starting point was the concrete situation of Latin America’s poor and how they understand the Scriptures as relating to them in their struggles for freedom from sin and injustice.

During the 1980s, the Vatican’s doctrinal office under then-Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, the future Pope Benedict XVI, issued two major documents on liberation theology, praising the movement’s concern for the poor and for justice, but condemning a tendency to rely too heavily on Marxist social analysis.—CNS

Nun: Polish priests must stop abusing Sisters

O

NE of Poland’s most senior nuns said priests must stop sexually molesting religious women, in line with efforts to improve treatment of women in the traditionally Catholic country.

“Sexual abuse of nuns by clergy has long been a problem in Poland —and it’s a very painful matter,” Ursuline Sister Jolanta Olech, secretary-general of the Warsaw-based Conference of Higher Superiors of Female Religious Orders, told Poland’s Catholic Information Agency, KAI. Sr Olech said that no data had been collected on the abuse of nuns in her country. However, she added that she had been informed of “very painful” cases during 12 years as conference president and secretary-general, and she welcomed Pope Francis’ call for action against offending clergy.

“This isn’t the first time the issue has been raised, and we don’t know if it will change much—but it should show some people at least that the time for concealing this problem is over,” she said. “The cases I dealt with were reported to the superiors of the priests and monks concerned. But I don’t know what the results were, and the cases were never made public.”

She said one young nun had been forced to leave her order after becoming pregnant, while the priest who fathered her child had remained in his post without “any serious consequences for his behaviour”.

Poland is currently home to more than 17 000 nuns from 105 congregations, However, the number of women entering religious orders decreased from 566 in 2000 to 177 in 2017.—CNS

Then-Cardinal McCarrick at the Vatican in 2010. Pope Francis has removed McCarrick from the clerical state. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) torian and professor of theology at Villanova University in Philadelphia, said the decision to remove Mr McCarrick from the clerical state is “theologically important because it would signal that sexual abuse is incompatible with priesthood”.

“It would become part of the discussion on what’s the meaning of ‘ontologically changed’ by priestly ordination,” he said.

“Canonically, it would not be the first time, but the first for a cardinal who ecclesiologically is one of the members of the presbyterium of the bishop of Rome. Symbolically, the laicisation of Mr McCarrick would be acknowledging the wound inflicted on the pope himself.”—CNS

Position of Head of Springfield Convent School

Pope: We were so worried about liberation theology!

By CINDy WOODEN

VICTIM of former US cardinal Theodore McCarrick has said that he is glad Pope Francis believed him.

After the Vatican stripped Mr McCarrick of his clerical status, James Grein said in a statement: “I am happy that the pope believed me.”

“For years I have suffered, as many others have, at the hands of Theodore McCarrick. It is with profound sadness that I have had to participate in the canonical trial of my abuser,” he said.

“Nothing can give me back my childhood and I have not taken any pleasure in testifying or discussing what happened to me. There are no winners here.”

However, Mr Grein, who provided Vatican officials with accounts that McCarrick sexually abused him as an 11-year-old child, including during confession, said he was “hopeful now I can pass through my anger for the last time”.

He hoped that Mr McCarrick “will no longer be able to use the power of Jesus’ Church to manipulate families and sexually abuse children”.

Mr McCarrick, was accused of sexually molesting at least two boys in his early years as a priest—accusations that spanned almost five decades and were too old to legally prosecute—and sexually harassing and exploiting seminarians. In a statement last year he said he had “absolutely no recollection” of the alleged abuse.

Massimo Faggioli, a Church his-

Springfield Convent is a leading Independent Day School for girls from Pre-Primary to Matric. It was founded by the Dominican Sisters in 1871 and is nestled in beautiful historic gardens on Wynberg Hill in Cape Town. Springfield has a longstanding proud academic record with a nurturing Catholic atmosphere and tradition, exceptionally successfulmusic, art and drama departments as well as excellent facilities for sport. We educate children of all faiths,based onthe ethos of the Catholic Church and Dominican values,developing the talents, virtues and potential of each individual – both pupils and staff.

The School Board offers an opportunity for an outstanding leader, to make a meaningful contribution to the vision for the school in the capacity of Head of School from Pre-School to Matric as well as Principal of the Senior School.

Responsibilities

Reporting to the School Board, the Principal is head of the school and responsible for implementing the Board’s strategic vision for Springfield.

Requirements

• Preferably Catholic with a deep commitment to Catholic education and a preparedness to nourish and develop the Catholic Christian character of the school and its willingness to welcome those of other denominations and faiths • Have appropriate graduate and professional qualifications including SACE membership • Be a passionate, innovative and inspiring educationalist with particular interest in the education of young women • A proven track record of outstanding leadership and management ability • Display high-order analytical and strategic thinking competencies • Have the appropriate emotional maturity, inter-and intrapersonal skills in order to promote cohesion and engage confidently and decisively • Be fully acquainted with current trends and developments in education and technology in order to shape the future of the school • Excellent written and verbal communication skills as well as IT proficiency • An insightful understanding of the complexities shaping Independent School Education today and a deep commitment to inclusivity and shaping the school for the South African context.

• Please apply in writing to: The Chair or Secretary of the Selection Committee, Springfield Convent Senior School, St. John's Road , Wynberg, 7800 Email: chairman@springfieldconvent.co.za

Why join Springfield?

1. We make a difference. We have high expectations of every pupil, parent, staff member and coach. We encourage all to be the very best version of themselves and to make a difference each day.

2. We care. We work hard to create an environment in which all our girlsfeel at home and come to know their intrinsic worth. Through our ethos and pastoral care programmes we create a Springfield family that exhibits care, compassion, empathy and understanding.

3. We innovate. All subject departments are encouraged to look at learning and teaching differently and in a way that encourages innovation.We engage our girls on an exciting journey of critical reflection and life-long learning.

4. We strive. We are committed to sending confident young women out into the world who are mindful of their privilege and ready to contribute to a more just and equitable society for all South Africans

• Applications: Interested applicants should forward a full CV together with the names and contact details of three referees, dating back no longer than three years. This should be accompanied by a covering letter, motivating their desire for the position and detailing their vision for the school.

Closing Date: 12 NOON- MONDAY 18 MARCH 2019

Contracts and benefits: This is a full-time, permanent, contract with the School Board of Springfield Convent. The Board offers a competitive salary and benefits package to the successful candidate.

Commencement Date: January 2020

Springfield Convent School reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of this post. An application will not in and of itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment, and failure to meet the requirements of the advertised post will result in applicants automatically disqualifying themselves from consideration.

Please note that no faxed applications will be considered and only those applicants invited for an interview will be contacted.

6

The Southern Cross, February 27 to March 5, 2019

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

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.

Glad to see Young Christian Students revived The end of clericalism I Editor: Günther Simmermacher

I

T is not easy being a Catholic priest at a time when on various fronts they are being criticised.

One of the many tragedies of the abuse scandal is that it has cast a shadow over the whole priesthood, with a fracture in the trust between the clergy as a whole and the faithful (though not necessarily between individual priests and their parishioners).

With every new revelation of the scandal, the reputation of the priesthood takes a knock. And with new scandals developing, such as the abuse of religious Sisters or financial violations, many good priests become collateral victims to the dismay of the people—even as most clergy are themselves outraged at such crimes.

The clergy is getting criticism, not always without justification, for stipends and stole fees (usually because of abuses committed by a few), the quality of homilies and the liturgy, fiscal management, time management, and so on.

And yet most priests are living out their vocations with integrity, commitment, generosity, faith and love. They do as well as they can. Such priests must be supported, not abandoned to generalisations.

At the same time, it is good and necessary that the laity is asking questions of priests and bishops. The times are gone when it was an axiom that Father knew best and their Lordships and Graces even better.

Pope Francis has blamed much of the malaise in the Church on clericalism. That disorder, it must be stressed, concretely afflicts a minority of clerics and laity—and yet it permeates the culture of the Church at every level.

The pope has exhorted the faithful to help eradicate the phenomenon whereby priests are assumed to be superior to the laity and demand, or are given, excessive deference.

Clericalism also entails the assumption that there are nonsacramental, non-liturgical and non-canonically prescribed tasks in the Church which only a priest can perform, with the attendant expectation by some clerics of appointments to elevated positions.

Clericalism sees priests as a caste apart, one which is above censure and protects itself from it. At its worst, clericalism is at

the heart of the institutional failure which gave rise to the coverup of sexual abuse and other offences.

Of course, fighting clericalism must not be anti-clerical. Priests occupy a special position in the Church. They are the shepherds who, in the words of Pope Francis, must smell like the sheep (meaning, they must not be remote from the people whom they are assigned to lead).

In the ministration of sacraments, the priest acts in persona Christi thanks to the “indelible mark” on his soul which he receives when he is admitted to Holy Orders. He retains that “indelible mark” even when he sins, even when he is incompetent, even when he is offensive.

But that gift does not grant a priest immunity from criticism, especially when he is sinful, incompetent or offensive. It does not mean that a priest has better judgment than others, or that he is morally superior.

This is what Pope Francis— who himself sometimes still falls into the clericalist trap—is referring to when he advocates against clericalism.

He draws straight from St Peter, who himself reaffirmed Jesus’ words when he admonished the apostles: “Do not lord it over those assigned to you, but be examples to the flock” (1 Peter 5:3).

Instead of expecting excessive deference, respect; instead of notions of moral superiority, humble witness.

In dismantling the old clericalist facades, which have separated the clergy from the laity, priests become more exposed than they were in the past. That can be difficult, especially when priests tend to be held to higher moral standards than lay people.

But there is a challenge for lay people as well. If priests are to be regarded as no better nor worse than the laity, then they must be afforded the same generosity of spirit which lay people would expect to be applied to themselves in their own failings.

It also means that the laity must collaborate with the clergy, in ways many already do and in ways that will need to be defined.

Pope Francis is right: clericalism must go. And that has implications for the priesthood and the laity alike.

T is wonderful news to read of the revival of the Young Christian Students movement under the guidance of Fr Mokesh Morar, and in particular in reference to Immaculata Secondary School in Diepkloof, Soweto (February 13).

When I was involved in Immaculata from 1975 to 1985 there was a very vibrant YCS which offered a meaningful platform to the stu-

Confession: aiding abuse cover-up?

I

ADMIRE your courage in printing letters which I am sure on many occasions you may not agree with, and you may not agree with the following or wish to print it.

It is most regrettable, but our beloved Church is beginning to sound very much like our politicians, in that they are constantly explaining things that have gone wrong and promising things will be improved. I am referring in particular to the sexual abuse scandal that has now been going on far too long.

It is little wonder that people are becoming reluctant to go to confession; can we trust all our priests?

It is said that confession is sacred and confidential, but is there no limit? In fact, is confession one of the causes for the cover-up of abuses?

Anyone, in whatever position, who commits such a criminal and evil offence should be immediately reported to the proper authorities and publically discharged from any official position in the Church.

There are many things our Lord said we should do, or should not do, we should not pick and chose, those we like or dislike.

Roy Glover, Knysna

Married priest’s role too taxing

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HILE your editorial on clerical celibacy (January 16) valiantly attempts to make a case for the Church to possibly change or dispose of the “discipline” of celibacy, your argument highlights an incoherent theology at work.

The establishment of the personal ordinariate in the Catholic Church for former Anglicans was a response to disenchanted Episcopal/Anglican clergy who saw the liberal slide away from orthodoxy. It is irrelevant to assert that the sacerdotal orders of convert married priests under the special dispensation could be called into question!

The only distinction that can be drawn between permanent celibate priesthood and the call to both marriage and priesthood is that the latter can be very taxing on the spousal

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I pray that this refounded YCS champions the values of the Gospel in our young people, who grapple with the very urgent issues of today, and creates a home for them in which they experience the joy of the Gospel, as Pope Francis so often recalls for us.

Bishop Edward Risi, Keimoes-Upington

and family relationship, and this in some way structurally limits the priestly call to mission.

Eastern-rite Catholic priests cannot marry after making their priestly vows. A divorced Eastern-rite priestly vocation will come to an end when no annulment is given. It is possible for a remarried Eastern-rite priest to have obtained a few annulments!

The Church of England has a record of many divorced and remarried clergy, as well as active clergy in same-sex marriage unions.

Anecdotally, married clergy as practised by our separated churches, does not seem to be a viable example to mimic.

In the Old Testament, sexual abstinence was necessary for a “meeting with God” by priestly ministers and even laity (Ex 19:14-19).

To be sure, the priestly vocation in the early Church consisted of both celibate and married priests. Moreover, the sacrifice of chastity was always understood to be the “ideal virtuous expeditious pursuit to eternal blessedness” (Mt 19:10-12).

Cardinal John Henry Newman writes that “virginity for a Christian is the soul’s marriage with Christ”. St Paul clearly emphasises that those who are “anxious for the affairs of the Lord” are to remain unmarried to not restrain their pursuit of holiness of “body and spirit” (1 Cor 7:25-35).

By grace, Mary sets herself aside for God by remaining a virgin even in marriage (Mt 1:18). Through this she is counted as “blessed among women” to partake in divine revelation: to bear, hold and present Christ to the world.

A celibate priesthood is unquestionable in scripture and in the tradition of cloistered, monastic way of life, as documented in the Dead Sea Scrolls Qumran text.

Church doctrine and discipline are part of the mandate of our Lord to teach, to bind and loose (Mt 16:19; 28:20).

Henry Sylvester, Cape Town

never proclaimed heresies, which are sins against the Holy Spirit.

But that is exactly what some people accuse Pope Francis of.

In his exhortation Amoris laetitia, Pope Francis called the indissolubility of marriage into question. The signatories of the “Dubia” accused the pope of propagating heresies concerning marriage, the moral life, and the reception of sacraments.

The pope pushed the heresy envelope even further by stating that the death penalty is inadmissible.

The intrinsic morality of the death penalty is irreformable dogma. To deny or assert the contrary is formally heretical.

Is Pope Francis the worst-ever pope or is he, as Mr Simmermacher suggests, the greatest, most courageous and most Christ-centred pope? Time will tell. Let us pray in the meantime.

JH Goossens, Pretoria

Celibate priests can put flock first

K

EENAN Williams (February 6) makes some interesting points regarding the celibacy debate.

Having gone through a stint in an Evangelical church, however, I have witnessed how being both a pastor and a husband/father can be a very difficult balancing act.

While the pastor did his best to accommodate the needs of his flock, he was foremost invested in his family. He frequently had to arrange a stand-in; for example when his wife was expecting, when the children were sick, when the family wanted to go on holiday, and so on.

I think the Church has been wise to require priestly celibacy—our priests are solely dedicated to their vocation and have the time it takes to fully serve God and his people.

Shelley Mouton, Cape Town

Worst-ever pope: focus on heresy

For Bookings:

Reception: 031 700 2155 Fr Sbusiso Mkhize 031 700 2890 Email: monretreat@saol.com

dents during those turbulent years.

It unfortunately went into rapid decline once the leadership of the movement began to grapple with the role of Marxism in times of protest.

It became impossible to hold up the Jesus of the Gospels to young people—understandably so with the background of apartheid which had hijacked the Gospel.

I Fr Sbusiso Mkhize Bro Crispin Graham

N his column entitled “The worstever pope?” (January 2), Günther Simmermacher does not agree that Pope Francis is the worst-ever pope.

That title is applicable in his view to popes like Alexander VI, Stephen VI or Benedict IX. But these popes were just sinners of the flesh—small fry—as they

n The controversial “Dubia” letter indeed accused Pope Francis of propagating heretical positions, which is distinct from accusing him of heresy.

Cardinal Gerhard Müller, then the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and by no means a supporter of Pope Francis or the controversial parts of Amoris laetitia, has declared that the apostolic exhortation propagates no heretical positions, never mind any heresy. Accusing a pope of heresy is a serious allegation which should not be made lightly. There may, however, be a fruitful and brief discussion to be held about whether popes who propose a disputed but defensible theological position are intrinsically “worse” than popes who have committed the grave sins of simony, corruption and even alleged murder.—Editor.

Tsafendas as hero is idiotic theory

I

T is fascinating to see how people react to and are influenced by a writer’s assumptions and conclusions. The author of The Man Who Killed Apartheid, which Fr Chris Townsend wrote about in his column “We need to revisit the past” (February 6) has the most ridiculous arguments, theories and thoughts.

Harris Dousemetsis posits in his book that Dimitri Tsafendas, the assassin of HF Verwoerd, was not a mere crazed parliamentary messenger, and that his aims and action need to be re-examined.

I was lent the book and never reached the halfway stage: it is sensationalism to which I cannot relate.

Tsafendas was in fact an undereducated and deranged person who was often on the “wrong side” of the law. He had strong communist beliefs that caused him problems in other countries as well. He believed that weakening the National Party government would assist the spread of communism in South Africa.

If he killed apartheid in 1966, how did it continue until 1994?

Dousemetsis has failed dismally in his attempt to escalate this lawless idiot to hero status.

I never was a true follower of the apartheid theory but this presentation of Tsafendas is obvious trash.

Brian Gouveia, Bloemfontein 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

The Southern Cross, February 27 to March 5, 2019

PERSPECTIVES

Science of being happy P EOPLE with religion tend to be happier than those with who have none, a recent international study found, confirming previous studies.

Surprisingly, South Africa emerged as the most religious of the 35 nations surveyed by the US-based Pew Institute, with 68% of the population reporting attendance at a religious service at least once a month.

But South Africa also has to be different: here, people who claim no attachment to religion are statistically happier, albeit only marginally. Among religious South Africans, 38% say they are happy, against 42% of non-religious.

The obvious problem with measuring such things is that happiness is a subjective emotion—sometimes defined by cultural worldviews—that has no scientific measures.

Moreover, our state of happiness is influenced at any given time by situational factors. I’m more likely to report to be happy when I am in reciprocated love, my child just graduated from university, my puppy is cute, and I got a promotion at work. I’ll be likely to be rather unhappy if my wife has just left me, my child is on drugs, the dog died, my miserable boss just fired me, and my life is like an old country song.

But, and here’s the surprising thing, our default state of happiness tends to even itself out over time. The team of psychologist Dan Gilbert from Harvard University made this unexpected discovery when they measured the levels of happiness reported respectively by people who had won the lottery and people who had suffered accidents which confined them to wheelchairs.

Unsurprisingly, the happiness levels of the former shot up, while those who were now quadriplegic reported feelings of despondency. But that lasted for only three months; then both groups’ happiness levels returned to the default levels they had felt before their life-changing events.

Scientists from the University of California have discovered that money, success, less stress, the giddiness of a new love, good weather and so on contribute much less to subjective happiness than ex-

pected. These external circumstances add only 10% to our happiness.

Their research produced another astonishing insight: 50% of our happiness potential is influenced by genetic predisposition. Further studies in England and Germany have confirmed this, and after crunching immense amounts of data, researchers found that the world’s happiest people live in Nordic countries, led by Denmark ahead of Norway and Finland— thanks to their happy genes.

German researchers found that their country’s happiest people live in the state of Schleswig-Holstein—which, not coincidentally, borders happy Denmark.

At the bottom end, countries that are not blessed with happy genes are Burundi and Madagascar, both nations whose social and political conditions offer very little by way of compensation for their people’s genetic disadvantage.

Apparently there’s nothing we can do about that 50% genetic contribution to our default state of happiness, what psychologists call the “Happiness Set Point”.

And the 10% of external circumstances often are beyond our control.

S

o what can we do to be happy? The researchers suggest that money can influence happiness only up to a point.

Obviously, one’s happiness may diminish if one has money troubles, and is helped when one is financially comfortable.

Bad news: 50% of our happiness potential is genetically predetermined. Good news: 40% of our happiness potential is up to us—and having religion gives us an advantage.

Günther Simmermacher

Michael Shackleton

Open Door

Point of Life

The very rich, however, are not any happier on account of their wealth; in fact, the stress of their need to accumulate ever more millions can make them unhappy.

Studies seem to confirm a different source of happiness: the ability to form strong and meaningful social relationships.

Psychologists from the University of California and the Carnegie Mellon University found that people who live with others in close, trusting and loving relationships tend to experience stronger feelings of happiness than those who don’t (perhaps that’s why you see few miserable nuns).

The effects of such relationships, they found, repress the brain’s three main centres that govern emotions of anxiety and pain. As a result, less of the stress hormone cortisol is released, and more of the happiness hormone oxytocin.

Last year, Yale University launched a course in happiness titled “The Science of Well-Being”, designed and presented by Professor Laurie Santos, which turned out to be quite a phenomenon (it can be studied for free at www.coursera.org/learn/thescience-of-well-being).

Prof Santos’ recipe for happiness—at least the 40% we can control, and working from the obvious premise that there are no external factors that cause us grave misery, or conditions such as clinical depression— is simple: be kind, love others, be physically active, be optimistic, have time for friends and family, live in the moment, sleep at least seven hours a day, and so on.

Easier said than done, though most of these qualities are exactly what our faith wants from us: to care, to love, to serve.

And to have close relationships, with others—family, friends, parish—and with God. Moreover, by placing our trust in God, believers have the option of reducing that big happiness killer: stress.

And all that might explain why around the world, people with religious faith report greater levels of happiness than those who do not.

Where did the teaching of Holy Trinity come from?

The Holy Trinity is a mystery to the human intelligence yet it is an article of our Christian faith. I know the three divine persons are mentioned individually in the New Testament. At what later stage did the Church formulate the doctrine that the Son proceeds from the Father and the Holy Spirit proceeds from them both together yet they are simultaneously one God? Kiko Graf

T

HE expression of the faith of the old Israelites, “Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God is one God” (Dt 6:4), is continued among Jews to this day, and we Christians embrace it entirely.

Early believers had to think hard about how this article of faith could be reconciled with the New Testament’s revelation of Father, Son and Holy Spirit each absorbed into the one Godhead.

St Paul, as an orthodox Jew, surely had to wrestle with Jesus’ revelation of this apparent contradiction. He accepted it and referred to the three persons frequently in many passages of his writings.

In the second century Tertullian of Carthage came up with the phrase, “three persons in one divinity”, which later was expressed as three persons in one substance.

In the fourth century, influenced by concepts from Greek philosophy, St Basil the Great of Caesarea and those who shared his theological outlook, explained that the one God is a single substance having three distinct and simultaneous ways of existing. Each of these flows into the others and binds them into one.

This was enlightening because it gave us a fresh glimpse of the mysterious inner life of God’s being.

The Nicene Creed, dating from 325, which we recite at Sunday Mass, comes from these times.

It affirms that Christ is consubstantial with the Father and that the Holy Spirit is also Lord who proceeds from the Father and the Son who with them is adored and glorified. Together, they constitute the divine substance.

St Augustine of Hippo (354-430) tried to dig deeper into the mystery when he came up with his “psychological model” of the Trinity. Our mind, he proposed, while remaining one single reality, is aware of itself, can understand itself and loves itself. God too has self-awareness (Father), self-understanding (Son) and self-love (Holy Spirit). It is this inner love which is essential to Trinitarian life.

The 12th-century Scottish theologian Richard of the monastery of St Victor speculated that the Trinity might be less incomprehensible if we think of a man and a woman who love each other. The fruit of that love is a child who shares the same love with them: an analogy of the perfect love of Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

The bedrock of our faith in the mystery of the Trinity is that there is one God in three distinct persons, each of whom is fully God.

Why we have to plan for successors I Raymond Perrier N Durban, we recently rejoiced to welcome Archbishop Abel Gabuza as coadjutor. When, in time, he succeeds Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, he will be only the sixth bishop of the territory in nearly 170 years.

Archbishop Gabuza will turn 64 on March 23, so there is a good bet that it will be a while before he needs a successor.

But finding successor bishops is not something we should be scared to talk about. It is part of the natural rhythm of the life of the Church.

Bishops have to offer their resignation to the Holy Father the day they turn 75.

Though they are sometimes asked by him to extend their term, it does mean that their likely retirement date is quite predictable.

In our conference area, within the next five years, six of our 26 bishops, and three of our five archbishops, will reach retirement age, or have done so already. That is potentially nine new bishops to be found, in addition to the five needed to fill vacant sees that already exist in the area.

The apostolic nuncio, who is the pope’s man-on-the-ground for episcopal appointments, has plenty of work to do.

But while it is the nuncio’s job to recommend names to Rome, it is the job of the local Church to develop possible successors.

I am always struck how often in the Church—not only in dioceses but also in religious congregations—the need to find a successor takes people by surprise. And yet it could not be easier to predict.

In the world of business, it is much more unpredictable—CEOs suddenly leave or are fired or are poached by a rival.

And in business the pool of possible successors is potentially very wide.

But in the Church, with very few exceptions, bishops leave around the age of 75, and provincials and superiors leave when their time of office (five or six years, typically) is over. That means that you can work out in advance the date by when a successor needs to be ready.

Faith and Society

Archbishop Abel Gabuza at his recent reception as coadjutor in Durban. In his column, Raymond Perrier urges the Church and NGOs to plan for the succession of incumbent leaders. (Photo: Mathibela Sebothoma) And you also know in advance who the pool of candidates can be. In a religious congregation, it can only be a member of that order, within certain obvious age parameters and usually some other canonical requirement.

In the case of bishops, it can only be a priest, usually from within the same country (though not necessarily the same diocese) and with a certain level of seniority. The likelihood of another 31-year-old seminary rector being snatched from obscurity to become head of a major diocese, as happened with Fr Denis Hurley OMI in 1946, is pretty remote these days.

W

e know that we need future leaders.

So you would have imagined that there was a simple thought process in the minds of those who should be thinking about this. By such and such a date a shortlist of credible candidates is needed, and they will have to come from a given pool. So that gives us plenty of time to identify possible players within that pool, provide them with extra training or education, make sure they have experiences of leadership, and give them a chance to show what they are capable of.

Sometime this happens. But, from what I have seen, all too often it is not

done or the process begins too late.

Of course, we expect the Holy Spirit, working through the pope and the Vatican structures, to provide “shepherds for the sheep”. But that does not mean that there should be no attempt to train possible shepherds.

To quote St Oscar Romero, another archbishop who was plucked from seminary obscurity, “to pray and do nothing and hope that God will do the rest is not holiness, it is laziness!”

We have the same obligation to prepare lay leaders for the Church. Too often, we complain that we do not have people who are capable of taking positions of leadership in our parishes and institutions. But are we actually doing anything to nurture possible future leaders?

One of the very few proactive measures in succession planning that I have seen (and of which I was a part) was led by Rosa Calaca and the Catholic Schools Office in Gauteng. They spotted that, over the course of the next few years, a good number of principals in Catholic schools were likely to retire.

Of course, they prayed for “labourers in the vineyard”, but they also set about tending the vines. A programme was set up called “Growing Leaders” and opened to deputies and heads of department who saw themselves (or were seen by others) as principal material.

Through a year-long programme of academic and personal formation, mentoring and workshops, exposure to existing principals, and deep spiritual reflection, a group of potential leaders was nurtured.

Some of those have now become principals; some may still do so; and all have found that their skills have been enhanced Continued on page 11

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The Southern Cross, February 27 to March 5, 2019

COMMUNITY

St Peter Claver church in Pimville, Soweto, celebrated an academic Mass to pay tribute to young parishioners who had earned undergraduate degres in 2018.

Those celebrated were (from left) Rorisang Sojane (bachelor of science in urban and regional planning, University of the Witwatersrand); Ntsebeng Geraldine Khaka (bachelor in accounting with seven distinctions, University of Johannesburg); Mohau Tshepo Kwatsha (bachelor in engineering and business management with five distinctions, North West University); Kelebogile Malesela Kgobe (diploma in retail business management). (Photo: Sello Mokoka)

Students at St Dominic’s Priory School in Port Elizabeth, dressed up in red, pink or white for Valentine’s Day. Part of the proceeds from the civvies day went to the Heart Foundation. (Above) Grade 3 pupil Charli Mills.

St John Bosco parish in Johannesburg celebrated its patronal feast at the Salesian provincial house in Booysens. An open-air Mass, celebrated by Southern Africa provincial Fr Joy Sebastian, was followed by fun and games. (Photo: Br Clarence Watts SDB)

PRICE CHECK

Marist Brothers Linmeyer in Johannesburg awarded four matric students with achievement blazers at a special Mass.

They are (front from left) Carina de Freitas and Caitlyn Thomas (blue blazers) and (back from left) Sean Ramsden (blue blazer) and Joshua Jose (colours blazer).

First-year seminarians from St Francis xavier Seminary in Athlone, Cape Town, celebrated Mass at St Mary’s cathedral. Priests officiating were (from left) seminary rector Fr Thomas Plastow, main celebrant and assistant priest at the cathedral Fr Luigi Benigni, and Frs Chris Chatteris SJ and Hugh O’Connor. (Photo: Michelle Perry)

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A swimming team of 35 students at De La Salle Holy Cross College in Johannesburg took part in the annual Midmar Mile at Midmar Dam near Pietermaritzburg. The team raised over R13 000 for the NSRI Station 5 base in Durban, whose volunteers help keep those in the water safe.

The Catholic Women’s League at Holy Trinity parish in Musgrave, Durban, attended the matric celebrations at Kwa Thintwa School for the Deaf in Inchanga, which was founded by the lateArchbisahop Denis Hurley. The school obtained a 100% matric pass rate. CWL member Cynthia Jones congratulates Nonkululeko Dlamini who will be studying beauty culture in Cape Town.

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Bishops: We can renew SA on May 8 STAFF REPORTER

O n S a t u r d a y s a n d S u n d a y s , t h e s e m i n a r i a n s a t S t J o h n Vi a n n e y S e m i n a r y i n P r e t o r i a a s s u m e a l l t h e d u t i e s o f t h e i n s t i t u t i o n ’s k i t c h e n s t a ff . T h e y p r e p a r e a l l t h e m e a l s t o f e e d the 141 resident students. This, the seminary said on Facebook, is part of their formation, “so that they do not struggle in future to cook for themselves in the parishes”.

New recttor for St John Vianney

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F

ATHER John Masilo Selemela of Polokwane is the new rector of St John Vianney National Seminary.

Born at Magoebaskloof, Fr Selemela is an alumnus of the national seminary. He was ordained in 1999, initially for the diocese of Tzaneen. He holds a licentiate in dogmatic theology and a doctorate from the Pontifical Urbaniana University in Rome.

He was appointed a formator at St John Vianney in 2011, and then vice-rector before succeeding outgoing rector Fr Paul Manci.

In his first address as rector, Fr Selemela told the seminarians: “The seminary’s duty is to help its students to be formed into [and for] the priesthood that the Church wants.

This can only be possible and effective if seminarians are open to formation that is provided by the Church…The seminary is here to help its students so that one day they become good priests.”

Seminarians need to reflect on the two examples that they come across: the example they get inside the seminary, and the example they get from outside the seminary, Fr Selemela said in his address, which focused on the theme of prudence.

“Lack of prudence is choosing a bad example over a good example. Prudence demands

Fr John Selemela, new rector of South Africa’s national seminary. that we become souls that seek for perfection” he said.

He urged seminarians to take celibacy seriously, to be disciplined and to be open about how they deal with celibacy.

The seminary will now be open to the public. On Sundays, senior students will be given a chance to gain pastoral experience in nearby parishes.

Students who participate in these pastoral activities were advised to bring Christ to the people of God, to be merciful and to be just.

It is important that seminarians practise “pastoral prudence” in their pastoral placements, Fr Selemela said.

P

OLITICAL and corporate sectors have betrayed the trust of the South African people, and the general election on May 8 “presents all South Africans with the opportunity to renew our vision” for the country, according to the bishops of Southern African.

Twenty-five years after the memorable elections of 1994, “we celebrate that we have been able both to defend and to develop our democracy”, the bishops note in a pastoral letter on the 2019 general and provincial elections.

“We are grateful to good and honest people who have worked heroically and selflessly in the service of the nation. We are thankful also that the foundational institutions of our democracy have stood the test of time,” they said.

“Sadly, we have also come to see a darker side of political life. Recent commissions of enquiry have and are exposing individuals in both the political and corporate sectors who have tragically betrayed the public trust and placed their own self-interest ahead of the common good of the country.”

The May 8 elections therefore present South Africans “with the opportunity to renew our vision for South Africa”.

“We have the power to choose the direction our country will take. It is imperative that we choose wisely and courageously and not be distracted by false promises,” the bishops said.

Tough questions that seek honesty and truth must be asked.

“Our primar y concern, as your spiritual leaders, is that we choose leaders who will promote the good of all by living the values of the Constitution in the light of the Gospel,” the bishops said, referring to Pope Francis who urges us to look for “politicians who are genuinely disturbed by the state of society, the people, the lives of the poor” (Evangelii Gaudium, 205).

As voters decide whom to vote for, the bishops asked them to consider who they

think would: • eradicate corruption more effectively; • provide realistic programmes to overcome unemployment and poverty; • appoint selfless public servants as leaders at national and provincial level; • effectively reduce the level of violence tyrannising our people; • transform those attitudes and practices which underlie the violence against women and children; • respond effectively to the aspirations of our youth; • fulfil the promises they make rather than disappoint us; • protect our democracy and its institutions.

“In short, who do you think would make u s p r ou d t o b e S o u th A fr i c a n s ? ” t h e b i s h o p s said, adding: “Each one must answer these questions according to their conscience.”

The bishops appealed to voters to vote not only to advance their own personal interests— “be they interests of race, ethnic group or social and economic class”—but also for the common good.

“Let us keep in mind the poor, the unemployed and the disadvantaged—it is Our Lord who reminds us that, whatever we do to the least of his brothers and sisters, we do to him” (Mt 25:40).

The bishops called on political parties, civil society and citizens to ensure a peaceful, free and fair election.

“We each have a grave responsibility to create the environment of tolerance and acceptance which enables ever y South African to support and vote for the party that they choose, without fear of violence and intimidation,” the bishops said.

“While this responsibility falls heavily on the political parties and the media, we urge the organs of stat e to proactively ensure the safety of all,” they said, adding that it is also “the responsibility of each one of us to work for peaceful and free and fair elections”.

Continued on page 3

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Seven new assistants were officially received into the Maronite rite at Our Lady Of Lebanon parish in Mulbarton, south of Johannesburg. Mass was celebrated by Maronite superior Fr Maurice Chidiac, assisted by Fr Jean yammine. Fr Chidiac blessed the hands of the assistants with oil. The seven assistants are (from left) Garry Williams, Pete Wood, Anthony Nassif, Jerome Naidoo, Pierre Jbara, Kevin Bennett and Giovanni Abrahams. (Photo: Mark Kisogloo)

LIFE

The Southern Cross, February 27 to March 5, 2019

9

Why we must care about prisoners The stigma attached to former prisoners may actually add to crime rates, as CHRISTEN TORRES found out.

S

and sexual abuse.”

For most prisoners, life doesn’t get much easier once they have freedom, where they face the stigma attached to crime and those who have been found guilty of it.

“In general, the public is angry and upset about the high rate of criminality in the country,” Fr Babychan said. “Most people are either directly or indirectly affected by crime, gangsterism, and drug-peddling. The communities are becoming more and more unsafe despite all the safety measures.”

This breeds a rejection of former inmates—even of those who want to turn their lives around.

As a result, ex-offenders often struggle to reintegrate into society, finding it difficult to gain employment, or even living quarters, after they have been released from prison.

CRIPTURE reminds us in several places to remember those in jail. Jesus said, “I was in prison and you came to me” (Mt 35:26) The letter to the Hebrews exhorts: “Remember those in prison as if they were your fellow prisoners, and those who are mistreated as if you yourself are suffering” (13:3).

This is a reason why Pope Francis often visits prisons, especially juvenile detention centres, as he has done on Palm Sundays in Italy—where he washed inmates’ feet—and more recently during his visit to Panama.

Lucky ex-prisoner “For the first-timer, [coming to Jerome Opperman of Knysna is prison] is hugely a scary experi- an ex-offender who struggled to ence,” Fr Babychan Arackathara, find employment after his release the prison chaplain of the archdio- from prison, where he converted cese of Cape Town, told The South- to Catholicism. ern Cross.

His story of these struggles is “To be with people you do not typical. The prisoner gets his freeknow and to be locked up most of dom back, applies for jobs, but as the hours during the soon as a potential emday is an awful experiployer learns of his (or ence. They go through her) prison record, all trauma and depres- ‘We could search chances of employsion. When the gate for solutions by ment vanish. closes behind them Mr Opperman was they feel rejected by asking: What is lucky: various people, everyone—some of including Southern them even blame happening in our Cross readers, helped God, and go into deep him along the way, and community? depression,” the priest he now has regular explained.

Who are these contract employment.

“The reality of But for many years, criminals?’ being with people you he faced great strugdo not know, have no gles. As a newly-concommon ground with; verted Catholic, to live with different characters, returning to a life of crime was not are all serious challenges they go an option. through. Lack of family support For many others, it is seemingly during incarceration can be a huge the only option. When a former challenge that leads to low self-es- convict cannot earn money legititeem, hopelessness and feelings of mately, then a return to crime ofloneliness,” he said. fers an alternative. Sometimes And many non-violent offend- recidivism is a question of surers encounter violence in prison, vival. he added. “Beyond the lack of freeThe difficulty in finding work dom, many are also exposed to not only affects the livelihood of number-gang activities, violence ex-offenders and their families, but

When ex-offenders return from jail into society, they usually are ostracised to the point where their only option to survive is to return to crime. Some Catholic organisations try to help inmates prepare for freedom, and assist them when they re-enter society. One such organisation is the Prison Care & Support Network, whom Fr Babychan Arackathara (inset) serves as chaplain. it also increases the chances of exoffenders getting involved in crime again.

Much as the public is frustrated with the rate of crime, Fr Babychan said, the question is: “How do we respond to these incidents of crime as individuals, as community, and as a country?”

“We all have to take a stand in response to the criminal elements around us. We could clamour along with the vast majority of citizens, and burst out in emotional frustration and pain, seeking long sentences, harsher conditions and even propagating capital punishment,” he said of one option.

But there is a second option, he said. “We could search for solutions by asking ourselves: What is happening in our community?

Who are these criminals? Are our correctional centres really correctional in nature? Why do we have such a high recidivism rate?”

Fr Babychan proposed a new way for communities to approach offenders: “We could look for ways

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to help those involved” in giving ex-inmates another chance in life.

Some of the groups helping exoffenders work under the auspices of the Catholic Church. In Fr Babychan’s archdiocese, one such organisation is the Prison Care & Support Network.

Church agency helps The Prison Care & Support Network (www.pcsn.org.za) is a nonprofit organisation which falls under the umbrella of the archdiocese of Cape Town. It has existed for the past two decades with the mission to “endeavour to bring about spiritual assistance and pastoral care to prison inmates, ex-offenders, support their families, as well as continuing to provide ongoing support to ex-offenders”.

The network offers continued support to those outside prison with the aim to help them re-integrate back into society.

It makes use of a variety of interventions in eight prisons within the Western Cape. These include

The

one-to-one-sessions, personal development workshops, bursary support, restorative justice programmes, as well as art support programmes.

The Prison Care & Support Network also runs programmes outside prisons. These include ongoing support for ex-offenders and their families, facilitating visits and telephone calls to ex-offenders and family members, giving clothing support and stipends for released offenders, and other initiatives.

“Spiritual support for inmates is critical in changing their thinking and behaviour, given the emptiness and hopelessness they find themselves inside prison,” said Fr Babychan, who also serves as the network’s leader of pastoral support.

Can you judge?

The priest challenged society’s attitudes towards those who are incarcerated: “Who is righteous?

How can I judge the other? Nobody can claim to be righteous.

“In fact it’s our self-righteousness that makes us think prisoners as less than ourselves. They are human beings who, due to one or the other reason, made mistakes and inflicted pain or loss on others. They have wronged the society—but can we write them off?” he asked.

“Prisoners are from our own families, our brothers and sisters.

The families very often go through the painful prison sentence, along with the incarcerated. There are several children whose father, mother or both are incarcerated,” Fr Babychan said.

“As Christians we are mandated

by Christ to visit the prisons.”

A number of ways, Fr Babychan proposed, can help fight crime.

Chief among these is the eradication of poverty and employment creation, which are key to addressing the crime rate.

There must be better education opportunities, with particular attention to vulnerable youth; serious interventions to fight police corruption, particularly in colluding with gangsters; and the involvement of the community in finding solutions.

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The Southern Cross, February 27 to March 5, 2019

FAITH

How Ash Wednesday challenges us Ash Wednesday, as the launch of our Lenten journey, issues us with particular challenges, as KELVIN BANDA OP explains.

A

SH Wednesday, which begins the season of Lent, reminds us that we will not live forever.

In its symbols, it tells us that “we are dust; and to dust we will return” (Gen 3:19). It is a day we need to remember our birth and mortality.

It is also a day of renewal, repentance and return to God. Ash Wednesday launches our journey of spiritual reflection and renewal to deepen our faith.

The central theme for Ash Wednesday is following Christ. We are called to give up something that has a real impact on us, to give alms; and rely ever more fully on Christ.

The challenge of Ash Wednesday and the whole of the Lenten season is to take stock of our lives as followers of Christ, and to examine the depth of our commitment to living our lives as modelled by Christ.

Ash Wednesday helps us remember the life-and-death stakes in our

own stories, preparing us, in the words of the late theologian Eugene Peterson, “for a kind of death that our cultures know nothing about ...making room for the dance of resurrection”.

Fasting is associated with Ash Wednesday, drawing from Isaiah 58:6. But the fasting God wants is to also oppose injustice and the oppression of others.

A return to God Ash Wednesday does not only usher us into the Lenten season in which the faithful give up some food or liquor; it is a time to evaluate oneself before God and be able to be sorry for one’s mistakes, and to consider the true riches of life that Jesus urges us to embrace after repentance—a return to God. Ash Wednesday ushers in our faith in Jesus Christ that opens our lives to humility, prayer, fasting, and giving to the needs of others.

It is a day to be aware of how simple disciplines such as prayer, almsgiving and fasting can enhance our sense of humility and joy as followers of Christ.

For Pope Francis, the liturgy of Ash Wednesday invites us to an experience quite similar to that of the rich man and Lazarus.

The rich man failed to help the poor man, Lazarus; yet, the rich

man recognises Lazarus only during the torments of his afterlife on earth. The rich man wants the poor Lazarus to ease his suffering with a drop of water. What he asks of Lazarus is similar to what he could have done on earth but never did.

Ash Wednesday is a day of returning to the roots of all our ills which lead us to fail in heeding the word of God in the suffering of others—the ills that remove us from loving God and grow to despising our neighbours.

When we recognise our ills, Ash Wednesday is a good day for a renewal of our encounter with Christ, to start living in his word, in the sacraments and in our neighbours.

Through recognition of our ills, Ash Wednesday becomes the starting point of a true journey of conversion in Lent so that we can rediscover the word of God as a gift to us, be purified of the sin that blinds us, and serve Christ present in our brothers and sisters in need.

Spiritual renewal Ash Wednesday revives our spiritual renewal in God and for our neighbours—to be able to look at the suffering of the innocent and uplift them so that they too can share in the victory of Christ that dawns at Easter time.

This can be done only when we

open the doors of our hearts (homes/communities) to the weak, orphans, widows and the poor.

Lastly, Ash Wednesday is not just about fasting from food or liquor or giving up bad habits; our negative attitudes towards others also need to be purified.

Humanity needs to fast from selfishness, anger, jealousy, envy, from being oppressive, from being power-hungry, from being lovers of money to lovers of humanity in an authentic way—Christ’s love.

Ash Wednesday needs to usher us into Lenten season during

which we may become instruments of service for doing good and showing solidarity towards others—and not be lured to the worldly things that can chain us and the entire world to a selfish logic that leaves no room for love and hinders us in bringing peace to ourselves and others.

Ash Wednesday must remind us that we are mere mortals. We should not be corrupted by the love of riches which blinds us to see the needs of the poor in our communities who are starving, hurting, lying at our doors.

Ways to improve yourself this Lent By asking us to focus on God, Lent presents us with an opportunity to improve ourselves. FR RALPH DE HAHN tells how.

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HERE may be times when we are confused about the resolutions we make for the season of Lent, which we know to be a period set aside by the Church for a spiritual renewal.

So while fasting is a problem for millions of people, we still need to meditate on some other “signposts” on our earthly pilgrimage, and this collection may offer something that might just set you on another road.

• Make peace with your past, don’t allow it to screw up your future. Also don’t try to control the future.

Remember that unless the Lord builds the house, we labour in vain!

• Make room for the Holy Spirit, wait for the Lord, for such waiting is never a waste of time. Trust God

rather than men and do not waste time waiting for miracles because they are already with us, all the time—only we fail to recognise them.

• Be careful not to be caught up in illusions or by the tide of socalled “progress”. Be ever in touch with reality, not fantasy.

• Refuse to be simply a number or a statistic; and don’t be overly impressed with degrees and diplomas. Rather be impressed with the person, for a bird in song needs no credentials!

• Be yourself. You are unique, but still listen to what critics say about you, because your friends may well hide uncomfortable facts from you.

On the other hand, do not live to fulfil the expectation of others.

It is far better to be than to have.

• Give God permission to use you and your gifts for his purpose.

Learn to sing and dance the music of all creation, and take delight in laughing at yourself—it is truly a relaxing exercise.

• Contentment is such a precious possession. Remember: I can never wrong another without also

URSULINE SISTERS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

wronging myself, and I am truly off-centre when I am self-centred.

In fact, when the ego dies, all problems die! If you never condemn another, you will have no need to practise forgiveness.

• Above all, be flexible, everaware of who you are, and why, and what the Lord has given you; be ever grateful and generous. And learn to understand the absolute necessity to love all creation and the people God has created in his image. It will colour your entire life.

• A very solid foundation for any life is simply this: God first, my neighbour second, myself last.

It really does work.

• As believing Christians we are already rich; rich enough to share with the have-nots, to love and not to count the cost.

Of course, as the song from the 1940s says, into each life some rain will fall. When it does, so what? No rain, no rainbow!

Now, this is a lot to digest. The good news is, we have all of Lent to work on it.

Life is indeed fragile, so handle with prayer.

Ad v e n t P i l g r i m a g e t o

I TA TALY

1-10 December 2019

RO M E • A S S I S I •

with Lighting of Vaatican Christmas Trree Ceremony LED BY FR KA APENA OMI Contact Gail at 076 352-3809 or info@fowlertours.co.za www.fowlertours.co.za/italy

Sr Irene Shange Cell: 061 854 0890

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Email: zandileziningi@yahoo.com or Email: provincial@stursula.co.za

Five things to know about Ash Wednesday

By MARK PATTISON

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A priest blesses burning dried palm leaves inside a Catholic school in Manila, Philippines. Ashes from the fire were to be used in Ash Wednesday services the next day, the first day of the penitential season of Lent, which this year is on March 6. (Photo: Romeo Ranoco, Reuters/CNS)

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A

SH Wednesday is on March 6 this year. Here are some things to know about Ash Wednesday and the kickoff to Lent: u In the Table of Liturgical Days, which ranks the different liturgical celebrations and seasons, Ash Wednesday ties for second in ranking—along with Christmas, Epiphany, Ascension, Pentecost, Sundays of Advent, Lent and Easter, and a few others. But Ash Wednesday is not a holy day of obligation, though it is a day of prayer, abstinence, fasting and repentance. v Ash Wednesday begins the liturgical season of Lent, and lasts for 40 days. But the span between March 6 and Easter Sunday, which is on April 21, is 46 days. What’s going on here?

The 40 days refer to the number of days of fasting. The Sundays of Lent are part of Lent, but they are not prescribed days of fast and abstinence.

There are six Sundays in Lent, including Passion Sunday. w The ashes used for Ash Wednesday are made from the burned and blessed palms of the

previous year’s Palm Sunday. x You might not have noticed, but the use of the word “Alleluia” is forbidden during Lent. What is known as the “Alleluia verse” preceding the Gospel becomes known during Lent as “the verse before the Gospel”, with a variety of possible phrases to be used—none of which include an alleluia.

The alleluia was banned from Lenten Masses in the 5th or 6th century because it was seen as a liturgical ornament. y Ash Wednesday is a day of abstinence and fasting; Good Friday is another. Abstinence means refraining from eating meat; fish is OK. Fasting means reducing one’s intake of food, such as eating two small meals that together would not equal one full meal.

Fasting during Lent follows Jesus’ 40-day fast in the wilderness, as well as the 40 days that Moses fasted on Sinai and the 40 days that Elijah fasted on his journey to Mount Horeb.

It goes back to before 325 AD when the Council of Nicaea spoke of a 40-day period of preparation for Easter as something already obvious and familiar to all.—CNS

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Doctors tells of miracle that will make Newman a saint

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W

HEN the Vatican announced this month that Pope Francis had signed a decree recognising a miracle attributed to the intercession of Bl John Henry Newman, the noted English cardinal, clearing the way for his canonisation, there was rejoicing in Chicago.

The proposed miracle that God worked through the intercession of Bl Newman in 2013 involved a local mother who faced life-threatening complications during a pregnancy but suddenly recovered when she prayed to the cardinal for help.

Dr Gerald Casey, the lead medical expert in the local investigation, said he had been forever changed by the experience. “It was the most enriching experience of my spiritual life.”

Church law has a process, much like a trial, that it follows when investigating miracles.

The woman, her husband, her physician and her spiritual director were all interviewed, or deposed, during the process.

“The true spiritual experience was in the stages of the depositions,” Dr Casey said.

“I literally cried. It struck to my very heart, because I could feel a presence that I had never felt before in my life.

“It was one thing to read the materials, but quite another to hear her recitation of what had occurred, not just during that time but in the prior pregnancies and her miscarriages,” he said.

The stay-at-home mother’s pregnancy was high risk because she was over 40 and had suffered previous miscarriages. As a result, her doctor ordered blood tests on the baby early on and monitored the pregnancy closely.

Blessed John Henry Newman She started to bleed during the pregnancy and was diagnosed with a subchorionic haematoma, a blood clot in the foetal membrane.

The only thing doctors can do for that condition is prescribe bed rest. If the blood clot ruptures, it can result in a spontaneous miscarriage.

Bed rest for a mom with three small children is not so easy, Dr Casey said.

Potentially fatal bleeding “The morning the event occurred, she had gone downstairs, made her children breakfast, and started to bleed more,” he said.

The mother started to haemorrhage and locked herself in the bathroom. She felt she was losing her baby. At that moment she called out, “Cardinal Newman, please stop the bleeding!”

“The bleeding immediately stopped. Immediately,” Dr Casey said.

Afterwards, the woman got into bed, called her doctor, and saw him that afternoon. “The foetal heart tones were normal and she went home,” Dr Casey said. “She was able to continue all normal activities for the entire re-

mainder of her pregnancy.”

As part of the process, Dr Casey had two maternal foetal specialists also review the medical records and depositions. “None of us had ever heard of anything like this occurring,” he said.

At no point were Dr Casey or the other doctors asked if a miracle occurred. They only had to answer if there was any known medical explanation for what happened.

Oblate Father William Woestman, the promoter of justice in the Chicago archdiocese’s tribunal, participated in the canonical investigation of the miracle.

He is also the author of Canonization: Theology, History, Process.

“You could see it was painful for her to talk about, what she went through,” Fr Woestman said of the woman. “She was a very impressive person.”

After the local process for the miracle concluded, it was sent to Rome for further investigations, he explained.

Saints and miracles are still relevant today, Fr Woestman said.

“We all want saints we knew. We want saints that walked on the same pavements we walk on or who breathed the same air we do.”—CNS

Planning for succession Continued from page 7 by the formation experience (to their benefit and to the benefit of their schools).

NGOs similarly have to face up to the importance of successionplanning. But often the founders of organisations are reluctant to do this: they cannot imagine the organisation without their presence, and the people around them are scared to mention the possibility.

So when the founder suddenly retires or dies, the organisation suffers a huge setback from which it may not recover.

I was very moved that Paddy Kearney, the founder of the Denis Hurley Centre, was very keen to discuss with me last year how to identify and nurture someone to succeed him as chair. We had assumed that we had more time until

his intended retirement. In the end, his untimely death has meant that the plan we were putting in place has been accelerated—but at least we had the start of a plan.

The Church, and its organisations, are not just for here and now.

We are part of a continuum through 2 000 years. We draw down from past generations and we need to set things up for future generations. Succession-planning is a key part of that.

And we have, of course, the best model in our Saviour himself. He identified and nurtured those who would continue the Church after he ascended, and taught the first Apostles in turn to do the same. n For an archive of columns by Raymond Perrier go to www.scross.co.za/ category/perspectives/raymondperrier/

Southern CrossWord solutions

SOLUTIONS TO 852. ACROSS: 1 Exempt, 4 Aghast, 9 Got away with it, 10 Grander, 11 Friar, 12 Grape, 14 Cloth 18 Abide, 19 Lyrical, 21 Brave Catholic, 22 Coyote, 23 Obeyed. DOWN: 1 Engage, 2 Extraordinary, 3 Pawed, 5 Gainfully, 6 Atheistically, 7 Tutors, 8 Hydra, 13 Prevent, 15 Iambic, 16 Bleat, 17 Placid, 20 Rahab.

Our bishops’ anniversaries This week we congratulate: March 8: Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Archbishop of Durban, on his 78th birthday March 8: Bishop João Rodrigues of Tzaneen on his 64th birthday

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HOLY ST JUDe, apostle and martyr, great in virtue and rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful intercessor of all who invoke you, special patron in time of need. To you I have recourse from the depths of my heart and humbly beg you to come to my assistance. Please help me now in my urgent need and grant my request. In return I promise to make your name known in distribution of this prayer that never fails. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for me (name your request).

Our Father, Hail Mary, Glory Be. Dermot.

MY SOUL magnifies the Lord. And my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; Because he has regarded the lowliness of his handmaid; For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed; Because he who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is his name; And his mercy is from generation to generation on those who fear him. He has shown might with his arm, he has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart. He has

put down the mighty from their thrones, and has exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich he has sent away empty. He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of his mercy. As he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son: and to the Holy Spirit; As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be: world without end. Amen. Magnificat.

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

THANKS TO ST JUDe AND MOTHer MArY for prayers answered. Leon and Karen.

PerSONAL

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PAriSH NOTiCeS

NeW PAriSH NOTiCeS MOST WeLCOMe: If any parish notices listed are no longer valid, call us on 021 465-5007 or e-mail us at m.leveson@scross.co.za so that we can remove them.

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tices from parishes across Southern Africa to run free in the classifieds.

CAPe TOWN: A Holy Hour Prayer for Priests will be held at Villa Maria shrine on Saturday March 9 from 16:00 to 17:00. The shrine is at 1 Kloof Nek Road in Tamboerskloof. The group prays for priests in the archdiocese, and elsewhere by request, on the second Saturday of every month.

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.

The

Liturgical Calendar

Editor: Günther Simmermacher Business Manager: Pamela Davids

Sunday March 3, 8th Sunday of the Year

Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000

10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001 Tel: (021) 465 5007 Fax: (021) 465 3850

Sirach 27:4-7 (5-8), Psalm 92:2-3, 13-16, 1 Corinthians 15:54-58, Luke 6:39-45 Monday March 4, St Casimir Sirach 17:24-29 (20-28), Psalm 32:1-2, 5-7, Mark 10:17-27 Tuesday March 5 Sirach 35:1-12 (1-15), Psalm 50:5-8, 14, 23, Mark 10:28-31 Wednesday March 6, Ash Wednesday Joel 2:12-18, Psalm 51:3-6, 12-14, 17, 2 Corinthians 5:20--6:2, Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 Thursday March 7, Ss Perpetua and Felicity Deuteronomy 30:15-20, Psalm 1:1-4, 6, Luke 9:22-25 Friday March 8, St John of God Isaiah 58:1-9, Psalm 51:3-6, 18-19, Matthew 9:14-15 Saturday March 9, St Francis of Rome Isaiah 58:9-14, Psalm 86:1-6, Luke 5:27-32 Sunday March 10, 1st Sunday of Lent Deuteronomy 26:4-10, Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15,

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The Southern Cross is published independently by the Catholic Newspaper & Publishing Company Ltd. Address: PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000. Tel: (021) 465 5007 Fax: (021) 465 3850 www.scross.co.za editor: Günther Simmermacher (editor@scross.co.za), Business Manager: Pamela Davids (admin@scross.co.za), Advisory editor: Michael Shackleton, Local News: Erin Carelse (e.carelse@scross.co.za) editorial: Claire Allen (c.allen@scross.co.za), Mary Leveson (m.leveson@scross.co.za), Advertising: yolanda Timm (advertising@scross.co.za), Subscriptions: Michelle Perry (subscriptions@scross.co.za), Accounts: Desirée Chanquin (accounts@scross.co.za), Directors: R Shields (Chair), Archbishop S Brislin, S Duval, E Jackson, B Jordan, Sr H Makoro CPS, J Mathurine, G Stubbs

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1st Sunday in Lent: March 10 Readings: Deuteronomy 26:4-10, Psalm 91:1-2, 10-15, Romans 10:8-13, Luke 4:1-13

N

EXT Sunday we start our long preparation for Easter, for we are entering Lent.

Naturally your heart sinks, and you ask what ghastly Lenten penance is being demanded of you this year. But Lent is not a time for thinking either “What a wretched sinner I am” or (which may be worse) “What a holy person I am”. Instead we should journey to Easter focusing on God, and above all on what God has done for us; and that seems to be what the readings for next Sunday are saying to us.

In the first reading we watch Israel gratefully worshipping God, and remembering its history with him. The entry into the land (shortly to take place, according to the narrative of Deuteronomy), is to be celebrated with a ceremony of “first fruits”, and the happy memory of where they have come from.

“A wandering Aramean was my father”, they proclaim, before relating what happened to them in Egypt, how they grew into “a great and strong and numerous nation”, how in consequence they were oppressed; and how it was God who rescued them: “He brought us out of Egypt…and gave us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.”

S outher n C ross

Lent not to castigate us Then they are to perform the only possible response: “You are to worship before the Lord your God.” That may give the appropriate focus for our Lenten journey.

This is also the tone of the psalm for next Sunday. It is focused entirely on God, addressed to “the one who dwells in the shelter of the Most High, in the shadow of the Almighty”; a person in that situation says to the Lord: “My refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust.”

Then there is a line that is quoted in the Gospel for the day: “For he has commanded his angels concerning you, to keep you in all your ways; on their hands they shall bear you up lest you strike your foot against a stone.”

All this may be addressed to us, but the focus is (as ours must be, this Lenten season) entirely on God, even when we are attacked by “the asp and viper, the lion and the dragon”.

The second reading, in the middle of a long passage in the Letter to the Romans, where Paul is arguing that his fellow Jews have a place in God’s plan, likewise concentrates on what God is doing, this Lenten time.

It insists that this is not too difficult: “The

I

However, Christianity, while respecting this kind of stoicism, places the question of victory and defeat into a very different perspective.

Inside our Christian faith, defeat and victory are radically redefined. We speak, for instance, of the victory of the cross, of the day Jesus died as “Good” Friday, of the transforming power of humiliation, and of how we gain our lives by losing them.

Earthly defeat, for us, can still be victory, just as earthly victory can be a sad defeat. Indeed, in a Christian perspective, without even considering the next life, sometimes our defeats and humiliations are what allow depth and richer life to flow into us, and sometimes our victories rob us of the very things that bring us community, intimacy and happiness.

T

Conrad

he paschal mystery radically redefines both defeat and victory.

But this understanding doesn’t come easily. It’s the antithesis of cultural wisdom.

Indeed, it didn’t even come easy for Jesus’ contemporaries. After Jesus died in the most humiliating way a person could die at that time—by being crucified—the first generation of Christians had a massive struggle with the fact that he died and particularly with the manner in which he died.

First, for them, if Jesus was the longawaited Messiah, he wasn’t supposed to die at all. God is above death and certainly beyond being killed by humans.

Moreover, as a creedal doctrine, they believed that death was the result of sin and,

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Sunday Reflections

word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart.” And all we have to do is not give up gin or chocolates, but “confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe with your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead”.

That is how we are to come to the “justification” and “salvation” on offer. So he argues (going back to the question about God’s plans for Jews) that “there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same [God] is Lord of all” and so “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord is going to be saved”.

Might this thought help you in your journey through Lent?

The Gospel for next Sunday also says what matters is what God does, not what we do.

It starts with a typical Lucan detail, that Jesus was “full of the Holy Spirit…and was led in the Spirit in the desert”. Then we are given the first of the three temptations: “He was being tested by the devil” and after forty days of not eating anything, “He was hungry”.

This first test is couched in terms of Jesus’ identity: “If you are the son of God…”, and the devil’s suggestion is that he should “tell this stone to become a loaf of bread”.

Jesus refuses (quoting Deuteronomy in

Facing defeat with honour N 1970, the famed British writer Iris Murdoch wrote a novel entitled A Fairly Honourable Defeat. The story had numerous characters, both good and bad, but ultimately took its title from the travails of one character, Tallis Browne, who represents all that is decent, altruistic and moral among the various characters.

Despite being betrayed by almost everyone, he stays the course in terms of himself never betraying trust. But the story does not end well for him.

On the basis of his seeming defeat, Murdoch poses the question: Where’s justice? Where’s fairness? Shouldn’t goodness triumph?

An agnostic, she suggests that in reality a good life doesn’t always make for the triumph of goodness. However, if goodness sustains itself and does not betray itself, “its defeat will be honourable”. So, for Murdoch, what you want to avoid is a “dishonourable” defeat, meaning: Defeat you will face, your goodness notwithstanding.

Sometimes you cannot save the world or even the situation. But you can save your own integrity and bring that moral component to the world and to the situation—and by doing that you preserve your own dignity. You went down in defeat, but in honour. Goodness then will not have suffered a dishonourable defeat.

That’s a beautiful stoicism and if you aren’t a believer it’s about as wise a counsel as there is: Be true to yourself! Don’t betray who and what you are, even if you find yourself as unanimity-minus-one.

Nicholas King SJ

support), on the grounds that “the human being does not live by bread alone”; and Luke’s first hearers would have been able to continue this quotation, “but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”.

The second temptation is to worship the devil, in order to gain “all the kingdoms of the world and their glory”. Again this is rebuffed by a reference to God: “The Lord your God shall you worship; him alone shall you adore.”

Finally Jesus is taken to the pinnacle of the Temple and invited to throw himself down, knowing that (“if you are the Son of God”) God will protect him; and Sunday’s psalm is adroitly quoted to that end.

Effortlessly Jesus refuses, on the grounds that “you will not test the Lord your God”.

Then Luke concludes his account: “Having completed every temptation, the devil went away from him until the right time.”

That “right time”, of course, is the terrible event that is waiting at the end of Lent. Our task is to keep our eyes on God, and on Jesus, for the next 40 days.

Southern Crossword #852

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

thus, if someone did not sin, he or she was not supposed to die. But Jesus had died.

Finally, most faith-perplexing of all, was the humiliating manner of his death. Crucifixion was designed by the Romans not just as capital punishment but as a manner of death that totally and publically humiliated the person’s body. Jesus died a most humiliating death. No one called Good Friday “good” during the first days and years following his death.

However, given his resurrection, they intuited without explicitly understanding it, that Jesus’ defeat in the crucifixion was the ultimate triumph, and that the categories that make for victory and defeat were now forever different.

Initially, they lacked the words to express this. For several years after the resurrection, Christians were reluctant to mention the manner of Jesus’ death. It was a defeat in the eyes of the world and they were at a loss to explain it. So they remained mostly silent about it.

St Paul’s conversion and his subsequent insights changed this. As someone who was raised in the Jewish faith, Paul also struggled with explaining how a humiliating defeat in this world could be in fact a victory. However, after his conversion to Christianity, he eventually understood how goodness could take on sin and even “become sin itself” for our sake.

That radically flipped our conceptions of defeat and victory. The cross was now seen as the ultimate victory, the crown jewel: “I preach nothing but the cross of Christ.”

That gave us the passion narratives.

We live in a world that, mostly, still defines defeat and victory in terms of who gets to be on top in success, adulation, fame, influence, reputation, money, comfort, pleasure, and security in this life.

There will be plenty of defeats in our lives, and if we lack a Christian perspective then the best we can do is to take Iris Murdoch’s advice to heart: “Realistically, goodness will not triumph, so try to avoid a dishonourable defeat.”

Our Christian faith, while honouring that truth, challenges us to something more.

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ACROSS

1. Free from religious obligation (6) 4. Shocked when hag sat down (6) 9. Why the thief was not caught and punished?

(3,4,4,2) 10. Gran the German is more impressive (7) 11. Fr Ari becomes a Franciscan (5) 12. Fruit of the vine (5) 14. Is it woven for the clergyman? (5) 18. Famous hymn: ... With Me (5) 19. Al and Cyril join to produce lovely poetry (7) 21. Fearless member of the faith who could be American Indian (5,8) 22. Wild dog of American Indian (6) 23. Kept a religious vow (6)

DOWN

1. Enter into battle or matrimony (6) 2. A very unusual kind of minister? (13) 3. Dad got married having canine feature (5) 5. Serving to increase parish revenue (7) 6. Ah, Italic style is inclined to act godlessly (13) 7. Trouts found by the teachers (6) 8. Mythological snake with many heads (5) 13. Avert (7) 15. Metrical foot from William Bicker (6) 16. A complaint from the bishop’s flock? (5) 17. Calm pal turns to the police (6) 20. The woman who welcomed the spies (Heb 11) (5)

Solutions on page 11

CHURCH CHUCKLE

T

HE parish priest was preaching the homily at a children’s Mass.

He told them that Jesus went out with Simon Peter and his brother Andrew on their boat, and the two were amazed at the load of fish they caught.

The priest said Jesus asked them to leave being fishermen and become his apostles: “Come, follow me.

Don’t be afraid, from now on you will catch men.”

What do you think he meant by that?” the priest asked the children.

Little Jimmy raised his hand: “Jesus meant that all the apostles should become traffic cops.”

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