190424

The

S outher n C ross

April 24 to April 30, 2019

How Pope Francis was elected

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How we can choose whom to vote for

BY ERIN CARELSE

W A young woman prays outside the cathedral of Notre Dame in Paris as it was burning. The fire of this great cathedral has been described as a richly symbolic event, with this icon of French Catholicism standing as a metaphor for the Catholic Church in flames with the expectations of its total collapse. The damage is indeed huge. But the ancient Church didn’t burn to the ground.

The Church is still standing. The Cross inside the Church survived. The Church, built of powerful rock, is too strong to be destroyed. See also page 5. (Photo: Benoit Tessier, Reuters/CNS)

Shroud photos on web A

NEW website aims to make available to Catholics and researchers a collection of photographs of the Shroud of Turin by a scientific photographer who was part of a research project that spent more than 100 hours conducting tests on the shroud.

The Shroud of Turin is a linen cloth which shows the image of a man tortured and crucified. It is held by many Catholics to be the burial cloth that wrapped the body of Jesus after his death on the cross.

From 1977-81, a team of physicists, chemists, pathologists, and engineers from universities and US government laboratories conducted the Shroud of Turin Research Project, which concluded that “the shroud image is that of a real human form of a scourged, crucified man. It is not the product of an artist”.

The project’s final report added that “no pigments, paints, dyes or stains” were found on the shroud’s fibres, adding that “it is clear that there has been a direct contact of the shroud with a body, which explains certain features such as scourge marks, as well as the blood”.

“However, while this type of contact might explain some of the features of the torso, it is totally incapable of explaining the image of

the face with the high resolution that has been amply demonstrated by photography.”

The report said there is a scientific consensus that the image “was produced by something which resulted in oxidation, dehydration and conjugation of the polysaccharide structure of the microfibrils of the linen itself”.

Vernon Miller was the official scientific photographer of the Shroud of Turin Research Project. His photographs, and magnified micrographs of various aspects of the shroud, are now freely available to view or download at www.shroudphotos.com Photographs taken under ultraviolet light are also available for download.

Organisers of the site say that it was Mr Miller’s wish that his photographs be digitised and made available to those who have never seen them. The site is the first place to publish a digitised and organised catalogue of the photographer’s work.

The Church’s official position on the shroud’s authenticity as the burial cloth of Christ is one of neutrality.—CNA

ITH the national and provincial elections on May 8, trying to find a party which measures up to Catholic teachings will be difficult, according to a Church analyst.

Catholic voters should asses for themselves what is really needed in society and which parties have good policies, according to Mike Pothier, programme manager of the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office.

“In general terms, none of the parties in this country would measure up 100% to Catholic teaching,” he told The Southern Cross.

“There are certain key issues, such as abortion and related matters, where only one or two of the parties would adhere to the same line as the Catholic Church,” Mr Pothier said.

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) is one of them. But, he noted,, the ACDP is keen on reintroducing the death penalty for certain crimes, “so that would put them at odds” with the Catechism of the Catholic Church.

“This is illustrative of the fact that you’re never going to find a political party that is 100% aligned with the Catholic view, or any other view of a particular denomination,” Mr Pothier noted. “Parties are made up of groups of people with a range of views, which is a worldwide phenomenon.”

He pointed out that parties which espouse a progressive social agenda which voices support for the poor or friendliness to immigrants also almost invariably hold pro-choice policies and possibly support euthanasia.

“So while their social policies may be very much aligned with the Church, on the key life issues, they will be very much against it,” Mr Pothier said.

“If you look at the socioeconomic policies, one of the big difficulties is that the Catholic Church does not prescribe how a government should best implement them,” he said.

“The Church is really interested in what the outcomes are: are the poor being fed, are

children being educated, are the infant mortality rates coming down, and so on. All of our political parties have what they would claim are viable decent policies in that regard,” Mr Pothier said.

“It is difficult for the Church to sit back and say, ‘We’ve examined these policies and we think that Party A’s policies on adult literacy are 20% better than those of Party B. We can’t do that. And even if we did, we might then find that when it comes to health, Party B has better policies than Party A.” But the Church can make general observations, he said. For example, the Church may say that “it is hard to believe that a set of politicians who up to now have proven themselves to be less than honest or susceptible to corruption are the kinds of people who are really going to take care of the needs of the poor”.

“I think it’s up to each Catholic voter to assess for themselves—according to what they consider to be the most crucial social interventions that are needed in our society— which party has good policies. Not perfect, but good,” Mr Pothier said.

Perhaps even more importantly, he added, the Catholic voter should ask which parties are really likely to implement these policies, and which has a track record of actually making a difference.

“Some of the parties are making huge claims, such as doubling social grants and creating however many millions of jobs, yet we’ve had corruption problems in a lot of our parties,” Mr Pothier said. “We really cannot rely on people who either have been proven to be corrupt or have strong credible allegations of corruption against them.”

The voter, he advised, has to sit back and ask: “Do I really believe this? Is this a credible promise?”

In evaluating candidates, Mr Pothier said, voters may apply the job description for politicians as defined by Pope Francis: to serve the common good of the nation as a whole. n See also pages 9 and 10.

S outher n C ross & Radio Veritas

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The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

LOCAL

Working and praying for change in SA

BY ERIN CARELSE

A

N ecumenical organisation which has been serving churches in Cape Town and South Africa since 2002 is looking to partner with Catholic churches to help inspire, equip and connect churches to become transforming and transformative presences in their communities.

The Warehouse, an initiative of the Anglican parish of St John’s in Wynberg, is an association of six churches in the southern suburbs of Cape Town, and was established with a view to actively participating in the transformation of poor communities, through church-based community-development initiatives.

“Many churches are desperately trying to shine the light of God into broken spaces with very limited re-

sources,” said Craig Stewart, CEO of The Warehouse. “We help the Church share its resources and wisdom, and be an effective voice of truth, and a light in the dark.”

Mr Stewart said the intent has always been serving the Church in its response to poverty, injustice, and division.

“How we do this has changed over the years. During the past decade we shifted from helping churches run projects that met very real needs but did not bring lasting change, to walking alongside church leaders and their congregations, and strategic influencers in academic and other spheres,” he said.

The core Warehouse programme team comprises teachers and preachers who are able to cover a wide array of topics related to justice, integral

mission, and development.

They facilitate encounters to inspire and equip participants in integral mission theory and practice, as well as build relationships across various divides. Facilitating transformational encounters includes workshops, forums, experiential learning events, and conferences.

They also engage church leaders in creating opportunities for theological reflection, support, and mentorship as they lead in transforming churches and communities and facilitate reconciling relationships in a broken South Africa.

Their guide, Children, Church and the Law, is a full-colour practical guide for churches on the Children’s Act and other laws relating to children.

The book outlines general princi-

ples of the Act, issues around the safety and wellbeing of children, and the rights and responsibilities of both children and carers. It also addresses concerns around child labour, child trafficking, and other abuses.

It’s a practical book, written in simple English in a question-andanswer format. Its full-colour format allows for easy reference to the different sections. The book includes a glossary of terms used, reallife examples of application of the different principles, and snippets that illustrate the principle being described.

The Warehouse offers half to full-day workshops for church groups in which it does a presentation of the book and its application.

Mr Stewart said the organisation’s vision is to modify attitudes and be-

haviours in individuals and their families to live out justice and peace in their daily lives across neighbourhoods. The Warehouse works with local congregations serving their communities, through ministries and advocacy initiatives, and in networks of churches collaborating for transformation in South Africa.

“As followers of Christ, we are commanded to love God and our neighbour as priorities in our lives.

Loving our neighbour is an individual act of care and relationship, but the love of neighbour that Christ calls us to also needs to be reflected in the greater systems, structures, policies, laws and processes of the community and society in which we live,” Mr Stewart said.

“This public expression of love is seen as what the Bible calls justice.”

Catholics called to join Winterhoop giving

C

ATHOLIC parishes around the country are being invited to participate in a major national programme to help the poor in the colder months.

Every year for 17 years the Dutch Reformed Church has organised in June a national campaign called Winterhoop (Afrikaans for “Hope for Winter”).

While promoted nationally, the campaign is delivered locally—in each town churches sign up to be drop-off points. That means people can donate goods at these points, and the churches can hand them on to people in need and/or to organisations who can make use of them.

Winterhoop specifies what it wants people to donate: non-perishable foods, blankets, warm clothes and so on.

Each participating church has to be willing in June to be a drop-off point (at hours it decides), to sort what is donated, to store items for up to one month, and to allow organisations in the area to collect items.

The Denis Hurley Centre (DHC) in Durban is leading Winterhoop for KwaZulu-Natal.

“We are encouraging Catholic churches around the country to get involved,” said DHC director Raymond Perrier.

“While there is a reasonable net-

work already of the Dutch Reformed Church and other churches, the organisers are looking to expand it further,” he said.

“The breadth of the Catholic network could help make this a truly national campaign—and would also be a wonderful ecumenical gesture,” Mr Perrier said. He added that it would make Archbishop Denis Hurley proud, referring to the late head of Durban archdiocese after whom the DHC is named.

“This would be a great way to encourage people to give,” he said. n To find out more about being a dropoff point, contact aloma@mes.org.za or see www.winterhoop.org

The Manenberg preparation team for the international Taizé Meeting in Cape Town in September had its first meeting. The team comprises all generations, is interdenominational and, with Sr Akiko from Japan, even intercontinental. For more information, contact capetown@taize.fr

Mary Help Of Christians Primary

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PRINcIPAL

Mary Help of Christians is an Independent co-educational Catholic school in Paarl. The school has a rich legacy of providing quality faith-based education over many decades. The School is owned by the Catholic Schools’ Trust, Western Cape, and the Trust seeks to appoint a Principal as of 1 July 2019, or as soon thereafter as possible.

The incumbent should be a passionate, suitably-qualified and experienced, SACE-registered teacher with proven leadership experience in an independent faith-based school.

The Incensum Ensemble Choir from Belgium visited South Africa to sing at the Palm Sunday Mass at St Mary’s cathedral in Cape Town.

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in addition to the above, the following skills and competencies are sought: • The ability to co-create a unified vision for the school and build a cohesive team of motivated teachers and support staff, while at the same time holding staff to the highest ethical standards and applying progressive discipline, when required.

• A commitment to promoting the special religious character of the school • The ability to provide strategic leadership and financial management to a subsidised independent school • A knowledge of the processes involved in Umalusi accreditation compliance • A thorough understanding of the curriculum, assessment and intervention strategies demanded by CAPS • The ability to enhance the Lit-Num outcomes of the school • A familiarity with the policies and legislation shaping Independent education in the Western Cape today • The ability to implement the proposals stipulated in the previous Whole School Evaluation and to develop a viable School Improvement Plan • Excellent organisational and administrative competencies • Good Inter and Intra-personal skills • Good written and oral communication skills as well as IT competency

A succinct CV, including three referees and a letter of motivation should be addressed to gary Faulmann, Chair of the Selection Committee at garyfaulmann@gmail.com by Friday 10 May 2019

The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

LOCAL

3

Archdiocese gives its views on closure of welfare NGO

BY ERIN CARELSE

T The Gauteng provincial conference of the Catholic Health Care Association was held at Hartbeespoort. It provided caregivers with the opportunity to increase their knowledge and to share experiences and challenges.

Speakers urge caregivers to look after themselves too

T

HE Catholic Health Care Association (CATHCA) held its Gauteng provincial conference, with staff and members coming together to meet other care workers and share their experiences and challenges.

CATHCA, a non-profit organisation, is the associate body for health of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.

The Gauteng meeting, held at the Good Shepherd Retreat Centre in Hartbeespoort, was attended by 55 members from 22 organisations in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and North West, as well as two CATHCA board members and eight staff.

Among the organisations present were Afra Community Development, Asiphilenikhahle Home-based Care, Bushbuckridge Home-based Care, Fr Michael D’Annucci Centre, Holy Cross Home, Inkanyezi HIV/Aids Organisation, Lehlohonolo Community Welfare, Lindanisizwe Home-based Care, Lufuno Homebased Care, Mercy Clinic Kopano Lerato, Mofumahadi Wa Tshepo, Nazareth House Johannesburg, and Phumula Old Age Home.

CATHCA director Thomas Joseph said the overwhelming opinion of participants was that the conference was a great success and that all had gained significantly.

“Guest speakers gave us a wealth

of information on various topics, all of which the delegates found most interesting and pertinent, and which they felt could be applied to their own situations,” he said.

Topics discussed at the conference were: • Key Issues Affecting Children: Sinah Moruane, UNICEF SA • Child Rights: Boitumelo Nkomo, Kopano Lerato OVC • Issues Affecting Children: Pippa Jarvis, TLC Children’s Home • Key Issues Affecting the Elderly: Albina Kekana, CATHCA board • Issues Affecting the Elderly: Fr Paul Tatu, SACBC. A panel discussion, “Care for the Care Giver”, was presented by Bonakele Khamnule of Lufuno Home-based Care, Neo Pule of Lehlohonolo, and Sethu Sandoof Shalom Old Age Centre, and chaired

by Bongi Mthembu of CATHCA. “From evaluation forms submitted by members, the majority stated that the most inspiring presentation was by Pippa Jarvis,” Mr Joseph said. “Her stories of how TLC takes care of orphans touched many people deeply.” He added that Albina Kekana’s presentation, on the elderly, was also popular.

The three panel members encouraged caregivers to take care of themselves to be able to continue to look after others.

HE closure of Catholic Welfare Development may have come as a surprise to many, but that wasn’t the case for the financial administrator of Cape Town archdiocese, who says the CWD which closed in 2018 was not the organisation he served as a volunteer in the 1980s.

In a letter published on the archdiocese’s website, Graham Wilson recalls that his misgivings started as far back as November 2017.

“As the financial administrator of the archdiocese of Cape Town I was concerned that CWD had defaulted on the repayment of a substantial short-term loan of R600 000 to the archdiocese,” Mr Wilson said.

“All the evidence presented by CWD’s management had given us every reason to think they would not have difficulty repaying the loan on time and in full. But the evidence was wrong, and subsequent assurances and excuses, while plausible at first, began to wear thin,” he said.

Archbishop Stephen Brislin, CWD’s patron, began receiving reports that the organisation was struggling to pay its staff and suppliers. On several occasions, he relayed these reports and his unease to CWD’s senior management.

They continued to assure him that it remained financially sound.

Mr Wilson said that by the time he attended a meeting called by the archbishop in February 2018 with CWD’s chair and vice-chair, his misgivings had given way to alarm.

At a joint meeting between the organisation’s board and the archdiocesan finance council in May, it was agreed to appoint an auditor to compile a report on CWD’s finances.

According to Mr Wilson, the auditor reported inadequate cooperation from CWD’s management.

“Observers may question why the archbishop didn’t directly intervene at CWD,” Mr Wilson said. “The answer is he couldn’t. He was not legally able to direct CWD’s affairs, institute disciplinary steps against employees or fire board members.”

A review found “very little money in the [bank] accounts” of CWD, a huge tax debt, and financial irregularities.

I

n August and September 2018, under new chair Arthur Johannes, the board took decisive action.

When three board members resigned, bringing the number of members below the minimum required by CWD’s constitution, Archbishop Brislin could intervene

in terms of the constitution and appoint interim replacement board members.

Mr Wilson was then appointed to the board of CWD, a year after his initial misgivings.

The new board appointed an interim director, Walter Tarr.

“Together we got to work and after only a few weeks it was glaringly apparent that the only action possible in the face of insurmountable debts—of at least R17 million—was to retrench staff and cease operations,” Mr Wilson said.

Once informed by the board of their decision in late October 2018, Archbishop Brislin immediately alerted the clergy and religious of the archdiocese. He followed up in early November with a detailed briefing in person to priests and representatives of all parishes, and in December he wrote a general letter to all Catholics in the archdiocese. Subsequent letters and general briefings have continued into 2019.

CWD’s debts will be settled by the sale of a significant portion of its properties, Mr Wilson said.

“The organisation will continue to function in name until all its debts have been paid and its affairs, including all outstanding legal matters, have been settled,” he added.

Pupils from Holy Rosary Primary in Edenvale, Johannesburg, presented the school’s annual Passion Play at St Therese’s church, also in Edenvale..

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ST 0 5 9 6 R ON @ A U T O M AT I

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The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

INTERNATIONAL

Behind the scenes of Pope Francis’ election

BY CINDY WooDEN

T Bulgarian Catholic worshippers pray during Mass at St Michael the Archangel cathedral in Rakovski. Pope Francis will visit Bulgaria from May 5-7. (Photo: Nikolay Doychinov, Reuters/CNS)

Bulgarian Orthodox: No prayer during papal visit

B

ULGARIA’S predominant Orthodox Church has ordered its clergy not to take part in prayers or services with the pope when he visits the country in early May. “The invitation to Pope Francis comes from the state authorities, so it is appropriate that the main events are coordinated with state institutions,” the church’s 15-member governing holy synod said in a statement.

“Any form of service with a common liturgical or prayerful character, including the use of liturgical garments, will be unacceptable to us. Our holy canons do not permit this.”

The synod said it had agreed the ban unanimously after examining a draft agenda for the pontiff’s May 57 visit and would confirm it in a letter to the Vatican’s nuncio, Archbishop Anselmo Pecorari.

It said Bulgarian Orthodox Patriarch Neophyte would greet the pope with other Church leaders at Sofia’s Synodal Palace and Orthodox cathedral, but said the participation of Orthodox clergy, including the Church’s patriarchal

choir, in other events was “impossible”, while an Orthodox interpreter would only be available during the palace and cathedral events.

Pope Francis will meet Prime Minister Boyko Borissov and President Rumen Radev during the three-day pilgrimage, which will include an interfaith peace vigil in the capital’s Independence Square and stopover at a refugee camp. The itinerary features an outdoor Mass in Sofia’s Battenberg Square, and a visit to Rakovski, a largely Catholic town in central Bulgaria.

Orthodox theologian Deacon Ivan Ivanov told the Dnevnik daily that the decision on a religious boycott had been made at the start of preparations for the papal visit.

He added: “The pope always respects requirements in the respective host country, in this case from the Bulgarian Orthodox Church, and this is reflected in the relevant visit protocols.”

On May 7, Pope Francis will visit neighbouring North Macedonia, which declared independence from the former Yugoslavia in 1991.— CNS

HE cardinals participating in a conclave to elect a pope take a very solemn vow of secrecy regarding what occurs in the Sistine Chapel, including anything “directly or indirectly related to the results of the voting”.

But, perhaps motivated by a desire to set the historical record straight, there is often a cardinal who will share his vote tallies and details of the conclave with a journalist.

In September 2005, the respected Italian geopolitical journal Limes published the ballot tallies and other information from the election of Pope Benedict XVI four months earlier.

According to the information from a cardinal’s diary given to an Italian journalist, then-Cardinal Jorge Mario Bergoglio had the second-most votes on each of the four ballots cast.

Coming in a strong second should have made the Argentine cardinal an obvious choice going into the 2013 conclave after Pope Benedict resigned, but common thinking was that by then, at 76, he was too old.

In his new book, The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave That Changed History, Gerard O’Connell gives the tallies of the five valid ballots cast in the 2013 election, but also a varied and detailed account of what dozens of cardinals and the media were saying in the days leading up to the vote.

In the run-up to the conclave, Italian media and many others insisted the front-runner was Italian Cardinal Angelo Scola, then-archbishop of Milan. But according to Mr O’Connell’s count, he was first only on the first ballot, leading Cardinal Bergoglio 30 to 26.

Canadian Cardinal Marc Ouellet, prefect of the Congregation for Bishops, was third on every ballot, Mr O’Connell wrote. And Cardinal Sean O’Malley of Boston garnered ten of

the 115 votes on the first ballot and three on the second ballot.

As for the secrecy that is supposed to surround the election, Mr O’Connell said that when several cardinals, “one in particular, but there were others”, agreed to speak to him, they knew that he eventually would write about the conclave. “They made this clear to me.”

Their reasons for speaking varied, but “I think most of them realised this was a turning point in the history of the Catholic Church” with the election of the first pope from Latin America and the first Jesuit, said Mr O’Connell, a veteran Catholic journalist.

Although he wrestled with the question, he said, “I had not taken any oath of secrecy; the cardinals

Pope: Fight your phone addiction

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The cover of The Election of Pope Francis: An Inside Account of the Conclave that Changed History, by journalist Gerard o’Connell. The book gives a detailed account, including vote tallies, of the March 2013 conclave that elected the pope. (Graphic: orbis Books)

had. How they come to terms in their own conscience, that’s not for me to judge.”

The vote tallies are just a small part of Mr O’Connell’s book, which is written in the form of a diary that covers the period from Pope Benedict’s announcement of his resignation through to the inauguration of the new papacy in March 19, 2013.

One thread running through the book is the long friendship Mr O’Connell and his wife, the Argentine journalist Elisabetta Pique, had with then-Cardinal Bergoglio.

The worldwide televised scene of Pope Benedict ending his papacy, flying by helicopter to Castel Gandolfo and the Swiss Guards hanging up their halberds is made even more poignant in the book by Mr O’Connell describing Cardinal Bergoglio arriving at their home for dinner that night in time to watch it with them.

“With us he saw the Swiss Guards abandon their positions; there was no longer a pope to guard,” Mr O’Connell wrote. “We watched in total silence. It was an awesome and truly historic moment. The See of Peter was now vacant. Little did we know that his 265th successor was standing next to us.”

While it is true that different cardinals have different visions for the Church and different visions for how power and authority should be exercised in it, Mr O’Connell said talking to dozens of cardinals, on and off the record, the conclave clearly was more about prayer than politics.

“A lot of the press coverage I read didn’t seem to consider this as a real factor in the choice of a man,” Mr O’Connell said, “but in the hearts of the cardinals, many of them, this was number one. They were looking for a holy man, a man who could inspire people and whose own life reflected his beliefs. At the end of the day, these were deciding factors when it came to the choice”.—CNS

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OPE Francis told high school students to break their cellphone addiction and spend more time on real communication with others and in moments of quiet, personal reflection.

Young people need to learn about “healthy introspection” so they can listen to their conscience and be able to distinguish it “from the voices of selfishness and hedonism”, he said.

The pope made his remarks during an audience with teachers, students and their family members from Rome’s oldest classical lyceum—the Ennio Quirino Visconti Lyceum-Gymnasium. Some notable alumni include Eugenio Pacelli, the future Pope Pius XII, and Jesuit Father Matteo Ricci.

The pope told the high school students to “please, free yourselves from your phone addiction!”

Looking up at his audience as they applauded, the pope said he knew they were aware of the many forms and problems of addiction. But, he warned, an addiction to one’s cellphone was something “very subtle”.

“Cellphones are a great help, it marks great progress. It should be used, and it is wonderful everyone knows how to use it” for the “wonderful” activity of communication, he said.

“But when you become a slave to your phone, you lose your freedom,” Pope Francis said.

“Be careful because there is

Pope Francis greets people during an audience with students and staff from a Rome high school, at the Vatican. The pope encouraged high school students to break their phone addiction and spend more time on real communication and moments of personal reflection. (Photo: Vatican Media/CNS) danger that this drug—when the phone is a drug—the danger of communication being reduced to simple ‘contacts’ and not true communication with others,” he said to more applause.

The pope told them to not be afraid of silence and to learn to listen to or write down what is going on inside their heart and head.

“It is more than a science, it is wisdom, so as to not become a piece of paper” that moves in whatever direction the wind blows, he said.

The pope also told the teenagers that God gave everyone the ability to love.

“Don’t dirty it” with shameful behaviour, but rather, love “cleanly” with modesty, fidelity, respect and a big generous heart.

“Love is not a game. Love is the most beautiful thing God gave us,” he told them, so be vigilant, protect people’s dignity and defend “authentic love, so as not to trivialise the language of the body”.

Pope Francis asked them to help their school remain free from all forms of bullying and aggression, which are “the seeds of war”.

And he encouraged them to reject mediocrity and indifference, and instead, “dream big”, living with passion and embracing diversity.

“Dialogue among different cultures, different people, enriches a nation, enriches one’s homeland,” the pope said. It helps people move forward in mutual respect and be able to see the world is “for everyone, not just for some”.—CNS

INTERNATIONAL

The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

5

Humanity’s ancestors: Notre-Dame cathedral has a rich, long history ‘We are all African’ A

BY CARoL GLATz

A

S a follow-up to a 2013 symposium on the origin and evolution of humans, the Pontifical Academy of Sciences held a workshop discussing the latest discoveries about humanity’s earliest ancestors—where they lived and what they may have looked like millions of years ago.

This gathering, however, was taking “a different approach by inviting the discoverers themselves� to tell the academy about their historic findings and the new questions emerging from these new discoveries, said Yves Coppens, a French anthropologist and member of the papal academy who helped organise the workshop at the Vatican.

Mr Coppens was involved with the 1974 discovery in Ethiopia of Lucy, the 3,2-million-year-old partial skeleton of a female hominin— a “prehuman� or human-like species.

She now seems young, compared to Toumai, the nickname for a 7million-year-old small cranium unearthed in Chad in 2001 by Michel Brunet, who told the academy that Toumai is—for now—probably the earliest known member of the human family.

With these and so many more ancient ancestors being found in Africa, “We are all African and we are all migrants out of Africa,� he said.

But this journey of primates diverging, splitting off, going extinct and eventually evolving into human beings is not a straight line, Mr Brunet said. “It is like a tree with a lot, a lot of branches� of many different prehuman species, he said, who, with their various body shapes and characteristics, still walked upright, could climb trees, ate a variety of foods and eventually expanded beyond Africa.

Mr Brunet said new branches of distant and close ancestor species will keep being discovered, while only the human species has survived.

Mgr Fiorenzo Facchini, professor emeritus of anthropology at the University of Bologna, said these sci-

A group of Spanish tourists view a replica and reconstruction of the remains of a more than 3-million-year-old female hominid known as Lucy at the National Museum in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. (Photo: Barry Malone, Reuters/CNS) entific studies and discoveries of the past touch on “fundamental questions� about the origins of humanity and its relationship with the rest of creation.

Catholic teaching says God created all things from nothing, but it doesn’t say how, which leaves open the possibilities of evolutionary mechanisms like random mutation and natural selection, said the priest, who also taught paleoanthropology and paleobiology.

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hat is beyond the field of science, Mgr Facchini said, is the “ontological leap� of understanding human transcendence and the “instantaneous� existence of the human soul. At some point in evolution, perhaps with the emergence of Homo habilis or later, this being “was in some way prepared to receive the spirit�.

With the gifts of free will, selfconsciousness and intelligence, human beings also have the unique duty of being responsible for their actions and for the care of creation, he said.

Martin Pickford, a paleoanthropologist and professor of prehistory at the College de France, said another unique thing about humans is that “we are the only animal that

lies and can detect a lie, potentially�.

Some animals may “deceive� through camouflage or by mimicking another animal, but they are seeking to fool a predator and they are “misleading a different species.

Humans are the only ones fooling members of their own species to get an advantage,� he said.

Pickford and Brigitte Senut, who spoke at the workshop, discovered Orrorin, a 6-million-year-old hominid species in Kenya.

Mr Pickford said science and evolution are not in competition with religion.

With science “you must question everything, go out and find out for yourself, ask questions, demand evidence and I see the evidence of evolution around me every day�.

While religion can be used as a political tool, to “structure society� or guide people in the way they treat others, he said he believes “we all have a religious sense� that comes from a “sense of awe about nature�, and that sensibility can be encouraged or left to wither.—CNS

Aid to the Church in Need wins award

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ID to the Church in Need is the 2019 recipient of the Path to Peace Award.

Archbishop Bernardito Auza, permanent observer of the Holy See to the United Nations and president of the Path to Peace Foundation, said the organisation is being honoured for its humanitarian and pastoral work in support of persecuted Christians around the world. “It is a great honour for Aid to the Church Need to receive this prestigious award,� George Marlin, chairman of Aid to the Church in Need USA, said in a press statement. “This recognition of our work on behalf of the suffering and persecuted

Church around the world is a tribute to the generosity and faithfulness of our donors.�

Thomas Heine-Geldern, executive president of Aid to the Church in Need International, will accept the award during a celebration on May 22 in New York.

Aid to the Church in Need annually supports 5 000 projects in more than 140 countries. In 2018, the organisation distributed more than $100 million for the construction of churches and chapels; the training of seminarians, men and women religious and lay catechists; emergency aid; transportation for Church min-

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Previous award recipients have included Cardinal Mario Zenari, papal nuncio to Syria, and the Santa Marta Group, an international alliance of police chiefs and Church leaders collaborating to eradicate human trafficking and modern slavery.

Aid to the Church in Need was founded in 1947 by Norbertine Father Werenfried van Straaten, a Dutch priest who sought to meet the needs of refugees and displaced people in Germany after World War II. It has been recognised as a papal foundation since 2011.— CNS

FTER a fire in the roof of the cathedral of Notre-Dame in Paris threatened to destroy one of Europe’s most recognisable Catholic churches, interest in one of the great landmarks of France’s capital heightened.

Construction on the Gothic-style cathedral began over 850 years ago and took nearly 200 years to fully complete.

Notre-Dame was built on the ruins of two earlier churches which were themselves built over a temple dedicated to the Roman God Jupiter.

Pope Alexander III laid the foundation stone for the cathedral in 1163, and the high altar was consecrated 26 years later.

The 68m-high towers were built between 1210 and 1250, and the church was officially completed in 1345. The central spire— the epicentre of the fire—was added during a 19th century renovation.

While this month’s fire was certainly the most extensive damage ever done to Notre-Dame, it was not the first time she has undergone structural trauma. In World War II, nearly all the glass was broken when Paris was bombed, and Huguenots destroyed icons and statues during the 16th century.

During the French Revolution, Notre-Dame was ransacked and rededicated to the “Goddess Reason�.

The building itself was used at that time for wine storage. The Church resumed use of the building in 1801.

Great acts of history took place in the cathedral. For example, King Henry VI of England was crowned in the cathedral in 1431, and Napoleon Bonaparte as “Emperor of the French� in 1804.

Pope Pius X beatified Joan of Arc, France’s most famous Catholic martyr, in Notre-Dame cathedral in 1909.

The cathedral has been immortalised in literary works such as Victor Hugo’s The Hunchback of Notre-Dame, which in French is titled Notre-Dame de Paris.

Relics in the cathedral include a crown of thorns believed to have been worn by Christ before his crucifixion, a piece of wood believed to be part of the cross on which Christ was crucified, one of the nails used in the crucifixion, and relics of many French saints. These relics were saved from damage during the fire.

Among countless works of art and historical artefacts contained within the cathedral, Notre-Dame’s treasures included a 17th century organ with all its parts still functional. It also survived the fire.

Officials had been in the process of a massive fundraising effort to renovate the cathedral after centuries of decay, pollution, and a flow of 13 million visitors annually. French conservationists and the archdiocese announced in 2017 that the renovations needed for the building’s structural integrity could cost as much as R156 billion to complete.

A major campaign of cleaning and restoration was carried out from 1991 to 2000.

By law the French government owns all churches built before 1905, including Notre-Dame. The government lets the archdiocese of Paris use the building for free, and will continue to do so in perpetuity. The archdiocese of Paris is responsible for the upkeep of the church, as well as for paying employees.—CNA

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6

The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

LEADER PAGE LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Abandoned church with wildflowers in tins T

Editor: Günther Simmermacher

SA after 25 years

T

HE Rainbow Nation, it has turned out, was just as elusive as the appearances of colours created by reflection, refraction and dispersion of light.

In the 25 years since those exhilarating days when South Africans stood in long queues to vote in the country’s first democratic elections, the rainbow has faded. We are left with light and shade.

Much as we wish to leave behind the apartheid past, the effects of 350 years of racial oppression and exploitation simply cannot be undone in 25 years.

Bygones cannot be bygones simply because they are not gone by.

Apartheid still exists in the ownership of wealth, in the spatial distribution of the population, in opportunities.

A quarter of a century of neoliberal economic policy—a system that has been criticised harshly by successive popes— with its lie of trickle-down benefits, has done little to uplift the poor.

Corruption and indifference by the alliance of new and old oligarchies have further betrayed the poor.

The government’s policy of transformation has served only a few. Too many times, it has concerned itself with the cosmetics of change. Too much time has been spent counting sport teams by race rather than to create sporting facilities and training development for the poor.

And in all the talk about transformation, the most transformative agent—education—has been a crucial failure, despite the enormous investment of funds.

True transformation has been crippled by what President Cyril Ramaphosa has called the “nine lost years” under Jacob Zuma, who presided over a shamelessly corrupt conspiracy to plunder the state with an impunity that amounts to economic and social sabotage.

Some of the kleptocrats and mediocrities from the Zuma era feature high on the African National Congress’ electoral list. On May 8, South Africa’s voters have to decide whether the ANC, after 25 years in charge, merits the nation’s confidence again.

If the ANC is re-elected, as seems plausible, it should beware of hubris. Its electoral success might well be less an endorsement of its governance—there is not much to endorse—than owing to a lack of confidence that

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.

the opposition parties would perform any better in improving the condition of the masses.

No democracy is served well by the same party being perpetually re-elected. In the ANC, factional contests have supplanted parliamentary competition in deciding the future of the country.

This is how Mr Ramaphosa is able to position himself as an agent for change even as he heads the same party that has failed the nation so miserably, and which he had served as deputy-president.

But the ANC is not a single party in a totalitarian state. Even at its worst, the ANC has acted in a democratic framework which has survived all assaults against it, from the appointment of compliant apparatchiks in key positions to attacks on press freedom.

Indeed, civil society’s success in fending off the Protection of State Information Bill (or Secrecy Bill)—symbolised by the huge banner that hung on the facade of St Mary’s cathedral opposite parliament in Cape Town—serves as a potent sign that our democracy is stronger than any political party. It will survive the book burners, too.

The judiciary has withstood all attempts, some of them fierce assaults, to curb its independence.

A good slice of credit for that belongs to Constitutional Court Chief Justice Mogoeng Mogoeng, who initially was mistaken for a Zuma stooge.

The task of Justice Mogoeng and his colleagues is to protect and uphold the Constitution.

That document and the Bill of Rights are among South Africa’s greatest achievements of the past 25 years.

We may list, with due frustration, all the fiascos and iniquities of the past quarter of a century— state capture and other corruption, the promotion of political mediocrities, the legalisation of abortion, the botched transformation process, the failures in education, land reform and crime, the disastrous response to the HIV/Aids crisis, and so on.

At the same time, we must not let the past crush our hopes for the future.

We must acknowledge the successes of the past 25 years, especially in creating a stable democracy based on a Constitution that is the envy of the world.

Our national anthem asks for God’s blessings. Let us pray for South Africa.

HE older I become, the more I realise how little I know.

For example, about 30 years ago I was trying to get tea estates in Mozambique going, just across the border from Malawi.

When I crossed into Mozambique once, I was met by a good friend I had in Frelimo, with a company of Frelimo soldiers and their Russian armoured car.

We drove past abandoned fields and destroyed houses and factories.

After not seeing a living thing for

Contemplative prayer eludes me

C

ONTEMPLATIVE prayer has interested me for many years, but I must say, I cannot consider I have achieved the communication with God that was promised.

I have tried for years, I have concentrated until my eyeballs ached; nothing meaningful has occurred.

It’s not that the exercise is not beneficial, I’m sure it is, but the promised connection just doesn’t come.

This morning I had what I hope is an illuminating moment: perhaps I’m trying too hard! Perhaps the activity is not required to be by me— perhaps I should open my mind, and let God do the work. In that overdone phrase, “Let go and let God.” I’m so busy in my efforts that my mind becomes closed to anything else. Experts advise us to avoid thoughts of projects or plans—to wait for the Lord to speak. But if I wait for him, what do I expect to hear?

Are the thoughts that I have considered intrusions perhaps messages for my consideration, or do I expect a spectral voice to direct my path?

It’s almost like the little old lady trapped on her rooftop in a flood, refusing help from lifeboats and helicopters, confident in the hope that her prayers would be answered by the Lord. She just didn’t recognise his intervention when it came!

What do I expect? Should my thoughts be directed towards the Lord, can I not expect the results to be of value? Am I attempting to rid myself of exactly what is being given to me?

Let’s try again.

Tom Drake, Johannesburg

Sad when division comes from clergy

I

RECENTLY attended a parish mission. At the closing of the mission, the parish priest said: “A river of grace is flowing through this parish, not for those who ran away to (church mentioned). They can stay there...”

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ages, we suddenly came upon a large and old Catholic church.

The cemetery was overgrown but the area around the church was swept clean. There was not a soul about, but the church was undamaged, so I tried a door. I found it unlocked and went in. I was very pleased to see the soldiers placed caps on the muzzles of their AK-47s, left them outside, and followed me in.

Most surprisingly, on the altar were rusty tins containing fresh wildflowers. Whoever was worshipping

How sad! Sentiments such as these are judgmental, divisive, and allude to exclusivity, and should therefore never permeate our Catholic narrative.

Pope Francis has urged us to “open the doors of the Church”.

The priest at the parish mission sounded like a politician canvassing for votes rather than a shepherd chosen to lead his flock. Yes, I am a defender of the faith, but nobody is above reproach.

Is it any wonder our hurting Catholics are finding a home in other denominations?

Comments from the laity after the parish mission flowed: “I go where I’m being fed”, “My Lenten journey has been ruined”, and “What a start to Holy Week!”

I pray, “Blessed are the peacemakers...” and “Father, make us one.”

J Goliath, Cape Town

in the church had not seen a priest for many years, but believed. To me, that is true Christianity, and something I will never forget.

We who have so much, in relation to those who have nothing, have to lock our churches.

I am convinced that most of the world’s problems are directly related to a lack of love, and I cannot understand why priests do not spend more time explaining this and less on the historical aspects of religion.

Roy Glover, Knysna 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

Elections issue

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BORTION is murder. Nevertheless, all our political parties, except the African Christian Democratic Party, which condemns it, support this evil, which is abhorrent to Almighty God. We must pray for our Creator’s guidance when voting on May 8.

Damian McLeish, Johannesburg

Equipping our Priests who refuse hearts for action auditing of books HAVE a friend in England who is

F

ATHER Chris Townsend, in his column “Let’s talk about money” (January 9), raised important points.

I cannot stress enough that if only we follow Canon Law with regard to church funds, there will never be a money problem.

Yet church funds (in my experience) have become strongholds of parishes, to the extent that priests refuse to have their books audited.

Ours have not been audited since 2006, and the reasons for this are, in my opinion, pretty obvious.

Such parish priests know why they refuse and know that I know why they will not have books audited. They also know the “sheeple” are afraid of dying, and believe anything that comes from “Father”.

People themselves also know that parish priests will easily use what is left of the sacredness of the altar to insult anybody who stands in their way.

We should preach God, not money, and show some respect for the poor, hungry, and destitute.

Name withheld

I

a gifted musician. On the Sundays when he was scheduled to play the organ, I was always delighted because I knew that at the end of Mass he would let loose!

The ancient organ’s mechanisms would be put to the test, dust would be expelled from the pipes as sacred music filled the air. And as the first few notes of the theme to Star Wars sounded, our hearts stirred, our spirits quickened, and the presence of God filled the church for the second time that morning.

There were theme tunes to other great movies in his repertoire, each about the battle of good vs evil.

Most churches will tell the story, outline the plot, the villain, the hero; we hear of the great adventure Jesus lived, the battles he fought, the sacrifice he made and the victory won.

But how can the hearts of men be awakened (or recovered) to know that they too have a part to play in this unfinished saga, and how to equip them to go out into the world to meet that task head-on?

Stephen A Clark, Manila, Philippines

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The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

PERSPECTIVES

The genes you wear W HO am I and who are you? What is your make-up, your DNA? Or, put differently, what genes do you wear?

In our family ministry, we put this question to couples when preparing them for marriage. This question in particular looks deep into a person’s core—and it has nothing to do with what they do for a living.

Most couples get lost in their own professions and family backgrounds, thinking that this is what defines them—and many are then unable to come to grips with who they actually are.

This question is important to answer in order to understand yourself and also to understand your partner. To make it easier for couples, we suggest that they tackle it by asking three additional questions: l Who do I think I am? This addresses the general self-knowledge of my personality, likes and dislikes (asking your partner). l Who do people say I am? The opinion others have of you may differ from what you think or know of yourself. l Why do people say that about me?

Often there is no smoke without fire; there is always a reason why people say things—good or bad—about you.

We are living in a world of serious identity crises. We are unable to communicate effectively unless we address the

fundamental and important subject of identity. You need to first find out who you are and then be able to communicate that to your partner. The partner, in turn, needs to do the same.

I

n our experience of counselling couples, most say that they have never before asked themselves who they are. Some are even shocked when we say that we are not interested in their careers or job titles or family backgrounds as a way of defining who they are.

A couple in the flushes of love. To keep that love alive, both partners need to introspect and know themselves and each other, suggest couples counsellors Rob and Mahadi Buthelezi.

NEW COLUMN

Rob & Mahadi Buthelezi

Couples to Couples

With life being unpredictable, we often ask the question: “What will happen to you when you lose your profession, your job or your title?” The point is that these do not define your life, and you don’t cease to exist when the jobs or titles disappear. Some people rather define themselves by their marriage, or roles they play at home.

So the lesson we learn in knowing ourselves is that we are bigger than the issues, problems and challenges we face. We also learn that our past does not define who we are, because we can change things and situations.

We can break the chains of poverty, lack of education, and abusive relationships passed on from generation to generation. We can be the first in the family to graduate, to buy a house or a car.

The challenge we put to couples is to be better partners, parents, and grandparents than their forebears by giving quality time and attention to each other and then to their children.

The logo for this year’s 50th anniversary of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar, which is working towards Christian unity throughout the continent.

Chris Chatteris SJ

Pray with the Pope

What the pope wants from Africa Intention: That the Church in Africa, through the commitment of its members, may be the seed of unity among her peoples and a sign of hope for this continent.

XTERNAL commentators seem unable to make up their mind about the African continent.

One year it’s the hopeless continent because of its colonial past, its underdevelopment and poverty; the next year it’s dubbed the Continent of the Future because of its vast, untapped natural resources and young, energetic population.

If reference is made to the religious sensibilities of its varied peoples, it is often to warn of the dangers of the Muslim-Christian divide.

Church historians tell us that the story of the modern phase of evangelisation of Africa (and Madagascar and the other neighbouring islands) is unprecedented in the history of the Church. In the 20th century, the Christian population in Africa grew from eight or nine million in 1900 (8-9%) to some 335 million in 2000 (45%).

An interesting question is asked by Tanzanian theologian Fr Laurenti Magesa: “Why are Africans so interested in Christianity?” One possible answer is the importance of social harmony in African culture. A great deal of time and energy is put into this vital human goal of getting on and living in peace.

Christianity, with its theology of the Body of Christ, is a beautiful inculturation of the ideal of social harmony, indeed it is the ultimate expression of such harmony.

Committed Christians, with a universal vision, can indeed be a seed of unity among the peoples of this continent and its neighbouring islands. In small ways one can see this happening.

In my own religious congregation, we have members from many African countries, often living together in communities of study or of evangelisation. Many religious congregations are “restructuring” their jurisdictions and drawing closer to one another in larger units. My own is looking to a future in which Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and South Africa will be a single Jesuit province.

n Mahadi and Rob Buthelezi are based in Johannesburg. They are involved in the family ministry with a special focus on couples.

E

Let the Easter South Africans sing W Raymond Perrier E have a tendency to fall into the trap set by retailers of celebrating liturgical feasts before they actually happen: hot cross buns arrived in my supermarket one month before Ash Wednesday, and Easter eggs when Lent had barely begun.

We then aggravate that by not letting a liturgical season take its full course. We wished people a Happy Easter last Sunday but are you doing so this Sunday?

Easter for Christians is not a one-off event: rather it is a season lasting a full 50 days and our joy should continue to overflow this year until June 9, this year’s date for Pentecost.

In fact, truly for Christians, Easter is not a feast or a season at all but a way of life. As an old hymn put it: “We are the Easter people, and Hallelujah is our song!”

But, too often, we are the Good Friday people. We should be living our lives full of joy and hope—even if occasionally marked by more reflective times like Lent and Good Friday. But instead, we live our lives focused on pain and despair—only occasionally punctuated by reluctant outbursts of joy.

So what is it to live with a constant belief in resurrection?

This highly-charged word hit the headlines of the mainstream press a few weeks ago when Pastor Alph Lukau in Gauteng claimed to have brought a man back to life. It was, inevitably, a scam, and the media had a field-day mocking the pastor and his credulous congregants.

But one of the reasons why people were so preoccupied by this is that they think of resurrection as simply meaning bodies coming back to life.

I am not in any way belittling this understanding of resurrection, or questioning the miracle of Jesus rising from the tomb in body as well as soul three days after his death, but resurrection needs to mean more for us than—to use the phrase of an esteemed theologian—”a juggling act with bones”.

Resurrection is not about magic; it is about transformation. We know too well in South Africa that transformation, like resurrection, is a hard task—so no wonder

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Faith and Society

The angels at the empty tomb after the Resurrection, depicted in a mosaic in the church of the Transfiguration on Mount Tabor in the Holy Land. In his column, Raymond Perrier calls on us to be “a sign of resurrection to those who can only see Good Friday”. we hope that there will be some waving of a magic wand and everything will change overnight.

The Resurrection of Jesus set in place a transformation not only in his body but in the bodies of his disciples. They went from being scared and hidden to being confident and visible.

This happened instantly in the case of Mary Magdalen at the tomb; it took a bit longer for the male disciples (not least Thomas) and reaches its apex only at Pentecost—the end of the Easter season— when the disciples step resolutely out of the Upper Room into the marketplace and start sharing their faith.

T

his marks the birth of the Church, and it is no wonder that we call the Church the Body of Christ since this is the resurrection miracle that continues to this day—and did not end when Jesus’ body ascended into heaven.

Fear turned into courage. Despair turned into hope. Death turned into life.

Good Friday turned into Easter. But do we actually live like this?

I applied this test recently when I was at an impressive gathering of 150 people

7

from across the Catholic schools of Gauteng. I was supposed to speak about the state of the nation and was anxious that I would just end up listing a whole lot of reasons for people to be downcast. So I gave the participants five minutes to vent all their frustrations.

And then I gave them a series of challenges: share something which gives you hope about your school; share an example of hope in your local community; find reasons for hope in South Africa or even in the Church; and finally focus on something in your own life that gives you hope.

The room was soon buzzing as the participants discovered many more things about which they were hopeful than they perhaps expected.

A tendency to see the world through the dark glasses of Good Friday was soon replaced by the rose-coloured lens of an Eastervision.

Living the Resurrection does not magically make our pains and our worries disappear. But what it does do is constantly remind us to look for—and find—hope and light and life even when they are not immediately apparent.

Such a lens is especially important to us as a nation in these weeks up to and after the elections.

Voting was mistakenly presented to the South African people as “magic”—as a resurrection event—that would instantly transform the country. That process certainly began on April 27, 1994, and will continue through May 8, 2019, and beyond. But it is a process.

Yes, we need to vote as part of that process—and vote in a way that is thoughtful and concerned about the common good, as our bishops have reminded us. But we have to be contributing to Continued on page 11

T

he missionary congregations take the ideal of cultural mixing to an impressive level. Some insist that their members live and work in countries and cultures other than their own.

Today, the pastoral experience of many Catholics in Africa is that the priests and religious who serve them are often Africans from another part of the continent, something which opens people’s eyes to the cultural and religious “wealth of Africa”, as the Second Synod on Africa put it, and which fosters the sense of being part of the “Family of God”, as the First Synod on Africa described the African Church.

The secular authorities are trying to do their bit to foster unity and hope among African nations.

There are many discussions going on in Africa between the national governments on the topic of improving trade and communication. These things take time, but in a globalising world in which the means of communication are inexorably linking countries and continents, one can hold out the hope that African borders will become easier to cross. After all, many of the people living either side of African borders are from the same ethnic group and even from the same family.

The Church continues to work quietly for African unity through its ecclesiastical structures.

The structure which continues the day-to-day work of cooperation among Catholics and other Christians in Africa is the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (Secam), based in Kampala, Uganda (www.secam.org).

Without the faith of ordinary African Christians, of course, these structures would be meaningless.

But how to bring greater unity to a growing population of 222 million African Catholics, plus the many millions of our fellow Christians, is undoubtedly a good problem to have. n For short and inspiring videos on the pope’s prayer intentions go to www.thepopevideo.org

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8

The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

Two students at De La Salle Holy Cross College in Victory Park, Johannesburg, Juno D’Alessandro (left) and Dayna Wools, were selected to compete in the 11th Cheerleading World Championship for National Teams and the 16th World Club Cheerleading and Dance Team Championships in orlando, Florida, in the US.

COMMUNITY

Senior primary (Grades 4-7) girls at Assumption Convent School in Germiston, Johannesburg, in association with St Benedict’s preparatory school’s drama club, presented Alice The Musical, based on Lewis Carroll’s classic story Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.

Performed only every 10 years!

Led by Archbishop William Slattery OFM 21 Aug to 2 Sept 2020 To book contact Gail at info@fowlertours.co.za or phone 076 352-3809 www.fowlertours.co.za/passion

Send your photos to

pics@scross.co.za St John’s parish in Fish Hoek, Cape Town, made a Stations of the Cross pilgrimage up Slangkop hill above Kommetjie monastery.

The parish made its first pilgrimage there in 2010 under Fr Frank de Gouveia, then its parish priest. This year it was led by now-Bishop De Gouveia, retired of oudtshoorn and presently serving in his old parish.

St Peter’s parish in Tlhabane, Rustenburg, in North West Province, undertook its annual mini-pilgrimage mountain hike in preparation for Holy Week. About 100 parishioners, Fr Peter Ackappady, Deacon Aron Phokoje and programme leader Ezzy Seabelo took part.

Passion Pilgrimage 2020

Holy Land & Oberammergau Passion Play

Students at Marist Brothers Linmeyer in oakdene, Johannesburg, were acknowledged at an event hosted by the city’s junior council.

Grade 12s Sean Ramsden and Carmen Sardinha received certificates for their 2018 work, with Sean Ramsden also receiving the Avril Reebeck Trophy for his outstanding contribution. Grade 11 students Tanith Manthopoulos and Adam Leicher were inducted onto the 2019 junior council, with Adam Leicher elected as chairman of the outreach committee.

Seen are (from left) Tanith Manthopoulos, Adam Leicher, Sean Ramsden and Carmen Sardinha.

Four new members were enrolled into the Catholic Women’s League of St Charles’ parish in Victory Park, Johannesburg. They are (from left) Funmi Ubogo, Bronwyn Taylor, Val Kotze and Sylvia Coutinhou.

Branch president Melanie Greenall (partially obscured) assisted Fr Tony Daniels. (Submitted

by Glenda Beukes)

The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

SOCIETY

9

What Catholics must know before voting During elections, Catholics are called to discern in light of their faith whom to vote for, as a new pamphlet directed at the faithful explains.

policies? And do they know how to put these policies into practice?

There are many important issues. The economy is important.

The land issue must be addressed.

Poverty and inequality affect millions of our people. Corruption needs to be tackled; so does violent crime. Human rights and freedoms, especially the right to life, are crucial.

We should not just pick one of these as the most important “single issue”.

Which party do you think has the best approach to dealing with as many of these questions as possible?

A

S South Africa gears up to vote in the general and provincial elections on May 8, Catholics must be prepared to make sound moral judgments, rooted in discernment and prayer, according to the bishop who heads the SACBC Justice & Peace Commission.

“The exercise of the right to vote is a sacred duty. The Church expects voters to make sound moral judgments based on the truths and tenets of our faith,” said Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp.

“Remember that responsible citizenship is a virtue, and participation in political life is a moral obligation. Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit in your discernment on who to vote for. Pray that God may raise up great candidates for our country,” Bishop Phalana said in a voter education pamphlet published by the Justice & Peace Commission, the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office and the Jesuit Institute.

The pamphlet offers points to remember about voting, which are reproduced verbatim below. The publishers hope that these points will be disseminated widely in parishes and communities.

Your vote is secret No matter what anyone says, nobody will ever know who you voted for. You do not put your name or your ID number on the voting paper, so it cannot be linked to you.

This means you can vote for whichever party you like, without worrying that you will lose your grant or your place on a housing list.

Don’t let anyone buy your vote Be careful of parties that promise you something if you attend their events, or wear their T-shirts, or vote for them. Selling your support in this way will not help you.

It is better to give your vote

A spiritual preparation for voting

The exercise of the right to vote is a sacred duty, and the Church expects voters to make sound moral judgments based on the truths and tenets of our faith, according to Bishop Victor Phalana (right). freely to the party which you think will do the best job running the country.

You can split your vote You have two votes: one for the national parliament, and one for the province that you live in. You don’t have to vote for the same party in both cases—you can vote for one party on the national ballot, and a different one on the provincial paper.

Think about which party to vote for Be careful about promises. At election time politicians like to make big promises—about creating jobs, ending poverty, getting rid of corruption, and so on.

It is easy to promise these things, but much more difficult to make them happen. Ask yourself if these promises are meant honestly, or if they are just a way of capturing your vote.

Look at who is on the party lists

have been shown to be corrupt or incompetent, be careful about giving that party your vote.

Understand their policies Some parties have good speakers; others can organise inspiring rallies. But when the speeches and the rallies are over, can they actually govern the country?

Do they have good, sensible

• Come to the decision with openness to where God may lead you. Don’t decide in advance or just vote for a party because you always have done so in the past.

• Gather information by reading and asking questions of the parties you are considering voting for.

• Consider which party seems to be thinking and acting most closely to the values of Jesus and the teachings of our faith community.

• Ask which party is most likely to serve the common good—not just my interests or the interests of a specific group.

• Make a tentative decision and offer it to God in prayer, talk to God about why you have decided this.

• Look for a sense of deep peace—this is a clue that you have discerned well.

ST ANTHONYS CHILD and YOUTH CARE CENTRE Keeping Children safe within families

We vote for parties, but the parties send individuals to Parliament to be our MPs. Who are these people? You can find out who they are by looking at the lists published by the IEC on its website (www.elections.org.za). If you find the names of people who

Pope Francis’ good advice to voters ‘P

EOPLE say ‘I’m from this party’ or ‘I’m from that party,’ but effectively, they don’t have clear thoughts about the basics, about proposals. The people are sovereign. I will only say: Study the proposals well, pray and choose in conscience.”

n The voter education guide was made possible with the support of the Hanns Seidel Foundation. The pamphlet will also be inserted in next week’s issue of The Southern Cross.

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The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

SOCIETY

How to be a Christian government Catholic teachings give a blueprint for good governments. As we approach the May 8 elections, Prof MICHAEL oGUNU explains how.

longs to God is to insult God. That is the highest moral atrocity. Because the position of the ruler is sacred and noble, it should never be desecrated by greed, pride and dishonesty.

• There are therefore due limits to political power. On the one hand, there are the limits imposed by the will of God. The ruler must HE Church views politics as respect the will of God. For Chrisan important aspect of tians, this is summarised in the Ten human life. The human per- Commandments.

• Not even a democratic majorson belongs to the earthly (temporal) as well as heavenly (divine) ity can legitimately go against the law of God, as we are now seeing in kingdom.

The public affairs of the earthly some so-called developed counkingdom are what constitute poli- tries, which are legislating in tics. The success of public affairs favour of abominations like aborcalls for the existence of peace and tion.

The power of rulers is also limjustice. Therefore, Christians have ited, on the other hand, with rea social responsibility in politics.

There are some basic Christian gard to the responsibilities of rulers principles to guide the Christian in to the people. Thus, the ruler has politics. The Catholic Church has no absolute power over his people. a well-articulated Catholic Social He must respect their rights and Teachings which are based on the serve the common good.

• The citizen, on his part, has foundation of Scripture. The following are among the main items the duty to contribute to the comon this social teaching as regards mon good. Part of this is to promote and defend his or her rights political leadership: • God is the absolute ruler and and the rights of others. We have creator of all men and women and no right to allow ourselves to be treated like animals. of all our resources.

• There is also the He alone rules by need to pay attention right, and all power Government to the need of the belongs to him. weakest.

Man is created in should not set It is a basic principle the image and likeCatholic Social ness of God. Be- precedents where of Teaching that society cause of this, he well-connected and especially rulers enjoys some inmust take particular alienable rights. No people plunder care of those who canhuman being not take care of themshould ever be national selves, whether they be treated less than his handiinstitutions in the physically dignity demands. capped, mentally chal• At the same belief that their lenged or simply sick, time, man is created old and aged. to live in society. actions will be The greatness of a That is why for his nation is to be gauged later regularised by self-fulfilment, he how it treats its must be part of a weakest members, just as respectable community. as the strength of a The African wiswealth. chain depends on its dom says, “I am beweakest link. cause we are”, This is important in which means that unless I am in a community, I cannot survive. The a country where the poor and the fact that man lives in community weak tend to be totally neglected raises the issues of rights and du- while the rich and the powerful are pampered beyond their needs and ties.

The role of civil authority, and rights. The Bible is full of many intherefore of those who lead civil junctions calling for care and atauthority, is to pursue the common tention for the poor, the widows good in line with God's will and for and orphans. the good of all.

Principles of • Rulers have to acknowledge good governance the nobility as well as the limit of The following are some basic their role. Their role is noble because the ruler acts in God’s name principles of good governance: Participatory Democracy: A who alone has absolute power. If that is so, the ruler must handle government has to listen to the diverse views of its people. It has to authority with great care.

• To misuse power which be- consult the citizens from the grass-

As St Paul states: “Do your best to preserve the unity which the spirit gives by means of the peace that binds you together” (Eph 4:3).

Equitable Distribution of Resources: A country’s resources must be shared by all, exploited for the benefit of the people and the country.

A country's most precious resource is her people. Therefore, a responsible government has to provide for its people's shelter, food, education, health and development.

It has to practise fairness in employment; that is employment by merit.

Resources must be well-managed for the present and future generations through proper registration. Resources include land, water, forests and people. Natural resources should not be used to enrich a few individuals.

Parliament in Cape Town. How many principles of good Christian goverAs St Peter states: “Behave like nance, as outlined in Prof Michael ogunu’s article, are met there? (Photo: free men and never use your freeNic Bothma, EPA/CNS) dom as an excuse for wickedness.

Have respect for everyone and love roots before making major deciVisionary Leadership: Vision- for your community, fear for God sions. ary leadership is crucial in the run- and honour the emperor” (1 Pet Listening to the views of others, ning of any country. It must be 2:16-17; cf Gal 5:1). This is social analysing and synthesising them is beneficial to all and must promote responsibility of freedom and prosperity. imperative. Democracy is listening the common good.

Right to Vote Freely: Citizens and including the majority while Effective governance must give accommodating the minority, then direction. It must have a vision for have the sovereignty of choice. coming up with one whole idea. The the country. Presupposing respect They have a right to elect their people must agree on how they for all persons, focusing on the so- leaders and to drop them when want to be governed. cial wellbeing and development of they fail or do not measure up to A constitution, therefore, which every person and promoting peace the standards of the governed.

The government must meet the is a country's lifeline, must be com- at all levels of the political commuhopes and expectations of the elecmunity/people-owned.

People nity. This is good governance. must be governed through their Leadership with vision has to torate, otherwise it quits (cf Eph will and consent. point to and lead the nation to 6:9). Those in authority should alDignity of the Human Person: higher ideals: “Show them the way ways remember that they are Regard for the dignity of the they must follow and what their “working for God when they fulfil their duties” (Rom 13:6). human person means respecting course must be” (Ex 18:20).

Respect for God: Good goverthe rights of others and protecting Good governance ensures that them. sectors such as agriculture, educa- nance has respect for God and freeJustice has to be dispensed with- tion, health, and natural resources dom of conscience. There should out partiality. All are equal and have sustainable plans. It must be be freedom of worship, so long as have to be treated in the same way able to effectively address issues of the worship is not repugnant to so(cf Gal 3:28). No person should be unemployment, just wages, gen- cial decency. For example, devil discriminated against on account der, justice and a sustainable econ- worship is not a product of freedom of conscience as it has no respect of gender, race, ethnicity, creed or omy.

It should not set precedents for human rights. Freedom of wordisability. The dignity of all must be upheld; ideas and policies that where well-connected people plun- ship and religion should not inare agreed upon should be imple- der national institutions in the be- fringe on other people’s rights.

Good governance has to vet mented impartially. There has to lief that their actions will be later sects and cults that are regularised to make be respect for the law by all. a threat to the wellberespectable Democratic principles must be it ing of its citizens. It clear and the will of the people wealth.

Good governance must foster developGood govermust be supreme if it is in accornance has to create should be credible ment, goodness, faith, dance with the will of God. knowledge, self-control, The rights and duties of the in- a conducive envithrough social godliness, and brothdividual, of the family and of the ronment for the community are contained in the economic develop- integrity, honesty, erly and sisterly affection (cf 2 Pet 1:5-9). natural and revealed laws of God. ment of the people.

Promotion and ProThe happiness of the individual A visionary leaderfaithfulness, and tection of the Family: and the family depends on the ship devotes its enrecognition of the peoples' obser- ergies to holistic truthfulness in the The family is the basic unit of any society. Its vance of these laws based on the development as opmanagement welfare has to be the constitution. These must be re- posed to dividing priority of any responspected and upheld by good gover- people. The welfare of public and pri- sible government. of its peoples is at nance.

A dependable govthe centre of priorivate affairs of ernment has to provide ties. the country the necessities of life, Integrity and food, shelter, health Credibility: Good and education to its governance should families.

No child be credible. This is through social integrity, honesty, should miss school due to lack of faithfulness, and truthfulness in school fees or shortage of schools.

No person should die from a the management of public and pricurable illness due to expensive vate affairs of the country.

It must ³³³³³³³²³-Excellence in Catho olic Education since 1908³³³³³³-³³³³³ be seen to be hardworking. “Sincer- medicine or inaccessibility to NPO NUMBE B R 031-869-NPO ity and truth is what you require. health care; street families should Fill your mind with wisdom” (Ps be unheard of; family violence, 51:6; 91:4; 2 Tim 2:22-25). Every- child defilement and rape should be dealt with firmly by the law. thing else will fall into place.

Good governance has to protect Promote Cohesiveness: A cohesive society is mandatory for devel- the born and unborn.

Sharing of Power: Good goveropment and promotion of the It is with pleasure that we invite yo ou to our Op pen Da ay y on Sa atu urrd u da ay y 11 Ma ay y 2019. common good. Effective gover- nance delegates power. It decennance must create harmony within tralises activities for effective This is an opportunity y ffor or prospecttive parents and learners to see our facilities service to the people. The delegathe nation and its institutions. and to meet our staff f and learners.

This is by respecting the right to tion of power ensures that there is different opinions, association, no temptation of setting personal movement and ownership of pri- interests against those of the comvate property, as well as right to life munity.

Delegation of power guarantees and bodily integrity.

It should also promote the right that the exercise of authority facilto necessities of life and decent liv- itates freedom and responsibility ing. Good governance has to lead by all. Those in authority should to happiness, peace, prosperity for exercise distribution of justice the individual, family, community wisely. and the nation at large. n Prof Michael Ogunu is professor of Should you have any questions, kindly contact Mrs Sabrina Moore.

Good governance must create educational administration and forPhone: 011 614-6943 Fax: 011 614-8780 Email: smoore@dominican.co o.za responsible citizens by promoting mer head of the department of educawww.dominican.co.za cnr Marshall & Boom Streets, Belgravia, Johannesburg, 2043 3 solidarity, patriotism and respect tional administration and for others thus leading to unity foundations in the faculty of educaCalling all Past Learners to join the h Dominican Convent School Alumni Group, email your details to head@domin nican.co.za among the people. tion at the University of Benin.

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11 1 May 2019

The Southern Cross, April 24 to April 30, 2019

Let the South African Easter sing gated communities or even “pack for Perth”; but God has placed us here in his Church in South Africa to be a sign of resurrection to those who can see only Good Friday.

And if it is hard for us now, just remember how much harder it was for the previous generations. So many Christians endured the darkest days of apartheid—and yet they never gave up hope in resurrection.

“We are the Easter South Africans, and Hallelujah is our song!”

cent bureaucrats—I have plenty of reasons to despair. But I do not because I will not. We have been placed here by God, by management and staff and the dozens of volunteers who join us, to be the sign of resurrection in that part of the city.

It is certainly not easy, but it wasn’t easy either for the disciples to live out the Resurrection in the early Church.

We might also be inclined to give up on belief in resurrection for our country. We can try to retreat into our churches, or our

Continued from page 7 transformation—the Resurrection of our Nation—in all kinds of other ways throughout the year: in how we treat people, in how we deliver and how we receive services, in how we use money, in how we reach out to others in our schools, our shops, our neighbourhoods, our places of worship and our workplaces.

In my work at the Denis Hurley Centre—in the toughest part of Durban, dealing with some of the most neglected communities and fighting with complaYour prayer to cut out and collect

Father, thank you for the miracle of life – abundant life here, and eternal life with you in heaven. Help me celebrate that life every day as I seek you and follow your plan for my life.

Today, I say with the Apostle Paul, “Where, O death is your victory? Where, O death is your sting?” In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Liturgical Calendar

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PRAYeRS

PSALM 16:1-2a and 5-11: Preserve me, o God, for in you I take refuge, I say to the Lord, “You are my Lord.” o Lord, it is you who are my portion and cup; you yourself who secure my lot. I will bless the Lord who gives me counsel; who even at night directs my heart. I keep the Lord before me always; with him at my right hand, I shall not be moved. And so, my heart rejoices, my soul is glad; even my flesh shall rest in hope. For you will not abandon my soul to hell, nor let your holy one see corruption. You will show me the path of life, the fullness of joy in your presence, at your right hand bliss forever.

FOR UNItY: Lord Jesus, let your prayer of unity for Christians become a reality, in your way. We have absolute confidence that you can bring your people together, we give you absolute permission to move. Amen.

Year C – Weekdays Cycle Year 1 Sunday April 28, 2nd Sunday of Easter Acts 5:12-16, Psalm 118:2-4, 22-27, Revelation 1:9-13, 17-19, John 20:19-31 Monday April 29, St Catherine of Siena Acts 4:23-31, Psalm 2:1-9, John 3:1-8 Tuesday April 30, Our Lady, Mother of Africa Acts 1:12-14, Psalm Luke 1:46-55, John 2:1-11 Wednesday May 1, St Joseph the Worker Acts 5:17-26, Psalm 34:2-9, John 3:16-21 or memorial Genesis 1:26--2:3/Colossians 3:1415, 17, 23-24), Psalm 90:2-4, 12-14, 16,

Matthew 13:54-58 Thursday May 2, St Athanasius Acts 5:27-33, Psalm 34:2, 9, 17-20, John 3:31-36 Friday May 3, Ss Philip and James 1 Corinthians 15:1-8, Psalm 19:2-5, John 14:6-14 Saturday May 4 Acts 6:1-7, Psalm 33:1-2, 4-5, 18-19, John 6:16-21 Sunday May 5, 3rd Sunday of Easter Acts 5:27-32, 40-41, Psalm 30:2, 4-6, 11-13, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

Our bishops’ anniversaries

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This week we congratulate: April 30: Bishop Duncan Tsoke, Auxiliary Bishop of Johannesburg, on the 3rd anniversary of his episcopal ordination May 3: Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha on the 11th anniversary of his episcopal ordination

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Fr Ralph de Hahn: Was Resurrection a real deal?

Pope’s youth doc must now be put in action

Page 10

Page 7

The editor and staff of The Southern Cross wish all readers, advertisers, Associates, pilgrims, supporters, contributors, bishops, clergy, religious, and all our friends a blessed Easter filled with the hope and joy of our Risen Lord.

Y

Pope Francis' apostolic exhortation Christus Vivit will be studied for implementation by youth chaplains in Mariannhill next month. The document contains the pope's reflections on the 2018 Synod of Bishops on young people. (Photo: Paul Haring/CNS) how we can apply the exhortation,” Fr Dlamini explained.

“These documents need implementation and the SACBC doesn’t have much influence when it comes to what’s going to happen at the parish. We influence the dioceses, but sometimes they don’t engage much with us at the SACBC, which creates more difficulty in terms of the young people, as the parish is where they are,” Fr Dlamini said.

The youth chaplain hopes that the diocesan structures will implement the document on the parish level so that the pastors, parish councils and adult parishioners are aware of what needs to be done for young people.

“We can’t just throw a document at the young people and say, ‘This is for you; read it’. We have to journey with them in terms of implementation because we have to be a part of it, as adults, as clergy, as religious, as parents,” he said.

Christus vivit, which is presented as a letter to young people, concludes with “a wish” from Pope Francis: “Dear young people, my Continued on page 2

Fr John Thompson SDB inserts five grains of incense—representing the wounds of Christ— into the Easter candle, held By Deacon Victor Ho, during last year’s Easter Vigil Mass at the church of St John Bosco in Robertsham, Johannesburg. That evening, the lights in the church were extinguished, parishioners were given unlit candles and asked to move outside where Fr Thompson blessed and lit the Easter Candle from a fire symbolising God the creator of all.

The candle is symbolic of Jesus the light of the world. Parishioners were then led inside in procession behind the lit candle. At the door, altar servers lit the congregants’ candles from the Easter candle. Easter this year is on April 21. (Photo: Mark Kisogloo)

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FOR StReNGtH: Lord, you are holy above all others, and all of the strength that I need is in your hands. I am not asking, Lord, that you take this trial away. Instead, I simply ask that your will be done in my life. Whatever that means, that is what I want. But I admit that it’s hard, Lord. Sometimes I feel like I can’t go on. The pain and the fear are too much for me, and I know that I don’t have the strength on my own to get through this. I know that I can come to you, Jesus, and that you will hear my prayer. I know that it is not your intent to bring me to this point just to leave me in the wilderness alone.

Please, Lord, give me the strength that I need to face today. I don’t have to worry about tomorrow. If you just give me the strength that I

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O VIRGIN Mother, In the depths of your heart you pondered the life of the Son you brought into the world.

Give us your vision of Jesus and ask the Father to open our hearts, that we may always see His presence in our lives, and in the power of the Holy Spirit, bring us into the joy and peace of the kingdom, where Jesus is Lord forever and ever.

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BY ERIN CARELSE

OUTH chaplains and coordinators will meet in Mariannhill in May to discuss Pope Francis’ new document on the youth.

The conference on the pope’s apostolic exhortation Christus vivit (“Christ Lives”), which was released this month, will be at Trefontane retreat house in Mariannhill from May 20-23.

Presentations will be held on the final document of last year’s Synod of Bishops on the Youth and the apostolic exhortation, which is the pope’s reflection and recommendations on the deliberations of the synod.

Fr Mthembeni Dlamini CMM, the national youth chaplain for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, said that Christus vivit will require time, discussion and studying.

He warned that unless there are strong and vibrant youth ministries in parishes, implementation of the document will be difficult.

Christus vivit touches not only on what was said during the synod on the theme of young people, the faith and vocational discernment, but also what the youth said during a pre-synod gathering that took place in Rome in March 2018.

“You cannot understand the exhortation unless you’ve read the final document on the synod of bishops, because that lays the foundation in terms of what the bishops discussed and what they saw as a need for the young people,” Fr Dlamini said.

At the May conference, presentations will be made on the final document and exhortation, and there will be discussions on how the youth ministry in the bishops’ conference region can be helped to grow.

“We will start off with discussions on the final document which will lay the foundation and give perspective on the exhortation, and then go more in-depth on [Christus vivit] because it gives practical points on how we can respond to young people and ways of

PAReNtS FOR tHeIR cHILDReN: o Jesus, lover of children, bestow your most precious graces on those whom you have confided to our care. Increase in them faith, hope and charity.

May your love lead them to solid piety, inspiring them

with dread for sin, love of work and an ardent desire of worthily approaching your Holy Table. Preserve in them innocence and purity of heart; and if they should offend you, grant them the grace of a prompt and sincere repentance. From your tabernacle watch over them day and night; protect them in all their ways. Grant that they may acquire the knowledge that they need to embrace the state of life to which you have called them.

Grant us a sincere love, constant vigilance and generous devotedness towards them.

Grant us all consolation on earth and eternal reward in heaven.

We welcome prayers, volunteers and donations.

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3rd Sunday of Easter: May 5 Readings: Acts 5:27-32, 40-41, Psalm 30:2, 4, 6, 11-13, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21: 1-19

W

E are now deep into Easter, the season in which we should ideally live all the time. If we get it right, Jesus’ Resurrection should lead us into a quiet and joyful confidence. You can see something of that in the readings for next Sunday.

In the first reading, the entire body of apostles is under arrest for daring to preach about Jesus. We listen to them being harangued by the High Priests for their disobedience: “You have filled Jerusalem with your teaching, and you are wanting to bring this man’s blood upon us.”

Peter’s response is admirably robust, for one who not all that long ago was seeking to deny he had ever heard of Jesus: “We have to obey God, not human beings.” Then he comes to the vital point: “The God of our ancestors raised Jesus whom you laid hands upon and hung on a tree.”

Not only that, but Jesus now has a completely new status: “God exalted him as Pioneer and Saviour.” To emphasise the newfound confidence, Peter goes on: “We are witnesses, we and the Holy Spirit which God gave to those who obey him.”

Then there is an intervention by Gamaliel, sadly omitted in our reading, which is a warning against “fighting with God”. That does

S outher n C ross

not achieve very much, except that the apostles are flogged and set free.

Then we read once more of their impressively joyful confidence: “They went their way from the presence of the Sanhedrin, rejoicing because they had been found worthy to be dishonoured on behalf of the Name.”

And what do they do next? They simply carry on: “All day long in the Temple and at home they would not stop teaching and giving the good news about the Messiah Jesus.”

The same joyful certainty is there in the psalm. It is a song of thanksgiving on behalf of someone who has been delivered from death (entirely appropriate for this time of year): “I shall praise you, Lord, for you have raised me up…Lord, you raised my soul up from Hades.”

So it is time to be joyful: “Sing to the Lord, you his loved ones; give thanks to his holy name.” The wonderful insight, “God’s anger lasts just a moment; his good pleasure is for life”, is followed by a confident plea: “Hear O Lord and be gracious; you are my help.”

And it comes to a happy climax: “Lord my God; I shall thank you for ever.”

Our second reading continues the journey through the Book of Revelation, a joyful affirmation of God’s healing power.

T

Notice how in so many stories that depict the struggle between good and evil, invariably, the bad will eventually train its sights on and fixate on what is its opposite, innocence and goodness. In almost every dramatic epic, eventually the guns of the bad guys will end up trained upon the most innocent and loving person in town. It’s the saint who invariably bears the brunt of wound and hurt inside a community. It is the saint who eventually is the scapegoat. It happened to Jesus. It happens to all goodness; by its stripes we are healed.

Why? Because such is the anatomy of hatred. Hatred is a perverse form of love, love’s grief. It’s what love becomes when, because of wound and circumstance, it cannot be warm and reciprocal.

T

Conrad

he psychologist Rollo May once famously stated that hatred is not the opposite of love. Indifference is. Hatred might instead be described as cold, wounded, frustrated, and grieving love, love gone sour.

You can’t conjure a powerful hatred for someone unless at some level you first love him or her. When love is wounded and frustrated, the tears it provokes can be warm and cleansing, but they can also be bitter and cold. Cold grief. Hatred with its children, jealousy, bitterness, murderous feelings.

That’s part of the anatomy of love and

‘Well, at least it’s a fair warning’

Sunday Reflections

At this stage we are stunned witnesses of the liturgy that is going on in heaven: “…the sound of many angels around the Throne and the living creatures”.

The Throne, of course, refers to God; but there is another, very close to God, who is referred to as the “Lamb”: “Worthy is the Lamb who was slaughtered [we know this is Jesus] to accept power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honour and glory and blessing.”

The hymn ends with a close link between God and the Jesus whom God raised from the dead: “To the One who sits upon the Throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing, and honour and glory and power for ever.”

Then the heavenly choir comes in with a joyful “Amen”; and it ends in the silence of good liturgy: “The elders fell down and worshipped.”

At first sight it might seem there is not too much in the way of joyful confidence in the Gospel, for it begins with Simon Peter announcing his intention of “going fishing”. This sounds like a gloomy return to the old life, with not much optimism about the Resurrection.

However, just like us today, they meet Jesus “but they did not know that it was Jesus” (familiar to you?), until, in response to his orders, they take in an immense catch of fish.

How to fight hatred HERE is a popular theme within Christian apologetics that goes something like this: Christianity is the most hated of all religions and that is a certain proof of its truth.

The logic works this way: If we are so unfairly hated, we must be doing something right. Truth and innocence draw hatred. Jesus was hated, and so are we!

We need to be careful with that because, among other things, today, thanks to certain radical fundamentalists claiming to be Muslim, Islam is probably the most hated of all religions, and hated not because of what is true and best inside of it.

Not only innocence and truth draw hatred. Being hated is not always a good sign or an indication that you (alone among the unfaithful) are holding to the real truth. It may be that you have made a vow of alienation rather than of love. Both eventually make you hated.

Being hated is only a criterion of carrying the truth if you have made a vow of love. Jesus wasn’t trying to be divisive and unpopular, he was trying to speak his truth in ways that precisely didn’t alienate and didn’t provoke hatred. But that isn’t always possible. He was trying to love others, purely and in the truth, but it eventually made him an object of hatred.

That isn’t surprising. There is a certain proclivity within human nature to hate innocence and goodness. We see this illustrated in many books and movies.

Nicholas King SJ

Walk on with confidence

Then the Beloved Disciple, with quiet confidence, identifies the stranger: “It is the Lord!”

At that point, Simon Peter behaves very oddly, putting on his clothes to dive into the sea; and then we discover that the boat was hardly any distance from the shore, so there was no point in this odd procedure, except to show his joy and confidence.

Then they have breakfast together, just like the old days, using the fish they have caught (Jesus still uses our tiny offerings), as well as what the Lord had already prepared.

But there is more to come; for Jesus puts to Simon Peter the threefold question (certainly echoing Simon’s threefold denial), “Do you love me?”, and encouraging him (and us, of course) to prove it by looking after the flock.

This causes Simon some pain, but there is more to come, for Jesus then predicts Peter’s manner of death (though noting that by it he is going to glorify God). And after that he invites him aboard: “follow me”.

We are not told what Simon’s response was, but can we be in any doubt that it was one of confident joy?

And what is your response to be, this week?

Southern Crossword #860

Fr Ron Rolheiser OMI

Final Reflection

that’s why love can so quickly turn into hatred and why most murders are domestic. When love breaks down what follows is rarely indifference (a parting in good friendship). What follows is often hatred, bitterness, coldness. Affairs mostly grow sour, not indifferent, and the same is, sadly, true of love in almost all its aspects.

What’s to be learned from this? That hatred needs to be understood, whether it’s at a personal level or at the level of whole civilisations hating each other.

Hatred is not the opposite of love. It is a perverse form of love, cold grief, bitter disaffection, that needs not to be met in kind, with a reciprocal form of coldness, but with warmth and forgiveness, tough as these are in the face of their opposite.

One of the great moral struggles of our lives lies precisely in this. When people hate us, what spontaneous feeling rise within us? Feelings of coldness and anger, along with the wish—secret and not-so-secret—that their lives will go badly and that, in the ensuing misery, they will be forced to see their error and have to swallow against their will the fact that they are wrong, particularly about us. Hatred wants the other to choke on his or her own error.

But none of that will be productive for those who hate us, or for ourselves. Only if good things begin to happen in the lives of those who hate us, only if they feel the warmth of love and blessing, can their hearts let go of the bitterness, jealousy, and hatred that’s there.

Hearts don’t thaw out inside bitterness and jealousy. They break. It’s not when people are bitter that they admit the error of their ways and the unfairness of their hatred. Hearts begin to see how wrong their hatred is only when the very object of their jealousy and hatred is itself strong enough to not give back in kind, but instead to absorb the hatred for what it is, wounded love, love gone cold when it would want to be warm.

As Leo Tolstoy once said: “There is only one way to put an end to evil, and that is to do good for evil.”

ACrOSS

3. Why Peter was robbed?

(2,3,4) 8. Image on the coin? (4) 9. This way, if proved possible, it’s no miracle (9) 10. Stroked Patrick and Edward briefly (6) 11. One who opposes authority (5) 14. Outer way round to get there (5) 15. He came from Tarsus (4) 16. Rescued (5) 18. Stern-faced (4) 20. We nod and bestow (5) 21. Waterway learner follows where Jesus made the wine (5) 24. Be unlike (6) 25. Important Roman churches (9) 26. Anon (4) 27. The appearance of a female person (9)

DOwN

1. Gasped air to denigrate (9) 2. It may be the air in the background in the church (4,5) 4. King David’s grandfather (Ruth 4) (4) 5. Lewis Carroll character with a band (5) 6. Shapes of the moon (6) 7. Plug lyrics partly. They are not pretty (4) 9. With the Persians their law is irrevocable (Dan 6) (5) 11. Pull back the lever for a lively time (5) 12. Cain settled in this place (Gen 4) (4,2,3) 13. Blossoming (9) 17. Patron saint of France (5) 19. Filipino bishop may live here (6) 22. Where you have it you will find a way (1,4) 23. It makes a saint lightheaded (4) Solutions on page 11 24. 500 before Noah’s ship after nightfall (4)

CHURCH CHUCKLE

J

UST as the graveside service had ended, there was a tremendous burst of thunder accompanied by a distant lightning bolt and more rumbling thunder.

The little old widower looked at the priest and calmly said: “Well, she’s there.”

S outher n C ross Pilgrimage CATHOLIC FRANCE Led by Bishop Joe Sandri

6-16 October 2019

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