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Reg No. 1920/002058/06 No 4661 SOUTHERN AFRICA’S NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY SINCE 1920

Inside New bishop Family reflections for Lent A new booklet of reflections for Lent pub- for Tzaneen lished by a Johannesburg-based family min- OPE Benedict has appointed Fr João istry looks at “the trouble with Catholics”.— Noé Rodrigues as the new bishop of Page 3 PTzaneen. He succeeds Bishop Hugh Slattery MSC, who has retired after reach- Pope praises Haiti response ing the canonical retirement age of 75. Pope Benedict has praised the world’s Fr Rodrigues was born in Cape Town on response to the Haiti earthquake while South March 8, 1953, and ordained priest for the African Catholics are raising funds for the dis- diocese of Witbank on July 4, 1982. aster relief and reconstruction.—Pages 3 & 4 After his ordination Fr Rodrigues was appointed temporary rector of Christ the A vocation for everybody Priest minor seminary in Witbank, served A modern Catholic foundation called Heart’s as army chaplain, and vice-rector of St Home includes priests, nuns, consecrated John Vianney seminary (1991-93). He lay people, and young volunteers hoping to served Sacred Heart parish in Ackerville, make a difference.—Page 6 where he is currently based, and as Wit- bank’s cathedral administrator. Why the world needs religion He is the dean of the Highveld deanery, In his monthly column, Mphuthumi Ntabeni coordinator of the diocesan catechetical argues that a world without religion would be programme in Witbank and a part-time barbaric.—Page 9 lecturer at St John Vianney seminary. SA CUP: South African pilgrimage operator Val Tangney presents Franciscan Brother Florian of The bishop-elect has a licence in dog- New books reviewed the Mount Nebo sanctuary in Jordan with a chalice as Fr Michael van Heerden (left), Archbishop matic theology from the Pontifical Urbani- We review Thomas Friedman’s best seller Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg and Fr Vincent Brennan SMA look on. The sanctuary—which ana University in Rome and a master of Hot Flat and Crowded and a novel on life in a marks the spot from where Moses saw the Promised Land—had lost a chalice it had lent to a arts degree in Spirituality from Santa Clara 16th century Italian convent.—Page 10 South African tour group and which was supposed to be returned by a tour guide. Hearing of this, University in California. Mrs Tangney investigated which group of pilgrims might have been involved with a view to track- Bishop Slattery had headed the diocese What do you think? ing down the guide. While her enquiries were fruitless, Franciscan Father Tony Thouard of Boks- of Tzaneen since 1984, its second bishop In their Letters to the Editor this week, read- burg offered to donate the chalice which Mrs Tangney took to Mount Nebo during a pilgrimage since being established in 1972. The dio- ers discuss married priests, Anglican con- with the three churchmen. cese serves about 50 000 Catholics. verts, feminism, repentance, contraception, and legal immunity.—Page 8 This week’s editorial: Health of mind and body Legalised prostitution Lay woman gets Vatican ‘a difficult choice’ BY MICHAIL RASSOOL coordinator for the Sex Worker Education position and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT), which HE decision on whether to decrimi- lobbies for the decriminalisation of adult sex BY CINDY WOODEN nalise prostitution will be difficult to work in South Africa, told The Southern Cross make, and the debate—which began OPE Benedict has named a laywoman T that her organisation proposes that sex work many years ago—will most probably contin- be regulated, not criminalised. undersecretary of the Pontifical Coun- ue well beyond the Football World Cup, cil for Justice and Peace, marking the She said sex workers do have rights under P according to Janine Ogle, a researcher with the Constitution, and should be the object first time in more than 20 years that a the bishops’ Catholic Parliamentary Liaison of law enforcement attention only when in woman has served as undersecretary of a Office (CPLO). pontifical council. breach of regulatory provisions. Ms Ogle downplayed the widespread idea For this reason, Ms Lalu said, “sex work- Flaminia Giovanelli succeeds US Bishop that the government was attempting to Frank Dewane, who held the position until ers” must participate in all significant public force through legislation legalising prostitu- 2006. The post has been vacant since then. debates surrounding the criminalisation or tion in time for the Football World Cup in Ms Giovanelli, 61, is a political scientist, decriminalisation of their work. June. The suspicion was aroused by a call for who has worked at the council since 1974. The CPLO’s Ms Ogle said the South As a council official, she had been responsi- submissions on adult prostitution by the African Law Reform Commission has pro- ble for issues dealing with development, South African Law Reform Commission. posed four possible models for legislating on poverty and labour from the point of view At present prostitution is totally crimi- adult prostitution. of Catholic social teaching. nalised under the Sexual Offences Act 23 of  Total criminalisation, in which all The last woman to serve as undersecre- 1957 and the Sexual Offences Amendment aspects and role players involved in prosti- tary of a pontifical council was Rosemary Act 32 of 2007, which criminalise prostitu- tution would be criminalised, which is close Goldie, an Australian, who held the posi- tion, brothel owning and operating, pro- The red light district of Hamburg, Germany. A to the current model whose main aim is to tion from 1966-76 at the Pontifical Council curement of women to work as prostitutes, Church researcher has discussed the potential eliminate prostitution. for the Laity. soliciting by prostitutes, and benefiting for legalising prostitution in South Africa.  Partial criminalisation decriminalises Ms Giovanelli will not be the highest- from the profits of prostitution. the selling of prostitution, while the buying ranking woman at the Vatican, though. It is also an offence to have “unlawful of prostitution indoors and/or outdoors and Salesian Sister Rosanna Enrica serves as carnal intercourse” or commit an act of ers view prostitution and other forms of sex some or all prostitution related acts would undersecretary of the Congregation for “indecency” with another person for profit. work as valid options, especially for women be criminalised. Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies The Act also defines “unlawful carnal inter- trapped in a cycle of poverty. They feel it is  Non-criminalisation removes all crimi- of Apostolic Life. course” as that between two people not not the government’s business to make laws nal sanctions on prostitutes, clients, and In a statement, Cardinal Peter Turkson, married to each other. that impose one group’s morality on the prostitution-related acts. the Ghanaian president of the Justice and Ms Ogle in a briefing paper said it is population as a whole.  Regulation, a form of employment Peace council, said the appointment of Gio- important to note that while the Act crimi- The Catechism of the Catholic Church which criminalises only those acts that vanelli “demonstrates the concern of the nalises the “work” done by prostitutes, it condemns prostitution as a “social scourge” breach specified regulations. Church for the promotion of the dignity does not criminalise being a prostitute. which “does injury to the dignity of the per- The prostitution debate goes beyond and rights of women in the world”, which The 2007 amendment provides for the son who engages in it”. The Catechism what we may believe is morally right or is one area of special concern to his office. liability of the client as a participant in the adds: “While it is always gravely sinful to wrong, said Ms Ogle. “The reasons why so Ms Giovanelli has served on the Joint criminal act. engage in prostitution, the imputability of many women, and some men, enter prosti- Working Group of the Catholic Church and Noting that prostitution offends the val- the offence can be attenuated by destitu- tution, and the difficulty they encounter in the World Council of Churches since ues of most citizens, especially those who tion, blackmail, or social pressure.” trying to exit the profession, need particular 2006.—CNS have religious beliefs, Ms Ogle said that oth- Vivienne Lalu, advocacy programme attention.” 22 The Southern Cross, February 3 to February 9, 2010 LOCAL New Jesuit thrust to connect Wings of Hope school business and religious values gets toddlers off streets BY MICHAIL RASSOOL Tswana name “Kgosi“. The Kgosi Catholic or Ignatian, Mr Perrier Neighbourhood Foundation came BY MICHAIL RASSOOL HEN the Kgosi Neigh- said, it doesn’t mean its doors are about in August 2004, AYMOND Perrier, new direc- bourhood School in She said the school, from Grade shut to the contributions that Jeppestown, Johannes- tor of the Jesuit Institute of other faiths can make to such W 0 to R for children of 3-5 years, South Africa (JISA) in Braam- burg, was founded in 2004, a long- R aims, or that they cannot be forces starts at 07:30 with breakfast fontein, Johannesburg, wants it to held dream came true for King for good. before lessons start. The children be a place where the Church and William's Town Dominican Sister also receive lunch, so by the time the wider society can meet, to dis- Regarding engaging the busi- Natalie Kühn, who founded it. ness sector with religious values, they return home, body and soul cuss the world and the way it The former principal of the have been nourished. he told of the strides being made works, and assess God’s role in it. Dominican Convent School, Bel- She said that since many of the Mr Perrier, an Englishman who by Muslim businessmen in discus- gravia, across the street from the parents cannot pay the fees, the has been closely involved with the sions surrounding this topic. Kgosi school, said she had been school has to fundraise. It costs Jesuits for a number of years, He said he was amazed that distressed to see the many neigh- more than R40 000 a month to including a two-year stint with the South Africa does not have a con- bourhood children, some as young run the school. Jesuit Refugee Service in Uganda, crete theology of business, a as two and three The school worked in London for the Catholic sphere that can be an enormous years, uncared for employs two qual- Agency For Overseas Development force for both good and ill. on the Jeppe ified teachers and (CAFOD), overseeing a department He pointed out that many streets, a reflection two assistants of the extreme of 75 people working with Raymond Perrier Catholic executives or Catholics who were sent by Catholic schools and parishes serving on corporate boards tend poverty of the area. the school for spe- Until her 2004 across Britain. not to integrate their spiritual sen- cial Grade R train- He said part of its task is to retirement she saw His background before was in ing. reconnect the secular and spiritual sibilities and their business acu- the social composi- business consulting, and he had Sr Kühn said realms, whether it involves engage- men, in which the values of one tion of the area several significant clients in South that whenever pos- ment between the Church and can reinforce those of the other. change as well as Africa. sible she seeks to academia or any other cultural The JISA director says the fact the wellbeing of “It is, I think, a very exciting sphere. He decried the tendency in that religion enjoys prominence in empower the residents, too poor women of the time to be starting in such a role, the developed world to separate South African national life is fortu- to send their chil- as the institute is developing a actively the two realms, even away itous, because it opens up space neighbourhood dren to any school. especially, holding unique position in the country,” from the idea that many of the pos- for dialogue. She started Mr Perrier said. “South Africa is self-help work- itive aspects of secularism may well “I am keen to encourage exploring possibili- facing new challenges and oppor- shops facilitated have their roots in the spiritual. Catholics to think and encourage ties of founding a tunities, and the Church has the Around for a few years, JISA by Sr Ann Wigley them to a deeper engagement with school to give hope insights of the African Synod to provides spiritual training and OP of the their faith,” Mr Perrier said. He is to these children. In absorb and implement.” convenes forums and debates on Bohareng Spiritual- looking forward to the visit to this she had the He said a particular area he current socio-political, mostly Sr Natalie Kühn ity Centre in wishes to develop is finding ways from a faith perspective, and reli- South Africa of former Rome-based help of a bank exec- Troyeville. They in which Church and business can gious issues, with a view to stimu- Australian Jesuit Fr Gerald utive, through whom an advertising learn the importance of using the work more closely together for the lating critical reflection, research O’Collins, a Christologist, who agency ran a competition as a mar- local library and reading newspa- common good. and dialogue. will tour the country with his lec- keting exercise among artists, who pers. Some have been sent for Mr Perrier called JISA a “Mon- It has presented programmes ture, “The Many Faces of Jesus”. were required to come up with a training as caregivers for the day to Friday organisation” inter- involving individuals from the Mr Perrier spoke of a rich tradi- corporate illustration for the project- elderly as a source of employ- ested in “Ignatian Spirituality” business, political and educational tion of reflective faith, one that ed school's chosen motto, “Wings of ment. (named after Jesuit founder St spheres, from diverse faith back- integrates all sectors of the created Hope”. “By the time they reach Grade Ignatius of Loyola) that deals with grounds. world, which is a process he sees The aim was also to come up 1 at a local school, the children’s spiritual application to everyday Although the institute’s JISA facilitating, in the process with a name that denoted the idea educational wings have already life. approach is unapologetically “enlarging the horizons of hope.” of servant leadership, thus the started growing.”

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CONGREGATION OF MARIANNHILL MISSIONARIES

Ora et Labora The Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill, CMM, sprung from the Trappist Monastery of Mariannhill founded by Abbot Francis Pfanner in South Africa in 1882. We believe that: “Our missionary field is the King- dom of God and that has not boundaries!” Faithful to the example of Abbot Francis Pfanner, the Mariannhill Brothers and Priests try to be of service to the local church through pastoral, social and development works. We make our contribution to the call for renewing, uplifting, developing and sustain- ing the human spirit, as our response to the signs and needs of the time. In our missionary life of Prayer and Work (Ora et Labora), we try to effective- ly proclaim the Good News to all people, especially to the poor and needy, so that there are “Better Fields, Better Houses, Better Hearts!” To know more about us contact: Director of Vocations PO Box 11363, Mariannhill, 3601 or PO Box 85, Umtata, 5099 LOCAL The Southern Cross, February 3 to February 9, 2010 33 SA appeal for Haiti relief tops half-million mark BY MICHAIL RASSOOL immediate contributions from Foundation”, a local Islamic charity. South Africa be financial, the Regarding the amounts collect- HE Project Caritas Haiti church leaders pointed out. ed, he said it signifies that all are Appeal has hit the half-million At the time, the NCLC also touched by what has happened in Trand mark since its launch appealed to the International Mon- Haiti, giving rise to this practical locally, using the Southern African etary Fund and World Bank to can- response, and is grateful especially Catholic Bishops’ Conference’s cel Haiti’s considerable internation- to those who could afford to give (SACBC) networks, in mid-January al debt, allowing the country to only small amounts. The bishops’ in the aftermath of that country’s make a new start, which would be a spokesman also said there is an ele- earthquake. significant act of compassion. ment of trust, some assurance that By late January the appeal had Praying and singing together are (from left) Fr Phillipe Docq, YES Southern The church leaders also appealed the monies they donate will reach Africa spiritual director; Fr Tiziano Marian, Mauritius spiritual director; Anne raised more than R500 000 and the response had come from to President Jacob Zuma to drive an their destination. Campher, Southern Africa board member; Mark Moodley of Port Elizabeth; African response at the African The Caritas target was reached and Clayton Noah, Southern African board member. every Catholic quarter—parish special collections, religious com- Union summit. in the same period that former munities and individuals, with First Lady Graça Machel launched donations of R50 and upwards, r Townsend said this appeal the “Africa for Haiti” campaign SA features in world said SACBC spokesman Fr Chris Fbeing launched by Caritas Inter- which aims to identify, in partner- Townsend. nationalis, the Vatican-based ship with Haitian civil society He said many dioceses had umbrella body for Catholic chari- organisations, initiatives through launched parish appeals. The arch- ties, was deemed appropriate in sev- which Africans can demonstrate meeting of YESsers diocese of Durban was running the eral quarters owing to the organisa- solidarity and support for the peo- tion’s solid reputation as a develop- ple of Haiti, with a view to medi- Freitas said that it was a life- appeal for three weeks, as did the HE Youth Encounter Spirit diocese of Manzini, Swaziland. The ment agency and its constructive um- and long-term reconstruction (YES) Board in Mauritius changing experience where response to disaster management in of communities there. YESsers from many cultures and archdiocese of Johannesburg had Trecently hosted its 25th also called for a special collection, Fr various parts of the world. Fr Townsend said he believed countries met as one in God. Anniversary Convention, to which Townsend said. “Financial support is still the best non-governmental organisations The founder of YES, Dr Tom YESsers (persons who have done He said it is part of the National way to help as getting aid into Haiti involved in disaster management Hedberg, sent his good wishes the YES experience) from all over Church Leaders’ Consultation’s is still a problem, despite both the air- and reconstruction initiatives in the from Australia. the world, including South Africa, (NCLC) appeal to local Christian port and port being functional,” the island country, ones that are likely “New bonds have been created were invited. generosity, to provide food and bishops’ spokesman said. “Caritas to have fairly lengthy engagement The celebrations began with a and both YES Ministries in Mauri- water and for each community to International is grateful for all assis- there, would be grateful for the sup- Mass celebrated by the YES spiritu- tius and South Africa intend to consider a special collection for dis- tance received and is particularly port as the reality of the situation al leaders. The South African dele- intensify their relationship,” Mr aster relief in Haiti. Due to transport happy with the South African sup- became clearer to the rest of the gation was led by the spiritual de Freitas said. He is available on difficulties, it would be better that port given by the Gift of the Giver world. director and chairman of the YES 082 788 6824. Southern Africa Board, Fr Phillipe Docq, and the rest of the board. Present were YESsers represent- ing branches throughout the ‘The Trouble with Catholics’ Lenten booklet country and delegates from BY MICHAIL RASSOOL hour”, in groups or by individuals. Catholics, or accusations levelled their lives, separating faith and life. Namibia, where South Africa is The issue is presented as a state- at them, are presented for reflec- Mrs Rowland, who also coordi- doing an outreach. NEW booklet of Lenten ment and a discussion by the tion. These include not knowing nates the bishops’ Family Life The main activities included reflections is now available “accuser” and “defender”. their faith, understanding it, prac- Desk, suggested that families prac- the YES Mauritius Games, an Afrom the Johannesburg- Some scripture references are tising or living it, that at Mass tise a regular weekly hour where international board meeting, and based Marriage and Family Life provided and readers are invited to they’re just benchwarmers. family members reflect, share on the convention meeting itself, Renewal Ministries (MARFAM). reflect, discuss, reach a conclusion, Moreover, Catholics are said to scripture and their own personal which included presentations Entitled “The Trouble with decide on any necessary action and believe in or worship saints, espe- issues, have a meal or snack and from the YES Mauritius ministry Catholics”, the reflections are end with prayer, for the Church cially Mary, and they still worship play a game. and the South African Board and loosely linked with the Lenten and and for themselves, MARFAM coor- their ancestors even though they  Mrs Rowland can be contacted on its branches. Easter seasons, and can be used in dinator Toni Rowland said. are Christians, that they do not 011 789 5449 or 082 552 1275 or Johannesburg YESser Manny de families during a special “family Several “troubles” with integrate their spirituality into [email protected]

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CBC St John’s Parklands Cnr Dorchester & CBC St John’s (1935-2010) • 75 years of making a difference Parklands Main Road, Cape Town Tel: 021 556 5969 44 The Southern Cross, February 3 to February 9, 2010 INTERNATIONAL Turin Shroud ‘not How John Paul II punished himself from Jerusalem’ BY CINDY WOODEN OPE John Paul II always BY JUDITH SUDILOVSKY took penitence seriously, spending entire nights ESULTS from studies on the P lying with his arms out- remains of a first-century stretched on the bare floor, Rshroud discovered on the fasting before ordaining priests edge of the Old City of Jerusalem or bishops, and flagellating prove that the famous Shroud of himself, the promoter of his Turin could not have originated sainthood cause has said. from Jerusalem of Jesus’ time, a Mgr Slawomir Oder, postula- prominent archaeologist has tor of the late pope’s cause, claimed. said Pope John Paul used self- The first-century shroud was dis- mortification “both to affirm covered in a tomb in the Hinnom the primacy of God and as an Valley in 2000, but the results of instrument for perfecting him- tests run on the shroud and other self”. artifacts found with it were com- Mgr Oder spoke at the pleted only in December 2009. launch of his book, Why He’s a A child and a dog walk past a mural depicting St Isidore on an earthquake- “This is the first shroud from Saint: The Real John Paul II damaged building in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. Pope Benedict has praised the Jesus’ time found in Jerusalem and According to the Postulator of His world’s response to the devastating earthquake in January. the first shroud found in a type of The Turin Shroud: new findings sug- Beatification Cause. PHOTO: SHANNON STAPLETON, REUTERS/CMS burial cave similar to that which “When it wasn’t some infir- Jesus would have been buried in gest that it cannot have come from Jerusalem mity that made him experience and [because of this] it is the first pain, he himself would inflict shroud which can be compared to discomfort and mortification Pope lauds Haiti response the Shroud of Turin that, according the Turin shroud,” said British- on his body,” Mgr Oder wrote. to archaeological finds, was BY CAROL GLATZ He asked that in this “moment born archaeologist Shimon Gibson, He said the penitential prac- unknown in this area during Jesus’ of darkness” Mary would guide basing his conclusion on the full tices were common both when time, the discovered shroud frag- OPE Benedict has praised the everyone to overcome any sense study results, which are scheduled then-Karol Wojtyla was arch- ments have a simple two-way rapid and generous response of “isolation and ‘every man for to be published in a scholarly vol- bishop of Krakow, Poland, as weave. Pfrom the international com- himself’ with solidarity”. ume within the next year. well as after he became pope. Dr Gibson said he and Boaz munity towards the people of In a telegram to Haitian Presi- There are two clear differences “Not infrequently he passed Zissu, professor of archaeology at Haiti and the bravery of all those dent Rene Preval, Pope Benedict between the current shroud frag- the night lying on the bare Israel’s Bar-Ilan University, co- who engaged in on-the-ground assured all those struck by “this ments and the Shroud of Turin, Dr floor,” the monsignor wrote, author of the upcoming mono- rescue efforts. frightening catastrophe” of his Gibson, head of the department of and people in the Krakow arch- graph, “didn’t set out to disprove He also pledged that the prayers. He assured Mr Preval that archaeology at the University of bishop’s residence knew it, the Turin shroud”. Catholic Church would continue the Catholic Church, through its the Holy Land in Jerusalem, told even if the archbishop would Partial details of the molecular to help those in need build a various organisations and institu- Catholic News Service (CNS). mess up the covers on his bed research were published in Decem- brighter future. tions, “will remain at the side of While the Shroud of Turin is so it wouldn’t be obvious that ber in the online journal PloS ONE. In a telegram addressed to the people struck by this adversi- formed from one full piece of he hadn’t slept there. Gibson told CNS that he and Dr Archbishop Louis Kebreau of Cap- ty” and will help them rediscover cloth, studies on the fragments of “As some members of his Zissu will include discussion of the Haitien, president of the Haitian the possibility of a better future. the shroud discovered in Jerusalem closest entourage were able to Shroud of Turin in the upcoming bishops’ conference, the pope Meanwhile, the Vatican will show that two burial cloths were hear with their own ears, Karol monograph. He noted that the praised “the extremely rapid donate to the people of Haiti prof- used for the burial—one made of Wojtyla flagellated himself research had been conducted only mobilisation of the international its from the sale of a stamp com- linen, used to wrap the head, and both in Poland and in the Vati- on the Jerusalem shroud fragments community” and the Church in memorating the Shrine of Our another made of wool, which can,” Mgr. Oder wrote. and not in comparison with the response to the crisis. The Church Lady of Grace in Mentorella, Italy. wrapped the body—in keeping “In his closet, among the Turin shroud. was going to continue to bring The initiative, promoted by the with Jewish tradition of the time, cassocks, there was a hook The first-century excavation site emergency relief to those in need Vatican stamp and coin office and Dr Gibson said. It is likely that holding a particular belt for also contained a clump of the and help “patiently rebuild devas- the office governing Vatican City Jesus would have been wrapped in slacks, which he used as a whip shrouded man’s hair, which had tated areas”, he wrote. State, could reap about 150 000 a similar manner with two separate and which he also always been ritually cut prior to his burial. The pope prayed for all those euros (R1,6 million) for those pieces of cloth, he said, as brought to Castel Gandolfo,” The hair and the shroud fragments who lost their lives, including affected by the earthquake, the described in the gospel of St John. the papal summer residence are unique discoveries because men and women religious, priests Vatican said in a press release.— In addition, Dr Gibson said, south of Rome.—CNS and seminarians. CNS unlike the complex twill weave of Continued on page 11

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082 450 9930 Trevor Reservations: 082 444 7654 Piero 082 506 9641 Anthony INTERNATIONAL The Southern Cross, February 3 to February 9, 2010 55 Nigeria violence: ‘Blame politics, not religion’

BY JOEUN LEE & Archbishop Kaigama said the PETER AJAYI DADA situation in Jos had calmed. He said police and army troops were NIGERIAN archbishop has patrolling the streets of the city said the cause of recent vio- and enforcing a curfew imposed Alence between Muslims and soon after the violence broke out. Christians in the country was The archbishop said most of the more ethnic and political than Christian churches that were set religious. on fire were not Catholic. More than 200 people were The bishops of the ecclesiastical believed dead after clashes in mid- province of Ibadan in south-west- January in the central Nigerian ern Nigeria denounced the violence city of Jos, where similar riots in in Jos, saying that “some extremists 2008 killed about 300. claiming to be Muslims suddenly Archbishop Ignatius Kaigama of news agency Fides. set upon Christians in their church- Jos said the origin of the current The archbishop has met with es and homes, killing and burning”. conflicts, like those of 2008, was a several Christian and Muslim lead- “It is sad that such occurrences struggle for political control of the ers to clarify the situation, assess in the recent past have not been city between the Hausa people, the damage and ascertain the exact convincingly investigated and who are predominantly Muslim, number of victims. addressed and are not found pre- and the indigenous residents, who “The spread of false informa- ventable,” the bishops said. are mostly Christians. tion incites the people and increas- Jos has been the scene of seri- Media reports describing the es the violence,” he said, adding ous intra-community clashes in A man and his daughter stand in front of a burned building in Nigeria’s central violence as a religious clash that authorities need to be impar- the past decade. In addition to the city of Jos. Four days of clashes between Muslim and Christian gangs in city between Muslims and Christians tial and honest in presenting data 2008 clashes, in 2001 a conflict and nearby communities left 460 people dead. A Nigerian archbishop has were inaccurate, Archbishop Kaiga- on casualties and damage to struc- resulted in more than 900 said that the clashes were rooted in ethnicity and politics, not religion. ma told the Vatican missionary tures. deaths.—CNS PHOTO: AKINTUNDE AKINLEYE, REUTERS/CNS After 25 years, great Pope to priests: Go on-line BY JOHN THAVIS ed in most countries on May 16. something concrete and engag- Jesuit’s cause reopens In the Southern African region, it ing. N a message embracing the ORE than 25 years after and even tolerating forms of is observed on the first Sunday of Because digital media cross evangelising potential of digi- September. over religious and cultural the Vatican approved ancestor veneration by Chinese tal media, Pope Benedict asks opening the sainthood who had been baptised, placed I The pope says that while boundaries, the Church’s pres- M priests around the world to use priests should not abandon tradi- ence requires sensitivity “to those cause of 16th-century Jesuit mis- him at the centre of a huge websites, videos and blogs as sionary Fr Matteo Ricci, the dio- Church debate on culture and tional methods of pastoral inter- who do not believe, the disheart- tools of pastoral ministry. action, they cannot afford to pass ened and those who have a deep, cese of his birth formally religious practice. “The world of digital commu- reopened his case. In a message to the diocese of up the opportunities offered by unarticulated desire for enduring nication, with its almost limitless digital media. truth and the absolute”, the says. Bishop Claudio Giuliodori of Macerata inaugurating commem- expressive capacity, makes us Macerata said that although the orations of the 400th anniversary For priests to exercise their In order for priests to effective- appreciate all the more St Paul’s proper role as leaders in commu- ly use new media, formation pro- cause stalled almost immediately of Fr Ricci’s death in Beijing in exclamation: ‘Woe to me if I do 1610, Pope Benedict wrote that it nities, they must learn to express grammes should teach them how after it was opened in 1984, not preach the Gospel’,” the pope was Fr Ricci’s great respect for themselves in the “digital market- to use these technologies in a “these 25 years have not passed says in his message for the 2010 Chinese traditions that “distin- place”, the pope says. competent and appropriate way, in vain because the Lord has celebration of World Communi- guished his mission to search for “Priests are thus challenged to the papal message says. This for- given us clear signs of a deeper cations Day. harmony between the noble and proclaim the Gospel by employ- mation in digital media should understanding of the prophetic “Priests stand at the threshold millenary Chinese civilisation” ing the latest generation of be guided by sound theology and intuitions of Fr Matteo Ricci”. of a new era: as new technologies and the Christian faith. audiovisual resources (images, priestly spirituality. The bishop presided over a create deeper forms of relation- Francesca Cipolloni, a spokes- videos, animated features, blogs, Archbishop Claudio Celli, Mass in the Macerata cathedral, ship across greater distances, they which was followed by the woman for the diocese of Macera- websites) which, alongside tradi- president of the Pontifical Coun- are called to respond pastorally solemn swearing in of the pro- ta, said Fr Ricci’s cause did not tional means, can open up broad cil for Social Communications, by putting the media ever more moters of Fr Ricci’s cause. run into any substantive difficul- new vistas for dialogue, evangeli- said the message once again illus- effectively at the service of the Fr Ricci entered the Jesuits in ties in 1984; its stagnation was sation and catechesis.” trated the pope’s mainly Word,” he says. 1571, was ordained a priest in simply a matter of no one push- The pope emphasises, howev- favourable view of new media. The pope’s message was tai- 1580 and entered China in 1583. ing the cause and prodding those er, that the Church’s role is not “The pope is aware of the lim- lored to the current Year for He immersed himself in Chinese involved to do the work. The task simply to fill up space on the its of new technologies, but he Priests, focusing on the theme, language and culture and in 1593 should be easier now, she said, Web. Its overriding aim is to wants to make the point that “The priest and pastoral ministry began writing a catechism in Chi- since several long, serious studies express in the digital world these new means of communica- in a digital world: New media at nese. His insistence on respecting have been made of Fr Ricci’s life “God’s loving care for people in tion play a positive role, both in Chinese culture and customs, and work.—CNS the service of the Word”. World Christ”, not just as an artifact the wider society and in the Communications Day is celebrat- from the past or a theory, but as Church.”—CNS

LittleLittle CompanyCompany ofof MaryMary SistersSisters …….. called to be there for the suffering, the sick and the dying of our world today…….just like what Mary was for Jesus on Calvary. John 19: 25-28

Want to know more about us? .... Contact Vocations Promoter LCM Sisters LCM sisters’ residence P.O Box 896 St. Annes Hospital Groenkloof P.O Box A640 Pretoria Avondale, Harare on DStv audio channel 170 0027 Tel: +263 11 877 893 [email protected] 66 The Southern Cross, February 3 to February 9, 2010 FOCUS A home for every kind of vocation

Home with a lifelong commit- Germany and El Salvador. A modern Catholic foundation ment. So he founded the Servants Since 1990, the French-based of God’s Presence, an order of organisation has trained 1 200 includes priests, nuns, conse- nuns within the Heart’s Home volunteers. The Heart’s Home crated lay people, and young organisation, now with 30 nuns community life is sustained by volunteers hoping to make a around the world. daily Mass and daily rosary. In Later, in 1995, the Sacerdotal fact, founder Fr de Roucy states difference. PAUL SANCHEZ Fraternity of Molokai was founded that while praying the rosary he looks at Heart’s Home. for the priesthood. It currently has received the call to found a “work 28 priests and seminarians. of compassion and consolation” Similarly, two years later a fra- that sends young people on mis- T might seem unusual for the ternity of permanent members was sionary work abroad for a year or residents of a modern suburb to founded for men and women who two. Heart’s Home requires a Isee French missionaries walking wanted to pursue the lay conse- commitment of at least 14 their streets each afternoon saying crated vocation as their lifetime months. the rosary together. But for commitment to Heart’s Home. Catholics it may seem more Also, in 1997, at the request of for- ourdes Renero Alvarez, is a resi- unusual that this Catholic volun- mer Heart’s Home volunteers who Ldent of the South Bronx in New teer organisation encompasses wanted to keep living the spirit of York City, where in 2003 Heart’s almost the full spectrum of voca- their mission in their daily lives Home established its only US mis- tions to the Church. and responsibilities in the profes- sion to minister to Spanish-speak- Heart’s Home was started in sional world, the Fraternity of ing people. 1990 as an international Catholic Maximilian Kolbe was founded. “Many people couldn’t believe volunteer organisation to serve the With such a growth of different it when they came. Here were poor and most suffering in the vocations, the volunteer organisa- young French people who left their careers behind to serve poor Heart’s Home community member Laetitia Palluat talks with a resident at a world by letting these people tion became an ecclesiastic move- nursing home in New York. Heart’s Home, an international foundation which know that they have friends who ment. Hispanics in the South Bronx, was established 20 years ago by French Father Thierry de Roucy, has wings care about them. Volunteers visit becoming part of their family and for priests, nuns, consecrated lay people and young volunteers. the poor, the sick, the terminally hile these religious vocations becoming their friends,” Ms ill and the incarcerated. Ware commonplace in Heart’s Alvarez recalled. In 2008, the mis- Fr Thierry de Roucy, the 52- Home, what has been most preva- sion relocated to Brooklyn. had received and in the same way the Church to reach all those who year-old French priest who found- lent is the vocation of lay volun- Heart’s Home USA consists of that I had received.” will not come to her…to provide ed the volunteer organisation for teer. Heart’s Home has 35 missions three nuns, a recently ordained witness of God’s love to many.” young Catholics, found after a few in 20 different countries, in places transitional deacon, two lay conse- ccording to The United States While it is most interesting years that some of the volunteers such as Peru, Senegal, Brazil, Thai- crated women, a lay consecrated AAssociation of Consecrated Vir- that a Catholic volunteer organisa- wanted to continue in Heart’s land, Italy, Romania, Argentina, man and three volunteers. The gins, there are an estimated 150 tion encompasses an order of only non-French citizen in the consecrated virgins in the United nuns, a fraternity of priests, a group is Sr Mariana Canteros, who States. France has the highest thriving fraternity of lay consecrat- met Heart’s Home in her native number of consecrated virgins ed, a fraternity for former volun- Argentina, served as a volunteer in with more than 600 while there teers who returned to the working Brazil for two years and later are an estimated 3 000 consecrated world, Heart’s Home’s primary joined their order of nuns. The virgins throughout the world. vocation is that of a lay volunteer. two other nuns, Sr Regine Fohrer The male lay consecrated voca- Currently there are 200 volun- and Sr Blandine Paponaud, also tion is not too common through- teers among their 35 missions were Heart’s Home volunteers out the world, despite being com- worldwide. Amy Koreski recently before joining the Servants of monplace in Heart’s Home. returned from 14 months as a God’s Presence. The three lay consecrated mem- Heart’s Home volunteer in Hon- Sr Paponaud graduated with a bers of the Heart’s Home commu- duras. She said of her service to the degree in statistics and computer nity in Brooklyn were all previous Church in Honduras: “I have met science, later serving as a Heart’s volunteers within the organisation. nuns and consecrated people in Home missionary in Honduras. Sylvie Muller served as a volun- Heart’s Home, but it is important She said of her transition from teer in Argentina and is aware that to not forget that the vocation of volunteer to nun: “The majority many Catholics do not know being a lay volunteer is the most of Heart’s Home volunteers do not enough about the lay consecrated common one. become priest, religious or conse- vocation. “Lay consecrated people “For me, my work among the crated after their mission. But I are not as visible: they just try to poor and suffering was greatly made a real experience of uncon- live their baptism, without any complimented by daily adoration, ditional love in the community. signs such as the sisters with their daily Mass and daily rosary, and This experience of God’s love is habits. We try to make appear community life.” Heart’s Home volunteer Agnes Bureau visits an Aids patient at a hospice in what gave me the desire to go on questions to the people around us  For more information on Heart’s New York City. Lay volunteers must make a commitment of at least 14 this mission of love and compas- through our life testimony, exam- Home visit www.heartshome. months to the international Catholic movement. sion. To give in my turn what I ple and friendship. It is the way for org/

HOLY SITES TRAVEL Join us on a Pilgrimage to the Holy Land Spiritual director: Fr Job Organised by John Sheraton September 2010 With a Rome extension Call Elna at 082 9750034 E-Mail: [email protected] FOCUS The Southern Cross, February 3 to February 9, 2010 77 Who pays when a priest gets sick? afford to become ill, let alone iotherapists and other special-pur- Most diocesan priests earn elderly and infirm, with their lim- pose, health-related practitioners only a small stipend . So who ited stipends, car allowances and as well as prescribed medication. pays the doctor’s bills when other forms of support they It is also the recipient of receive from their chanceries. bequests, and each priestly mem- Father falls ill? MICHAIL What kind of systems are in place ber of the fund has to pay a sub- RASSOOL reports. to assist them when their health scription fee. He said a hospital fails, particularly in South Africa? plan has also been taken out in the As secular priests—that is, those diocese’s name to which each N a Christmas homily US Cardi- not in religious orders, which make parish contributes. It covers at nal Sean O’Malley, archbishop their own arrangements—are usu- least a portion of hospital bills, of Boston told his congregation I ally incardinated into a diocese, it with the medical fund covering that priests spend their lives fulfill- is normally at diocesan level that the shortfall. ing a central role in the spiritual arrangements for sick priests exist. lives of their flock—officiating at Some Catholic doctors do not Mgr Brendan Deenihan, vicar- charge for their consultations with weddings, baptising children, visit- general of the diocese of Port Eliza- ing the sick, presiding over funer- priests, Mgr Deenihan said. He said beth, heads up its Diocesan Sick the local Nazareth House has als, and so on—and may reason- Priests’ Fund, which has existed ably expect to receive the help and taken care of frail elderly priests since the 1930s and was begun by for many years. support they deserve when illness, the priests themselves who felt a infirmity and old age set in. need for such a structure, and not The cardinal was speaking in ather Duncan Tsoke, vicar-gen- the bishop. A priest anoints a woman’s hands while giving the anointing of the sick during the context of the effects of the Feral of the archdiocese of Johan- Mgr Deenihan, who is the a Mass to celebrate World Day of the Sick. But what happens when the priest world economic recession on the nesburg, said each of its priests is administrator of St Augustine’s issued with a card from the insurer falls ill? PHOTO: NELLIE WILLIAMS costs of health-care and housing cathedral, said a special collection for priests, which his archdiocese with whom the archdiocese has a takes place each year for the medical scheme for its priests, infirmity, which should not make Mr Heynen said throughout its was unable to keep pace with. fund—“a diocesan fund, funded by With Cardinal O’Malley’s words which includes hospital plan and sense given that they “live to die”. existence the fund has managed to diocesan priests for diocesan chronic medicine cover. The prospect of death is also a meet medical expenses without in mind, one may ask if diocesan priests”—which covers the costs of priests in particular can really Fr Tsoke said administration of source of joy in anticipation of a shortfalls, even in the most chron- consulting doctors, dentists, phys- the policy is left in the hands of reunion with the Lord, on whom ic of cases. the local Catholic Knights of da priests have built their lives. He feels that a medical support Gama. The archdiocese covers 80% The Clergy Medical Support fund is not the most ideal solu- ‘Offer up suffering for priests’ of it, and parishes the remaining Fund of the archdiocese of Pretoria tion, saying that all priests should 20%. It also covers post-retirement has been around for more than 20 have access to medical aid. Howev- N December Pope Benedict said called for every Christian to relive medical costs. years, and was started with initial er, given there are about 80 priests that the World Day of the Sick the parable of the Good Samaritan. The vicar-general said that the capital of R6 000, local Knight of in the archdiocese—a significant Ion February 11 highlights the “Go and do the same,” Jesus archdiocese was busy sourcing a da Gama Kees Heynen said. number—the cost of that would be essential nature of pastoral service says at the end of the parable. property for retired or terminally He said the Knights have been prohibitive. for the sick and asked those who “With these words he turns also to ill priests. involved with the fund from its Mr Heynen said Pretoria priests, are ill “to pray and offer up their us,” Pope Benedict said. Thus Jesus Like Port Elizabeth, the archdio- very beginnings, and have been like other priests elsewhere, tend calls us to see that “the experience sufferings for priests” in the Year cese of Cape Town has a special fundraising for it ever since to sup- to favour private health-care where of sickness and suffering can for Priests. priests’ medical fund, to which plement its regular donors, who the best medical care is more or become a lesson of hope”. The day marks the 25th each of the 72 parishes contributes pay R60 a month. less assured. It’s not “resting from the suffer- anniversary of the founding of the R800. Shortfalls between payouts For 12 years they have run the He said the fund as it currently ing or running from the pain that Pontifical Council for the Pastoral 250 Club, where parishes have a works is effective and does meet cures man, but it is his capacity to and actual costs are shouldered by Care of Health Care Workers. the chancery, said vicar-general monthly draw and a target of 250 expectations. As far as possible, for On the day, the pope said, the accept tribulation and to mature Mgr Andrew Borello. He said the tickets a month are sold, bringing example, consultation costs and Church wishes to “raise awareness in it, to find sense through the fund covers hospital and pre- in about R1 200 a month (R14 400 payment methods are established in the ecclesial community of the union with Christ, who suffered scribed medication bills, consulta- a year) which goes into the fund. beforehand, so that required importance of pastoral service in with infinite love”. tions and a percentage of eye-care There are a host of incentives, authorisations can take place, and the vast world of health”. It’s a The pope called on priests “not such as free tickets in lieu of pay- monies can be available when service, that plays an integral part to hold back in giving care and and dental care. in healthcare's mission following comfort to the sick”. Addressing Mgr Borello, parish priest in ment. needed. “the same saving mission of the sick, he said: “I ask you to pray Durbanville, indicated that many Each year, Mr Heynen said, the In Pretoria archdiocese, the Christ”. and offer your sufferings for priests are older men who have to archdiocese has a major collection more serious medical cases among The pope also highlighted the priests, that they may remain go for annual check-ups and/or which brings in about R100 000, of the priests, especially, are on a necessity for a “logic of love” prac- faithful to their vocations and that “six-monthly top-ups” for one or which 70% goes to the fund and medical aid-run hospital plan. tised with the little ones and the their ministry be rich in spiritual other condition. 30% to the seminary. There is also “So right now, we have the best needy as witnessed in Christ’s fruits, to the benefit of the entire He pointed out that it is not the Priests’ Retirement Fund, system under the circumstances, washing of the apostles’ feet and Church.”—CNA uncommon for priests to be fearful which he said can do with a bit and which has not been found of the future and the prospect of more help. wanting,” Mr Heynen said.

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The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special LETTERS TO circumstances and at the Editor’s discretion. Name and address of the writer THE EDITOR must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered. Editor: Günther Simmermacher The Southern Cross also pub- Priests still marry lished a response from Sr Sue Lives at risk ELLO Mokoka (“No to married Rakoczy which Ms Lehle may still ARELIZE Shade’s letter sup- Health of mind and body SAnglican priests”, December 16- benefit from, making the impor- Mporting the Pill (January 27- 22) is to be commended for the tant point that there are many February 2) ignores the crucial HE annual World Day for combination of both. Almost a admirable way in which he varieties of feminism. medical fact that the Pill can often quarter of all people will expe- defends priestly celibacy. There is only one important abort undetected immediately the Sick on February 11 However, he should be remind- after conception. serves to shine the rience some kind of depressive question to ask of feminism which T ed that there are married Catholic I take the liberty of rephrasing: is it This is substantiated by an Church’s light on those who illness in their lifetime—and priests in various Eastern rites, and address by Pope Benedict in 2007 are often marginalised and most will not seek help. Some as a practice, as an idea, as a social that Popes Pius XII, Paul VI and structure and Church teaching to the International Congress of alienated from their commu- will not do so because of the John Paul II allowed former Angli- affirming and supporting the full Catholic Pharmacists. nities because of illness. stigma associated with mental can and Lutheran pastors to be The Pill may be terminating the disorders, some will not do so humanity of women? If it does, it In his message for the day, ordained Catholic priests. is good news. If it does not, then it lives of more unborn infants by because they don’t realise that Pope Benedict says that “the Pope Benedict’s Apostolic Con- is bad news for women and men. chemical abortion than its surgical Church intends to carry out a they need treatment. stitution makes the same conces- Rosemary Gravenor, Durban counterpart. far-reaching operation, raising The US surgeon-general sions as his predecessors. What Few politicians openly support the ecclesial community’s stated in 1999 that “stigma is new is the possible establish- and practise pro-life principles, but awareness to the importance prevents people from acknowl- ments of ordinariates which will Feminism defined one such is Sarah Palin, a former of pastoral service in the vast edging their own mental allow the use of certain parts of HE dictionary does not claim vice-presidential candidate of the world of health care”. health problems, much less the Anglican liturgy. Tany right for “feminism” to US Republican Party. All Catholics are called to disclosing them to others”. Archbishop emeritus George F exist; it belongs in the thoughts of In her best-selling book Going discern a pastoral role in Many encounter a lack of Daniel, SACBC Department for its originators. Rogue: An American Life, she says understanding and support Ecumenism The dictionary states that femi- two things which I quote. addressing the marginalisation She tells of her great love for even from friends and family nism is a social and political move- of those who suffer illnesses, her fifth child, who has Down’s especially those who tend to members, never mind employ- Rome sweet home ment, and is the doctrine of the women’s movement. syndrome, and whose life she says be misunderstood and stigma- ers and colleagues. Yet, depres- FRIEND has been passing on Thank you Malcolm Bagley she never even remotely consid- tised. sion is not a voluntary condi- to me Southern Cross articles A (December 30-January 5) and Patri- ered terminating. In Mark 1:40 we read about tion, and it can be treated. about the conversion of Anglicans, She encouraged her pregnant Jesus touching the leper, an The stigma is worse yet for which I have read with interest. cia Lehle (January 6-12) for a mod- erate input. unmarried daughter to give birth act of social daring that broke those affected by mental ill- I was pleased to hear of so My letter “Vain feminism” to her baby and not abort it. nesses such as, for example, many converts entering the I found the book inspiring read- taboos which would endure (November 18-25) dealt mainly schizophrenia, which falls Church and grateful to heaven for ing. for almost another two millen- with self-aggrandisement, without granting the Holy Father this joy, Damian McLeish, Johannesburg nia. Lepers were routinely under the collective category glory to God. “Pride goes before humiliated, outcast and exiled of “psychotic disorders”—a especially after criticism of so much of what he has done. the fall”. And as the headline on to concentration camps. They specialist term with alarming Alan Moss’s letter of December 30- Vatican immunity certainly were not touched in connotations for most people. From the four articles which I read, the last being in The Southern January 6 says, “Self-importance AGREE with the letters of public view. Churches sometimes are of blinds”. Messrs Hinton, Harris and Gard- little help when they choose Cross of December 2-8, I saw no I Leprosy’s modern corollary mention of congratulation and HM de Kock, Cape Town ner (January 6-12) regarding the is HIV/Aids, another disease to ascribe mental health disor- welcome to those Anglicans who painful issue of child-abuse cover- for which no cure is known; ders to spiritual deficiency or decided to follow the faith of their Kindness to kids up. It is, as you said in your excel- another disease that drives sinfulness. Yet, American stud- fathers under the one shepherd. lent editorial of December 9-15, COMPLIMENT Fr David Ander- many otherwise good people ies have found that people suf- Did no one within the Church our darkest hour son of Table View parish, Cape to cast out infected family fering depression are more welcome them? As a sharer in the I An aspect that troubles me Town, for the way he conducted a members or friends. The enor- likely to first approach their one priesthood of Our Lord Jesus deeply is the attitude of the Vati- mous contribution of Catholic pastor than a health profes- Christ, I now do so. May they, recent Mass for children. can to the matter. institutions that take care of sional. The clergy must there- with the well-known convert Scott He called them to gather round Fearing that the pope would be those with HIV/Aids cannot fore be equipped to recognise Hahn, say till their dying breath: the altar, and though some of the accused of conspiracy to cover up be underestimated. Like Jesus, the signs of a mental health “Rome sweet home!” 2 and 3 year-olds were restless, he such abuse, at the Vatican’s was patient with them. Using sim- the Church embraces those problem, and to offer these Stephen Ind, Johannesburg request US President George W ple language in his homily, he people sound pastoral help Bush on his last visit to Rome regarded by many as untouch- helped them all to take part. and sensible advice, guiding granted Pope Benedict total immu- able. Feminism must I thought of Jesus’ words: “Let nity from prosecution in the cases While the pastoral focus them to Jesus the healer as the little children come to me”. in the USA. on physical ailments is neces- well as to a mental health spe- be assessed I’m sure even God smiled on such It seems to me that there is sary and admirable, it must cialist. ATRICIA Lehle (January 6-12) an occasion. insensitivity to the plight of the not neglect the condition of Mental health is still subject Passumes there has been a debate Loretta Apostoli, Cape Town victims in the highest offices of those living with mental dis- to much confusion and igno- about feminism. The fact is that a the Church. Why else is the Vati- orders. rance in society. And yet, if a lone voice back in October (7-13) can so non-cooperative and silent Pope Benedict has been sen- fifth of the world’s population voiced the opinion that feminism Repent! on the matter? sitive to this: his first message is suffering mental disorders, may be anti-women. OUR report “Don’t worry, Aideen Gonlag, for the World Day of the Sick then all of us are touched by In my view, that letter made Yworld won’t end in 2012” (Jan- St Michael’s-on-Sea, KZN in 2006 addressed the ques- this in some way, directly or several dangerous assumptions. uary 13-20) refers. tion of mental health, which through somebody we know. Some of these were couched in the Since when do Vatican concerns a fifth of the global It is important, therefore, form of questions as well as citing astronomers speak in the name of the Church? population. that on occasions such as the an article on a website attributing The Southern The world will go on, but who Opinions expressed in The field of mental disor- World Day for the Sick we three “dangerous ideas” to the Cross, especially in Letters to the Editor, ders is extensive and varied. resolve to find ways to combat feminist “ideology”. Each of these can tell what horrible disasters will do not necessarily reflect the views of the The area of depression alone is the stigma associated with “dangerous ideas” could easily be occur before 2012, such as has Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the occurred in Haiti? broad; some types are caused mental disorders, seek to attributed to patriarchal western Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in We should trust in God’s infi- particular is a forum in which readers may by environmental circum- understand them, and declare society (and beyond). No point for a debate at all in either the article nite mercy, and do penance for exchange opinions on matters of debate. stances, others by chemical our solidarity with those or with the writer of the letter— sin. Repent! Letters must not be understood to neces- imbalances, and some by a affected by them. not around Christian feminism Bishop emeritus Everard Baay sarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or anyway. SCJ, Port Elizabeth policies of the Church accurately.

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Michael Shackleton Mphuthumi Ntabeni The abuse of power, answers your question Pushing the Open Boundaries and the power of abuse Door HILD abuse by the clergy, mak- Without religion, ing the headlines of the mass Allan Moss OMI To whom do Cmedia, has scandalised the world. Like the pilots who dropped Point of life is barbaric the atomic bomb, we say: “My God, bishops answer? BECOME anxious when I’m in church.” what have we done?” Debate To deal with the situation, the I take it that religious priests are account- This is what my friend said in refusing to able to the superior of their order and accompany me to Mass. Church has established codes of con- ‘I duct, disciplinary committees, psycho- chy? I am aware of one bishop who diocesan priests to their bishops. To whom “Of course I like church buildings, especially has actually told his laity to stop com- are bishops and archbishops accountable? the cathedrals—when there are no praying peo- logical therapy facilities and so on. For plaining about their priests. I know Madame ple in them,” he added, with apparent embar- many it is too little too late; but better late than never. The Church bows its the laity cry to the hierarchy to be rassment. more concerned about clerical abuses UT another way, your question asks who Though passionate about spirituality, he was head in shame and prays for forgive- has legitimate authority over bishops, ness and the healing of its victims. and finances. Some of the people of hostile to what he calls the “mumbo-jumbo”, God have cried to me in frustration Ppriests and religious, and where this meaning religion. This is a common sentiment Yet, it seems what really brought authority comes from? So let’s go back to the the Church to its senses was the fear and being scandalised. in our age. People want to share divine life but I am not anti-clerical. I value my beginning. are averse to organised religion. They want to of lawsuits and publicity. Hopefully, Before he ascended, Jesus told his disciples the Church will learn that its primary priesthood, not to be denigrated and move beyond the complacency of belief into despised as happened in some places that all authority in heaven and on earth had motives should be in terms of its struggling nakedly and honestly with the idea of in Ireland. How serious is the hierar- been given to him. He told them to go and prophetic call of duty to God and to God. Could this be the reason that the face of chy in declaring the Year for Priests make disciples of all nations, baptising them his people. It should witness to a God is elusive to us, because we don’t meet God and calling upon the laity to pray for and teaching them everything that he had higher sense of morality rather than with our lives but with made-up religious for- them? Perhaps a survey should be commanded (Mt 28:18). In charging Peter mulas? legalities, cover-ups and lies to save its done by the Church before outsiders and the other apostles to take on the Saviour’s Abram, before he became Abraham, was face and finances. or the mass media open our eyes to work in the world, Christ encouraged them amused by his own unfailing faith in God, bar- Quis custodiet custodes?—who will what we should have seen long ago. by saying: “And know that I am with you gaining and laughing at the seeming absurdity of guard the guardians, the guardians of Hopefully, the recent African Synod always, yes, to the end of time.” Jesus Christ is it all, but he was never embarrassed by it. Jacob’s morality, who are supposed to be the has monitored this and the bishops the ultimate source of all authority in the struggle with God dislocated his hip, cost him salt of the earth? “If the salt loses its will be doing something more urgent- Church. more than 14 years of his life working as a peas- flavour, with what shall it be salted?” ly than spending money and energy As they have done through the Church’s ant slave, but it gained him a nation, Israel. (Mt 5:13). on debatable liturgical issues, which long and stormy history, Peter and the apos- Simply put; how does the Church renew faith “They have forsaken me,” says the further confuse the People of God. tles today exercise that authority in Christ’s without undermining religion? And, indeed, is Lord, “the spring of living water, and “No words of apology will ever be name through the world’s bishops in commu- this desirable? What did Jesus, the Christ, mean have dug their own cisterns, broken sufficient,” said a prelate of Ireland. nion with the bishop of Rome. They form when he said to his disciples, who were admir- cisterns that cannot hold water” (Jer Hopefully it will not come to that in one college of teaching authority that we call ing the stern beauty of Jerusalem’s temple, that 2:13). South Africa. the magisterium and it is their duty to govern there comes a time when not a single stone of it Does this go deeper, possibly I think of Little Angelina who the Church, including the approval of reli- would be remaining, and people then would involving a power struggle rather than comes from a loving and hugging gious orders. worship in truth and in spirit. Are we nearing service? Have we developed an family. They greet one another with a Christ told Peter that he would build his that time? authoritarian clergy instead of a serv- kiss and a hug. What she did not church on him (Mt 16:18), and he entrusted As a person of faith I tend to be endlessly ing one? It seems that many of our know was that one member, a teenage the lambs and sheep of his flock to Peter to be amazed, even enraged, that most of the creative priests, once suitably ensconced in a cousin, could not be touched. She had cared for (Jn 21:15). In so doing he appointed ways of looking at the world are accomplished parish—especially a wealthy one— been abused by a cleric and is now Peter, as Church tradition has always held, as by people of no faith at all, while contemporary have no accountability and no proper paranoid, weary of any physical con- the head of the apostles and of the Church. religious art, discourse and spirituality tend to dialogue with the local laity. Hence tact with anyone. She is undergoing In order to be a true successor of the apos- be bland, bloodless, parochial and boring. Surely they do what they like, financially, psychiatric therapy and God alone tles, a bishop must be in communion with the the God who renews the spirit of creation is for- even lustfully. Isn’t this part of the knows the damage done. Angelina pope and his brother bishops. If he offends in ever doing something new in the universe, and problem of clerical corruption and knows that she is jumpy but does not any way, it is the pope who has authority to is anything but dull. Yet there seems to be a sexual abuse? know why. correct or punish. prevalent lack of creative thinking in the Godly, I see it all around. It is not simply Angelina loves going to church and Diocesan priests are obliged to show respect to an extent that when you want to worship their priesthood, it is our priesthood is fond of her priest. I wonder what and obedience to their proper bishop (canon you feel the need to leave part of yourself at the that is at stake and being disgraced. she will think when she finds out the 273) and religious priests to their particular church or temple door to be acceptable. This is the urgent issue, not the litur- truth about her cousin. superior in all matters specific to their reli- The misunderstandings are sometimes mutu- gical reforms and translations.  Fr Moss is a parish priest in Pietermar- gious order. However, religious priests who al. I often hear from my friends that the Church What is the priority of the hierar- itzburg. work in pastoral care of souls, public worship knows nothing about how they think or how and other dioscesan activities are always sub- the world works. I tend to differ with them, ject to the local bishop as well (canon 678). explaining that my experience has been that An archbishop or metropolitan bishop pre- whenever I look at something deeply enough, I sides over a particular province, which is a always find the Church has been there before group of dioceses in a defined territory. He has me, especially the Roman Church in its long no authority over these dioceses but if he history. finds a serious abuse of some kind in any of It might, for instance, be easy for someone them, he may investigate and report them to like me to understand the dangers of pantheism Rome (canon 443). in the presently popular movie, The Avatar. But for someone who knows nothing of the absurdi-  Send your queries to Open Door, Box 2372, Cape ties that can be reached by pantheism, and Town, 8000; or e-mail: [email protected]; or fax about the Church’s struggles against these distor- (021) 465 3850. Anonymity can be preserved by arrange- tions throughout her history, the warning may ment, but questions must be signed, and may be edited sound prudish and finicky. Religion matters; its for clarity. Only published questions will be answered. decline is always accompanied by something crude and barbaric waking up in our nature. I might be wrong, but I believe something new is being created in the world; something that’ll stand on common ground to those who approach religion with open minds and faithful hearts, and those whose love of God makes them seek divine transcendence without com- • 2010 Retreats • mitting to any particular religious practices. One approach this could take would be to seek a PREACHED: DIRECTED: common ground through tradition; others 8 to 17 March 2010 21 to 30 June 2010 might do so intuitively, the way the patriarch Fr Jack McAtee OSA Fr Mike Foley OMI used to before God became the mighty warrior Theme: Forgiveness and was just a providential kind stranger. It would seem that Christ’s Talmudic cathe- 1 to 10 July dral, that tool of transcendental and eternal 21 to 30 June Fr Frank Doyle OSA renewal, is being erected in the world. And to Fr Raymond Mwangala those who have eyes to see, things are starting OMI 9 to 18 December to look more like the City of God than the Theme: Come Home Fr Frank Doyle OSA Tower of Babel. This would certainly not be the (Luke 15: 11-32) first time the world has been overtaken by the People wishing to kingdom of God. 1 to 10 July make Retreats outside Fr Scott Davidson CssR the above dates are Theme: Mystic Harmo- welcome to do so. GABRIELLE PHILLIP ny — Music & Contem- SOUTH AFRICA plation makers of BOOKINGS LITURGICAL VESTMENTS 19 to 28 September The Secretary: Superior quality at affordable prices Fr Mike Gumede OMI PO Box 41, Botha’s Clerical shirts, Cassocks, Server Robes, Choir Robes, Hill, 3660 Habits, Albs, Surplices, Cottas, etc. 9 to 18 December Phone: 031 765-1959 (2-3 weeks’ delivery time) Fr Sabelo Mkhize Fax: 031 765-8199 Phone/Fax Maggie Pillay Theme: Sharing His E-mail: 033 3913202/083 945 3631 Sufferings, sharing His Jacobswell@ Postal address: 9 Granadilla Crescent, Joy, becoming like ibound.co.za Newholmes,Pietermaritzburg, 3201 Christ Email:[email protected] 1010 The Southern Cross, February 3 to February 9, 2010 BOOK REVIEWS World’s interlinked troubles Life in a 16th-century

HOT, FLAT AND CROWDED: personae of activists, politicians, Why the World Needs a Green lobbyists, scientists and of course Italian convent journalists, all with an interest in Revolution–And How We Can Sacred Hearts, by Sarah Dunant. cines for the community and spe- what he argues convincingly is Renew Our Global Future, by Random House, New York. 2009. cial favoured patrons outside. She the central issue of our time. Thomas L Friedman. Penguin. 432 pp. enjoys respect from the entire com- Some of these people and their 2009. 516 pp munity and the esteem of the work are fascinatingly forward- Reviewed by Graham Yearley Reviewed by Chris Chatteris SJ abbess, Madonna Chiara. looking. ACRED HEARTS is the absorb- Over the years, Sr Zuana has HIS is quite a title and subti- By contrast Friedman is clearly ing third volume in author come to terms with the cloistered tle! Incidentally the “flat” deeply frustrated by the idle iner- Sarah Dunant’s series of histori- life and learned to appreciate the Trefers to a previous volume tia of his country and tries trans- Scal novels on the lives of women in order and harmony it offers. But in which multi-Pulitzer Prize win- parently to goad it into action by 15th- and 16th-century Italy. Hav- not all novices entered convents ner Friedman argued that the holding up the bogeyman of a ing explored the lives of willingly and as Dunant Internet is levelling the global China, which is becoming techno- courtesans, artists, mis- writes: “Any convent, playground of access to informa- logically dominant, like a new tresses and mothers in however well adjusted, tion and therefore opportunity. gigantic Japan. earlier novels, Dunant trembles a little when it In this latest volume he tries to However he manages to keep turns in Sacred Hearts to takes in one who really put it all together and show how his touching patriotic faith and a cloistered community does not want to be globalisation, population increase his optimism. He thinks, for of Benedictine nuns in there.” Into Sr Zuana’s and climate change combine to example, that it is only a matter of 1570. charge comes the rebel- create a perfect storm which can time before someone (preferably As the preface lious Serafina, sent to only be averted by a global green an American) discovers a source of informs us, almost half the convent by her revolution. Everything is connect- abundant, clean, renewable ener- of Italian noblewomen angry father to end a ed to everything else, he argues, gy. The techno-frontier is still lim- became nuns and the romantic entanglement like a good ecologist. Hence he itless apparently. And he hopes dowries their fathers passed, a major problem is how to with a poor music warns us that the recent global against hope that the American paid to convents were a get the the lobby-dominated, elec- teacher. As Zuana learns, depression is the planet’s “warn- people will eventually do the right chief source of income tion-obsessed American political politics within the con- ing heart-attack”, ominously thing and tell their politicians for women’s religious system to make the necessary vent can become as bru- telling us something very serious that they are ready to accept the communities. In turn, painful changes. tal as those outside. about the lack of sustainability of hard choices that have to be made the community offered our present way of inhabiting the Friedman’s book is a remark- young women life-long security and The reforms of monasteries and able attempt to stitch pretty much in the temporary absence of this planet. abundant energy-source. a chance to develop skills they convents brought on by the everything together, and in the What to do? Friedman argues He fails to ask whether, if we might have been denied outside. Counter-Reformation also threaten process the reader gets richly that the United States should have do find such a source of abundant Convents practised the same the peace within the walls of St informed about stories that the acted in 2001 after 9/11. By mov- energy, we will be able to keep our rigid class consciousness as the secu- Caterina’s. ing the US economy decisively out media hasn’t the space or interest expansionist instinct under con- lar society they had left behind; Convents produced musical con- of oil and coal towards renewable to elaborate. How did the entire trol or whether we will just women from aristocratic house- certs and dramatic presentations for energy, President George W Bush country of Iceland default during destroy what’s left of the natural holds were waited upon by sisters the wider community and those could have killed two birds with the 2008 meltdown? How China’s world. He does not broach the who came with small dowries. provided another large source of one stone—to tackle the looming building project for the next 20 obvious contradiction of a theory However, a certain kind of meritoc- income. But some criticised them climate crisis and choked off fund- years will construct the equivalent of endless growth in a world of racy existed as well; sisters with spe- for focusing more on entertain- ing to al Qaeda by what he calls of two Americas. How a new finite resources. Growth is a sacro- cial skills in singing, musical com- ments than the worship of God. “petrodictatorships”. “smart” electricity grid would sanct value for him, but it can be position or medicine could rise in The tension within St Caterina’s Friedman believes that Ameri- operate and how the consumer smarter, more efficient and less the community. and the pressure exerted from out- cans would have gladly paid a would actually experience this. damaging. Such is the case of the novel’s side gives an urgency to the novel “patriot” tax on petrol to pay for How the US is “outgreening” al Friedman believes that we are central character, Sr Zuana, who that propels the reader. this radical reorganisation of the Qaeda in Afghanistan (No kid- living on a “hinge of history”. His entered the community as a teenag- Any dedicated reader knows that American economy. 9/11 would ding!). The meaning of an “Amer- sober hope is that we will swing er when her father, a professor of when one starts doling out the then have become like Pearl Har- icum”. And in what sense is Amer- history in the direction of “man- medicine, died, leaving Zuana an number of pages so the end is post- bour, galavanising the US into ica in danger of becoming a aging the unavoidable and avoid- orphan. Through the knowledge poned, he or she is in the grip of a action, and rapidly put the coun- banana republic. ing the unmanageable”. But he she learned from her father, Sr master storyteller. Readers of Sacred try on a war-footing. Now that the Friedman also enjoys introduc- warns us that time is not on our Zuana has become the convent’s Hearts will not be disappointed.— “Pearl Harbour moment” has ing us to an extensive dramatis side. dispensary mistress, making medi- CNS

PO Box 11095, Mariannhill 3624

LENTEN LECTURES APRIL 30 - MAY 2 Mgr Paul Nadal: Talks on “The Year for the Priest” Mgr Paul Nadal: “Jesus Christ I” Son of God, Son of on five Mondays of Lent at 19:00 Man, Sign of contradiction. Weekend from supper Feb 22: Jesus Christ the Eternal High Priest Apr 30 to lunch May 2. Mar 01: The Priesthood of the Faithful JUNE 4-6 Mar 08: Priesthood and the Church Mgr Paul Nadal: “Jesus Christ II” Risen and alive. Mar 15: The Ministerial Priesthood (Priest in the Parish) Lord today and for ever. Weekend from supper Mar 22: The Priest in the Modern world June 4 to lunch June 6. FEBRUARY 26-28 JUNE 25-27 Mgr Paul Nadal: “The Priesthood”. Weekend (a Mgr Paul Nadal “Caritas Veritate” Papal Encyclical repeat of the talks listed above), from supper Feb Letter of Pope Benedict XVI. Love as personal gift, 26 to lunch Feb 28. love as social gift. Weekend from supper June 25 MARCH 27 - APRIL 4 to lunch 27. HOLY WEEK, from supper Mar 27 (Saturday before JUNE 27-JULY 05 NEW AUTHORS! Palm Sunday) to breakfast Apr 4 (Easter Sunday): Fr Urs Fischer & Team: 7-Day Guided Retreats, from 1. The Paschal Mystery supper June 27 to breakfast July 05 English: Fr Chris Neville OFM JULY 16-18 DO YOU HAVE A Zulu: Fr Michael Gumede OFM Fr Pierre Lavoipierre: “The heart of the Matter” Lord, 2. Dives in Misericordia: On “The Mercy of you know me, see me, and my heart is in your BOOK TO PUBLISH? God” by John Paul II and St Faustina hands. Weekend from supper July 16 to lunch 18 Presented by Fr Urs Fischer CMM Independent UK publisher now seeking new manuscripts in all subjects, including fiction, biography, historical, Personally guided retreats may be arranged at any time academic, religion and poetry. throughout the year to suit individual need. For a free appraisal please send your work to For Bookings: Reception: 031 700 2155 Cellphones: MELROSE BOOKS Fr Urs Fischer 031 700 2890 083 9633848 Fr Urs Fischer Fax 031 700 2738 083 5441504 Bro Crispin (ref: SC) St Thomas’ Place, Ely, Cambridgeshire, CB7 4GG, UK 082 7307180 Mrs N Qupa Email: [email protected] Tel: +44 (0) 1353 646 608 Fax: +44 (0) 1353 646 602 Email: [email protected] Web:www.melrosebooks.co.uk The Southern Cross, February 3 to February 9, 2010 1111

Thoughts for the Shroud of Classified Advertising Week on the Family Births • First Communion • Confirmation • Engagement/Marriage • Wedding anniversary • Ordina- tion jubilee • Congratulations • Deaths • In memoriam • Thanks • Prayers • Accommodation • Holi- Turin ‘fake’? day accommodation • Personal • Services • Employment • Property • Others Please include payment (R1,05c a word) with small advertisements for promptest publication. FAMILY CALENDAR: continued from page 4 Shroud of Turin, we do Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000. Tel 021 465 5007 Fax 021 465 3850 e-mail: [email protected] 2010 FAMILY THEME: “Families Play the organic remains are not have an archaeolog- Game.” hardly ever preserved in ical context, and its his- CHEMICAL abortion: e-mail: info@rosecot tory is murky,” Fr Allia- DEATH FEBRUARY: Match Play the Jerusalem area ‘The Pill’ can abort, unde- tagemontagu.co.za or ta said. 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Brendan, Godfrey and ACCOMMODATION cent to Dominican Priory, For decades scientists Shroud of Turin is not OFFERED Chapel and Conference How well matched are we in our relationships as authentic but the con- Hilda and her extended have debated the SEA POINT—Double Centre, near the Univer- couples, parents and children, siblings and so clusions must be made family. on? Are you in training to improve your skills? authenticity of the room with own bathroom sity and a shopping on studies of the object mall. Self-catering, fully February 7, 5th Sunday of Year C. Becom- Shroud of Turin, the IN MEMORIAM in heart of this presti- linen cloth that tradi- itself.” gious suburb, near all equipped kitchen, safe ing Apostles. The words “Here I am, Lord” are The burial tomb GOVENDER—Bryan parking and Internet prayed and sung many times in our churches tion holds is the burial amenities. Short time let- shroud of Jesus. where the Jerusalem Mark. Called to rest Feb- ting. 021 434 1453 or access. 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We are com- ACCOMMODATION signs of wounds that [email protected] right there, matching our talents and skills with Iscariot is said to have forted knowing that you AZARS B&B — Olde SANDBAAI/HERMANUS one another and at times competing too so as to correspond to the committed suicide. rest in joy and peace with worlde charm in Kalk —Relaxing weekend improve our skills. Play some games together Gospel accounts of the The tomb of the the Lord. Mum, sister, Bay's quaint fishing vil- away. Reasonable rates. and talk about how to be a good winner and a torture Jesus endured in shrouded man was brothers, sisters-in-law lage. Luxury double en- gracious loser. his passion and death. and nieces. suite/private lounge/ Contact Jacqui Ferreira. located next to the  082 924 5807 February 11, Our Lady of Lourdes, Pray for It is kept in the tomb of Annas, the entrance. DSTV/tea/cof- the Sick. Our Lady is often associated with heal- cathedral of St John the high priest, who was PRAYERS fee. Serviced 3 times a SOUTH COAST—3 Baptist in Turin, Italy, ing of the sick. Pray for her intercession for heal- the father-in-law of HOLY St Jude, apostle week. Minutes from bedroom house. Marine ing and to deal compassionately with sickness in and will be removed Caiaphas, the high and martyr, great in Metrorail. Enjoy break- Drive, Uvongo.  the family. from its protective cas- priest who presided at virtue and rich in mira- fast at different restau- Donald 031 465 5651, ket for public display the trial of Jesus. cles, kinsman of Jesus rant every day (included 073 989 1074. this year, for the first Bones found in the Christ, faithful intercessor in tariff). Holy Mass Sat- STELLENBOSCH: Five time since 2000. same burial niche as the of all who invoke you, urdays/Sundays within simple private suites (2 walking distance. 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Holy Mass cele- Perhaps because of UMHLANGA ROCKS: their own merits, and return I promise to make brated every Sunday at these illnesses, the Fully equipped self-cater- conclusions about one your name known and 6pm.  022 451 2650. researchers believe, this ing 3 bedroom, 2 bath- could not be made publish this prayer. part of the tomb was FISH HOEK—Self-cater- room house, sleeps 6, BETHLEHEM: based on the other. Amen. AW. completely sealed off ing accommodation, sea view, 200 metres “One was found in  Shrine of Our Lady of Bethlehem at Tsheseng, Maluti and the man did not HOLY St Jude, apostle sleeps 4. 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Tel/fax 021 catering house, 4 bed- PRETORIA: of my heart and humbly 782 3647, e-mail: alisona rooms, 3 bathrooms. Sun February 7, 5th Sunday of the year: beg you to come to my @xsinet.co.za Sleeps 8/10, indoor  First Saturday: Devotion to Divine Mercy. St Martin de Is 6:1-8; Ps 138:1-5.7-8; 1 Cor 15:1-11; Lk 5:1-11 assistance. Help me now braai, pool table, DStv. in my urgent need and FOREST WALK, Somer- Porres, Sunnyside, 16:30.  Shirley-Anne 361 4545. Mon February 8, Ss Jerome Emiliani, Josephine Contact Julia e-mail pro grant my petitions. In set West: Family flat, CAPE TOWN: Bakhita: return I promise to make sleeps 4. Secure com- 1 Kgs 8:1-7.9-13; Ps 132:6-10; Mk 6:53-56 plex.  021 783 0424,  The Opening Mass of the Charismatic Renewal move- your name known and UPHOLSTERER Tue February 9, feria: publish this prayer. 084 818 5254 ment will be at Holy Trinity parish church, Matroosfon- 1 Kgs 8:22-23.27-30; Ps 84:3-5.10-11; Mk 7:1-13 Amen. RCP. GORDON’S BAY—4-star More than 50 years of tein, at 14:30 on Sunday Feb 14. Wed February 10, St Scholastica: SANTA CLARA, you fol- self-catering. Uninter- experience guarantees  There will be a St Pio Holy Hour on Feb 21 at 15:30 in 1 Kgs 10:1-10; Ps 37:5-6.30-31.39-40; Mk 7:14-23 lowed Jesus in his life of rupted seaviews, private you satisfaction. Holy Redeemer church, Bergvliet. Thur February 11, Our Lady of Lourdes: poverty and prayer. balcony, DStv, fully equipped kitchen, auto- Ph 021 6371938  Adoration Chapel, Corpus Christi church, Wynberg: 1 Kgs 11:4-13; Ps 106:3-4.35-37. 40; Mk 7;24-30 Grant that confidently giving ourselves up to the mated garages. Sleeps after hours 021 7012692. Mon-Thur 6am to 12pm; Fri-Sun 6am to 8pm. Adorers Fri February 12, feria: 2. Contact Lynn 1 Kgs 11:29-32, 12:19; Ps 81:10-15; Mk 7:31-37 providence of our celes- welcome.  021-761 3337 tial Father, we may  084 520 4777 or Sat February 13, feria: www.thebluemarine.co.  Holy Hour to pray for priests of the diocese, 2nd Satur- serenely accept his 1 Kgs 12:26-32, 13:33-34; Ps 106:6-7.19-22; Mk 8:1-10 divine wish. Say this za day monthly at Villa Maria shrine Kloof Nek Rd 16:00- Sun February 14, 6th Sunday of the year: 17:00. prayer followed by nine GORDON’S BAY: Beau- Jer 17:5-8; Ps 1:1-4.6; 1 Cor 15:12.16-20; Lk 6:17.20-26 Hail Mary's for nine days. tiful en-suite rooms avail- PO Box 2372, CAPE TOWN, 8000  Blessed Sacrament exposed daily Monday to Friday On the ninth day light a able at reasonable rates. Tel: (021) 465 5007 Fax: (021) 465 3850 09:00–22:00 in Holy Redeemer church, Bergvliet Rd, candle. CJ. Magnificent views, break- www.scross.co.za Bergvliet. Visitors welcome. fast on request.  082 Editor: Günther Simmermacher THANKS 774 7140. E-mail: bzhive ([email protected]) Entries in the community calendar, which is published as @telkomsa.net. Advisory Editor: space allows, are free of charge. To place your event, call Gene THANKSGIVING to Our Michael Shackleton KNYSNA—Self-catering Donnelly, 021 465 5007, or email [email protected] Lady and St Anthony for Editorial staff: prayers answered. AJS garden apartment for two Michail Rassool & LJS. in Old Belvidere with ([email protected]) wonderful Lagoon views. Clutton Patsika DEAR Saint Rita, thank  044 387 1052. ([email protected]) you for interceding for us Gene Donnelly and for answering our MARIANELLA Guest ([email protected]) prayers. 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6th Sunday - Year C (February 14) Readings: Jeremiah 17:5-8; Psalm 1; 1 Corinthians 15:12.16-20; Luke 6:17.20-26 Life or death: the choice is yours NE of the ways in which Scripture trast. Paul is once more trying to bring his gratulations to the destitute; yours is the often expresses the truth about God Corinthian Christians back to a sense of the Kingdom of God”. Ois by way of a contrast, between life life that God has brought in Christ, by And there is no time to recover from this and death. Fr Nicholas King SJ insisting on the centrality of the Resurrec- astonishing claim before the next volley Choose God and that is the way of life, Scriptural tion. In this part of the text, the contrast is comes: “Congratulations to those who are while the way of death is those who choose between that life and the allegation on the hungry now; you are going to be satisfied. not-God. The contrast is not a question of Reflections part of some of the Corinthian church that Congratulations to those who are weeping punishment and reward; it is simply that there was no such thing as Resurrection. If now; you are going to laugh. Congratula- God has created us for life, and our life-task that is so, argues Paul, then Christ cannot tions to you when people hate you and is to listen to the Maker’s instructions. the book of Israel’s hymns, and it continues have been raised. If that were true, “your ostracise you and say rude things about you, The first reading, from Jeremiah, the contrast in terms of life and death. expresses this contrast in terms of trees in “Happy is the person who does not walk in faith is pointless, and you are still in your and cast out your name as wicked, for the the desert—a familiar enough image to the counsel of the wicked, and does not sins”. sake of the Son of Man”. These unfortunates those living in the Near East. “Cursed is the stand in the way of sinners”, it begins, “but You and I have to choose, this week, are told to “rejoice in that day, and exult, one who places trust in human beings…is their delight is in the Law of the Lord, and which side we are on — that of death (“there for your reward is great in heaven; that is like a shrub in the desert, shall not see when they recite the Law day and night”. is no such thing as Resurrection”) or that of how their ancestors treated the prophets”. good times come, stands in the parched Again we hear the image of a “tree plant- life (“Christ is indeed raised from the Then comes the electrifying contrast, places of the wilderness, in salt land where ed by streams of water, which yields fruit at dead”). with a series of “woes”, against “the rich— no one dwells”. On the other hand, “Blessed the right time”. The “wicked”, by contrast The gospel reading plays the contrast you already have your comfort…you who is the one who trusts in the Lord…is like a are unstable, “like chaff driven by the wind” theme loud and clear. We have here Luke’s are filled, you are going to be hungry. Those tree planted on the waters, sends out its (a powerful image in an agricultural econo- “Sermon on the Plain”, his version of who laugh now are going to mourn and roots to the stream, shall not fear when heat my). And the poet concludes: “The Lord Matthew’s Sermon on the Mount, addressed weep”. comes…does not cease to yield fruit”. knows the way of the righteous; and the to “a great crowd of his disciples” and “a The gospel offers us a stark contrast this The Psalm for next Sunday is Psalm 1, way of the wicked is scattered”. large number of the people [of Israel]”. This week; but it is simply asking us whether we carefully placed by the editors at the start of The second reading continues the con- mixed bag get it with both barrels: “Con- will opt for life, or for death. A new fun dictionary Southern Crossword #376

VERY year, The Washington Post her class that in Spanish, unlike English, publishes the results of what it calls nouns are designated as either mascu- Eit’s “Mensa Invitational”, in which line or feminine. readers are challenged to take any word Chris Moerdyk “House”, for instance, is feminine: from the dictionary, alter it by adding, “la casa”. “Pencil”, however, is mascu- subtracting, or changing one letter and The Last line: “el lapiz”. coming up with a new definition. A student asked: “What gender is The winners were: Word ‘computer’?” Cashtration: The act of buying a Instead of giving the answer, the house, which renders the subject finan- teacher split the class into two groups, cially impotent for an indefinite period at three in the morning and cannot be male and female, and asked them to of time. cast out. decide for themselves whether “comput- Caterpallor: The colour you turn Intaxication: Euphoria at getting a er” should be a masculine or a feminine after finding half a worm in the fruit tax refund, which lasts until you realise noun. Each group was asked to give four you’re eating. it was your money to start with. reasons for its recommendation. Bozone: The substance surrounding Wrongly right The men’s group decided that “com- stupid people that stops bright ideas And then, there are those that did puter” should definitely be of the femi- from penetrating. The bozone layer, not require any single letter changes. nine gender (la computadora), because: unfortunately, shows little sign of break- Such as: 1. No one but their creator under- ing down in the near future. Coffee: The person upon whom one stands their internal logic; Giraffiti: Vandalism spray-painted coughs. 2. The native language they use to very, very high. ACROSS DOWN Flabbergasted: Appalled by discover- communicate with other computers is Sarchasm: The gulf between the 4. Increases number of 1. Has boil. Do away with ing how much weight one has gained. incomprehensible to everyone else; author of sarcastic wit and the person choristers (7) it (7) Abdicate: To give up all hope of ever 3. Even the smallest mistakes are who doesn’t catch on to it. 8. Purchased (6) 2. Undermine (7) having a flat stomach. stored in long-term memory for possible Inoculatte: To take coffee intra- 9. Jeff ending off with 3. He introduced Esplanade: To attempt an explana- later retrieval; and noble Arab inside (7) Nathaniel to Jesus (Jn venously when you are running late. tion while drunk. 4. As soon as you make a commit- 10. Volley produces a 1) (6) Osteopornosis: A morally degenerate Negligent: Absentmindedly answer- ment to one, you find yourself spending beautiful result (6) 5. Luther, for instance (8) disease. ing the door when wearing only a half your salary on accessories for it. 11. Charitable society 6. Cries like one of the Karmageddon: It’s like, when every- nightgown. The women’s group, however, con- that revolves? (6) flock (6) body is sending off all these really bad Lymph: To walk with a lisp. cluded that computers should be mascu- 12. Angelic beings 7. Put up with (6) vibes, right? And then, like, the Earth around marsh pie (7) 13. Nice hell has Greek Gargoyle: Olive-flavoured mouth- line (el computador), because: explodes and it’s like, a serious bummer. 18. The bishop: his old connection (8) wash. 1. In order to do anything with them, Decafalon: The gruelling event of title (8) 14. He let the Israelites Balderdash: A rapidly receding hair- you have to turn them on; getting through the day consuming 20. A libel about the leave Egypt (7) line. 2. They have a lot of data but still only things that are good for you. Devil (6) 15. Pole sat as original can’t think for themselves; 21. Synagogue ruler (Mk bishop (7) Dopeler Effect: The tendency of stu- She vs He 3. They are supposed to help you 5) (6) 16. Parchment for the pid ideas to seem smarter when they And staying on a humorous note, I solve problems, but half the time they 22. Fiery (7) manuscript (6) come at you rapidly. recently received a wonderful e-mail ARE the problem; and 23. Happen to (6) 17. Ready to boil when Arachnoleptic Fit: The frantic dance from a friend that tickled me pink even 4. As soon as you commit to one, you 24. Hold closely to your- angry (6) performed just after you’ve accidentally though it is based on women’s superior- realise that if you had waited a little self (7) 19. Attractive sketcher (7) walked through a spider web. ity over the men. longer, you could have got a better Beelzebug: Satan in the form of a SOLUTIONS TO #375. ACROSS: 1 Monk, 3 Clerical, 7 Nirvana, 9 A Spanish teacher was explaining to model. Polls, 10 Housewife, 12 Expire, 14 Offend, 16 Avuncular, 19 Amiss, mosquito that gets into your bedroom The women won. 20 Anytime, 21 Big Noise, 22 Ages. DOWN: 1 Minister, 2 North, 4 Leaven, 5 College, 6 Last, 8 Aquariums, 9 Painfully, 11 Admirers, 13 Praying, 15 Scraps, 17 Ruing, 18 Lamb. CONRAD A MOERDYK CHUCKLE

PhD graduate and an ordinary man went on “Astrololically, it tells me that Satan is in Leo. a camping trip, set up their tent and fell Time-wise, it appears to be approximately a quar- Aasleep. Some hours later, the ordinary man ter past three. woke up his PhD friend and asked: “Look up at “Theologically, it’s evident that the Lord is all- the sky and tell me what you see?” powerful and we are small and insignificant. The PhD man replies: “I see millions of stars.” “Meteorologically, it seems we will have a beau- The ordinary man asks: “What does that tell tiful day tomorrow. What does it tell you?” you?” The ordinary man is silent for a moment, then The PhD guy ponders for a minute: “Astronom- says: “Practically, it tells me that someone has ically speaking, it tells me that there are millions stolen our tent.” of galaxies and potentially billions of planets. Chris Moerdyk

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