Bishops: Accept Teaching on Women Priests
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The SSoouutthheerrnnCCrroossss November 19 to November 25 , 2014 Reg no. 1920/002058/06 no 4900 www.scross.co.za R7,00 (incl VAT RSA) The key to Fr Rolheiser: The Catholic understanding How to defeat spirit Pope Francis the devil of Paris Page 5 Page 9 Page 10 Bishops: Accept teaching on women priests By STUART GRAHAM “Catholic women who accept to be or - dained to the priesthood separate themselves HE Southern African Catholic Bishops’ from the Church and the sacraments,” the Conference has warned against support - statement said. “It is therefore contrary to the Ting women priests, saying it is “con - spirit of the Catholic Church to be involved trary”to the teaching of the Church to offer or in the promotion of the ordination of women create platforms where conversations are held to the priestly ministry.” with women who claim to have been or - The archbishop added that it is “contrary dained. to the teaching of the Church” to offer or cre - In a tersely worded pastoral statement, ate platforms where conversations are held SACBC president Archbishop Stephen Brislin with women who claim to have been or - emphasised that the ordination of women to dained. each year on november 11, the school community of St Henry’s Marist College in durban the priesthood “is not recognised in the “It is wrong for Catholics to participate in gathers in the quad at the Memorial Bell Tower to remember the 18 young men from the col - Catholic Church”. the invalid celebration of the ‘Eucharist’ of - lege who gave their lives in the Second World War, and the Marist Brothers who have taught “The Catholic faithful are required to give fered by individual women who do not recog - generations of Marist pupils and who have since died. This year, special mention was made ‘a religious submission of mind’ to the defini - nise the teaching authority of the Church and of 2nd Lieutenant dennis Chambers (Class of ‘33) who served in Burma in Queen Alexan - tive teaching of the Supreme Pontiff who ex - who have consequently separated themselves dra’s own Gurkha Rifles and was killed in action in 1943. ercises his teaching authority by virtue of from the Catholic Church,” his statement History master Gary Brits was suitably dressed in WW2 military uniform and wearing the belt being the lawful successor of the Apostle said. of another St Henry’s student, Cecil Boyd, who died in action in italy in 1945. Here Mr Brits Peter,” Archbishop Brislin said. “It is equally inconsistent to use Catholic shows Lt Chambers’ Gurkha Rifles’ sword to Grade 8 pupils Sydney van Voorst and Tyrese “The faithful are expected to avoid what - premises and the Catholic media to under - Pillay. Grade 8 classes have been studying this period in history and a number came to the ever does not accord with the teaching of the mine the authoritative teaching of the magis - service dressed as members of one or other of the armed forces. Catholic Church regarding the ordination of terium of the Catholic Church.” women.” He said Catholics who align themselves The pastoral statement comes after the or - with the cause and promote the ordination of dination of Dr Mary Ryan, 60, in Hermanus in women are seen by the Church authorities to late September. The Catholic Church regards be “in open defiance” of the Church’s “clear Pope: Clergy don’t know everything the ordination illicit and invalid. By that act, and unambiguous teaching on the subject”. Dr Ryan and those who presided at the ordi - tion and thinks he does not need anyone,” “These Catholics are undoubtedly on a col - By Cindy Wooden nation are considered automatically excom - the pope said. lision course with the Church’s authority and municated, latae sententiae . can under no circumstances claim ignorance OPE Francis has said that the Church’s While bishops and priests are called to Dr Ryan, a mother of four, was ordained by of the Church’s definitive teaching,” the bish - ministers— bishops, priests and dea - “courageously safeguard” and share the cons— must be aware of how merciful Patricia Fresen, a former Dominican nun who ops’ statement said. P teachings of the Church, they also must and compassionate God has been with them, was expelled by her order after being ordained “As your pastors we urge all Catholics to recognise that they “always have something because such honesty makes them “humble a priest in Barcelona in 2003. ‘keep to what is taught and know to be true’,” to learn, even from those who may still be and understanding of others”. Archbishop Brislin said Pope John Paul II the statement said, adding that it is important Recognising that his call “flows only from far from the faith and from the Church”. issued a definitive pronouncement on the that Catholics don’t allow themselves to be God’s mercy and God’s heart” ensures that a By working together, supporting one an - question of admitting women to the priestly “tossed one way and another and carried minister “will never assume an authoritarian other and examining questions together, the ministry in his apostolic letter Ordinatio Sacer - along by every wind of doctrine”. attitude, as if everyone were placed at his Church’s ministers will demonstrate “a new dotalis (“On Priestly Ordination”) in 1994. In The statement said that, together with feet and as if the community were his prop - attitude, one marked by sharing, co-respon - it, Pope John Paul II declared that “the Church Pope Francis, the bishops believe that there erty or personal kingdom,” Pope Francis said. sibility and communion.” has no authority whatsoever to confer priestly are many important ways of promoting “One does not become a bishop, priest or Quoting St Paul’s letters to Timothy and ordination on women and this judgement is women in the Church. deacon because he is more intelligent or bet - to Titus, Pope Francis outlined the human to be definitively held by all the Church’s This month Spanish Claretian Father Pablo ter than others,” the pope said, “but only be - qualities a minister must have: “Acceptance, faithful”. d’Ors, a consultant to the Pontifical Council cause of a gift: God’s gift of love poured out moderation, patience, meekness, trustwor - The SACBC statement pointed out that for Culture, was quoted as saying that he was by the power of the Holy Spirit for the good thiness and goodness of heart.” Pope Francis had stated in his apostolic exhor - “absolutely” in favour of opening up the of his people,” the pope said at a general au - Those human qualities, he said, help the tation Evangelii Gaudium (“The Joy of the priesthood to women. dience in the Vatican. Church’s ministers go out to meet others Gospel”) that “the reservation of the priest - Fr d’Ors told Italian daily La Repubblica : “Woe to a bishop, priest or deacon who with the attitude of respect necessary for of - hood to males as a sign of Christ the Spouse “Am I in favour [of the ordination of women]? thinks he knows everything, who thinks he fering “a service and a witness that is truly who gives himself in the Eucharist is not a Absolutely, and I am not the only one. The always has the right answer to every ques - joyful and credible”.—CNS question open to discussion”. Continued on page 5 SSoouutthheerrnn CCrroossss && RRaaddiioo VVeerriittaass PPiillggrriimmaaggee Phone Gail at 076 35 2 3809 THE SAINTS OF ITALY or 021 551 3923 or e-mail Led by Fr EMIL BLASER OP [email protected] Rome, Assisi, Florence, Padua, Milan, Venice and more fowlertours.co.za 6 - 18 September 2015 Rome WITH PAPAL AUDIENCE | Assisi | Venice | Padua | Florence | Milan | Cascia (St Rita) | Siena (St Catherine) | Norcia (St Benedict) | Birthplace of St John XXIII 2 The Southern Cross, november 19 to november 25, 2014 LOCAL St Augustine Choirs to sing for Advent ADIO Veritas and St Benedict’s In lieu of a ticket price, attendees College in Bedfordview, Jo - are asked to bring wrapped Christ - Rhannesburg, will again co-host mas gifts, marked for a girl or a boy, needs new head a Christmas carol service, with As - and non-perishables for children sumption Convent in Malvern join - who are less fortunate. ing in the festivities. “We are very passionate about By STAFF RePoRTeR be able to promote the institution and its place in wider tertiary edu - The choirs of both schools will giving back to society, which is OUTH Africa’s only Catholic cation in South Africa. be collaborating in singing popular what we are called to do,” said Fr university, St Augustine College St Augustine College was estab - carols. Scriptural readings by the Emil Blaser OP, station director of Sin Johannesburg, is calling for lished in 1999 by a group of aca - students will tie the musical story of Radio Veritas. “Society sustains us nominations for the post of presi - demics and “other interested Christmas together. and therefore we have the responsi - dent. persons” who felt that the Catholic The one-hour service will be held bility to take good care of society The university says the post en - Church in South Africa had a signif - on November 28 at 18:30 in St too.” tails “leading a South African icant contribution to make to Benedict’s school hall. Tea and re - n For more information contact Ma - deborah Harris has been named as Catholic institution of higher educa - higher education. freshments will be served in the hadi Buthelezi at mahadi@radio the principal of de La Salle Holy tion as it seeks to grow in student Its campus is in the tranquil sub - school’s gazebo from 17:30.