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PAGE 7 PAGE 5 PAGE 4 PAGE 9 Parish of the 50 from SA Mystery over How the Month from at closing of why bishop gospels the Cape priests’ year was killed see Jesus June 23 to June 29, 2010 www.scross.co.za R5,00 (incl VAT RSA) Reg No. 1920/002058/06 No 4681 SOUTHERN AFRICA’S NATIONAL CATHOLIC WEEKLY SINCE 1920 Inside Mini-world cup for unity Catholic organisations have launched a foot- ball tournament in Pretoria featuring teams of migrants and South Africans as a way of helping to forestall the threat of renewed xenophobic violence.—Page 3 Aids funding alarm The Vatican’s nuncio to the United Nations has sounded alarm over cuts in international funding for the fight against HIV/Aids which affect several countries, including South Africa.—Page 4 Books reviewed We review books on the study of Jesus, African music and a novena for stressed Catholics.—Page 10 Jesus, the man In his monthly column, Mphuthumi Ntabeni reflects on the search for the historical Jesus.—Page 9 What do you think? In their Letters to the Editor this week, read- ers discuss Church land, constructive change, praying for abuse survivors, Divine Mercy, and family planning.—Page 8 The dome of St Peter’s basilica at the Vatican is silhouetted as the sun sets in Rome. This week’s editorial: PHOTO: PAUL HARING, CNS A Church of penance ‘God can’t be kept out of morality debate’ BY CHRIS CHATTERIS SJ the struggle. There was a need for a new struggle and a return to what he called a HETHER we—or politicians—like it “conservative revolutionary morality” based or not, God is a part of the process on a contextual reading of the Christian Wof any national debate on morality. Gospel. Vuvuzelas in This was the consensus of the second As it was during the first Jesuit Insti- Jesuit Institute/University of Johannesburg tute/University of Johannesburg forum, also discussion held at Holy Trinity church at on the morality conversation, debate after ‘town of rest’ Braamfontein, Johannesburg. the speakers’ addresses was robust. A num- How one understands God’s role and the The panel: Professor Steven Friedman, Rev ber of the audience raised the point that extent to which this role can be articulated Frank Chikane and Archbishop Buti Tlhagale since 1994 many of the public figures who in explicitly religious language remains, don’t faze bishop had led the moral struggle against apartheid however, a point for ongoing discussion. To illustrate his point, he told an amus- had disappeared from the scene. The role of BY BRONWEN DACHS Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannes- ing Talmudic tale of how, during a dispute, the Church had in some ways faded into HE sound of vuvuzelas made for a burg presented the Catholic case for reli- God tried to convince a group of rabbis that gious engagement in the public sphere. He the background. sleepless night for Rustenburg’s bishop one of them was right—and got told off for drew on principles of natural law common Other respondents felt that the nature of as football fans watched and then cele- his trouble. T to all reasonable people and expressed the the public debate had changed so much brated World Cup games less than 2km from Despite this, Prof Friedman argued, reli- need for a clearly articulated ground for that a new language was needed to contin- his residence. gious persons need to take a clear stand on moral consensus. ue the engagement. It was no longer Bishop Kevin Dowling, who lives near the public issues. This was particularly true enough for the Church and the religious Rooted in natural law, Catholic social when faced by a tendency to see public life 44 000-seat Royal Bafokeng Stadium, said thought holds to a number of key themes community to simply “protest”. there was “an incredible sense of celebra- as a means to feathering one’s own nest. One problem that was raised by the floor that have direct bearing on public morali- The sheer greed of politicians is disturbing, tion” among local residents and visiting fans, ty—the common good, respect for persons, was that of moral relativism. By talking Prof Friedman said. One of the challenges who included US Vice-President Joe Biden, subsidiarity and the option for the poor. about ethics in context was one simply say- facing religious communities today, he said, who attended the United States’ 1-1 draw None of them are specifically Catholic in ing that there was no such thing as right or with England. content and can thus be used effectively in was reminding corrupt politicians that wrong? None of the panel wanted to accept “It is amazing that sport is able to unite finding common ground. “enough is as good as a feast”. such a claim, even though they equally the nation like this, and I hope we can build The archbishop was fiercely critical of the Having been tortured in the 1980s by a were unwilling to see simplistic one-line on this spirit of unity when the tournament widespread corruption he saw in contempo- deacon within his own church, Rev Frank solutions to complex problems. is over,” said Bishop Dowling. He laughed as rary South African public life. It was chal- Chikane was all too aware of how internally For a number of participants, the ques- he told of the sound of thousands of people lenges such as these that made a national divisive political issues can be within reli- tions that have been raised by this and the blowing the plastic horns and depriving him debate on morality essential, he said. gions. Yet, he argued, we need a more pub- previous conversation on the “national of sleep. Political analyst Professor Steven Fried- licly engaged church in this new era. Like moral debate” need to continue. Vuvuzelas are said to be based on kudu man holds a joint post between Rhodes and the other speakers, Rev Chikane saw the Among the guest speakers there has been horns and rooted in African history. Johannesburg universities and is a regular need for a debate on national morality that a strong common feeling that public moral- In a statement released as the World Cup preacher in a small Reform synagogue. He moved beyond the narrow confines of par- ity cannot simply be expressed according to began, Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban acknowledged that while it was necessary to liamentarians’ private lives. particular and institutional religious doc- urged South Africans to “welcome the world, bring a strongly religious presence into the The corruption of public office, he said, trines, but must reflect a broad basic con- encounter the world, learn from the world so moral debate, it was by no means easy. flew in the face of the “revolutionary moral- sensus between and within religious tradi- that the world will know that we remain the Within religions as much as between them ity” that was part of the culture that he and tions. In this respect, there is clearly a Rainbow Nation, diverse and united”.—CNS debates can be acrimonious. many other activists had imbibed during “space” for God in the public debate. 22 The Southern Cross, June 23 to June 29, 2010 LOCAL Protest laws discussed at faith gathering BY FR MOKESH MORAR from frustration over lack of ser- protest gatherings—as their sense vices, despite public meetings or of responsibility dictated—which ORE than 30 community imbizos, organised by municipali- also dictated organising peaceful leaders representing 14 ties. and non-violent protests. Morganisations gathered for Despite such consultation, they Many felt workshops were a workshop in the Bethlehem dio- said, the concerns of communities essential for police and govern- cese to discuss legislation on free- are not listened to, nor do they ment officials to get them to dom of association and dissent, as receive promised feedback from understand the RGA. Copies of the well as access to information. local authorities until they have manual The Right to Protest: A The workshop was organised by the local Sekwele Centre for Social protested against poor service handbook for Protesters and Police Reflection and the Freedom of delivery. was handed out at the workshop. Expression Institute and saw lead- “Our leaders lack skills to really But it was not always against ers from ten rural towns discussing listen and to address our concerns. poor service delivery by local gov- and debating the Regulations of They make empty promises and ernment that people were protest- Gathering Act (RGA) and the Pro- we are tired of it after so many ing, the workshop heard. motion of Access to Information years,” one participant said. “Farm communities are still fac- Act. In April it was reported that ing evictions and the hardships “It is the pain of the people suf- there had been more protests and that go with it in the new democ- fering and waiting, waiting, and demonstrations since President ratic South Africa,” said one mem- when we are tired of waiting then Jacob Zuma assumed office than in ber involved in issues affecting we protest, and perhaps they [the other post-1994 political adminis- farm workers. authorities] will listen to our cry,” trations. Mining companies, many of said one community leader. Participants said they were at whom are BEE compliant, are Community leaders said that the workshop to learn and under- resettling people through forced Learners and staff at St Ursula’s School in Krugersdorp North donned people do not protest because they stand what the procedures and removals like the apartheid their favourite football jerseys and joined in the 2010 World Cup cele- like it, but in most instances it's regulations were that govern regime, said an activist.