January 12 to January 18 , 2011 www.scross.co.za R5,50 (incl VAt RSA) Reg No. 1920/002058/06 No 4712

Fists and fury in Pope Benedict: How to reach Christianity’s Music can speak your goals for holiest place where words fail 2011 Page 10 Page 5 Page 7 SA youth gears up for WYD ’11

By CLAiRe MAtHieSON fact all groups—need clear focus in terms of their goals for WYD,” said Mr Pillay. OCAL preparations for World Youth He explained the beginning of the jour - Day (WYD) 2011 in Madrid, Spain, ney focused almost exclusively on Lare underway. fundraising activities. The pilgrimage has While pilgrims are allowed to attend been quoted at costing individuals individually, various dioceses are arrang - between R1 5 000 and R2 5 000. However, ing tours to the event which will be held Mr Pillay said, “we realised [fundraising] during August—and the archbishop of was not our fundamental purpose of being Johannesburg hopes pilgrims from his together, since fundraising was only a archdiocese will help persuade organisers means to an end, and not the end itself”. to stage the next WYD in South Africa’s largest city. rchbishop Tlhagale said it is important Onlookers watch as firefighters extinguish a fire on the roof of the Our Lady of St Remy Archbishop Buti Tlhagale said he hopes Athat pilgrims attend for the right rea - abbey in Rochefort, Belgium. the abbey is the home of a community of trappist monks, and the archdiocese of Johannesburg will sons. He reminded parishes sending pil - houses one of the world’s five breweries operated by the order. the Rochefort brewery was attend as one. Failure to do so could grims to bear in mind that these young due to resume operations in the second week of January. Nobody was injured in the blaze “result to the world thinking that the people represent the archdiocese, so repre - which some 70 firefighters put out. (Photo: thierry Dricot, Reuters/CNS) archdiocese of Johannesburg is not uni - sentatives should be of “good morals and fied, which could result to possi - values, as this is going to be a bilities of us hosting the next spiritual journey which we’ll be WYD being slim”, he warned. taking with the pope”. Nigerian head urged to act on attacks The archdiocese of Johannes - Likewise, the group from Port burg has strongly advised pilgrims Elizabeth has taken a “holistic” By PeteR AJAyi DADA to register through its youth approach to the preparations to office. Archbishop Tlhagale has ensure the spiritual dimension of RCHBISHOP John Olorunfemi said that WYD is “a pilgrimage for the journey is properly estab - Onaiyekan of Abuja has urged Niger - young people from all over the lished. Some exercises to achieve Aian President Goodluck Jonathan to world, representing their different this included rediscovering tradi - take bold steps to address the level of inse - dioceses, metropolitans and vari - tional Catholic prayers, reciting curity in the country. ous organisations”. the Rosary, Eucharistic adoration Archbishop Onaiyekan, former president Youth in the Johannesburg and spiritual reflections. of the Christian Association of Nigeria, archdiocese have been meeting Mr Pillay said it is important spoke to journalists after a bomb blast in his monthly in preparation for the WYD. that the pilgrims be united in their jour - city and other violence and attacks in and They have started working on musical ney. Through bonding with each other around the city of Jos. beats, lyrics, and working on designing the “we begin to experience the face of Christ “What is expected of Jonathan’s adminis - uniform. in a personal and profound way”, he said. tration at the moment is clear, vivid and The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ The Sacred Heart pilgrims have, as part strict measures in tackling the continuous Conference is also expected to propose a of their preparations, tried to take their cases of bomb blasts in the country,” the A man mourns at the grave of people who specific design of t-shirts for the entire work outside of the visible boundaries of archbishop said. died in last month’s riots in Nigeria’s central Southern Africa to unify pilgrims even fur - the Church and have become involved in He said that in dealing with issues of ter - city of Jos. (Photo: Afolabi Sotunde, ther. soup kitchens and Amnesty International Reuters/CNS) rorism, politics should be separated from Preparations in the diocese of Port Eliz - campaigns. Mr Pillay said the goal of the criminality. He added that suspects in ter - abeth have included a busy fundraising Sacred Heart group is to mirror the theme rorist acts are treated with kid gloves. be the most powerful nation in Africa, schedule. Diocesan youth chairwoman of WYD 2011: “Rooted and built up in “If you bombed and killed people, that is parading the strongest military might, to be Gail Smith said various parishes were Jesus Christ, Firm in the Faith”. criminal,” he said. “If you carry bombs held by the jugular by a faceless group of undertaking projects to mobilise the Fr Charles Prince of the youth desk in around and detonate them with the aim of individuals. Where, then, is the security of youth. the archdiocese in Cape Town said indi - killing and destroying not only this country? Who are members of this The parish of Sacred Heart in Port Eliza - vidual parishes are sending pilgrims and persons...but their properties, that is a crimi - group?” the cardinal asked. beth has devised a three-tier strategic pri - have been arranging the pilgrimage over nal act that requires the prompt action in “My advice to the president is for him to ority plan to ensure the pilgrims are ready the past few months, but have simply punishing the culprits.” show now that there is a government in to attend the event. been guided by the archdiocese. In late December, Lagos Cardinal Antho - place in this country by taking the bull by “Our parish pilgrims operate under a Those still interested in getting ny Olubunmi Okogie warned that if the cur - the horn,’’ he said. three tier priority plan which entails spiri - involved in WYD should contact their rent government fails to deal with perennial Meanwhile, prominent Christian and tuality, fundraising and team building and local diocese office. sectarian crises, Nigerians would be forced Muslim leaders have accused politicians social engagement,” said Alexis Pillay, pil - This year will mark the 16th time the to pick up the gauntlet and defend them - who want to sabotage the April national grimage leader for Sacred Heart. world’s youth has been called together for selves. and local elections of instigating the recent “Very early on in our meetings, Sacred the World Youth Day (WYD) which was “It is not right for a country reputed to violence.—CNS Heart pilgrims realised that our group—in initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1985. JP2’s sainthood cause gets miracle boost

By CAROL GLAtz still have to sign a decree formally recog - the congregation and, finally, Pope Bene - nising it before a beatification ceremony dict. PRESUMED miracle needed for the can be scheduled. In 2005, Pope Benedict set Pope John beatification of the late Pope John Mr Tornielli, who covers the Vatican for Paul, who died in April that year, on the APaul II reportedly has reached the the newspaper Il Giornale , wrote that the fast track to beatification by waiving the final stages of approval. process is so far advanced that Pope John normal five-year waiting period for the The miracle—involving a French nun Paul could be beatified sometime this year. introduction of his sainthood cause. said to have been cured of Parkinson’s dis - Vatican spokesman Fr Federico Lombar - The initial diocesan phase of the cause ease—has been approved by a Vatican med - di SJ said that the final step before beatifi - was completed in April 2007. After a team ical board and a group of theologians and cation requires the pope’s approval and of theological consultants to the Congrega - is now awaiting judgment from the mem - that the pope is free to make his own deci - tion for Saints’ Causes studied the 2 000- bers of the Congregation for Saints’ Causes, sion on the matter. page positio , the document that makes the according to Italian journalist Andrea According to Mr Tornielli, at the end of case for beatification, Tornielli. 2010, the presumed miracle passed the first Pope Benedict formally decreed in Sr Marie-Simon-Pierre who is said to have If the congregation accepts the healing three stages in a five-step process that December 2009 that Pope John Paul had been cured of Parkinson’s disease through as a miracle attributable to the late pope’s involves medical experts, a medical board, heroically lived the Christian virtues and the intercession of Pope John Paul ii. intercession, then Pope Benedict would theological consultants, the members of was venerable.—CNS (Photo: Serge Pagano, Reuters/CNS) 2 the Southern Cross, January 12 to January 18, 2011 LOCAL Bishop slams ‘vocation drought’ Cardinal slams ‘annoying’ StAFF RePORteR N his homily at the final profession of Mass confusion Cecilia Mavutheka, Bishop Sithem - Ibele Sipuka of Mthatha spoke out on By CLAiRe MAtHieSON ground for 40 years and is now the Mass, the people rise and the “rarity of vocation to religious life” a widespread error saying answer: “May the Lord…” and “lack of perseverance”. ARDINAL Wilfrid Napier “sadly it seems to be nearly as Cardinal Napier said in prin - “In the drought of vocation, Sr Cecil - of Durban has criticised widespread now as it was ciple the liturgy requires con - ia dares to make her final vows,” Bishop Cthe confusion and “aber - then”. gregants to answer clearly and Sipuka said. rations” in the use of the new He pointed out that the with full attention, “so we Bishop Sipuka compared the religious translation of the Order of the word has only two syllables need to work out when we life to the life and values lived by John Mass. (grie-vous) and is not pro - stand and when we answer”. the Baptist. Writing in his monthly nounced ‘grie-vi-ous’, which is He said it was simple during Sr Mavutheka took her vows as an “Cardinal’s Corner” column in both spelt incorrectly and pro - solemn high Mass as the peo - Ursuline Sister and will be based in the Durban archdiocese’s newslet - nounced with three syllables ple rise for the incensation and Eastern Cape. ter, Cardinal Napier said that and is therefore incorrect. remain standing, however it The celebration was held at Mount “it is necessary to draw atten - The cardinal’s second con - was necessary to “try to find a Nicholas Church in Libode, Mthatha. Bishop Sithembele Sipuka and Ursuline tion to some aberrations that cern is the “Amen” at the end similar convenient and suitable Also at the celebration, with the Sister Cecilia Mavutheka. have crept, almost unnoticed, of the people’s response to the moment at ordinary Masses. into the new translation of the Orate fratres (“Pray, Brothers He felt the best solution to theme “Keep my flame burning”, was Sr made a commitment to be loving Lissy Thomas SU, Ursuline mother gen - Order of the Mass”. and Sisters”). “The ‘Amen’ the issue was for the people to whether or not the feeling of love is pre - He focused on three particu - mentioned in the rubrics is remain seated for the offertory eral Sr Nicole Glenz, her assistant Sr sent. Therefore, the energy of being lar issues. The first is a matter actually meant to be said by and rise only after the priest Rekha Kurien, and religious from the loved and the will to love is the secret, a of pronunciation which he said the people in answer to the has invited the people to pray, Mthatha and Mariannhill dioceses. source of this rare desert flower—Sr is “minor but persistent”. It Prayers over the gifts,” Cardi - pausing until the commotion Sr Thomas said it took courage to Cecilia—to bloom and to persevere in occurs during the “I confess” nal Napier clarified. is over, and then praying commit yourself to a mission. the midst of the drought of vocations. prayer which includes the The third issue was together. “The love and faith Sr Cecilia has in “We thank the Lord for the gift of words: “Through my fault, described by Cardinal Napier as “This will work if both the the Lord enabled her to make this life her, her self-gift to our Ursuline family through my fault, through my the most “annoying”. There is priest and the people observe long commitment to the person of Jesus and her family’s selfless gift of her to us. most grievous fault.” Cardinal confusion as to when the con - the principle regarding motion and to his mission. Jesus’ mission is May she continue to blossom to the full - Napier said the mispronuncia - gregation should stand at the and speech. Do not move nothing but to love human beings just ness even if she is faced by the worst tion of the word “grievous” has end of the offertory, he said. while you are praying. Do not as the Father has loved him,” said Sr desert droughts in life and may she resurfaced after being under - According to the Order of pray while you are moving!” Thomas. quench her thirst from the spring of She added: “A truly loving person has God’s love.” Body calls for ‘review’ on controversial Church issues StAFF RePORteR tive but to set ourselves to work be seen as a way of dealing with for a renewal of the Church in these, especially in the case of HE international We Are the spirit of Vatican II,” the let - theologians.” Church movement, which ter said. The group also called for a Tcalls for reform within the The group which includes review of the Church’s “position Catholic Church, now has a eminent theologians, lay lead - on sexuality and sexual morali - presence in South Africa. ers, academics, journalists, reli - ty”, the option of In a letter to the region’s gious and priests, called for “an a married priesthood, “the bishops, We Are Church said ethos on the part of those in admission of women to all that its members are “a growing authority in the Church that is Church ministries”, and number of South African characterised by a proper humil - “the building of a Church of Catholics who are troubled by ity in their service of the brothers and sisters that certain teachings and attitudes Church, that seeks to promote recognises the equal dignity and of the magisterium, in particular freedom of speech and thought responsibility of all Parishioners of the Divine Mercy church, the local Polish community and donors that of the Holy See, which we rallied together to raise funds and buy a 4000m ² plot of land for a new church to be and dialogue, especially with the baptised by including believe work against the mission built in Walkerville, 30km outside Johannesburg. it took two years of raising funds those critical of them, both the laity in the election of the Church in today’s world”. for the dream to become a reality. Parishioners are currently holding services in a within the Church and outside of bishops in their local Church - “After prayerfully applying it”. es”. tent erected on the site where the church will be built. the foundation stone for the I church was blessed by four local priests and placed on a small shrine where the our minds, and examining our The letter added: “Anathe - We Are Church can be contacted altar of the new church will be. the stone travelled from Poland from the grave of consciences, we find no alterna - mas and exclusions would never at [email protected] St Faustina Kowalska, whose visions gave rise to the Divine Mercy devotion. the church will cost between R10 and R12 million and will take two years to construct. the modern structure is expected to accommodate over 1000 parishioners. Pic - Premier recognises Church’s effort tured are: Fr Stainislaw Jagodzinski (right) and Fr Francios Dufour. (Photo: Jan Kopec) By CLAiRe MAtHieSON drawn up. to run programmes for the Also in attendance was youth. Ms Mokonyaner, who VER 160 people repre - Gauteng Premier Nomvula was also a Child of Mary, was senting 55 parishes Mokonyane who hailed the kept busy on weekends by the Ofrom across the arch - role the Church played in the Church in her youth and she HOT POT PAINT diocese of Johannesburg struggle against apartheid. Ms was given opportunities to J.M.J attended the Justice and Peace Mokonyane spoke of the travel which she would not AND HARDWARE Annual Conference. Justice importance of the Church and have had otherwise. and Peace Coordinator Dawn individual Catholics to part - Ms Mokonyane appearance (PTY) LTD Linder said the conference was ner government in its work. has inspired parish members a success as it was an opportu - Having been brought up to concentrate on combating nity to share information and Catholic herself, the premier drugs, crime and violence in 46, 12th Street, Springs, 1559 to put into action the plans specifically asked the Church their parish. Tel: (011) 362 3071, (011) 362 4682/3, (011) 8121655/6/7 BRANCHES: Springs (011) 362 3071 Is God Vereeniging (016) 427 5525 calling you Alberton (011) 907 8676 to the Benoni (011) 422 2331 Religious Heidelberg (016) 349 5886 Life in the Boksburg (011) 892 5186 Franciscan Randburg (011) 678 2436 St Francis Lephalale (Ellisras) Family? Mike or Annette (014) 763 3147 We Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception strengthen our STOCKISTS OF: Paint, Hardware, Geysers, Roll- relationship with God by prayer in up garage doors, Sink tops, Bosch Power Tools. order to serve Him and His people. We work with all age-groups and where the Church ALL AT THE VERY BEST PRICES! needs us. If you wish to know more about us, contact: Looking to open franchises in ALL areas. The Vocations Directress at If interested please contact PO Box 2912, Middelburg, 1050. Nero or Gerald on 083 4606650 Tel (013) 243 3410, 072 213 4671 LOCAL the Southern Cross, January 12 to January 18, 2011 3 16 Days of Activism: Impact failed

By CLAiRe MAtHieSON explained. She said far more was needed to make HE 16 Days of Activism campaign the campaign a success—not only in against violence on women and chil - increasing awareness, but also from gov - Tdren has failed to make an impact, a ernment’s side to continue to produce leg - Church-based researcher has said. islation to protect the vulnerable. She said Lois Law of the Catholic Parliamentary it was important to reflect on the year and Liaison Office (CPLO), a body of the campaign gone to better prepare for 2011. Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Con - The international concept of activism ference, said the 2010 campaign, which against women and child abuse was ran from the International Day of No Vio - adopted by government to make people lence against Women in November, and aware of the negative impact of violence concluded with International Human on women and children. The event helps Rights Day in December, had been sym - increase awareness of abuse and builds bolically significant as it shared anniver - support for victims and survivors of abuse. saries with the 10th anniversary of the National police commissioner Bheki adoption of the Millennium Development Cele has said that he will not end the 16 Goals; the 15th anniversary of the Beijing Days of Activism Campaign, saying efforts Declaration and Platform for Action; the to address crime against women and chil - declaration of the African Decade for dren never stop. Woman (2010-2020); and the 30th Dawn Linder of the Justice and Peace anniversary of the Convention for the desk of the archdiocese of Johannesburg, Elimination of All Forms of Discrimina - told The Southern Cross in November there tion against Women. is a real need for campaigns like the 16 In South Africa, the past year saw the Days of Activism to be observed. implementation of a number of pieces of “Every day we see examples of abuse in legislation that aimed to protect and pro - our newspapers. The issue is obvious and mote the rights of women and children, it’s obvious that something needs to be including the Children’s Act, the Child done”. Justice Act, and the Sexual Offences Act. However, Ms Linder said the dialogue But while South Africa is a signatory to should not just be limited to the two- many and various international conven - week period. “This needs to be spoken tions, charters, declarations and treaties, Various campaigns took place during the about all the time”. which assert the rights of the vulnerable, 16 Days of Activism, including this one by Ms Linder said more needed to be done Ms Law said “the number of crimes government. by everyone involved. against children and women continue to “Women need to be regarded, promot - increase”. ed and developed consciously. We need In the first week of the campaign, there Ms Law said the 16 Days campaign had to be aware of the situation women are were 48 murders and 93 rapes in the highlighted the “structural” violence of in.” Western Cape alone. Of those raped, 62 poverty, unemployment and informal set - She said the efforts exerted over the 16 were children. tlements which “all conspire against the day period need to be extended through - “There is a desperate need to translate well-being of vulnerable groups”. out the year in our country. the vision and hope expressed in many of She added that substance abuse, gang According to statistics released by the these instruments and laws into concrete violence and difficulties in accessing South African Police services one woman policies and programmes that will bring health and social services also play a con - is raped every 17 seconds. them to life. Failure to do so renders them siderable role. merely the stuff of dreams and leaves yet “All of these militate against another generation of the vulnerable the healthy socialisation of chil - without protection,” Ms Law said. dren, and place an undue bur - She added that the evaluation report den on women, who are very on the progress being made towards the often alone in carrying the Millennium Development Goals (whose responsibility of trying to deadline of 2015 is fast approaching) was ensure a degree of stability and “disappointing”. care in the home,” Ms Law

What’s new wiith you? Send your news and photographs to: The Southern Cross, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 You can also email [email protected] 4 the Southern Cross, January 12 to January 18, 2011 INTERNATIONAL Bishop: Muslims ‘upset’ over Egypt church bombing By DOReeN ABi RAAD Christians, but one commentator League to meet to protect the & JOHN tHAViS said religious rhetoric and media safety of both Christians and reports might have led to the Muslims. N Egyptian Catholic leader bombings. “We cannot be content with said he had received many “It is a clear criminal and ter - verbal condemnations, as the Amessages of support from rorist act targeting innocent pope said. There should be action Muslims after the New Year’s Day Christians,” Melkite Catholic on the ground,” Bishop Rai said bombing of an Orthodox church Patriarch Gregoire III Laham of in a statement. which killed about two dozen Damascus, Syria, said in a state - Bishop Zakaria said he thought people. ment during a pastoral visit to the bombing was carried out by Coptic Catholic Bishop Egypt. “It is a phenomenon that “someone from outside of Egypt”. Youhannes Zakaria of Luxor said calls for anxiety and vigilance “Like [the attacks] in Iraq, as he had received many visits from that Christians might be a target well as Pakistan, India, Nigeria, A Christian man shouts while holding an image of Christ during a protest Muslims—ordinary individuals for terrorist acts which move and all over the world, it is a in Cairo. Angry protesters battled police as they demanded more protec - and officials, including the gover - from one area to another.” political war, and not a religious tion following a New year’s Day bombing at a Coptic Orthodox church. nor—expressing their sympathy The patriarch called for Arab war,” he said. “The victims are (Photo: Mohamed Abd el-Ghany, Reuters/CNS) and solidarity after the attack on and international action against always ordinary people.” the Coptic Orthodox church in terrorism. Alexandria, Egypt. “The targeting of Christians is eaders of the Coptic Catholic Awad Hanna of Alexandria told “They should begin teaching “They [Muslims] don’t accept a clear plan to empty the Orient LChurch said a deadly attack the Vatican newspaper, L’Osser - tolerance to children in elemen - this violence. They are very upset of its basic components,” he said. against Christian worshippers vatore Romano. tary schools. At present, there is about this,” he said. Pope Benedict called the was an act of political destabilisa - Bishop Hanna pointed hope - no effort on the part of teachers In Cairo, Jason Belanger, repre - bombing a “despicable gesture of tion and a sign of the increasing - fully to a recent proposal by an to impart the concept of unity in sentative for Catholic Relief Ser - death” and part of a “strategy of ly radical “Islamisation” of the official of the al-Azhar mosque in the respect of differences,” he vices in Egypt, said the attack was violence that targets Christians”. country. Cairo to establish a new interreli - said. the largest against Coptic Chris - He said the bombing had reper - “The newspapers are pointing gious dialogue organisation called In November, about ten hous - tians in the past ten years, and he cussions on the entire Egyptian the finger at al-Qaeda. But terror - the “House of the Egyptian Fami - es belonging to Coptic Christians was concerned this could signal population and offered prayers ism arises in sectors of the Mus - ly”, which would include seven as well as several Christian- an increase of attacks not only for the victims and their families. lim society where other organisa - Christian and seven Muslim rep - owned businesses in Upper Egypt against Christians in Egypt but Maronite Bishop Bechara Rai tions encourage intolerance. For resentatives. were burned and ransacked. Last against Christians in the entire of Jbeil, Lebanon, called for an 40 years in Egypt, there has been Bishop Hanna said Egyptian January, seven Christians were Middle East. Islamic summit to stop attacks a creeping Islamisation that per - schools were the most effective killed in another bombing attack Others also saw the attacks as targeting Christians in Egypt and vades every area of society,” Cop - place to stem the spread of funda - on a Coptic Orthodox church.— part of a plot against Mideast Iraq. He also called on the Arab tic Auxiliary Bishop Kamal Fahim mentalism. CNS Pope names new prefect for religious

VISIT US ON THE WEB By CiNDy WOODeN became auxiliary bish - numbers of consecrated op of Vitoria in 1994 men and women on INTERACT! OPE Benedict has named and four years later the secularisation of Brazilian Archbishop João bishop of Ponta society and of religious Discuss articles PBraz de Aviz of Brasilia, not Grossa. In 2002, he orders themselves. with readers a member of a religious order, was named archbish - In January 2009, to head the Congregation for op of Maringa and in Cardinal Rodé ordered Subscribe to articles Institutes of Consecrated Life 2004 archbishop of an apostolic visitation and Societies of Apostolic Life. E-mail articles Brasilia. of women’s orders in The 63-year-old archbishop Cardinal Rodé’s the United States. (pictured) succeeds Cardinal tenure at the congre - Cardinal Rodé said Look through our Franc Rodé, the 76-year-old gation has been the visitation was archives Vincentian who held the post marked by strong support for designed “to encourage voca - for almost seven years. religious congregations—espe - tions and assure a better future Subscribe to Since 1973, prelates ordained cially new communities—that for women religious” in the US the DIGITAL for religious orders and for dio - emphasise what many consider by responding to concerns Southern Cross & ceses have alternated in holding to be a very traditional style of involving “some irregularities or FREE e-newsletter the post of prefect of the con - religious life, and by criticism of omissions in American religious gregation overseeing religious orders seen as having gone too life”, adding that “most of www.scross.co.za life in the Catholic Church. In far in adapting to modern life all...it involves a certain secular the past 100 years, 11 of the 18 since the Second Vatican Coun - mentality that has spread in prefects did not belong to a reli - cil. these religious families and, per - gious order. The Slovenian cardinal has haps, also a certain ‘feminist’ FRANCISCAN NARDINI SISTERS Archbishop Braz de Aviz blamed much of the drop in spirit”.—CNS Pope Benedict’s 2011 calendar is busy By JOHN tHAViS over more than 50 major litur - Italy during the year. gies. Similar celebrations are At the Vatican, the pope OR Pope Benedict’s 2011 already penned into the 2011 resumes his weekly audiences calendar already holds a full calendar, at home and abroad. every Wednesday, where he has Fslate of meetings, liturgies They range from one-hour been sketching brief biographies and foreign trips. prayer services to three-hour of early Church saints, writers What’s not on the calendar— ordination Masses and normally and mystics. He normally at least so far—is a special “year include at least two liturgies to makes at least one other public of” or a “year for”. In 2008-09, proclaim new saints. appearance each week, greeting the pope declared a Year of St Easter arrives very late—April pilgrims from his apartment Paul. He designated 2009-10 the 24—and with it comes the window at midday on Sundays. Year for Priests. heaviest week of liturgies and The pope generally furnishes Perhaps 2011 will mark the public appearances by the pope. messages or letters to mark a Year of Business as Usual for the German pontiff, who turns 84 Ahead of Easter, the Vatican whole slew of other annual in April. plans to publish Pope Benedict’s events—for migrants and Unlike the past three years, new volume in his series on the refugees, for the sick, for reli - there’s no Synod of Bishops on life of Christ. Titled Jesus of gious, for priestly vocations, for the horizon in 2011. Most peo - Nazareth: Part Two, Holy Week: missionaries, for young people, ple are not expecting a consisto - From the Entrance Into Jerusalem for the hungry and for commu - ry this year, either, and there is to the Resurrection , it picks up nicators. no sign that the pope plans to where the best-selling first vol - Although Pope Benedict is convene the world’s cardinals at ume left off. widely seen as less prolific than the Vatican for other reasons. Throughout the year, the Pope John Paul II, his verbal Blessed Paul Joseph Nardini What many people don’t pope will hold ad limina meet - output each year is impressive: appreciate is that the papacy is ings with bishops from other about 300 speeches and talks, not just about commemorative countries: the Philippines, more than 50 homilies and years and cardinal summits. India, Indonesia, Australia, nearly 100 other missives of For more information, contact the Vocation team at “Business as usual” for the pope Angola, New Zealand and the varying length and importance. means a steady series of events Pacific Ocean area. In his recent book-length P/Bag X9309 PO Box 194 PO Box 12 that begins with a New Year’s The pope will break away interview, Pope Benedict said Vryheid 3100 Wasbank 2920 Nkandla 3855 Mass to mark World Peace Day from the Vatican on four for - the day-in, day-out schedule of and ends with a “Te Deum” eign trips: June 4-5 in Croatia; the papacy was pretty taxing for Tel: 03 4 98 1 6158 03 4 65 1 1444 03 5 83 3 0033 prayer service of thanksgiving August 18-21 in Madrid for someone his age. He spoke Fax: 03 4 98 3 2012 03 4 65 1 1096 03 5 83 3 0317 on December 31. World Youth Day; September openly about his diminishing In between are hundreds of 22-25 in Germany; and Novem - energy, and even left open the papal encounters with individu - ber 18-20 in the West African possibility of eventual papal E-mail E-mail: E-mail: als and groups, ranging from country of Benin. He’ll also retirement—but as his 2011 cal - [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] heads of state to schoolchildren. make a two-day visit to Venice endar makes clear, he’s not In 2010, the pope presided in May and three other trips in ready for that yet.—CNS INTERNATIONAL the Southern Cross, January 12 to January 18, 2011 5 Pope tightens Vatican’s finance control By JOHN tHAViS “In our age of increasing globali - deposited in a Rome bank account. sation, peace is unfortunately The Vatican criticised the confisca - OPE Benedict has instituted a threatened by many factors, tion, saying the deposit was legiti - new agency to monitor all including an improper use of the mate and that the Vatican bank PVatican financial operations market and the economy, and the was committed to “full transparen - and make sure they meet interna - terrible and destructive violence cy” in its operations. tional norms against money-laun - perpetrated by terrorism, which The Vatican has been working dering and the financing of terror - causes death, suffering, hatred and for some time with Italian and ism. social instability,” the pope said. international authorities to comply The pope issued an apostolic let - The creation of such an over - with procedures that ensure funds ter that established the Financial sight agency is unprecedented at are not used for terrorism or Information Authority as an inde - pendent agency to oversee the the Vatican, where several depart - money-laundering. The new docu - monetary and commercial activi - ments have operated with some ments represent the fruit of those ties of all Vatican-related institu - degree of financial independence efforts. tions, including the Vatican bank. for decades or centuries. All Vatican agencies are now At the same time, the Vatican Vatican spokesman Fr Federico required to verify the standing of promulgated a detailed new law Lombardi SJ described the move as any potential business partners, that defined financial crimes and a courageous step that reflects the keep detailed records of all transac - established penalties—including moral requirement of “transparen - tions and report any suspicious possible jail time—for their viola - cy, honesty and responsibility” in transactions. Anyone entering or tion. The list of transgressions the Vatican’s operations. leaving Vatican City with 1 0 000 includes corruption, market “Vatican organisations will be euros or more in cash must now Mass is celebrated in the grotto at the Shrine of Our Lady of Lourdes in manipulation, fraud and virtually less vulnerable in the face of the declare it in writing. France in this 2008 photo. Repair work to prevent falling rocks began at any activity that facilitates or pro - continuous risks that inevitably The Vatican bank handles the grotto this month and is expected to continue through February. vides funding to acts of terrorism. arise in the handling of money. accounts of religious orders and (Photo: Nancy Wiechec, CNS) The new law, which reflects the lat - Those errors which so quickly other Catholic institutions. It was est European Union regulations, become the cause of ‘scandal’ for involved in a major Italian banking takes effect on April 1. public opinion and the faithful will scandal in the 1980s, when fraud Lourdes grotto in The pope’s brief apostolic letter be avoided,” Fr Lombardi said. led to the collapse of Italy’s Banco said the Vatican fully supported The move came several months Ambrosiano. Although denying the international community’s after Italian treasury police, in a wrongdoing, Vatican bank officials landslide threat efforts to coordinate a response to money-laundering probe, seized 23 made what they called a “good will financial crimes, which often million euros (more than R200 mil - payment” of about $240 million to involve more than one country. lion) that the Vatican bank had the failed bank’s creditors.—CNS By JONAtHAN LUxMOORe side has been affected during bad weather by very high humidity, HE Shrine of Our Lady of which has led to the development Lourdes, one of Europe’s of vegetation,” Bishop Perrier told Anglican bishops received into Catholic Church Tbest-known pilgrimage sites, reporters. has been partially closed for By SiMON CALDWeLL 2009, to allow the group reception minster, the most senior former “These conditions have con - of disaffected Anglo-Catholics into Anglican priest in the Catholic repairs amid reports that falling tributed to erosions in the rock, Three former Anglican bishops the Catholic Church. Church in England and Wales. rocks in its fabled grotto could sig - principally horizontal, which have been received into the nal a major landslide. Similar in structure to a military The ceremony was not publi - have caused water to stagnate in Catholic Church. Work to secure the massive diocese, it permits former Anglicans cised by the Catholic authorities the stone and split it when Bishops Andrew Burnham of rock face above the grotto started to retain much of the patrimony and was described by witnesses as frozen. Year by year, the rock is Ebbsfleet, John Broadhurst of Ful - on January 3 and is expected to and liturgical practices, such as “low-key”. One of them, Fr Sean shifting.” ham and Keith Newton of Richbor - continue through February, said The project will find workers married priests. Finnegan, wrote on his blog later the diocese of Tarbes and Lourdes. ough will be soon ordained as Also received into the Church that the former bishops wore suits affixing lose chunks of rock, priests for a special Anglican ordi - Despite the work, the grotto some weighing up to 15 tonnes, were Judi Broadhurst, the wife of and ties. nariate that will be set up in Eng - would remain “open and welcom - to the existing rock face. Safety the former bishop of Fulham, and The ordinariate is initially land later in January. ing” during construction, the dio - nets also will be installed to catch Gill Newton, the wife of the former expected to include about 50 for - cese said. any rocks that may fall in the They were received into the bishop of Richborough. mer Anglican bishops and clergy Bishop Jacques Perrier of future. Catholic Church during a Mass in Three former Anglican nuns— and hundreds of lay worshippers Tarbes and Lourdes detailed some Lourdes, near the Pyrenées London’s Westminster cathedral. Srs Carolyne Joseph, Wendy Renate divided into about 30 groups. of the work to be completed. He mountains in southern France, They will be ordained as and Jane Louise—who had left the Most will be received into the said the celebration of Mass attracts about 6 million visitors Catholic deacons on January 13, Sisters of St Margaret to join the Catholic Church during Holy Week would be cancelled but that the annually and has been a place of then as priests at a ceremony in the ordinariate, were also received into in April after undergoing an inten - daily rosary service would contin - pilgrimage since 1858, when St cathedral on January 15. the Church during the Mass, along sive period of instruction. ue until repairs are completed. Bernardette Soubirous reportedly The ordinariate will be the first with an unspecified number of for - Most former Anglican groups “The rope inspection revealed experienced the first of 18 visions to be created since the pope issued mer lay Anglicans. will be encouraged to share church that the rock on the north-west of Mary.—CNS the apostolic constitution Angli - The Mass was celebrated by Aux - buildings with their local Catholic canorum coetibus on November 4, iliary Bishop Alan Hopes of West - parishes.—CNS Pope: Music can speak when words fail

By CAROL GLAtz the Vatican’s Paul VI hall. The singers were taking part HEN words are not in the International Congress of enough, beautiful Pueri Cantores in Rome. Wmusic can express the Pope Benedict—whose broth - joy and mystery of God’s love, er, Mgr Georg Ratzinger, was the Pope Benedict has said. choirmaster at Regensburg’s “It is hard to find words to cathedral in Germany—remind - convey the sheer joy of the ed the young people that their soul’s loving encounter with singing was a service to God, to God; indeed, the great mystics fellow worshippers and to the could only remain silent before whole Church. the mystery,” he told about Using their musical talents 4500 young choir singers, their for the liturgy gave God “the family members, friends and praise that is due” and helped choirmasters from dozens of parishioners “raise their hearts countries. and minds to the Lord in “Yet beautiful music is able to prayer”, said the pope. express something of the mys - About 4 0 000 young people Pope Benedict greets people tery of God’s love for us and are part of the international fed - upon arriving for an audience with ours for him,” he said in an eration, present in 35 coun - some 4 500 young choir mem - audience with the choristers in tries.—CNS bers. (Photo: Paul Haring, CNS) Health alert after Communion

10:30am or noon Masses on statement that anyone exposed HE health department on December 25 had contracted to Hepatitis-A “should receive New York’s Long Island the virus. immune globulin or a hepatitis Toffered Hepatitis-A vac - “We pray that no one comes A vaccination within two weeks cines to parishioners at Our down with this virus,” said Sean of exposure”. Lady of Lourdes church who Dolan, director of communica - It said the virus can be might have been exposed to tions for the diocese of Rockville spread “by consuming food or Hepatitis-A when receiving Center, in a statement. drink that has been handled by Communion at two Christmas He said the diocese and the an infected person” or by Day Masses. parish were “cooperating fully” “putting something in the Mary Ellen Laurain, a spokes - with the health department and mouth that has been contami - woman for the department, said urged parishioners who attend - nated with the stool of a person an individual “involved in the ed either of the two Masses to with Hepatitis-A ”. Communion process” had test - contact the department, which “Casual contact, as in sitting ed positive for the virus but offered vaccinations in the in church during Mass, office or would not say whether any parish school’s auditorium. school setting, does not spread parishioners who attended the The department said in a the virus,” it added.—CNS 6 the Southern Cross, January 12 to January 18, 2011 LEADE R PAGE

The Editor reserves the right to shorten or edit published letters. Letters below 300 words receive LETTERS TO preference. Pseudonyms are acceptable only under special circumstances and at the Editor’s discre - THE EDITOR tion. Name and address of the writer must be supplied. No anonymous letter will be considered.

Editor: Günther Simmermacher Road safety and carnage and “fire” it at them. But a real lanes and crowded high streets. Being proudly Catholic OUR correspondent, Manny gun, absolutely and uncondition - Why is there no explicit differ - de Freitas (December 15), ally, no! entiation? The musician Jub Jub Yespecially since he writes as Likewise I would say the same was possibly within this legal view will say that Christians the shadow deputy minister for ARDINAL Keith O’Brien enjoy full religious freedom, but to an adult, over whom I have speed limit when he is alleged to of Edinburgh, Scotland, transport, prompts me once again authority, who cannot demon - have mowed down those school - that their freedom must be exer - to complain at the visible lack of has complained that in strate that he has an indisputable children. So he may, one could C cised out of public view (a con - serious concern on the part of gov - Britain freedom of religious need for such a horrendous suppose, yet try to claim it in miti - straint that is not applied to ernment to take decisive and effec - expression “is not upheld in our weapon. gation, which most definitely other religions). In other words, tive steps not only to reduce the I have yet to find anyone who midst as widely and completely Christians are expected to live accident rate on our roads, but to should not be allowed. as it should be”. can explain to me why such a pro - The only way that the carnage their faith in a spiritual ghetto. totally eliminate it. Why is it hibition is not extended to the Indeed, in much of Western on our roads can be absolutely That is not religious freedom; apparently so difficult? equally horrendous and lethal eliminated, and very simply and society, religious freedom is it is discrimination. If my 3-year old child cannot be motor vehicle that is to be found cheaply at that, is to prohibit the under pressure, to the point These influences are also trusted with an AK47—and he by the millions on our public that the bishops’ conferences of becoming apparent in some sec - cannot—do I therefore tell him to highways and city streets. Nobody manufacture, import and licensing Europe have established an tors of South African society. be very careful with it? And pun - that I know of has any need for a of motor vehicles that are capable Observatory on Intolerance and The Catholic Church must be ish him every time he shoots or vehicle that is capable of exceed - of speeds in excess of 120km/h. Discrimination against Chris - part of a movement that tries to shoot one of my friends? ing the national speed limit of And vehicles that cannot exceed 60km/h should carry a substantial tians in Europe. reasserts the Christian heritage, Surely, I explain to him that he 120km/h, except for racing dri - tax benefit and/or minimal annual The Observatory recently and not only by reactive and just can’t have one. And, no, he vers, who are restricted to driving licence fee. issued a report detailing what it angry protest (though that too cannot have an Uzzi sub-machine them on race tracks. A fast car, that is to say, one called widespread anti-Christian may be necessary at times). gun either. But, yes, he may cer - And, equally incomprehensible that can exceed the national speed activity. The report says that The Church must assert itself tainly have (in my judgment, any - to me, is the unnecessarily high how) a look-alike plastic toy gun, limit, is exactly like an AK47. “radical secularisation and in public discourse. This means legal speed limit of 60km/h that or a water pistol. He may even applies not only to urban arterial Chris Shelmerdine, extreme political correctness” that its leaders must be heard point it at selected (by me!) people roads, but also even to narrow Cape Town limit “fundamental freedom”. not only on the “hot” issues— It is true that in Europe reli - such as bioethics and sexuali - gious freedoms are not compro - ty—which present the Church mised by the threat of violence, Islam are attributed to all Chris - as an institution that seeks only A bitter pill Blessed broadcast tians” (December 6). suppression or dispossession. to prohibit, but also find a voice HE contention that “con - IRSTLY , a big thank you to What is the attitude of Mus - Indeed, churches are free to on those matters that can estab - operate and citizens are not science is the ultimate the SACBC for bringing us lims to non-Muslims? Here are lish a common purpose. moral guide” does not justi - the Midnight Mass with the some statements from the Q’ran: barred from exercising their We must not be silent when T F fy usage of the pill. holy father as I was not able to faith. “The unbelievers are your sworn our faith is marginalised, trivi - In his book Does the Birth Con - make our service this year. There is also no evidence of a enemies...seek out your enemies alised, assaulted, distorted, trol Pill Cause Abortions? , Ameri - What really stood out to me relentlessly.” coordinated campaign against insulted or treated with rank can former Protestant pastor (besides a few facts I never knew) Christianity, even if some oppo - In its early days there was a hypocrisy. When it is, our Randy Alcorn makes and substan - was the presenter translating the co-existence between Jews, Mus - nents of Christianity are acting response must be measured and tiates the following statements: Mass, using the English transla - in concert. Many attacks on lims and Christians in Arabia. respectful of those with whom 1. It is a medical fact that the tion that we stopped using a few However, Mohammed killed the Christian life are arbitrary. pill makes the womb hostile to years ago. we disagree (even when they are Jews in Medina who did not The restrictions can be sub - the implantation therein of the Hats off to our dear pastor, lacking in courtesy), and our accept him and the “sabre” was tle—such as the insistence that battles must be chosen careful - many conceptions that occur who made us first understand the religion belongs in the private during its use, thereby causing Latin and then the new English prescribed for Christians (Sura ly. 9:29). sphere—or aggressive, such as More than any line of argu - early abortions. translation. As the pope was say - the deliberate marginalisation 2. Most secular physicians do ing the Mass and the presenter Muslims do not accept Chris - ment, it is the demonstration of tians who say: “God is the Messi - of Christians in public life. Christian joy and hope that not feel guilty about having pre - translating the response, I imme - Christians are even punished scribed the pill and can thus view diately picked up that he was ah”, “Mary’s son” etc. The Trinity provides a suitable response to is also rejected. Those who assert for wearing symbols of their those who wish to sideline our objectively the medical evidence using the old English translation faith. which proves its abortifacient which did not correspond with these things will go to hell and faith. must be punished now. As Ker - Christians don’t always get a potential, which they accordingly the response of the laity which When Catholics exhibit their accept. did not make sense. berg and Weldon state: “If the fair hearing in the media. Those faith in numbers, as they did in 3. Many Christian physicians I really found a new love for New Testament was not corrupt - journalists with an anti-Christ - Britain during Pope Benedict’s however do feel guilty about hav - the new English translation ed...how could Allah be the inspi - ian agenda often apply an age- visit last September and as they ing prescribed this drug and can because by using it we are defi - ration behind both the Bible and old trick by interviewing reason - doubtless will in Madrid during thus not view the aforesaid med - nitely closer and more united as a the Q’ran, which contradicts able secularist voices on the one the World Youth Day, they ical evidence objectively, which church. it?”— Facts on Islam hand, and hysterical (usually counter the notion that Chris - they accordingly reject. André Gildenhuys, Also, while Christians fall over unrepresentative) Christians on tianity is irrelevant to modern The above information: Cape Town backwards to allow the building the other—and then claim to be life and therefore moribund. 1. is further substantiated by of mosques there is certainly no even-handed. As a Church, especially in a the pill’s manufacturers actually reciprocity in the Islamic world Generally, it is seen as region where Catholics are a informing women that it can also No reciprocity to accept Christianity. The legal - acceptable to treat Christians minority, our priority must be abort as a back-up mechanism, to OUR editorial (December 8) ism of Islam is as deserving of with disrespect, and Christians to give the faithful a stronger assure them that their product is states “A cycle of intoler - condemnation as that of the are made to feel that their faith sense of being Catholic, of fail-safe efficient. ance is perpetuated when Y scribes in Jesus’ time. is somehow offensive to adher - belonging. We must build a 2. poses the question about imprudent characterisations of Women are also treated as ents of other faiths, when it Catholic identity that confi - how many Catholic physicians inferiors, although Islam believes usually offends only those of dently places Christ, the Word still prescribe the pill which, although unintentionally, is the Opinions expressed in The Southern it has delivered women from the none. of God, the sacraments and love most widely used form of chemi - Cross, especially in Letters to the editor, condition of inferiority. But con - The interjection of Alistair at the centre. do not necessarily reflect the views of the cal abortion. See website sider the teaching of the Q’ran Campbell, the erstwhile Labour Those who seek to margin - editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the www.humanlife.org/abortion_does_t Catholic hierarchy. the letters page in par- on polygamy (Sura 4:3) and the Party spin doctor, that “we alise the faith must be shown a he_pill.php for a summary of the ticular is a forum in which readers may repudiation of the wife at the don’t do God” has become a vibrant—not angry—faith that exchange opinions on matters of debate. above mentioned book. sole whim of her husband (Sura mantra. simply will not be excised from Letters must not be understood to neces- Damien McLeish , sarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or 2:226,232). Those who subscribe to that public life. the Church accurately. Johannesburg policies of Peter Onesta , Johannesburg HOLY SITES TRAVEL HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE with Fr Joseph Wilson SEPTEMBER 2011 Organised by Kevin & Debbie Contact: Elna Ferreira on 082 975 0034, E-Mail: [email protected], Website: www.holysites.co.za PERSPECTIVES the Southern Cross, January 12 to January 18, 2011 7

We must save provinces Manny de Freitas Fr Victor Phalana Point of Debate taking place at all tiers of government. This Point of Reflection READ with interest your front page continued and escalating corruption story “Rethink on provinces” of The regresses and destroys any attempt of ser - Southern Cross of November 7-23. I had I vice delivery. She mentions nothing about Ms Taderera criticises the Democratic also read the Catholic Parliamentary Liai - the complete obsession with the ruling Alliance for having a “vested interest in son Office (CPLO) briefing paper on this party to control every nook and cranny of maintaining the status quo as they control What do you want subject, authored by CPLO researcher every lever of power. the Western Cape, and abolishing the Dadisai Taderera. It is clear that the African National Con - province would disturb their stronghold”. Ms Taderera argues that the current gress has one objective in mind: to cen - Interestingly, Ms Taderera says nothing of to achieve in 2011? provincial structure of the country was tralise power and prevent a viable chal - the fact that the Western Cape is function - “due to a compromise aimed at placating lenge to the ANC at provincial level. It ing well. Unbiased proof of this is the fact STILL believe in New Year resolutions. What do competing political interests during the appears that the ANC has made up its that the Western Cape obtained 100% you really want to do this year? Not other peo - transition period in the 1990s”. The impli - mind about the future of the provinces. unqualified audit reports for all provincial Iple’s expectations or wishes. What are your cation here is that this is a bad thing. In The only question is whether it wants to departments and entities. This is the first goals? truth this is a good thing. reduce their number, change their powers, province to have ever done this—and Goals keep you focused. A speaker once said to Firstly, this is democracy in action: or abolish them altogether. within a year of its election as a DA provin - us: “Goals are dreams with deadlines!” where different parties argue their “corner” At the Democracy and Development cial administration. No ANC-governed Before making a resolution—and even now, with the aim of meeting their objectives as conference that Ms Taderera attended, an province has ever achieved a full slate of halfway through the year’s first month, it is not much as possible, yet simultaneously com - academic explained how provinces had unqualified audit reports. too late to do so—ask yourself these questions: promising where possible and necessary. been undermined in his home country of The current administration of the West - Is this what you aspire to something that you Secondly, had compromises on these Ghana. Soon after its 1957 independence, ern Cape is a clear example of how a really want? Is it important for you? Does it matter and many other issues not been reached it Ghana’s provinces were turned into province can actually work. to you? Is it sustainable? What is going to help you would’ve meant some stalemate or even “regions”, and their previous provincial In the debate over the future of our accomplish it? What resources do you need? What civil war as an alternative. powers increasingly and gradually were provinces, it is crucial that citizens, com - is the first thing you need to do to start towards Ms Taderera claims that there is “broad concentrated in the central state. When mentators and researchers alike do not this goal? Is it a long-term or a short-term goal? consensus on the need to review the the ruling party sensed a challenge emerg - simply swallow the ANC’s reasoning. The I suggest that you write down your resolution, provincial system”, but on what basis is ing in any region, regional boundaries most rudimentary research will demon - write down specifics—vividly envisioning goals, she saying this? I, for one, do not feel that were changed to pre-empt the challenge. strate that the reasons currently being describing fully what you want, how to get it and - the system needs to be reviewed, but Simultaneously, more and more “regions” advanced are spurious. This is about power when you know you have it, and the benefits you strengthened. were established in order to create more and control. will receive by achieving it. Then please get behind She states that the primary issue is paid positions for political associates and It is unfortunate that so many people it. “power dynamics” and the “need for a to “buy-off” potential challengers. do not see the impact that scrapping or Have confidence in it. Keep the commitment more sustainable system of governance Almost all examples of failed transitions reducing the provinces will have on our and motivation going. You keep your motivation and service delivery” and the need for “an to democracy indicate that the root cause democracy. There is nothing the ANC going by reading them everyday, put them in a efficient and effective governance structure of the problem is political patronage— won’t do when there is a possible threat place where you can see them and read them. that can deliver goods and services to what the ANC calls “cadre deployment”. that it may lose power at the ballot box. Have a plan, take daily action, measure your uplift the poor and to narrow inequalities”. It is true that some provinces and many And if the ANC is willing to get rid of success. Talk about your goals to a friend, a family Although we can all agree on the unac - local governments have not functioned the provinces to prevent another party member, a spiritual director or a colleague. Be ceptable level of service delivery and the optimally. The question to ask is: why not? from governing at provincial level, one accountable and get yourself a support system. need to provide the required delivery to We need to diagnose the problem correctly wonders what it will do to retain power at Most of us prefer to keep our resolutions private everyone, I fail to see how reducing the if we want to find the right solution. But is national level? so that when we fail, no one can laugh at us. Con - number of provinces, for example, would the ANC interested in finding a solution? I n Manny de Freitas is a member of parliament fiding to someone you trust will make you some - solve these problems. doubt it. The dismal functioning of some for the Democratic Alliance and shadow how accountable. Ms Taderera made no reference to the provinces is a useful pretext for it to cen - deputy minister of transport. He is a parish - Once you have identified your goals for the year constant and unabated corruption that is tralise its own control. ioner of Malvern, Johannesburg. and have made some resolutions: 1. It is important that you stop thinking and start doing. Give it a try. Remember that the longest journey starts with a first step. Mphuthumi 2. Procrastination leads to cancellations. Do not A new political way for SA? delay a task or you’ll fail to finish it altogether. Ntabeni 3. You are the only one responsible for your suc - faith need not be in conflict. Pushing Boundaries cess. You will have no one to blame. HAT do people mean when they Maritain was among the founders of 4. Take baby steps; you can’t move from couch say they are Christian Democrats, what today is known as neo-Thomism, potato to become an instant marathon runner. or that they want to create a 5. Achieve goals while having fun. This is not a W which played a major role in the Church’s tion of the Gospel”. Christian Democratic party? Is that a party punishment. attempt to offer a distinctly Catholic solu - This influenced many Catholic thinkers that espouses a political philosophy of tion to the social question, building on 6. If you slip up, start over again and learn from Christian democracy? And where does the later on, including the current pope. In your mistakes. Pope Leo XII’s 1891 encyclical Rerum 1951’s Man and the State , Maritain declares: African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) novarum . The philosophy’s bedrock, Per - 7. Create a good habit. Consistency counts. feature in this? “Democracy is the only way of bringing Practise your resolution until it becomes part of sonalism, holds that the person flourishes about a moral rationalisation of politics.” What would political programmes only within community and when open to you. infused with Christian doctrinal values The essence of Christian Democracy is God. This derives from Thomist natural Once your goal is clear, emotionally commit look like in a South African situation? what Maritain wrote to the founder of law. Personalism believes families and asso - yourself to achieve it. Whether you want to lose Would they uphold democratic structures Democrazia Cristiana in Italy, De Gasperi, ciations in civil society—not the state— weight, to have a regular prayer schedule, to have a and respect the separation of state and that “Christianity should be the ‘yeast’ of should alleviate social problems so that all spiritual director, to live healthily, to quit smoking, church? Has the ACDP failed to achieve political life, making the liberation from to enrol for a degree, to join the Green Movement, this? If so why? Is it because they attempt members of society could attain their prop - pagan fascism the first step to a new politi - er ends. to enter the marathon—whatever you aim for, to impose rather than infuse Christian val - cal culture based on moral and, to some make sure that the goal is precise, realistic and Unlike the individualism of liberalism, ues on our political economy? How can degree, religious argument”. measurable. Vague goals will be abandoned. A real - Personalism sees the person as always any Christian party succeed? After the war, Christian Democratic par - istic goal can be measured. Learn to reward your - embedded in the community, or, as La Pira Political scientists tell us that modern ties across Western Europe—with Ger - self after every success. put it: “The human personal unfolds politics are ideologically flexible, because many, Austria, and Italy in the lead— Keep on keeping on. Setbacks are not signs of through organic belonging to the succes - they seek to attract a diverse group of vot - turned themselves into mass political failure but an opportunity to review strategies and sive social communities in which it is con - ers. Radical ideas, religious or secular, mat - movements, following the model of the start again. tained and via which it steadily develops ter less compared to how to fix concrete Social Democrats. They incorporated exist - Remind yourself of the words of the psalmist: If and perfects itself.” problems. They say institutional structures ing Catholic associations such as trade the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its are what matters, not political ideas or pro - For an African and Universalist this view unions, peasants, civil society, and farmers’ builders labour. So surrender your plans to the grammes. is very attractive. groups in broadening their electoral appeal Holy Spirit. Invite the Lord into all your plans and But are not ideas and doctrinal develop - Maritain worked out a philosophical into what political scientists came to resolutions. Be focused and determined, just like St ment the bedrock of what we desperately rapprochement between Catholicism and describe as “catch-all parties” or “people’s Paul who in his letter to the Philippians says: “I need in the country? Do we not desperately modern conceptions of human rights and parties”. keep on striving to win the prize for which Christ need a mindset evolution, as opposed to a democracy that culminated in 1938 in a In my humble opinion, South Africa is Jesus has already won me to himself….So I run revolution? After all, ideas are indispens - published book called Integral Humanism . ripe for a Personalist, labour-based “sub - straight towards the goal in order to win the prize, able to the process of thought evolution The book, with its clear endorsement of stantial democracy” that attracts all reli - which is God’s call through Christ Jesus to the life and social progress, and so I cannot com - pluralism in the temporal sphere, became gious believers’ solidarity (Traditional, above” (Phil 3:12-14). pletely agree with the fundis. an early touchstone in Christian Democrat - Judaeo-Christian, Islam, and so on). n The movement of Christian Democracy, ic political theory. To me this is how the party of our Fr Victor Phalana ministers in the archdiocese of in occidental countries, was nourished by Maritain sought communitarian alterna - future politics will look, and speak in a Pretoria. the intellectual fodder of the likes of tives to liberal parliamentarianism. In 1942 strong personalist language of the Maritain Jacques Maritain (1882-1973), the French he authored “Christianity and Democracy”, Personalism: “It is the republic’s duty to FOR THE RECORD: In last week’s edition the philosopher who converted to Catholicism a pamphlet dropped by Allied planes over remove obstacles of an economic or social name of Fr David Holdcroft was incorrectly ren - and neo-Thomism in particular. France. In it he affirms that “democracy is order physically constricting the freedom dered in his byline. We apologise for the error. Maritain developed what eventually linked to Christianity and that the democ - and equality of citizens and thus impeding became known as the philosophy of Per - ratic impulse has arisen in human history the full development of the human per - sonalism based on the idea that reason and as a temporal manifestation of the inspira - son.”

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Nine young members of St Benedict’s parish in eshowe, were con - firmed by Bishop xolelo Kumalo.

Fr David Mthiyane officiated over the First Holy Communion of 19 youths of St Benedict’s parish in eshowe.

IINN FFOOCCUUSS Edited by Nadine Christians

Father Christmas paid a visit to the Send photographs, children of San with sender’s name Francesco parish and address on the in Springfield, back, and a SASE Port elizabeth. to: The Southern With them is Cross, Community parish priest Fr Pics, Box 2372, Cape Dominic Griego. Town, 8000 or email (Submitted by them to: Hilda thomas) Catholics from east London display their sewing and knitting skills. the [email protected] clothes and teddies were donated to those less fortunate.

St Monica’s Prayer Group of St theresa parish in Welcome estate, Cape town, hosted a carols by candlelight at the parish. Pictured with Father Christmas are parishioners Over 200 orphans were treated to a Christmas party at the immaculate Heart of Mary parish hall in from the Stilfontein, Klerksdorp. (Submitted by Bernadette de Sousa) parish.

KRUGER PARK VIVA SAFARIS (Member of SATSA) SCHEDULED DAILY SAFARIS TO KRUGER PARK Fly-in and overland tours. See www.vivasafaris.com

Viva Safaris is engaged with 4 projects aimed at the upliftment of the Acornhoek community, including the COMBONI MISSIONARIES’ OUTSTATION

Father Xico with partially www.volunteersafaris.co.za completed church building

082 450 9930 Trevor Cornelius September of Corpus Christi Reservations: Catholic church in Wittebome, Cape town, Members of the Legion of Mary in Roodepoort, Johannes - 082 444 7654 Piero 082 506 9641 Anthony celebrated his 100th birthday. burg, at a social during the festive season. FOCUS the Southern Cross, January 12 to January 18, 2011 9 Abuse scandal: More answers

Many Catholics will have who will satisfy their needs with centred ecclesiology to a Christ- anyone). He is usually married, centred and Spirit-led ecclesiology. been challenged with ques - more educated, cunning, a church- The Church needs better screen - tions about the abuse scandal goer, involved in community activ - ing of its candidates, clerics and lay ities such a sports clubs and scout workers. And also screening during in the Church. In the second groups, and likes to be near kids. life following ordination or profes - of his two-part series, The character profile of a pae - sion. PAtRiCK NOONAN OFM dophile: he has a pathological nar - Priests must renew themselves cissistic personality, has sex activity and deepen their commitment to provides a reference guide to with prepubescent kids, lacks self celibacy. They must take ownership tough questions. esteem, has an abnormal attraction with respect to dealing with the to weaker creatures. scandalous behaviour of their fel - Paedophilia is a mental disorder low priests. They must allow bish - Why did it take so long which can be due to brain damage ops to lead and be supported when for victims to be heard? or stunted neurological develop - they do lead. ment. Therefore the problem can - God must be allowed to purify t is now emerging that the med - not be solved by punishment and purge his Church. He has done ical profession, the police, teach - alone. it in history and is doing it today. ers, parents, Church authorities I A clinical psychologist put it like and even social workers were this: “Paedophiles are not evil, they Is the Church handling unable to hear the cry of victims. are caught in this terrible bind...we This legacy of denial, ignorance or Pope Benedict talks with Catholic youths outside Westminster cathedral in the problem now? have no idea what creates a pae - incomprehension persisted until London in September, after he reiterated his “deep sorrow” to the victims of n many countries now the dophile. This is a complex area full the late 1980s. clerical sexual abuse, saying these crimes have caused immense suffering Church has comprehensive proto - of unknowns, and work to under - I In reality there was a culture in and feelings of “shame and humiliation” throughout the Church. (Photo: cols in place to protect children. It stand it is still in its infancy.” families, in the Church, in the pro - Alessia Giuliani, Catholic Press Photo/CNS) has given a lead to all other profes - Some even claim it is a sickness, sions to investigate their own fessions and in society in general of just like alcoholism. dealing with internal problems harms, done to a child by a priest there are so many good priests, and ranks, either internally or indepen - Clerical paedophiles normally dently. internally. perform their religious duties with or religious abuser is a powerful sane priests, and contented priests. How much do we South Africans care. A dominant feature is imma - sign of a diabolic power. They don’t get much airtime,” the Abuse in society want to hear from the survivors of turity. They like to please authori - Most Catholics, however, know archbishop said. apartheid torture (which included their faith resides in Our Lord, not n discussing the victims of clerical ties and receive rewards for work sex abuse let us spare a thought sexual abuse)? Only 5% of the done; like a child who wants to in our lordships, the bishops. Is the Vatican confused? I white population could cope with he Vatican has an image prob - for the overwhelming majority of please his parent. The Church and victims of sexual abuse within fam - the Truth and Reconciliation Com - other organisations provide the Why are priests angry ? Tlem. It also has some muddled mission hearings when they riests are experiencing deep feel - cardinals surrounding the pope, ilies the world over. power, status, trust and contacts Perhaps German Chancellor appeared on weekly TV. they need. They are very secretive Pings of shame, anger, humilia - and his predecessors. Initially, the Like survivors of the holocaust, tion, betrayal, alienation, isolation, Vatican seemed to blame the vic - Angela Merkel had a point when and probably give well tested “cleri - she said that she would only con - of slavery (then and now), numbness, shock, sadness, guilt tims. cal” type reasons or explanations— sider an investigation into child oppressed peoples, victims of wars, and even a questioning of their Cardinal Dario Castrillon “I have Mass or confessions”—to abuse if it was directed against all and present day indigenous peoples vocations. They feel tainted by Hoyos, as prefect of the Congrega - disguise their activities. society. In the US alone there are such as Australia’s Aborigines…sur - association with the abusers. They tion of Clergy, once congratulated According to the “Dossier on nearly 40 million victims of child - vivors of abuse, including clerical feel outraged by the abusers, like a bishop for breaking the law to Child Sex Abuse” (Yellow Book, hood sexual abuse. abuse, are at last being listened to. family members who discover a shield an abuser priest in France SACBC, 1994), more than 90% of It is a crime happening in our At last their voices have been close friend or relative has been from criminal proceedings—and he child molesters in the clergy are neighbourhood as we read this. released. They have been noticed. abusing their child. even claimed that Pope John Paul involved with teenagers. That is Presently in our world the most They had been pushed into the called ephebophilia, and they are It would be shocking to discover II approved his congratulatory let - shadows by a Church (and society) dangerous place for a child is in not paedophiles. that a priest or religious could be in ter. This caused huge confusion their own home and the most dan - bent on protecting its own. Sex Offenders often do not see a house with a sex offender or pae - and embarrassment to the Vatican “For 50 years I thought I was the gerous people are not intruders or the problem, they resist therapy, dophile and never know it. This has and the Church. strangers, but family and friends. only person in the entire world and are not aware of the serious - happened. On the other hand, Pope Bene - who had been [sexually] abused by Who is speaking up for these ness of their acts. Others, however, Priests in many countries feel let dict has met victims of abuse in still silent victims? a Catholic priest. It has taken 50 realising the seriousness of their down by their bishops in their hour various counties and has sincerely years for me to find my voice. But painful situation have committed of need. Many have been pilloried apologised to them. In Malta last Some statistics now I’ve found it, I want to contin - suicide. by congregations and received no year, he reportedly even shed tears n the US, in the last 50 years 4% ue to speak on behalf of people emotional support from their bish - with them! of clergy have been accused or who maybe aren’t able to speak or I Is there a crisis ops. Some feel abandoned when convicted of sex misbehaviour. have not yet been able to face the false accusations have been made How should the Church Worldwide 2-4% of the 40 0 000 fear and the guilt and shame that in the Church? against them. respond to the crisis? Catholic clergy have been accused survivors feel,” says a survivor. es, there is a crisis in the or convicted of sexual misbehav - Probably many abuse survivors Church. A serious crisis. And he Church must work at healing Y Why are some bishops iour. The average sexual abuse are re-traumatised with each new yes, we should be alarmed. Tabuse victims: Treatment, heal - angry with priests? among the other professions is 4%. clerical scandal reported. It is not the first time the ing of memories, therapy, story Church has been in trouble. It has t last year’s Chrism Mass, Arch - telling, religion, compassion for vic - Less than 1% of the general pop - The needs and attitudes of vic - ulation are paedophiles and child tims vary. Some seek compensa - always been the human experience Abishop Buti Tlhagale of Johan - tims and perpetrators alike, services of the Church. The battle between nesburg preached: “We must...take of repentance, healing and recon - molesters. tion. Some don’t. Some forgive. 98% of abusers of girls are men, Some cannot forgive, at least for good and evil is the nature of responsibility for the hurt, the scan - ciliation things. It has happened before. dals, the pain and the suffering Church leadership should be and 78% of abusers of boys are some time. One survivor said the men. Church should offer all victims At the time of St Francis, the caused by ourselves who claim to trained in listening skills so as to illiterate clergy could hardly cele - be models of good behaviour. The understand their role as listeners. Those most at risk are children compensation until they feel com - aged 8-12 pensated. In this way the Church brate Mass and many lived with image of the Catholic Church is vir - We must recognise the problem. wives, concubines and worse. And tually in ruins because of the bad Less informed clergy and religious 75% of sexual abuse occurs with - will be at the mercy of the victim in the household, mostly by fathers and know what being vulnerable is then there was the Reformation, behaviour of its priests, wolves still defensively blame the problem the Crusades, the Inquisition, the wearing sheep’s skin, preying on on an anti-Catholic agenda. and stepfathers. Often the collusion all about. of the family is devastating for the Victims now see the potential Avignon popes, the Great Schism… unsuspecting victims, inflicting The Church should seriously The Church is going through a irreparable harm, and continuing organise and promote workshops victim. for all clergy to be abusers and will In South Africa a child is abused henceforth be somewhat suspicious crisis of purification. to do so with impunity. for all the hierarchy, Church work - An Anglican historian said: “The “The Church is crucified ers and employees on the protocols every eight minutes. of clergy. Hence the dark shadow The South African National over priests and they know it. It is continual purgation and re-purifi - through her sons, her priests… and booklets on child abuse so far cation of the Church after periods Christ spoke to St Francis from the published by the bishops. There is Council of Child Welfare handles part of their present anguish. 26 000 reported cases of sexual and Significantly, more and more of laxity, even corruption of early wood of the cross: ‘Francis, go evidence that the information is not ideals, is characteristic of the rebuild my house, which as you see getting through to parishioners or is physical abuse of children every priests and seminarians are now month ! speaking up about their own abuse church as a whole. Despite the cur - is all being destroyed.’ not found on parish noticeboards. in the past at the hands of relatives rent fury of her critics worldwide, “Of course there are bad priests, The Church should enter a peri - n Fr Patrick Noonan is a Francis - or priests in seminaries. They too, we can see it at work in the Church and mad priests, and sad priests. od of pastoral soul searching and can priest and author based in as victims in their ministry, often today, painfully renewing itself Because of their privileged position, theological reflection. It needs to Sebokeng, Johannesburg archdio - suffer the depression, abandon - after the institutional secrecy and they can do untold damage. But move away from a hierarchically- cese. ment and shame of their experi - cover-up of sexual scandals in some ences. countries.” “The grim truth is that victims are experts in a way nobody else is Why are some expert and developing an effective Catholics angry? safeguarding structure within the here are Catholics who say: Church can be greatly enhanced by T“The fact that priests have listening to and drawing upon the abused children under the cloak of wisdom of those who have been ministry does not change my atti - harmed,” according to the Irish tude towards the Church. Parents National Board for the Safeguarding and uncles too have abused us but Children) that does not mean that all parents and uncles are abusers and there - Who are the victims? fore should be ostracised. I do, ome believe the real victims are however, expect the Church to Sthreefold: those who were have child protection procedures in abused; the 98% good priests and place.” nuns; and ordinary, decent Other Catholics have left the Catholics in the pews. Church in anger. We respect the decisions to leave What is a paedophile? of those who have been so badly paedophile is sexually attracted hurt in the broken body of Christ. Aonly to prepubescent children. It is important to be aware that the (child molesters are opportunists spiritual damage, apart from other 10 the Southern Cross, January 12 to January 18, 2011 PILGRIMAGE Flying fists at the place of Christ’s resurrection Like a strict parent who has no T seems insufferably foolish Günther interest in the justice of the cases that some of the most spiteful brought forward by bickering Imanifestations of co-existence Simmermacher children, the sultan gave the between Christians should have churches control over their own permanent residence in the place the Pilgrim’s trek defined areas. of Our Lord’s crucifixion and res - The Orthodox were awarded urrection. of collective amnesia about the the prime area of the rotunda On a window ledge facing the (they had occupied it since a raid courtyard of the church of the location of the most incredible event ever, even three centuries on Palm Sunday 1757), which Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s Old includes the tomb as well as the City—on Calvary—stands a lad - after the fact. And even if they somehow did, the Romans help - spot where Jesus’ cross is believed der which has not been moved to have stood. since about 1854. Nobody knows fully signposted the place for Helena when Emperor Hadrian in To these, however, they must how it got there, or exactly when. allow access to members of other One day it was there, and has around 130 built over it a pagan temple dedicated to Aphrodite, denominations. So Catholics and remained in the same place ever other Christians may crouch since. possibly to discourage Christian veneration there (another sound beneath the gaudily decorated To move the ladder would argument claims that the loca - altar and reach through a hole to require the consensus of the three tion was incidental). touch the rock on which the principal churches that run the Helena had the temple dis - cross stood, and they may enter huge church: the Greek Ortho - mantled, and went on to find the the tomb chamber as an Ortho - dox, Catholic and Armenian reputed tomb of Jesus. She or dox monk hurriedly ushers them churches (the Syrian, Ethiopian people working on her behalf, in and out. and Coptic churches also have a also unearthed a few crosses Next to the altar of the cross is presence in the church). But to (there is a pious tale to explain the Catholics’ open chapel of Our reach a consensus might involve how that of Christ was identified) Lady of Sorrows. It is 13th Station compromise, and that article is in as well as the INRI inscription, of the Cross, recalling the dead very short supply in the holiest which is now kept in the Santa Jesus being taken from the cross. place in Christendom. Croce church in Rome’s Catholics may have Mass there, The bickering is an ancient Gerusalemme district, which was as our group did on the morning tradition. None of the denomina - built as a repository for the of our departure, but the liturgy tions has a key to the front door. queen’s sacred souvenirs. may not include the singing of Since the 12th century, the key hymns, lest songs of praise dis - has been in the custody of a elena’s church was sacked, tress our Christian neighbours. Muslim family, the Judeh, who Hlike almost every Christian The division of the church was in turn hand it every morning to church in the region, in the Per - confirmed in 1852 by a decree of a representative of the Nuseibeh sian invasion of 614. The church the Ottoman Sultan Abd-ul-Mejid family, which has been responsi - was repaired in the 10th century I (in response to international ble for opening the door every by the Muslim rulers, but was pressure), who pronounced with morning and locking it every razed in 1009 during a particular - decisive finality: “The actual sta - night for more than 800 years. ly nasty persecution of Christian - tus quo will be maintained and The first church of the Holy ity. Indeed, the final destruction the Jerusalem shrines, whether Sepulchre was built in the 4th of the first church of the Holy owned in common or exclusively A close-up of the ladder on a ledge facing the courtyard of the church of the century by Queen Helena, moth - Sepulchre would contribute to by the Greek, Latin, and Armen - Holy Sepulchre. it has stood there since 1854, and cannot be moved unless er of Emperor Constantine. When the call, sounded a few decades ian communities, will all remain three churches agree on it. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher) we say she built the church we later, for the Crusade to recapture forever in their present state.” don’t mean that she put pencil to the Holy Land. blueprint or mortar to brick, but In the interim, the rebuilding hat should have settled that houses the tomb of Jesus). each other with rocks over a terri - that Helena appointed its site and of the church had begun, but the Tthings, bringing about peace - The Orthodox said their clergy torial dispute on the level roof of financed its construction. Crusaders finally completed it in ful co-existence rooted in frater - must be present at these services, the basilica, injuring 11. Helena is famous for landing the state we know it now, give or nal Christian love. But it hasn’t. else the Armenians, presumably The skirmish started because a in the Holy Land and discover - take the occasional renovation, in The tension finds regular expres - dissenting of the status quo, Coptic monk, sizzling under the ing a succession of holy sites as 1149. sion in petty acts and frantic fin - might claim ownership of the hot sun, moved his chair into the though possessed of the luckiest It didn’t stay in Christian ger-wagging. And once in a while, edicule . shade—and that fell on Ethiopi - streak in history. More likely, hands for long. In 1187 Saladin the pot boils over and (to mix In September 2004, there was a an territory. How can such trans - she was guided to these holy expelled the Crusaders, and for metaphors) the gloves come off. fracas between the Orthodox and gression possibly be left unpun - places by fellow Christians the next couple of centuries con - In April and again in Novem - Catholics because the latter had ished? whose constant presence had trol of the church oscillated wild - ber 2008, brawls broke out failed to close the door to their So we need not wonder why ensured the survival of the col - ly for centuries between Catholics between Armenian clergy and chapel, which the Orthodox per - there can be no agreement to lective memory, aided by mark - and Orthodox (or neither). worshippers and their Orthodox ceived as the height of disrespect. move a ladder. Indeed, the ladder ers such as churches and other The Franciscans had control counterparts. When the police “There was lots of hitting going is a visible sign of our Christian early shrines. of it for three centuries until arrived in the Holy Week inci - on. Police were hit, monks were division. I hope it won’t be One such place of veneration 1662; thereafter supremacy of dent, they were thrashed with hit...there were people with moved until we are one. was on the hill where Christ was the church was subject to the palm fronds. bloodied faces,” The Guardian executed and buried, and from whims and favour of the local Both mêlées were caused when quoted an eyewitness as saying. n This is the 12th part of Günther where he rose again. It is quite Muslim rulers. By 1767 they had an Orthodox priest made himself And it’s not only the Ortho - Simmermacher’s series on The obvious that the Christians of grown tired of the constant present during an Armenian ser - dox who get into scrapes. In 2002 Southern Cross ’ Passion Pilgrimage Jerusalem would not suffer a bout squabbling. vice at the edicule (the structure Copts and Ethiopians bombarded in September.

Who are the Norbertines? To misquote William Shakespeare: “A rose by any other name smells just as sweet”

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3rd Sunday of the year (January 23) The start of Jesus’ mission Readings: Isaiah 8:23-9:3, Psalm 27:1-4, 13- 14, 1 Corinthians 1:10-13, 17, Matthew 4:12-23

ALILEE —where’s that?”, might be have been marching up and down with plac - near”. (In Galilee?). More astonishing yet, the cry on the lips of many people Nicholas King SJ ards saying “Viva Paul, viva!”, “Viva Apollos, Jesus sets out along the lakeside, and sees two in the ancient world. And yet for viva!”, “Viva Kephas, viva!”; and Paul brings brothers, whose names we are given, and as ‘G them back to reality and a reminder of where they pursue their profession of fishing Christians it is the obscure district in the Sunday Reflections they should be, “Viva Christ, viva!”. He is “throwing a trawling-net into the sea”, he north of Israel from which Jesus emerged. practically bellowing as he writes, with bitter summons them, with a bit of a joke: “And I’ll In the first reading for next Sunday, it is sarcasm: “Is Christ divided? Was it Paul that make you fish for human beings.” “Galilee of the Gentiles”, the place being rav - was crucified for you? Was it in Paul’s name Still more astonishing, they “immediately aged by the alarming armies of the Assyrians, letter to the Corinthians. When he first that you were baptised?” Corinth was Paul’s abandoned their nets and followed after in the last third of the 8th century BC. encountered the Risen Jesus, life must have Galilee. him”, instead of calling for the police. And it To them the prophet Isaiah sings a song of seemed simply wonderful, and wonderfully In the gospel for next Sunday, Matthew at happens again! “He saw two more brothers”, hope that: “The people that walked in dark - simple, to him; but he has to go into his last gets round to the beginning of Jesus’ who are carefully, if somewhat clumsily, ness have seen a great light; those who dwell Galilee also, given his mission to “the Gen - ministry. And where is it? “Having heard that identified “James the son of Zebedee, and in the land of the shadow of death, on them a tiles”. John [the Baptist] had been arrested, he went John his brother, in the boat with their father light has shone.” That is how God works, no This is what those Corinthians very largely up to the Galilee”, and moves from Nazareth Zebedee—and he called them!” matter how difficult things may seem to be. were, of course. In next Sunday’s second to Capernaum, which was to become his We know this story only too well, but if And if lights shine in dark places, then it is reading , having flattered them suitably, he headquarters until the move to Jerusalem. we are paying any attention at all, then we God who has to do it, as the psalm recognis - then goes for the jugular: “I’m begging you, And to make the point, Matthew quotes our are breathless with astonishment, as it hap - es: “The Lord is my light, and my salvation”. through the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ— first reading: it may be dark in Galilee, but pens again: “They immediately abandoned Wherever Galilee may be for us, what we are [note the very solemn form of address], all to “the people that walked in the darkness have the boat, and their father, and they followed longing for is to go home: “One thing I ask of think the same thoughts, and that there seen a great light, and to those who sit in the after him.” the Lord, this is what I long for, that I may should be no divisions among you.” For his place and shadow of death, a light has We hardly have time to recover from all live in the Lord’s house, all the days of my spy (a lady called Chloe, so you can imagine dawned on them”. Then, in some astonish - this when we find out what the mission life, to contemplate the Lord’s beauty.” That the Corinthians making a mental note to “get ment, we hear the account of the opening of includes “And he went round the whole of is a dream for those who are in the darkness her”), has revealed what Paul thought was Jesus’ mission. Galilee [that name again], teaching...and pro - of Galilee; and, this week, it is our Galilee. impossible, “that there is quarrelling among It starts with his message, which Matthew claiming...and healing every sickness and Paul might have muttered something like you”. reduces to “Repent! [or: “Turn it around”] for every illness in the people.” Where is your that as he continues the difficult task of his Apparently those wretched Corinthians the Kingdom of the Heavens has drawn Galilee this week?

Cut the bong, ping, and bleep Southern Cross word #427

phone has a dozen or so messages HAVE been wondering lately whether already. heaven takes into account the enor - You escape to your car to find you've mous additional stresses human Chris Moerdyk I been followed, even to this previously beings have to endure as a result of the Last Word private refuge. An array of lights that modern technology. Can we, for exam - would do justice to a 747 dashboard ple, expect some sort of dispensation for flash on to tell you that everything from having to work with computers and be the alternator to the fuel pump is doing allowed into heaven in spite of contem - gimmicks and to hades for losing our what it is supposed to do. plating homicide when our Internet tempers and becoming thoroughly nasty A strident bong complains that you connections give nasty little electronic human beings. haven’t fastened your seatbelt, another burps and die? Ever wondered why you keep waking bong tells you your boot isn’t closed Well, just in case we are expected to up at all hours of the night? It’s proba - properly and yet another bong whacks behave in a Christian manner in spite of bly because your bedroom is a virtual you on the ear drum to warn you that the challenges of technology, I have fairyland of lights: your cellphone wink - in two weeks time you’re going to have decided to fight back. ing acknowledgment that it is indeed I’m going to leave my computer until a minor oil service. connected to a network; your burglar I had a car once that kept bonging last, mainly because I have no idea right alarm console blinking assurance that now how to win any sort of fight away to tell me to be careful of black ice all its little infrared devices are also on the road. Which would have been against a PC, especially one on which I blinking away in every room in the awfully thoughtful of it had it not been am completely reliant to earn a living. house; your alarm clock assaulting your ACROSS DOWN mid-summer in Johannesburg. For the moment, I feel that despite eyes with those brightly lit colons that 2. Written statement confirmed 1. He splits the Church (10) the despicable way it treats me, any sort tell you that your life is ebbing away Assuming you actually get to work by oath (9) 2. Nom de plume (7,4) of retribution on my part would be tan - second by second; and your neighbour’s without having been hooted off the 6. Cardinals receive red ones (4) 3. They may make a catch, like road by a phalanx of combi taxis, for 8. They may be in charge (11) St Peter (7) tamount to shooting myself in the head two million candlepower automatic 4. These were closed when Jesus to get rid of a migraine. security lights flashing into life every the next eight hours office equipment is 10. Island providing wine and going to bong, ping, clang and bleep came in (Jn 20) (5) So, I’ll start more modestly by waging time the next door cat walks past to cake (7) 5. Faithful (4) war against all those ubiquitous little check out the dustbin. you into a state of electronic stupor. 11. Jesus calmed one on the 7. Sense it last and find dignity electronic eyes that watch me incessant - Small wonder you wake up in the And now it’s time to fight back. lake (5) (11) ly; those that stare me down, and every morning feeling exactly like something It’s all quite simple really. All you 13. Neath the Scottish land 9. Mine poster features a great now and then give vent to shrill that pesky cat found in the dustbin. need is a little screwdriver and a pair of baron (5) apostle (5,5) screams to get my attention and spur Then the little beeps and buzzers get wire cutters to surgically remove all the 14. All gone on the ship (7) 12. Coming into being (7) me into action. to you. They tell you your electric little lights and chop the vocal chords 16. He may receive the 15. Unfastened (5) shaver needs recharging, that your of all the buzzers and bleepers. Eucharist (11) 17. Find whale within for cap - Let’s face it, we’ve got to fight back tain (4) or be damned—damned to an eternity scrambled egg is microwaved, that the It will be hell for a while, all that 18. Selling at church bazaar (4) 19. Does taint the neutralisers of control over our lives by gadgets and kettle has boiled and that your cell - darkness and silence. But you can get Answers on page 11 used to it by reminding yourself that all (9) those lights and noises were put there in the first place because of the gadget manufacturers’ belief that consumers are stupid. CHURCH CHUCKLE The neighbour’s security light could HE parish priest met Charlie on the streets: pose a slightly more daunting challenge, “Charlie my son, look at you…drunk particularly if you are an animal lover again. You come to church every Sunday, and don’t want to shoot his cat. Perhaps T you hear my sermons, you nod your head in the best alternative would be to buy a approval, you even applaud at times; now why pellet gun and keep shooting his lights can’t you change! Can’t you see what alcohol is out until he gets the message. doing to you? It’s your worst enemy!” Seriously though, something else I Charlie gazed lovingly into Father’s eyes: have been very aware of lately is the “But Father, I listen to your sermons, I really solace religion can bring to lives that are do…you preach so often... ‘love your enemies’, increasingly tested by the advance of and Father I love them! ” technology and the pressures of modern living. And the thought that it must be Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to really tough being agnostic these days. the Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape town, 8000.