July 13 to July 19, 2011 www.scross.co.za R5,50 (incl VAT RSA) Reg No. 1920/002058/06 No 4734

Moerdyk: Book Reviews: Coleman reflects it’s reigning sex in the Bible and on 25 years as cats and dogs Catholic health in sA Pe’s bishop Page 12 Page 10 Page 9 Monaco wedding’s SA priest: Princess Charlène is ‘full of grace’

BY CLAIRE MATHIESON Grimaldis, traditionally have strong ties to the Catholic Church. Prince Albert’s late PRIEST born near Kakamas in the mother, Princess Grace, was said to have a Northern Cape led Princess Charlène particularly strong attachment to her Aof Monaco on her way to the faith. Catholic faith before she married the prin - The former film star Grace Kelly died in cipality’s Prince Albert. a car accident in 1982. Monaco-based Father Carlo Adams “Princess Charlène didn’t have to con - OSFS was among the concelebrants at the vert, but she embraced the faith with joy,” nuptial Mass of Charlene Wittstock and Fr Adams said. “The princess has been Prince Albert II of Monaco in Monte really excited to learn and understand the Carlo. way we celebrate the liturgy and has been Television viewers worldwide heard Fr an eager convert to the faith.” Adams speak Afrikaans during the Mass, at Princess Charlène also learned to speak which Archbishop Bernard Barsi of Mona - French and the Monégasque dialect, and co presided. to become acquainted with European Fr Adams, originally from Marchand court protocol. near Kakamas, has been based at the But the highlight of the priest’s interac - parish of St Charles in Monaco since his tion with the princess was being a part of ordination seven years ago. her religious wedding ceremony. “The cer - “Since 1950, my order, the Oblates of St emony was emotional and beautiful and it Francis de Sales, have been the religious was an extraordinary thing to be a part of congregation in charge of the parish. it,” he said. When I was still in the seminary in 2003, “It was the prince’s idea to have the parish requested a new priest, and my Afrikaans spoken during the wedding,” Fr provincial at the time sent me,” he told Adams said. “Prince Albert asked me to The Southern Cross in a telephone inter - participate because I am from South Africa view from Monaco. and it would be a way to welcome the At the time, Fr Adams said, he was little South African guests, and would be special aware of the European principality in the a thing for the princess.” Fr Adams added southern corner of France, but he thought that it was a very special moment for him, “why not?”, and moved to Monaco. too. “It never crossed my mind that I might Fr Carlo Adams OSFS on the day of Monaco’s royal wedding, at which he concelebrated and And it was a special moment for the be sent overseas and I never expected to spoke in Afrikaans. The priest from the Northern Cape prepared Princess Charlène of Monaco, local Monégasques who have “fully be sent to Monaco and be involved in a former South African Olympic swimmer Charlene Wittstock, for her reception into the Catholic embraced the new princess”, said Fr royal wedding!” he said. Church. (Photo courtesy of Fr Carlo Adams) Adams. Ordinarily Fr Adams celebrates the Eng - “I spoke to some parishioners after the lish Mass at St Charles, one of five ceremony and when they saw her their Catholic churches in the principality. He in Monaco in 2000. That was the same year in preparing her to join the faith. A hearts went out to her. They love her!” Fr was asked last year to help prepare the year she represented South Africa at the palace statement at the time said she was Adams said the locals describe Princess then Ms Wittstock to be received into the Summer Olympics in Sydney where she “admitted by free and personal choice Charlène as having grace, “which is amaz - Church. was a member of the women’s 4x100m into full communion with the Catholic ing”. “I met her in 2007,” said Fr Adams, but medley team which placed fifth. Church”. While her swimming days are behind it was not until the former South African After becoming engaged in June 2010, Fr Adams said the South African con - her, the princess has said she will concen - swimmer became engaged to Prince Albert Princess Charlène converted to Catholi - nection made their interaction more com - trate on her new life and the various char - that “I got to know her”. cism, even though she was not obliged to fortable while preparing for her reception. ities she has adopted. On her marriage, Born in Zimbabwe and raised in by the Catholic state’s constitution. Fr Adams was also part of the ceremony in she became Princess Consort of Monaco Benoni, Princess Charlène met the prince Fr Adams was an integral part of the which she was received into the Church. and gained the title and style of Her at the Mare Nostrum swimming meeting process and worked with the princess for a The royal family of Monaco, the Serene Highness the Princess of Monaco. Priest ‘bailed’ for Spain STAFF REPORTER 7:00 Sunday morning until noon,” Mrs Julius said. HE Catholic Women’s League (CWL) This covered all weekend Masses. The of St Anne’s parish in Sydenham, relieved priest was allowed to spend the TDurban, jailed their local priest with night out of his jail cell, having been tem - a view to getting him out of the country. porarily released at 9:45, after the Saturday Fr Siyabonga Dube was put behind bars evening Mass. as part of a “jail-and-bail” fundraising Parishioners enjoyed the event, but, effort to support the priest’s pilgrimage to World Youth Day in Madrid in August. said Mrs Julius, “the biggest shock of all Led by Wendy Daniels and Brenda was when Father was handcuffed”. Tomlinson, St Anne’s CWL placed the ini - The “jail-and-bail” event raised R3 2 000 tially handcuffed Fr Dube in a cage outside for the priest, whose orange t-shirt sported the church. the logo of the Association of Catholic “Posters were placed on pillars showing Tertiary Students. Father asking to be ‘bailed’ out,” said Nita “I think that it was worth having Fr Julius of the CWL. The priest was dressed Dube ‘jailed’,” Mrs Julius said, noting that in a bright orange shirt, resembling typical the event needed no outlay of money. prison uniforms, with the target amount St Anne’s CWL is already planning the of R3 5 000 written on a sign around his parish’s next event: a fundraiser on August neck, representing his prisoner’s number. 9—Women’s Day—for the Mater Dei “As parishioners arrived, they were Home in Sydenham. asked to pledge an amount to get Father “The day is intended to make women Fr Siyabonga Dube was placed behind bars by his Durban parish’s Catholic Women’s League in out of jail. We started at 18:30 until 20:00 speak out if they are being abused by their a jail-and-bail fundraising event staged to help finance his pilgrimage to World Youth Day in on Saturday evening, and again started at husbands,” Mrs Julius said. Madrid next month. (Photo: Nita Julius) 2 The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 LOCAL State of South African education ‘shocking’

BY CLAIRE MATHIESON South Africa scored in internation - tional Early Childhood Develop - enough, Mr Pasensie said, adding caring environment; use a system - al tests as well as the 2008 Annual ment and Adult Basic Education that while interventions by the atic programme; mark the pupil’s HE Annual National Assess - National Results (which the educa - and Training systems of the department were welcomed, the work regularly and give consistent ment results released by Min - tion department did not publish). department and the poor perfor - success rate has been low. feedback. Most importantly, pupils Tister of Basic Education Angie “In fact a comparison between the mance. Many children enter He referred to former education need to be solving maths problems Motshekga in late June have been 2008 Grade 3 learners and this school without ever having minister Naledi Pandor who in and be writing in literacy.” described as “shocking” by year’s Grade 6 learners [who are encountered reading materials 2008 launched a campaign to Mr Potterton said there were Catholic education role players. the same group of learners] suggest because their parents themselves increase the performance in litera - obviously serious shortcomings in Catholic Institute of Education that the scores have actually may be functionally literate and cy/language and numeracy/mathe - the majority of South African director Mark Potterton said the declined in some areas,” Mr Pasen - the ‘joys of reading’ are never matics to no less than 50%. Three schools. “As South Africans we results were “not at all great” and sie said. encouraged.” years later this campaign has not need to stand together to develop showed the serious shortcomings Mr Potterton added that, as Mr Pasensie said the way for - reached its target. “Until the sys - better educational opportunities in the country’s education system. many other tests have shown, “our ward involves improving these sys - tem is comprehensively over - for all children. Fixing things is The average percentage score in primary school pupils do not per - tems, the promotion of mother- hauled the interventions will come going to take time, but we owe it literacy in Grade 3 was 35% and form well in external tests”. tongue teaching, providing educa - to zero,” Mr Pasensie said. to pupils to make sure they get a the numeracy score was 28%. Mr Pasensie agreed with the tional infrastructure such as school Mr Potterton said the chal - good education,” he said. Grade 6 learners nationally department’s findings that there is libraries, basic amenities such as lenges of numeracy and literacy He added that it would take achieved an average of 28% in lan - a direct correlation between pover - adequate lighting, electricity and confront many Catholic schools, more than a minister to educate guage and 30% in mathematics. ty levels and poor performance. toilets to ensure that the school but “we have made inroads in the country’s children. “In fact, it However, the findings did not “However, this is definitely not the environment is conducive to some schools to improve literacy takes a country to educate a child! surprise experts. Kenny Pasensie, only contributing factor,” he said. learning, as well as greater support and numeracy teaching. There are Together we need to find new researcher for the Catholic Parlia - “There is also a direct correla - for poorer schools. some basic lessons we have learnt: ways of working and improving mentary Liaison Office, said the tion between the utterly dysfunc - But the department is not doing use the full school day; create a teacher skills.” results are consistent with what Graduates encouraged to bring about change BY CLAIRE MATHIESON referred to the increasing issue of He said the crucial starting extreme poverty around the world. point for any contribution by the DDRESSING the graduation He said the United Nations Church to the debate, especially ceremony at St Augustine responded with the creation of the around models of economic devel - ACollege in Johannesburg, Millennium Development Goals opment, is the “concrete reality of Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rusten - which sought to achieve eight the poor and suffering of the berg told the graduates to stand up goals for humanity by 2015, but world, in so many varied con - for justice and human rights in the bishop warned that far more texts—and it is with these poor their lives. needs to be done if those goals are and suffering that the Church Bishop Dowling congratulated to be reached. must be seen to stand in terms of a the graduates of South Africa’s In light of the five years remain - preferential option”. only Catholic university, but said ing in the development goal tar - He said the mission as Church there was a greater significance in get, Bishop Dowling said today is to “enable, through solidarity what should be celebrated. there are more than 1 billion hun - and collaborative participation, “Your graduation comes at a gry people, up by 25% in the last the poor of the world in whatever time of crisis in our world and of five years; every day 1 7 000 chil - context they find themselves to challenge in our own country even dren die of hunger; and more than become agents of their own trans - after 17 years of freedom—the cri - 25 million people in sub-Saharan formation”. sis of endemic poverty. But this Africa have HIV. Questions are Bishop Dowling said a sense of Bishop Francisco de Gouveia of Oudtshoorn recently spent time visiting presents us, I believe, with an being asked internationally on the outrage will be needed to move the parishes of Queen of the Holy Rosary church in Khayalethu, St Tere - opportunity to help transform that role of the Church regarding these people to a response which should sa's church in Hornlee, St Anthony's church in Sedgefield and St Boni - crisis/challenge in the varied ways statistics. reflect a vision for humankind face church in Knysna where he spoke about evangilisation and how to it is experienced by people, espe - “If big business and transna - everywhere—a commitment to the influence the youth to serve God. cially the little ones, the vulnera - tional corporations are being invit - common good and to the dignity (From left) Pola de Grandis, Jenny Daly, Daphne Hennessey, Bishop de ble groups in our society,” the ed, indeed challenged, to think of individuals. Gouveia, Margaret Tavendale and Deacon Mike Tavendale. bishop said. out of the box and recognise their He added that in order for In his address, Bishop Dowling potential to help transform global change to take place, the move - poverty and inequality through ment would need well informed committing to strategies and col - people—such as the St Augustine laborative programmes to protect graduates—people able to critique and enhance the common good, and analyse policies and practice, Tony Wyllie & Co. what should be the role and mis - leaders, who are able to under - sion of the Church? After all, we stand the systemic causes behind Catholic Funeral Home are the privileged custodians of the crises which threaten our that core group of values and prin - country and our world today, and Personal and Dignified ciples which have been grouped the kind of Church we should be, 24-hour service under the title of ‘Catholic social the kind of Church Jesus would teaching’.” want us to be today’s reality. 469 Voortrekker Rd, Maitland Tel: 021 59 3 8820 48 Main Rd, Muizenberg Tel: 021 78 8 3728 Member of the NFDA LOCAL The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 3 Nuncio celebrates Fears that Zimbabwean Marist Feast

STAFF priests could be targeted REPORTER LONG with BY BRONWEN DACHS pens when people demand to see a priest or collect their medication at the clinic, the communi - after Mass and accuse him of preaching it said. ties of the HE national director of Zimbabwe’s in a party-political way”, Mr Chaumba Noting that the Mbare violence “is A Catholic Commission for Justice four other Marist said. imported” and that “most people behind schools in South Tand Peace said he fears that priests The commission will try to document the violence are not permanent residents could be victimised after a recent com- Africa and Marist cases of intimidation, he said. in the area”, the commission quoted vic- schools in 73 other mission statement urged political leaders Jesuit Father Oskar Wermter of St tims as saying that they were being pun- to intervene to stop politically motivated countries world - Peter’s church in Mbare said he and ished for “participating in political asso- wide, pupils, staff skirmishes in the capital Harare. other priests in the area “are always ciations of their choice”. Bishops and priests were targeted after and guests at St aware that what we say is being noted” It urged political leaders to realise that Henry’s Marist the country’s bishops spoke out against by President Robert Mugabe’s loyalists. votes are won by maintaining justice and political intolerance early this year “and Brothers’ College in “This is nothing new,” he said, noting human rights. Durban celebrated the same could easily happen now”, that “they have been listening in to our “How, for example, can a person who Alouis Chaumba said. the feast day of St telephone conversations for at least ten dislocated his jaw in political violence Marcellin champag - A surge in violence in Harare’s Mbare years”. vote for the political party responsible township has forced some men to visit nat, the Founder of Human rights groups in Zimbabwe for dislocating it?” the commission the Little Brothers their families secretly at night to “avoid report an increase in mob attacks, asked. being caught by politically dogmatic of Mary or Marist threats, assaults and questionable arrests Zanu-PF, which blames the MDC for Brothers. groups” opposed to democratic rights, by police in 2011, and say that militants starting the violence, is campaigning for the commission said in a statement. Archbishop James Green ( pictured ), apostolic and security forces loyal to Mr Mugabe as-yet-unscheduled elections. nuncio to South Africa, Namibia, Lesotho and “In extreme cases, some Mbare fami- have previously led political violence. Regional mediators have cautioned lies have lost their houses to people who Swaziland and apostolic delegate to Botswana, was Mbare market stalls have been seized, against early polls and propose a longer- the main celebrant. belong to other political parties,” it said. household goods and personal belong- term “roadmap” that would include elec- Most perpetrators of the violence are Concelebrating the Mass with him were Cardi - ings confiscated and streets around a toral changes and revisions of the voters’ nal Wilfrid Napier of Durban, Auxiliary Bishop of “shipped” into Mbare, traditionally a medical clinic have become “so unap- lists. stronghold of Prime Minister Morgan Durban Barry Wood, and priests from around the proachable and inhospitable” that the Research has shown that as many as archdiocese. Tsvangirai’s Movement for Democratic clinic has become a no-go zone, the Jus- 27% of Zimbabwe’s 5,5 million listed Change (MDC), the statement said. After the Mass with a congregation of tice and Peace Commission said. voters have died and many others are about 1 000, Archbishop Green planted an indige - It is “very disturbing for priests” when Assault victims and patients in need under voting age or are registered in they are threatened, as “sometimes hap- nous tree overlooking the vista of Durban harbour of HIV treatment are afraid to seek care more than one voting district—CNS to commemorate his visit. Durban pair receives papal medals BY CLAIRE MATHIESON “Many teachers have upgraded their qualifications and have achieved masters Tangney WO Durban men have been award - degrees through his efforts and encour - ed Papal medals. Lawrence Surge - agement.” Special Interest Tours Tson, of the Our Lady of Lourdes The letter motivating Mr Surgeson for parish in Westville, and Lionel Samuel, a the medal described him as a man of La Modanna della Speranza Catholic educator were awarded Bene great faith and extra-ordinary service in Led by: Fr Giovanni Meneghetti CP Merenti papal medals in two separate the community: “He is blessed with an 12 – 23 April 2012. ceremonies celebrated by Cardinal Wil - out-going personality coupled with Rome. Audience with the Holy Father. frid Napier of Durban. strong personal integrity and a natural Cathedrals of Rome. The Bene Merenti medal is conferred joyfulness which has enabled him to on Catholics who have exhibited long work consistently and effectively with Ostia: St Monica. St Augustine. and exceptional service to the Catholic many different priests and in many diffi - Assisi. San Giovanni Rotonda.Padre Pio. Church, their family and community. cult situations,” the letter from the West - Monte Cassino. According to Catholic publicist Illa ville parish pastoral council said. Lawrence Surgeson (left) and Lionel Thompson, the leaders of Our Lady of “Whenever requested, Mr Surgeson Samuel were awarded the Bene Merenti Our Lady of Good Hope Lourdes parish sent a motivational letter has willingly and capably stepped for - papal medal. Led by: Fr Christopher Clohessy to the Vatican recommending that Mr ward and accepted responsibility with 7 – 20 May 2012 Surgeson be considered as a candidate to open hands, bringing his intelligence, Holy Land: Galilee. Jerusalem. Bethlehem. receive the papal medal as an acknowl - experience, faith and common sense to The pontifical decoration was initiat - Jordan: Mt Nebo. Authentic Baptismal site. edgement of his “phenomenal commit - bear in each situation. His services are ed by Pope Gregory XVI in 1852 and ment to his Church and community”. conducted with grace, reverence and rel - conferred in recognition of distinguished Cairo: Pyrmids. Sphynx. Cruise. Mr Samuel was awarded the medal for evance. He has an abiding interest in service in military or civil affairs. In Only three places left ! his “exceptional services to education”. good liturgy and in the efficacy of good 1925, the concept of awarding this Tel: (021) 683 0300 Mark Potterton, Director of the Catholic teaching of Scripture,” said Andrea Piper medal as a mark of recognition to per - Fax: 086 691 9308 Institute of Education, noted that bene of Westville parish. sons in service of the Church—civil and P O Box 273, Rondebosch, 7701 merenti means “to a well deserving per - Mr Surgeson’s service to the Church military, lay and clergy—became stan - Email: [email protected] son”, adding: “Lionel Samuel is such a has encompassed spirituality, dard practice. person.” Christian education and forma - Having worked with Mr Samuel for 15 tion with children and adults, years, Mr Potterton said he had wit - administration and the practi - nessed Mr Samuel’s commitment to cal maintenance of the fabric teacher education in KwaZulu-Natal. of the parish.

Send your news to [email protected]

Brescia House school An independent Catholic day school for girls, situated in Bryanston, invites applications for the following position: Religious Education Teacher (Full-Time) Applications are invited from suitably qualified individuals for the above post, with effect from 1 September 2011. Selection criteria: n Practising Catholic n Relevant teaching degree or diploma from a recognised institution n Teaching experience n Current SACE registration n Strong liturgical knowledge would be specific advantage. Job responsiblities: n Teach innovative, stimulating and age-related Religious Education classes n Prepare pupils for the Sacraments n Assist with organisation, management and conduct of service learning programmes n Organise and participate in school tours. Interested candidates should submit a CV to the Executive Headmistress before 29 July 2011 via e-mail: [email protected] or fax (011) 706-4235. Brescia House reserves the right not to proceed with the filling of the post advertised. An application will not in itself entitle the applicant to an interview or appointment and failure to meet the minimum requirements of the advertised post will result in applicants automatically disqualifying themselves from consideration. 4 The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 INTERNATIONAL Pope: Demanding proof from God abuses reason BY CAROL GLATz through reason, he said. the truth are on the path to “From here one understands seeking God, he said. HILE empirical science that Christian faith, by its very “This is why authentic the - has done much to fur - nature, must call forth theolo - ology is so important. Solid Wther progress, subject - gy, it had to ask itself about the faith leads reason to open itself ing God and his truth to scien - reasonableness of faith.” up to the divine, so that rea - tific scrutiny represents an So while reason is funda - son, guided by love for the incorrect and despotic use of mental to faith, there is an truth, may know God even human reason, Pope Benedict incorrect use of reason—a more from up close,” he said. has said. “despotism of reason which Therefore, theology must be How reason, truth and faith becomes the supreme and final made up of two elements: interconnect has always judge of everything”, he said. “humility, which lets us be sparked debate throughout his - ‘touched’ by God, and disci - tory, the pope said during an he pope said this use of rea - pline, which is tied to the order Pope Benedict reads a copy of L’Osservatore Romano , the Vatican daily, at his award ceremony in the fresco- Tson, which is “incompatible of reason, [which] keeps love summer residence in Castel Gandolfo last year. The pope has marked the covered Clementine Hall in the with the nature of faith”, can from blindness and helps newspaper’s 150th anniversary this year with a message in which he said that Vatican’s Apostolic Palace. be seen in Psalm 95, which develop its power to see,” he L’Osservatore stands as a “paper of ideas, an organ of formation and not only of The pope gave three Euro - recalls Meribah as the place said. information”. (Photo: L’Osservatore Romano) pean theologians the Ratzinger where the early Israelites tested The Ratzinger Prize, which Prize for their excellence in God and “tried me though they includes an award of R58 0 000, theological studies had seen my works.” will be presented each year in In his address, the pope Putting God to some sort of sacred Scripture, patristics and noted the important contribu - a test is even more pronounced fundamental theology. tions theology has made, but in today’s world, where natural This was the first time the warned that theology must not science and its empirical prizes were awarded since the only be concerned with the method have achieved so establishment last year of the past as that would “leave the much, the pope said. Joseph Ratzinger (Benedict XVI) faith today in darkness”. But there is a limit to how Vatican Foundation, which pro - Nor must theologians only reason is used: “God is not an motes theological studies on look at psychological or socio - object of human experimenta - the pope’s writings and to logical studies leaving faith on tion. He is a subject and he reward promising scholars. the wayside as that would strip manifests himself only in a per - This year’s awardees were: theology of meaning and a son-to-person relationship.” Manlio Simonetti, an 85-year- solid foundation. The correct use of reason in old Italian professor and expert Though studying the past matters of faith then is when it in ancient Christian studies and understanding human and is used on a personal level and and patristic biblical interpreta - social sciences are important in is driven by love. tion; Fr Olegario Gonzalez de theology, the pope said the real The pope said: “Love wants Cardedal, a 76-year-old Spanish question at stake is: “Is what to know better the person who priest and professor of dogmat - we believe in true or not? In loves. Love—true love—doesn’t ic and fundamental theology; theology the question of truth make us blind”, but it makes and Cistercian Father Maximil - is at play: truth is its ultimate people see. ian Heim, a 50-year-old Ger - and essential foundation.” Love will satisfy a person’s man theologian and abbot of Christ is the truth, and peo - thirst to really know the other, the Heiligenkreuz monastery in ple can and must know him and that is why those who seek Austria.—CNS Berlin unification cardinal dies at 75 BY CAROL GLATz majority of his diocese’s Catholics lived—only ten days ERLIN’S first archbishop, each month. Cardinal Georg Sterzinsky Before the wall fell, hundreds B(pictured) , died on June 30 of East Germans were fleeing at the age of 75. The cardinal, west by way of Hungary, and who had been seriously ill, had then-Bishop Sterzinsky implored retired in February. them to consider whether their Pope Benedict said in a decision to leave was motivated telegram of condolences that by what God wanted or by their the German cardinal had “guid - desire for comfort. ed a diocese that was once polit - During the process of Ger - ically divided and, with the fall man reunification that followed of the Berlin Wall and the unifi - in 1990, he called publicly for cation of Germany, he united reconciliation and warned the diocese as a bishop for all against the development of a people.” narrow nationalism, which he His death leaves the College said was reminiscent of the of Cardinals with 197 members, nationalism that led to rise of 114 of whom are under the age the Nazis. of 80 and therefore eligible to and at the seminary in Erfurt, He was named to the College vote in a conclave. East Germany, until being of Cardinals in 1991 and was Born in 1936, in what was named vicar-general of adminis - named the city’s first archbish - East Prussia, his family was tration of Erfurt-Meiningen in op in 1994 after Pope John Paul forced to flee their home in 1981. II elevated Berlin to an archdio - Warmia, in what is now Poland, He was named to the diocese cese. and eventually found refuge in of Berlin in May 1989—six While Auxiliary Bishop Thüringen, East Germany, in months before the fall of the Matthias Heinrich has been the 1946. Berlin Wall. diocesan administrator since the Cardinal Sterzinsky was He lived in East Berlin and cardinal’s retirement in Febru - ordained to the priesthood in was allowed to visit the western ary, the Vatican has not yet 1960 and worked in parishes part of the city—where the named a successor.—CNS Lefebvrist ordinations ‘illegitimate’, says Vatican BY CINDY WOODEN at its headquarters in Écône, The Vatican spokesman Switzerland. declined to comment on the dis - HE ordinations of 20 new Responding to reporters’ cussions that the society’s lead - priests for the traditionalist questions, Fr Lombardi quoted ers began with the Vatican after TSociety of St Pius X (SSPX) from the letter Pope Benedict the pope lifted the excommuni - are “illegitimate, period”, Vati - wrote in 2009 explaining the cations. can spokesman Fr Federico status of the society: “As long as In February, Bishop Bernard Lombardi SJ has said. the society does not have a Fellay, the SSPX’s superior-gen - Although Pope Benedict XVI canonical status in the Church, eral, said reconciliation talks lifted the excommunication of its ministers do not exercise with the Vatican would soon be the society’s four bishops in legitimate ministries in the coming to an end, but with little 2009, Fr Lombardi said, he made Church. change in the views of either it clear that until the society had “In order to make this clear side. reconciled fully with the Vati - once again: Until the doctrinal Meanwhile, SSPX Bishop can—particularly regarding its questions are clarified, the soci - Richard Williamson—the lifting position on doctrinal ques - ety has no canonical status in of whose excommunication set tions—its members have no offi - the Church, and its ministers... off a wave of criticism of the cial standing in the Church. do not legitimately exercise any Vatican because he has denied The group ordained the 20 ministry in the Church.” the extent of the Holocaust—is priests in separate ceremonies Fr Lombardi added: “The appealing a German conviction between mid-June and July in ordinations are, therefore, to be on charges of denying the Holo - the United States, Germany and considered illegitimate.” caust.—CNS INTERNATIONAL The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 5 Peace-building is the Church’s ‘best-kept secret’ BY JOHN THAVIS flicts and reconciling societies. capillary presence in local commu - Gerard Powers of the Kroc Insti - nities. Reconciliation efforts often HEN Sudanese Bishop tute for International Peace Studies involve international Catholic Paride Taban of Torit at the US University of Notre organisations working closely with Wwanted to help stop tradi - Dame, said Catholic peace-building local church leaders. tional cattle raiding by rival groups may be the “best kept secret” of the In Burundi last year, for exam - of young men, he turned to the Church’s social teaching. ple, Church officials from several Catholic peace-building organisa - “From South Sudan and Central countries in Africa’s Great Lakes tion IKV Pax Christi from the America to Congo and Colombia, region met with representatives of Netherlands. the Catholic Church is a powerful Catholic aid agencies and the US The cattle raiding had become force for peace, freedom, justice bishops’ conference to map out a extremely dangerous and violent, and reconciliation. But that impres - strategic plan for regional peace and Pax Christi helped develop a sive and courageous peace-building and reconciliation. South African pilgrims are among those who cheer Pope Benedict’s programme that would bring work of the Catholic community is Elsewhere, Catholic organisa - arrival at a general audience in the Vatican’s Paul VI Hall. (Photo: Paul together the youth warriors from often unknown, unheralded and tions such as the Community of Haring, CNS) different rural communities to dis - underanalysed,” Mr Powers said. Sant’Egidio and Caritas have been cuss the problem and come up with He cited an off-the-record ses - on the front lines of peacemaking alternative ways of relating. sion sponsored in Colombia a few initiatives for many years, in some After two conferences, partici - years ago by the Catholic Peace - cases, such as in Mozambique, pants were able to launch a peace building Network, when 20 Colom - helping to broker peace agree - Priest killed in Mexican and sports programme called Play - bian bishops told remarkable stories ments. ing for Peace. It engages the young of successfully mediating among Cardinal Peter Turkson, presi - people in a platform for debate and narco-traffickers, Marxist guerrillas dent of the Pontifical Council for gang stand-off crossfire involves them in building a sports and right-wing paramilitaries—and Justice and Peace, said that for the infrastructure. caring for the victims of all three Church, the core of peace-building BY DAVID AGREN A funeral Mass was celebrated The programme in Sudan was groups. is changing individuals. on July 4. described by Marie Dennis, co-pres - Spiritan Father William Headley, “Violence manifests itself CATHOLIC priest died from The death was the latest difficul - ident of Pax Christi International, dean of the Joan B Kroc School of through people,” he said. “So his injuries after being caught ty for the Catholic Church as it at a conference in Rome on Peace Studies at the University of peace-building starts with changing Ain the crossfire of a shootout serves regions of Mexico rife with Catholic peace-building. It brought between drug cartel gunmen and violence from drug cartels and San Diego, said the Catholic the heart. We have the tools and together leading Catholic acade - the military in Matamoros, Mexico. organised crime. Church has a number of natural systems to develop peace on the mics, Vatican officials and diplo - Fr Marco Antonio Duran One priest in the diocese of strengths in peace-building, begin - ground. As Christians, we have mats to examine the Church’s role Romero, 48, pastor of the St Robert Matamoros fled a violent region of ning with the large body of faith and grace to change hearts.”— Bellarmine parish and host of a Tamaulipas state earlier this year in preventing and resolving con - Catholic social teaching and its CNS local television programme, was due to threats from drug cartels, shot in the chest after encounter - which are disputing a region covet - ing the shootout while driving, ed for its smuggling routes to the Vatican budget surplus, but giving is down said Fr Alan Camargo, spokesman United States. for the diocese of Matamoros. Fr Camargo said priests in BY JOHN THAVIS about $13,1 million. and instability”. Fr Duran, who had just left a The separate budget of Vatican Worldwide giving to the pope Tamaulipas have been stopped and HE Vatican has reported a prayer meeting in his parish, died searched at checkpoints manned City State, which includes the Vat - decreased in 2010, the statement budget surplus for the first after emergency surgery. by cartel toughs and impeded from ican Museums, ended 2010 with a said. Peter’s Pence collected $67,7 time in four years in 2010, “He was very dynamic, creative, leaving the towns they serve due to T surplus of about $28 million. A million, compared to $82,5 mil - very charismatic and had a way local sieges by the warring criminal but said contributions from major factor in the surplus was a lion in 2009. In addition, the con - being very open and direct with groups, but generally have not Catholics and dioceses around the boom in visitors to the Vatican tributions of dioceses amounted to young people,” Fr Camargo said. been targets.—CNS world had gone down. Museums, despite a general crisis about $27,4 million, compared to The budget of the Holy See, in the tourism industry. $31,5 million the previous year. which includes offices of the The statement cautioned that The Holy See depends largely Roman curia and related agencies, the global financial picture still on investments for its annual Bishop’s ordination slammed ended 2010 with a surplus of presented “elements of uncertainty income.—CNS BY JOHN THAVIS Bishop Johan Fang Xingyao of Linyi, president of the govern - HE Vatican has condemned ment-sanctioned Chinese Catholic the latest ordination of a Chi - Patriotic Association, was the main St Paul fresco ‘a sensational find’ Tnese bishop without papal celebrant. The six other bishops in the Vatican newspaper L’Osser - Ravasi said the city was at that approval, saying the prelate has no who laid hands on Bishop Lei had BY JOHN THAVIS vatore Romano . time a multiethnic crossroads of right to govern the diocese. all been ordained with Vatican HE Vatican has announced Cardinal Ravasi, president of the Jewish, Roman and Greek cul - The statement also warned that approval. what it called the “sensa - the Pontifical Council for Culture, tures, making it the ideal place for the penalty of excommunication Vatican spokesman Fr Federico tional discovery” of an early may apply not only to the T said the image shows St Paul St Paul to conduct his style of Lombardi SJ said the language of image of St Paul on the frescoed turned in acclamation towards a evangelisation. St Paul is believed ordained bishop but also to the the Vatican communique left little wall of a catacomb in Naples. dead woman. It was found in the to have been martyred in Rome in consecrating bishops who were doubt that Bishop Lei had incurred The fresco, dated to the early catacombs of St Januarius, the 68 AD. involved. excommunication, as foreseen by 6th century, is one of the most most extensive series of under - In 2009, just as the Year of St Fr Paul Lei Shiyin was ordained canon law. The Vatican has said “intense and priestly” images of ground burial chambers in south - Paul was ending, Vatican archae - without a papal mandate as bishop consecrating bishops face the same St Paul from the period, with an ern Italy. ologists discovered the oldest of Leshan, in the presence of about penalty, but that extenuating cir - unusually expressive face and the According to tradition, St Paul existing image of St Paul in a 1 000 guests and government offi - cumstances may apply—for exam - facial features of a philosopher, preached in Naples during his last Rome catacomb during restora - cials at Our Lady of the Rosary ple, if the bishops are coerced to Cardinal Gianfranco Ravasi wrote missionary voyage. Cardinal tion work.—CNS church in Emeishan. participate.—CNS SOCIeTY OF AFrICAn MISSIOnS HOLY SITES TRAVEL www.smainternational.info TEL: 082 975 0034 / FAX: 086 552 9648 E-MAIL:[email protected] Jesus is here; he is calling you! WEB SITE: www.holysites.co.za Come and follow him by joining the SMA Fathers, who are Join us on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land committed to the person and mission of Jesus Christ through as we explore the cradle of Christianity and follow the Footsteps of Jesus . primary evangelisation and formation of local Church.

VISIT: Pray in the Holy Grotto where Gabriel appeared to The Virgin Mary Visit the Holy Manger where Jesus was born Sea of Galilee – by its waters Jesus chose his first disciples Renew your baptismal vows in the Jordan River Walk the Via Dolorosa Light a candle for your loved ones on Calvary For more details contact Elna Ferreira Tel: 082 975 0034 For further information, please contact Fr Justin Inandjo, SMA on: Tel. 016 422 1286 Mobile 072 288 7813 You can also write to: The Southern Cross on your desktop every week: Fr Justin Inandjo, SMA Vocation Director, PO Box 126, Vereeniging, 1930 Subscribe to the Digital Southern Cross – www.scross.co.za/subscribe or e-mail [email protected] 6 The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 LEADER 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.

should parents not reward their Editor: Günther Simmermacher Rediscover the joy of reading children with books, and even buy them good books on their birth - ODAY , most people have lost cel of one’s life. A nation, a society that doesn’t read is poor. days? the value of reading. We are in Parents ought to set an example Galvanising the T Modern technology is to blame an era when books continue gather - to their children. Before making for the dying culture of reading. In ing dust on shelves while internet their children good readers, they local Church business is booming. the Internet age, where internet ser - need to read. Reading has become an activity vices are available in most institu - We love to take our children for is a fundamental obstacle in that one now embarks when one is tions, we have a quick access to any picnics and tours but we never take N international terms, the having holy people from poorer preparing for an exam. To make information we need with no strug - them to the libraries. Libraries are Catholic Church in Southern regions formally elevated to the matters worse, students seldom read gle. One needs just to google a everywhere in South Africa. We IAfrica is something of a back - College of Saints. Another is the their course books. They either rely word, and ready-baked information have good libraries, and it is free to water. comparative absence of an on handouts they get from their comes within no time. join them. If we want to create a With few exceptions— entrenched and cohesive teachers or notes they jot down in We live in a time when we want reading nation we have to befriend notably the struggle against Catholic culture in South classrooms. everything instantly and faster. It our libraries. apartheid and the contributions Africa’s society which might cre - Why should we read? A reader takes discipline and patience to We should consider time wasted of the late Archbishop Denis ate a popular groundswell. can not only communicate, but read. if a day passes without turning Hurley—the local Church has Nevertheless, a beatification communicate sensibly. Whenever We need to make libraries in our pages of a book. If we begin reading rarely stood in the international would galvanise our Catholic people have a conversation about a homes. It need not be an expensive now it will become a habit that will spotlight. community, and a beatification particular issue, it is easy to identify exercise. Simple articles from news - be hard to drop. We have never hosted a glob - ceremony would present rich good readers by the way they argue. papers could be collected. We could Anthony Gathambiri IMC, al Catholic event, and none of evangelical opportunities. With Reading should be part and par - photocopy some information. Why Merrivale, KZN the many holy men and women that in mind, the Congregation who have served the faith in for Sainthood Causes might do matters are crying out for attention witness”. South Africa have been beati - well to explore further how the Church traditions (“that the Church is taking a back - Mr Hancock’s derisive and mis - fied, never mind canonised. The ward step in encouraging the faith - financial burden of a cause initi - leading comments regarding “tradi - closest we have to a local saint is ful to abstain from eating meat on tionalists”, as if they were some ated by a poor diocese might be explained the French missionary Blessed Fridays”) would pale into oblivion if other breed apart, deserve little eased. REFER to Ron Hancock’s letter of Joseph Gérard, whose mission everyone came back to the spiritual - comment. Whether the priest The local Church should also June 15. He is protesting what the field was mainly in Lesotho. I ity, respect and reverence the speaks facing Christ on the Cross on strive to host global Catholic Church has stood for, for hundreds One can understand if Church represents. behalf of the faithful or he speaks to events such as World Youth of years. Firstly, the Church was Catholics in the southern tip of ahead of its time using Latin as its Hazel MacDonald, the faithful as an emissary of Christ, Africa sometimes feel margin - Day, for which the local Church Johannesburg with his back to the crucified Lord, has bid in the past, and interna - official language. In the extraordi - alised in the big family of God nary rite a person could and still both are beautiful and equally effi - that is the universal Church. tional Eucharistic congresses. Principles of cacious. South Africa, as we saw in 2010, can follow the Mass anywhere in At present two South African the world. Anthony J Sturges, dioceses are pursuing the beatifi - is eminently capable of staging Johannesburg big events. Secondly, as to the priest facing abstinence cation causes of two Servants of away from the congregation, he is AS Ron Hancock (“Meatless Fri - Of course, such plans would God: Abbot Franz Pfanner, respectfully facing our Lord in the days; what next?”, (June 15) Michelle Obama have to be subject to contribu - H founder of the Congregation of tabernacle and more often than not done any research into the Catholic tions from public funding, but Mariannhill Missionaries and is facing east as churches were built Church’s principles on abstinence? no role model the Missionary Sisters of the Pre - surely a strong case can be made to facilitate this. The Catechism of the Catholic STRUGGLE to understand how cious Blood, and Benedict that an event such as World Thirdly, if you understand tran - Church states: “The seasons and Ithe Catholic Church in South Daswa of Tzaneen, who was Youth Day can produce eco - substantiation, then you would days of penance in the course of the Africa, particularly the archdiocese martyred for his faith on Febru - nomic benefits. know that in the Tridentine Mass liturgical year (Lent, and each Fri - of Johannesburg could allow US ary 2, 1990. As we reported last week, the the communicant does not touch day in memory of the death of the first lady Michelle Obama, who One day, Sr Reinolda May, World Youth Day in Madrid the Body of Christ with his fingers. Lord) are intense moments of the openly and aggressively promotes the visionary of Ngome in next month is expected to gen - And the altar rails are necessary to Church’s penitential practice” partial birth abortion to address our KwaZulu-Natal, whose cente - erate revenue of almost R1 bil - divide the role of the priest from the (1438), and later: “You shall observe Catholic people, as she did at Regi - nary of birth the local Church lion for Spain, against a total role of the congregation and fur - the days of fasting and abstinence na Mundi church in Soweto (as you will observe in October, might cost of R610 million. In Spain, ther, to assist the communicants established by the Church” (2043) reported, June 29). join them among the 2 000 or none of the expenditure has kneeling whilst they receive the Abstinence then, honours our I know that the archdiocese of so cases before the Vatican’s come from public funds, though Blessed Sacrament. Lord in his Passion, obligatory dur - Johannesburg under the guidance Congregation for Sainthood the state has provided logistic As to the question of females act - ing the Lenten feasts and depen - of Archbishop Tlhagale is doing Causes. support and tax breaks for com - ing as altar servers and carrying out dent on the local bishops’ confer - much to combat abortion. The deci - A missionary territory like panies that work on the organi - other functions within the sanctu - ence (see canon 1251). sion to place Mrs Obama on a This was not done away with by Southern Africa is a fertile breed - sation of the event. ary, these duties are restricted to pedestal and look to her as a role Vatican II, as is evidenced by Cate - ing ground for holiness. Surely It is uncertain whether the males in the extraordinary rite as it model for Catholics sends out a chism and the Church Canon. there have been many extraordi - Church in Southern Africa is beneficial to the fostering of voca - very confusing message. would be able to secure the tions to the priesthood. The English and Welsh bishops How ironic that the sign behind narily holy people serving the specified that they were instructing Church in this region. How required financing without And, lastly, not eating meat on Mrs Obama in photo on the front assistance from the public sec - Fridays is a sacrifice. Friday was the their flocks to resume Friday absti - page says “Choose Life”. For wonderful it would be if we nence “as a clear and a distinctive tor. At the same time, the bene - day on which Our Lord was cruci - Catholics that means life at every were to identify more of them, mark of their own Catholic identi - fits to the country of a World fied so it is a special day in remem - stage of development from concep - make known their heroic wit - ty”, adding that the “best habits are ness, and perhaps even obtain Youth Day should suffice to brance of our Lord’s sacrificial tion to death. death. As we have been told, prayer those which are acquired as part of Caring for the poor, the sick, the funding for the rigorous secure some public funding and a common resolve and common advancement of their causes. moderate secular concerns. and penance are required for our youth and women is noble and In this we must be mindful For the local Church, and the spiritual growth. Therefore abstain - worthy, but we cannot forget life at Opinions expressed in The Southern its most vulnerable, namely, in the that a beatification must be pre - Church in Africa in general, ing from eating meat on Fridays is a Cross , especially in Letters to the Editor, ceded by a miracle (except in hosting the world’s faithful in penance the Church in England do not necessarily reflect the views of the womb. the case of a martyr, so none is South Africa would have an and Wales has recommended. Editor or staff of the newspaper, or of the Mrs Obama may be an inspira - In 1965 the Jesuits had 3 559 Catholic hierarchy. The letters page in par - tion to those who fought in the war required for the beatification of electrifying and unifying effect ticular is a forum in which readers may Benedict Daswa). that would do much to animate seminarians under formation, but exchange opinions on matters of debate. against apartheid, but the adminis - The prohibitive cost of a the faith, especially among in 2 000 only 389. Why? “By the Letters must not be understood to neces - tration she represents contributes sarily reflect the teachings, disciplines or canonisation process, of course, the young. fruits you will know them”. Han - nothing to the war against abortion. cock’s comment that so many other policies of the Church accurately. Natasha Couto, Duban

Comboni missionaries Founded by Saint Daniel Comboni

Kolping Guest House & Conference facility NEW FOR 2012 Situated in a tranquil garden in the centre of Dur - We are committed as Priests or Brothers to EVANGELISATION and banville, Cape Town, with pool and braai NGOME FRIENDS PILGRIMAGE facilities, we offer both tastefully decorated B&B and 11-20 November DEVELOPMENT in Africa, Europe, America and Asia S/C as well as a full English breakfast and dinner by arrangement. Conference and wheelchair facilities Visiting Constantinople (Istanbul), Rome, available, within walking distance of shops, Join us in bringing the restaurants, banks and close proximity to Catholic The Vatican City and Assisi good news to the world church, tennis courts, golf course and wine routes. Spiritual Leader Rev. Fr Bongani Sithole 7 Biccard Street, Durbanville, 7550 Cost from R15400 Contact Father Vincent Mkhabela 07 6 97 5 6846 Tel: +27 21 97 6 8758 Tel: (031) 26 6 7702 Fax: (031) 26 6 8982 Or write to: Vocation Co-ordinator Fax: +27 21 97 6 9839 Email: [email protected] Comboni Study Centre, P.O. Box 73514 [email protected] A list of current pilgrimages can be viewed by clicking on 0040 Lynnwood Ridge, Pretoria www.kolpingguesthouse.co.za the Valley View Travel icon at www.catholic-friends.com PERSPECTIVES The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 7

Raymond M Xenophobia: It’s a life issue Mwangala OMI Michael Shackleton positive terms, tribalism is a negative Point of Reflection Open Door N April and May 2008 South Africa term that refers to a “form of racialised was the scene of violent attacks on for - relations between groups”, Notwehr Ieign nationals. These attacks were writes. It “is an attitude and practice of is also ambiguous. The real task for the eventually condemned by a wide section harbouring such a strong feeling of loyal - of society, both local and international, Church, however, is not only to assist Was veneration of relic ty or bonds to one’s tribe that excludes or people in developing their intellectual civil as well as religious, as evil and even dehumanises those ‘others’ who do against the dignity and rights of human capacity, character, and spirituality, but not belong to that group”. beings. also to teach them the skills and strate - an act of idolatry? Xenophobia is the fear of strangers Sadly, these were not to be the last of gies necessary to draw on “difference” as that has both “rational” and “non-ratio - such brutal attacks. The country has since the occasion for empowerment of all and I was shocked that pilgrims at the beatification experienced several sporadic explosions nal” sources. Therefore, the attacks on celebration of the presence of God’s grace ceremony of Pope John Paul II venerated the cas - of violence directed at foreign nationals, foreigners experienced in South Africa in all people, rather than as the basis for ket and a relic of the blood of the late pope. Peo - mainly from other African countries. may have both rational and non-rational fearful exclusion or even violence, ple knelt before these and prayed. Is this not Christians together with the rest of the sources. Notwehr argues. breaking the first commandment in which the nation need to seriously reflect on the As a social construct race and racism Racism’s fundamental error is its Lord instructs us not to have any other gods source of such inhuman behaviour and has been influenced by politics, biology, denial of the full humanity and equality before him, not to make an idol in the form of respond appropriately. Are foreigners as anthropology, and sadly has sometimes of the “other” who is differently skinned anything in heaven or on earth and not to bow evil as they are made out to be? Who received religious justification. The or cultured, and of justifying oppressive down to these or worship them? Is this not what really is a foreigner? How come the Church’s teaching on slavery is a good limits placed on them. Basically, all forms Catholics are doing? I wonder if the late pope majority of attacks are directed at fellow example of this. At best the Church’s of racism are a denial of the God-image would have approved of this behaviour. Africans? Why is there a constant threat teaching has not been consistent; some - in the other. ATHOLICS well know the text from of such violent attacks erupting? How times it has been ambiguous and at other “Sadly, due to the Church’s past com - Deuteronomy repeated to Satan by Jesus should Christians respond in a manner times it has even been contradictory of plicity in racism and its continued status Cwhen he was tempted in the wilderness: “You that is both credible to the Gospel and the central message of the faith—to love as part of the dominant culture in many must worship the Lord your God and serve him relevant to the situation? all as God has loved us (Jn 13:34). contexts, its teaching concerning racism, alone” (Mt 4:10). They well know the difference Dawn M Nothwehr‘s book That They Biblical data on the question of slavery tribalism and xenophobia is often sus - between the strict worship due to our Creator and May Be One: Catholic Social Teaching on pect,” Notwehr writes. the honour we give to our fellow creatures. Racism, Tribalism and Xenophobia (Orbis, If anything, the violence in South When people, Catholics or others, sympathise 2008) is a very useful tool in the attempt Africa should serve as a sad reminder that with the bereaved, they may look at photographs, to formulate an appropriate Christian the problem of racism is far from being mementoes and personal items of their deceased response to issues of racial justice. It can resolved. It is a symptom of how sick loved ones, and even kiss these as a show of respect serve as starting point for reflection on society has become. and affection. They most certainly do not intend to the situation in South Africa. Ultimately, however, more than doc - worship them. It is a mat - The book carefully discusses the con - trines and statements, it is the actions of ter of common sense that cept of race. Various constructions and Christians that are the most influential such relics of the loved definitions of race and racism are factors in the fight against the evils of one can arouse emotions explored. Race is a complex concept racism, tribalism and xenophobia. of all kinds, ranging from which has been defined differently in dif - Why do we promote life’s sanctity if polite touching to gush - ferent contexts. Basically, the book shows we do not defend the right of all people ing tears, kissing and how race is a social construct that takes to live in dignity? This has been a con - unrestrained weeping. many forms. It is not an objective reality. stant call of the Church’s social teaching The Church has been Apart from colour-coded racism, the throughout this past century. It is a call accused of superstition book also examines definitions of xeno - we cannot afford to ignore. It is at the when it permits the faith - phobia and tribalism (or ethnocentricity), A protester chants slogans during clashes heart of the Gospel. ful to show reverence for two forms of segregation and discrimina - linked to anti-foreigner violence in Reiger n Fr Raymond M Mwangala OMI teaches at relics, as if these contain tion that are closely related to racism. Park, Boksburg, in 2008. (Photo: Siphiwe St Joseph’s Theological Institute in Cedara, magical powers. A drop While tribe and tribal belonging are Sibeko, Reuters/CNS) KwaZulu-Natal of Pope John Paul’s pre - served blood cannot work magic. The faithful know that only God can work miracles. Honouring that blood is in the Catholic tradition of respect for what belonged to the person of a holy man, a temple of the Holy Spirit. Will you be vinegar or fine wine? Praying before the pope’s casket and blood is not an indication of false worship. Whatever prayer is Blessed are they who hunger and thirst said in this circumstance is an acknowledgment of WAS out and about with my 18 year- for justice, that the old and weak will not the power of God’s love which has shone through old granddaughter recently and we, as be cast aside but be treated with dignity Toni Rowland this man’s holy life and so evoked human feelings women do, were attracted by a skin - I and respect. Family Friendly of awe and wonder. It is an expression of honouring care kiosk in the mall. Blessed are they who are merciful and his memory. The young salesman took a look at the who forgive the old for the faults and Would Pope John Paul have approved of this young lady and made some comment to failings of yesteryear. public display of emotional love? Being human, he her about her mom. “That’s not my Blessed are the pure in heart, who see most probably would, just as the human Jesus mom,” she replied, “that’s my gran.” the old and young as they really are. ing for them and their safety and well- accepted the devotion paid to him by the woman “But she looks so young!” came the Blessed are the peace-makers and the being is the greatest gift we can offer who wept at his feet, and kissed and anointed them response. agents for reconciliation between genera - them. Some information on this and other with ointment (Lk 7:36-50). Now, do I take that as a sales pitch, tions. articles on ageing and the elderly can be down-right flattery or a genuine observa - Blessed are they who accept with grace downloaded from www.marfam.org.za/blog . n Send your queries to Open Door, Box 2372, Cape Town, tion? We older people are concerned the wisdom of old age. On the topic of maturing, I like the 8000 ; or e-mail: [email protected] ; or fax (021) about how we look, how we come across Blessed are they who can look back on July family calendar theme, “Peace 46 5 3850 . Anonymity can be preserved by arrangement, but to other younger people and do still a life of integrity and know they are matures with age” and have done some questions must be signed, and may be edited for clarity. enjoy a compliment. But how do we real - loved. homework around the idea of maturing. Only published questions will be answered. ly feel about ourselves and the role we Blessed are they who do not judge I discovered that maturity means coping can or do play in society? Conversely their young, so that they will not be well in whatever situation one finds how are we regarded by others including judged. oneself and a two-year old can be our grandchildren; useful, a burden, a Blessed are those who are persecuted mature for his age, or an 18-year-old or shoulder to cry on? because they do what is right, standing a 35-year-old can be immature for their I think that these “Beatitudes for up with courage to defend what they age. Grandparents” that I penned some years have learned through the years. But maturing also tends to be applied ago for MARFAM still express my senti - Blessed are the old and the young, to ageing until it reaches prime condi - ments on this. children, parents and grandparents who tion, possibly like cheese or wine. Blessed are the poor in spirit, as they acknowledge with gratitude the great gift A quotation that really tickled my will not see their grandparents as a of life they have been given to share—for fancy was this: “People are like wine, mealticket to the future. the Kingdom of God is theirs. some turn to vinegar, but the best Blessed are the gentle, as they will A project I embarked on some years ago improve with age.” In our declining recognise and be patient with the weak - too is a very informal “Movement of years I pray that we may strive to be like nesses of old age. Prayer of Grandparents for their Grand - good wine, fruity or full-bodied, with a Blessed are they who mourn, and who children”. We do often feel out of our rich colour, a good nose and a delight on comfort the bereaved and lonely in their depth in the world they inhabit but also the tongue. May that be the way to hope loss. feel seriously concerned. So at times pray - and joy for young and old?

on DStv audio channel 170 also streamed on radioveritas.co.za Listen on iPhone or Blackberry: http://listenlive- c2p1.ndstream.net:8030 8 The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 COMMUNITY

IN FOCUS

Edited by: Lara Moses

Send photographs, with sender’s name and address on the back, and a SASE to: The Southern Cross, Community Pics, Box 2372, Cape Christ the King cathedral in Witbank, held Pentecost service celebrated by Town, 8000 Bishop Giuseppe Sandri in collaboration with the Bible Society of South or email them to: The Grade 11 students from St David’s Marist College Inanda, Johannes - Africa. Bishop Sandri is seen here with representatives of the churches in [email protected] burg, took part in a retreat at the Bosco Youth Centre. The focus of the Witbank and Middleburg and representatives of the Bible Society of South retreat was the Our Father. Here are the boys with members of the youth Africa. (Submitted by Hester Nel) ministry team. (Submitted by Clarence Watts)

Sisters from the Dominican con - vent in Kimberley with Bishop Abel Gabuza. (From left) Sr Angela Sutton, Hilde - grunde Runne, Clarina Marquart, Clarissa Weber and Sizakele zulu.

Fr Daniel Sehlapelo with newly baptised Tyra Jane Isabella Jansen at the church of the Resurrection in Bryanston. She is pictured with her parents, Mary and Wilhelm Jansen, at whose wedding Fr Sehlapelo officiated a few years ago, and family and friends Willi Jansen (far left) and Irmingard Jansen and Marian Smith (right). The Oblates Friends at St Rose of Lima parish in Bloemfontein with Fr Pappy Mothae OMI. (Submitted by Paulus Chabalala)

The Johannes - burg Circle 305 Catenians welcome new brother Peter Stanford of Maryvale parish to their Fr David Evans blessed a frieze depicting the Last Supper at the Kia-Ora brotherhood. chapel of St Patrick’s in Benoni. (Submitted by Gillian Tweehuysen) Pictured are (from left) Des Foley, Mike Cooney, Henry Alley and Jan Rielman. J.M.J HOT POT PAINT AND HARDWARE (PTY) LTD

46, 12th Street, Springs, 1559 Tel: (011) 362 3071, (011) 362 4682/3, (011) 8121655/6/7 BRANCHES: Springs (011) 362 3071 Vereeniging (016) 427 5525 Alberton (011) 907 8676 Benoni (011) 422 2331 Heidelberg (016) 349 5886 Boksburg (011) 892 5186 Randburg (011) 678 2436 Lephalale (Ellisras) Mike or Annette (014) 763 3147

STOCKISTS OF: Paint, Hardware, Geysers, Roll- up garage doors, Sink tops, Bosch Power Tools. VOCATION OFFICE: ALL AT THE VERY BEST PRICES! P.O. Box 630, Hilton, 3245 033 383-0001 or 072 229-1855 Looking to open franchises in ALL areas. E-mail: [email protected] If interested please contact Nero or Gerald on 083 4606650 Website: www.scj.org.za PROFILE The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 9 PE bishop’s 25 years

bishop said, that he realised the continuing goal is to become a Bishop Michael Coleman of importance of education in the self-sustaining diocese,” he said. community. He said the diocese was built on Port Elizabeth has celebrated Bishop Coleman was ordained the backs of missionaries. After his episcopal silver jubilee. head of the Port Elizabeth diocese speaking to major superiors in by Archbishop Stephen Naidoo of Rome and Nigeria, India and local - CLAIRE MATHIESON looks Cape Town on June 22, 1986, suc - ly, Port Elizabeth has been home back at the bishop’s 25 years ceeding Bishop John Murphy. to the “Capuchins who have “In June 1986 I was also encour - increased their number of active as head of the Eastern Cape’s aged to sit down and write some priests in our diocese, the biggest diocese. dreams that expressed what was Carmelites of Mary Immaculate needed for the future of our dio - who left India to be missionaries cese. They covered two pages and I among us, the St Philip Neri Ora - have been adding new ones ever tory in Port Elizabeth, the Francis - IS vision was to create a Bishop Michael Coleman (centre) celebrates his silver jubilee at a special since,” the bishop said in his cans who established a house in Mass with nuncio Archbishop James Green (left) and Archbishop Stephen Church which welcomed homily at a celebratory Mass. Grahamstown and a number of Brislin of Cape Town. Hthe youth and offered peo - On the occasion of his silver individual priests from Africa,” ple their rightful place in the com - jubilee lay, religious and visiting said the bishop, adding the value munity through education and friends were invited to join in the of their ministry has been felt con - leadership. For 25 years Bishop celebrations. A Mass was held for tinuously. while many priests, religious and Appropriately, 25 new churches Michael Gower Coleman has been the laity in St Augustine’s cathe - He praised the religious for their lay people have voluntarily assist - have been built during the bish - leading the Church in the diocese dral on July 3, followed by a Mass efforts to work in the fields of cate - ed in many ways, “this help still op’s 25 years in the diocese. of Port Elizabeth to do just that. for bishops, priests, deacons and chesis, health and education. More needs to grow substantially” and Another great hope for the dio - Born in Mafikeng on April 19, religious on the evening of July 4, educational facilities and a deeper remains a goal for the diocese. cese was dedicated to the youth of 1939, the young Michael Coleman which in turn was followed by Catholic ethos in the diocese’s Furthering the theme of educa - the area. The bishop said the attended school at Kimberley’s dinner at St Luke’s Pastoral Centre. schools are also attributed to the tion in the diocese, Bishop Cole - Church and its buildings should Christian Brothers College before The month of July has been full work of the religious. man said he envisaged an increase be a place they can call their own. moving to Lusaka, Zambia, where of celebrations for the Coleman in lay education and formation. He said the diocese of Port Eliza - he worked in the office of the family: Bishop Coleman’s sister ishop Coleman said he had “One of the first milestones was beth will continue to provide suit - accountant-general. But it was not celebrated her golden jubilee as a Bhoped the number of deacons the Renew programme in the early able sanctity for the youth. long before he decided that the religious sister at the same time. would increase to help the dio - 1990s, he said, adding that a num - While many of his dreams had religious life was his true calling Sr Janine Coleman, a Mission - cese’s priests and the many ‘priest - ber of the Small Christian Com - not yet been achieved for the dio - and entered St John Vianney ary Sister of the Assumption, less’ communities in Port Eliza - munities established at the time cese, many had and these would Major Seminary in Pretoria. attended the ceremony which also beth. were still in existence when the be the inspiration for the future. Bishop Coleman’s first pastoral paid tribute to their late mother, The bishop said one of the diocese followed on with the All going well, Bishop Coleman ministry was Grahamstown, where Hope, who recently died aged 99. highlights of his tenure was to Renew Africa process. This project will head the diocese at least until he was ordained a priest on June From increasing the number of encourage 30 men to take up well- is one of the dreams still unfolding his 75th birthday in 2014, when 30, 1963. religious ministering in the diocese developed training to become today, the bishop said. he will be required by canon law From there he worked with var - to an emphasis on improving edu - committed ordained members of Bishop Coleman said one of the to offer his resignation to the ious disadvantaged communities cation, the bishop noted that over the diaconate in the diocese. The most encouraging acts he has been pope, who may accept or decline around the Eastern Cape. He also the years a number of his goals last four were ordained in early involved with over his 25 year it. worked with seminarians as a lec - and expectations had come to 2011, an event he described as tenure has been the dedicating of “It has been a special ministry turer in the formation programme fruition, “others are still unfolding “very exciting for the diocese”. new churches and the renovation to be the shepherd of Port Eliza - at St Peter’s Seminary in Hamman - today, and yet more are still wait - With the diocese covering such of old churches. He said it was beth over the past 25 years and to skraal, Pretoria, in the 1980s. Later ing to become a reality”. a large rural area and many town - exciting to see the birth of new have received much support local - he chaired the Seminaries’ Com - But the silver jubilee was not ships in both Port Elizabeth and communities, especially when the ly and from benefactors elsewhere mission at the Southern African just an opportunity to look back, East London, it is a dream to be community has been living a dis - during this time. May the diocese Catholic Bishops’ Conference. It he said, but also a time to look to able to help the needy in a real advantaged life and can now of Port Elizabeth continue to flour - was during these early years, the the future of Port Elizabeth. “A way, the bishop said. He said that proudly call its church its own. ish.” 10 The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 BOOK REVIEWS The great Catholic contribution Changing sex in the Bible UNPROTECTED TEXTS : The Bible’s Surprising Contradictions to health care in Southern Africa About Sex and Desire, by Jennifer Wright Knust. HarperOne, San IN THE SERVICE OF HEALING: Clearly an immense amount of Francisco. 2011. 343 pp. A History of Catholic Health research went into this project. Care in Southern Africa. Pub - What emerges is an engaging wit - Reviewed by Eugene J Fisher lished by CATHCA, Johannes - ness of concrete service to the NPROTECTED TEXTS : The burg. 2011. 128pp people of Southern Africa. Bible’s Surprising Contradic - Reviewed by Often that service was heroic, ‘Utions About Sex and Desire is Günther Simmermacher because of the difficulties of the a book by a scholar who knows how environments in which these to write for a general, educated ERE is a piece of useful missionaries served, or because readership, as Jennifer Wright Catholic trivia: Johannes - they cared for people in the front Knust’s witty title indicates. burg’s first (and for a few H lines of violent conflict. Many While footnoted with an exten - decades only) hospital was run by sive bibliography and index, the Catholic nuns. times they defied the racial dis - crimination that was a norm in scholarly apparatus does not The sick and injured of the intrude on what is basically a good mining camp of Johannesburg the region long even before the policy of apartheid was imposed. read for anyone interested in better were treated in the local jailhouse understanding the Scriptures of until in 1888 the first hospital Typically, Catholic orders set up hospitals where successive Judaism and Christianity. I mention was built from public funds, with the former because Knust is adept at a Catholic businessman, W St white rulers did not bother to do so. By 1950, there were 73 using rabbinic as well as ancient, John Carr, as chairman of its medieval and modern Christian board. Catholic hospitals in South Africa, South West Africa (now interpretations of the passages she desire that, out of control, can dis - Carr asked the Sisters of the interprets so well for the modern rupt and even break the covenantal Holy Family of Bordeaux, who Namibia), Southern Rhodesia reader. relations between God and the peo - already had teaching nuns in the (now Zimbabwe), Swaziland and ciated. This book serves to correct Knust is an American Baptist, so ple of God. area, to send some nursing staff. Basutoland (now Lesotho). They that neglect. provided not only medical ser - there are some places in which Knust notes that the Hebrew Soon after, Mother St Adele and In The Service of Healing is gen - Scriptures and the New Testament vices, often at nominal fees, but Catholic readers will take Catholic three sisters arrived, and the erously illustrated, thanks to the charge non-Jews and non-Chris - also trained African nurses. tradition into account in a way she mother superior took charge of research work by Lungi Mbokazi. tians with sexual deviance, turning As a result, for much of the does not. But she is a superb biblical the new Johannesburg General Some photos, such as those of the other religions into purveyors of 20th century, the vast majority of scholar, so readers can rely on her Hospital. bewimpled nurses in the operat - cultic prostitution, when there is no South Africans received health interpretations, and at times multi - By the time the last nuns left ing theatre of Johannesburg Gen - evidence such practices existed. care not from the government, ple interpretations citing ancient the hospital in 1916, they were eral Hospital in 1890 or Mari - Prostitution in the Hebrew Scrip - but from Catholic mission hospi - and modern commentators, of bib - praised for having established a annhill’s Abbot Franz Pfanner in tures and in the New Testament tals—until the apartheid regime lical texts. world-class medical and training a simple horse-drawn carriage, are becomes a central metaphor for expropriated almost all of them Knust argues, convincingly, that facility. on their own worth the acquisi - idolatry. in the 1970s. In many areas, the the Bible cannot be used as a simple This is just one among several tion of this book. Knust describes the fascination Catholic health mission contin - guidebook for sexual conduct. Writ - fascinating stories of Catholics Researcher Loek Goemans and with and abhorrence of the ancient ued with increasingly lay-run ten over such a long period of time, pioneering health care in South - editor Hilary Wilson have com - biblical writers of both testaments clinics. it reflects the changing mores of ern Africa, sometimes under piled a valuable overview of the with the possibility of sexual rela - As in education, the Catholic vastly different generations and extreme circumstances, recounted history of Catholic health care in tions between angels, the “sons of contribution to health care in Southern Africa. The book offers times. by the writers of In The Service of God”, and human women. South Africa (and in its neigh - kernels of many great stories The patriarchs of Israel, as depict - Healing , published by the In her concluding chapter, she Catholic Health Care Association bouring countries) has been enor - which, hopefully, will be told one ed in Genesis, practised polygamy, examines the changing theology of of South Africa (Cathca). mous—and often not fully appre - day in more extensive narratives. as did the kings of Israel as depicted in later books. Mere fornication in circumcision and the emissions of the Hebrew Scriptures does not men and women—semen and the cause major disruptions in Israel’s products of a woman’s womb, both relationship with God, though adul - menstrual and at childbirth—and A.M.D.G. tery does. The crime of the people of how these precluded people from Sodom was not “sodomy” in its going into the temple to offer sacri - modern understanding, but the vio - fice and, later, Jewish men and lation of hospitality and the crime women from going to synagogue of rape, as is shown in a parallel and Christian men and women story of the rape of the daughter of from going into churches (the a Levite. Paul in his time, though, Christian replacement for the understands homosexual sex as a destroyed Jewish Temple). more serious sin. This book will give Catholic Sex in the Bible is at once a readers a new perspective on the divine command, a source of joy Scriptures. It is recommended not and a reflection of divine love only for personal reading but for between God and Israel and God Catholic-Protestant and Catholic- St George’s College and humanity, and a powerful Jewish dialogue groups.—CNS Harare HEADMASTER St George’s College, established in 1896, is a Catholic, independent, secondary, day and boarding, school for boys, operating in the Jesuit tradition of education under the direction of the Prestage Trust. The Col - lege reflects Catholic values in the development of people for excellence, for leadership, for service and for the common good. It offers a broad educational curriculum leading to IGCSE and ‘A’ Level of Cam - bridge International Examinations, and has an outstanding tradition of academic achievement and in a wide variety of sports and extra-curricular activities such as art, drama and music.

The Board of Governors wishes to appoint the next Headmaster of St George's College on the retirement in 2012 of the present Head after a long period of distinguished service. The successful candidate will have the capacity to identify and realize opportunities for the continued development of the College. The Headmaster reports to the Rector, the Board of Governors and to the Trustees.

The ideal candidate will demonstrate: – evidence of academic and administrative leadership in an independent school; – proven organisational and communication skills and experience of team-building in a comparable institution; – a record of being able to manage change and development; – a commitment to the Catholic tradition and Jesuit mission of the College.

In order to obtain an application package related to this appointment, please e-mail the Rector [email protected] or phone him on 703595/762994/704458 ext 8101.

Closing date for applications is 30 August 2011.

Listen on iPhone or Blackberry: http://listenlive-c2p1.ndstream.net:8030

on DStv audio channel 170 & streamed on www.radioveritas.co.za The Southern Cross, July 13 to July 19, 2011 11 Sr Lamberta Suter OP

Ekukhanyeni and Oakford. HE Oakford Dominican Sis - After a term as prioress of Oak - CLASSIFIEDS ter Lamberta Suter died on ford, she ministered to the order’s May 11 at Villa Siena in Births • First Communion • Confirmation • Engagement/Marriage • Wedding T elderly sisters in the infirmary, anniversary • Ordination jubilee • Congratulations • Deaths • In memoriam • Pietermaritzburg. and then moved with the sisters Thanks • Prayers • Accommodation • Holiday Accommodation • Personal • Sr Lamberta was born in Ger - to Villa Siena, a retirement home Services • Employment • Property • Others many on February 4, 1940. She on the premises of Villa Assumpta entered the Oakford Dominicans in Pietermaritzburg. Please include payment (R1,15 a word) with small advertisements and made her first profession in For many years she cared for Sr Lamberta will be remem - for promptest publication. South Africa and a week after her the order’s sick and dying sisters bered by her sisters, staff and 21st birthday. in a wonderful, motherly way friends as a practical, sensitive, Sr Lamberta trained as a nurse until she, herself stricken with caring and loving person, full of with you and my loved DEATH ones in your perpetual HOLIDAY and served in Magaliesburg, cancer, died there. humour and deep joy. GÜNTENSPERGER —Sr glory. Amen. Say this ACCOMMODATION Anne Catherine. Holy prayer for 3 consecutive BALLITO: Up-market pent - Cross Sister, Sr Anne days. Publication promised. house on beach, self-cater - Liturgical Calendar Family Reflections Catherine, aged 100, SRB. ing. 084 790 6562. Year A passed away at Holy Cross HOLY Spirit you make me July 17 16th Sunday. The Lord our Merciful Convent, Fatima House BETTY’S BAY: (Western Sunday, July 17, 16th Sunday see everything and show Cape) Holiday home, Judge . God does not only judge fairly but he also Retirement Home, Aliwal me the way to reach my Wisdom 12:13, 16-19, Psalm 86:5-6, 9-10, 15-16, judges with mercy and a willingness to forgive. North, on June 16, 2011. sleeps six, three bath - ideals. You give me the rooms, close to beach, Romans 8:26-27, Matthew 13:24-43 or 13:24-30 In our bigger families and between the genera - Lovingly remembered by divine gift to forgive and for - her family circle in Switzer - R800/night. 021 794 4293, Monday, July 18,feria tions there are fights and conflicts. get. In all instances of my [email protected] Exodus 14:5-18, Exodus 15:1-6, Matthew 12:38-42 Sometimes we want to make peace but find it land and the Holy Cross life you are with me, pro - difficult. St Paul tells us that the Spirit helps us to Sisters. May she rest in tecting me and opening for CAPE TOWN: Vi Holiday Tuesday, July 19,feria Villa. Fully equipped self- Exodus 14:21, 15:1, Exodus 15:8-10, 12, 17, pray. Invite the Spirit then to pray in each one peace. me a way where there is no that we may all be willing and able to forgive one way. I thank you for every - catering, two bedroom fam - Matthew 12:46-50 ily apartment (sleeps 4) in Wednesday, July 20, St Apollinaris another and be at peace. MEMORIAM thing, and confirm once more that I never want to Strandfontein, with parking, Exodus 16:1-5, 9-15, Psalm 78:18-19, 23-28, LETORD —In loving memo - be separated from you, no R400 per night. Tel/Fax Matthew 13:1-9 ry of Deacon Roger who matter how great the mate - Paul 021 393 2503, 083 Thursday, July 21, St. Lawrence of Brindisi passed away two years rial desires. I want to be 553 9856, vivilla@telkom Wisdom 8:9-16 or 2 Corinthians 5:14-21, Psalm Communit y Calendar ago on July 19, 2009 aged with you and my loved sa.net 67:2-5, 7-8, Luke 9:1-6 96. Will always be remem - ones in your perpetual FISH HOEK: Self-catering bered by his family Helen, To place your event, call Claire Allen at 021 46 5 5007 glory. Amen. Say this accommodation, sleeps 4. Friday, July 22, St Mary Magdalene Stephen, Matthew, Th érèse Exodus 20:1-17, Psalm 19:8-11, John 20:1-2, 11-18 or e-mail [email protected], (publication subject to space) prayer for 3 consecutive Secure parking. Tel: 021 and Kieran, Janet, Dean, days. Publication promised. 785 1247. BETHLEHEM : Divine Mercy novena prayers. Saturday, July 23, St Bridget Michael and Kyle, Anne, GFR... Exodus 24:3-8, Psalm 50:1-2, 5-6, 14-15, Matthew Shrine of Our Lady of Beth - Tel: 031 309 3496. Basil, Sarah and Warren GORDON’S BAY: Beauti - 13:24-30 lehem at Tsheseng, Maluti JOHANNESBURG : and Joan Swanson. May ful en-suite rooms available mountains; Thursdays 09:30, Exposition of the Blessed his soul rest in peace. THANKS at reasonable rates. Mag - Sunday, July 24, 2011, 17 Sunday in Ordinary nificent views, breakfast on Time Mass, then exposition of the Sacrament: first Friday of the NASH —Michael. O Great St Joseph of Blessed Sacrament. 058 request. Tel: 082 774 7140. 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12, Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130, month at 09:20 followed by 14/12/1976 to 18/7/1989. Cupertino who by your 72 1 0532. Holy Mass at 10:30. Holy E-mail: bzhive@telkomsa. Romans 8:28-30, Matthew 13:44-52 or Matthew Thank you Lord for the prayers obtained from God net CAPE TOWN : Hour: first Saturday of each twelve years we had with the grace of being asked at 13:44-46 month at 15:00. At Our Lady Good Shepherd , Bothasig. our dear son Michael. Lov - your examination the only KNYSNA: Self-catering Perpetual Eucharistic Adora - of the Angels, Little Eden, accommodation for 2 in Old Edenvale. Tel: 011 609 7246. ingly remembered by par - questions which you knew. Word of the Week tion in our chapel. All hours. ents Bill and Cathy, broth - Obtain for me a like suc - Belvidere with wonderful Christian eschatology is the study of themes such All welcome. “Nite Fever” ’70s disco to Lagoon views. 044 387 raise funds for St Francis’ ers and sisters. cess in the examination as death and the afterlife, the return of Jesus, the Day of Prayer held at Spring - which I am now preparing, 1052. field Convent starting at Care Centre, Boksburg. July resurrection of the dead, the rapture, the tribula - 27 at The Barnyard, Boks - PERSONAL and in return I promise to MARIANELLA Guest 10:00 ending 15:30 last Sat - make your name known tion, the end of the world, the last judgment, the urday of every month—all burg. Tickets R100pp. To House, Simon’s Town: new heaven and earth, and the world to come. book contact: Cynthia 082 ABORTION WARNING: and caused to be invoked “Come experience the welcome. For more informa - ‘The Pill’ can abort, unde - Application: Catholics state their eschatological tion contact Jane Hulley 021 9036914 or development@st in prayers. Amen. Thank peace and beauty of God tected, soon after concep - beliefs when they say the Creed at Mass. 790 1668 or 082 783 0331. franciscarecentre.co.za you Mother Mary patroness with us.” Fully equipped tion (a medical fact). See DURBAN : PRETORIA: of my studies and St.Jude with amazing sea views. website: www.human for intercessions. Dalila. Secure parking, ideal for St Anthony’s, Durban Cen - First Saturday : Devotion to ESTABLISHED 1982 Divine Mercy. St Martin de life.org/abortion_does_the_ rest and relaxation. Special O R FO R D tral: Tuesday 09:00 Mass pill.php CONSTRUCTION Professional Supervision with novena to St Anthony. Porres, Sunnyside, 16:30. Tel HOUSE TO rates for pensioners and First Friday 17:30 Mass— Shirley-Anne 012 36 1 4545. ELDERLY Catholic lady in LET/FOR SALE clergy. Tel: Malcolm Salida need of a smallish TV. 082 784 5675 or mjsali Project Management Contact 079 199 9148. SOUTH COAST , Uvongo: [email protected] Three bedroom house, fully SKIATOS: (Langebaan) Specialists in: furnished, en-suite, lock-up Southern Cross Word solutions SERVICES Holiday home for hire, New Houses • Renovations • Alterations garage. R3 000 per month. sleeps 10-12. Special rates • Additions • Painting • Plumbing SOLUTIONS TO #453. ACROSS: 4 Pontiff, 8 Evoked, 9 ANNUAL REPORTS , Tel: Donald 031 465 5651, for Catholics.. To book con - Reclaim, 10 Elixir, 11 Innate, 12 Inhumane, 18 Peter Pan, 20 newsletters, books etc 073 989 1074. tact Jean on 072 243 1379 • Property Management and Care Agatha, 21 Office, 22 Matched, 23 Agreed, 24 Falsity. designed and edited at or 021 981 9816. For Advice call Julian Orford B.Sc. (Civ.Eng) DOWN: 1 Genesis, 2 Tonight, 3 Tedium, 5 Obedient, 6 Talent, competitive rates. Phone FLAT FOR SALE UMHLANGA ROCKS: Tel: (021) 79 4 5552 Fax: (021) 79 4 7088 7 Faints, 13 Apparent, 14 Spoiled, 15 Unready, 16 Iguana, 17 Gail at 082 415 4312 or WYNBERG , Cape Town: Fully equipped self-catering Cell: 082 49 3 0563 Stocks, 19 Effigy. [email protected] 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom E-mail: [email protected] One bedroom ground floor flat in quiet block. house, sleeps 6, sea view, R65 0 000. Tel Louisa 082 200 metres from beach, PRAYERS 720 8899. DSTV. Tel: Holiday Divi - HOLY St Jude, apostle and sion, 031 561 5838, holi Advertise in this martyr, great in virtue and FOR SALE [email protected] space, call Liz rich in miracles, kinsman of Jesus Christ, faithful inter - LIVING in the Country? Hutton 021 465 5007 cessor of all who invoke HOBHOUSE, Eastern Free you, special patron in time State: Pheasants, guinea or email advertis of need. To you I have fowls are your neighbours. [email protected] recourse from the depth of Crime free, safe living, free my heart and humbly beg medical care, garage, you to come to my assis - fenced, 2900sq stand, fruit- tance. Help me now in my trees, veggies patch etc. urgent need and grant my R279,000 neg. Freebees. petitions. In return I Tel 051 983 0022, 071 595 promise to make your 7715. PO Box 2372, CAPE TOWN, 8000 name known and publish Tel: (021) 46 5 5007 Fax: (021) 46 5 3850 UPHOLSTERER www.scross.co.za this prayer. Amen. GNS. ACCOMMODATION More than 50 years of HOLY Spirit you make me OFFERED Editor: Günther Simmermacher experience guarantees see everything and show ([email protected]) you satisfaction. me the way to reach my CAPE TOWN , Cape Penin - Advisory Editor: ideals. You give me the sula: Beautiful homes to Michael Shackleton KRUGER PARK Ph 021 6371938 buy or rent. Maggi-Mae 082 Editorial staff: divine gift to forgive and for - Claire Mathieson after hours 021 7012692. get. In all instances of my 892 4502. Colliers Interna - ([email protected]) life you are with me, pro - tional False Bay, 021 782 Claire Allen VIVA SAFARIS tecting me and opening for 9263, maggimaev@ ([email protected]) (Member of SATSA) me a way where there is no colliers.co.za Lara Moses way. I thank you for every - ([email protected]) WEEKLY boarding facility. Thandi Bosman SCHEDULED DAILY SAFARIS TO KRUGER PARK thing, and confirm once Catholic home in Florida ([email protected]) more that I never want to Hills. Grade 10/11/12 learn - Manager: Pamela Davids Fly-in and overland tours. See www.vivasafaris.com be separated from you, no ers—200m from St Cather - ([email protected]) matter how great the mate - ine’s Convent, Florida. Call Advertising: Elizabeth Hutton rial desires. I want to be ([email protected]) 083 720 0011. Subscriptions: Avril Hanslo Viva Safaris is engaged with ([email protected]) Dispatch: Joan King 4 projects aimed at the upliftment ([email protected]) Accounts: Desirée Chanquin HOTEL 303 ([email protected]) of the Acornhoek community, Published independently by the 303 Main Road Sea Point Catholic Newspaper & Publishing including the COMBONI Company Ltd, Cape Town Opinions expressed in this newspaper do Rooms R300.00 Per Night not necessarily reflect those of the editor, MISSIONARIES’ OUTSTATION staff or directors of The Southern Cross . Phone: 021 433 0298 The Southern Cross is a Father Xico with partially member of the Audit Bureau of Circulations of www.volunteersafaris.co.za completed church building South Africa. Printed by Paarl Post, 8 Jan van Or visit our website Riebeeck Drive, Paarl. Published by the propri - etors, The Catholic 082 450 9930 Trevor Newspaper & Publishing Reservations: www hotel-303.com Co Ltd, at the company’s registered office, 082 444 7654 Piero 082 506 9641 Anthony 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001. Pregnant? Help is as near as your telephone Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000 • 10 Tuin Plein, Cape Town, 8001 011 403 1718 031 201 5471 Tel: (021) 46 5 5007 • Fax: (021) 46 5 3850 www.birthright.co.za Editorial: [email protected] • Business manager: [email protected] Donations and volunteers and prayers Advertising: [email protected] • Subscriptions: [email protected] always welcome Website: www.scross.co.za • Digital edition: www.digital.scross.co.za

17th Sunday: July 24 Readings: 1 Kings 3:5, 7-12 Psalm 119:57, 72, 76-77, 127-130 God gives gifts that we need, not want Romans 8:28-30, Matthew 13:44-52 HE most precious gift that we can have all will be well. He describes us as people often encounter when they look is the gift that God longs to give us; “called...foreknown...marked out as con - around, and see the mixture of good and Tand that gift is nothing else than the Nicholas King SJ formed to the likeness of his Son...justi - evil in our world and in our Church. Here gift of God himself. Sometimes, however, fied...glorified”. The point is that God is the image is one calculated to appeal to the we find ourselves complaining that God has Sunday Reflections longing to give us all of these things, and fishermen of Lake Galilee whom Jesus seems not given us this or that gift that he really indeed (because what God wants, God does) first to have called as his disciples: “a net, ought to have showered upon us by now. has already done so. We have, therefore, no flung into the sea, and collecting fish of all Next Sunday’s readings invite us to consider need to ask God—it is there already, and kinds”. Then it is brought to shore, and the what we should really be asking for, or, bet - the longest hymn in the psaltery, the alpha - you just have to look around you. good fish are put into “containers”, while ter perhaps, to be grateful for what we betical psalm 119: “I have decided to keep The gospel , the end of the “parable dis - the rotten fish are “thrown out” (though if already have. your words”, the poet sings, ecstatic at the course” that we have been following for they were put back into the sea, I suppose In the first reading , we are given the joy of having received God’s commands; about three weeks now, has three parables they might be quite pleased at that). well-known story of Solomon’s dream at this gift is “better than thousands of silver that more or less make this point, and then The point is, however, that it is a story Gibeon, when God asks him what gifts he and gold coins”. His prayer is that God’s a reflection on what Jesus (or Matthew) is about the presence of the wicked among the would like. Here Solomon has the good “faithful love [may] comfort me”, because “I doing. The first parable is the comparison of virtuous, and that we are not to be puzzled sense to locate his request in the context of love your commands more than gold and the “Kingdom of Heaven” (in other words, about it, or feel that somehow we (or God) God’s fidelity to his father David, and to fine gold...your decrees are wonderful, there - what God is doing in Jesus) with the trea - must have made a mistake. recognise that “I am a little boy, not know - fore my soul observes them”. There is pro - sure buried in the field. Once you have dis - Then comes an important moment; like ing how to go out or come in”. So he con - found wisdom here, and we shall do well to covered it, you go and lavish all your schoolboys, the disciples are asked if they trasts that fact with the sheer size of God’s imitate it. resources on buying the field; one can imag - understand, and, like schoolboys down the chosen people; to cope with this asymme - Paul, of course, was brought up on this ine the Galilean peasants who doubtless ages, they say “Yes”, and Jesus explains to try, Solomon therefore asks for “a listening view of God, and now we find it matched in made up Jesus’ audience nodding their them that he (or Matthew) is like a “scribe heart to judge your people, to see the differ - his own experience of what God has done in heads wisely—they would have done just discipled in the Kingdom of Heaven”, who ence between good and evil”. God is (not Jesus; in the second reading . In some ways the same. brings out “new things and old”. surprisingly) pleased with this request, we can only just follow what he is saying, The second parable is to do with a pearl- The story that Jesus tells, and the story rather than “wealth or the life of your ene - lifted up by the profundity of his joy: “We merchant, something a bit more exotic, per - that Matthew tells, is the old story of God mies”, and grants him “a wise and percep - know that for those who love God, every - haps, than they might have been used to; and the people of God; and nothing has tive heart, like no one before you; and no thing works for good”. That means that but the point is the same: it is the one thing changed. one shall rise up like you after you”. We whatever they throw at us (and Paul had by that really matters, for which you will cheer - We are still being invited uncomplaining - might ask God for such a gift, this week. this stage in his life had practically every - fully give up everything that you have. ly to accept the gift that is on offer, because The psalm for next Sunday is taken from thing thrown at him that you care to name), The third parable addresses a puzzle that it is that of which we most stand in need.

It’s reigning dogs and cats Southern Cross word #453

VERY now and then the editor gener - ously allows me to give my mind a Erest from trying to dream up some - Chris Moerdyk thing to write about and to head off into the wonders of cyberspace to capture and The Last Word bring home to these pages something of interest that I really wish I had thought of in the first place. I cannot think of a name for this new ani - Now, apart from St Francis of Assisi we mal.” don’t get to hear too much about religion And God said: “I have created this new and pets, so I found this particular story to animal to be a reflection of my love for be a wonderful example of mankind’s pen - you, his name will be a mirror image of my chant for apathy and the psychology of the And Adam and Eve learned humility. own name, and you will call him DOG.” animal mind. And they were greatly improved. And God And Dog lived with Adam and Eve and It is the story of Adam and Eve’s pets. was pleased. And Dog was happy and was a companion to them and loved them. Adam and Eve said: “Lord, when we wagged his tail. And Cat didn’t care one And they were comforted. And God was were in the garden, you walked with us way or the other... pleased. And Dog was content and wagged every day. Now we do not see you any Still on the subject of pets and church, his tail. longer. We are lonesome here, and it is dif - here’s another interesting story from the After a while it came to pass that an ficult for us to remember how much you National Geographic website. angel came to the Lord and said: “Lord, love us.” At St Francis Episcopal (Anglican) Adam and Eve have become filled with And God said: “I will create a compan - church in Stamford, Connecticut, the pews pride. They strut and preen like peacocks ion for you that will be with you and who are filled with some unlikely worshippers. ACROSS and they believe they are worthy of adora - DOWN will be a reflection of my love for you, so Barks and purrs—or “prayer noises”, as 4. The pope is the supreme one 1. The first book (7) tion. Dog has indeed taught them that that you will love me even when you can - the church calls them—can be heard dur - (7) 2. When it turns dark this day they are loved, but perhaps too well.” not see me. Regardless of how selfish or ing the afternoon celebration of the 8. Brought to mind (6) (7) And God said: “I will create for them a childish or unlovable you may be, this new eucharist, in which people receive commu - 9. Miracle to retrieve (7) 3. I muted this dull condition companion who will be with them and 10. Magical potion (6) companion will accept you as you are and nion and pets a special blessing. (6) who will see them as they are. The com - 11. Inborn (6) 5. How the compliant religious will love you as I do, in spite of your - The half-hour service focuses on the panion will remind them of their limita - 12. Cruel and without compas - will be (8) selves.” special relationships people have with their tions, so they will know that they are not sion (8) 6. Gift in a parable (6) And God created a new animal to be a animals, says Rev Mark Lingle. always worthy of adoration.” 18. J M Barrie’s ever-young boy 7. Loses consciousness in fast companion for Adam and Eve. And it was a “At our church there are a number of (5,3) And God created CAT to be a compan - (6) good animal. And God was pleased. And people who are single or who have lost a 20. Virgin and martyr of Sicily ion to Adam and Eve. And Cat would not 13. It’s clear pa comes back to the new animal was pleased to be with loved one, and their pet is one of their pri - (6) be a father (8) obey them. And when Adam and Eve Adam and Eve and he wagged his tail. mary relationships,” he said. 21. Business room for the bre - 14. Invalidated ballot paper (7) gazed into Cat’s eyes, they were reminded And Adam said: “Lord, I have already The church’s special service is part of a viary? (6) 15. Unprepared like King that they were not the supreme beings. 22. Corresponded to an eligible named all the animals in the Kingdom and growing movement among places of wor - Ethelred (7) ship, says National Geographic, some of couple? (7) 16. Antiguan adds a large hid - 23. Had the same opinion as den lizard 6) which not only recognise the human-ani - you (6) Conrad mal bond but offer pet owners support and 17. These were used for public 24. It’s a fly that presents what’s punishment (6) services almost unheard of a decade ago. untruthful (7) 19. A model of a person who In addition to special blessings or regu - may be worshipped (6) lar church services, these places hold pri - Solutions on page 11 vate pet memorials or burials and offer grief counselling to comfort members whose pets have died. CHURCH CHUCKLE Rabbi Neil Comess-Daniels of Beth Shir Sholom, a progressive reform Jewish syna - PRIEST waited in line to have his car filled gogue in Santa Monica, California, says with petrol just before a long holiday week - that when a pet dies, owners suffer the Aend. The attendant worked quickly, but same grief as they would over the loss of a there were many cars ahead of him. Finally, the human. attendant motioned him towards a vacant pump. For years he has made condolence calls “Father,” said the young man, “I’m so sorry or visits with members of his congregation about the delay. It seems as if everyone waits until whose pets have died. And after each ser - the last minute to get ready for a long trip.” vice he says a prayer for members mourn - The priest chuckled: “I know what you mean. ing the loss of an animal or human. It’s the same in my business.” Anyone who is an animal lover must surely agree entirely with the good rabbi. I Send us your favourite Catholic joke, preferably clean and brief, to do—even though cats hate me. The Southern Cross, Church Chuckle, PO Box 2372, Cape Town, 8000.