SACBC The Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference

Papal Lenten Message 2012

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Bishops’ express deep concern at the education crisis in the Eastern Cape, urge action.

READ HERE!

Abortion on demand was legalized in South Africa

Fifteen years have passed since abortion on demand was legalized in South Africa. Since then it is estimated that over one million unborn children were denied the most fundamental of rights, the right to life. We remember those one million babies.  Those aborted fifteen years ago would now be in grade 9 or 10, bringing joy to their families and planning their own futures. Those whose lives were ‘terminated’ ten years ago would now be playing on the streets of our towns and villages in the evenings and singing and praying with us in our churches on Sunday. We regret that those children of God were denied the right to be born into God’s world and to enrich it with their own unique gifts and talents.  We will never fully realize what we have missed because the law says “abortion is fine”.

When the legislation was being discussed those in favour of it said it would save some mothers from the dangers of what has become known as “back-street abortions”. We question if this has in fact been the case. On almost every electricity pole along the streets of our cities and towns there are advertisements for ‘safe and painless’ abortions. They are outside the Head Office of the Department of Health in Pretoria and on the boundary walls of our schools. If the advertising is so public and so widespread, then the demand for those” back-street abortions” must be high.

The position of the Catholic Church on abortion is clear and unambiguous .Just because the law says it is legal does not make it morally right. Each unborn child is created by God, “knit together in (its) mother’s womb” (Ps139.13) .That unborn child is a human being with a human life that must be protected. He or she has a right to life, a right that must be respected by the mother and protected by the state.

Another right that must be respected by the state and its agents is that of conscientious objection. Those who believe that abortion is morally wrong have a right to refuse to participate in the medical procedures.

All of us, parents, teachers, members of the Church, must understand what a young girl is going through when she realizes she is pregnant. She needs our love, our support, our understanding and sometimes our forgiveness. We in the Church are committed to helping unmarried pregnant girls and couples tempted to take the abortion route in whatever way we can. We will never condemn, just as Jesus refused to condemn (John8.11)

As we remember the many children who have been aborted since February 1997, we also remember the mothers of these children. Just as we do not condemn a pregnant young girl, we do not condemn her if she made the mistake of procuring an abortion. Only she knows how much she has suffered as a result. She needs help and healing. We invite her to come and speak to one of our priests or counselors so that we can be part of reconciling her to God and bringing about healing.

Archbishop Buti  Tlhagale, OMI,

On behalf of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, 30^th January 2012

The launch of the Catholic Church Vision for Land Reform in South Africa was a success. The President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale who presented the document to the guest speakers who represented the government and civil society respectively,  expressed hope that it was going to be used as a basis for engagement on land issues broadly in the country.

This sentiment was echoed by Mr. Derek Hanekom, the current Deputy Minister of Science and Technology, and the ANC NEC member responsible for Agrarian reform and economic transformation when he said that it was a good basis for further engagement.  He went on to critique it section by section.  By and large, he agrees with the issues raised, and believes that even the Department responsible for Rural Development and Land Reform would have no problem with the suggestions made in the document.  One point of difference concerned statistics.  He contested the 6.9% land redistributed since 1994 as misleading because it doesn’t take into account other land that has been acquired privately by some of the wealthy and well known black businessmen and politicians.   He also said that advocacy contemplated in the document should be more specific.  If there are laws that can be identified to be a problem preventing land redistribution and productivity, let the flaws in such laws be pointed out clearly.

The second respondent was Professor Shadrack Gutto of the Institute of Renaissance Studies, College of Graduate Studies, at UNISA.  He thanked the Catholic Church for taking a bold step in pronouncing a vision on land reform.  He identified certain parallels with the current green paper, and expressed his misgivings about the green paper’s proposal to grant freehold titles to foreigners.

The responses by the speakers suggest that we might need the second edition of the document, which takes into account some of the comments made.

Right Reverend Bishop Mogale Paul Nkhumishe

He was appointed Auxiliary Bishop 5th November 1981, consecrated 14 February 1982, appointed Apostolic Administrator 25 February 1983 and Bishop of Witbank 9th January 1984. Transferred and installed as Bishop of Pietersburg 4th June 2000.

Pope Benedict XVI accepted his resignation on 9 December 2011 due to health reasons (canon 401 no.2).

Sede Vacante ‘sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis‘

On 9 December 2011, Pope Benedict XVI appointed Msgr. Jeremiah Madimetja Masela, Apostolic Administrator ‘sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis‘.

Apostolic Nuncio, bidding farewell to Southern Africa.

Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop James Patrick Green bidding farewell to Southern Africa - 7 December 2011 - St john Vianney Seminar

Sr Hermenegild Makoro CPS as the incoming Secretary General of the SACBC!

Sr Hermenegild Makoro CPS

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI, Archbishop of Johannesburg and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference is pleased to announce the appointment of Sr Hermenegild Makoro CPS as the incoming Secretary General of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC).

Sr Makoro will replace Fr Vincent Brennan SMA who retires on 1 March 2012.

Sr Hermenegild was born on 7 December 1951. She was born in the deep rural location of Koeqana  in the Mt. Fletcher District of the Eastern Cape. She is the second of four children and grew up in a very strong Catholic family. She attended Mass and catechism classes at Mariazell Parish and joined the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood in Eastern Cape Province in the early seventies. She made her first profession in 1976.

Sr Hermenegild holds a Higher Diploma in Education from the University of Transkei and a Bachelor of Theology from the University of Natal – Pietermaritzburg.

After teaching at  Mariazell High School, Sr Hermenegild was the Coordinator of  the Diocesan Catechetical Team under the late Bishop Brook and  Coordinator of the Diocesan Animation Team (Leadership Training) under the late Bishop Oswald  Hirmer in the Diocese of Mthatha. She has also served a term as Provincial Superior of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood.

She has been Associate Secretary General of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference based in Pretoria for the last six years.

A Clarification from the Liturgy Committee on the use of the Paulines Africa edition of the ‘Prayers of the Church’.

As decided in January 2010 (plenary resolution 2.3/January 2010), the Paulines Africa Edition of the ‘Prayer of the Church’ is approved for Liturgical use in the Conference territory. The Paulines Africa Edition contains revised psalms, scripture readings and readings for the Office of readings. It also contains the Calendar approved for Africa and the Offices of saints and Beati recognised in recent years.

It can be used alongside the ‘Collins’ or ‘E J Dwyer’ currently in use. As such there is no immediate instruction or requirement to replace the books of the ‘Liturgy of the Hours’. Communities and individuals who are using the ‘Collins’ or ‘E J Dwyer’ editions may continue to do so.

Please note that the ‘Collins’ or ‘E J Dwyer’ editions and the Paulines Africa Edition of the ‘Prayer of the Church’ are the only approved texts for the Liturgy of the Hours in English in the Conference territory.
Pretoria – 30/11/11

A Clarifications from the Liturgy Committee on Masses with Children:

The new Roman Missal does not have the Eucharistic Prayers for masses with Children 1, 2 or 3. The Directory for Masses with Children still applies and thus the previously published Eucharistic Prayers for Masses with Children are still the only canonically approved texts. Priests and those preparing liturgy for Children are asked to use these prayers either in the form of a separate booklet or in the old sacramentary where these prayers have been included.

The revision of the texts of the ‘Eucharistic prayers for masses with children’ is ongoing and not complete.
Pretoria – 30/11/11.

POST-SYNODAL APOSTOLIC EXHORTATION

AFRICAE MUNUS

OF HIS HOLINESS
POPE BENEDICT XVI
TO THE BISHOPS, CLERGY,
CONSECRATED PERSONS
AND THE LAY FAITHFUL
ON THE CHURCH IN AFRICA
IN SERVICE TO RECONCILIATION, JUSTICE AND PEACE

« You are the salt of the earth …
You are the light of the world »
(Mt. 5: 13-14)

Download - Apostolic Exhortation Africae Munus.pdf

Vatican City 17 November

VATICAN CITY, 17 NOV 2011 (VIS) – Made public today was the following communique from the Secretariat of State concerning a commercial advertising campaign which makes inappropriate use of an image of the Holy Father.

“The Secretariat of State has authorised its lawyers to initiate actions, in Italy and elsewhere, to prevent the circulation, via the mass media and in other ways, of a photomontage used in a Benetton advertising campaign in which the Holy Father appears in a way considered to be harmful, not only to the dignity of the Pope and the Catholic Church, but also to the sensibility of believers”.

On the same subject, Holy See Press Office Director Fr. Federico Lombardi S.J. released the following declaration yesterday afternoon.

“We cannot but express a resolute protest at the entirely unacceptable use of a manipulated image of the Holy Father, used as part of a publicity campaign which has commercial ends.

“It is a serious lack of respect for the Pope, an affront to the feelings of the faithful and an evident demonstration of how, in the field of advertising, the most elemental rules of respect for others can be broken in order to attract attention by provocation.

“The Secretariat of State is examining the steps that may be taken with the competent authorities in order to guarantee adequate protection for the figure of the Holy Father”.
OP/ VIS 20111117 (240)

De-commissioning the Sacramentary

The 1^ST Sunday of Advent is fast approaching – an important day in the ongoing life of the Church, Together with the rest of the English-speaking members of the Church throughout the world, we will be introducing the full edition of the newly translated 3^rd edition of the Roman Missal.

Over the past few years, and particularly during this last year, we have in various ways been preparing for this event, by means of workshops, articles, Become one Body one Spirit in Christ  etc. As has been pointed out by many, the publication of this new Missal is not a suggestion that the Sacramentary we have been using since the heady days which followed Vatican II is “bad” or to be rejected. Rather, this new Missal is part of an ongoing progression – we have studied, learnt, reflected, prayed the Missal, and have developed an improved text – language which is closer to the original, and at the same time more poetic.

Change can be threatening – but it does indicate that the Church is alive and open to that process rather than stagnant. This is not change for the sake of change, but rather an opportunity for renewal, revitalization and growth in appreciation of the Mass which is central to our lives.

This translation has not been undertaken lightly, but is the result of many years of work by a great many experts both academic and pastoral. The Liturgy is often described as the “official prayer of the Church gathered for worship” and as such we need to embrace this new translation – not just as new words, but as a real opportunity to renew our love for the Eucharist and our commitment to the Church.

It is fitting that, in all our parishes, we mark the occasion of the inauguration of the Missal ceremonially. This may be done in several ways. We offer the attached ceremony, as proposed by the Canadian Bishops’ Conference. By “decommissioning” the Sacramentary which has been in use, and “commissioning” the new Missal, we emphasize the respect that should be shown in terms of Liturgical Books.

We propose that the De-commissioning the Sacramentary take place at the end of Mass on the Sunday preceding the 1^st Sunday of Advent – i.e. the Feast of Christ the King (20^th November), and the Blessing the New Missal at the beginning of Mass on the 1^st Sunday of Advent (27^th November)

In order to avoid confusion, may we suggest that in each community, people be asked to place all the old leaflets which have been in use for the past two years in a suitable container. These can then, in accordance with good conservation practice, be recycled.

De-commissioning the Sacramentary

1. After the Prayer after Communion, the Priest pauses for a moment of silence and then reminds the faithful of the many events this book has been a part of in these or similar words:

Dear Friends in Christ; today is the last (Sun)day in which this Sacramentary will be used. It has served our community well for many years: it has been present at baptisms, funerals, marriages, and above all at the countless Masses that have been prayed in this church. We pause to give thanks for all that God has done by means of the words contained in this book, and trust that God will continue to bless us in the years ahead.

All pray silently for a time. Then the Priest, with hands outstretched says:

Father of light and wisdom,
We praise you for your gifts:
for giving us the power to see
and the ability to write and read
and to use the arts of printing.

Bless + this book as it is taken out of service
and grant that all who have used it or heard its words
may grow in wisdom and grace
before you and all your people.

Father, we praise you through Jesus Christ your Son
in the love of your Holy Spirit,
now and always and for ever.

All: Amen.

2. The Mass continues in the usual way with the Final Blessing. After the Dismissal, the Deacon, or in his absence the Priest closes the book for the final time, saying:

For everything there is a season.
At the closing of this book,
we look to the opening of a new season of grace.

3. The Sacramentary is carried out in the procession by a server or other appropriate minister.

4. The Sacramentary is then reserved in the sacristy, a parish library or museum, or disposed of in a dignified manner.

Blessing the New Missal and the Advent Wreath (if latter is applicable)

1. The new Roman Missal is carried in the Entrance Procession by a server.

2. After the reverence to the Altar, the Priest goes to the Advent Wreath or another convenient place, while the server stands nearby holding the new Roman Missal.

3. After the Opening chant, the Priest pauses for a moment of silence and then reminds the faithful of the importance of the Roman Missal in the life of the Church:

Dear Friends in Christ: As we begin a new liturgical year on this First Sunday of Advent, we bless our Advent Wreath and at the same time receive and put into service a new book to be used at our altar. There has been a book called the Roman Missal since the year 1570, and many of the prayers contained in this book have been used since at least the fourth century. But while it is a book of tradition, it is a book for our future, for celebrations that will be held in our Church for years to come. It is right to pause for a moment to mark these beginnings: the beginning of this season and year of grace, and the first use of this book.

All pray silently for a time. Then the Priest, with hands outstretched says:

Father of light and wisdom,
we praise you for sending your Son
to save us from our sins
and to be light in our darkness.
Bless us + as we gather in his name,
bless this wreath as a sign of his light among us, and

Bless + this Roman Missal;
grant that all who use it or hear its words
may grow in wisdom and grace
before you and all your people.

Father,
we praise you through Jesus Christ your Son
in the love of your Holy Spirit,
now and always and for ever.

All: Amen.

4. The first candle of the Advent Wreath is lighted.

5. The Priest then opens the book to the opening rites and the Mass continues in the usual way with the Sign of the Cross.

Pastoral letter of the Catholic Bishops

A Pastoral Letter of the Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa on the occasion of the United Nations Conference on Climate Change (COP 17) to the Catholic Community and to all people of goodwill.

Beloved people,

South Africa is about to host the 17^th United Nations Conference on Climate Change (Conference of the Parties—COP 17) which will be held in Durban from 28 November–9 December 2011.

Our precious world and the whole of Creation – which God gave us and “saw was very good” (Gen 1:31) – is now threatened by climate change. While climate change is a process that occurs naturally, there is now general agreement that human activities are causing it to happen much faster than it naturally would. This is due to far too many ‘greenhouse gases’ like carbon dioxide and methane being emitted into the atmosphere

• through our excessive burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil, petrol and gas;
• through the chopping down and burning of forests that should be absorbing carbon dioxide; and
• through intensive livestock farming.

We are all already feeling the effects of climate change which has dire consequences especially for the poor, while endangering all forms of life on the planet.

This global climate crisis poses a great spiritual challenge to all Christians, people of all faiths, and all people of goodwill as it is the consequence of the destruction of God’s creation in which we have all participated in one way or another. It calls for a change of mindset, and a change of lifestyle to reduce our dependence on fossil-fuel energy like coal and oil.

We call on all parishes, communities and organizations at local, regional and national levels, as well as individual Catholics

• to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions by using your own properties productively to grow trees that will absorb carbon dioxide;
• to grow vegetables and crops organically to reduce the use of chemical-based fertilizers; and
• to share the food thus grown with the hungry and malnourished in your midst.

As this global climate change crisis continues to grow, individuals are also called to link their efforts to those of national governments and the United Nations to achieve the goal of lessening the carbon footprint (which is our contribution to carbon emissions) on the planet for our sake, the sake of future generations and that of all living beings.

The gathering of the world member states at the upcoming UN COP 17 Conference offers a unique opportunity to take crucial decisions that will reduce the causes and impact of climate change.

We therefore appeal to all people to pressurise and encourage the Government of South Africa, which is chairing the Conference in Durban, to support the following resolutions:

• that global greenhouse gas emissions (especially of carbon dioxide),  the primary factor responsible for climate change, be substantially reduced so that temperature rises remain below 1, 5 º C degree;
• that present decisions pertaining to economic development be not based on immediate economic needs only, but on the survival needs of future generations;
• that high emitting industrialized countries meet their obligations to finance developing countries to reduce their own emissions and to adapt to the negative impact of climate change;
• that South Africa, the world’s 13th highest global emitter of carbon dioxide, demonstrates political will by pledging much higher targets of renewable energy production, by phasing out coal and nuclear production, and by developing the  job creation potential of renewable energy;
• that the Kyoto Protocol of 1997 be extended and that the treaty becomes a binding agreement;
• that concrete measures be adopted to monitor the implementation process of the agreements, so that they are adhered to especially by industrialized countries and other large emitters in developing countries.

Finally, we invite you to pray for a successful outcome of the UN Conference on Climate Change, and to lead by example in your own lives:

God, creator of the universe, all life and goodness comes from you.

You have made us in your own image and likeness to care for and use with moderation the goods of the earth.

Yet, we have sinned against You by exploiting natural resources with greed and selfishness, causing great damage to the life on our planet.

Forgive us Lord! Help us to amend our ways and to become more responsible stewards of the goods entrusted to us, mindful also of the needs of future generations.

Come Holy Spirit and renew the face of the Earth!

We ask this in the name of Jesus Christ your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God forever and ever. Amen

Yours in Christ,

On behalf of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference,

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI

President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference

INCWADI YOKWALUSA YABABHISHOBHI BAMAKHATHOLIKA BASEMZANSI NE-AFRIKA NGODABA LWENKOMFA YEZIZWE EZIHLANGENEYO NGOKUGUQUGUQUKA KWESIMO SEZULU (COP17) EBHEKISWE EMPHAKATHINI ONGAMAKHATHOLIKA NAKUBO BONKE ABANTU BENTANDO ENHLE.

Bahlobo abathandekayo,

Izwe laseMzansi neAfrika sekusondele ukuba lifikelwe yiNkomfa yeNhlangano yezizwe ephathelene nezokuguquguquka kwesimosezulu (Conference of the Parties-COP17) ezobanjelwa eThekwini mhla zingama-28 Novemba kuye ziyi 09 Disemba 2011.

Umhlaba wethu omuhle kangaka nayo yonke indalo uNkulunkulu asinika kona ebona ukuthi kuhle kakhulu’ (ngokukaGenesise 1: 31) ususenkingeni yezokuguquguquka kwesimosezulu. Nokho lesisimo sokuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu nakuba sinokuzenzakalela ngokwemvelo, sekukhona isivumelwano sokuthi izenzo zabantu zisenza ukuba senzeke ngokushesha kunokwejwayelekile. Imbangela yalokhu amagesi amaningi nezikhutha ezingcolisayo emoyeni.

• Ngokushisa izitaputapu namalahle,uwoyela, uphethroli, negesi.
• Ngokukabha nokushisa amahlathi okungabe yiwona asimuncela isikhutha kanye
• Nokufuya ngokweqisa.

Nembala-ke sonke sesiqalile ukuyizwa imiphumela yokuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu  esizwela kakhulu kulabo abazidlela imbuyangothi,kungalenkathi kulimala yonke into ephilayo ebusweni bomhlaba.

Lesi simo esesimuncu kangaka sisiphonsela enkulu inselelo yezangokomoya thina maKhristo, abantu bezinye izinkolo, nabo bonke abantu bentando enhle njengoba phela singumthelela wokubhubhisa kwethu indalo kaNkulunkulu esikwenzayo sonke ngezindlela ezahlukahlukene. Lokhu kubiza ukushintsha komqondo nendlela esiphila ngayo sinciphise ukusebenzisa kwethu kangaka ugesi, amalahle nowoyela.

Sihlaba ikhwelo kinina lapho emaPherishini, nina miphakathi nezinhlangano emazingeni ezindawo zenu, ezifundeni nakuzwe lonke nani njemaKhatholika ningamunye la nikhona.

• Ngokwehliswa ukusetshenziswa kwamagesi angcolisa umoya ngokuba sitshale izihlahla ezizomunca umoya ongasemuhle.
• Ukutshala izilimo zethu ngokwemvelo ukugwema ukugcina sisebenzise omanyolo nezivundisi ezinamakhemikhali.
• Ngokwabelana ngokudla kwethu nalabo abadingayo nabangondlekisisile kahle.

Njengoba iqhubeka-ke inkinga eseyaze yakhungatha umhlaba wonke, wonke umuntu uyanxuswa ukuhlanganisa imizamo yakhe noHulumeni bezizwe kanye neNhlangano yeZizwe ukunqoba enhlosweni yokwehlisa lomthwalo ongakawekhabhoni (okuyithina uqobo njaloe siwusakazayo) emhlabeni; awunciphe-ke sizenzele thina, senzeleizizukulwane ezizayo nazo zonke izinto eziphilayo.

Lombuthano ozayo wamalunga ezizwe zomhlaba kwiNkomfa yeUN COP17 usinika ithuba eliyingqayizivele lokuthatha izinqumo ezinqala zokuthi zokwehliswa kanjani izimbangela eziwumthelela wokuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu.

Ngakhoke sinxusa bonke abantuukuba bafake ingcindezi nenkuthalo kuHulumeni waseMzansi Afrika, okuyiwona uzobe ungusihlalo waleNkomfa eThekwini ukuba uxhasel ezizixazululo:

• Ukuba lesisizinda okuyisona sidedela kakhulu igesi (ikakhulukazi  ikhabhoni dayokhsi), okuyiwona phela aguquguqula isimo sezulu du,sehlise kakhulu ukushiswa kwaso kuze kube ngaphansi kuka1,5°C [izingakushisa];
• Ukuba izinqumo eziphathelene nokudlondlobaliswa komnotho zingayi ngokwezidingo zomnotho nje kuphela, kodwa kubhekelelwe nokuthi izizukulwane ezizayo ziyosimamayini;
• Ukuba amazwe anezimboni kakhulu abhekane phela nomthwalo wawo wokuxhasa ngezimali lawo mazwe asathuthuka ukuze behlise nabo izinga lokukhafula ukungcola nokuba bafunde ukuphila kulowomthelela ongemuhle wokuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu.
• Ukuba uMzansi Afrika, izwe elingeleshumi-nantathu emhlabeni ngokuphakama kwezinga lokungcolisa nokuchitha ikhabhoni dayokhsi, likuveze njengesifiso sangokwangezepolitiki ukuthi lizoziklamela ibemikhulu imingcele yalo yokuvuselela ukusetshenziswa kukagesi, ngokuba kuchithwe ukusetshenziswa kwamalahle, nokukhiqizwakomsizi, bese-ke kwakhiwa amathuba emisebenzi akwaziyo ukuba nogesi ovuselelekayo.
• Ukuba isivumelwanos aseKyoto sango1997 sandiswe futhi sibe isivumelwano esibophayo.
• Ukuba kuthathwe izinyathelo eziqatha ukuze kugcinwe izivumelwano futhi kunanyathelwe kuzo ngamazwe angosozimboni abakhulu nalawo achitha kakhulu emazweni asathuthuka.

Ekuggcineni-ke, siyanimema ukuba nikhulekele umphumela omuhle waleNkomfa yeNhlangano yeZizwe yokuguquguquka kwesimo sezulu, beseniba abahola ngesibonelo kwanina uqobo ezimpilwenizenu:

Nkulunkulu Mdali womhlaba, yonke impilo nobuhle kuvela kuwe.Wasenza ngenswebu nomfuziselo wakho ukuze sinakekele sisebenzise kahle izinto ezisemhlabeni.

Nokho- ke sesonile phambi kwakho ngokuxhaphaza izipho zemvelo ngomoya wokuhaha nokungacabangeli abanye, kanjalo senza omkhulu umonakalo empilweni yomhlaba wethu.

Sithethelele Nkosi! Sisize ukulungisa izindlela zethu sibengababheki abaqapheleyo bezinto ezibekwe kithi, sikucabangele futhi okuyizidingo zezizukulwane ezizayo.

Woza Moya oCwebile uvuselele busha ubuso bomhlaba!

Sicela lokhu ngoKristo iNkosi yethu ephila ibusa kanye naWe noMoya oCwebileyo ninguNkulunkulu munye izikhathi ngezikhathi. Amen.

Yimina owenu kuKristo,

Egameni leNhlanganoya baBhishobhi bamaKhatholika eMzansin eAfrika.

UMbhishobhi omkhulu ButiThlagale OMI

UMongameli weNhlangano yabaBhishobhi bamaKhatholika baseMzansi neAfrika

A Chronic State of Denial

‘Our nation is in a state of crisis – a crisis of dignity and discipline, a crisis of education and crisis in our communities. Together, the Christian community present at grass roots can help turn this situation around and help to restore the dignity of the all the people we serve’ concluded the National Church leaders at their annual consultation in Gauteng.

The Church Leaders from 16 of the major Christian Churches recognised and acknowledged the legitimate authority of those set in power over the country but asserted their own biblical mandate to be models of servant-leadership to all people by standing for truth, integrity, discipline and respect. ‘We all need to hold all leadership, including church leadership, more accountable’ said the more than 30 recognised leaders who had gathered. Leaders reacted strongly to a perceived effort to muscle in and manipulate Churches by Political Organizations and individuals.

The health and education sectors are in shambles. South Africa ranks 49 out of 53 countries in educational standards and 138 out of 139 countries in dealing with HIV and AIDS, TB and Malaria.

Of every hundred children, fewer than forty eventually pass matric, and only about ten pass well enough to get endorsements to study further for a degree. These figures are even lower in our poorest and most vulnerable communities. None of the children who started school in 1994 finished with the same curriculum.

Speaking at the consultation Bishop Ziphozihle Siwa of the Methodist Church of Southern Africa quoted John Dewey who said “Education is not preparation for life; education is life itself.”

Church leaders expressed concern at the lack of discipline in schools. Teacher loyalty seems to falls more with their unions than the children they teach.Church Leaders asked that church communities, organizations, buildings and other structures be used to complement existing schooling to alleviate this crisis.

‘The involvement of faith communities in public health issues is not an option,’ declared Archbishop Thabo Makgoba, who was elected Chairman of the Consultation for the next three years at the meeting. He called on all churches and NGOs working in the education and health sectors to co-operate and coordinate work towards a holistic solution to these issues that threaten the dignity of every person in South Africa

To this end the Church Leaders called on all Christians and people of good will to be disciplined, to reclaim the education and health sectors from collapse ‘

The state and the church are both complicit in failing society and history will judge us harshly,’ declared Bishop  Lunga Ka Siboto of the  Ethiopian Episcopal Church ‘We can no longer sweep these issues under the carpet nor ignore their severity.”

The National Church Leaders’ Consultation, comprising of the leadership of the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Dutch Reformed Church, Uniting Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church of Africa, The Salvation Army, International Federation of Christian Churches, Ethiopian Episcopal Church, Jerusalem church in South Africa, The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, the SACC, the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa, Shembe, Baptist Convention of South Africa, and Assemblies of God.

Motshekga, back off from the church

The National Church Leaders’ Consultation, comprising of the leadership of the Anglican, Catholic, Methodist, Dutch Reformed Church, Uniting Presbyterian Church, Presbyterian Church of Africa.

The Salvation Army, International Federation of Christian Churches, Ethiopian Episcopal Church, Jerusalem church in South Africa.

The Evangelical Alliance of South Africa, the SACC, the Uniting Reformed Church in Southern Africa, Shembe, Baptist Convention of South Africa, Assemblies of God strongly resent the efforts of Dr Motshekga, the ANC Parliamentary Caucus and the ANC desk for Cultural and Religious affairs to muscle in on and manipulate Church Leadership Structures.

We are leaders in our own right and lead by Biblical mandate.

We are deeply offended by efforts by Mr Livhuwani Matsila and others to infiltrate our meeting in Johannesburg without invitation.

This is an unwarranted intrusion on our discussions and compromises our freedom of association and of religion.

We call on President Zuma to hear this clearly and to engage with us in our own capacity.

Dr Motshekga does not enjoy our confidence.

Issues by the National Church Leaders Consultation, meeting in Johannesburg.

Response to the Back off, Motshekga statement

The Office of the ANC Chief Whip has noted with grave regret the statement by the National Church Leaders’ Consultation, which accuses the Chief Whip Dr Mathole Motshekga and his chief political Advisor Livhuwani Matsila of interfering in the affairs of its structures. Such an accusation is not only without basis but absurd.

The accusation stems from an innocent mistake today, in which the Chief Whip’s Political Advisor mistakenly walked into the hall where the National Church Leaders’ Consultation was meeting. The meeting, which the Political Advisor was due to attend, happen to be taking place at the same venue, the Southern Sun Hotel (OR Tambo International), but in a different hall.

After being informed by the chairman of the meeting that he was in the wrong hall, he duly apologised for the confusion caused and proceeded to the next hall, the correct venue for his meeting. Dr Motshekga was not part of this confusion and he was not even present at the venue where the two meetings were taking place. He is currently in Switzerland on parliament business.

Walking into the wrong meeting is a simple mistake that anyone can make.
We are therefore taken aback that the church leaders are turning this little, innocent incident into something major.

We view this as nothing but a storm in a teacup. Dr Motshekga respects the autonomy and the role of the church in the society and will never meddle in its affairs.

As servants of God, we trust that the leaders of the National Church Leaders’ Consultation will find this little mistake worthy of their forgiveness.

Issued by
Office of the ANC Chief Whip
Parliament of the Republic of SA

Caritas aids one million people in East African as Pope makes food crisis plea

Pope Benedict XVI on Wednesday 5 October highlighted the plight of 13 million people at risk in East Africa’s ongoing food crisis. Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and other parts of the region face a severe food crisis caused by drought, conflict and social injustice. Pope Benedict urged the international community to tackle the humanitarian emergency. He invited everyone “to offer prayers and practical help for so many brothers and sisters so harshly tested, particularly the children in the region.”

The Caritas network of Catholic aid agencies is helping over one million people in East Africa’s food crisis, providing families with food, clean water, and a way to support themselves in the future. Caritas is developing and implementing programmes worth more than €30 million ($41 million).

Presented to Pope Benedict were the Apostolic Administrator of Mogadishu and President of Caritas Somalia Archbishop Giorgio Bertin, Caritas Italy’s Director Paolo Beccegato and Ken Hackett, outgoing CEO of Catholic Relief Services (a U.S. Caritas member). Caritas Internationalis Humanitarian Director Alistair Dutton was also present.

The Pontifical Council Cor Unum is hosting a meeting 7 October in the Vatican, inviting Catholic aid agencies including Caritas and representatives from the Church of England to discuss new efforts to tackle the crisis.