Archbishop Stephen Brislin and Fr Peter John Pearson (director of the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office) participated in the ‘Combating Human Trafficking’ Conference held at the Vatican on 9-10 April 2014. Below are some pictures of the Conference. To see further pics please go to Catholic Church of England and Wales Flickr page
(Images: ©Mazur/catholicnews.org.uk).
For detailed information on the Conference itself please see Combating-Human-Trafficking-Rome-Conference
Below is a link to Archbishop Thabo Makgoba’s Procession of Witness speech at Parliament on Saturday 19 April 2014.
http://archbishop.anglicanchurchsa.org/2014/04/archbishop-thabo-makgobas-address-to.html
Mass of the Oils was celebrated on Holy Thursday at Our Lady Help of Christians, Lansdowne at 10.00 by Archbishop Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Cape Town.
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Religious leaders from all faiths are joining together in a Procession of Witness to Parliament on Saturday, 19 April 2014 at 10a.m. from Keizersgracht Street, District Six. Please spread the word and make every effort to come along as the faith sector calls on government to ensure a Better Life for All of God’s People.
Mgr Clifford Stokes and Fr Peter-John Pearson were invested into the Equestrian Order of the Knights of the Holy Sepulchre by Archbishop Stephen Brislin at Corpus Christi church in Wynberg on April 3. Archbishop Brislin is the prior of the order in South Africa. In his homily, Archbishop Brislin called for solidarity with the Christians of the Holy Land, most of whom are Palestinians. In his closing remarks, Fr Pearson outlined the suffering of Palestinians in the occupied West Bank and especially Gaza, which is suffering from a blockade by Israel. The Knights of the Holy Sepulchre, who do developmental work in the Holy Land and encourage pilgrimages there, were represented by local magistral delegate Joseph Quinn and knights and a dame of the order from Britain. (Photo: Günther Simmermacher)
Pictured are (from left): Fr Christopher Jesudhason, parish priest of Corpus Christi, Wynberg, Dcn Lionel Cooper, Fr Peter John Pearson, Archbishop Stephen Brislin, Nancy Quinn (a Dame of the order from the UK), Mgr Clifford Stokes, Joseph Quinn, and David Smith and Michael Cowley (Knights of the order from the UK).
‘Supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings should be made for everyone, especially rulers and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and dignity. This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour.’ (1 Timothy 2:1-4).
Heeding Paul’s call to all God-fearing people, we, the Bishops of the Roman Catholic Church in South Africa, invite all people of good will to join us as we pray for our country:
We, therefore, ask all South Africans to say the following prayer on Sunday, 27th April 2014:
Father in Heaven,
We praise You for all who work for Your kingdom to come.
We thank You for seeing our country through many milestones in the past.
We are sorry for failing her vision of justice, peace and prosperity.
Send Your Holy Spirit to us in our present need.
Be with those who will govern us.
May they work selflessly and tirelessly
So that our country may flourish
In truth and in justice.
In love and in freedom.
In the name of Jesus, the Lord. Amen.
We trust that, through the intercession of Our Lady of the Divine Mercy, God will hear our prayer for He promised, ‘if My people who are called by My name humble themselves, pray, seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land.’ (2 Chronicles 7:14).
BISHOPS’ PRESS STATEMENT ON PRESIDENT ZUMA’S RESPONSE TO THE PUBLIC PROTECTOR’S REPORT
President Zuma’s decision not to respond promptly and comprehensively to Adv. Thuli Madonsela’s report on Nkandla undermines both the Public Protector’s office and Parliament.
It is unacceptable for the President to expect the country to wait for an explanation until the Special Investigating Unit has completed its investigation, which may be only in June. The findings of the Public Protector’s enquiry are perfectly clear – there was excessive expenditure on the security upgrades, and millions of rands of taxpayers’ money was spent on private items that should have been paid for by the President himself.
The provisions of the Executive Members’ Ethics Act are equally clear – the President must report to the National Assembly on what action he plans to take within 14 days of receiving the report. Instead, Mr Zuma has chosen to ignore his legal and ethical responsibility to Parliament and to the nation.
We would expect a head of state, when faced with such a scandal, to take the earliest opportunity to provide a full and comprehensive explanation of his own involvement, and of what he plans to do to remedy the situation.
Mr Zuma must tell the nation now, not in June, how and when he plans to pay back the costs of items such as the swimming pool, the chicken run and others that have nothing to do with security.
We are disturbed to read in media reports that the President has claimed that, since he did not personally request such enhancements to his property, he is under no obligation to repay the costs thereof.
Calling to mind the words of the Freedom Charter, “There shall be houses, security and comfort”, we respectfully remind the President that millions of our people continue to live in poverty and that many lack even rudimentary housing or shelter. This makes it all the more scandalous that nearly a quarter of a billion rands could be spent on the security and comfort of one citizen.
Archbishop Stephen Brislin
President: Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference
3rd April 2014 15h45
Enquiries:
Archbishop William Slattery
tel: 083 468 5473
Fr S’milo Mngadi
tel: 072 110 8613
Rimon Makhlouf, a leading Catholic Holy Land tour guide from East Jerusalem, is visiting South Africa in April.
He will speak on:
The Fifth Gospel – Locating Christ in the Holy Land
JOHANNESBURG: Monday, April 7 at 19:00, Immaculate Conception parish, Rosebank.
PRETORIA: Tuesday, April 8 at 19:00, Christ the King parish, Queenswood.
CAPE TOWN: Thursday, April 10 at 19:00, St Michael’s parish, Rondebosch.
Free entrance and all welcome!
RSVP: info@fowlertours.co.za or SMS 076 352-3809
On March 28th, the Carmelite Family of Cape Town: priests, nuns and secular Carmelites celebrated the launching of the 500th Anniversary of the Birth of St Teresa of Avila, Reformer of Carmel, teacher of prayer and Doctor of the Church. The theme of the 5th Centenary Year is taken from one of St Teresa’s poems: “Lord, I am Yours, I was born for You, what is Your will for me?” The mission of the Carmelite contemplative Order is prayer for the needs of the Church and the world, especially for priests.
The Launching Mass was celebrated by Archbishop Stephen Brislin at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, Retreat, with many priests, deacons, religious and lay friends participating. Fr Mari Joseph OCD preached a lively homily, pointing out that St Teresa was a Spirit-filled, joy-filled person, who once said, “From sour-faced saints, deliver us, O Lord!”
After the homily, two members of the Carmelite Secular Order, Margaret van der Berg and Renee Roussouw, made their first promises for three years, and Monica van der Berg and Alshaun Bosch received the Brown Scapular to begin formation as Secular Carmelites.
The seminarians from St Francis National Orientation Seminary formed the choir with drums and shakers, and the local liturgical dance group accompanied the entrance song, ”I Will Sing For Ever” – one of St Teresa’s favorite texts.
After the Mass, the CWL of the parish provided refreshments in the hall.
The Carmelite Family of Cape Town wish to thank our beloved Archbishop Stephen for his loving support and encouragement, and may St Teresa shower special blessings on all who contributed to making this event such a joyful and memorable occasion.
May this year of grace be a prayerful journey with St Teresa as our guide drawing us into God’s presence within ourselves, as she said, “in my opinion, prayer is an intimate, heart-to-heart conversation with Him whom we know loves us.”
We are very grateful to all our beloved priests in the Archdiocese who have shown special interest in the Teresian Carmelite Spirituality and sharing with joyful enthusiasm the charism of St Teresa of Avila.
The following are the program activities for the year-long celebration:
June 7, 2014 – A Day of Recollection for the Religious of the Archdiocese at the Holy Cross Sisters Convent, Moderdam Road, Parow by Fr Sean Wales CSsR and Br Richard Maidwell CSsR
June 16, 2014 – A Day of Recollection for the Catholic Women’s League of Retreat by Fr Mari Joseph OCD
June 29, 2014 – St Teresa of Avila and the Blessed Virgin Mary, to the Legion of Mary at St Stephen’s Parish in Rocklands, Mitchell’s Plain by Fr Mari Joseph, OCD
August 16, 2014 – St Teresa & the Deacons – Prayer in the Ministry of Deacons at St Joseph’s Parish in Goodwood by Fr Mari Joseph OCD to the deacons of the Archdiocese by August (date to be confirmed)
St Teresa & the Life of Prayer: For the Seminarians of St Francis Xavier National Orientation Seminary by the Carmelite Fathers & Nuns at the Carmelite Convent, Retreat.
September 6, 2014 – Teresa of Avila & the Eucharist – An Experience of Christ’s Real Presence : For the Ministers of the Eucharist at St John’s Church, Maitland by Fr Peter-John Pearson, VG
September 13, 2014 – Prayer & Intimacy With God according to St Teresa: St Mary of the Angels Parish, Athlone by Fr Wim Lindeque
September 20, 2014 – Day of Recollection for the Carmelite Family at Carmel Retreat with Fr Hugh O’Connor
September 27, 2014 – St.Teresa & Carmelite Spirituality: For Cathecists, at Immaculate Conception Parish in Parow by Fr Roger Hickley.
October 15, 2014 – Feast of St Teresa of Avila. We invite all to join us for this occasion. The homilist will be Fr Christopher Clohessy.
January 24, 2015 – St Teresa of Avila & Friendship with God: For the youth of the Archdiocese at the Parish Hall of Our Lady of Perpetual Help, Retreat by Fr John D’Souza OCD
Frs Christopher Clohessy, Wim Lindeque & Fr Graham Pugin, SJ will be organizing activities for the University Students
We also announce that the Carmelite Nuns have prepared a simple gallery of photos and drawings, to showcase the life and teachings of St Teresa of Avila in their convent. If there are groups interested in looking at the gallery and having an audience with the Sisters, you can make an appointment after Easter
For enquiries, please contact the Carmelite Sisters: Tel: 021 713 6744, or email: carmelitenunsretreat@gmail.com
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Find latest winter living theology course: search
WINTER LIVING THEOLOGY 2014Co-ordinated by the Jesuit Institute
Al Gini
A three-day course for priests, religious and interested lay people to explore the philosophy and theology of leadership.
Today, 20 years after liberation, in the aftermath of the death of Nelson Mandela, and in the wake of the 2014 elections, South Africans are still asking about the nature of leadership in our country. We have therefore invited one of the world’s most renowned (and entertaining) speakers on this subject to explore the philosophy and theology of leadership in our societies today.
Al Gini is a Professor of Business Ethics who has lectured extensively around the world and been an adviser to multinational corporations and to NGOs. For 45 years he has been teaching at Loyola, the Jesuit University in Chicago, where he is currently Chair of the Department of Management in the School of Business Administration. He is the co-founder and long-time Associate Editor of Business Ethics Quarterly, the journal of the Society for Business Ethics. For over twenty-five years he has been the Resident Philosopher on National Public Radio in Chicago and has met many of that city’s famous products – Barack Obama, Oprah Winfrey and Michael Jordan! He regularly lectures to community and professional organizations on issues of business and ethics.
He has been visiting South Africa for 16 years and is an honorary citizen. When he was last in South Africa he gave lectures at a variety of business schools and also met with senior individuals in business, Church and government to explore ethical issues in South Africa today.
Dates: Winter Living Theology will take place at Schoenstatt, Constantia from 3-5 June 2014.
Further details regarding times, evening lectures, bookings, cost, accommodation, etc will follow at a later date. We will update this page when further information becomes available.
Topics:
1. “Pope Francis: Moral Leadership and Business Ethics”
2. “10 Virtues of Outstanding Leaders”
3. “Leadership: Why We Love It, Why We Hate It”
4. “Misleaders/Bad Leaders”
5. “Character and Leadership”
6. “Moral Leadership and Public Ethics
7. “Why It’s Hard To Be Good”
Al Gini’s books include:
10 Virtues of Outstanding Leaders (Wiley+Blackwell, 2013)
My Job My Self: Work and the Creation of the Modern Individual (Routledge, 2000)
The Importance of Being Lazy: In Praise of Play, Leisure and Vacations (Routledge, 2003)
Why It’s Hard to Be Good (Routledge, 2006)
God Can Quote Me on That: Quotations on the Meaning of Life (ACTA, 2011)
Seeking the Truth of Things (ACTA, 2010)
The Ethics of Business with Alexei Marcoux (Rowan & Littlefield, 2012)