Sa Dispatches

press-release-sinner-movie-not

2009-04-20T10:07:00.000-07:00

africa-sadc-region-south-africa-sacbc

2009-04-20T10:05:00.000-07:00

southern-african-catholic-bishops'7564

2009-04-08T10:28:00.000-07:00

southern-african-catholic-bishops_7564

2009-04-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

press-release-from-sacbc-southern

2009-04-08T10:10:00.000-07:00

fwd-fw-letter-to-canadian-bishops-and

2009-03-21T10:13:00.000-07:00

SACBC: Catholic Church and Condoms: What the Pope actually said...

2009-03-18T22:54:00.000-07:00

(Southern African Catholic Dispatches )

Article by Marc Aupiais

Introduction, and disclaimer:

Details of message received, and our forwarding:

I am privileged to forward the following message from the SACBC, it concerns the recent statements by Benedict XVI, on Condoms.

The bishops' conference did not note this: but SACatholic also covered this story, with some background:

http://southafricancatholic.blogspot.com/2009/03/france-germany-africa-vatican-former.html

As to the Bishops' Conference Press Release:

Rebroadcasting, or forwarding, or publishing this message does not imply endorsement of the Bishops conference, or any person mentioned in the contents of this dispatch/article, nor does it imply any endorsement of the accuracy, or content of views expressed in the forwarded content, which was sent to us by the Southern African catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC). We do not guarantee the accuracy, nor content, nor orthodoxy or fidelity of views expressed by the bishops conference, by emails sent to us via them, and by views recorded by them. These are not necessarily our views, nor do we necessarily express, or ascent to the views expressed in the message we are representing here for you:

The following is nothing, but a quotation of a source, that being an email we directly received from Father Townsend, of the SACBC, as a press release:

Received at: 22:08 (9 hours ago), Yesterday Evening.

Details of Message:

"---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fr Chris Townsend
Date: 2009/3/18
Subject: Catholic Church and Condoms: What the Pope actually said...
To: (we have this list, but have excluded it in forwarding)"

Contents of Message:

"From Vatican Information Service (VIS)

STARTS>
Answering a question on the Catholic Church's approach to HIV/AIDS, considered by some as unrealistic and ineffective, the Pope said:

"It is my belief believe that the most effective presence on the front in the battle against HIV/AIDS is in fact the Catholic Church and her institutions. ... The problem of HIV/AIDS cannot be overcome with mere slogans. If the soul is lacking, if Africans do not help one another, the scourge cannot be resolved by distributing condoms; quite the contrary, we risk worsening the problem. The solution can only come through a twofold commitment: firstly, the humanisation of sexuality, in other words a spiritual and human renewal bringing a new way of behaving towards one another; and secondly, true friendship, above all with the suffering, a readiness - even through personal sacrifice - to stand by those who suffer".
PV-CAMEROON/PLANE INTERVIEW/... VIS 090318 (600)

ENDS>

Fr Chris Townsend
Information Officer
Office for Communication and Media.
Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC)
P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001 South Africa
Khanya House - 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001
Tel: +27 (0)12 323 6458
Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 6218
Mobile: +27(0)82 783 4729
www.sacbc.org.za
P Please consider the environment before printing this email"

fwd-catholic-church-and-condoms-what

2009-03-18T10:12:00.000-07:00

fwd-archbishops-funeral-homily-for-fr

2009-03-17T10:15:00.000-07:00

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference: "Fr Lionel Sham: Obituary": Basically what he did for the church

2009-03-11T09:29:00.000-07:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Details of message received, and our forwarding:

I am privileged to forward the following message from the SACBC, it concerns the obituary of a recently deceased priest: Fr Sham:

The following is nothing, but a quotation of a source, that being an email we directly received from Father Townsend, of the SACBC, as a press release:

Received at: 15:19 (3 hours ago)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fr Chris Townsend
Date: 2009/3/11
Subject: Fr Lionel Sham: Obituary
To:

Contents:

"The Very Reverend Father Lionel Sham.

Lionel John Sham was born 23 May 1943 of Keralla (Kay) and Janie (nee Boles) in Johannesburg. He has 2 Brothers (Peter and Reggie) and 1 sister (Vicky)

In 1959, at the age of 15, Lionel went to Sacred Heart Minor Seminary in Boksburg to discern his vocation to the Diocesan Priesthood. He spent 2 years there and completed his Matric at Christian Brothers College in Boksburg.

In 1961 he commenced his studies at St John Vianney seminary in Pretoria. He was ordained priest on 9 September 1967 at Holy Angels Catholic Church in Bez Valley by Bishop Hugh Boyle.

His first appointment was to the Cathedral of Christ the King where he worked from 1968 to 1971. He started studies through UNISA and completed an Honours Degree in Social Science in 1973.

In 1972, he joined Fr (Later Bishop) Reginald Orsmond at Boys Town in Magaliesburg and served the parish of St James and Hekpoort. He remained in Magaliesburg until 1986. He was Dean of the West Rand Deanery, a position he would fill again from 2006 to 2008.

Fr Lionel was appointed Bishop’s Vicar for Vocations in 1986 and moved to the Cathedral of Christ the King. In this role, he was responsible for accompanying many young men in their discernment of the call to Priesthood. He remained Vicar until 1999.

He was appointed Bishop’s Vicar for Youth in 1987 where touched the lives of many youth.

He was appointed Bishop’s Vicar for Funding and development from 1988 to 1999.

From 1992 to 1993 he was Priest-in-charge of Our Lady of Loreto Catholic Church in Kempton Park.

In 1994, he was appointed as Administrator of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Johannesburg, a position he held until 1999.

He was second Vicar General for Bishop Orsmond from 1995 to 2000.

In 2000, Fr Lionel Sham was appointed as Rector of the Orientation Seminary in Welkom. The Seminary moved under Fr Lionel’s direction to Oakford in KZN. Fr Lionel remained Rector until the end of 2005. During this time, he was responsible for many young men beginning their studies for the Catholic Priesthood in Southern Africa. He also looked after his mother until her death in January 2006.

In 2006, Fr Lionel returned to the Diocese of Johannesburg and was asked to look after four parishes on the West Rand in Johannesburg – St Paul of the Cross – Bekkersdal, Our Lady of Africa, Mohlakeng, St Martin de Porres – Toekomsrus and Immaculate Conception in Westonaria. He remained Parish Priest of Our Lady of Africa when he was murdered.

Fr Lionel had also served on the Southern African Council of Priests, the South African Council for Catholic Social Services, the World Lebanese Cultural Union and the Knights of Da Gama. Fr Sham was also responsible for the fundraising and development of the Sacred Heart pastoral Centre in Walkerville. Fr Lionel was Bishop’s Vicar for SPRED and Catechetics at his death.

Fr Chris Townsend – Johannesburg – 11 March 2009

Fr Chris Townsend

Information Officer

Office for Communication and Media.

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC)

P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001 South Africa

Khanya House - 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001

Tel: +27 (0)12 323 6458

Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 6218

Mobile: +27(0)82 783 4729

www.sacbc.org.za

P Please consider the environment before printing this email"

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference: SACBC Secretary General's clarification: Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference authorised to proceed with the implementation of the New English Translation of the Roman Missal.

2009-03-11T09:07:00.000-07:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases)

Introduction by Marc Aupiais

Details of message received, and our forwarding:

I am privileged to forward the following message from the SACBC, it concerns the introduction of the new liturgical changes in Southern Africa:

The following is nothing, but a quotation of a source, that being an email we directly received from Father Townsend, of the SACBC, as a press release:

Received at: 14:59 (2 hours ago)

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fr Chris Townsend
Date: 2009/3/11
Subject: SACBC Secretary General's clarification: Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference authorised to proceed with the implementation of the New English Translation of the Roman Missal.
To:

Contents:

"Statement issued by Fr Vincent Brennan SMA, Secretary General of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Pretoria
11 March 2009.

For Immediate Release.

STARTS>

The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has accepted the explanation by the President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference regarding the early implementation of the new translation in English of the People's parts of the Roman Missal.

The Congregation has agreed that the implementation continue along with continued catechesis explaining the changes. This catechesis should include preparation of music for singing the new texts.

The other approved texts of the mass (e.g. the Eucharistic Prayers) will be implemented when the rest of the English Speaking world implements the changes.

A fuller statement may be issued by the President on his return from Rome.

Fr Vincent Brennan SMA
Secretary General

ENDS>

Issued on behalf of the Secretary General by Fr Chris Townsend.

Fr Chris Townsend
Information Officer
Office for Communication and Media.
Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC)
P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001 South Africa
Khanya House - 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001
Tel: +27 (0)12 323 6458
Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 6218
Mobile: +27(0)82 783 4729
www.sacbc.org.za
P Please consider the environment before printing this email"

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference: "Johannesburg Archdiocese: Funeral Details: Very Rev. Fr Lionel Sham."

2009-03-10T06:41:00.000-07:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases )

Article by Marc Aupiais

Details of message received, and our forwarding:

I am privileged to forward the following message from the SACBC, it concerns the funeral of a recently deceased priest: Fr Sham:

The following is nothing, but a quotation of a source, that being an email we directly received from Father Townsend, of the SACBC, as a press release:

Received at: 15:30 (5 minutes ago).

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fr Chris Townsend
Date: 2009/3/10
Subject: Johannesburg Archdiocese: Funeral Details: Very Rev. Fr Lionel Sham.
To:

Contents of message received:

"Funeral Arrangements

Very Rev. Fr Lionel John Sham (1943 to 2009)

Memorial Services:

Wednesday 11 March 2009 St John Vianney Seminary

179 Main Street

Waterkloof

17.30

Sunday 15 March 2009 Our Lady of Africa Catholic Church

14.00

Monday 16 March 2009 Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King

cnr Saratoga & End street.

Doornfontein

18.00

Monday 16 March 2009 Maronite Catholic Church of Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon.

Western Service Rd

Wendywood

18.30

Funeral Service: Tuesday 17 March 2009

Catholic Cathedral of Christ the King.

cnr. Saratoga and End Street.

Doornfontein.

Office of the Dead 09.30

Requiem Mass 10.00

Prior to Private Cremation.

Clergy Instructions: The Office of the Dead will start at 9.30am.All priests are invited to concelebrate. The Requiem Vestments will be Purple. Please try to share transport as parking at the Cathedral is severely restricted due to Construction.

One week Mass: Our Lady of the Cedars of Lebanon

22 March 2009.

09.30

Fr Chris Townsend

Information Officer

Office for Communication and Media.

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC)

P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001 South Africa

Khanya House - 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001

Tel: +27 (0)12 323 6458

Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 6218

Mobile: +27(0)82 783 4729

www.sacbc.org.za

P Please consider the environment before printing this email"

Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference: releases more details on deaths of two priests

2009-03-09T11:15:00.000-07:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases)

Article by Marc Aupiais

I am privileged to forward the following message from the SACBC, it concerns the deaths of two priests, one we have just reported to you yesterday, via the message they sent us:

The following is nothing, but a quotation of a source, that being an email we directly received from Father Townsend, of the SACBC, as a press release:

Contents of forwarded message :

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fr Chris Townsend
Date: 2009/3/9
Subject: Church Mourns murdered priests
To: (list excluded by South African catholic)

Message we received at 16:15 (3 hours ago), from the bishops Conference:

"Immediate
Pretoria
9 March 2009.

STARTS>
Church Mourns Murdered priests.

Fr Lionel Sham, Parish Priest of Mohlakeng (Johannesburg Archdiocese) was killed on Saturday 7th March 2009, after being abducted from his home in Mohlakeng. He was the second catholic priest to be murdered in one week in South Africa. Father Daniel Matsela Mahula, from Klerksdorp Diocese, was killed on 27th February.

The body of Fr Lionel Sham, 66 years old, has been recovered by the Police on Sunday, few hours after the priest disappeared from his parish. Fr Lionel Sham was well known to be open to all and generous with people in the need.

“All we can do now is pray with the family, the parish of Mohlakeng and the many people who loved and knew Lionel” said Archbishop Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg, on the 7th March. “I wish to express my own gratitude to the countless people who have looked for Fr Lionel and who have prayed for his safe return.”

On Friday 27th February 2009, Father Daniel Matsela Mahula was killed will driving his car, by four hitch-hikers, near Bloemhof. Father Matsela was a young priest, born on the 6th of June 1975 and ordained to the Priesthood on 22 December 2002. He ministered at St. Peter’s Catholic Church in Jouberton at the time of his death.

In October 2007, Oblate of Mary Immaculate Father Allard Mmako, 42 years old, died in Nelspruit after being shot by carjackers.

Funeral Details for Father Lionel Sham will be announced as soon as they are finalised.

ENDS
Issued by Fr Chris Townsend

Fr Chris Townsend
Information Officer
Office for Communication and Media.
Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC)
P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001 South Africa
Khanya House - 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001
Tel: +27 (0)12 323 6458
Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 6218
Mobile: +27(0)82 783 4729
www.sacbc.org.za
P Please consider the environment before printing this email"

The Following was brought to you by South African Catholic: http://southafricancatholic.blogspot.com for a fuller disclaimer the disclaimer on that site applies to this message. This message may be distributed.

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference: Archbishop announces the finding of the Body of Missing Priest

2009-03-08T10:45:00.000-07:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases )

Introduction by Marc Aupiais

Contents of forwarded message :

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fr Chris Townsend
Date: 2009/3/8
Subject: SAPA PR: Archbishop announces the finding of the Body of Missing Priest
To: (list excluded on publication)

Time: 16:52 (2 hours ago)

Forwarded message:

Immediate

Johannesburg

Sunday 8 March 2009

STARTS

Archbishop Announces the finding of the Body of Missing Priest.

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, Catholic Archbishop of Johannesburg, regrets to announce that the SAPS have found the Body of Fr Lionel Sham. Fr Sham, Parish Priest of Mohlakeng, had been missing since Friday night. The SAPS has recovered the missing car at an accident scene in Denysville in the Free State this morning. Suspects were apprehended and questioned.

Archbishop Buti spoke of the great Love Father Lionel shared with those he came into contact with. He was a friend and mentor to many people. He had worked at Boys Town, in various Parish Assignments, as Administrator of the Cathedral of Christ the King in Johannesburg, Rector of the Orientation Seminary in Welkom, Secretary of the Seminary Department of the Bishops Conference, Vocation Director and Vicar General.

“All we can do now is pray with the family, the parish of Mohlakeng and the many people who loved and knew Lionel” said the Archbishop. “I wish to express my own gratitude to the countless people who have looked for Fr Lionel and who have prayed for his safe return.”

Further details will be released when they are available .

Ends

Released By Fr Chris Townsend on behalf of Archbishop Tlhagale.

Fr Chris Townsend

Information Officer

Office for Communication and Media.

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC)

P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001 South Africa

Khanya House - 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001

Tel: +27 (0)12 323 6458

Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 6218

Mobile: +27(0)82 783 4729

www.sacbc.org.za

P Please consider the environment before printing this email

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference ask for Vatican help on Litergical alterations!

2009-03-04T08:02:00.000-08:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases )

Article by Marc Aupiais

The following message, was sent to a facebook event which South African Catholic has set up in South Africa: to forward messages from the Bishops' Conference in Southern Africa, which they send to us, as a media initiative. Our Service is independent of the Bishops conference, even as we fall under Canon Law:

Message:

"
Disclaimer:

See our disclaimer at:

http://sites.google.com/site/catholicaffiliates/southern-african-catholic-bishops--conference--section-devoted-to-their-dispat

The Phrase "South African Catholic", in the disclaimer on the page applies to myself in sending this!

To invite others to receive these dispatches:

http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?guests&eid=60405051344

Details of message, sent to us at: 15:37 today, by the Bishop's Conference:
---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Fr Chris Townsend < townsend@sacbc.org.za >
Date: 2009/3/4
Subject: SACBC: Secretary General's Clarification on the Implementation of the new English Language Text of the Roman Missal in Southern Africa.
To: (excluded by South African Catholic (us))

Contents of message:
"Statement by Fr Vincent Brennan SMA, Secretary General of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference.

Pretoria

Immediate

4 March 2009

STARTS>

Clarification on the Implementation of the new English Language Text of the Roman Missal in Southern Africa.

On Wednesday 28 February 2009 the President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI received a letter from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments.

The letter asked that the current implementation of the new English Text of the Roman Missal be halted until the process had been finalised internationally and all English-speaking churches could implement the new translation at the same time.

Normally a recognitio given by the Congregation approves a text for implementation at a time determined by the Bishops’ Conference. In this case, the recognitio approved the text but only for Catechesis of the people and the preparation of music for the Rite and not for immediate implementation.

The Bishops’ Conference has explained the situation to the Vatican and has requested that their decision be allowed to stand. They await Rome’s response.

In the meantime the President, Archbishop Tlhagale, and the Bishop in Charge of Liturgy, Bishop Risi, have requested that Churches that have implemented the changes should continue to use them until a response has been received from the Holy See. Churches that have not implemented the changes should not do so until further notice.

The Bishops regret the confusion that may have arisen. They ask for patience and they pray that the misunderstanding that has arisen will not take away from the prayerful and joyful celebration of the Mass in English. They wish to point out that the only issue in dispute is the date of implementation, not the text itself.

Fr Vincent Brennan SMA

Secretary General.

ENDS>

Issued by Fr Chris Townsend on behalf of Fr Vincent Brennan SMA. All Media Queries to

Fr Chris Townsend

Information Officer

Office for Communication and Media.

Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC)

P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001 South Africa

Khanya House - 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001

Tel: +27 (0)12 323 6458

Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 6218

Mobile: +27(0)82 783 4729

www.sacbc.org.za

P Please consider the environment before printing this email"

Note, this is nothing more than a quotation of an email sent us by the SACBC, it does not imply any sort of endorsement of them, or their words.

"

Spaces added where necessary to keep substantive formatting, colors in original email formated out.

The Disclaimer linked to governs this email, and should be read, South African Catholic, refers to us!

southern-african-catholic-bishops

2009-02-18T10:36:00.000-08:00

Vatican Synod on Africa!

2009-02-18T07:39:00.000-08:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases)

Introduction by Marc Aupiais

RE: "PRESIDENTS, RELATOR AND SECRETARIES OF SYNOD FOR AFRICA"

Note, our usual disclaimer applies to this dispatch: see it here:

http://sites.google.com/site/catholicaffiliates/southern-african-catholic-bishops--conference--section-devoted-to-their-dispat?pli=1

Nothing is implied from us by quoting an email from the SACBC informations Officer to us. It is not to imply endorsement:

Email Details:

"from Fr Chris Townsend < townsend@sacbc.org.za >
to
date17 February 2009 08:09
subject "PRESIDENTS, RELATOR AND SECRETARIES OF SYNOD FOR AFRICA"
mailed-by sacbc.org.za"

Email Contents:

"VATICAN CITY, 14 FEB 2009 (VIS) - The Holy Father has appointed the presidents delegate, relator general and special secretaries for the Second Special Assembly for Africa of the Synod of Bishops, which is due to be held in the Vatican from 4 to 25 October on the theme: "The Church in Africa, at the Service of Reconciliation, Justice and Peace. 'You are the salt of the earth, ... you are the light of the world'".

The presidents delegate are Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect emeritus of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments; Cardinal Theodore-Adrien Sarr, archbishop of Senegal, Dakar, and Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier O.F.M., archbishop of Durban, South Africa.

The relator general is Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson, archbishop of Cape Coast, Ghana, and the special secretaries are Archbishop Damiao Antonio Franklin of Luanda, Angola, and Bishop Edmond Djitangar of Sarh, Chad.
.../SYNOD APPOINTMENTS/... VIS 090216 (160)

Fr Chris Townsend
Information Officer
Office for Communication and Media.
Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC)
P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001 South Africa
Khanya House - 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001
Tel: +27 (0)12 323 6458
Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 6218
Mobile: +27(0)82 783 4729
www.sacbc.org.za
P Please consider the environment before printing this email"

Our disclaimer about this article:

http://sites.google.com/site/catholicaffiliates/southern-african-catholic-bishops--conference--section-devoted-to-their-dispat?pli=1

Please view it!

southern-african-catholic-bishops_18

2009-02-13T10:44:00.000-08:00

Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference: "Jule Greenberg RIP"

2009-02-13T05:05:00.000-08:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases )

Article by Marc Aupiais

Please read our disclaimer here:
http://sites.google.com/site/catholicaffiliates/southern-african-catholic-bishops--conference--section-devoted-to-their-dispat?pli=1

It is important you understand that this email mentioned is a quotation, and that we guarantee nothing of the Saint Charles, or hierarchical sources, except that this email is from them (not saint Charles, but the SACBC: Bishops Conference) to us, and that the sites mentioned are hierarchical sites: to our knowledge, Quoting the Bishops conference means, and implies nothing on our part.

Details of Email we are publishing:

"

from Fr Chris Townsend
to (list excluded by South African Catholic, on publishing)
date 13 February 2009 14:29
subject Jule Greenberg RIP
mailed-by sacbc.org.za
"

Subject of Email:

"
Jule Greenberg RIP"

Contents of Email:

"

Dear Friends,
For those who haven’t heard, Jule Greenberg, former Editor of the Johannesburg Arch/Diocesan news died earlier this week.
Her funeral is on Thursday 19^th February at 2pm at Victory Park.

May she rest in Peace.

Fr Chris

Fr Chris Townsend
Information Officer
Office for Communication and Media.
Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC)
P.O.Box 941 Pretoria 0001 South Africa
Khanya House - 399 Paul Kruger Street, Pretoria, 0001
Tel: +27 (0)12 323 6458
Fax: +27 (0) 12 326 6218
Mobile: +27(0)82 783 4729
www.sacbc.org.za
P Please consider the environment before printing this email

"

From our part:

Victory park is, to out knowledge: Saint Charles Parish: in Victory park, Johannesburg:

http://www.icon.co.za/~saintcharles/

Their details: to find them are:

"
35 Road No 3
Victory Park
Johannesburg"

Quotation of address is from:
http://www.catholic-johannesburg.org.za/dms/contacts/dms_contact-view?contact_id=2706
You can get further details of the parish there.

South Africa: Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference' letter on/to Catholic Education

2009-02-13T04:44:00.000-08:00

(Southern African catholic Press Releases )

Article by Marc Aupiais

Please see our Disclaimer before reading this email/posting: it is visible here:

http://sites.google.com/site/catholicaffiliates/southern-african-catholic-bishops--conference--section-devoted-to-their-dispat?pli=1

Subject of Email:

"
SACBC Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education: for Immediate release"

Details of the email:

"

from Fr Chris Townsend
to (excluded for privacy purposes, we have the list)
date 13 February 2009 12:33
subject SACBC Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education: for Immediate release
mailed-by sacbc.org.za
"

Introduction of the letter: to us and other media contacts:

"Below and attached in various formats is the pastoral letter on Catholic Education, released today.
Please contact me if you have any questions.
Best Wishes for the Weekend!Fr Chris"

Letter sent by Bishops Conference on Education:

See PDF, or Document Versions online:

pdf:

http://sites.google.com/site/catholicaffiliates/southern-african-catholic-bishops--conference--section-devoted-to-their-dispat/09-02-13KDBJTCTCatholiceducationpdf.pdf?attredirects=0

Document:

http://sites.google.com/site/catholicaffiliates/southern-african-catholic-bishops--conference--section-devoted-to-their-dispat/09-02-13KDBJTCTCatholiceducation.doc?attredirects=0

Docx:

http://sites.google.com/site/catholicaffiliates/southern-african-catholic-bishops--conference--section-devoted-to-their-dispat/09-02-13KDBJTCTCatholiceducationword2007.docx?attredirects=0

"

Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education.

Care, concern, and challenge for Catholic Education

25 January 2009

To the Catholic Community, Catholic Schools, Educators, Learners, Supporter and Beneficiaries of Catholic Education.

We, the Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa, want to express our deep appreciation for the work people are doing in Catholic schools. As Bishops we give our unequivocal commitment to Catholic schools that are gospel-based, centred on Christ, and which strive to be communities of care, selflessness and sharing.

Schooling has been, and remains, an important part of the mission of the Church. Our schools strive to help everyone, rich and poor, to grow in faith and to integrate faith with experience. Inspired by the gospel, Catholic schools respect the freedom and dignity of every human being and develop the qualities of personal integrity, moral courage and social responsibility that are marks of authentic Christian personality.

Religious Education programmes in Catholic schools set them apart from other schools. Our programmes are based on the gospel and on sound educational principles. We need to ensure that prayer and liturgy remain central in the life of our schools.

Teachers in Catholic schools are called by God to participate in the teaching ministry of Jesus. Their vocation involves vision, conscientious work, professionalism and care for the children entrusted to them. Teachers in our schools witness to the mission of Christ in bringing about a society based on the principles of love, peace, truth and justice. More than this, teachers are called to prepare their learners to be active and responsible members of society who have purpose and meaning in life and who are capable of being agents of social change.

In the past, we have depended on religious congregations and overseas sources to finance our schools. This is no longer the case.

South Africa

and its neighbours have grown beyond the stage of being missionary countries, and the time has come for us to take on the responsibilities of an established and self-reliant church. Catholic schools should now be able to rely on the lay faithful to rise to this challenge.

We call on all members of the Catholic community to value our schools, and encourage Catholic parents to send their children to Catholic schools. We urge parents to be actively involved in school life, particularly in governing bodies. Parents play a central role in supporting and promoting the vision of education on which our schools are founded. Parishes are natural homes for Catholic schools and we need to re-establish closer links between priests and school communities where the links have been lost.

We are mindful that most Catholic children are not in Catholic schools, and we encourage both teachers and pupils to witness to the values of our faith in the public school system. We need to explore new ways of establishing schools in the future to meet the educational needs of Catholics. Our vision must embrace not only the maintenance and strengthening of the schools we have, but also the establishment of new ones. We invite those Catholics who have chosen the teaching profession to consider seriously the option of working in Catholic schools.

At the start of this school year, we invite Catholics across the region to join us in praying for all those involved in our schools. May this be a good year for pupils, staff, parents and governing body members, as well as the communities in which the schools are located. May God bless our schools so that they may be places of hope.

In Christ,

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI

Archbishop of Johannesburg.

President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference

"

Consider our quotations of the Bishops conference as just that, it does not imply anything. Note that the version of the email posted here: is from the document version, linked to and uploaded online, also by us, we have uploaded all the sent attachments!!

To receive emails on this subject, review:
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Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference Answers Catholics on New Liturgy Translations!

2009-02-02T07:16:00.000-08:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases)

Introduction, disclaimer: by: Marc Aupiais

As a media contact, we were emailed this by the SACBC's (SOUTHERN AFRICAN CATHOLIC BISHOPS' CONFERENCE) Information Officer:

Please consider this, purely as a quotation, it is not an endorsement by us, nor do we guarantee the standards or anything else about these contents: as these are their words, or words they quote, and not our words. We are simply quoting them, and we have supplied a disclaimer below, which we advise you read:

Message we received:

Email We Have Received from the Information Officer of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference:
Details:

"

from

Fr Chris Townsend

to(many addresses excluded in publishing for security reasons)

date2 February 2009 12:03

subjectA pastoral response to the faithful with regard to the new English Language mass translations

mailed-bysacbc.org.za"

Attachment to Email dispatch we received as a member of a list of media who they send dispatches to:
Note: our service has no affiliation with the southern cross, with whom we have cut any ties on our part: since articles promoting abortion supporting political argument(s) and politician(s).

"
Introduction of the New English Translation of the Mass The Bishops of the Southern African Bishops Conference have been evaluating the response to the implementation of the new English texts of the Mass. We wish to thank all who have cooperated in the implementation of this first phase which involves by and large the responses of the faithful. We have attempted to identify the problem areas with a view to facilitating the second phase which will provide texts for the ordinary parts of the Mass which are used by the priest. We have studied the letters and emails addressed to us directly as well as those from the readership of the Southern Cross. We have decided to appeal to the Holy See on the use of „man‟ and „men‟ in the creed and the fourth Eucharistic Prayer. Only the Holy See has the authority to alter the text – no one of us nor any priest has that authority. In the mean time we ask our Catholics to be patient since the process of appeal takes time. For those who find it difficult to use the term „man‟ or „men‟ because they feel it to be not inclusive enough, in the spirit of our Catholic tradition we ask them to bear in mind that one text which is meant for universal use will always make some demands on us, and there will always be some give and some take. This is made all the more challenging in that English is the new Latin in the Church. ‘For us men and for our salvation … and became man’ In the creed the main intention is to proclaim that Christ, in becoming incarnate, became MAN. He is the new MAN, and, by our baptism, we are all men and women in the new MAN. “For all of you who were baptised into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free person, there is not male and female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:27,28) ‘You formed man in your own image …’ Similarly in Eucharistic Prayer Four, addressing God, the priest proclaims, „…you formed MAN in your own image‟. This carries the meaning of the old MAN redeemed by the new MAN in which there is nolonger distinction of male and female, as St. Paul taught. Sufficient catechesis and preparation Before we implement the second phase - texts for the ordinary parts of the Mass used by the priest - we would like to give our priests a further opportunity to study the reasons behind certain choices made in the new translation so that they may pass these on to the faithful. Towards this goal, we will issue a series of three further letters and ask them to see that the formation and information is passed on to all our members. We will make the new texts of the four Eucharistic Prayers available to them, not for use, but for study. The text differs in places to what is contained in the ICEL book issued in 2007. (ICEL: International Commission for English in the Liturgy). We ask that the period of embargo be respected so as to give everyone the chance to prepare adequately. The date of implementation will be TRINITY SUNDAY. ‘And with your spirit’ We once again hear the response to the greetings of the priest, „And with your spirit‟. In some of the languages used in Southern Africa this is not strange – „ibe nomoya wakho futhi‟ is the answer in isiZulu. The reason for the reverting to the old form of the response in English is because it is closer to the scriptural origins of the formulation, as one can read in Galatians 6:18 or 2 Timothy 4:22. It is not the isolation of the soul from the whole person of the celebrant but rather the recognition of that special character or spirit which the celebrant has by virtue of his priestly ordination. It would be a misunderstanding to claim that this formulation creates clericalism. Clericalism is a sign of something dysfunctional. What should really be acknowledged is that from within the community one has been called to serve the community with the spirit of Christ. The dictum of St. Augustine is appropriate here: „For you I am a bishop, (a priest), with you I am a Christian. The first is the title of the office I received, the second is by grace …‟ (Augustine, Sermon 340, 1). The threefold ‘through my fault’ Here again we revert to the formulation in existence in the Council days. The International Committee for English in the Liturgy, in the years immediately following the Second Vatican Council and the introduction of the rite of the Mass in English, interpreted their mandate to remove certain repetitions in formulations found in 1 the Mass. However, when the new rules of translation were drawn up in 2001, it was noted that some of the repetitions were characteristic of the Latin Rite and should therefore be restored. This applies to the „through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault.‟ You take away the sins of the world … you are seated at the right hand … The pattern of threefold repetition also applies to the threefold invocation of Jesus in the Gloria : „you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.‟ ‘People of good will’ In proclaiming the words of the angels, the new formulation, „people of good will‟ replaces „peace to his people on earth‟. The origin of these words is found in Luke 2:14 which in the Latin Vulgate read: „Gloria in altissimis Deo, et super terram pax in hominibus bonae voluntatis‟ Dialogue introducing the Preface The response „It is right and just‟ in answer to the priest‟s invitation „Let us give thanks to the Lord our God‟ may sound incomplete. It will only begin to make sense when the full missal is introduced and the celebrating priest takes up the words of the congregation, expanding on them thus: „Truly it is right and just …‟. Renewed theological insights An example of renewed theological insight is the greeting: „The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all‟. The choice of „communion‟ in place of what has been commonly used up to now, „fellowship‟ is because from the outset the liturgy looks forward to the Holy Communion by which we find fellowship with each other and communion with God. Another example of renewed theological insight is the formulation concluding the penitential rite: „May almighty God have mercy on us and lead us, with our sins forgiven, to eternal life’. A renewed faithfulness to scriptural formulations It is important to note that it was one of the principles established in the new rules for translation was that the Mass formulations reflect more faithfully the scriptural texts which are used in prayer and proclamation. For this reason one will find „Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord God of Hosts‟ which comes from Isaiah 6:3. Also the formulation as was in former times in English: „Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed‟ – Luke 7:6-7. This latter is an example of the genius of the Roman Rite which begins with the words of the sacred scriptures andbrings them to focus on the person him/herself. ‘Consubstantial with the Father’ As for “consubstantialem”, the problem arose when there was no agreement from the Bishops‟ Conferences the use of “one in Being” and “of one Being”. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments maintained that, in the matter of the Christological definitions expressed in the creeds, absolute uniformity throughout the Universal Church was necessary. Edward Risi omi Dept. Christian Formation, Liturgy and Culture SACBC

"

View Online Version of the PDF: Note: terms, conditions, and our disclaimer apply:

09-02-02 ER CT English language texts PASTORAL RESPONSE.pdf
http://sites.google.com/site/catholicaffiliates/Home/09-02-02ERCTEnglishlanguagetextsPASTORALRESPONSE.pdf?attredirects=0

zimbabwe-from-crisis-to-disaster-to

2009-01-26T11:04:00.000-08:00

"Zimbabwe: From Crisis to Disaster to Genocide - Does SADC want to be complicit in Genocide": Press Realease from the Southern African Catholic Bishop

2009-01-23T11:03:00.000-08:00

zimbabwe-from-crisis-to-disaster-to

2009-01-23T10:51:00.000-08:00

southern-african-catholic-bishops_23

2009-01-23T10:50:00.000-08:00

: Caritas update

2009-01-21T01:00:00.000-08:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases )

Introduction by Marc Aupiais

We do not endorse, nor guarantee the contents of this email, rely on it at your own risk:

Issue No. 5

To read the story in French or Spanish please click on the ESPAÑOL or FRANÇAIS icon on the top left when you have opened the page.

Para leer el documento en español o francés, por favor, hagan clic en el icono ESPAÑOL o FRANÇAIS, arriba a la izquierda cuando esté abierta la página.

Pour lire l’histoires en français, veuillez, s’il vous plait, cliquer sur l’icône FRANÇAIS en haut à gauche quand vous avez ouvert la page.

Caritas in 2009
	Secretary General of Caritas Internationalis talks about priorities and challenges in 2009.

Caritas President Cardinal Rodriguez speaks out on Gaza crisis
	Caritas Internationalis President Cardinal Oscar Rodriguez Maradiaga urged world leaders to halt the destruction in Gaza. A huge rebuilding effort is now needed.

Zimbabwe appeal: Love and hope in a time of tragedy
	Nearly half the population is close to starvation. A cholera epidemic is threatening those weakened by hunger. The state is collapsing with the economy, electricity, schools, hospitals, water supply all failing.

Terrorised Congo families receive Caritas aid
	Caritas brought to the world's attention Christmas massacres in Congo and is now providing 10.000 families with help.

Migration: weighing up the options
	Many of the world’s migrants risk alienation, rejection and poverty far from home to create a better life for themselves and for their families. They do this because there’s no better alternative.

The crisis in Darfur gets worse
	Violence is increasing in Sudan’s Darfur region almost six years after the crisis began leaving people more desperate than ever.

World Social Forum
	Catch up on who is doing what at the World Social Forum on Caritas blog.

Caritas Internationalis	To modify your emailing preferences or your account, please go to My Account
www.caritas.org	Contact us

SACBC Forwarded news: Monastery in Marianhill Robbed

2009-01-21T00:14:00.000-08:00

(Southern African Catholic Dispatches)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The following is a copy of a dispatch sent out to a facebook list, the disclaimer applies to us:

"Apologies, for being late in posting this, we received it yesterday.

If you want the original email, send me an inbox, with an address to send to.

Subject: FW: Priest, monk robbed in Durban: South Africa: News: News24
Time: 13:27 20 / 01 / 2009
Sent to: contacts, such as myself
sent from: Fr Townsend: Information officer of the SACBC
Content of press release:

"Mariannhill Monastery Robbed

Fr. Chris Townsend

Information Officer - SACBC

P Please consider the environment before printing this email

http://www.news24.com/News24/South_Africa/News/0,,2-7-1442_2455880,00.html "

Find this information useful: invite friends, by clicking on:

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Disclaimer:

Rely on this information at your own risk, we do not endorse, nor guarantee dispatches from the Bishops conference.
"

southern-african-catholic-bishops_23

2009-01-20T10:45:00.000-08:00

southern-african-catholic-bishops

2009-01-20T10:01:00.000-08:00

press-release-sent-to-us-from-sacbc-09

2009-01-20T09:54:00.000-08:00

Program on Catholic Priesthood on SABC 2: FYI from Bishops conference

2009-01-19T23:54:00.000-08:00

(Southern African Catholic Press Releases)

Information from Marc Aupiais

The Following is a slightly edited (due to clearing up, what the quotes of the emails say, is not altered) copy of information we distributed to our facebook subscribers, of one service: dispatches from the SACBC, the disclaimer applies to all forwarding, or distribution of this information. We permit distribution of this article:

"For those new to this service: as a media contact of the SACBC, I receive press releases, and sometimes mention them on "South African Catholic" and other news sources that I access. I decided others may be interested in these, for whatever purpose, and so forward the information. Sometimes there are several for one day, often, there are none for days.

Basically, this involves getting information which may be important, due to the source, which as a media contact, I am permitted to forward in some way. You may freely invite others, including non-members of the host to this event; it is about information, not any sort of stance.

The following is quoted from an email that the SACBC (Bishops conference) forwarded to media including us:
It is about a program on SABC (Government station) television: SABC 2 at 09: 00 on 1st February 2009.

The Bishops' Conference: introduction to media contacts:
"FYI

Fr. Chris Townsend

Information Officer - SACBC

P Please consider the environment before printing this email"

The email they forwarded to media contacts:

"Hi All,

The repeat broadcast of my doccie on Catholic Priesthood has been postponed by a week.

ISSUES OF FAITH: Catholic Priesthood to be repeated on SABC 2, 09:00 on 1st February 2009.

Regards,

Patricia"

The rest of the email, seems to be from SABC, and has not much interest to viewers of this: email me if you want it forwarded: give an email address to forward it to.

As per usual, rely on this information at your own risk: we neither endorse, nor guarantee the content of dispatches emailed to us as a press contact of the SACBC.

To invite nothers to receive these emails:

http://www.facebook.com/editevent.php?guests&eid=60405051344

In the email: Patricia refers to a person named:

Patrica Proctor.

We of course, know nothing about the program mentioned, only we got it, in an FYI via the Bishops conference!"

Zimbabwe; SADC; Africa: Caritas internationalis asks for US $ 7 million, to help feed Zimbabwe

2009-01-13T00:45:00.000-08:00

(Social Justice South Africa; c.f. Zenit News (Catholic; American based: Global; independent) 09 / 01 / 2009; Caritas Internationalis (Catholic; Global; Independent; Humanitarian Group) 09/ Jan / 2009 Press Release)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Caritas internationalis, the Umbrella Organization of over 160 Catholic ethos Charities, worldwide: is calling for US$ 7 million, to be made in donations: for their aid effort in Zimbabwe, where they plan to aid 250 000 (Two Hundred, and Fifty, Thousand), of the 5 000 000 (Five Million), Zimbabweans, estimated to be in danger of dying of malnutrition, and starvation, this is half of the Zimbabwean population.

The Cholera Epidemic, has only had a negative situation on the situation (Social Justice South Africa; South Africa: "Jik For Zim": Local Catholic Project, we were alerted to by the Information Officer of the SACBC 13 / Jan / 2009 ), with +- 1 700 (One thousand Six Seven hundred) Deaths, and +-36 000 (Thirty Six Thousand) cases reported, on our last checking up on such. A press release, sent out a few days ago, and posted today by us, showed much lower figures, but this is likely due to the rate of increase in infection, or perhaps other factors, as to accuracy.

According to Caritas Internationalis (Catholic; Global; Independent; Humanitarian Group) 09/ Jan / 2009

"A Cholera outbreak over the last five months has killed over 1,700 people with 36,000 cases reported.

Caritas will provide monthly food rations to 164,000 people, 88,800 school children with a midday meal at school, and farming training to 4,600 homes. Caritas will give 16,000 homes access to clean water and provide 5,000 people with basic health care.

Caritas Internationalis Secretary-General Lesley-Anne Knight said, “People will die in Zimbabwe unless they receive urgent humanitarian assistance. At least five million people need food aid but many more are going hungry. The high mortality from Cholera indicates an extreme international emergency."

(Caritas Internationalis (Catholic; Global; Independent; Humanitarian Group) 09/ Jan / 2009 Press Release)

between 7, and 9 out of every ten families battle to survive, many take part in sex work, or sell possessions,
as Caritas Internationalis elaborates:

"A Caritas nationwide survey in October-November 2008 showed that between 70 and 90 percent of families are barely managing to feed themselves. The worst affected areas are Masvingo, Bulawayo and Hwange, followed by Gokwe, Mutare and Gweru, then Harare and Chinhoyi.

Only 5 to 10 percent are receiving food aid. Most are picking wild foods, selling their animals or household items, or carrying out sex work to survive.

Deaths from hunger have been reported and Caritas expects the situation to worsen as the hungry season peaks from January to March. Caritas has reported 200 cases of children fainting at school due to lack of food.

The Caritas appeal with target the most vulnerable people in Zimbabwe such as women- and child-headed households, children, the sick and the elderly. "

(Caritas Internationalis (Catholic; Global; Independent; Humanitarian Group) 09/ Jan / 2009 Press Release)

Donations in this effort, can be made via national organizations of the group, according to Caritas; or possibly via:

http://www.caritas.org/services/donate_now.html

Which Zenit has pointed to, as a way to donate in general.

South Africa, has been accused of not acting against Zimbabwean dictator, Robert Mugabe: despite, the MDC (Movement For Democratic Change), his opposition, having legally won the election, according to South African based, Secular News Station: ENEWSCHANNEL. For more or less eight years now, South Africa has allegedly protected Mugabe from the international community, and has continued doing business with Zimbabwe.

from	Fr Chris Townsend
to		(list excluded by South African Catholic, on publishing)
date		13 February 2009 14:29
subject		Jule Greenberg RIP
mailed-by		sacbc.org.za

from	Fr Chris Townsend
to		(excluded for privacy purposes, we have the list)
date		13 February 2009 12:33
subject		SACBC Pastoral Letter on Catholic Education: for Immediate release
mailed-by		sacbc.org.za

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"Zimbabwe: From Crisis to Disaster to Genocide - Does SADC want to be complicit in Genocide": Press Realease from the Southern African Catholic Bishop

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: Caritas update

SACBC Forwarded news: Monastery in Marianhill Robbed

southern-african-catholic-bishops_23

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press-release-sent-to-us-from-sacbc-09

Program on Catholic Priesthood on SABC 2: FYI from Bishops conference

Zimbabwe; SADC; Africa: Caritas internationalis asks for US $ 7 million, to help feed Zimbabwe