Mass In Honour Of Madiba

Cardinal Peter Turkson
Photo: SACBC

Cardinal Peter Turkson, who was appointed as Pope Francis’ special envoy to the memorial service of Nelson Mandela, will also be celebrating Mass later this week in honour of Nelson Mandela.

Ring The Church Bells For Madiba

Nelson Mandela
Photo: SACBC

On Friday, 6 December 2013, the president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Archbishop Stephen Brislin, sent this message on behalf of the Southern African Catholic Bishops. The message is entitled “May They Meet In Heaven”.

Nelson Mandela - Catholics, Be Merciful (Updated)

Two people comfort one another outside Mandela residence
Photo: Mail Online

I know that Nelson Mandela signed into law one of the most liberal abortion laws in the world. This fills me with deep sadness. Millions of innocent babies have been killed in South Africa because of this law.

Malachite Kingfisher

Malachite Kingfisher
Photo: Kids.Mongabay.com

Spotted a Malachite Kingfisher, like the one in this photo, yesterday in my back garden. Unfortunately I didn't have my camera on hand, which was really disappointing. There were 5 other witnesses but it's really no fun unless I have a photo.

If We Are Sheep, We Overcome

St John Chrysostom
Image from Wikipedia

The second reading of Matins for today, Thursday of Week 34 in Ordinary Time, was a homily of St John Chrysostom. He was born in AD 347 and died in AD 407. He was Archbishop of Constantinople and is one of the early Church Fathers. The homily was so profound that I felt compelled to share it for the benefit of those who do not pray the Divine Office. 

Save The Liturgy

What is this - maybe a clown Mass?

“Save the liturgy and save the Church may sound like a cliche from an entrenched blogger but there is quite a bit of truth to it and when coupled with a renewed sense of the truth of the Catholic Church, that we have in the Gospel fullness and that outside the Church there is no salvation, then the new evangelisation might actually bear some fruit in drawing back the lost and gaining new believers for Christ and His Church.”

'Scalfari Interview' Taken Down

I read today that the ‘Scalfari Interview’ has been taken down from the Vatican website. This is good news. You can read more about this here in Edward Pentin’s Blog.

Euthanasia For Children

Photo from: "Euthanasia For Children Is Wrong"
by Charles Foster

I really don’t understand how people can argue that the ‘slippery slope’ argument is baseless when it comes to euthanasia. There are so many examples of how a law, which was introduced to permit euthanasia for people in certain specific circumstances, has since progressed to include precisely those vulnerable people that we always feared would eventually be included.

The Truth About Ourselves

Mark Nel

I learned a wonderful lesson in humility yesterday. It made me realise that even though we may like to convince ourselves that we do not think of ourselves as ‘better’ or ‘different’ to other people, we actually subconsciously do. It also made me realise that many of us really have no real understanding of just how others may feel about their circumstances.

Interview - Fr Antony Sumich

Offertorium
Photo from FSSP website

I recently posted some photos of the Traditional Latin Mass, which was celebrated by Fr. Antony Sumich. You can see the photos here: Tridentine Mass - Home Chapel. Since then I came across an interview that was conducted with Fr. Sumich and decided it was worth sharing it with you too.

Do We Believe In Real Presence?

Tabernacle
Photo: Wikipedia

I have just read this letter to The Southern Cross entitled “Parish under siege by criminals”. The same article appears in the Archdiocesan News of Johannesburg. It tells of how a parish church was vandalised and robbed. It is a very sad letter because it gives an account of the theft of the Blessed Sacrament.

Tridentine Mass - Home Chapel

Home Chapel - Mark and Greir Nel

I was exceptionally blessed this week to have a priest, Fr. Antony Sumich, from the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP) visit and say the Traditional Latin Mass in my chapel at home. You can learn more about the FSSP here.

Sky News - It Is A Baby

Liu Xinwen in hospital after forced abortion
Photo from Sky News report

I was horrified when I read the heart breaking report of how a Chinese mother was forced, by Chinese authorities, to abort her baby against her will because she already had one child. While that news saddened me I took heart in how Sky News and its reporter, Mark Stone, unwittingly revealed that they view the unborn as a baby, not just a clump of cells.

Warning Against Euthanasia, Not Scaremongering

Peter Saunders

Peter Saunders has explained in a Blog on the subject of euthanasia / assisted dying, that warning “of the consequences of changing the law is not scaremongering”, even though those who favour changing the law are prone to insisting that it is simply that.

Theologian On Pope's Interview

Germaine Grisez

I came across this exceptionally interesting letter, which the moral theologian Germain Grisez has written about the Pope Francis interview published in the Jesuit publication. I found it on the Blog, Mirror of Justice.

Pope Has Lost Me!

Pope Francis
Photo from La Repubblica

I am trying really hard to understand Pope Francis. Yet there are moments when, try as hard as I can, I just do not get him, at all. The latest confusion is because of what he said in an interview published in La Repubblica. So please, someone help me to understand what the heck Pope Francis is saying?

Teacher Attacked With Broom

Boy Throws A Broom At Genvista High Schoolteacher

News of the child who attacked his schoolteacher with a broom is not new. It occurred about ten days ago. What is new, well for me anyway, is the video of the incident. It was recorded by one of the child's classmates at Glenvista High School in South Africa. It has literally turned my stomach and enraged me.

Dignity SA Manipulates Pope's Words

Blessed Pope John Paul II

Dignity South Africa seems to know no bounds in its attempt to legalise euthanasia in South Africa. It seems it is not even beyond blatantly misleading those who visit its website by manipulating Catholic teaching it has posted there.

Pope Francis - Tipping The Scales

Pope Francis
Photo from America Magazine

Yesterday I wrote about John Cornwell's article, wherein he deliberately chose to ignore the real reason that Pope Francis chose not to live in the papal apartment. One of my readers then suggested I read Gunther Simmermacher’s theory of why Pope Francis chose to live at St Martha’s instead of the papal apartment.

Pope Francis Not Up To Seclusion

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Photo: The Guardian - Cornwell Article

I always thought that journalists take great pride in reporting accurately all of the facts, without manipulating the truth to suit their agenda. Yet this does not really seem to be the case any longer.

Petition Against “The Testament of Mary”

Protest "The Testament of Mary" - Click Here

“The Testament of Mary” is on show at the Joburg Theatre from 25 September to 6 October. In this play Our Lady is depicted as a vulgar, egoistic and even idolatrous woman who smokes, drinks and eventually disrobes completely.

Did Pope Say Obsessed?

Photo from New York Times Article Misquoting Pope Francis

“Pope Francis sent shock waves through the Roman Catholic church on Thursday with the publication of his remarks that the church had grown ‘obsessed’ with abortion, gay marriage and contraception”[Sic]. Well, so says the New York Times anyway. I didn't believe it for a moment and I am sure that most other Catholics didn't believe this either.

Sean Davison Is Not A Hero

Sean Davison and his mother
Photo from The Guardian

Should terminally ill people be legally entitled to assistance in order to commit suicide? This is a highly emotional subject. Yet, despite the raw emotions surrounding it, where it is illegal to assist someone to die, the law must be obeyed. We simply cannot afford to celebrate anyone who breaks laws designed to protect our right to life. Yet this is exactly what Dignity South Africa and many of its supporters do.

Forget Homosexuality - Frown On Promiscuity

CDC Presentation - HIV Amongst Young Males

No one can possibly claim that those who advocate the promotion of condoms to prevent the spread of HIV haven’t been able to adequately spread this message. This message has undoubtedly been widely spread.

Vigil For Peace In Syria - Media Failure

People gather in St Peter's Square for Vigil for Peace
Photo: USA Today

On Saturday Pope Francis held a prayer vigil for peace in Syria. As I wrote earlier - Vigil For Peace Well Attended - more than 100,000 people attended the vigil in St Peter’s Square. This morning I began eagerly searching the net to see what the media was reporting on the subject.

Vigil For Peace - Video

Vigil for Peace
Photo: Huffington Post

On the eve of the Feast of the Nativity of Mary, Queen of Peace, Pope Francis held a prayer vigil for peace in Syria and for all the regions of the world where there is conflict and violence.

Vigil For Peace Well Attended

Pope Francis: Prayer Vigil for Peace
Photo: Vatican News

For Catholics yesterday was a day of fasting and prayer. Earlier this week Pope Francis had asked Catholics to devote the day to prayer for peace in Syria.

Technology Makes Writing My Blog Fun

Mont Blanc Fountain and Ball Point Pen and Pencil
plus my new Adonit Jot Stylus

This is a special post on my Blog. It is the first time that I have been able to do only what I enjoy doing in order to generate a post for my Blog.

NFP: The Scandal Thereof

Michael Voris

Michael Voris is spot on in this video about the scandal of Natural Family Planning. Many more people need to be made aware of this.

Heading Home

View of the beach at San Lameer Country Estate

It's our last day on holiday at San Lameer Country Estate near Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. We're heading back home tomorrow. Why does a week always go by so quickly when you're on holiday?

Rid Us Of Anonymous Individuals

I believe that we should all adopt a policy of completely ignoring anyone who choices to remain anonymous while interacting in a rude and insulting manner with us through social media. In fact, I think that in some instances it is actually worthwhile for us to ‘block’ anonymous individuals completely so that we just don’t see what they have to say.

Imagine The One Who Created This Beauty

Beach at San Lameer

Tu, Dómine, terram fundásti et ópera mánuum tuárum sunt cæli. (You founded the earth, Lord, and the heavens are the work of your hands.)

Red-faced Mousebird

Red-faced Mousebird

Until now I have only ever seen the ‘Speckled’ variety of Mousebird in my garden. There are literally dozens of them and they look so cute, scurrying around inside the bushes. It is easy to see why the name Mousebird was given to them. I often think they look like little mice playing in the bushes.

Does Pope Francis Highlight Our Past Prejudices?

Pope Francis
Photo: Catholic News Agency

The media clearly loves Pope Francis. He can almost do no wrong. They literally seem to leap at the slightest opportunity to highlight what a great man he is. I of course agree. He is a great man.

Pope Francis On Benedict XVI

Pope Francis and Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI
Photo: CTV

We know that there are many people who dislike Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI. Many Catholics believe that he was harmful to the Church and they have done everything possible to ensure that the whole world knows their feelings in this regard. Some have gone as far as to described Pope Francis as the saviour that the Church needed in order to halt any further disintegration of the Church caused by Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI.

Blessed Sacrament In Disposable Cup

Initially I thought this was just a practical joke. I ignored it. However it seems that this is no joke. During the World Youth Day Mass, Holy Communion was indeed distributed in plastic disposable cups.

Homophobia or Bigotry

Some of the definitions given for ‘homophobia’ in various dictionaries are: “an extreme and irrational aversion to homosexuality and homosexual people”, “unreasoning fear of or antipathy toward homosexuals and homosexuality”, and “intense hatred or fear of homosexuals or homosexuality”. Today this is, in many instances, not the way that the word is actually used.

Giant Kingfisher Visits

Giant Kingfisher

Yesterday I again got to see the most amazing bird life right here in the confines of my own garden at home. I would never ever have expected to see this Giant Kingfisher. I spotted it while sitting in my bed, looking out into the garden in the afternoon. It was such an amazing bird - a female, I think, based on the colours.

Why Pope Francis Gave Up Papal Apartment

Domus Sanctae Marthae seen from the dome of St. Peter's Basilica

Photo: Wikipedia

Pope Francis continues to do the unexpected and it seems that this is helping to increase his popularity with the press no end. He did the unexpected again on his flight home from World Youth Day when he answered questions from the press for about 80 minutes.

Transcript: Pope Francis WYD Press Conference

Pope Francis Disembarks in Rome after WYD 2013
Photo: National Catholic Register

Zenit has produced an English transcript of the press conference that Pope Francis gave on the flight home from World Youth Day. I wish someone would post a video of the entire press conference with English sub-titles. Anyway I suppose one has to be grateful for the transcript.

God In The Beauty of His Creation

South Africa is such a beautiful country. One of the blessings of having been disabled has been the ability to take a moment to smell the roses. To become aware of all those normal everyday things that I simply was oblivious of when I was working and complying with the demands of work and the desire to climb the corporate ladder.

Be Cautious Of Pope Francis Media Reports

Pope Francis

Yesterday I wrote about the many articles that have been written about Pope Francis’ remarks on ‘gays’ during his flight home after World Youth Day. I have come across articles ranging from impending changes in the Church policy on homosexual priests, right through to possible changes to the Church’s teaching on homosexuality.

Gays: What The Pope Said

Photo from WSJ entitled 'Pope Signals Openness To Gay Priests'
This is example of publication that got it wrong.

There has been much written about Pope Francis’ remarks to journalists about ‘gays’ on his flight home from World Youth Day. Yet, as seems to be the norm with modern journalists, they have by and large completely twisted what it is that the Pope actually said, or they have just created their own narrative using a few words spoken by the Pope.

Is Tutu Wrong About Homophobia?

Desmond Tutu Would Prefer Hell Over Homophobic Heaven
Photo: Huffington Post

Last week Desmond Tutu, in true Desmond Tutu style, sparked debate when he, according to various news sources such as the Huffington Post, said: “I would not worship a God who is homophobic and that is how deeply I feel about this.” He is also reported to have said: “I would refuse to go to a homophobic heaven. No, I would say sorry, I mean I would much rather go to the other place.”

Pope Should Consider Security Risk

Crowds Surge Around Pope Francis' Car
Photo: Miami Herald

Yesterday I watched the Popes motorcade traveling through Rio de Janeiro on the first day of his arrival for World Youth Day 2013. What was concerning to me was the images of crowds of people breaking through barriers and crowding around the Pope's car.

God, Love, Life and Sex - SA Bishops' Book

SA Archbishops' Publish New Book
Photo: SACBC

It has dawned on me that the South African Catholic Bishops’ should require every single parish in South Africa to make the bishops’ new book “God, Love, Life and Sex” available for sale at the back of the church. 

Promote Bishops' Book On Sex, Don't Criticise

God, Love, Life and Sex
To Order follow this Link

Since our only Catholic newspaper in South Africa is more inclined to devote the front-page to the critics of the South African Catholic Bishops’ book, “God, Love, Life and Sex”, it has to be left to us ordinary Catholics in the pews – or in my case in bed, to promote the bishops book.

Bishops Page Two, Critics Front-Page

On the 5^th of June 2013 the South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference announced that South Africa’s five metropolitan archbishops had released a new book. The book is entitled “God, Love, Life and Sex”. According to Lynn Harrison of the publishers, Mariannhill Mission Press, the book is intended as a “guide and resource for Christian living, marriage and family”.

Does Our Catholic Newspaper Have Right To Press Freedom?

Photo From UNESCO - Press Freedom

It is no secret that I am not a fan of The Southern Cross. I have not been shy about expressing my concerns about this newspaper on this Blog and in other places, like on Twitter. I have stated over and over again that this newspaper should either change its content, or the South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference should no longer permit this newspaper to be sold from within our churches.

Beatification of First Opus Dei Prelate

Bishop Alvaro del Portillo

On the 5^th of July 2013 Pope Francis approved the miracle that was attributed to the intercession of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo and this opened the way for the beatification of Bishop Alvaro del Portillo.