South Africa: Oblates in frontline ministry in Soweto and Khayelitsha (Cape Town)

By Fr Seamus Finn, OMI

Fr Seamus Finn, OMI recently participated in a mining meeting in South Africa hosted by the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town. While there he visited several local Oblate communities.

During my recent visit to South Africa for an event on mining, hosted by the Anglican Archbishop of Cape Town, Thabo Makgoba, I had the opportunity to connect with three different oblate communities in South Africa. These visits provided a great opportunity to connect with oblates in frontline ministry and mission, to learn about their missionary priorities and challenges, and to celebrate with some members in the local communities.

Alvin Ryan Tshuma OMI, Siyabonga Dube OMI 

and servers in Khayelitcha

The first stop was to an initiative that is very fresh in Mitchell Plain on the outskirts of Cape Town and in the nearby township of Khayelitcha. I had a chance to visit the area where four young oblates are in mission and debrief with them on my reason for being in the area and discuss their work over a very tasty pizza. They also talked about their memories and relationships with Oblates in the US province, specifically with Oblate Frs. Jim Datko, Bill Clarke, John Staak, Paul Waldie and Tom Singer.

On Sunday I had the opportunity to join in the celebration of the Eucharist in a township chapel. It was a very small corrugated iron construction building, squeezed in between a number of domestic dwellings. There was one single file aisle available, which made the different processions and collections that are usually part of the Catholic experience of Mass very interesting. That is saying nothing of the music, movement and swaying that were part of the celebration.

In Johannesburg I visited the well-known Soweto area and on the northern side of the city, the Alexandra township where oblates have maintained a missionary presence for decades, and the retreat center and novitiate at Germiston. The stories that form part of

Left to right: Zweli Mlotshwa OMI, Bufana Ndlovu OMI,
Seamus Finn OM    

these missionary endeavors and the oblate characters who came from places like Lowell, MA and Inchicore in Ireland who were part of this long-standing missionary effort are legend here. Their courage and creativity in the face of grinding political oppression and oppressive police and state force, and ingrained and deep racism is inspiring.

Twenty years after the release of Nelson Mandela from prison and the beginning of the new South Africa, the wheels of development appear to have come off the bus. Unemployment is persistent at over 25% with no clear path to address this debilitating experience for so many. The absence of a substantial opposition political party has allowed the African National Congress (ANC) to dominate the space and control most aspects of society.

Bronze statue of Nelson Mandela
near downtown Johannesburg

Political corruption and graft are expected in every transaction and few institutions have the strength or the presence to respond strategically to these issues.

The country’s energy policy remains very dependent on coal mining and burning and this continues to contribute to very dramatic public health and social challenges that have not been addressed. This, after making great strides in addressing an HIV-AIDS epidemic, made catastrophic by a misguided government policy. The forthcoming global meeting on developing both sovereign and global responses to the issue of climate change puts South Africa at the center of a number of pivotal debates.

The effects of this very tragic and repressive period in the recent history of South Africa are present across society. They are more prevalent and obvious when you visit a township and see the grinding poverty and violence that is deeply rooted. To watch these young oblate missionaries in each of these townships continuing a religious and gospel presence, pastorally comforting the afflicted and aged, and standing in solidarity against oppression and indifference was encouraging and hopeful.

The Yellow Ribbon: A Symbol of Hope

By Sr. Nathanael Lee

Sr. Nathanael Lee is from South Korea and is a member of the Little Servants of the Holy Family, a congregation based in Korea. She is interning at JPIC's office in Washington, DC.

After Pope Francis’ visit to South Korea in the summer of 2014, everywhere you went within Catholic Justice and Peace gatherings people cited the Holy Father, who at a press conference on the plane back to Rome was quoted as saying, “…with human sorrow you can’t be neutral.” This was woven into the theme of Pope Francis’ five-day trip to South Korea and it resonates with me. His itinerary was packed with apostolic purpose, including his attendance at the Beautification ceremony of 124 Korean Martyrs, engaging young people at the 6th Asian Youth Day and meeting with marginalized people.

During the Pope’s visit, someone placed the yellow ribbon, a symbol of the Sewol-ho ferry disaster on his papal garment. Even today in Korea, the yellow ribbon symbolizes the sorrowful loss of over 300, mostly high school students, as a result of irresponsible actions by the ferry operator. Company officials were also investigated for underreporting the vessel’s weight, something that may have contributed to the accident. In a sense, the yellow ribbon implies solidarity with righteousness. Some considered the yellow ribbon a political issue and that by wearing it, the Holy Father was taking sides and making a clear political statement. The Pope responded to these criticisms by declaring he cannot remain neutral in the face of human suffering.  

During the Pope’s visit, thousands of devastated Koreans were consoled by his words, touch and prayers. The yellow ribbon symbolized, “I am with you. I will walk with you. Let us continue to hope.” The Pope did and still has this influence. Although not much changed in Korea after the Pope’s 2014 visit, I got the sense he inspired a compassionate way of thinking, personified by our savior Jesus Christ, that “there is no neutrality in the face of human suffering.”

It is not just South Koreans who can give testimony to the Pope’s love for people, especially for the poor and wounded. During his very recent visit to the U.S. I witnessed the same display of Pope Francis’ compassion. When he addressed issues of global responsibility it had the same effect of weighing on people’s conscience. But remember! Before you feel overwhelmed, he is not asking you to carry around a big cross, rather just a manageable cross much like a small yellow ribbon on your garment.

Zambian Oblate Bishop: Call of the Baptized is to Speak Against Bad Governance

Oblate Bishop Evans Chinyemba OMI of Mongu Diocese in Zambia says Catholics that do not speak up when political power is being misused are neglecting baptismal responsibility to call for a just society.  The Bishop’s call for action is contained in the October diocesan newsletter titled,‘ Catholic Lay Faithful and their Participation in the Political Life of a Country.’

*Newsletter for Mongu Diocese – October 2015

 Our Catholic lay faithful in Zambia today

Banabahesu, the laity in Zambia are the majority in our Church. They are more than all the priests and religious put together. Some of our Catholic laity are, or have in the past, held prominent positions in government.

Dear brothers and Sisters, the Church has addressed the issue of politics and the Church through various encycIicals. In these documents the Church has been clear about spelling out the roles, duties and responsibilities of the lay faithful in the political sphere. Let me cite one of these documents. In 1988, Pope John Paul II released a Post Synodal Apostolic Exhortation ChristifidelesLaici (On the Vocation and the Mission of the Lay Faithful) in which, among other topics, was the role of the Laity in public life. Addressing the laity the Holy Father said, ‘In order to achieve their task directed to the Christian animation of the temporal order, in the sense of serving persons and society, the lay faithful are never to relinquish their participation in “public life”, that is, in the many different economic, social, legislative, administrative and cultural areas…’(No 42). 

As Catholics, you the lay faithful have a duty to contribute fully to the shaping of a just society and bring about sanity to the politics of our country.  You have a role to play in the transformation of how we do our politics, from character assassination to issue based politics, and from politics of insults and violence to politics that inspire. As laity you should be the first ones to speak out when national resources are being misused, even by any government in which you are serving.  Here is when St. Thomas More becomes your model. If you cannot speak as a concerned laity, who else will speak! When power is misused and you remain silent, know that you are neglecting your duty as a lay faithful. When attempts to silence masses are made and you remain mute, you as laity neglect your duty as a baptized person who is missioned. To remain silent is to have sold one’s conscience.

Inspired by the Gospel, and your involvement in politics, you have the duty to shed light on issues of justice, corruption, quality leadership, economic well-being, housing, education, health care, security, issues of the youths and many other interventions that will help in building a better Zambia. This better Zambia can only be achieved if you the laity understand your involvement and the reason why you are in politics. In the already quoted Apostolic Exhortation document Pope John Paul II alludes to the spirit of service as the only inspiration that invites the laity to participate in political life of their country (cf. 42).

Sometimes some of our capable and gifted Catholic lay faithful look down on a calling to politics. Some feel it is the sole duty of Bishops to speak about politics on behalf of the people. Yes, you are right. Yet the other side of the coin is also true. You laity have a voice, you have a mission, you have a mandate in the political life of your nation. Pope emeritus, Benedict XVI put it more directly when he said to the lay faithful of Africa, “I also encourage you to have an active and courageous presence in the areas of political life, culture, the arts, the media and various associations. Do not be hesitant or ashamed about this presence, but be proud of it and conscious of the valuable contribution it can offer to the common good!” (Africae Munus: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation on the Church in Africa in Service to Reconciliation, Justice and Peace (19 November 2011).

You are the majority, therefore take your rightful place and present what is valuable to politics. I urge you to bring to the political field the values that make you a good Christian and a credible Catholic. We have among our laity those who understand why they are in politics and are ever ready to serve and contribute to a good political culture of the country. These are good examples.  If you are among the laity who are involved in good politics, let St. Thomas More continue to guide you.

This said, we know that we also have bad examples of Catholic lay faithful who have entered politics not to serve but to enrich themselves. While there are Catholic politicians who try to discharge their duties well, sadly some of them have compromised their faith and have neglected the spirit of service for political gain. They can even choose to lie in order to continue holding on to power at various levels.  What does political service means?  Service in politics means ensuring that every human person in this country has the basic necessities of life: food, shelter, security, education, water, electricity and other social amenities. Service in genuine politics does not mean amassing wealth for oneself or for one’s clan. On 4^th November, 2000, addressing government leaders, members of parliament and politicians, Pope John Paul II said, “Hence, Christians who engage in politics and who wish to do so as Christians, must act selflessly, not seeking their own advantage, or that of their group or party, but the good of one and all, and consequently, in the first place, that of the less fortunate members of the society”. If you are counted among the laity who are participating in bad politics of the nation, open your heart and let St. Thomas More intercede for you.

As your Bishops we will never grow tired of speaking up on non-partisan political matters using our prophetic ministry. We pray, we teach, we sanctify, and we preach! However, this should not make you, the laity, sit back and watch. You have your role. Our roles are different but they complement each other. The priests and religious who minister to you and with you have their roles too. Their role in the political sphere is to teach, guide, sensitize and challenge you to rise to the occasion so that you can fulfill your mandate of participating in politics.

Banabahesu, never underestimate your mission. You cannot forever remain a spectator in the political life of your country. You have a moral obligation to make sure that politics is done well so that others may live.

  

Conclusion

Banabahesu, this has been one of my longest reflections. This topic matters. It comes at a time when a lot is happening in the political sphere of the country. It is my hope and prayer that we shall take time to reflect and see what each one’s contribution to the political life of the country is or could be. For those who are seriously in politics to serve, here is the chance given you once more to continue doing good. For the laity who are involved in politics for a wrong reason, this moment is given you to return to the basics and rediscover that which you have lost. For laity who feel politics is not for them, this reflection together with the story of St. Thomas More should help you realize your responsibility in the political life of your country. Indeed you have a voice.

Once again, embrace your roles, your duties and your responsibilities in the political life of your country. Saint Thomas More is there as our model, let us imitate him and ask for his guidance.

My Reflection on Latest U.S. Poverty Statistics

By Sr. Nathanael Lee

Sr. Nathanael Lee is from South Korea and is a member of the Little Servants of the Holy Family, a congregation based in Korea. She is interning at JPIC's office in Washington, DC.

This week I participated in a webinar on domestic poverty, hosted by the Catholic Campaign for Human Development (CCHD) at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). I was quite struck to learn of the incidence of poverty in America. I've always thought of America as the richest country in the world. And if this is the case how can so much poverty exist here! Yet a recently released report by the U.S. Census Bureau presents sobering data on income and poverty. Certain groups like children and the elderly are disproportionately affected. For example, in 2013 19.9% or 1 in 5 of all U.S. children lived in poverty. This has to be an issue of great concern for all Americans, most especially people involved with Justice and Peace. 

You can read more about poverty in America by visiting the anti-poverty program website of the U.S. Catholic Bishops: http://www.povertyusa.org