South Africa: "Hurley's War": Former Durban Bishop's seeming disobediance to the Vatican

(Tridentine South Africa ; c.f. UNWire (American; Secular; Independent) 12 / 07 / 2001; BBC World News 30 / 06 / 2009; IOL (Secular; Independent; South African) 01 / 08 / 2001)

Article by Marc Aupiais

This is partly a retraction, and partly an expose. We previously attested to Hurley's Character, based on a verbal interview of someone who knew of him, when a letter from a person claiming to be a certain person in the SSPX, was sent to us, which we published with permission. They have not answered us, as to whether or not they consider themselves to be in any sort of schism, or other accusations, we put to them in order to understand their perspective.

Their claims against Hurley, they also did not back up, except using the Latin mass situation, where we did not validate their claims, and still do not. As they did not back up their statements much at all involving the former Late Bishop of Durban, we assumed these baseless, or uninteresting, and ignored them: until another Catholic source approached us on the matter, and we were forced to look into it, by our belief in Journalistic Integrity.

Denis Hurley, is almost considered a Saint in South Africa. He is an Apartheid activist, and well known for it. IOL, however, reports that in 2001, he supported the use of condoms, and even apparently insinuated some things about Women Priests.

Napier, his successor, and a cardinal, Cardinal of Durban: announced around the same time, that the Southern African Bishops Conference, thought the use of condoms to be ill advised. Theirs are claims, based on some statistics, and observances, that a condom focused campaign may increase proportional, or other rates of HIV/AIDS.

Women "Priests", are not considered to exist, or to be something ever to exist in the Catholic church: helping a woman to be "ordained" as a priest, automatically excommunicates one from the Catholic church, if one is partly responsible for her ordination, and other factors are present. It is considered heresy to suggest that the Catholic church can ordain women "priests", now or ever.

One incurs automatic excommunication for heresy. Condoms, are also considered intrinsically evil in Catholic Doctrine, with reference to Onan, killed by God, for using artificial contraception / spilling his seed outside the womb.

A recent program aired on SABC 2 (A government Station in South Africa), in which an amount of Catholic priests, in South Africa: appeared to support the ordination of Women, however, we do not have the context of their interviews, and therefore cannot inform of their status as to canon law with absolute certainty.

Besides this: promotion of marriage, and morality, in schools, has shown more positive results than that of contraceptive campaigns, in America, according to the EWTN network.

Catholics are allowed to use certain natural forms of Contraception, among these is the temperature method, considered effective by many including the American Government's health organization:

"Conclusion 1. Studies conducted in Canada, Colombia, France, Germany, Mauritius and the United States have demonstrated a 99% method effectiveness for the Sympto-Thermal and Temperature-Only Methods. These studies were conducted under a variety of conditions and demonstrate beyond any reasonable question of a doubt that this extremely high effectiveness can be achieved by ordinary couples who receive adequate instruction and follow the relatively simple rules of these methods."

(Couple to Couple League: information)
http://ccli.org/nfp/basics/effectiveness-p02.php

However valid, or invalid, observations, that Condoms have a possible negative effect in the fight against HIV/AIDS (a disease 1 in 5 South Africans have)) are: that condoms may increase HIV/AIDS infection/transmission rates, or that campaigns or support of use of these, may be a bad move, these observations/perspectives seem to be the Position of the Southern African Catholic Bishops, when the controversy broke, but not of the Late Bishop Hurley, and currently at least one other Dissenter.

The Late Bishop Denis Hurley, of Durban, and current Bishop Kevin Dowling, of Rustenberg, both support the use of condoms. Both are recorded in several sources as having publicly asserted support for use of condoms.

Condoms are condemned as masturbation, and as artificial contraception by the church, and considered a possible cause of the HIV epidemic in South Africa, by sections of Catholic society.

Other than these two dissidents on the matter, one dead:

Most bishops in Southern Africa appear to support the church on the Contraception, even as the Southern Cross, a paper seemingly partially owned by the bishops; and sold in parishes: does seem to promote both abortionist perspective, and the use of condoms, as attested to by "Catholic Culture"/'Trinity communications, in a review, requested by our organization, of the Southern Cross's Internet service (Review:http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/reviews/view.cfm?recnum=4135). The Southern Cross is among voices noted at the time the Bishops rejects the idea of allowing condoms in South Africa: as being in support of allowing use of condoms, this by the BBC.

Trinity Communications, in the review of the Southern Cross's internet site: states:

"It doesn't take long to discover that this website has many articles that are not faithful to the Magisterium of the Church. It attacks the latest Vatican move to screen priests as "unfair" discrimination against gays, and undermines the Church's teaching on contraception and abortion. It has also heralded Barack Obama as a savior."

(25 / 11 / 2008)

Bishop Dowling of Rustenberg, has beyond supporting condoms, undermined Vatican choices in the Southern Cross: calling "Anger" over liturgical changes by the Vatican "Fair", in an article published in the "Southern Cross". The Southern Cross, has on many occasions undermined the Vatican, and misrepresents the apparent "Extent" of anger.

The Southern Cross, and "Catholic News Service", both noted, directly or indirectly an apparent mistake by the bishops, however, having helped promote a survey on the matter, I disagree, and call to account questions on their accuracy, or proportion on these matters: as to their view on liturgical changes:

In dispute of what the Southern Cross published, I personally helped, having been requested to assist: the Bishops conference to do a survey on the Liturgical changes, and as many people as dislike these changes, the last time I checked the survey: think we should get on with these alterations:

further, these changes seem ecumenical towards the SSPX suspended movement, and seem to promote a better understanding of the mass. With about ten percent mass attendance in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg's recent survey of parishioners, a return to a formula which truly worked, may well be of benefit. My help involved promotion of the survey, in which I was given different peoples' views, and told them where to vote on where they lay as to the changes. The survey was fair and encompassing of wide perspectives.

Internal squabbles, and the Independent Catholic Press

(Insider Confessions Analysis)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Some time ago, we covered that the locally parish shelf best selling: Southern Cross; was supporting abortion arguments, and abortion supporting politicians. The Local South African church: had no problem responding to us, but still: no intention to reign the Southern Cross in, even as the Newspaper, is widely seen as a voice representing them, and even as it is sold in parishes, and advertised by Priests, and Catholic media.

In a separate story of sorts, that we haven't published: franchises are often odd: they do things not good for business for uniformity. The catholic church is not a business: it is more like a government, and in that category, is efficient.

The problem they face with journalists; lies in freedom of independence. How to allow journalistic integrity; without killing mortal souls.

The South African Answer: seems to be to write letters, and discuss things with editors; but not to crack down on pro-abortion arguers.

Connections between the Southern Cross and the Bishops need not be discussed, however, an expose we requested by an American News firm: Trinity Communications, does not seem to have gone down well. The Bishops have seemingly not taken any penal action on the pro-abortion arguments, nor any action on the slating of a Vatican decision, by the Southern Cross editor.

Freedom of the press, and independence of the press, however: should not be absolute; as Scripturelink News: we try to give accuracy, perspectives; and a human rights focus.

Because many abortion efforts; fall into the direct definition of article 2 section d: of the UN declaration on Genocide: we consider abortion to be a complete human rights issue: even beyond our Catholic belief that the child is alive: a belief verified in science.

The issues, where Catholic press should be forced to comply are: human rights; Canon Law, and issues pertaining to accuracy, truth: and life and death, and dogma.

These are issues, which are important: however; for whatever political, or other reason: these have not been issues which are enforced. Archbishop Buthi's statements: that it is the media in South Africa: not the churches; who have been the watchdog of society, and government: seem quite compelling now.

Indiscriminately using services simply because they are sold in parishes, or listed on Hierarchy websites, is as irresponsible as buying products that sports stars endorse. One must truly investigate what they read: and it is up to the Catholic, in our post modern world, where our post is often late; to discern for themselves; what seems to best fit the Gospel: they have the guidance of the papacy in this: a papacy, which publishes the views of the Vatican quite regularly; and the customization of the Scripturelink search engine; means that diverse views may be researched, to make up one's mind.

To be Lazy in choosing world view, and icons of celebrity, and film: is a dangerous position for any person. The day; when one must look at information, and make up their own mind: with a Catholic defined, and constitutioned framework: the day when we must research before we speak: has arrived, as after the modern age, came the post modern age; when demographics no longer insured world view. After the Post-modern age; come the age we define; but we must put away our single source perspectives, and trust in what is written: and go beyond; researching what is good and true, and not neglecting the intuition, and the facts.

Even I have been prone to mistakes, and yet; now, I crawl, where I once slithered, and perhaps one day: I shall fly.

As Media, and source: it is our job to pursue the truth, as a watchdog. Let us not revoke our role.

Response of Cardinal Napier on certain abuses in South Africa; including anti-Vatican sentiments aired in the Southern Cross

Cardinal Napier was informed of a Priest who got his congregation to sing happy Birthday to a member of it, and got them to clap for success in a recent fund raiser: something directly condemned by Pope Benedict XVI: as meaning that all meaning of the mass is lost: the mass centering on the Eucharist:

"You are obviously French-speaking, and that is why some of the points that you make in your correspondence do not come across as clearly as they would need to. That is a problem that would best be overcome by first speaking to someone face to face and only then putting your thoughts to paper.
Regarding the issues that you raise, namely 1) cheering and clapping in the Church at Margate and 2) the orthodoxy of the Southern Cross’s editorial policy and practice.

1)      Cheering and clapping in Church

The first thing to say is that anyone who attends Mass in St Peter’s Basilica in Rome, will know that it is quite common for the participants to cheer and applaud the Holy Father when he enters the Church for Mass, and that they do the same every time he mentions their country or nation in his message of greetings.

I had the good fortune to attend the African Synod held in St Peter’s in April-May 1994. The first thing that marked that Synod was the way in which Pope John Paul II accepted and even encouraged lively African style singing, which necessarily include ululating, cheering and clapping. I remember in particular that the choirs who sang at the opening and closing Masses used banjoes and drums among other instruments popular with African congregations.

The second element of good fortune that I attribute to the African Synod is proclamation of the principle of inculturation. Inculturation was introduced into Catholic thinking by Vatican II and was incorporated by the Holy Father in the post Synodal exhortation “Ecclesia in Africa”.

This important Church document sanctioned inculturation and then proceeded to spell out two criteria that were to be used to distinguish genuine from false inculturation. The first is “compatibility with the Gospel” and the second is “unity with the universal Church”.

So, the questions to be asked are: a) Is cheering and clapping incompatible with the Gospel? b) Does it break the unity of the particular Church with the universal Church?

I would say that in neither case does singing and clapping offend those two principles.

2)      The orthodoxy of the Southern Cross

In this case I would argue that from time to time, and on given issues, editorial practice does not follow stated policy as closely as one would expect. At times there may be justifiable divergence of opinion, at other times it would seem that editorial independence is being given priority.

If you are a regular reader of the Southern Cross you will know that I have often expressed my concern at its anti-magisterial bias. I do not mean that it openly opposes Church teaching but like a nagging sore keeps on putting the world’s view rather than the Church’s. This is often done I would say rather by the choice of letter for publication rather than by direct editorial statements.

As you can see I am not a total fan of the Southern Cross, but I would not seek to shut it up. I would prefer to see ordinary Catholics take issue with its position by affirming their faith in letter that tell their faith stories. I am confident that these stories would reveal a reality that is very different from the reality which certain people are trying to present through the Southern Cross.

By the way, the parish of Margate is in the Diocese of Umzimkulu, and is in the capable hands of one of the best young priests in the country. He is very much in touch with me as Apostolic Administrator and together with the other members of the Presybterium of that Diocese is very involved in seeking way to ensure that the Mass is a lived experience of our faith in the Real Presence of Jesus Christ, which becomes actualized when we receive Holy Communion and carry over its effects into our daily life.

May I use this letter to offer you some advice, and I do so not to put you down, but to point you in the right direction, because I sense that you are genuinely concerned about your faith and the way your Church is living, teaching and passing it on.
“Try to be humble enough to see good in others, even when you don’t, or even can’t, agree with what you see them do or say”.
Why? Because it was the way Jesus interacted with the “sinners” of his time. It was the way he led them in great numbers to conversion  them.
I am sure that a similarly humble, honest and compassionate approach will help you lead many more to conversion than your current approach, which falls more into the category of “hammering the heretics into orthodoxy.
  
With best wishes for a very Happy Christmas and a Peaceful New Year,

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, OFMArchbishop of Durban"
Email from the cardinal's office to a private individual: confirmed by our organization!

It was then pointed out that it was not the letters in the Southern Cross, which have been internationally condemned by the esteemed Trinity Communications, known for their connection, and the used of these by EWTN. No response was given.

While at time of publishing, no response was given, and while we have great respect for the Cardinal, we still are looking into what can be done on these issues, which we have got evidence of. We would like to remind our readers, that the bishops are the true heirs of the Apostles. Whether we agree or disagree: we cannot create animosity towards these men: only try the best we are able to obey our church, our pope first, and and then our bishops and others in line with Canon law. Much of what the Cardinal says is well said, and based on the experiences of a servant of the universal church. Perhaps, in future, something may be done, perhaps not.

"Southern Cross" Placed on international Catholic Rating's service' danger list!

(Media Study South Africa)

Article By Marc Aupiais






05:19PM Today: Screen shot secured at off-site area.







Catholic Culture: Trinity Communications, has listed South African weekly, widely sold in parishes: the "Southern Cross" on a list of danger sites, after reviewing their website.

We ourselves had noticed problems and removed the Southern Cross from our links prior this. Catholic Culture has never before reviewed the site:

The review is listed:

http://www.catholicculture.org/culture/reviews/view.cfm?recnum=4135

The Vatican said what?: What the Vatican did not say about the beetles recently

(Media Study South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

It was quite revolting, having Five FM, a government station insult Catholicism as they did: they said that the Vatican was hypocritical, just as Atheists ("Secular society") invited onto 94.7 Highvelt Stereo had said when the "New 7 deadly sins" were "introduced". Both media houses not only disappoint, not only had let the Catholic faith be criticized on air, but also: were providing inaccurate views and news, unless I missed something.

No "new" "seven deadly sins" have ever been introduced, and the Vatican did not apologize to the Beetles, for claims by a member of the band: that they were more popular than Jesus.

It seems, much of the media in more secular countries, actually simply are shooting blindly into the darkness when dealing with Religion, at least the BBC has advisors competent on religious matters, as with any professional media house: which helps stop inaccurate out of context views.

 I had been shocked when ETV, via E News Channel, had gotten a femanist, non-Anglican theologian to cover the Anglican split threats, via their interview of her. She called the Traditionalist Anglicans, who appose gay and women "priests", an old boys club: perhaps Jesus' old boys: considering the direct command of the bible on the matter, simply put: news and media in South Africa, with exceptions such as News 24, and some print media: in general not only get their facts wrong on religious issues, show extreme bias in the matter, but further: insult people for what they have not done: in fact, it can simply be called unconstitutional.

ETV, who also are known for late night Porn, have also done similar things in Sydney World Youth Day, showing protests, but not the size of those who apposed the few protesters, who they somehow found somewhere. On the Anglican issue; the Anglican church has now destroyed their chances of reuniting even with the Orthodox churches, 75% of Christianity was alienated from them in one swoop, it was no old boys club which wanted to prevent the further separation of Christians based on ideological ideals foreign to the majority of Christian faith.

Both of the more recent stories, by Radio stations, are misinformation. Both have the same source, which they misquote, a newspaper based in the Country called the Vatican :"L'Osservatore Romano".

The Newspaper, for the "7 new deadly sins" was misquoted: in an interview, where they asked a cardinal what the 7 worst sins of today's world are. The same non-Papal newspaper, was quoted in an editorial, not by the pope, or Vatican: as saying that while it was condemned at the time: the Beetle's music really was what some would call "that good", and it was the boastings of an immature boy that were condemned. Simply put, the church has made no retractions on any "statement" about the Beetles.

Wow, two more Radio stations onto my: do not trust for any information on religion list. A radio station I advise for news: is Classic FM, I have never been too disappointed with their accuracy. Jacaranda 94.2, is also okay, even if it plays Afrikaans songs, and old music every now and again, though the scientologists may not like them very much, we aren't scientologists, but Catholics, and Christians, so I thought only to mention this. As for adequacy in reporting on US politics, there are very little if any, including the Southern Cross, who also are not able to do this adequately: who could possibly give an accurate view of American politics, of those based in South Africa: such things are left to Reuters, or the BBC, or Euronews, even with some bias in BBC, and Euronews, and others: still: almost no South African source gives what we consider an accurate "get the dirt" picture of US politics.

With the exception of the "Times" and "Sunday Times", who have quite the anti-catholic bias in some articles; on normal issues, many local newspapers, are naive at worst, it seems, but we have not reviewed them all. Another paper which may give wrong information from the Vatican is the Southern Cross, their quotation on Latin mass ideas some time ago: did not give all the needed details, and for the Latin mass, had a photo of a schismatic group's church next to it... the church does not permit attendance of these masses by SSPV, who they showed. Another incorrect fact by the "Southern Cross", was on the new psychological screening of priests, which they said aimed at getting rid of gay priests: i.e. sexually active priests, or priest who cannot control their urges. I myself have other sources on the screening, both secular and Catholic, and the "Southern Cross" was incorrect in their view of "discrimination".

And so to clarify: the seven deadly, or capital sins are : lust, envy, anger/wrath, gluttony, sloth/acaidia, pride, greed: the meanings being theological of course.

And secondly, the beetles, have not been apologized to for anything: if you say something irresponsible, and someone brings it up, why should they apologize.

Thirdly, the news and media needs to get advisors on Catholicism, who are knowledgeable in Canon law, and internal politics, like the BBC and others have: as it is dangerous to quote independent Catholic news as the Vatican, and worse to call Catholics hypocritical for following rules and regulations long set out, based on centuries, on millenia of running an organization.

Fourth: new regulations on priests are aimed at sex offenders, not men who feel attraction to other men, and suffer from the evolutionary disorder, we call homosexuality (not insinuating it is genetic, only that it is not a fittest survive condition;)!

We will continue to show links to external news-sources at South African Catholic, however no longer show the latest Southern Cross News in rss

(South African Catholic)

Note from the Editor:

Due to increasingly liberal editorials by the Southern Cross in recent weeks, and their decision not to note how tragic the Democrats Party's Barak Hussein Obama's victory in the United States is, instead: joining his fan club: and attacking an American Priest who included the need to reject contraception: in a Christmas sermon. We have excluded the Southern Cross, along with two sites which have fallen the opposite way, one already SSPX, and the other which became this, these sites have been removed once we discovered clear Fidelity issues.

At South African Catholic: We Value our ratings on fidelity, we aim at accuracy and at giving a good picture of events, the press are like present-day prophets, and we aim at projecting as best as viable what is happening in the world. It is for accuracy, honesty and Fidelity, that we inform you not only of when we get it wrong, or make a mistake: via retractions, but also when we have discovered fidelity issues in links from our own systems, which we then automatically determine to remove! Our Articles based on an agreement with the Southern Cross, which site some of their articles as a source will remain, as these are links to either articles which are fine, or in which errors are noted, or are not internet links, but citations of news, however regular updates on their services will cease!

Please inform us of any and all Fidelity, accuracy, or usability issues with our sites, we at Scripturelink dedicate ourselves to the advancing of excellence in fidelity, accuracy, faith, and reason. Our Job is to inform, without harming our readers, and to this we will try to hold!

Media and a non-democratic religion... give it some thought- we are not the same as our secular counterparts!

(Journey in a Broken World; Catholic Watchdog South Africa; Media Study South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

Our non-related Sister in Catholic journalism in South Africa- South Africa's Catholic Weekly, whom we sometime agree with, and sometimes really disagree with- the Southern Cross has two interesting editorials this week. Those who know me usually know that the word interesting often is a slur with me, and today I am somewhat disappointed in what we can expect to read this Sunday, when we buy the paper from our local churches.

I read two editorials, both of which are critical of the Vatican- one almost begging for women priests, and rebuking the Vatican for no taking action against "pedophile" priests, the other attacking the introduction of psychological testing in seminaries, saying it discourages homosexuals from the priesthood- because the guidelines aim at ensuring well fit priests for the job. Sadly, neither article is in line with what Catholic Culture would define as high fidelity. The same newspaper which attacked the view of the church on condoms, and I may add that the church has a much better scientific argument than the pro-condom advocates, is now attacking two policies in one week. The fact remains that it is an Excathedra statement of Pope John Paul the Second- which declares that the church has now not, nor ever will have any right to create "women priests", like divorce- a woman priest is something the church cannot ordain. The issue is closed.

So is it wrong to excommunicate those who support women priests- no, if they are in heresy, it is only fair to do so. The Southern Cross then says that the church should get rid of the sexual offenders, and stop mistreating the supporters of women priests, but is this mistreatment?

Canon law clearly excommunicates automatically all who ordain or are ordained as women priests. Canon law has a different penalty for sexual abuses. In other words, for the one, the people already are kicked out of the church- and this means the church believes they will very likely end their life with the devil in hades if they do not get re-infused into the church by correct ceremony. A priest who absolves his sexual partner of their sexual sin is also automatically excommunicated, except in danger of death.

An active homosexual lifestyle, is not only proven to shorten the lifespan, and contribute to levels of sexual disease, but also is directly condemned in the New and Old testaments, and in every statement on the matter by the church, from the earliest times, to Vatican II, to today!

As for homosexuality and the priesthood, the Southern Cross misinterprets the same document we ourselves have reported on. Its purpose is not to root out homosexuals, but to root out sexual predators, and those who cannot control their urges. Unless the Southern Cross wants to appose the papacy and Vatican II's authority, they must agree that the church should have no interest whatsoever in appointing men to the priesthood who will break with celibacy, yet already they seem in danger of Canon 1373, and 1371, of creating animosity against the papacy, or bishops over an act of ecclesiastical authority.

So, how does the Catholic media keep their superiors accountable, and the answer is- we don't.

In a democracy- freedom of speech is a vital sector of society, in an autocracy, it has a different purpose. The Catholic media is not a watchdog waiting to pounce on the church and call for resignations. We are called to respect authority above us. I certainly appose the South African Bishop who went around promoting condoms, even in other countries, and i have a right to, so what do I mean we are not a watchdog?

I mean- we are not telling people how to vote in the next bishop or pope, we don't vote for these, we just obey them or walk! The system is not a democracy, and so the subjects need a different sort of information.

If a bishop teaches heresy, they must be named and shamed- in such a way as to encourage repentance, counter their harm, and inform their superiors. If a bishop says something that is valid, you should not try to create animosity to them, as though this institutes change.

The role of our secular brothers- is to safeguard their democracies, the role of the Catholic media is to safeguard the pillar and foundation of our truth- our autocracy.

Where a bishops apposes a valid act of the papacy, by all means- we must appose this bishop, and not give him good press, but if we disagree with the bishop or papacy on a valid point- we have no right to publicly whip them in the press.

The sin of detraction, and the law of the church cautions one validly about media circuses and also that we are not to interfere via force in valid ecclesiastical choices and decisions. We may appose some of them- but have no right to appose dogmas such as the celibate male priesthood- the "enuchs made so by God" (Jesus of Nazareth).

It is not the media who runs the church, but the validly ordained bishops- we may advise- but in an autocracy- in general- it is best to give people the information to best cope with what superiors have said. If we are trying to move public opinion to gain our goal, against the wishes of the Vatican- then we do not want an autocracy, but a democracy. Democratic religion is so strongly condemned by the early Christians, and the bible, that we shall not mention it. Simply, a democratic religion changes truth.

I am disappointed in what the Southern Cross will distribute in our parishes this Sunday, as it is, we already have such troubles in Southern Africa, our country and church. Driving a larger wedge between the Magisterium and the laity will not help the situation, and yet our media seems so certain of their solution to the problem, that they seem almost oblivious to the idea that the Vatican has already investigated it. Condoms have a proven success rate in increasing aids, or so i am lead to believe by statistics- whereby Uganda is conquering the disease via abstinence, and in South Africa we simply get more of the disease through our condom happy campaigns.

History has shown time and again- Orthodoxy is potent- it spreads the faith and hurts persecution. If we are to solve the actual crisis in the modern church- I might suggest covering up our bishops actual gaps- by education the Catholic populace in Orthodoxy, as EWTN does on Radio Veritas. Let us be true Watchdogs- knowing that Watchdogs are loyal to their owners, and eat biscuits, and nice bowls of doggy food. Let us mimic our pope in Catholic media, let us be god's rottweilers- watching not on our cultural desires, but keeping an eye on the dignity of the human person- and never letting it be attacked, even by someone attacking their own divine dignity. Our aid is at truth, not politics, not opinion, and as Catholics we believe that comes from tradition (I Timothy III verse XV). Our job is to spread the gospel and the truth, but we must realize that the church is pillar and foundation of this. Our basis must not be human rights, but human dignity, not kindness, but truth.

I invite my brothers at the Southern Cross to a new evangelism- how about next week publishing a justification of the Male celibate priesthood, and of the Vatican's choice to screen priests to end abuses more fully. Since when should catholics care about the "right" of gay people to be priests- no one has a right to be a priest- only the church has this right to appoint people. I truly am disappointed today.

Southern Cross echos calls for peaceful conduct in Next year's election- suggests voting- even via spoiling papers

(Scripturelink Voter's Guide; c.f. Southern Cross (Catholic Weekly: Fidelity Issues Discovered, therefore link removed!) 29/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The editor of the Southern cross, just today posted a recent commentary- in which he calls the fears of Cardinal Napier, our cardinal, archbishop of Durban- valid. The Southern Cross is asking of parties to conduct themselves respectfully in the election, or at least its editor- Gunther, who is the Editor of the above mentioned Catholic Weekly, is.

Recently, DA members were attacked by people who claimed to support the ANC, by an informal settlement in Johannesburg.

The Cardinal fears violence between different parties breaking out in bloodshed. Already, there has been violence between parties, use of the media, intimidation, and calls for what seems to be bloodshed by supporter's of the ruling ANC's president, Jacob Zuma.

Gunther Simmermacher, editor of the Southern Cross, says that if South Africans and Catholics vote, perhaps for our small, but vocal, and democratically supporting opposition, or, even spoiling their ballots- so as to show their voice; together they will show a powerful front. He believes that spoiling your vote could show that you don't believe any of the parties fit to represent you.

On this suggestion, unless absolutely necessary to get a vote- we must object, as we have proven- there are political parties, however small in the last election- in South Africa, for whom a vote would help change things, even a small opposition has a voice which can resonate though nations. Just as Catholics have no right to vote ANC, despite Lekota's status as a Catholic, I doubt they can vote for the off-shoot either- there was no huge media circus by either group's leaders when the entire ANC was obligated by Mbeki to uphold Mandela's ideas, by advancing abortion laws even further. Limiting the births in a population so as to reduce it constitutes genocide according to article 2 section D of the United Nations' General Assembly's '50's vote, by which war criminals are to be prosecuted for genocide.

Collaborating in abortion, and this cannot exclude voting for parties more likely to support it, is an excommunicable offense. What is the best way to fight this- we don't know- perhaps a vote for the invisible man, as Gunther suggests, or perhaps a vote for the opposition in a hope that their more stable views will help fight the madness of some decisions of South African politicians. Neither the ANC, nor the MF, nor the UDF, are parties, Catholics can with any amount of faith, knowing their stance on abortion and other issues, possibly in good conscience vote for- but that does not exclude every political party. We can vote for a less bad party, so as to demonstrate our voice, and help fight the great harm of a pro-abortion government.

When the election comes closer, we will do more thorough investigations into the other 5 non-negotiables, and how South Africa's parties stand on these, but in the meantime, we simply agree with the Southern Cross- vote, even if you vote by spoiling your ballot- we must fight this evil- but a vote for the opposition, is like spoiling your ballot twice. Which opposition party to vote for will be a hard decision.

The stance of most of the mainstream political parties on Homosexuality can be seen here, along with how they have voted on abortion; to aid your vote:

http://scripturelinkvotersguide.blogspot.com/2008/10/id-and-pac-acdp-da-on-gay-marriage-and.html

Big political parties:

DA's policy on Moral Conscience, which allows MP's to vote as they choose on moral issues, which differs from other parties, and ANC's ("Abortion should be a Right") Abortion mentality from before first post-apartheid election:

http://scripturelinkvotersguide.blogspot.com/2008/10/democratic-alliance-da-and-issues-of.html

Abortion is pointless and immoral

http://scripturelinkvotersguide.blogspot.com/2008/10/abortion-arguments-and-ultimate-illogic.html

7 non-negotiables for Catholics in South Africa

http://scripturelinkvotersguide.blogspot.com/2008/09/7-non-negotiables-for-catholic-voters.html

Rome- Synod to focus on bible

(Catholic Watchdog South Africa; Southern Cross (Fidelity issues, link removed: new link explains why) 01/10/08)

Article by Marc Aupiais

In light of the coming synod on the Bible, the Southern Cross- is emphasizing the role of the bible in the church. What is not mentioned in their article- is that one of the Oldest popular Catholic bibles- the Douay Rheims- was published before the King James version, or that many of the so-called bible translators- were killed not for translating- something common at the time- but rather for heresy, schism, opposition to church and state- and a revolting appetite for mocking Catholic practice. They were of course killed according to the biblical principal that Aquinas emphasizes- that when acting for justice- and as just authority- a just authority- and not an average citizen- for the good of the nation's people- in Catholic morality has the right to rid the nation of such a citizen (c.f. Augustine- Just War).

Certain anti-Catholic groups may particularly focus on people such as Wycliff- whose translation was so bad- that the Catholic church had him killed. Wycliff was also a heretic- who certainly was not a modern Protestant in belief, or Tyndale- whose bible was such a purposeful mistranslation- to support Martin Luther, and whose footnotes were so anti-Catholic- that not only did Henry the 8th appose him as a heretic, before and after his split with the church, but he was eventually arrested by the secular "Holy Roman Empire"'s representatives and killed- at a time when the church had a waning influence in England (This Rock Magazine 2002;).

In fact- for all the bible martyrs fronted by those apposing the views of the church- there is a similar story.

To be in any real hatred of the Catholic church- one often must discount reason and history!

Another appearance of Catholic disrespect from the bible came about when the American government made the King James Version compulsory in schools- forcing Catholics of the time to veto these classes out of obedience to their bishops.


Further Reading

Tyndale

http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2002/0212fea3.asp

Translations on both sides
http://www.scborromeo.org/truth/b4.htm

Related to Tyndale- perils of the "Left Behind" Series, and it's apparent links with anti-catholicism- according to Catholic Answers Apolostate
http://www.catholic.com/thisrock/2001/0109fea3.asp

Helen Zille- in charge of the Democratic Alliance (DA) - praises Catholic organization

(Scripturelink Voter's Guide; c.f. Southern Cross (Fidelity issues discovered, link shows our retraction of using their news); Catholic Culture)

Article by Marc Aupiais


The leader of South Africa's DA, Helen Zille- according to the Southern Cross, has praised the Catholic Women's League- for their part in the Church, and in moulding democracy in positive directions. This was at the 25th annual CWL conference banquet in applicable areas.

She reminded the Organization of its own fallibility, and said this was a basic evolutionary part of democracy- the admittal that persons can make mistakes and operate within "checks and balances" (Southern Cross article).

More controversial aspects of the 77 year old South African Branch's international Organization- are noted by Catholic Culture in a separate article (Article by Catholic Culture), such as supporting a pro-"choice" (pro killing unborn children), pro-homosexuality march in Canada- along with other organizations. The march also was in support of "women's rights", as we have no further information on it- we have only spoken of the problems we see in the actions of their Canadian branch, many of whose members were shocked at the march against life, which stipulated itself as such.

The DA has been campaigning as the largest South African Opposition party, for a while now- aiding poor people with needed necessities and had partaken in other actions. Helen Zille- who left the ANC for the DA, near the beginning of our Democracy- to apparently help ensure a balance of power in Democracy- is a noted opposition figure, and mayor of Cape Town, where it seems the meeting took place.

She went to Saint Mary's as a child, however, Helen Zille's religion is uncertain to us at the moment.

Basically- we see this as an endorsement of a Catholic Organization by the Mayor of Cape Town.

The Catholic Women's League's home page in South Africa is

http://www.cwl.org.za/

Their main purpose seems to be charity. They are endorsed by the South African Bishops Conference.