Bill puts The Southern Cross under threat

by Letters Editor · October 15, 2010

From: Allan Sauls, Kempton Park

The Southern Cross, our Catholic weekly newspaper carrying invaluable news to all Catholics in Southern Africa, may come under threat if the Protection of Information Bill is passed by South Africa parliament.
The Bill is being introduced to protect activities that are not in the best interest of South Africa.

This proposed Bill is no better than those prohibition acts of the apartheid in South Africa. In essence this Bill is about hiding things that the public should know. The Southern Cross has always been an invaluable carrier of messages to the laity from our cardinals and bishops who have a responsibility to speak out on matters of injustice and that which does not promote peace amongst South Africans at large.
Why are we as the laity so quiet on the Protection of Information Bill? Do we as laity understand the impact the Protection of Information Bill could have on our beloved Southern Cross?

Our laity has a responsibility, like our cardinal and bishops, to become active in fighting this Bill.
As God�s chosen people we must become active and engaged in issues that will harm the nation. We must become Christ-like in fighting that which is intended to promote activities that are not in the best interest of South Africans.

As Christians and as Catholics we must show we care about South Africa and the South African Constitution of 1996. We are not remote from those activities that are being motivated to undermine our freedom. Finally without peace we cannot have justice, and currently peace does not seem to reign supreme.