Join hands for strength

by Dr Raymond Perrier · October 28, 2013

Over �the past few weeks, The Southern Cross has been part of an international ecumenical movement called Exposed.
I hope that you have not failed to notice the number of articles, reflections and discussion materials in this paper focusing on the question of corruption and what we can do about it.

“Most of the time, each of the parts of the Catholic community seem determined to act not only independently of, but in fact, ignorant of the activities of fellow Catholics.”

I am pleased that the Jesuit Institute too has played its part in developing ideas and writing materials. It fits, of course, with our wider mandate to create links between faith and society.

But we have not been working alone. The creation of the materials, and their translation into multiple languages would not have been possible without the SACBC Justice & Peace Department; affordable and efficient printing and distribution by Mariannhill Press; the reproduction of articles to reach a wide Catholic audience was due not only to The Southern Cross but also to Catholic Link and the Johannesburg and Cape Town archdiocesan newspapers.

These organisations collaborating behind a common theme was reminiscent of the Hope&Joy project in which many dozens of Catholic organisations worked towards a common goal � a deeper appreciation of Vatican II.

In the case of Exposed, the network has been cast even more widely. Since the movement is ecumenical, it has drawn in organisations and individuals from a range of Christian denominations, in particular key players in the Methodist and Anglican communities in South Africa.
And since it is international the campaign is also drawing on the resources of the American Bible Society, the Salvation Army and Micah Challenge to name a few.
Such collaboration would seem to be not only appropriate but obvious. After all, corruption is a worldwide phenomenon which affects all parts of the community whatever their religious background.
What is more, we can take a stronger stance, and make a clearer impact, if the voice against corruption speaks from many sectors of society and not just one or two. So, while we might create specific material with a Catholic slant to inspire Catholics to act; we would be hard-pressed to find a �Catholic response� which was not also appealing to other Christians (and indeed people of other faiths).
But why do I remark on this? Because it is still so unusual! Most of the time, each of the parts of the Catholic community seem determined to act not only independently of, but in fact, ignorant of the activities of fellow Catholics.
And it becomes worse when we look at the wider Christian community � even more sections doing their own thing, separately from each other and sometimes even competing with each other: for donor funding, for attention, and for a finite supply of time, energy and resources.
Having worked for years in the corporate sector I know what it is like when organisations compete rather than collaborate. That is not so surprising in the free market, but even then, I have often seen cooperation when companies realise that they can each achieve more if they work together.
But the Church world should have no reason to compete and indeed would � in accordance with the Gospel of love � have a good reason to work together with as many like-minded people as possible. After all, we are not concerned about status or getting credit or being �top dog� � are we?
When Catholic groups, and even more excitingly Christian and interfaith groups, work together so much more can be achieved.
And history proves that: the abolition of slavery; the rebuilding of Europe after the Second World War; and, closer to home, the struggle against apartheid!
If faith groups could combine their energies and their forces in South Africa today, who knows what we could achieve together: an education system that works, accountability of elected officials, fair distribution of wealth, a way of challenging corruption.
We can work together to achieve more. And by working together we can model a better way of being South African.