From Our Vaults 26 Years Ago: June 20, 1999

by Admin · Published June 20, 2025 · Updated June 6, 2025

Now ANC must deliver

The African National Congress’ landslide victory in this month’s elections could be a good thing if the party went on to improve the lives of the majority of citizens, according to Archbishop Wilfrid Napier of Durban. “If they do start delivering, as [President Thabo] Mbeki promises, then a lot of good can come out of the party’s vast majority,” he said. This year’s poll was largely peaceful, unlike the first all-race election in 1994, according to Ashley Green-Thompson, who directs the bishops’ Justice & Peace Commission.

Pope John Paul II in Poland

Thousands of people thronged around Pope John Paul II wherever he went during his visit to Poland from June 5-17. The pope, on his longest and possibly last visit to his homeland, stopped at 21 Polish cities.

Southern Cross veteran honoured

Directors and staff of The Southern Cross celebrated the 30th anniversary of service of Gene Donnelly who joined the newspaper in 1969 as managing editor. For his long years of service to the Catholic media he was awarded a Bene Merenti papal medal in 1998. [Gene, father of Mgr Simon Donnelly of Johannesburg, retired in 2010. He died in 2013).

Editorial: Focused sermons needed

At a time when “Christians are shown no favours”, writes editor Michael Shackleton, “it is now that faith must grow stronger, hope deeper and love broader. It is now that our people need focused sermons…to stimulate and revive their fervour and their fidelity to Christ and his Church.”

Previous “From The Vaults” articles at www.scross.co.za/category/from-our-vaults