Value Our Catholic Schools
There are diverse reasons why Catholic schools in South Africa exist, but the one uniting cause must always to bring Christ into the world of young people. Most of our Catholic schools — those...
Category: Editorials
A Clear Conscience – Learning from the Saints…
Guest Editorial by Michael Shackleton – Let’s consider the martyrdom of two saints who stood firm in the 16th century against the king of England, Henry VIII, who had divorced his lawful wife, Catherine...
Revere the Gift of the Eucharist
Guest editorial: Michael Shackleton – The earliest disciples of the risen Christ met for prayers and the breaking of bread (Acts 2:42), which we know was a Eucharistic celebration in obedience to Christ’s instruction...
How We Dress for Mass
In the 1920s a lively debate in The Southern Cross focused on the immodest dress of women who displayed their ankles. The debate about how to dress, especially when attending Mass, continues today, even...
We Say No: Stop Womens’ Abuse in SA
Guest Editorial: Michael Shackleton – South African newspapers are carrying disturbing headlines and horrifying reports of how over the years large numbers of South African men have been brutalising their women. Statistics are provided...
Medjugorje: What next?
Supporters of the reported apparitions of Our Lady in Medjugorje will have received Pope Francis’ remarks on the matter with a sense of disappointment but also hope. Having just celebrated the centenary of Our...
Advocates for the Church
A little over two decades ago, the bishops of Southern Africa took the prudent decision to establish the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO). This year marks the 20th anniversary of the CPLO’s official launch, though...
Walking with Mary
One of the great treasures in the practice of the Catholic faith is the special relationship it encourages with the Blessed Virgin Mary. This is a privilege we Catholics share with sister churches such...
Vocations Today – Pray the World Hears
Every year on the fourth Sunday of Easter, Catholics worldwide are called to pray for vocations on Good Shepherd’s Sunday. Several articles in this week’s issue, and the many display adverts by religious congregations,...
The Call to be Political
The Church, the frequent refrain goes, should stick to its business of saving souls and stay out of politics. This exhortation, which has been raised again during the latest round of political controversy, usually...
A Disunited Front
As we approach Freedom Day, South Africans may well survey the calibre of our political leadership — and descend into despair. The African National Congress has long shed its character as a liberation movement...
Mystery of Life from Death
Guest editorial: Fr Ralph de Hahn – Never in the history of mankind was there such a shattering victory as when a dead man brought new life to a broken world. It was...
