The steadfast faith and love for the Catholic Church that have characterised members of the Swiss Guard for centuries must be part of the men’s lives even after they have stopped wearing their colourful medieval uniforms and carrying their halberds, Pope Francis said.
Church / Church History / Keenan Williams
by Keenan Williams · Published May 15, 2018 · Last modified May 18, 2018
Are we losing our sense of identity as Catholics by modernising our Church? Since the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) we have seen a major split within our church and sadly a loss of some of our traditions.
Christian Mission / Church / Church History / Religious Life
by hazelelponiSC · Published April 24, 2018 · Last modified April 26, 2018
In only three years Francis Pfanner had become world-famous. In 1885 Mariannhill was given the status of an abbey, and Pfanner was consecrated its first mitred abbot. The abbot was passionate about spreading the benefits of education and Christianity further afield. Soon a network of mission churches sprang up through southern Natal, each on farmland that was sufficient to feed its congregants.
Christian Mission / Church / Church History / Religious Life
by hazelelponiSC · Published April 17, 2018 · Last modified April 26, 2018
One of the defining moments in the growth of the Catholic Church of South Africa was the arrival of Abbot Franz Pfanner and his Trappist monks. NICKI VON DER HEYDE tells the story of the man born as Wendolin Pfanner.
Church / Church History / Lent
by Kilian SC · Published February 18, 2018 · Last modified February 16, 2018
The way the Church has observed Lent has changed since the early days of the Church. Professor MICHAEL OGUNU charts the development of Lent, and explains how we best follow the 40 days leading up to Easter today.
Church / Church History / Church Teaching / Mgr Vincent Hill / Pope Francis
by hazelelponiSC · Published February 13, 2018 · Last modified February 11, 2018
In response to Pope Francis’ apostolic exhortation on the family, Amoris Laetitia, three bishops presented a statement about the “immutable truths” of sacramental marriage, and four cardinals sent a dubia to Pope Francis — and then made sure that the press gave it full coverage.
by Erin Carelse · Published February 13, 2018 · Last modified February 10, 2018
Catholics must speak with originality and deeper insight as they engage with the issues of today, instead of just joining in an “orgy of Zuma-bashing”, a bishop said at a Mass to celebrate 200 years of the Church in Southern Africa.
Church / Church History / Letter of the Week
by Letters Editor · Published February 7, 2018 · Last modified February 4, 2018
Mgr Vincent Hill, Pretoria – Some people, also in the Church, resist any reform, especially if it requires changing themselves. Isaac Newton stated the physical law that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The same applies to every change. Some get left behind, others try to reverse decisions made, showing they do not understand or accept the changes.
Alicia Von Stamwitz / Church / Church History / Vatican
by hazelelponiSC · Published February 6, 2018 · Last modified February 4, 2018
Canadian Bishop Remi De Roo is one of the last bishops alive to have attended all four sessions of Vatican II. Now 93 years old, he tells ALICIA VON STAMWITZ about his view of the Church in the era of Pope Francis.
Eucharistic Procession to mark the 200th anniversary of the Catholic Church in South Africa – from Holy Cross District Six to St Mary’s Cathedral! (All Photos: Gunther Simmermacher) More Stories: Cremation and the...
Church / Church History / Death
by Erin Carelse · Published January 31, 2018 · Last modified January 29, 2018
A memorial service was held for the writer of history articles recently published in The Southern Cross, who died suddenly while in Mexico. Martin Keenan’s articles on the early Church in the Cape had appeared in The Southern Cross over the past few months.
Church / Church History / Nereesha Patel / News / Priests
by Nereesha Patel · Published January 30, 2018 · Last modified March 2, 2018
A veteran media priest and a popular fixture in the Cape Town Church, Fr Ralph de Hahn is celebrating 60 years as a priest. NEREESHA PATEL spoke to him.
