As the Church marks 200 years of being established in South Africa, Günther Simmermacher gives an overview of Catholic history in the country.
A Timeline of Catholicism in South Africa Read Post »
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.
Pope: A Swiss Guard Has Faith, Love, Courage & Patience Read Post »
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.
Keep What Makes Us Catholics Read Post »
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.
How the first SA-Founded Religious Order Came to Be Read Post »
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.
How Franz Pfanner Set up the World’s Biggest Monastery Read Post »
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.
The History of Lent and How it is Observed Today Read Post »
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.
How Papal Decisions Can Lead to Change Read Post »
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.
Bishop: Engage With Issues Rather Than Just Bash Zuma Read Post »
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.
A Changing Church: Some Can, Some Can’t Read Post »
