Fr Chris Townsend: A Priest’s Rest
Fr Chris Townsend takes time out to birdwatch on his annual holiday in the Kruger Park. In his column he describes the importance of getting away from urban life.
Fr Chris Townsend
To Change South Africa ‘Clean Your Room’
We may be overwhelmed by South Africa’s problems, but we cannot do nothing about it. And change, Fr Chris Townsend argues, begins at home, even and especially at the Christmas table.
Fr Chris Townsend: Diary of an Iron Padre
Fr Chris Townsend pumps iron at gym. Working out is an important part of his daily routine, as a means of managing stress and for health purposes.
Our International Catholicism Makes Us the Universal Church
Our Catholicism has always been very international — from the missionaries passing but not disembarking at the Cape to the later generations from France, Ireland and Germany who were our primary missionaries
Let Our Churches Be Works of Art
I’ve been thinking about how we in South Africa — like many other places —are struggling with what our churches mean and should look like. I’ve been thrown into this struggle in the last few years when I’ve become responsible for renovation and restoration projects that preserve and enhance our Catholic legacy.
We Must Share Dangerous Memories
“To keep a dangerous memory alive, we need to tell and hear our South African story. We need to find...
What Would Jesus Really Do?
There are a few moments in the life of the parish priest when his quiet, comfortable day is disturbed so...
Why We Need A Synod on Priesthood
The Vatican is preparing for the Synod of Bishops on Youth, Faith and Vocational Discernment. Unusually, the lineamenta — as...
Contemplative Nuns: We Need Them!
Fr Chris Townsend – One of the functional jokes in the priesthood goes something along the lines that listening to...
