AFRICA/SOUTH AFRICA - Priests of South Africa issue a report on their status and prepare to collaborate during the World Cup 2010

Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) – The serious acts of violence committed against Catholic priests have been denounced by representatives of the priests in the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (South Africa, Botswana, and Swaziland), which held its General Assembly at the Mariannhill Monastery in Kwa Zulu Natal (South Africa), August 17-21.
“Priests lamented the violence experienced by many confreres,” the final statement sent to Agenzia Fides said. “In the last year, three priests have been murdered. Many others have been attacked and hijacked. This is a cause of grave concern as it is symptomatic of the levels of violence that pervade our society.”
The participants in the Assembly also recalled Fr. Onia Maropola, a priest from the Diocese of Pietersburg (South Africa), who has been missing since 2007: “we remain concerned for [his] welfare and safety.”
During the meeting, the priests expressed their gratitude to Pope Benedict XVI for having declared the Year for Priests. Many dioceses say that this initiative has caused great enthusiasm among the priests and laity.
Cardinal Wilfrid Napier, Archbishop of Durban, in speaking in the Opening Mass for the Assembly, recalled that the priest is not a priest for himself, but a priest for the Church and for the “heart” of God.
During the sessions, they discussed “The Attitudinal Survey of Priests,” approved in the Plenary Session of the SACBC in August. The priests have been invited to participate in the most complete manner, in order to offer a more in-depth survey, guaranteeing confidentiality.
Many speakers asked the priests to take up their own responsibility in intellectual development, with permanent formation courses, reading, self-examination, and mutual support.
The priests were encouraged to volunteer to work with the visitors who will come for the FIFA 2010 World Cup, defined as an “opportunity to showcase the dynamism of African Catholicism.” The SACBC has started a website (www.churchontheball.com), “the central contact point for information, ideas and celebration both for the local church and for international visitors.” In the light of the World Cup, Sr Melanie O’Connor HF of the SACBC/LCCL SA counter trafficking in persons desk highlighted the challenge of human trafficking and how the Catholic community and the priests could play a vital role in exposing trafficking rings and providing assistance to victims, who are often times under-aged and suffer serious offenses. (LM) (Agenzia Fides 01/09/2009)