God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

03/14/2010 • 9:56 pm 1

14.3.2010 Thailand or never peace?

Once again politics in Thailand brings the country on the brink to chaos, this time the so-called “red shirts” on the streets of Bangkok trying to bring down the government. Sometimes I wonder about a lot of things: About how people perceive their political view as the only valid once. About how people think their doing is so important for the development of this world. About how people perceive the  state of affairs as static. People murder for their political views, people die for their country, politicians negotiate in a way one could think the nation has exist since the beginning of the world.

I advise to go somewhere in the desert or in the bush where there is no artificial light and have a look at night at the stars, at the milky way and all its unlimited extensions… And then feel how small and tiny we are… A bit more being humble would help in most situations.

I also think that by the way when I observe religious leaders and gurus – how they insist to know the truth and only the truth. People of the cloth have killed for their conviction in the past, wars have been ignited by religious views, so-called witches burned, Jews hunted, crusaders send en mass to Jerusalem.

I advise to go somewhere in the desert or in the bush where there is no artificial light and have a look at night at the stars… and you suddenly realise how little you know about this world and its existence and where we are coming from and going to. We believe, but there are so many things we still have to learn about the meaning of life – even the holiest man is still far away from knowing it all. If he is wise, he knows that he doesn’t know – and he is humble. We need a lot of wise men in our days..

All this reflection does not prevent from preparing for the week. After 2 weeks with limited internet I spent this Sunday in answering emails and preparing for the coming week. A Bavarian delegation is arriving and visiting HOPE Cape Town, the Austrian TV wants to have an interview, there are several meetings with representatives of the health sector of the province and much more. Hope there is time to live in between.

Filed under: General, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Reflection, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

03/14/2010 • 12:28 am Comments Off on 14.03.2010 Back in Cape Town

14.03.2010 Back in Cape Town

After 2 weeks of enjoying the sun of Johannesburg and Brits back in Cape Town. Two weeks of close encounter with the problem of accusations of indecent behaviour of a priest and the consequences of court proceedings. Even if I cannot comment on the actual case because it is still running in court, I bring with and want to express a very deep feeling of sadness. The climate regarding child abuse in the church in the moment seems to be carried away by a mixture of hysteria, factual happenings, projections and the fight of the church to end the stigma endured by so many cases all over the world. Yes, abuse has happened, but also yes, most abuse has not happened in any church but in the families. Looking only into Germany I can add some no’s – no, it has nothing to do with homosexuality, 9 out of 10 cases in Germany involve girls. And no, it is not always the priest, in 3 out of 4 cases the culprit is a member of the family.

All this does not take away the pain of our church for all what has indeed happened, but this pain should include rather the impotence of the responsible bishops and clergy not taking out the person in question. Yes, there was a cover up, surely not in the way some would like to see that from a standpoint of today – times have been different 30-40 years ago. We don’t have to ignore that. And yes, we as a church have to discuss our dealing with sexuality – without an honest review of this topic we are doomed for the next round of disasters. It is not enough to bring such cases to the state authorities – we have to reflect how we deal with one of the strongest forces of mankind, sexuality, and only when we do this honestly we will be able to prevent further abuse.

A few bishops and high-ranking office bearer have taken their responsibility serious and stepped down from their pulpit as the consequence of their dealing with such cases in the past – I would have hoped for more taken their responsibility seriously.

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03/11/2010 • 8:59 pm Comments Off on 11.03.2010 Abuse cases

11.03.2010 Abuse cases

Reading about all the abuse cases within the Catholic Church, but also in other institutions makes one sometimes wonder how and why all this could happen. But I also realise how much priests are now in a spotlight – also being easy prey for accusations of all sorts.

And sitting in when it comes to the legal matters as a consequence of an accusation changes the perception of it all once again in many ways….

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03/05/2010 • 3:22 am Comments Off on 05.03.2010 Just some bits..

05.03.2010 Just some bits..

Today was quite a day.. in the morning it took me two hours to get a number within the headquarters of TELKOM to report my grievance. There is still – after 8 days – no progress on re-establishing the ADSL line. The PA of the person in charge promised to phone me back.. well, maybe tomorrow…

Caught by police having a cellphone in the hand… the fine is 500 Rand. But as it is almost usual in South Africa I got away with donating towards some chicken wings for the hungry police.. – much cheaper than the fine…

I had to go to a dentist – and landed in Fourways at a dental clinic. The dentist spoke an excellent German – he was from Namibia and as far as I could see and feel, he did an excellent job. After finishing – the dentist said: “We all belive in one God” – and scraped the payment.  What a nice surprise..

Talk with Archbishop Buthi about our POZ initiative regarding HIV positive priests and clergy. Once again after the nuncio and Archbishop Steven in Cape Town a positive talk and sometimes I really feel home in my church, because there is a basic understanding for the care of people, even if theological positions seems to be far away. But the pastoral care is a level, where we all can meet and stand our grounds.

In the evening visiting friends – why are so many robots out-of-order in Johannesburg?? To drive 2 km in 1 hour can make one very nervous. On the way back seen a very bad accident – the motorcyclist was still treated on the road.. May God be with him and may he survive – the bike certainly did not…

These are only some of the bits and pieces of today – small stories but also needed to be told…

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02/26/2010 • 2:13 pm Comments Off on 26.02.2010 Thank you Telkom

26.02.2010 Thank you Telkom

More than 2 days without internet and email – Telkom shows the excellence of South African workmanship: Since Wednesday the system is down – round about 10 calls resulted in at least 5 different versions of what is really happening – one consultant ended the conversation prematurely in hanging up – it is amazing how untrained some of the consultants are. Telkom should at least make sure that its consultant know what an ADSL line is or that they work for such a company.

Speaking to a supervisor seems impossible. The attempt to connect by Nicki ended in a dead-end: “The number you have dialled is not existing anymore…” Thanks Nicki!!

Obviously Telkom recommended that one should report faults via internet 24 hours a day – says the nice voice in between the waiting hours.. Thanks Telkom, specially when you are not able to connect to the internet, this advice is brilliant.

I am typing this with a bundle from MTN – don’t ask me know how many nerves and attempts it has taken to get over the hurdle of RICA and all the other rules and regulations. Even if you are a customer for 13 years – please proof, that you exist – otherwise it is too easy and where would we end if we would consider the customer as those who need service????

Not to forget the ABSA bank, which, having western union as a service provider at N1 City categorical refuses to exchange any currency if one is not an ABSA customer with an account. I am sure, the foreign visitors will appreciate this kind of attitude!

I am sure, all visitors for the world cup 2010 will appreciate the service orientated service provider in South Africa. Well done, you are ready for the world cup 2010!

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