God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

05/11/2012 • 10:09 am Comments Off on No second “humanae vitae” effect please

No second “humanae vitae” effect please

Preface:
Please note that this entry is my personal opinion. As theology also is linked to the topic of HIV and AIDS I guess it is important to see it in this context too.
Like it or condemn it – whatever you do, first please read the whole text, reflect on it and then you are welcome to comment on it too. If you like it, share it – if you don’t like it, you most probably will not share it, but you still can pray for me and leave the last judgement to the Lord himself . 🙂
Don’t do it now
Following the discussions in my church about the integration of the Pius XII Society and reading their website and publications I can only plead with my church not to wipe over the fundamental differences but to keep an open door policy fur further discussions without taking them in yet. The time is not here yet. We might close formally a separation but I fear for another division amongst the faithful like we have seen and still is to be seen on the issue of “Humanae Vitae”.
Even if we formally do not acknowledge it as a church: This encyclica was the beginning of loosing ground as church being taken seriously by major part of the faithful and societies. We don’t need within one century a repeat of this effect which divides people again within the church.
Let’s acknowledge:
The world is not flat but round and traditions develops and God is calling us into a future – he is always ahead of us and he is not asking us to turn back to the good old times – if they ever been so good at all. And there is indeed salvation possible outside the church. We don’t need amongst us more in-fights (we have more than enough), no internal crusades, no creeping back under the modder of old plush vestments.
Please church I belong to: most of us, of our members are living in the 21st century – and we have to overcome poverty and hunger and other obstacles; we have to contribute towards justice and peace and a healthy environment. We have to catch up with all scientific developments and the related moral teaching instead of inviting people to discuss celebration styles, Latin wording or if God’s good spirit is allowed outside the church to go and do his work.
I wish for the church to be relevant in this world, in this time for those living and struggling now.
I wish a church spelling out the unconditional love of God understandable – it is so much needed and wanted.
Therefore: Keep the door open but don’t unite under these circumstances. God has time and he does not mind diversity at all. We should follow his example…

Filed under: General, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , ,

05/02/2012 • 4:39 pm Comments Off on It is always looking so easy…

It is always looking so easy…

… when a ball, or better the Ball of HOPE is up and running.  Music, entertainment,raffle, live music, speeches, food – and it is indeed a great relief for the organizers if and when the curtain falls after the programme part and everybody just enjoys him- or herself. Forgotten then all the drama beforehand: bookings change at the last moment, but please the names must be on the alphabetic name board. Or whom to address first in a welcome speech – how much overtime we estimate the main speaker will take – it is important for the kitchen – just imagine the meet or the fish is dry because to long kept warm because of a timeless speech.. If the waiter does not function well, the raffle tickets are not at hand – the band is not in a good mood – all has to be balanced well and all the small little nitty gritties up to the decoration must be perfectly done – otherwise there will be some mentioning later. All in all we as the Ball of HOPE organisers cannot complain – the guests are normally willing to be entertained with ease and small little hickups in the programme are overlooked. The question of the room temperature we have now under control  – a bit higher first until the first bottle of wine is  consumed and the spirit high and then a bit down to avoid overheating.. 🙂 Even after 15 years it is every year again anew a first time experience – and I am grateful to have such a great partner in crime whom I can rely on. I am looking forward to the evening on Saturday and I am sure it will be once again a great event with great guests enjoying what we have prepared – and with “we” I mean much more than only Anja and myself. There are so many people involved, from the hotel, the deco firm, the sponsor companies and so on – so many people have only one goal: to offer the chance to celebrate an enjoyable evening and to do good for the cause of HOPE Cape Town. And thinking back of the humble beginnings in 1998, where I started a “dinner-dance” at the good old Nelly with Archbishop Tutu as the guest of honour and 80 guests – we came a long way until now. A salute to all those during the last 15 years who supported, donated or in any other way joined the good cause of HOPE Cape Town.  Lets hope for many more years to come with this annual event…

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

04/18/2012 • 7:54 am Comments Off on Woodstaudt 2012 & Ball of HOPE 2012 and the investment for eternity

Woodstaudt 2012 & Ball of HOPE 2012 and the investment for eternity

There are many people supporting HOPE Cape Town and each and everybody is unique; there are many ways to support HOPE Cape Town and once again each and every way is unique and often connected with lots of fun and excitement. Take Woodstaudt 2012 which is happening on the 19.05.2012 in Staudt / Germany. Developed in a church hall Woodstaudt attracts more than 1500 visitors every year and gives local bands to play unplugged: Ska, Punk, Hardcore, Rock, Metal, Rap, Hip-Hop… – young people enjoying themselves and at the same time doing something good for those living with HIV and AIDS on the other end of the globe. http://www.woodstaudt.de/ is the web adress for those interested to join the youngsters.
Different the Ball of HOPE 2012 – benefit gala in Cape Town – a black tie event and a great annual fundraiser for HOPE Cape Town in the mother city.  Already booked out for this year, but there is always a chance to be an early bird for 2013 🙂 This year ist special as we also celebrate 60 years of the South African German Chamber of Commerce and Industry – 10 years of cooperation between HOPE Cape Town and the chamber in running the Ball of HOPE.

So there are so many ways in promoting HOPE Cape Town, assisting those infected and affected, helping directly via a donation or helping to build up the HOPE Cape Town Trust to secure the future of HOPE Cape Town. Imagine how great it would be for an organisation not to worry anymore about currency exchange rates and how the economic downfall is influencing the support for those in need. You can be part of this security for all affected and infected in the Western Cape – you can be part in an eternal investment for the future of South Africa in contributing specifically for the HOPE Cape Town Trust – putting in place a stone of remembrance which assists those living and looking for help and a future themselves. If you interested in assisting the HOPE Cape Town Trust – please feel free to contact me directly (stefan @ hopecapetown.com).

Filed under: HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

03/30/2012 • 6:10 pm Comments Off on From Cruise-liner pastoral work back to African realities

From Cruise-liner pastoral work back to African realities

Some gaps are difficult to cover – and after doing pastoral work for passengers on a cruise-liner going from Australia to Sri Lanka, I am now back in Cape Town to continue my work in the local Archdiocese of Cape Town. It was nice to be away for a while and it was interesting working on such a ship. What a meeting of worlds, what kind of dynamics. I seldom had so much fun preaching in the prayer services and Eucharistic celebrations – it felt like hearts met and a connection established which brought “my world” to these mainly elderly people who traveled the world without getting too much in contact with reality. One day Cambodia, one day Thailand, one day Aceh and so on – it seems to me a first smooth encounter and how much I would wish for a deeper encounter – but time don’t permit. On the other hand – having worked hard at home the passengers tried to conquer the world, to catch a glimpse of other cultures and living environments. And I am sure it changes their perception of the world, it these encounters are done in a sensitive way.

I was able to show the BR TV production “Hoffnung am Kap” and tears and big eyes gave witness how often it is forgotten: the plight of those less fortune then we are. It is not easy to realize that wealth and high living standard is only possible if others suffer or at least have little to live on. I am sure I found new friends for HOPE Cape Town and some people staying in touch with me and the work I am doing with all my colleagues.

The cruise has shown me again how big the gap is between North and South – and how much I am already more an African than an European. It is scary, it is amazing, but it remains my challenge to be a bridge between two worlds which at the end need each other.

Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, Networking, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

02/01/2012 • 3:18 pm Comments Off on God – AIDS – Africa – English version

God – AIDS – Africa – English version

The book “Gott-AIDS-Afrika” was published in 2007 in the German language by Bartholomaeus Grill and Stefan Hippler.  The book received a very mixed reaction by the administration of the German Catholic Bishops Conference which lead to the attempt from some quarters of the DBK to silence the priest. The administration of the DBK then opted not to renew the contract as a chaplain to the German-speaking Catholic Community in Cape Town and Durban. Since October 2009 he works as a Fidei Donum priest in the Archdiocese of Cape Town. B. Grill continues to write about African topics for major German newspapers.
In the following weeks chapters of the books will be published on this blog in an English translation, starting with the 3.2.2012.The book was sent to pope Benedikt XVI for consideration with a letter of the authors  and widely distributed in the German-speaking countries. It challenges the moral teaching of the church, not in a hostile way, but searching for a way forward to address the needs and questions of the 21st century. There is no development of theology without questions asked from those working with the people on the ground.

Filed under: General, HIV and AIDS, HIV Prevention, HIV Treatment, HOPE Cape Town Association & Trust, HOPE Cape Town Trust, Networking, Politics and Society, Reflection, Society and living environment, Uncategorized, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

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