God, AIDS, Africa & HOPE

Reflections / Gedanken

11/16/2013 • 4:47 pm Comments Off on Bringing Africa to the US…

Bringing Africa to the US…

Amish family riding in a traditional Amish bug...

Amish family riding in a traditional Amish buggy in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania, USA. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Lancaster, the last stop on my way to Spring Grove PA. There in the Catholic parish of Sacred Heart I am supposed to preach the weekend. But how bring the situation of Africa to the rural area of Pennsylvania? I must admit I am not quite sure how that will work out and whether I find the right words to beam South African reality to Amish county. People, who I have never met before will have the chance of a “sermon-length” to learn about the work HOPE Cape Town is doing – a weekend encounter which hopefully strives a bond of understanding between Mfuleni, Wallacedene and Spring Grove.
Yes, the world has become a village – but still one wonders how to bridge the gap in a way, people really understand the plight of their fellow brothers and sisters in another corner of the world. Against my usual procedure I did not prepare a sermon because I think to take this chance I must get a sense on how to communicate with this community and I hope the luncheon with Fr Paul and Fr Tom this noon time will help me with this exciting challenge.
When I woke up this morning I thought to myself how strange it is that a person from rural Germany, the “Eifel” happens to be the messenger for a South African project in rural Pennsylvania, where most are offspring from German settlers. Indeed, the word of “citizen of the world” comes to mind – the global village beams us from the comfort of a limited home turf into such a global citizen situation one or the other way.
Let’s hope that those attending the services this weekend are touched by the stories of those living in the Western Cape and that this a start of a continuous relationship between the two worlds. That would be the ideal outcome. But even if this is only a once off encounter, to learn about others living in another corner of the world can only widen the horizon of those listening.

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

11/10/2013 • 1:04 am Comments Off on New York, New York

New York, New York

English: Broadway show billboards at the corne...

English: Broadway show billboards at the corner of 7th Avenue and West 47th Street in Times Square in New York City (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Those who had the pleasure of visiting New York say, that the city never sleeps and that New York is not America – somehow like Cape Town is not South Africa.
Being in town and trying to find my way through town – and obviously getting lost between upper Manhattan and some of my destinations – there is always plenty of time to observe people. Amazing how individualistic people are – how mixed – how crazy – how ordinary – how business like – and all in the same metro not even taking notice of each other. How different from Germany or even South Africa, where you can see people glancing at unusual behavior or dressing.
Sitting at a fast food chain near Times Square I observed a family holding hands and praying before starting eating – in full view of others and without any hesitation.
Race seems to be no issue – and how much would I like to see that also in South Africa – as well as the mass transport system of New York, which seems to be orderly chaotic, but at most times functional. Except when there is disruption and you are advised to use other methods of transport, then the poor visitor is lost in transition. 😦

On Monday I will have several meetings, among others with the Fordham University, which is a Catholic institution and a marketing company. I am thrilled to see whether HOPE Cape Town is able to capture the imagination of US Americans in a way which leads to support and partnership. Maybe New York is a good start with its diversity and embrace of a variety of cultures and traditions. To live in such an environment hopefully means to have an open heart and an open mind. Well, lets see what the next days will bring towards more support for HOPE Cape Town. It would be a welcomed addition to all the support and assistance the organization already gets from Europe and South Africa. HOPE Cape Town can only be as strong as the network of supporter and donor is. So cross the fingers that this city which never sleeps has a heart which never stops supporting those in need, even if they live far away in another part of the global village called earth.

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

11/01/2013 • 3:45 pm Comments Off on Dresden – Berlin – Munich

Dresden – Berlin – Munich

HOPE Gala05The HOPE Gala Dresden is history – and I am still grateful to all and everybody who made this event a success. Various meetings and encounters showed me how deep HOPE Cape Town’s work is meanwhile rooted in the heart of Dresden. It’s a blessing!
With those blessings I arrived in Berlin to meet more people and attend the “Festliche Aids-Gala” of the German AIDS Foundation, one of our main partners in Germany. Only being a guest can be a relief at times, but still such big events are always good for networking and exchange of ideas. Attending such events are more than occasions for small talk, they are opportunities to plant the seed of empathy and knowledge into the hearts of others and to share life across the borders.I find it amazing that in Dresden as well as Berlin the church is not prominently present at such events – it is a question of guessing: is it still the inconvenience of the topic which prevents those higher the hierarchy to attend such events. Or is it accidental that since years exactly the eve of such an event is blocked by another commitment. Just asking…  🙂
Well, let’s hope that the “Francis” effect might change that in the years to come.
I just see that the Vatican has asked the bishops to give even the parish councils the opportunity to comment on topics of family and sexuality which will be the main focus of a synod of bishops in 2014. I am really thrilled to see, that the acknowledgement is visible to ask the whole family of god, and not only those higher up the hierarchy to voice their concerns, joys and troubles. It feels like fresh air – open windows – the vision of Johannes XXIII seems to become realization, touchable for those called the laity within our church.
Another blessing on the way which vitalizes all efforts to change the plight of the people less fortune than most of us are.
Munich will be the last German city to visit before flying to New York City.  No big events but a handful of important meetings with people who carry HOPE Cape Town in their hearts and often on their lips being the best ambassadors for our cause.

 

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

10/21/2013 • 4:19 pm Comments Off on No step without “Limburg”

No step without “Limburg”

English: Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, Bishop ...

Franz-Peter Tebartz-van Elst, Bishop of Limburg (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Traveling in Europe, even on a complete different topic, seems in  these days impossible without being asked about the “blink bishop” – especially when you are a Catholic priest. And obviously the temptation is big then just to comment and say what has to be said and what everybody else in saying anyhow. For me there are several layers of problems and facts which has to be looked at. 

First of all I must say – despite all criticism I have towards the Bishop of Limburg I have to admit: on a human level I feel sorry for him. It is tough to be drawn down from where ever he thought he was standing into the realities of life and media. It’s really tough luck and it needs inner strength to survive such an onslaught.
The questions people raise – and I do too – are:  Can it be, that the responsible people of the Limburg Domkapitel pick a bishop only on the grounds of knowing some of his publications, as one can read as a justification for his election? Is the way, bishops are chosen without any involvement of the laity and councils really working in our days? Or is it time to change the regulations and look back how it was in the beginning of church life?

 

The system church with the strong role of a bishop and the system society with a strong yearning for transparency and democracy – how do we avoid in the future that church personal falls into that gap or trap?

 

Money matters need transparency – even for money outside the regular budgets. And even having councils to control – the causa Limburg shows that even matured people seemed to fail the test to stand up to a bishop if they feel he is acting wrong.

 

I am convinced that “Limburg” will be a turning point for many habits, the German Church has cultivated also through the concordance which was agreed about during a dark time of German politics. Times have changed and people have changed and it is our all task to learn out of it and try to develop a church which is transparent, when it comes to money matters, more open to changes in how decisions are made in many instances. “Limburg” is a wake up call we should hear as a church.
And I guess, the discussion has just begun.

 

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Filed under: Catholic Church, General, Reflection, Religion and Ethics, , , , , ,

10/14/2013 • 10:47 am Comments Off on Honesty and Trust are essential

Honesty and Trust are essential

English: Limburger Dom Limburg an der Lahn Deu...

Limburger Dom (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

I am not sure who follows the story of the Roman-Catholic Bishop of Limburg, whose residence building rose from estimates 5.5 million Euro to over 31 million Euro and who is facing at the same time prosecution for a false affidavit. On the background of a humble Pope Francis, those matters are obviously seen more grave than they would have seen before and it is to wait and see how things develop. The bishop is now in Rome and I am sure the press will be eager to find out what is happening as we “speak” or communicate via this blog.
As my bishop Stephan Ackermann pointed out last night on German TV, without trust a bishop can’t work and it seems that this has gone lost in the diocese of Limburg / Germany. And obviously it goes without say that bishops have to stick to the truth, especially when giving an affidavit. Having a prosecution of a bishop for lying was unheard of in Germany till last week.
I think most Catholics and even non Catholics feel that spring has arrived again in our church and that perspectives have changed. And that attitude has to change also for those thinking till now that they are above the laity and ruling in the church, commonly labeled as serving. The church serves the spiritual needs of people, the church is obliged to proclaim the good news and the unconditional love of God and his option for the poor and marginalized in our society. Posh residences of those in charge of serving are contradicting this duty.

Obviously there is a wide span of opinions what the term “modest” living means and I think we have to be very careful not to judge too harshly when others have other opinions on this subject. So I am actually not interested what the heavily discussed price tag for the bathtub of the bishop of Limburg is. What I find utmost disturbing is the fact of non-transparency and as a member of his financial advisory board publicly claimed, that the bishop asked to conceal the real costs of the building for public consumption. I also don’t mind the bishop flying first class – of course it is a matter of discussion whether this is appropriate – what I really mind is when he claims publicly and on video record that he only flew business class when knowing better. If you don’t want to admit to something, then rather be silent.

From a human point of view I feel sorry for him – it is tough to suddenly stand more or less alone in front of the public eye and not being able to conceal the obvious weaknesses of an expensive taste and a very own way to see realities.  But if you chose to accept a very public role with lots of responsibilities in church and society, then one has to know that scrutiny will follow. And media can be unmerciful and not forgiving.

Whatever happens in the next day – lets hope that it brings an end to this rather sad story. Let’s see how Pope Francis handles this case of a bishop losing the trust of his clergy and the faithful.

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Filed under: Catholic Church, Reflection, Religion and Ethics, , , , , , , , , , , ,

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