February 2010

Twenty Years On

Submitted by Anthony Egan SJ on 9 February 2010 - 10:00am

Do you remember February 2nd to the 11th 1990, that ‘long week’ that shook the world, beginning with the unbanning of the African National Congress and other political movements and culminating with Nelson Mandela’s release from Pollsmoor Prison?

I remember a discussion with colleagues in the Religious Studies Department at University of Cape Town the week before February 2nd. Some of us intended to be at the demonstration planned outside Parliament that day. Suddenly, quietly, one of the professors said, “I have a feeling [then President F W] De Klerk is going to surprise us. I think he’ll unban the ANC and release Mandela next week.”

UBuntu Trek

Submitted by Chris Chatteris SJ on 12 February 2010 - 10:00am

DAVID MACGREGOR of the East London Daily Dispatch writes about one South African woman's search for the spirit of ubuntu.

Its tenacious survival, particularly among the poor, reminds us that we do not live by economic indicators alone and humanity can still transcend the limitations imposed by our material conditions.

Praying with and for Parliament

Submitted by Raymond Perrier on 16 February 2010 - 10:00am

Lent 2010 will see our legislators receiving daily e-mailed spiritual reflections. This is a joint initiative of the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO) and the Jesuit Institute of South Africa. It began as an idea of Fr Peter-John Pearson for the benefit of Catholic members, but will now also be offered to MPs of other Christian denominations and other faiths.

Each day during Lent subscribers will receive an e-mail comprising of an inspirational quotation, a brief reflection and a final prayer. The format is is influenced by the highly successful Irish Jesuit website Sacred Space, which has enabled thousands of people around the world to pause briefly at their work-stations and spend a few moments in reflection and prayer.

The flow of the reflections is flexibly based on the themes from St Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises. The hope is that this Ignatian approach of 'finding God in all things' (as for example in the natural world or the arts) will enable MPs to seek and experience God's presence in their work during and beyond the Lenten season. The quotations are taken from a range of sources from the scriptures through prophetic thinkers like Gandhi to contemporary secular figures such as Nelson Mandela.

A further service will be the fielding of e-mailed prayer-requests. These will be funnelled through Fr James Fitzsimons SJ to a small team of people who have undertaken to pray for the parliamentarians and their intentions.

If you would like to receive these reflections e-mail info@jesuitinstitute.org.za and enter 'sign me up' in the subject box.

Public Figures, Private Lives

Submitted by Anthony Egan SJ on 23 February 2010 - 10:00am

There are three Presidential candidates. Candidate A is a non-smoking, non-drinking vegetarian. Candidate B is a heavy smoking, borderline alcoholic with suicidal depressive tendencies. Candidate C is an adulterous chain-smoker (who also likes the odd glass or three). How will you good people vote?

Where was God?

Submitted by Raymond Perrier on 26 February 2010 - 10:00am

This question is one that is often asked in the face of immense tragedy. Where was God when the earthquake struck Haiti? Where was God in the mudslides in Madeira? Where is God when there are droughts in East Africa or floods in South East Asia? But it is also a question that we ask in the private tragedies of our own lives: in the face of the loss of a child, or the breakdown of a relationship, or the steady, dull pain of the everyday.

We work with people from the business, political and educational sectors as well as those from various faith backgrounds. We are keen to engage with all who have an interest in improving our society.

The Jesuit Institute is dedicated to providing training and encouraging debate on current social and religious issues from a faith perspective and to stimulating critical reflection, research and dialogue.

The Jesuit Institute provides reflection and training on, and critical analysis of, contemporary social and religious issues from a Catholic perspective. We are motivated by the service of faith and the promotion of justice.

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