FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA STATEMENT Wednesday, 27 May 2020 (Click here to download)  Opening Places of Worship The Jesuit Institute South Africa has noted President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that places of worship may reopen with a limit of 50 people or less when the country moves into Level 3 on 1 June 2020. We wholeheartedly support the call for a National Day of Prayer on 31 May, Pentecost Sunday. Many people of faith have suffered the loss and pain of not being allowed to gather in their respective communities for worship. We know this. Refraining from gathering was seen as a way of religious communities actively choosing to care by temporarily stopping a core practice ­­­– gathering for worship ­– for the common good. We do not need to open churches right now to practise our faith. Prayer, acts of kindness, reading sacred texts and service of neighbour can continue without ...
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE MEDIA STATEMENT 14 May 2020 (Click here to download)   Postponement: Winter Living Theology and Visiting Scholars It is with deep regret that we write to inform you that Winter Living Theology 2020 (WLT) has to be postponed due to the prevailing COVID-19 pandemic. Fr Carlos Alvarez Mendoza, OP, our guest speaker, who was to talk on Suffering, resistance and hope in an era of violence, can no longer travel to South Africa. We, therefore, have to postpone Winter Living Theology until 2021. He was to travel to South Africa, eSwatini and Gaborone. However, Fr Alvarez has communicated his willingness to come in 2021 should the prevailing conditions change and travel be allowed. By cancelling WLT, we, in turn, will have to cancel bookings made around the country which will result in loss for some of our church-run institutions. This is a sad and harsh reality for us all as we know that many ...
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STATEMENT FROM THE JESUIT INSTITUTE Re: Suspension/Cancellation of Activities in the wake of COVID-19 [Download this Statement in PDF] Given the prevailing uncertain and rapidly changing global situation and taking into account the measures announced by the South African president on 15 March 2020, the Jesuit Institute South Africa has decided to take the following precautionary measures to prevent the spread of COVID-19. These measures are for ALL involved in Jesuit Institute activities and are in effect immediately: All Jesuit Institute public events will be suspended/cancelled until the 15 May 2020 after which we will re-assess the situation and decide on the way forward. This includes: Hearts on Fire in Alexander The Week of Guided Prayer in Bryanston Supervision of Spiritual Directors Supervision Training Roundtable on gender-based violence The Easter Triduum Retreat Tsoseletsa at St Pius, Soweto Prayer Guide Training in the East Days of Prayer/Reflection All meetings for course preparation ...
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