The Catholic Church In Africa

The news that an Irish-born Catholic Archbishop in Nigeria had resigned (The Irish Times - Tuesday, June 1, 2010) because he had been ‘unfaithful to his vow of celibacy’ led me to wonder whether the Catholic church in Africa had escaped the child abuse scandals that have plagued Ireland, the United States and several other countries around the world. 

The archbishop had also previously been accused of child sex abuse, an allegation he has denied. 

It is interesting that so far, there have not been any major eruption (comparable in scope in Ireland, the US, etc) of child sex abuse scandals in Africa, where the Roman Catholic Church probably has even more significant influence almost similar in some instances, to the kind of influence that the Church had in Ireland in year gone by. 

I believe that with the African congregations consistently shown to be very devout, loyal and by the same token, very deferent to the church hierarchy, this in my mind creates conditions where abuse could be rife especially amongst the rural poor. 

Even as a non-Catholic growing up in Zimbabwe, I was aware of how unquestioning the general populace was of the authority of the Church (to be fair, here I would include all the other major religious denominations too). 

Having been educated by the Christian Brothers in Zimbabwe for all my six years of second level education, I must say I received a really excellent all round education and had an altogether great experience (the CBCs in Southern Africa, which are mainly independent and private, are some of the best schools in the region). 

During those 6 years, I had the fortune to be mentored by some very dedicated and inspirational Irish Christian Brothers, amongst others and therefore would be the first not to make any generalizations. Still I wonder whether any abuses that may have taken place within the African church will ever come to the fore.

Where's my vuvuzela

At last, the FIFA World Cup kicks off today, vuvuzelas and all and with Ireland having been robbed of iwhat had appeared to be its rightful place in South Africa, the quadrennial (biennial, if you include the European championships) question arises as to whether Irish soccer fans can countenance supporting  our English neighbours. Due to the post-colonial angst still pervading the Irish psyche due to the centuries of English subjugation, the question is raised time and time again. Certainly considering the high levels of support that English Premier League teams, particularly Manchester United and Liverpool, have in Ireland it is a legitimate question to ask. An outsider arriving could be forgiven for thinking that it should make no difference whether Wayne Rooney or Steven Gerrard are representing their country or their respective clubs. Of course, the football gods could be mischievous enough in this world cup and pit current enemy number one France against the ol' enemy England at some point in the tournament. Who to support then could be an interesting dilemma for those avid fans who feel compelled to choose sides. Actually, the question should be which of the two countries’ exit at the hands of the other will ensure record amounts of the black stuff are drowned in joyous merriment across the land. I ask this question, because several years ago, I was accosted by an irate and inebriated woman who took it upon her sorry self to express her displeasure at my ‘absolute cheek’ to wear the bright red ‘away’ England jersey. I was certainly taken aback to say the least and even though I was aware of the long arduous history between the Irish and the English I did not think this woman’s reaction was called for. Anyway, it should be interesting to see how both teams progress.

A Newborn's Conversation with God

A bit kooky I know but I couldnt help posting this, having got it from my dear sister.

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A baby asked God, "They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow,

but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?"

God said, "Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you."

The child further inquired, "But tell me, here in heaven I don't have

to do anything but sing and smile to be happy."

God said, "Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you.

And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy."

Again the small child asked, "And how am I going to be able to understand

when people talk to me if I don't know the language?"

God said, "Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words

you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will

teach you how to speak."

"And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?"

God said, "Your angel will place your hands together and will teach

you how to pray."

"Who will protect me?"

God said, "Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life."

"But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore."

God said, "Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach

you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you."

At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth

could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, "God, if I am to leave

now, please tell me my angel's name."

God said, You will simply call her, "Mom."

Debate about debate

As some of my Irish friends and acquaintances have suggested, talking about anything that directly or indirectly refers to race is a minefield littered with potent threats of being labelled a racist or a bigot. This has meant that in Ireland, we have actually been debating for some time now, the lack of open debate about the changes in the demographic profile of the country through immigration rather the actual debate on the implications of these changes. As a strong believer in the right to freedom of speech and expression, I would tentatively agree that people should not be deterred to discuss issues that affect for fear that they will be negatively labelled. I’m careful to say tentatively because, while I am particularly keen for the debate to take place, I do not want to lend any ounce of credence nor legitimacy to those whose agenda is cloaked in racist demagoguery. Case in point would be someone who does not have a problem with South African migrants as long as they are white but certainly would emphasise their anti-immigrant sentiments when it is black South African immigrants. Of course, I should also hasten to add that I do not have time or patience for those who play the card at every turn to cover up for their incompetence.  As Reverend Jesse Jackson once said to a crowd of young people many years ago, “Excellence is the best deterrent to racism. Therefore, in all things be excellent.”

Another blast from the past

Yet another clip from the archives.