Caring for the temporary goods of the Church

By Fr. Sakhile Ndwandwe

It gives me pleasure to share with readers, the importance of taking care of temporary goods of the Church. What are temporary goods in the life and language of the Catholic Church? Temporary goods are understood as all those non-spiritual things which possess an economic value, including real property as well as intangible rights and assets, more often than not, categorised as movable and immovable.

CARING FOR TEMPORARY GOODS IN THE CHURCH

When we look at the Code of Canon Law, #1284, herein referred as CIC, it provides us with a clear understanding that all administrators are to perform their duties with the diligence of a good householder. They are to be vigilant that no goods placed in their care in any way perish or suffer damage, therefore it becomes necessary to arrange insurance contracts. Administrators are to ensure that the ownership of ecclesiastical goods are safeguarded in ways which are valid in civil law (avoid kubeka imali phansi kwemcamelo). Administrators are to ensure that damage will not be suffered by the church through the non-observance of the civil law. Administrators are to keep accurate records of income and expenditure draw up an account of their administration at the end of each year.  CIC 1284#3 specifically provides that an income and expenditure budget be drawn.

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St Joseph: model of manhood

By Maduduza Gabriel Zwane

Italy – St. Joseph and the art of custodyFrom St. Jose Maria Escriva we get to understand that St. Joseph was an ordinary sort of man on whom God relied on to do great things.  He did exactly what the Lord wanted him to do, in each event that went to make up his life. Members of the St Joseph sodality are proud of the fact that the husband of Mary and foster father of Jesus is the model for every man.

One might say – but we know so little about him! How can we imitate a man we barely know? We know more about St. Joseph than you might think. St. Joseph has close to 20 virtues which are found in the Litany of St. Joseph but I will highlight only a few of these that men in the church can imitate. I am sure bomake will be pleased to know what we men aim to live up to in our families. In the sodality our aim is to be Holy “for God did not call us to impurity but to holiness”.

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Journeying together

By: Bp José Luis IMC (Bishop of Manzini)

(Sharing my article for the first issue of our Diocesan Newsletter)

Have you ever wondered why God gave us two ears and one mouth? Many have answered that question in the past by saying (for example) “so that we can listen twice as much as we speak”. Maybe James had this in mind when he wrote: “everyone should be quick to listen but slow to speak” (James 1: 19).

Every few years the Pope gathers bishops from all over the world in what is called a “synod”. The word “synod” is a very beautiful and profound one. It means: “journeying together”. Synods have provided an effective support to the Popes in matters of greater importance for the Church. Thinking of the last ones you might have an idea of the topics addressed:

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“Not so among you

By: Bp José Luis IMC (Bishop of Manzini)

Homily at the launching of the first phase
of the synodal journey

Photos of the event

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“Not so among you” – “Akukafaneli kutsi kube njalo kini”

How I wished these four words from today’s Gospel passage would always (I mean: always!) remain in our hearts. How I wished these four words would be like seeds in our hearts that would produce fruit of how a Christian community should be. “Not so among you” constantly challenges any Christian community to go back to the Gospel to find her identity. We are not an NGO, we are not government, a political or a cultural organisation. We are a Christian community.

In today’s Gospel passage James and John, the sons of Zebedee – two of the 12 apostles – present a request to Jesus: “Allow us to sit one at your right hand and the other at your left in your glory”.

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