Latest news with #Brislin
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
GroundWork KZNSA exhibit celebrates 25 years of activism
OVER two decades of environmental activism is on display at the KwaZulu-Natal Society of the Arts (KZNSA) Gallery on Bulwer Road, where the social justice non-profit organisation, groundWork, is exhibiting their 25-year legacy of fighting for the well-being of South Africans. The exhibit, which began on May 2 and will conclude on June 8, is displayed in four sections of the gallery with visitors being greeted at the door by social justice banners and placards with powerful messages such as 'Protect our human rights defenders and whistleblowers' and 'Waste not! Burn not! Africa' from 2007. Dorothy Brislin, senior communications campaigner at groundWork, said the exhibition is about highlighting and celebrating the organisation's legacy in fighting environmental injustice. 'The organisation was started by three people in Pietermaritzburg,' said Brislin. 'Today we have over 50 staff members, a majority of whom are Durban-based and we have links across the continent.' She said groundWorks was born out of the Durban South Basin community's fight against pollution as people were getting sick from the toxic air and land that they were living on. Also Read: Durban environmental organisation marches for climate change 'The principle behind groundWork is to support communities while helping them to organise and mobilise for where there is no accountability on part of corporates in the fossil fuel industries who were putting profit before the people,' said Brislin. 'Fighting climate change is also a major part of the organisation as we have seen its devastating effects, particularly in Durban.' The exhibition, curated by Vaugh Sadie, includes still and moving images, placards, campaign T-shirts, and affidavits among other items from campaigns in the fight against fossil fuels, nuclear power and fracking. There is a section that shines a spotlight on the UPL chemical spill disaster with affidavits on the impact available for people to read. A memorial wall where those who died while fighting for a safe and pollution free SA are honoured is another major feature in the exhibit. Whistle-blowers who blew a lid on corruption, human rights violations, and environmental and social injustice are celebrated. 'For each room, we tried to find something that would make you feel like you are with the banners outside, it makes you like you were part of the march with the placards. In sound room, you are part of the people singing the protest song,' said Sadie as he explained the thought process behind the exhibit. 'What we tried to do with the spaces is to create a sense of people, that you are among people and that you are never alone. That was the intention of this. There is crispness that we bring to the detailing to the exhibition, the minimal style that allows you to engage with it.' The exhibition is open throughout the week, with walkabouts offered on Saturdays, from 10:00 to 12:00. From May 21, they are inviting schools to book tours of the exhibition. For more information or to book, contact the gallery via email: gallery@ or call 031 277 1705. For more from Berea Mail, follow us on Facebook, X and Instagram. You can also check out our videos on our YouTube channel or follow us on TikTok. Click to subscribe to our newsletter – here At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
News24
24-04-2025
- General
- News24
'He belonged to all of us': SA Catholics celebrate the life of Pope Francis
Despite the grey skies and cloudy weather, Johannesburg's Catholic community as well as that of other denominations gathered in the Cathedral of Christ the King on Wednesday, 23 April 2025, to honour the life and legacy of Pope Francis. The memorial Mass, presided over by Cardinal Stephen Brislin, was a solemn moment of prayer and remembrance, bringing together priests, laity and dignitaries from across the political spectrum. Cardinal Brislin, who was due to travel to Rome shortly after a brief media appearance, was joined at the altar by Fr Paul Beukes OMI, vicar-general of the Archdiocese, Fr Jean Marie Kuzituka Did-Ho, chancellor, Fr Lawrence Ndlovu, the cathedral's administrator, and clergy from within and beyond the Archdiocese of Johannesburg. Also present were Fr Robert Bissell, administrator of the Cape Town Cathedral and vicar-general of the Cape Town Archdiocese, and Juan Luis Cabral, the magistral delegate of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem [a Catholic order that aims to strengthen among its members the practice of Christian life, to sustain and aid the charitable, cultural and social works and institutions of the Catholic Church in the Holy Land]. Representatives from various political parties attended in solidarity with the Church and its faithful, including ANC spokesperson Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri, ANC secretary-general Fikile Mbalula, first deputy secretary-general Nomvula Mokonyane, IFP member and deputy minister of transport Mkhuleko Hlengwa, and Gauteng MEC for Social Development Faith Mazibuko. Sheldon Reddiar, Sacred Photos 'He belonged to all of us' In his deeply moving homily, Cardinal Brislin reflected on the extraordinary life and spiritual leadership of Pope Francis, describing him as 'a man of mercy, humility and unwavering faith.' 'Thank you for being with us this morning at such short notice,' the cardinal began. 'We gather not only to pray for Pope Francis but to give thanks for the many blessings God gave us through his life and papacy.' The cardinal emphasised Pope Francis' universal appeal and inclusive leadership, saying: Pope Francis belonged to all of us, not just the Catholic Church. We are grateful for the presence of leaders of civil society, interfaith groups, and political representatives. His was a voice for the voiceless. A life inspired by Saint Francis Brislin recalled the significance of the name Jorge Mario Bergoglio chose at the beginning of his pontificate: Francis, in honour of the 12th-century saint known for his humility, care for the poor and love of creation. These values, he said, would define the pope's own mission. 'Saint Francis expressed utter trust in God. Pope Francis lived those same values. From the beginning, he challenged global leaders, economists, and ordinary people alike to rethink their treatment of the vulnerable,' Cardinal Brislin said. He spoke movingly of Pope Francis' first pastoral visit in July 2013 to Lampedusa in Italy, where he mourned the plight of refugees. The cardinal added that the late pope called on nations to welcome, promote, accompany and integrate migrants. Yet, discrimination and scapegoating continue. Pope Francis did not look away—he walked with the marginalised. Mercy at the heart of the pope's message The homily highlighted the pope's unwavering message of compassion. 'Francis never condoned sin, nor did he seek to change doctrine,' Cardinal Brislin said. 'But he understood humanity's fragility. He often called himself a sinner in need of prayer. Mercy was at the heart of his papacy.' The Cardinal noted that despite criticism—even from within the Church—Pope Francis remained joyful, with his warm smile and humour as enduring trademarks. He was attacked, called a heretic and a populist, mostly from within the Church. But he did not waver. His teachings were simple yet profound—he spoke so everyone could understand. Cardinal Brislin addressed the criticism surrounding the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis' call for a more listening and discerning Church. 'Some thought the Synod was an abdication of leadership, but they misunderstood. Pope Francis reminded us: we must listen to the Holy Spirit and to each other. We are all Church—laity, priests, deacons, and bishops. Together, we share Christ's mission.' The cardinal also praised Pope Francis' courage in confronting global injustice. 'His voice rang out against war, violence and the arrogance of power. He called for dialogue and peace. He was not afraid to defend our common home, the Earth.' He also expressed deep gratitude for the pope's love of Africa. 'He visited some of the poorest and most conflict-ridden nations, always bringing a message of hope. His devotion to Our Lady was so profound that he asked to be buried, not in St Peter's, but at the Basilica of St Mary Major.' Cardinal Brislin concluded with words that encapsulated the late pope's life: Pope Francis believed in the ultimate victory of God's kingdom. He was weary of flattery. What mattered most to him was serving God through serving others—especially the most forgotten. A lasting impact on political and spiritual leaders At a press briefing following the Mass, Cardinal Brislin, president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, said before rushing for his flight to Rome: 'We join the Universal Church in mourning Pope Francis. We are deeply grateful to God for giving us such a strong, deeply spiritual leader, a man rooted in the teachings of Jesus Christ, grounded in the Gospel. His death came a day after he once again turned to the world to seek peace, a fitting final public message for a man whose papacy was defined by his tireless call to return to our humanity.' Mahlengi Bhengu-Motsiri described Pope Francis as 'a great icon of our times, someone who always stood for the voiceless. He highlighted Africa's struggles, spoke for refugees, and condemned global conflict. His legacy is a blueprint for all leaders—religious or political.' Mokonyane, a member of the St Anne Sodality, said: 'As Catholics, we were blessed to be led by Pope Francis. He taught us to embrace diversity and become a Church of the poor. His teachings will guide how I serve the Church, my community, and the Sodality.' Despite the solemn mood of this memorial Mass, Catholics around the world find comfort in the fact that Pope Francis passed away during the Easter Season — the heart of our Christian faith in the resurrection of Christ and the hope that he is now joyfully received by Jesus and his predecessors in heaven.
Eyewitness News
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Eyewitness News
Cardinal Stephen Brislin describes Francis as most abused Pope in modern era
JOHANNESBURG - Cardinal Stephen Brislin has described Pope Francis as the most abused Pope in the modern era. Francis died on Monday at the age of 88 after suffering a stroke. The late 266th leader of the Roman Catholic Church sparked both admiration and controversy during his 12-year papacy. While he was lauded by many as a reformer who pushed the church in a more progressive direction for addressing issues such as climate change, LGBTIQ+ inclusion and economic inequality, some conservative voices within the church accused the pope of straying from traditional Catholic doctrine. In remembrance of the catholic leader, the Cathedral of Christ the King held a memorial mass service in Johannesburg. To stray from old traditions or uphold them? Pope Francis walked a tightrope between reform and orthodoxy, challenging the church to evolve while striving to ensure that it remains anchored in its core teachings. [WATCH] Pope Francis mourned: Catholics reflect on legacy of beloved pontiff But this was not always welcomed, as explained by Cardinal Brislin, who was appointed to the position by the late Pope in 2023. "Francis was probably the pope who received the most abuse in the modern era, sadly, very often from within the catholic church rather than without." But Brislin stressed that the Francis' teachings were not a break from tradition but a return to the core message of Christianity – of compassion, inclusion and care for the marginalised.
eNCA
21-04-2025
- Politics
- eNCA
Catholics around the world honour 'Pope of firsts'
JOHANNESBURG - A wave of sadness has befallen the Catholic churches around the world as they mourn the death of Pope Francis who died at the age of 88. Archbishop of Johannesburg Cardinal Stephen Brislin says while his passing has left a devastating scare, they choose to be grateful of the leadership legacy he has left behind. "We are grateful for the leadership that he gave. From the impactful message of mercy, forgiveness, respect for human dignity and importance of social justice. All these were part of his teachings," he said. Brislin says he will remember the late Pope as a humble, simple and easy person to talk to. The Vatican confirmed the death a day after he made an appearance at Saint Peter's Square on Easter Sunday. The Pope was recently discharged from hospital where he was being treated for double pneumonia. He was released under strict conditions after at least two months of rest. Still, he appeared on the balcony of St Peter's Basilica on Sunday, to deliver his final blessing to the world. His final word emphasised the importance of freedom of thought and tolerance. Brislin explained that in light of the Popes passing Catholic churches will enter a period of moaning for the next nine days. To date in the old city of Jerusalem, the Vatican flag has been lowered. Meanwhile President Cyril Ramaphosa who has since expressed his condolences acknowledged Pope Francis as someone who advanced a world view of inclusion and equality, adding that the Pontiff made a profound commitment to making the Church and the world a better place for all of humanity.
