Friday, July 10th 2015 Established 1905 Georgetown, Guyana One Hundred Dollars ($100) Year 110, No.

26

Coming home to South

America, Pope Francis says
countries owe debt to poor

QUITO, Ecuador (CNS) -- Although still thousands of miles from his birthplace in Argentina, Pope Francis made a homecoming of
sorts July 5 when he landed in Ecuador,
greeted by cheering crowds and the sights
and sounds of South America.
After a 12-hour flight from Rome, the pope
participated in a brief welcoming ceremony
at Quito's Mariscal Sucre Airport, telling
government dignitaries, bishops and special
guests that his pastoral work before becoming
pope had taken him to Ecuador many times.
"Today, too, I have come as a witness of God's
mercy and of faith in Jesus Christ," he said.
Mercy and faith, he said, have shaped Latin
American culture for centuries, contributing
to democracy and improving the lives of
countless millions of people.
"In our own time, too, we can find in the
Gospel a key to meeting contemporary challenges," the pope said, including respecting
national, ethnic, religious and cultural differences and fostering dialogue.
The pope's visit followed a period of public
protests over Ecuadorean government policies. Initially triggered by proposed inheritance and capital gains taxes, the protests

also have targeted what even some of Ecuadorean President Rafael Correa's supporters
describe as his heavy-handed approach.
Christian values, the pope said, should motivate citizens to promote the full participation of all people in their nation's social,
political and economic life "so that the
growth in progress and development already registered will ensure a better future
for everyone, with particular concern for
the most vulnerable of our brothers and
sisters to whom Latin America still owes a
debt."
The program for the pope's July 5-12 tour of
Ecuador, Bolivia and Paraguay was punctuated with formal meetings with government
officials and with large public Masses, but it
also was filled with visits to the poor, the
sick and the elderly, and prisoners.
Pope Francis demonstrated his knowledge
of Ecuador and the country's geography
when expressing his hope for the nation.
"From the peak of Chimborazo to the Pacific
coast, from the Amazon rainforest to the
Galapagos Islands, may you never lose the
ability to thank God for what he has done
and is doing for you," the pope said.
(please turn to page 3)

INSIDE
Editorial: Curfew - p2
Letters to the Editor - p2
Old Rosignol Catholic Church being converted to children's educational centre- p3
T&T priest urges inclusivity for specialneeds Catholics - p4
The Case for Greece: When It Forgave
Germany's Debt- p4
A Christian Perspective on Social Issues - p4
Sunday Mass Readings - p5
Childrens Page - p6
AEC Bishops Sunday Scripture reflections - p7
Heythrop College announces closure - p8
Greek debt and the World- p9
Viewpoint: Passion - p11
Saint of the Week: Kateri Tekakwitha - p12

15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

He began to send them out

Bishops Engagements
From Saturday 11th - Monday 20th July
2015 I will join a contingent of fifteen
young people who will be representing
the Diocese at the AEC Youth Assembly in
Antiqua. Please pray for the group. In my
absence the Vicar General, Msgr. Terrence
Montrose, will see to matters on my behalf.

Francis Alleyne, OSB

222 South & Wellington Sts., Georgetown, Guyana Telephone: 226-2195 email: catholicstandardgy@gmail.com www.catholicstandard.webs.com

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

EDITORIAL
Curfew
We warmly welcome and wholeheartedly
support the decision by the authorities to
impose that 2.00am curfew on certain
entertainment activities across the country. In
fact we hope this is just a first step of a more
comprehensive plan to tackle the noise pollution which Guyanese have been of for years.
Hardly a week goes by without there being at
least one letter in the press from some part of
the country complaining about blaring, often
vulgar music usually affecting people on public
transport, in the safety and privacy of their
homes, in business places, in hospitals and
even places of worship. Recently we were told
of a church having to radically alter its program
for an Easter vigil service because of the relentless, deafening, bombardment coming from an
entertainment spot about one corner from the
place of worship.
Somewhat surprising too are the arguments by
some which say in effect that they have a right
to disturb entire neighborhoods with their music sets with up to a dozen speakers in some
cases. Little wonder that there have also been
several reports of violent incidents stemming
from disputes over decibel levels.
The law is clear. To create a public nuisance by
use of a noisy instrument is illegal. The enforcement of the law seems to be the problem.
However this is not just a legal matter. It involves respect for your fellow Guyanese and
the human rights of all citizens to enjoy undisturbed peace and rest especially at nights.
It is important to note too that many drivers
have complained that loud music in areas
where there is heavy traffic can be very dangerous as it makes concentrating difficult.
Not only can excessive noise cause us physical
harm but there is a spiritual or emotional
downside to it as well.
All of the worlds major religions stress the
importance of regular (please turn to page 10)

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Page 2

Son Chapman an example of where hatred, brutality can end

Dear Editor,
51 years have passed since that fateful day
when more than forty of Linden's own
were massacred on the Demerara River as
they travelled home on the Son Chapman
launch at 1600 hours on Monday, July 6,
1964.
It has been said that 'To live in hearts we
leave behind is not to die.' How very true!
The men, women, and children who died
on the Son Chapman 51 years ago live on
in the hearts and minds of their families
and friends, and the people of Linden.
Many of us alive today never knew the
men, women, and children of the Son
Chapman massacre. Yet, we remember
them and reflect on their experience because - by their deaths - we have an example of what hatred and brutality can lead
to...senseless loss of life and endless suffering.
Incidents such as the Son Chapman massacre and the July18 Tragedy of 2012 must

never again occur.

We must take the lessons taught by tragedies such as these to guide our actions in
the here and now. For our society to allow
such tragedies to reoccur would be indicative of our collective unwillingness to learn
and grow as a society.
Finally, the survivors of the Son Chapman 6 crewmen and 26 passengers - must also
be remembered for they represent God's
never ending mercy and the resilience of
the people of Linden.
This experience has made us stronger. The
people of Region 10 are known for staring
adversity in the face and overcoming. Together, we will continue to do so in the
years to come.
May God rest the souls of the men,
women and children of the Son Chapman.
And may God bless the people of Linden
and Region 10.
K. Sharma Solomon

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

Old Rosignol Catholic Church being

converted to children's educational centre

Page 3

Popes Intentions
Each month, the Pope releases
specific intentions for the World and
for Mission. Please pray for Pope
Francis intentions in July:

Politics:

That political responsibility may be

lived at all levels as a high form of
charity.

The Poor in Latin

America:

That, amid social inequalities, Latin

American Christians may bear witness
to love for the poor and contribute to
a more fraternal society.
By Leon Suseran
Something special is taking place behind the
shabby-looking exterior and surroundings of
the now closed Immaculate Heart of Mary
R.C. Parish Church at Rosignol Village, West
Bank Berbice. A spirited sister in Christ is
taking on the humongous task of converting
the old church into what would gradually
become an education centre for children in
the community.
Two weekends ago, Parish Priest of the
Church of the Ascension, Fr Michael Traher,
SFM and the Missionaries of Charity Sisters
attached to New Amsterdam visited the site.
They were amazed at the transformation
that has taken place on the old building as
well as its surroundings over the past
months by Ms. Jackie Isaacs.
The building is currently under transition
into a day care and summer school area for
children. This venture is being pioneered by
retired educator in the area, Jackie Isaacs.
Speaking to the Catholic Standard, Ms.
Isaacs has a broad and exciting vision for

converting the building into a day-care and

Summer Class spot. However, to make the
venture a successful one, she is still in need
of assistance from the general public to push
the venture and is calling for any assistance
possible. She can be contacted on telephone
# 675-0330.
So far she has received lots of assistance and
support in various ways especially too from
Vicar General, Msgr. Terrence Montrose.
Ms. Isaacs also wants to erect a signboard in
front of the yard to raise awareness about
what is going on in the building.
She has over three decades of experience
educating children and even has a little
bottom-house school where she lives, a
few blocks away.
Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB is expected to
also tour the site and share ideas too with
Sr. Isaacs shortly.
May God richly bless our sister as she strives
to work hard and use her skills to establish
such a learning centre at the church building

Coming home to South America, Pope

says countries owe debt to poor (From Front Page)
"May you never lose the ability to protect what is small and simple," he continued, "to care
for your children and your elderly, to have confidence in the young and to be constantly
struck by the nobility of your people and the singular beauty of your country."
"Ecuador loves life," Correa told the pope at the airport ceremony, noting that the constitution protects life from the moment of conception. "It establishes recognizing and
protecting the family as the basic core of society and commits us deeply to caring for 'our
common home,'" referring to the environment with the same words Pope Francis used in
his encyclical, "Laudato Si'."
Correa said Ecuador's was the "first constitution in the history of humanity to grant rights
to nature." Twenty percent of the country is protected in parks and reserves, Correa told
the pope.
Some environmental and human rights organizations in Ecuador have questioned Correa's
commitment to environmental safeguards, as conflicts have erupted over plans for openpit mining and expanded oil and gas exploration and production.
Walking the red carpet at the airport, Pope Francis was greeted by dozens of children and
young people dressed in a wide variety of traditional clothes. Correa told the pope that his

UPCOMING EVENTS
Saturday July 25th
Cathedral Parish Fair
The Cathedral Parish will host its Annual
Parish Fair on Saturday July 25th 2015
at 3:00 p.m. on the Parish Grounds,
Brickdam. Tickets cost $100 each.
All are invited to come and share in an
afternoon of fun and good family entertainment.

Please let us know of upcoming events

by emailing us at:
catholicstandardgy@gmail.com
under the heading Upcoming Events
or call 226-2195 .

country is culturally diverse, with a mixedrace majority, as well as 14 indigenous

peoples, including two nomadic groups that
continue to shun contact with the outside
world.
Correa said that "the great social sin of our
America is injustice. How can we call
ourselves the most Christian continent in
the world if we are also the most unequal,
when one of the most repeated signs of the
Gospel is sharing bread?"
During the flight from Rome, Pope Francis
only briefly addressed the 70 members of
the media traveling with him. He thanked
them for their work, which "can do so much
good." Instead of answering their questions
-- his practice usually only on flights back to
Rome -- he walked down one aisle of the
Alitalia plane and up the other, greeting
each person.

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

T&T priest urges inclusivity

for special-needs Catholics
Fr Dexter Brereton CSSp of Trinidad and
Tobago has urged inclusivity at the table of
the Lord, stressing that every human being
was created with tremendous dignity.
He made the call at a Mass for Catholic
families with special-needs members, celebrated at the chapel of Archbishop Joseph
Harris House on Sunday June 28th.
Every single human being was created in
the image and likeness of Almighty God,
said Fr Brereton, and moreover, is created
to have a relationship with God and a
relationship with other people. When
some members of the Catholic community,
like seven-year-old autistic Mathaeus,
could not attend Mass, somehow the
table is not complete, he added.
It was Mathaeus mother, Saira Joseph-La
Foucade, and Special Education teacher
Suzy de Verteuil who lobbied Archbishop
Joseph Harris for sensory-friendly
Masses in parishes. Archbishop Harris was
to celebrate the first such Mass but due to
illness Fr Brereton filled in for him.
Fr Brereton said Archbishop Harris was
very happy to be part of the initiative
where we create these Masses for the
sensory-challenged so everybody can sit
around the table of the Lord.
This is just what parents like Joseph-La
Foucade have been longing for.
She said Every time I go to church I would
go with my daughter Laila and I just felt so
incomplete not having him (Mathaeus).
Sometimes I would look at other children
and think my son cant be with me. This
Mass really makes it complete for me. I
always think if we cant be complete in
church, where can we be?
She continued: This Mass is for everyone
to come and feel welcome. We are complete in our Fathers house.
Autism is a neuro-developmental disorder
and this has prevented Mathaeus from
accompanying his family to Mass. Last
week Sunday was his first time since being
baptised.

Describing the pilot Mass as a mustard

seed being planted, she looked forward to
more sensory-friendly Masses. She said
about 15 families attended, including a
60-year-old man who is in the care of his
sister and mother.
The sensory-friendly Mass was no longer
than 45 minutes and the congregation was
asked to remain seated for most of the
liturgy to prevent the sensory-challenged
from becoming anxious. Also, no microphones were used, fewer hymns were sung
and only a guitar provided accompaniment.
Another difference was that the children
were allowed to move about and express
themselves freely, even on the altar and
throughout the grounds of Archbishops House.
The Mass was a first-time experience also
for 13-year-old Gareth Peake, who also has
autism. His mother RoseAnna said, When
my other children go to Mass he usually
comes to the door wanting to come, but I
could never take him it would distract
other people. So this is the first time he has
ever been to Mass. It was lovely for him.
Timitra Williams attended the Mass with
her husband Anthony and their four children, including three-year-old Salim, who
has Cerebral Palsy.
Williams said parents of special-needs
children sometimes got looks from
parishioners who did not understand the
childs condition and who were distracted
if the child was noisy. She explained that
sometimes her family sat in the back pews
because they had to get up and move
around a lot with Salim.
For us, having this support system
through a Mass is a fantastic idea which
definitely needs to be repeated. The idea
of going to different parishes makes sense
because it will create awareness within the
parish communities and it allows people to
integrate and to come to a place of understanding that these are parishioners too
just like the rest of us, Williams said.
(From Catholic News of Trinidad & Tobago)

The
Case
for
Greece:
When It Forgave Germany's Debt
Over the last few months, Jubilee USA
worked with Associated Press reporters on
developing stories around Greece and global
bankruptcy. A series of those stories featuring Jubilee USA, were released over the last
few days. Below you can read The Case for
Greece: When it forgave Germany's Debt
THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, LONDON
Forgiving debt, if done right, can get an
economy back on its feet. The International Monetary Fund certainly thinks so,
according to a new report in which it
argues Greece should get help.

But Germany, another major creditor to

Greece, is resisting, even though it knows
better than most what debt relief can
achieve. After the hell of World War II, the
Federal Republic of Germany commonly
known as West Germany got massive
help with its debt from former foes.
Among its creditors then? Greece.
The 1953 agreement, in which Greece and
about 20 other countries effectively wrote
off a large chunk of Germany's loans and
restructured the rest, is a landmark case
that shows how (please turn to page 9)

Page 4

A Christian Perspective on
Social Issues

That 2am
curfew was
overdue
By GHK Lall
I think that there are few who like a good oldfashioned Guyana gyaff more than me; a conversation about hard issues, philosophy, vision, and the like. There is camaraderie,
learning, humor. I also like music in most
genres, and at some volume.
These are integral parts of rites of passage,
maturing, and local culture. The major milestones - a new house, new car, new job, or a
funeral - are occasions for celebrating and
merriment. But for self and contemporaries,
it was never at the expense of other citizens.
First, there was never enough money to make
a gaudy splash, after all it was clean.
Second, there was no need for the wanton
exhibitionism of arrival, opulence, and selfimportance.
And third, unlike times past, todays merriment sometimes - way too many times - conceals the dark, the ugly, and the harrowing.
Among these are: financial, physical, mental,
and moral dissipation; physical and family
abuse; corrupt practices; and drunk driving
with all its associated felonies. Some will argue that having an earlier or later curfew
would not mean much regarding these societal ills; that it would not contribute to material change in the quantum of public socialization now chased underground.
But already, there are visible, palpable qualitative changes on Cummings Street, Carmichael Street, Camp Street, and lower Brickdam, to name a few of the more boisterous
watering hole vicinities.
In these areas residents were perpetually
plagued and tortured in the wee hours. And it
was in the wee-wee after hours (expremises) that the swaggering and uninhibited
put on exhibitions of coarse language, public
urination, and the detritus of their presence.
If only there is a curtailing and then cessation
of such obscenities the curfew would be
worthwhile.
A reduction in the earlier mentioned horrors
would be added incentive to tighten the
noose even further.
The rights of the few must not trample upon
the corresponding rights of the many. The
debauchery, multi-pronged pollutions, and
societal injuries of the past must go. The
same must be the fate of previous official
involvement at very high levels that were a
noticeable part of the swinging, splurging,
engorging, corrupting scene that laid low
many communities and citizens.
Many resisted seatbelts; it has proven beneficial. Many have a problem with anti-littering;
they will adjust. And so, too, it will be with
this long delayed, much needed 2 a.m. curfew. It is a start in restoring some degree of
decency and sanity to this society.

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

Sunday

Page 5

Scripture

July 12th 2015 - 15th Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B

FIRST READING
Amos 7:12-15
Go, prophesy to my people.
To Amos, Amaziah said, Go away, seer; get
back to the land of Judah; earn your bread
there, do your prophesying there. We want
no more prophesying in Bethel; this is the
royal sanctuary, the national temple. I
was no prophet, neither did I belong to any
of the brotherhood of prophets, Amos replied to Amaziah, I was a shepherd, and
looked after sycamores: but it was the Lord
who took me from herding the flock, and
the Lord who said, Go, prophesy to my
people.

SECOND READING
Ephesians 1:3-14 for his greater glory,
the people who would put their hopes in
Before the world was made, God chose us.
Christ before he came.
Blessed be God the Father of our Lord Jesus Now you too, in him,
Christ,
have heard the message of the truth and
who has blessed us with all the spiritual
the good news of your salvation,
blessings of heaven in Christ.
and have believed it:
Before the world was made, he chose us,
and you too have been stamped with the
chose us in Christ,
seal of the Holy Spirit of the
to be holy and spotless, and to live through Promise,
love in his presence,
the pledge of our inheritance
determining that we should become his
which brings freedom for those whom God
adopted sons, through Jesus Christ
has taken for his own,
for his own kind purposes,
to make his glory praised.
to make us praise the glory of his grace,
his free gift to us in the Beloved
in whom, through his blood, we gain our
freedom, the forgiveness of our sins.
Such is the richness of the grace
GOSPEL
Mark 6:7-13
RESPONSORIAL PSALM
Psalm 84 which he has showered on us
He
began
to
send
them
out.
Response: Let us see, O Lord, your mercy
in all wisdom and insight.
and give us your saving help.
He has let us know the mystery of his purJesus summoned the Twelve and began to
pose,
send them out in pairs giving them author1. I will hear what the Lord God has to say,
the hidden plan he so kindly made in Christ ity over the unclean spirits. And he
a voice that speaks of peace,
from the beginning
instructed them to take nothing for the
peace for his people.
to act upon when the times had run their
journey except a staff no bread, no
His help is near for those who fear him
course to the end:
haversack, no coppers for their purses.
and his glory will dwell in our land. Resp.
that he would bring everything together
There were to wear sandals but, he added,
2. Mercy and faithfulness have met;
under Christ, as head,
Do not take a spare tunic. And he said to
justice and peace have embraced.
everything in the heavens and everything
them, If you enter a house anywhere, stay
Faithfulness shall spring from the earth
on earth.
there until you leave the district. And if any
and justice look down from heaven. Resp.
place does not welcome you and people
And it is in him that we were claimed as
3. The Lord will make us prosper
refuse to listen to you, as you walk away
Gods own,
and our earth shall yield its fruit.
shake off the dust from under your feet as a
chosen from the beginning,
Justice shall march before him
sign to them. So they set off to preach
under the predetermined plan of the one
and peace shall follow his steps. Response who guides all things
repentance; and they cast out many devils,
and anointed many sick people with oil and
as he decides by his own will;
cured them.
chosen to be,

M
By: The Diocesan Stewardship
Council of Guyana
Visit us on Facebook
http://tinyurl.com/guyanastewardship

ost scholars are of the

opinion that St. Paul wrote his
letter to the Ephesians while
he was imprisoned in Rome.
Those who study Sacred Scripture find this
letter different from most of Pauls letters,
as rather than addressing particular problems which may have arisen in a Christian
community established by Paul, it develops
a theology, an explanation of what it
means to be a Christian.
At the end of this particular reading, Paul
makes reference to two important aspects
of our faith and of our beliefs. St. Paul tells
us that we have believed in him (Jesus)
and that we are sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. Believing in Jesus, in His

promises, in His redemption of us, is at the

core of everything we do. This trust, this
belief, is what allows us to take the steps
needed to follow Him, to be His disciple,
and to practice a stewardship way of living.
Note that we believe first, however, and
then we are sealed. Yes, we are sealed at
Baptism and at Confirmation as those
represent our promises to the Lord. We do
not need some assurance from God as to
His good graces. By believing, by having
faith and trust, we are able to be Christs
representative. It is worth recalling and
repeating that well-known quote from
St. Thomas Aquinas: To one who has faith,
no explanation is necessary; to one without
faith, no explanation is possible.
[From: http://www.thecatholicsteward.com ]

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

Childrens Page
Dear Girls and Boys,
When he was on the earth, Jesus traveled
around from village to village teaching, healing
people, and casting out demons. One day, he
called his twelve disciples to him and said, "I want
you to go out two by two. I am giving you all of the
authority you need to cast out evil spirits."
That sounds like a pretty big task, doesn't it?
That meant that they would have to travel from
town to town just as Jesus had been doing. I
imagine the disciples thought to themselves,
"Wow! I had better go home and start packing!"
But then Jesus gave them further instructions.
"Take nothing for your journey except a walking
stick -- no food, no traveler's bag, and no money.
You can wear sandals, but no extra clothing."
No food, no money, no extra clothes -- how
could the disciples possibly make this journey?
They found people who would welcome them
and they stayed with them in their homes.
These people fed them and gave them everything they needed for the journey. The Bible
tells us that the disciples went out telling everyone they met to repent of their sins and turn to
God. They also cast out many evil spirits and
they healed many sick people. In other words,
they did exactly what Jesus told them to do and
he gave them the power to do it.
Jesus told us to go and make disciples. Sometimes we delay following his command because
we think we aren't ready. If we would just go,
like the Twelve did, he would give us the ability
to share the Good News with others. What do
you think? Let's go!
Father, we know that many people need to hear
the Good News. Jesus has told us to go and
make disciples. Help us to be willing to go. In
Jesus' name we pray. Amen.

[Sources: http://www.sdc.me.uk , http://www.sermons4kids.com & http://www.salfordliturgy.org.uk ]

Page 6

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

Page 7

AEC BISHOPS SUNDAY SCRIPTURE MEDITATIONS

July 12th 2015, Fifteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time, Year B
Reflections for July are by Most Reverend it was the Lord who took me from herding
Gabriel Malzaire, Bishop of Roseau, the flock, and the Lord who said, "Go,
Dominica.
prophesy to my people Israel." Amos, therefore, epitomizes the prophetic role - he was
ear sisters and brothers in truly a mouthpiece of God.
Christ, the readings of this
15th Sunday of the Year A similar vocation is being cultivated in the
focus on the Church's disciples by Jesus in today's Gospel text.
missionary vocation. It is However, the focus of this version of the
very clear in all three texts, apostolic/prophetic call is the resistance to
albeit in different ways, that the Church the luring of material thing that could come
in the way of the word of God and its
exists for that very purpose.
mission. Worldly comfort, from Jesus' perThe call of Amos in the first reading is quite spective, should always be secondary to the
intriguing. It displays the extent to which salvation of souls. It seems to indicate that
the one who has been caught by God can go the effectiveness or efficacy of the word is
for the sake of His word. There is an obvious dependent of the lack of encumbrance in
fearlessness on the part of the prophet; the path of God's word. The text tells us
thus serving as a type or model for that by obeying the commission given them
prophetic calls. As we saw last week with by Christ "they set off to preach repentance;
Ezekiel, Paul and Jesus, their ministries were and they cast out many devils, and anointed
exercised in the midst of great opposition. many sick people with oil and cured them."
Amos' response to Amaziah is a clear indication that he believed himself to be a man on The second reading, which is one of my
a divine mission, and that nothing could favourite texts in the Pauline corpus, is
come in the way of that charge: "I was a most liberating in its evangelical thrust. Paul
shepherd, and looked after sycamores: but is affirming in Christians their place in the

scheme of God's predetermined plan;

meaning that no one is accidental. What a
privilege the Christian enjoys in knowing
that he/she was thought of by God from the
very beginning! However, that privilege
comes with a responsibility. It means that
this choice of God in our regard commissions us to be "the people who would put
their hope in Christ before he comes ...
bringing freedom for those whom God has
taken for his own to make his glory
praised."
If the glory of God is the mission of the
Church, then the words of St. Irenaeus,
which states that "the glory of God is the
human person fully alive" makes every reasonable and spiritual sense. Let us therefore
strive to do just that.
Heavenly Father, Lord of all prophets and
teachers; you called your Church and its
ministers to witness to your glory by a life
worthy of their vocation. Help us to emulate
the zeal of Amos, the conviction of Paul and
witness of Jesus your Son, who is Lord for
ever and even. Amen

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

400-year-old Jesuit-run Heythrop

College in UK announces closure

Heythrop College in London - where the vast

majority of Jesuit priests and brothers who
have worked in Guyana over the past 150
years were trained - has announced it is to
close as a higher education institution after
more than 400 years.

A statement last week following a governors meeting said: The college in its current form, as a constituent college of the
University of London, will come to an end in
2018, although its mission and work will
not.
The Jesuit-run institution, which specialises
in theology and philosophy, has been struggling with a budget shortfall following the
rise in student fees and increasing administration costs.
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Page 8

Laudato Si': On the Care of Our

Common Home
Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si' is a call for
global action as well as an appeal for deep inner
conversion. Each week, we will provide one of
the Pope's suggestions, with the paragraph
numbers to indicate their place in the Encyclical.

Do not give in to denial, indifference,

resignation, blind confidence in technical
solutions. (14, 59)

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

Page 9

Greek debt and the World

By Mike James

Mikejamesgy@gmail.com many is under $80 billion. When the reunification of West and East Germany took place
hould the rest of the world be con- at the end of the Cold War in 1990, the West
cerned about the outcome of the current Germany government exchanged worthless
crisis negotiations between Greece and East German for West Germany marks as
the rest of the European Union + IMF?
part of a massive bailout which is estimated
by the Wall Street Journal to have cost West
The case for Dont Worry
Germany between 1.5 and 2.5 trillion dol1. Greece is small by European standards. Its lars. German Chancellor Angela Merkel, her11 million population is only 2% of the EUs self from the former East Germany, is a ma500 million.
jor beneficiary of West German generosity
Its current government foreign debt of $360 to brothers and sisters in distress which has
billion is equivalent to US$33,000 per capita more than paid off for a united Germany,
and about 170% of its annual GDP. This is now the European powerhouse, and the
high in comparison with Guyana which, worlds fourth largest economy after, US,
following significant debt write off under the China and Japan. Similar European
Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPIC) generosity to Greek brothers and sisters in
initiation has averaged over the last five distress could provide huge dividends for a
years a foreign debt of $1.2 billion, equiva- stronger, more democratic and just Europe.
lent to about 60% of annual GDP.
The Case for Plenty Worry
However, Greeces foreign debt is far The Greek Prime minister Alexis Tsipras in
smaller than that of many developed coun- calling the referendum and for a No vote on
tries and way below the worlds most the donor conditions declared that these
indebted nation the US which owes $58,437 included measures that will further deper capita.
regulate the labour market, pension cuts,
2. Greece is still relatively well off. Despite and further reductions in public sector
the relatively harsh austerity programme of wagesas well as an increase in VAT on
the last 7 years its per capita income is cur- food, restaurants and tourism, These
rently estimated in the region of $20,000. proposals - which directly violate the
This compares very favourably with other fundamental rights to work, equality and
developing countries such as Guyana, dignity -- prove that certain partners and
$3,700 and Barbados, $16,000. Its standard members of the institutions are not interof living is still very much higher than its ested in reaching a viable and beneficial
neighbours such as Macedonia, GDP per agreement for all parties, but rather the
capita $10,000, Kosovo $7000, Alba- humiliation of the Greek people.
nia10,000 and Turkey, $15,000. Even with a Greece, the birthplace of democracy, should
chaotic exit from the Euro and from the send a resounding democratic message to
European Union, Greeks well still be much the European and global community he
better off than most.
concluded.
3. If Germany and the rest of Europe opt to The current Greek government was elected
give the Greeks the requested write off of in January and won a landslide referendum
30% of the debt and a 20 year grace period vote last Sunday on a platform calling for a
for the repayment of the rest, this will not radical change in the way that European and
be a huge strain on the wealthier countries world economics and politics are conducted.
of the EU. The total debt of Greece to Ger-

The major temptation facing the EU and the

world is that donor elites will insist in
defending the status quo of their domination of the world economy through IMF
traditional debt solutions, worsening the
gap between the worlds rich and poor,
including by the expulsion of Greece from
the Euro and the European union, as a
lesson to the world.
If this happens, the result could be a massive
European and world wide loss of confidence
in the international financial system, the
very opposite of what the economical powerful hope for, with a subsequent global
recession worse that the 2008 crisis that
followed the US government decision to let
the giant financial institution Lehman brothers go bankrupt. The whole world, including
developing nations like Guyana could face
major crisis.

Alternative
Last week Wednesday Pope Francis urged
prayers for Greece and its people, saying the
country was weathering a "keenly felt
human and social crisis."
Vatican spokesman Rev. Federico Lombardi
said in a statement that the dignity of
Greeks must be paramount in any decisions
that emerge from the crisis. He added: "The
Holy Father wishes to convey his closeness
to all the Greek people, with a special
thought for the many families gravely beset
by such a complex and keenly felt human
and social crisis."
Pope Francis himself in his homily in Quito
on Tuesday this week, urged Ecuadorians
and the world that we need to put an end to
exclusion of other in all its forms. He urged
that giving means not only material
response but the giving of self for others in
the example of Christ. The challenge to
other Europeans to solidarity with their
brothers and sisters in Greece is a challenge
to the world.

The Case for Greece: When It Forgave Germany's Debt

effective debt relief can be. It helped spark
what became known as the German
economic miracle.
So it's perhaps ironic that Germany is now
among the countries resisting Greece's
requests for debt relief.
Greek Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis
claims debt relief is the key issue that held
up a deal with creditors last week and says
he'd rather cut off his arm than sign
anything that doesn't tackle the country's
borrowings.
The IMF backed the call to make Greece's
debt manageable with a wide-ranging report on Thursday that also blames the Greek
government for being slow with reforms.
Despite years of budget cuts, Greece's debt
burden is higher than when its bailout began
in 2010 over 300 billion euros ($332

billion), or 180 percent of annual GDP

because the economy has shrunk by a quarter.
Here's a look at when Germany got debt
relief, and if such action might help Greece.
FORGIVE US OUR DEBTS
1953's London Agreement, hammered out
over months, was generous to West Germany. It cut the amount owed, extended
the repayment schedule and granted low
interest rates.
And crucially, it linked West Germany's debt
repayment schedule to its ability to pay
tying repayments to the trade surplus it was
running and expected to run. That created
an incentive for trading partners to buy
German goods.
The deal effectively blocked claims for
reparations for the destruction the Nazis
inflicted on others.

(From Page 4)

But it wasn't a one-way street.

"The London Agreement gave Germany
sweeping debt forgiveness and protection
from creditors, in exchange for pro-market
reforms," said Professor Albrecht Ritschl of
the London School of Economics.
West Germany was able to borrow on international markets again, and, free of onerous
debt payments, saw its economy grow
strongly.
Development activists cite that case when
arguing for easier terms for troubled countries today.
"The same opportunity should be given to
Greece that was given to Germany in 1953,"
said Eric LeCompte, executive director of
debt relief organization Jubilee USA.

CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

Page 10

Working with Catholic Indigenous students

By Maryann Brijlal, Volunteer at Catholic
Indigenous Students Union
It gives me upmost joy to share about my
involvement as volunteer in the ministry for
the Amerindian students of our nation. I
have been accompanying them for about a
year now.
It was joy for me to see these children
happy despite their struggles in a big city
like Georgetown. While I am always given
accolades from so many people, I feel I not
doing anything extraordinary but a simple
work for God through these children who
need our love and care. I have tried to
extend that love and care for these
children. I am grateful to God for the gift of
these lovely students in my life.
These children are far away from their parents and other family and yes they too have
challenges. What I have noticed about
some of them is that they learn from either
negative or positive experiences and because of this Leah and myself try to connect
with what they go through.
Being away from their families can make
them feel that they are abandoned. Over
the months the spectrum of emotions can
span from painful tragedy to ecstatic happiness, it is certainly an enormous privilege
when they continue to include me in their
lives.

Editorial: Curfew

One of the main activities they are involved

in is the freedom to express their emotions.
By doing this we are able to bring their
emotions into our worship services so helping them to become mature adults.
My favorite part of working with these children is not only to learn their culture but
also hearing from them about their villages,
schools and more.
Over the months Catholic Indigenous
Students took part in a number of activities
in the church and they are gearing up for a
few more.
Fr. Jerry Dias SJ, Leah and myself encourage
these children to be productive in both
school and Church as both their academic
and spiritual life are essential for their
holistic growth.
Our recent outing was to the Enmore Sugar
Estate and Packaging Plant where the
children were curious to know how
sugar was made and wanted to learn a little
more about the industry.
I would like to thank all those who are
supporting these children especially the
Jesuits, Mother Teresas sisters, Fr. Jerry
Dias and the other volunteers along with
the members of our community for welcoming them into the various parishes.

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(From Page 2)

periods of complete silence in our lives.

There's a passage in the Old Testament that Christians especially love to quote. It's
about "God in the gentle breeze!' That passage is about Elijah's encounter with God.
"There was a great wind, so strong that it was splitting mountains and breaking rocks in
pieces before God, but God was not in the wind; and after the wind an earthquake, but
God was not in the earthquake; and after the earthquake a fire, but God was not in the
fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle breeze. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his
face in his mantle..!' (I Kings 19:11-13).
God wasn't in the heart-pounding experiences. Instead God spoke in a gentle whisper,
"What are you doing here, Elijah?"--just a quiet question that cut Elijah to the bone.
God is a God of surprises. But if we expect to hear the gentle whisper of God, we must be
silent. We must quiet our lives, our voices, and our thoughts so that we can hear. Often
our inability to hear God is not about God's failure to speak but our failure to listen.

Viewpoint: Passion

(From Page 11)

being self proclaimed hot-tempered persons, to that of mature individuals, where reason
flourishes and flying into a rage is suppressed.
Many crimes including domestic violence and even murder emerge from situations
where talking and discussion problems may not be entertained. Some persons simply
refuse to listen or hear and will only respond brutishly. Persons can change and they
need to strive to curb bad traits such as being hot-tempered.
Those panting, hostile persons shouting and glaring are not suffering from any hereditary
disease.
They typify their own values and often can be considered as just lacking manners.
It is my view that we can curb feelings of passion and with mental strength choose a
path of peace, by suppressing fits of anger and passion, with its dangerous potential to
destroy happiness which we seek.

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CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

Page 11

PASSION
Viewpoint
by Vibert Parvatan
Your Soul is often times a battlefield, upon
which your reason and your judgement
wage war against your passion and your
appetite, would that I could be the peacemaker in your soul, that I might turn the
discord and the rivalry of your elements into
one-ness and melody. But how shall I,
unless you yourself be also the Peacemakers, nay, the lovers of all your elements. Your
reason and your passion are the rudder and
the sails of your seafaring soul.
KAHLIL GIBRAN
A calm voice in speaking in any circumstance; the ability to listen and in cases of
provocation to stay unruffled; and the humility to withdraw when attacked, reflect
those wonderful qualities of maturity, tolerance and peace.
Our world will certainly be a better place if
persons avoid conflict situations and suppress explosive emotions associated with
being hot tempered and easily angered.
The question of self-control often arises,
especially when we witness events which
sadly demonstrate the dangerous paths and
consequences of explosive tempers.
So many times we hear persons in their
quiet moments of reflection, admitting that
there are certain situations which make
them lose their temper.
In certain circumstances, their reactions are
a manifestation of hostility and aggression.
Reason takes flight, and there is no limit as
to what depths they may go to satisfy the
fury within.
The admission by some persons that they
are hot tempered, and may easily fly into
a passion given certain situations, seems
more a request for others to tolerate and
accommodate them it is also a sort of passive warning that others must beware, as
their anger and frenzy are a natural outflow.
So beware! Stay clear! Accept the outbursts,
threats, abuse and assaults, even be forgiving why? Why should this be? Because
they seek to have their outrageous anger

categorized as an inherent characteristic

and weakness of themselves. They suggest
that they are really good persons.
To my mind when an adult talks about lack
of self-control and/or demonstrates that it
is an admission of immaturity. Possibly related to impatience, lack of tolerance and
lack of manners. Those passionate people
are self-destructive and are their own enemies. They need to be censored, and be
held accountable. At all times for their aggression and hostility.
The uncontrolled temper surfaces in a variety of ways and causes psychological and
sometimes even physical injuries to the persons targeted. There are cases of parents
who in dealing with typical parental problems, demonstrate a total lack of reason.
Rather than examining and discussing the
issues and seeking to counsel, they simply
hit the roof. Children may then be insulted,
threatened and ambushed in a blaze of temper.
There are similar cases of husbands who
even in speculation and suspicion and
within discussion may violently assault their
wives in a temper. The explanation or excuse, may be that they lost their temper and
in that process, their reason rioted.
After the outbursts and in moments of apparent repentance, they automatically expect forgiveness, acceptance and restoration of normal relations.
Those who claim having that attitude to
anger easily need to look at themselves critically. What claim can those persons make
to being,
Human-being they are incapable of reasoning!
If their best approach to dealing with most
issues which surface is to explode, assault
and or abuse.
You and I may conclude that there are many
brutes in our society. You may certainly
recognize such persons. They need help to
lift themselves from (please turn to page 10)

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CATHOLIC STANDARD Friday, July 10th, 2015

Page 12

Confirmation at St. Pius X Saint of the Week

On Sunday June 28th Bishop Francis Alleyne OSB conferred the Sacrament of Confirmation on 9
young people of St. Pius X parish: Yolanda Benn, Dredae Blackman, Brian Henry, Marvin McLeod, Tia
Moore, Rashida Murray, Reginald Murray, Nicholas Narine & Petrola Todd (photo: Romeo Abrams)

Plaisance youth reflect on trust, team building

A group of youths from St John the Baptist Church, Plaisance last Sunday spent the day at
Marudi Creek, reflecting on team building and increasing trust among themselves and
with others. Fr Justin Prabhu SJ guided the group through the experience.

July 14: Saint Kateri Tekakwitha

Kateri was born near the town of Auriesville,
New York, in the year 1656, the daughter of
a Mohawk warrior. Kateri became converted
as a teenager. She was baptized at the age of
twenty and incurred the great hostility of her
tribe. Although she had to suffer greatly for
her Faith, she remained firm in it. Kateri
went to the new Christian colony of Indians
in Canada. Here she lived a life dedicated to
prayer, penitential practices, and care for the
sick and aged. Every morning, even in bitterest winter, she stood before the chapel door
until it opened at four and remained there
until after the last Mass. She was devoted to
the Eucharist and to Jesus Crucified. She died
on April 17, 1680 at the age of twenty-four.
She is known as the "Lily of the Mohawks".
St. Kateri Teckakwitha is the first Native
American to be declared a Saint. She is the
patroness of the environment and ecology as
is St. Francis of Assisi.

On the Lighter Side

Working with Catholic Indigenous students

Students on a recent outing to the Enmore Sugar Estate (please see article on page 10)
Published by the Catholic Standard Ltd. 222 South & Wellington Sts., Lacytown, Georgetown Telephone: 226 -2195 email: catholicstandardgy@gmail.com