Sunday, March 29, 2020

CORONAVIRUS ANOINTING OF THE SICK SERVICE IF YOU ARE ILL OR CARING FOR THE SERIOUSLY ILL



IF YOU ARE ILL, HERE IS THE ANOINTING OF THE SICK SERVICE.  In this time of illness, we have the comfort that we can turn to Jesus Christ. The Saviour was moved by our suffering on earth. Now at this time of Coronavirus, many are called to share in Christ's ministry of compassion and healing. The risen Lord has left us the sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick to comfort us in illness, and at times, give us healing. St James recommended that if any among us is sick, to call for the elders of the church and let them pray over us.

The reality is that the Coronavirus has resulted in the lockdown of many churches; priests are unable to go out and minister. Too, due to the danger of passing on the virus, the anointing of the sick with oil is difficult.

So, if you are ill or caring for those who are ill, and do not have the ability to call upon a priest during lockdown, here is a sacrament of anointing of the sick prayer you may use:

If you are ill, pray the following:
"Heavenly Father, giver of life and salvation, 
sanctify my life and grant healing to your sick. 
Grant that I may receive this sacrament of the sick in faith and repentance
and may be made whole, by the power of the Holy Spirit,
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, Amen."

Make your confession silently to God
Pray the act of contrition:
"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You,
and I detest my sins most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Your Grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin."
You may visit the Chapel of Repentance:

If you wish to give your life to Jesus Christ, visit the Chapel at the following link:

If you wish to be baptised, and are unable to receive baptism due to current lockdown restrictions, you may undergo the baptism of desire. Pray the following prayer:
"Our Lord Jesus Christ has told us
that to enter the kingdom of heaven,
we must be born again of water and the Spirit; 
and has given us baptism as the sign and seal of this new birth.
Here let me be washed by the Holy Spirit and made clean:
Here let me be clothed with Christ,
dying to sin that I may live His risen life;
As child of God, I have a new dignity
and God calls me to fullness of life.
Dear God, I pray for the baptism of desire,
I pray You grant this baptism to me. Amen."

If you are administering spiritual comfort of the sick in this time of illness in the absence of a priest, pray the following over the ill person;
"Heavenly Father, giver of life and salvation,
sanctify (here put in the person or persons name or names) life (or lives).
Grant that those who in faith and repentance
receive this ministry
may, by the power of the Holy Spirit, be made whole;
through our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Amen."

Then pray:
"May our heavenly Father grant you
the inward anointing of the Holy Spirit;
of His great mercy release you from suffering,
and restore you to wholeness and strength.
May He deliver you from all evil,
preserve you in all goodness,
and keep you to eternal life:
through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen."

If you feel you are soon to go to God, pray the act of contrition to prepare your soul for heaven:
"O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended You,
and I detest my sins most of all because they offend You, my God, Who are all-good and deserving of all my love. 
I firmly resolve, with the help of Your Grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin."


If you see that someone for whom you are caring has gone to God, pray the following:
"Eternal rest grant unto him (or her), O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon him (or her);
May he (or she) rest in peace,
Amen."

Prayer for a group of people who have gone to the Lord:
"Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord,
and let perpetual light shine upon them.
May they rest in peace,
Amen."

PRAYER IN TIME OF SICKNESS


LORD, YOU ARE THE HEALER. You heal people of sickness and affliction through Your love and compassion. Visit me, Lord, and grant me strength to bear this sickness which I suffer. Grant me patience, submission to Your will and trust in Your loving care. I pray that You will bless the means used for my recovery and those who administer them. Grant that my sickness may be to my spiritual benefit.

Merciful Lord, the true comfort and hope of those who suffer, I entreat that You accept the prayers which I offer to You. I offer my sufferings in union with Your sufferings on the cross, for the conversion of sinners, for the forgiveness of sins, in reparation for sins and for the salvation of souls.

Grant that this sickness which I suffer may bring me closer to You. You are the Lord of life and health. You alone can raise me up from my bed of sickness. I thus turn to You with a humble heart and a repentant spirit. My Lord, have mercy on me. I ask that my sins be forgiven. My health is in Your hands. You need say only the word and I will get well again. Yet let Your will, not mine be done. You know best what leads to my health and my eternal salvation.

I thank You for the many blessings You have bestowed on me during my life. I ask that I be healed, if this is Your will. I ask for the courage and humility to bear my illness with grace and dignity, if it is to remain with me. Whatever befall in this instance, I bless and glorify Your name, Merciful Lord.

Amen.

Friday, March 27, 2020

HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS GIVES URBI ET ORBI BLESSING DURING CORONAVIRUS; ALLEGED NEWS



THE CROSS IS OUR HOPE; POPE FRANCIS GIVES URBI ET ORBI BLESSING DURING CORONAVIRUS; ALLEGED NEWS. [1] On Friday, before an empty and rain-covered St Peter's Square, His Holiness Pope Francis held Eucharistic adoration and gave an extraordinary Urbi et Orbi blessing, praying for the world during the coronavirus pandemic; Alleged News. [1]

Holy Hour
The holy hour March 27 included Gospel reading and a meditation by the pontiff, who spoke about faith and trust in God during a time when people fear for their lives, as did the disciples when their boat was caught in a violent storm; Alleged News. [1]

"We have an anchor; by His Cross we have been saved. We  have a rudder; by His Cross we have been redeemed. We have a hope; by His Cross we have been healed and embraced so that nothing and no-one can separate us from His redeeming love," said Pope Francis; Alleged News. [1]

Crucifix
Present nearby as the Holy Father held Eucharistic adoration was a miraculous crucifix which the Pope visited March 15 to pray for an end to the coronavirus pandemic; Alleged News. [1] The crucifix, which usually hangs in San Marcello al Corso, was venerated as miraculous by Romans after it was the only religious image to survive unscathed from a fire which gutted the church on May 23, 1519; Alleged News. [1]

Marian icon
Also present was a Byzantine icon of Mary as Salus Populi Romani, which was venerated during the prayer; Alleged News. [1] At the conclusion of the prayer, the Holy Father gave an extraordinaty Urbi et Orbi blessing, and gave benediction with the Blessed Sacrament while the bells of the basilica rang; Alleged News. [1]

Plenary indulgence
The extraordinary Urbi et Orbi included the opportunity for Catholics to receive a plenary indulgence by joining via the media, praying for the intentions of the Pope, and having perfect contrition, as well as the will to receive sacramental confession and the Eucharist as soon as possible; Alleged News. [1]

[1] The cross is our hope: Pope give Urbi et Orbi blessing during coronavirus; Alleged News

With thanks to catholicnewsagency.com and youtube



A CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT BY LUMIERE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ALL AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS


A CANDLE HAS BEEN LIT BY LUMIERE IN REMEMBRANCE OF ALL AFFECTED BY CORONAVIRUS. OUR THOUGHTS ARE WITH ALL WHO ARE SUFFERING; FOR ALL WHO HAVE LOST THEIR LIVES, FOR THEIR CARERS, FAMILIES, COLLEAGUES AND FRIENDS.

St Michael the Archangel has for centuries been acclaimed as great healer during plagues and epidemics. Why not pray the Novena to St Michael?

NOVENA TO ST MICHAEL
This Novena is to be recited for nine consecutive days


NOVENA
INTENTION:
"O Archangel Michael, intercede for me for the particular intention that I humbly present to you. [Here tell him of your particular need].
Please bring my petition before the Throne of God, that it may be granted to me if it conforms to the Holy Will of God.

PRAYER
O Jesus, splendour and power of the Father! O Jesus, life of our hearts, we praise You in union with all Angels, who ceaselessly serve You and adore You.
Uncountable celestial spirits surround Your Throne. Among them You have elected Saint Michael as Prince of Princes among the celestial hosts.
Saint Michael is the Protector of the Church of God upon earth. It is Michael whom You chose as Guardian of the Blessed Sacrament.
Michael is the Glorious Prince of the heaveny armies as their triumph over the powers of hell.
Michael hurled proud lucifer into the depths and fought the evil and rebellious spirits who fled Heaven, never to return.

With deep humility and sincere love for God, let us follow the example of our invincible Prince of Angels who battles against the master of pride, so that we too may be worthy to receive the crown of glory in Heaven.

THE FIRST GRACE
O Saint Michael the Archangel, we ask you, together with the Prince of Seraphims, to light up our hearts with perfect love so that, through you, we may leave far behind the false flattery of the world's pleasures.

Our Father
Our Father Who art in Heaven,
Hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy Will be done,
One earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
And forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those who trespass against us.
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil, 
Amen.

Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel
Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in the hour of battle.
Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil.
May God restrain him we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly host, by the power of God thrust down into hell satan and all the other wicked spirits who wander through the world seeking the ruin of souls, Amen.

THE SECOND GRACE
O Prince of the Celestial Jerusalem, you have proven victorious over satan.
We humbly ask you, together with the Prince of Cherubims, to protect us especially when we are tempted by the enemy.

The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]

Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]

THE THIRD GRACE
We beseech you, O invincible Custodian of Heaven, that, together with the Prince of Thrones, you will allow neither evil spirits nor infirmity to oppress us. 

The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]

Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]

THE FOURTH GRACE
In humility, we beseech you, Leader of the Celestial Court, together with the Prince of Dominions, to defend the People of God on earth. 
Grant us strength and devotion to God in our daily journey, and glory in Heaven.

The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]

Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]

THE FIFTH GRACE
O Archangel, we beseech you, together with the Prince of Virtues, that you may deliver us, your servants, from the hands of our enemies - both visible and invisible.
Deliver us, our families, our city and our nation from false witnesses, division, hunger, hate, moral decadence, war and natural disasters.

The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]

Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]

THE SIXTH GRACE
We implore you, O Glorious Prince of the Heavenly Armies, together with the Prince of Powers, to look at our necessities with love.
Pray for our nation, and in particular our city, granting that our political leaders may always work toward peace, justice and concord.

The Our Father [see First Grace for full pryaer]

Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]

THE SEVENTH GRACE
We ask of you, O Prince of Angels, together with the Prince of Principalities, to deliver us, your servants, our city and our nation from physical and, above all, spiritual illness.

The Our Father [see First Grace for full  prayer]

Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]

THE EIGHTH GRACE
We beseech you, O Prince of Angels, with the Archangels and all the choirs of Angels, to watch over us during our lifetime and at the hour of our death.
Assist us at our last moments, so that, under your protection, victorious over satan, we may come to the joy of God's Presence in heaven and glorify Him with you and all the angels.

The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]

Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]

THE NINTH GRACE
Finally, we ask you, O Glorious Prince and Defender of the People of God on earth, together with all choirs of angels, to care for and assist those who are particularly devoted to you.
Assist us, our families and all those we carry in our heart, so that under your protection, we may share with you the contemplation of God forever and ever, Amen.

The Our Father [see First Grace for full prayer]

Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel [see First Grace for full prayer]

ACT OF CONSECRATION TO ST MICHAEL
O Saint Michael the Archangel, most noble Prince of the Angelic Hierarchies, valorous Warrior of Almighty God, and eternally loving and faithful to the Most High.
Desiring to be numbered among your devoted servants, I offer and consecrate myself to you.
I place myself, my family, my friends, my work, and all I possess under your most powerful protection.
I entreat you to gaze with favourable eye, at the heartfelt affection with which this offering is made.
Fom this day onward, I place myself under your holy patronage. Please grant me assistance throughout all my life, and procure for me from the Holy Throne of God the pardon of my many sins.
I ardently desire the grace to love God, Jesus our Saviour andour Mother Mary with all my heart.
Obtain for me the help necessary to arrive at my crown of glory.
Defend me always from my spiritual enemies, particularly in the last moments of my life.
Come, O Glorious Prince, to assist me in my last moments.
With your power, cast far from me into banishment that prevaricator and proud angel that you prostrated in the celestial battle.
Saint Michael, defend us in our daily battles to that we may not perish at the Last Judgement, Amen.

The Invocation of Saint Michael the Archangel ws given to us by holy Pope Leo XIII


Sunday, March 15, 2020

SOUTH AFRICA; ZULU KING OPPOSES COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION [CSE] PROGRAMME; ALLEGED NEWS



SOUTH AFRICA; KING GOODWILL ZWELITHINI STOOD UP FOR TRADITIONAL VALUES AS HE OPPOSED THE NEW COMPREHENSIVE SEXUALITY EDUCATION [CSE] PROGRAMME; ALLEGED NEWS. [1] At the official opening of the KwaZulu-Natal legislature on 3 March 2020, the Zulu monarch expressed his disapproval: "Schools will be able to teach our children about sex - oral sex, masturbation - without the permission of parents. I have seen the illustrations and it is disgusting," he said; Alleged News. [1]

Uncultural and anti-Christ
The King went on to say, "Honourable members, I get teary when I think of this. It is disgusting. This is not what our culture teaches and it is anti-Christ,"  Alleged News. [1] The department of basic education announced a pilot of the comprehensive sexuality education [CSE] programme which is expected to be trialed this year at selected schools, Alleged News. [1] King Zweleithini believes the decision to include sexual education in the curriculum is undemocratic; Alleged News. [1] The King said he was not against empowering children through sexual education but did not approve of this approach; Alleged News. [1] "We can't put our heads in the sand - we know children must be empowerd with information for their safety, but this programme will not have good results," Alleged News. [1] 

President Cyril Ramaphosa
King Zwelethini said he had created a platform that would enable all stakeholders in the matter to contribute to the content of the curriculum; Alleged News. [1] "I have started consulting education experts on this. We want a consultative way that is open even for parents to be able to have a say," Alleged New. [1] The monarch called on parents, religious leaders and teachers to consider the proposal, which he plans to take to President Cyril Ramaphosa, on how the subject can best be tackled; Alleged News. [1]

Protests continue to sweep the country 
Protest by African Christian Democratic Party
The African Christian Democratic Party [ACDP] took a strong stand against the comprehensive sexuality education programme [CSE] during a protest march held in Pretoria; Alleged News. [2] "Not on our watch!" Bishop Dalton Adams, ACDP member of parliament, said to a large group of protesters in front of the department of basic education's offices in Pretoria in August 2019, Alleged News. [2]  Bishop Adams said at the protest that the ACDP strongly opposes the new, controversial education programme as it goes against core family values the party wants to protect: Alleged News. [2] The top leadership of the ACDP, including the president, Reverend Kenneth Meshoe, attended the march and walked with children and their concerned parents from Madiba Street to the parliament offices; Alleged News. [2] 

ACDP Western Cape leader, Ferlon Christians, chanted with protesters, "Hands off our children!" and "We will not stop until this is scrapped!" Alleged News. [2]

ACDP Deputy President, Councillor Wayne Thring, said the new CSE was anti-God and anti-children, Alleged News. [2]



Protest march to Department of Basic Education
A protest march to the department of basic education took place in Pretoria: Alleged News. [3] The protest march, organized by Pastor Daniel Phaladi, saw protesters taking robust exception to the CSE programme. [3]

Parents Protest
In February 2020 parents took to Mandela Drive and Nita Street intersection in Witbank in order to protest against the comprehensive sexuality education [CSE] implemented by the department of basic education at schools: Alleged News. [4]

Online petitions
Many parents have shared their disagreements regarding CSE using #LeaveOurKidsAlone and #LOKA on social media; Alleged News. [4]

King Goodwill Zwelithini
These protests are the tip of the iceberg. Now King Goodwill Zwelithini has voiced his disgust at the comprehensive sexuality education programme, Alleged News. [1]

CSE Programme unacceptable in South Africa
Freedom of Religion South Africa [FORSA] recently met with the department of basic education [DBE] to discuss various questions and concerns regarding the proposed implementation of comprehensive sexuality education [CSE] in South African schools: Alleged News. [5] CSE has been in the spotlight following a recent article in the Sunday Times which quoted sex therapist Dr Marlene Wasserman (Dr Eve); Alleged News. [5] 
The article stated that textbooks for pupils in grades 4 to 12 will reflect a cutting edge curriculum approach that treats masturbation, sexual consent, gender nonconformity and single-parent families as mainstream; Alleged News. [5] 
The article resulted in a massive public outcry from parents and protest from the teachers union SAUO, who said they had not been consulted in this regard; Alleged News. [5] 
The DBE subsequently distanced itself from this media report, but did confirm that it is busy reviewing the Life Skills (primary schools) and Life Orientation (high school) curricula to include CSE components; Alleged News. [5] 

The purpose of FOR SA's meeting with the DBE was to obtain clarity on the content that learners will be exposed to, and in particular also to discuss the rights of parents who do not want their children to be exposed to content that conflict with their own moral values and beliefs; Alleged News. [5] 


WHY NOT SIGN THE PETITION
At the time of publishing this blog post, 151 949 people had signed the petition, "Stop CSE in South African schools". Why not sign the petition?
https://citizengo.org/en/fm/35997-stop-cse-south-african-schools



[1] Zimasa Matiwane. "Sexual education at schools disgusting", Alleged News, Sowetan; Wednesday March 4 2020
[2] ACDP leaders, parents, take strong stand against CSE during Pretoria protest march; Alleged News 
https://gatewaynews.co.za/acdp-leaders-parents-take-strong-stand-against-cse-during-pretoria-protest-march/
[3]Stop CSE Protest March - Department of Basic Education; Alleged News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_M6mxUj2_fU
[4] Witbank News: Video: Parents protest against sex education; Alleged News
https://witbanknews.co.za/145745/videoparents-protest-sex-education/
[5] Daniela Ellerbeck. Joy!News. "Update: Comprehensive sexuality education (CSE) in South Africa," Alleged News.  March 15, 2020
https://joynews.co.za/update-comprehensive-sexuality-education-cse-in-south-africa/

Stop CSE in South African Schools
https://citizengo.org/en/fm/35997-stop-cse-south-african-schools

With thanks to youtube, Sowetan, gatewaynews.co.za, witbanknews.co.za, joynews.co.za and citizengo.org

Saturday, March 7, 2020

FATHER NORBERT JANSEN AND THE RISE OF THE THEOLOGICAL EDUCATION BY EXTENSION COLLEGE IN SOUTHERN AFRICA: PART THREE


Father Norbert Jansen

Fr Norbert Jansen and the rise of the TEEC in Southern Africa
Part Three

Part One can be found at the following link:

Part Two can be found at the following link:


Dominican spirit of ecumenism
In the light of the shape and tenor of Catholic theology after the 1545 – 1563 AD Council of Trent, the theology of Vatican Council II was revolutionary.  The perspective of the Council of Trent had been the church as institution, a bulwark against counter-reformation. A central concern of the second Vatican Council was the development of a new theology of the church. The Council’s perspective was of the church as the People of God, a community of equals by virtue of baptism.  [1]  The Council declared that in addition to spiritual formation, a solid doctrinal instruction in theology, ethics, and philosophy adjusted to differences of age, status, and natural talents, is required as on-going formation for laity. Furthermore, the importance of general culture along with practical and technical formation was emphasized. The implication thus was that theology and theological education should be open not only to clerics, but to everyone in the church. [2]

Church emphasis thus moved from that of the church militant and triumphant to the church as the People of God in close relationship with the Divine. Moreover, the Council document “Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation” (Dei Verbum), emphasized development of post-conciliar theological education - thus moving from propositional understanding of God’s Revelation towards a more relational one. Dei Verbum encouraged the study of the holy fathers of both East and West and of sacred liturgies.  The Council document declared that the Church taught by the Holy Spirit is concerned to move ahead towards deeper understanding of the sacred scriptures so that she may increasingly feed her children with the divine words. Catholic exegetes and other students of sacred theology were counselled to work diligently together and devote their energies to exploration and exposition of the divine writings. In this way as many ministers of the divine word as possible would be able effectively to provide the nourishment of the scriptures for the people of God, in order to enlighten their minds, strengthen their wills, and set hearts on fire with the love of God.  [3]

Bishop van Velsen - himself an active participant in the Second  Ecumenical  Council -  and Fr Jansen embraced the second Vatican Council documents and their relevance regarding theological education and ecumenism. In 1967 Fr Jansen was appointed liaison officer with the National Committee for ecumenical affairs. Fr Jansen - active in bringing together multi-denominational and multi-cultural groups - wrote extensively regarding ecumenical issues. In 1968 he wrote that the thaw in the Catholic Church since the Vatican Council had come as a sign of hope to many both inside and outside the church. [4]   Fr Jansen considered that over the previous four centuries the Catholic Church had entrenched herself in a vast citadel. According to Fr Jansen, one of the four facets of this entrenchment was the making of ecumenical efforts almost impossible. [5]   The endeavours by Fr Jansen and Bishop van Velsen opened dialogue on many ecumenical fronts. The thaw in interdenominational relationships set the compass for a day when the prayer of Christ to the Father would be answered, “I pray that they will all be one, just as You and I are one – as You are in Me, Father, and I am in You. May they also be in Us, so that the world may believe that You sent Me”. [6]

Ecumenical development 1970 to 1976
In 1970 Fr Jansen stepped down as editor. He was replaced by a Dutch friar, Fr Louis Peters, at the time a staff member of St Peter’s Seminary Hammanskraal. A new editorial board was constituted with the participation - for the first time in the history of the course - of Anglican Church representatives. In the beginning of 1971 Fr Peters initiated a new course with an enrolment of 500 students. A pool of writers added substantially to the content of the course. At the end of the same year, the editorial team organized a summer school during which course themes were introduced to the participants and discussed in groups. The ecumenical multi-cultural event counted some sixty-five clerics, sisters and laity. [7]  Similar winter and summer schools were held in subsequent years. The course began to be used by Anglicans for training candidates to the auxiliary ministry. Other churches were now beginning to show interest.

Inception of TEE College in Southern Africa
After extensive consultation in 1976, a new body was constituted, the Theological Education by Extension College (TEEC). The brief of the College was to develop a theology course by correspondence and local tutorials in South Africa and neighbouring countries in an ecumenical perspective. [8]  The rise of the Theological Education by Extension College in South Africa thus had Dominican origins, directly stemming from the vision of Bishop van Velsen, Fathers Jansen, Peters and the Dominican friars.

The Order of Friars Preachers (Dominicans) was founded by Saint Dominic, a Castilian priest who received formal sanction of his order in 1216 from Pope Honorius II. [9] St Dominic’s design for an order devoted to preaching showed characteristic concern for the theological formation of his men. The mendicant order’s universal mission of preaching, a centralized organization and government, and great emphasis on scholarship is the tradition which Bishop van Velsen, Fathers Jansen, Peters and the Dutch friars brought to the origins of the theology correspondence course. The handing over of the correspondence course based on the new theology brought Fr Jansen’s vision to fruition. Ministry was no longer the preserve of a small elite, but the function of the whole people of God. Ecumenical theological education now addressed the task of equipping the entire Christian community for a diversity of ministries in the one Church of Christ. 

The Theological Education by Extension College Southern Africa thereafter developed to become one of the most successful TEE programmes in Africa. [10]   The College is recognized as a major player in the delivery of theological education in Southern Africa. [11]  Past and present members of TEE College have included the Catholic Church, Church of the Province of Southern Africa, Evangelical Lutheran Churches of Southern Africa, Methodist Church of Southern Africa, the South African Council for Theological Education, United Congregation Church of Southern Africa, Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa, Salvation Army,  Khanya AIC Theological Training and Research Institute.  Member churches extend to the countries of South Africa, Lesotho, Swaziland, Zimbabwe and Namibia.

The numbers of TEEC Southern Africa students over the years have been substantial. Between 1977-1997 alone, the total enrolment of TEE students within the College numbered 17,666. [12]   Not only have students graduated in considerable numbers from the College; the number of denominations from which students are drawn were twenty-eight in total by 2019.  [13]

The vast array of courses offered over the years by TEEC Southern Africa have included short courses designed for parish groups, a bridging course, award in theology, a certificate in theology and a Joint Board diploma in theology. The TEEC programme inclusive of diploma level is recognized by many universities in Southern Africa. [14]   The College currently offers a bachelor of theology degree, a diploma in theology, a higher certificate in theology as well as higher certificates in Christian leadership and management, Christian proclamation, Christian worship and pastoral care. [15]   Since 1976, courses offered by the College with subjects such as Old Testament, New Testament, systematic theology, church history, ethics, worship, healing and counselling, Christian spirituality, doctrines, pastoral studies, preaching, ethics of economic life, missiology and women’s studies have educated students from all walks of life.  In 1984 courses were available in English, Afrikaans, Northern Sotho, Southern Sotho, Tswana, Xhosa and Zulu languages. [16]
From 1976 onwards the Theological Education by Extension College has afforded the highest quality theological education for ordinands, those requiring refresher courses and laity wishful to grow in knowledge and love of God and service of their fellows. [17]

Conclusion
The role of Gerardus (Reverend FatherNorbertus) Jansen regarding the rise of theological education by extension in Southern Africa was thus a pivotal one. His vision that theology would move from being the preserve of experts to become the property of all has been fully realized. Religious education in Southern Africa and distant regions has become accessible to urban and rural peoples of all cultures and walks of life. Multiple denominations have collaborated together resultant to Jansen’s endeavours in the fields of theological education by extension and ecumenism. Jansen’s vision of the revelation of God explained in terms of a philosophy both contemporary and living among our people is now a living reality. He was a man of humility whose vision was challenged at times by critics of his writings. [18]  Yet Fr Jansen’s theology allied with his ecumenical approach changed the face of religious education in Southern Africa and further afield forever.  

[1] Pope Paul VI, promulgation, Dogmatic Constitution on the Church Lumen Gentium. Chapter IV number 31. 21 November 1964, and Pope Paul VI, promulgation. Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity Apostolicam Actuositatem. Chapter I number 2, 18 November 1963
[2] Pope Paul VI, promulgation. Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity Apostolicam Actuositatem. Chapter VI number 29, 18 November 1963
[3] Pope Paul VI, promulgation. Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation Dei Verbum. Chapter VI. 18 November 1965
[4] Pro Veritate, Christian Monthly for Southern Africa, Vol VII no 2. The Secularisation of the Church, A Catholic priest looks at his Church. June 15 1968, 6-7
[5] Pro Veritate, Christian Monthly for Southern Africa, Vol VII no 2. The Secularisation of the Church, A Catholic priest looks at his Church. June 15 1968, 6-7
[6] John 17:21
[7] Dominican Topics 11/3. February 1972. 10-11, 15
[8] Bernard Connor. "TEEC grew from Catholic origins", The Southern Cross 21 November 1994. 7: and Denis. The Dominican Friars in Southern Africa: A Social History, 1577-1990. 196
[9] Encyclopedia Brittanica. Saint Dominic: Spanish priest. Accessed 13/12/2019
[10] Mgeyekwa, Gabriel E. A historical development of Theological Education by Extension (TEE) in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, Southern Diocese, 1990-1997. University of Natal: South Africa. 1998. 15
[11] McCoy, Michael. Restoring mission to the heart of theological education, A South African perspective. 2005
[12] Mgeyekwa, Gabriel E. A historical development of Theological Education by Extension  (TEE) in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, Southern Diocese, 1990-1997. University of Natal: South Africa. 17
[13] Theological Education by Extension College, tee.co.za. Accessed 21/12/2019
[14] Mgeyekwa, Gabriel E. A historical development of Theological Education by Extension  (TEE) in the Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tanzania, Southern Diocese, 1990-1997. University of Natal: South Africa. 22
[15] Theological Education by Extension College, tee.co.za. Accessed 21/12/2019
[16] TEE Prospectus: South Africa. 1984
[17] TEE Prospectus: South Africa. 1984
[18] Interview with Dr Luky Whittle, PhD. 2019
6.