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Fr. John Maneschg receives Papal award
Saturday, November 16, 2013
The Comboni Missionary Fr. John Maneschg, professor at the Seminary of St. John Vianney, has received the Cross Pro Ecclesia et Pontefice for his dedication of a lifetime and commitment to the training of the clergy in South Africa. The solemn Eucharist took place on November 6, 2013, and was presided over by Archbishop Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Cape Town and President of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa (SACBC). Fr. John is a highly qualified biblical scholar. The Word of God in him is embodied in his humility, his gentleness, recognized by all, and in his generous commitment to study and teaching.
Fr. John Maneschg is among the four lecturers of St. John Vianney Seminary who were distinguished with the Papal Honour of Pro Ecclesia et Pontifice for their lifelong and committed dedication to the formation of South African clergy.
Fr. John has been teaching Sacred Scripture for almost 30 years; Mgr. Marc de Mûelenaere has taught Canon Law for close to 30 years; Fr. Bonaventure Hinwood OFM was a formator, a lecturer in Systematic Theology and Academic Dean for over 33 years; and Fr. Hyacinth Ennis OFM was a formator and lecturer in Moral Theology for more than 30 years.
The ceremony took place on 6 November, 2013, at a solemn Eucharist presided by His Grace, Stephen Brislin, the Archbishop of Cape Town and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). It was concelebrated by some 10 bishops – including Cardinal Wilfred Napier of Durban and the Apostolic Nuncio to southern Africa, Archbishop Mario Roberto Cassari – and a large number of priests.
In his homily, Bishop Graham Rose, who had been Rector of the Seminary, in reflecting on the liturgical celebration of the day, “All Saints of Africa”, lauded the role of these dedicated priests whose influence will continue to unfold in the yet to be told stories of future saints of Africa.
Speaking of Fr. John, Bishop Graham Rose mused: “I never met a man of such graciousness”. Indeed, a testimony which can be seconded by whoever has come into contact with him. Fr. John is a biblical scholar highly qualified: he holds a doctorate in Holy Scripture granted by the Pontifical Biblical Institute in Rome. For him, the Word of God is not only a subject of teaching, but “a lamp unto his feet, and light unto his path”. Thus, God’s word became life in his incomparable graciousness and selfless dedication to study and teaching.
Before presenting the Papal awards, the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Mario Cassari, delivered a short speech praising the “magnificent four” servants of the Church who could, in humility say, as St Paul, “I have only done my duty”.