I’m not a big fan of Christian leaders for too many reasons but in one week I’ve read so many out of - what I deem to be their - character that I feel that I should give them their due when deserved for the sake of fairness.

First, I read about the Pope apologising for sexual offences committed by members of the clergy. Big up dude! I know some might say it’s a bit late or something to that effect but I believe that it’s a step in the right direction. Paedophilia specifically is thought of as an incurable disease and those given to such perversity need a system for life to achieve prevention of these crimes. (I’m not sympathetic - just realistic. Offenders will be released eventually - if convicted - and we don’t want it happening again.)

Then there’s Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier who argues that the distribution of condoms show no positive correlation with the prevention of HIV. He uses South Africa as an example and argues not only convincingly but also with some realistic humour at the limits of influence that the Catholic church has on it’s followers. If you feel like a squiz: http://richarddawkins.net/article,2873,n,n

Then last but not least, our dear Bishop Desmond Tutu was even more endearing for his recent apology for the xenophobic violence. You have to give it to the guy - he has never been afraid to grab politicians by the short and curlies and yank them around a bit. His latest display makes you proud to be a fellow South African.

So there it is, a grudging tip of the cap to the Catholics for having a good week.