This website is created with the intention to promote the Permanent Diaconate in the Roman Catholic Church as well as to create a platform for discussion on social issues that plague our society, especially young people, with a hope that certain instances can be remedied and in so doing bring new life-giving experiences.

The site will openly deal with matters related, but not limited to marriage, sexuality, behavioral change, liturgy, religious life, thus parental guidance for young visitors is advised.

Please feel free to take part in the forums and to ask any questions you may have. You may also contact Rev Reddiar in the strictest confidence by emailing him using the contact details on the Contact Page. Correspondence to Rev Reddiar can only be accessed by him and will not be published without permission.

Who is Reverend Ignatius Zain Donnovan Reddiar?

Rev (Ignatius) Zain Donnovan Reddiar’s life started from humble beginnings. He was born in Greyville, Lenasia, to a Christian father (Richard Reddiar) and a Muslim Mother (Zainub, nee Suleiman). He spent the former years of his life, up to the point of his mother’s death, at the tender age of 10, as a practicing Muslim and at that point was well versed in the Islamic routine.

His teenage years were turbulent with many changes as is common. At aged 16, his father re-found himself after a trying period himself and started to get his own life back on track, making a natural progression to his Christian faith. By this point, Zain still held firm to Islamic beliefs, even though not fully practicing, maintaining an Islamic diet, not indulging in Alcohol or other substances that alter the mind, etc. Disillusioned, he despised the mere thought of Christianity. Revisiting his feelings of the time, he felt very much like Mahatma Ghandi, who said that the Bible was the greatest book he had ever read and would have become a Christian, if it were not... for the Christians themselves.

Whilst Zain’s father continued practicing his faith with passion and fear of God, displaying the virtues of hope and charity, into which Zain’s mother had also raised him, Christianity attracted him. "By your fruits you will be known", says the Gospel. Zain’s father, from being a slave to sin, became a witness to Christ. The mercy of God had been revealed.

Zain started exploring the Christian faith and being academically minded. The Catholic Church was where he found peace. He describes that the Catholic Church complemented his upbringing as a Muslim. “Catholicism is a way of life”. The Catholic Church has always been a “teaching” Church, with its foundation firmly built on history, faith and tradition. “In the Catholic Church the teachings of Christ became alive for me, it was always transparent, always mindful of our sinfulness as human beings, yet God remains supreme in the unity of the Trinity from where we experience his compassion and love. I was able to experience renewed faith,. In the Catholic Church, societal status had not value as rich and poor ate from the same table of the Lord.” The Catholic Church provided a vehicle for Zain to centre himself once again to face the world, with all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams. “There was hope for me! It was clear that faith (religion / denomination) without history was the same as faith without ’works’ – it is dead!” The Catholic Church can be historically traced back to the time of Jesus Christ.

Accepted into full communion into the Catholic Church on 10 April 1992, Zain’s enthusiasm to discover and deepen his Catholic faith was paramount, thus he continued to study comprehensively the various aspects of the Church. Over the last nine years in addition to his secular studies, he studied the Bible and Theology, Church History - including major religions, homiletics, public speaking and counseling (HIV & AIDS / Bereavement / Marriage). He went on to study Marriage Preparation, Marriage Celebration (Civil and Religious) and Marriage Counseling along with Prison Ministry, which included counseling of prisoners and their families, reintegration of prisoners into society, etc, through the University of South Africa from where he graduated Cum Laude.

From the point of Zain’s conversion where he took on the name of “Ignatius” after St Ignatius of Loyola, his life has been one of service to the community of St Thomas, the wider community of Lenasia and the Greater Diocese of Johannesburg.

He has served on various committees within the Parish of St Thomas (Lenasia) beyond his tenure as Chairperson of St Thomas Catholic Church, Chairperson for the Southern Region, Exec Member of the Diocesan Pastoral Council. He and his spouse were dedicated presenters on the ’Love Matters Programme’ at Bosco Youth Centre, which is a program for young people focusing on Sex, Sexuality and Behavioral Change, up to their departure to Iran on a professional assignment. Ignatius’ public life included various media appearances in the press, TV and radio where he anchored a Youth Programme. His activities have also led him being profiled in the prestigious “Who’s Who of Southern Africa” journal which portrays key players in the spheres of Society and Business.

Ignatius is currently on professional assignment in the Islamic Republic of Iran where he received the minor orders of Lector and Acolyte. For him; what a confirmation of faith! He is joined by his wife Joelene and four sons; Sheldon (16), Michyle (13), Robert (9) and Austin (6). Catholicism is very focused on building family life.

Ordination was conferred by Most Reverend Buti Thlagale, Archbishop of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Diocese on 11 August 2007. Ignatius sets the standard for young people to follow as he is currently the youngest Permanent Deacon in Johannesburg and in South Africa, and possibly in the whole world.

Ignatius’ primary call to the Permanent Diaconate is three fold, to spread the Gospel, to care for the poor and to assist the Bishop in the care of the faithful (Catholics). His public ministry stretches beyond the doors of the Catholic Church into the wider community. His mission is not to convert others, but to let them experience God through loving and loyal service, in the spirit of Mother Theresa - through service of others - i.e. to help the Hindus be better Hindus and the Muslims be better Muslims - so as restore society.

Zain maintains and credits his good Islamic grounding, for which he is grateful, for the privilege and basis of being a striving Catholic. He believes that there is much work to be done in the area of ecumenism for the common good of humanity. He acknowledges that other religions have much to offer in building “community”. Mother Theresa’s successor comes from a staunch Brahmin (Hindu) family before she felt the call of the Lord, also in early adulthood.

On ecumenism he says: “Human beings destroy the beauty of creation by choice, often influenced in their choices by circumstances in today’s ever-changing, fast paced world , where values no longer mean anything. This is by no way the divine plan of God. It is innate in our being to be and do good. I have seen this in the mixed community where I was born and grew up, in my own family, in school, etc. I have also traveled extensively and found that it is a choice to live in harmony. This has been my experience in Nigeria, Syria and above all the Islamic Republic of Iran where much tolerance is observed contrary to popular belief.” In Damasscus, the magnificent Omayyad Mosque was once home to both Christians and Muslims. Today, it is still frequented by both Christians and Muslims as the shrine inside is believed to house the remains of John the Baptist (Yahya) who is common to both religions."

“From my conversion to Catholicism I have learnt two big things, one is love and the other is forgiveness, which I so much needed. The role of the Virgin Mary in the Church spiritually returned the maternal figure, which my broken spirit needed and longed for.

“My preparation for ordination over the years has taught me patience and faith. I am now ready to serve as Christ himself served, irrespective of race, colour, creed or social standing… I see my ordination playing a vital and active role in the local community upon my return from Iran being focused in Lenasia, although not limited to, on a joint effort with other religious leaders, as this is our primary call, with the support and involvement of the local community in an assertive attempt to build peace, restore justice, alleviate poverty and fight against drug and alcohol abuse, which is killing our youth. Initiatives focused on the sanctity of sex and sexuality is dire in rebuilding a disintegrating society.”

Extract from Professional biography:

Zain is a dynamic, innovative professional with excellent executive level strategic management, human resource, business and people skills. He is a mature and analytical individual with a strong attention to detail. He presents with excellent communication skills and enjoys interacting with people from all walks of life. Zain relishes challenges and believes that encountering different people in different scenarios would not only be stimulating, but would provide him with ongoing challenge.

A detailed profile of Rev Reddiar can also be accessed on www.domain.com

http://www.whoswhosa.co.za/pages/profilefull.aspx?IndID=4633