South Africa’s Keimoes-Upington Catholic Diocese Gets Apostolic Administrator Days After Bishop’s Death

Johannesburg, 16 December, 2025 / 5:38 PM

Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani of Bloemfontein Archdiocese in South Africa has been appointed Apostolic Administrator of Keimoes-Upington Catholic Diocese following the death of Bishop Edward Gabriel Risi on December 4.

The appointment of Archbishop Mpambani was announced in a communiqué issued by the Apostolic Nunciature to South Africa on Monday, December 15, following the declaration of the Episcopal See as sede vacante et ad nutum Sanctae Sedis.

According to the communique, the decision was made by the Dicastery for Evangelization, Section for First Evangelization and New Particular Churches, acting in accordance with the faculties granted to it by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV.

Sede Vacante, according to the Canon Law, indicates that the Diocese of Keimoes–Upington is currently without a Diocesan Bishop, while ad nutum Sanctae Sedis signifies that the appointment remains at the disposition of the Holy See.

This means that, in his role as Apostolic Administrator, Archbishop Mpambani, who is the first vice president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), is entrusted with the pastoral governance of the Diocese until further provision is made.

Archbishop Mpambani, who belongs to the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (S.C.I.), has been leading the Archdiocese of Bloemfontein since his elevation to the metropolitan office on 19 June 2020.

With the new assignment, his pastoral mandate now also embraces the Northern Cape, a region served by the Diocese of Keimoes–Upington and characterized by expansive rural territories and culturally diverse communities.

In his capacity as Apostolic Administrator, the Archbishop is responsible for overseeing the day-to-day pastoral and administrative life of the diocese.

This includes pastoral care of Clergy, the Religious, and lay faithful, stewardship of diocesan institutions, and safeguarding continuity in pastoral ministry during the interim period.

The South African Diocese became vacant following the death of Bishop Risi at the age of 76. His death followed several months of ill-health; he had been in and out of the hospital since May 2025. 

On December 2, he was reportedly admitted to Milpark Hospital in Johannesburg with a serious heart condition and remained in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) until his passing.

Widely remembered for advancing liturgical renewal at the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC), the Bishop was eulogized for his “significant contribution” to the formation of exorcists in the three-nation Conference.

During his tenure as the third Episcopal member of the Department for Ecumenism, and as Chairperson of the Department for Christian Formation, Liturgy and Culture, Bishop Risi “made a significant contribution to the ministry and formation of exorcists in the SACBC region,” SACBC President, Stephen Cardinal Brislin said.

“Bishop Risi will be remembered throughout the Conference for his unwavering passion for Liturgy, his deep devotion to the Church's tradition, and his tireless commitment to the formation of clergy and laity,” the South African Cardinal added.

The Local Ordinary of South Africa's Johannesburg Catholic Archdiocese said that the late Bishop’s leadership “ensured that the SACBC remained among the most up-to-date Conferences in the world regarding liturgical matters.”