On Eve of IMBISA Plenary, Golden Jubilee, Apostolic Nuncio Implores “peace, joy of the Risen Christ”

Manzini, 23 September, 2025 / 11:47 PM

The representative of the Holy Father in Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Namibia, and South Africa has invoked peace and joy of the Risen Lord ahead of the 14 Plenary Assembly of the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) and the Golden Jubilee of the organ of liaison and pastoral cooperation comprising Local Ordinaries in nine Southern African nations.

In a video recording that the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC) shared with ACI Africa on Tuesday, September 23, Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński imparts blessings upon the people of God across the IMBISA region.

“Peace be with you, the peace of the Risen Christ,” Archbishop Jagodziński says, drawing inspiration from the words of Pope Leo XIV in his first public address as Holy Father on May 8, when he appeared on the loggia of St. Peter’s Basilica.

The Vatican diplomat, who represents the Holy Father in five of the nine member countries of IMBISA emphasizes the transformative power of Christ’s peace, saying it leads to hope, which in turn “moves us to action” towards theme of the Synod on Synodality, “communion, participation, and mission.”

He continues, “The joy of the Risen Christ is not meant to be kept to ourselves, but shared, especially with those who do not yet know Him.”

Archbishop Jagodziński underscores the Church’s enduring mission of saving souls, highlighting that the IMBISA Golden Jubilee is not only a historical milestone but also a reminder of the Church’s core purpose in the region.

“The principal mission of the Church is the salvation of souls. Whatever we do and whatever we say should be directed toward this goal, the salvation of souls,” he said.

Everything ought to find its source in this mission and contribute to the task entrusted to us, says the Polish-born Vatican diplomat, noting that it is inspiring to witness how IMBISA, which was established in April 1975 in Pretoria, has embodied the spirit of Synodality over the past five decades.

“Fifty years ago, they began to put into practice Synodality, communion, participation, and mission,” Archbishop Jagodziński observes, referring to regional body which brings together Bishops from Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, São Tomé  Príncipe, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

For him, the IMBISA 50th anniversary is made “particularly meaningful” by its alignment with the Church’s global Jubilee Year of Hope, celebrated under the theme: Pilgrims of Hope.

“This golden jubilee, celebrated this year in Eswatini, also coincides with the Jubilee Year of Hope. Its theme, Pilgrims of Hope, resonates deeply with IMBISA’s journey,” he says.

According to the Local Ordinary of Eswatini’s Catholic Diocese of Manzini, which is hosting the the September 24 – 29 double celebration of 4th Plenary Assembly and Golden Jubilee, the official opening session is set for Thursday, September 25, at 9:00 a.m.,” and is expected to last an hour, after which “the working sessions will begin and continue intensively until Saturday evening.”

Bishop José Luís Gerardo Ponce de León during a press briefing on the IMBISA Jubilee on August 27 said the people of God in Eswatini’s only Catholic Diocese “are very excited” to host the six-day event.

The final day of the event will take “a different tone, one of prayer, the central act of worship, the celebration of Holy Mass,” similar to the launch of the Golden Jubilee preparations in May 2024.

“At that time, we committed ourselves to accompany this entire process in prayer. Accordingly, we will also close the gathering in prayer,” said the Bishop of the only Catholic Diocese in the Southern African landlocked nation, noting that there will be no Mass in Parishes on September 29.

On that day, he said, the Eucharistic celebration is only to take place at Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre, bringing together “the entire Catholic Church in Eswatini, together with our visitors.”

“The day will begin at 9:00 a.m. with a procession, and Mass will start promptly at 10:00 a.m.,” he said, exuding confidence that the Eucharistic Celebration is going to be “a joyful occasion” for the visitors and “a profound blessing for the people” of Eswatini.

“120 delegates drawn from the nine countries of IMBISA, including Cardinals, Archbishops, Bishops, Clergy, women and men Religious, and Laity are expected to grace the event,” said the Argentine-born member of the Institute of the Consolata Missionaries (IMC). 

The Golden Jubilee celebration is being realized under the theme: “IMBISA Golden Jubilee: A Synodal journey, nourished by compassion and blossoming in faith as pilgrims of hope.”