“I am not afraid”: Catholic Bishop in Eswatini Expresses Readiness as Country Prepares to Host IMBISA Golden Jubilee

“I would like to take this opportunity to invite you to the official opening session on Thursday, September 25, at 9:00 a.m.,” said the Argentine-born member of the Institute of the Consolata Missionaries (IMC), noting that the opening ceremony is scheduled to last an hour, after which “the working sessions will begin and continue intensively until Saturday evening.”

Bishop Luís said 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 Parisheson 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.

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On his part, IMBISA President, Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nasheda, expressed optimism that, alongside the intensive activities of the Golden Jubilee event, delegates drawn from the nine member countries are to experience the rich cultural heritage of the people of God in Eswatini.

At the August 27 press briefing, the member of the Oblates of  Mary Immaculate (OMI) said, “We are very excited about this gathering. Knowing Eswatini as a country renowned for its hospitality, we are confident that our delegates will greatly enjoy their time here.

“They will especially appreciate the cultural showcases, such as traditional dances, which will no doubt leave them asking for the event to be extended by another week,” said the Local Ordinary of Namibia’s Windhoek Catholic Archdiocese since his installation in November 2004.

Meanwhile, the Director of IMBISA, Fr. Rafael Baciano Sapato, noted that the 14th Plenary Assembly is to provide members of the regional forum “an opportunity to evaluate what has worked well and where improvements are needed.”

“Above all, our expectation is to strengthen and consolidate Synodality within our region,” said Fr. Sapato at the press briefing, referring to the nine countries of IMBISA.

He expressed the “hope that this jubilee celebration will move us forward, more united, more rooted in the spirit of Synodality. That is our central goal.”

Nicholas Waigwa is a Kenyan multimedia journalist and broadcast technician with a professional background in creating engaging news stories and broadcasting content across multiple media platforms. He is passionate about the media apostolate and Catholic Church communication.