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Catholic Church in South Africa

Pope Francis at the 2018 World Meeting of Families in Ireland. Daniel Ibanez/CNA.

Pope Francis’ Pastoral Leadership Upsets “extreme leftist group”: South African Bishop

Apr 10, 2023

Pope Francis stands out for adopting a pastoral style of leadership, which has left the Church polarized, the Bishop of Mthatha in South Africa has said. 

Pope Francis gives the Wednesday general audience in St. Peter's Square on Oct. 2, 2013. Elise Harris/CNA.

Like Pope Francis, Let’s Be True to Our Names: Catholic Bishop in South Africa

Apr 9, 2023

Pope Francis chose a name and followed it, assuming a life of simplicity like his prototype, the Bishop of Mthatha Diocese in South Africa has observed, and urged the people of God to be true to the meaning of their respective names in the example of the Holy Father.

Mons. Vusumuzi Francis Mazibuko, appointed Vicar Apostolic for the Apostolic Vicariate of Ingwavuma in South Africa. Credit: SACBC

Pope Francis Appoints Vicar Apostolic for South Africa’s Ingwavuma Vicariate

Mar 20, 2023

Pope Francis has appointed Mons. Vusumuzi Francis Mazibuko as the new Vicar Apostolic for the Apostolic Vicariate of Ingwavuma in South Africa. 

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha Diocese in South Africa. Credit: SACBC

Health Workers’ Strike in South Africa Contradicts “oath to save lives”: Catholic Bishop

Mar 13, 2023

The violence that has characterized health workers’ strike in South Africa contradicts the “oath to save lives” that medical practitioners take, the Catholic Bishop of the country’s Mthatha Diocese has said.

Bishop Joseph Kizito of Aliwal North flagging off a tree planting event in the Diocese at a past event Credit: Bishop Joseph Kizito

Catholic Bishop’s Key Lessons from Pope Francis in Caring for Migrants, Refugees in Africa

Mar 12, 2023

Pope Francis is celebrating his 10th anniversary as leader of the Catholic Church on Monday, March 13. 

Bishop Joseph Mary Kizito, Liaison Bishop for Migrants, Refugees, and Human Trafficking at the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). Credit: Courtesy Photo

“A scandalous industry”: Catholic Bishop on Human Trafficking in Southern Africa

Mar 9, 2023

Human trafficking in the nine countries under the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) is “a scandalous industry” that goes against the rights of persons in all aspects , the Catholic Bishop overseeing a regional Catholic Bishops’ department for the Migrants and Refugees has decried.

Bishop Vincent Mduduzi Zungu of the Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth in South Africa. Credit: SACBC

Lent a “complete change of direction”, Conversion: Catholic Bishop in South Africa

Mar 4, 2023

At the heart of every season of lent, there is a renewed call for conversion, and change of direction of one’s life, the Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth in South Africa has said.

“Reach out”, Catholic Bishop in South Africa Advocates for Needy in Lenten Reflection

Mar 1, 2023

A Catholic Bishop in South Africa has advocated for the needy and vulnerable in society, emphasizing the need to “reach out” to individuals who depend on the support of others for their respective livelihood. 

Flood victims in Silvertown, Komani (Queenstown), Eastern Cape. Credit: Southern Cross

“We prefer cash donations”: Caritas South Africa Coordinator on Helping Flood Victims

Feb 18, 2023

Caritas South Africa is appealing for “cash donations” to reach out to thousands of people affected by floods in Komani, Eastern Cape, in the Catholic Diocese of Queenstown.

Bishop Joseph Mary Kizito, iaison Bishop for Migrants, Refugees, and Human Trafficking at the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). Credit: Courtesy Photo

South Africa “a hotspot for traffickers”, Catholic Bishop Laments, Calls for Vigilance

Feb 2, 2023

South Africa “is a hotspot for traffickers”, the Liaison Bishop for Migrants, Refugees, and Human Trafficking at the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has said, and called upon South Africans, especially the youth, to exercise vigilance.  

Credit: SACBC

Stop Blaming Apartheid Regime for South Africa’s Failures: Catholic Bishops

Feb 1, 2023

Political leaders in South Africa have, for the longest time, blamed the country’s failures on the past apartheid regime, members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have said, and called on the South African government to stop looking for excuses for the ailing country.

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). Credit: SACBC

Bishops Laud Growth of Catholic Church’s Service Delivery in Southern Africa

Jan 31, 2023

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have lauded the steady growth of the Catholic Church in the countries making up the conference, noting that many good quality services in education, health, and in other institutions within the region are provided by the Catholic church.

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) during the opening Mass of the SACBC Plenary Assembly in January 2023. Credit: SACBC

Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa Decry Rooted Racial Division in Parishes

Jan 31, 2023

Racial divisions are still evident in the Church in South Africa, members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have said, decrying the failure of some Catholics in South Africa to embrace their diverse races and cultures.

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of South Africa’s Umtata Diocese. Credit: SACBC

Strong Enculturation in Liturgy of 1980s “has not developed”: South African Bishop

Jan 25, 2023

Initiatives towards enculturation in liturgy witness in the 1980s in Southern Africa eclipsed, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of South Africa’s Umtata Diocese has been quoted as saying.

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). Credit: SACBC

Bishop in South Africa Cautions Priests against Organizing Big Anniversary Celebrations

Jan 22, 2023

The Bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Mthatha in South Africa has urged Priests to celebrate their 10 years of Priesthood with modesty and to desist from spending a lot of effort in organizing huge celebrations.

Logo of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). Credit: SACBC

Catholic Bishop in South Africa Concerned about Weakness of Conference’s Institutions

Jan 22, 2023

The President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has expressed concern about what he refers to as a weakness of the institutions of the three-nation conference, noting that most of them have died and that the remaining one is in a “precarious” condition.

Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka. Credit: SACBC

South Africa Being Ruled by Mafia, “government appears to be powerless”: Catholic Bishop

Jan 19, 2023

Criminal gangs and mafias have taken control of South Africa and are wreaking havoc against innocent civilians, the President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has said.

Credit: CitizenGO

Catholic Activists Warn of Exploitation as South Africa Seeks to Legalize Sex Industry

Jan 10, 2023

South Africa’s Department of Justice has invited public comment on the “Criminal Law (Sexual Offences and Related Matters) Amendment Bill 2022”, which seeks to decriminalize sex work, a move that Catholic activists in Africa say will lead to the exploitation of vulnerable women and children in the industry.

Br. Ngonidzashe, SJ (in cap) with members of the Network of Young Catholics in Africa Caring for Creation. Credit: CYNESA

Jesuit Climate Advocacy to Prioritize “marginalized communities” in Southern Africa

Dec 27, 2022

The Southern Africa Province (SAP) of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) climate justice advocacy initiative dubbed “Heal the Earth Caravan of Hope” is aimed at “prioritizing marginalized communities most impacted by the effects of cyclones and tropical storms” in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, the Coordinator of the Jesuit Centre of Ecology and Development (JCED) has said.

Archbishop Buti Tlhagale planting a tree at the opening of the season of creation. Credit: SACBC

Catholic Commission Promoting “environmental justice” in Southern African Archdiocese

Dec 27, 2022

The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace (CCJP) of South Africa’s Johannesburg (JHB) Archdiocese has embarked on a year-long “environmental justice” campaign under the theme, “Greening the Archdiocese of JHB”, an official has said.