The Catholic Church leaders approved amendments to the constitutions of the SACBC Council of Priests (COP) and urged Dioceses to inform their Clergy about the existence of COP and submit nominate Diocesan representatives, he said.
The Local Ordinary of Johannesburg Catholic Archdiocese noted that SACBC members resolved that “the Permanent Diaconate will also be promoted as a vocation,” with renewed emphasis on its ministry of charity.
They addressed challenges in Catholic education, acknowledging “financial sustainability risks” facing the Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) and expressing support for the South African Council of Churches (SACC) in responding to weekend schooling challenges.
On the Catholic Institute of Higher Education (CIHE), SACBC members said priority would be given to “reforming the Board of St John Vianney Seminary NPC.”
During the Plenary, Cardinal Brislin reported that Bishop Neil Augustine Frank of Saouth Africa’s Diocese of Mariannhill and Bishop Masilo John Selemela, the Auxiliary Bishop of Pretoria Archdiocese, were mandated to meet the leadership of the Vatican Dicastery for Evangelization to discuss “the separation of academics from seminary formation.”
Bishop Selemela was also tasked with overseeing implementation of the decisions and ensuring that the CIHE Business Plan is finalized for presentation at the SACBC August Plenary.
On Catholic social action, Cardinal Brislin says that they resolved to restructure the department, renaming it the “Department of Integral Human Development,” comprising three streams: Caritas, Social Justice, and Health/Education.
He adds that further resolutions addressed governance, investments, staffing consultations, and an informed study of Operation Dudula, an anti-foreigner, anti-illegal immigration entity in South Africa whose operatives reportedly have the mission to “put South Africans first”, and to drive migrants out of the country.
SACBC members emphasized the importance of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue, noting that local ecumenical initiatives would be promoted and reported to their Secretariat. Participation in ecumenical services, particularly expectations regarding Holy Communion, will be reviewed.
During the Plenary, Cardinal Brislin said the Theological Advisory Commission received approval for a Diocesan survey on Ubungoma (traditional healing), which will be conducted “even if only relevant groups are targeted.”
