“Work has begun through online meetings,” the native of South Africa’s Mthatha Diocese said, and added, “Our task is to ensure that everyone has an opportunity to be heard.”
“The last two Synods are a good example of the involvement of the lay faithful, of the people of God,” the South African Nun who served at the Pretoria-based SACBC General Secretariat for 15 years told ACI Africa.
In 2014, Pope Francis appointed Sr. Makoro to serve on the newly-established Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors, whose purpose, as stipulated in its Statutes, “is to propose initiatives to the Roman Pontiff … for the purposes of promoting local responsibility in the particular Churches for the protection of all minors and vulnerable adults.”
The holder of a Theology degree from the University of Natal and an education degree from the University of Transkei was reappointed for a second term in 2018 and continued her service on the education and formation portfolio of the Vatican-based Commission.
When she completed her term of service as SACBC Secretary-General on 11 December 2020, Sr. Makoro returned to her native Diocese where she has been working alongside the Local Ordinary, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, towards a Diocesan Synod.
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In the July 27 interview with ACI Africa, she shared about the Synod process saying, “We are at the initial stages, working on a theme for the Mthatha Diocese Synod, which will be launched (this) October to coincide with the inauguration of the Universal Synod.”
The first-ever woman SACBC Secretary General has served in various positions in her native Diocese, including Coordinator of the Diocesan Catechetical team and the leadership training program of the Diocese.
The 69-year-old Nun who has also served as CPS Provincial Superior in South Africa is also remembered for successfully spearheading the SACBC’s new Pastoral Plan, “Evangelising Community: Serving God, Humanity and Creation”, which was launched in January 2020.
Sheila Pires is a veteran radio and television Mozambican journalist based in South Africa. She studied communications at the University of South Africa. She is passionate about writing on the works of the Church through Catholic journalism.