Latest stories: South Africa

Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa Encourage Dialogue to End Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) are calling on Israeli and Palestinian leaders to engage in dialogue and put an end to the ongoing violence.

Salesians in South Africa Empowering Poor, Vulnerable Youth in Commercial Fish Farming

Members of the Religious Institute of the Salesians of Don Bosco (SDB) ministering in South Africa are empowering young people in the city of Cape Town with skills to undertake commercial fish farming.

South African Archbishop Appointed to Global Body Advocating for Displaced People’s Rights

The Archbishop of South Africa’s Archdiocese of Johannesburg has been appointed as a member of the Multi-Religious Council of Leaders that seeks to address the root causes of conflict and displacement in the world.

Newly Installed South African Bishop Urged to Help People “fall in love with God”

The President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) has called on the newly installed Local Ordinary of South Africa’s Kimberley Diocese to strive to help the people of God under his care to grow in their love for God.

Plans Underway to Return Late Congolese Archbishop to Native Country for Interment

Plans are underway to ship the body of the late Congolese Archbishop who died in South Africa back to his native country for interment.

Jesuits in Southern Africa Urged to “foster deeper analysis” of Region’s Multiple Crises

Members of the newly-launched Southern Africa Province (SAP) of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) have been urged to look for ways to address the multiple crises bedeviling the countries in the region. 

South African Bishop Mourns Traditional King, Says He “respected Catholic Church"

A Catholic Bishop in South Africa has eulogized king Goodwill Zwelithini kaBhekuzulu, the traditional leader of the Zulu people, as an approachable man “who respected the Catholic Church." 

Our “Josephs” Not Playing Their Roles, South Africa’s Cardinal on Solemnity of St. Joseph

The Archbishop of South Africa’s Durban Archdiocese has said that the abuse in society can partly be blamed on men he refers to as the “modern Josephs” who, he further says, are not playing the role for which they were created.

Southern African Bishops Create Humanitarian Desk in Mozambique to Address Growing Crisis

In an attempt to describe the humanitarian crisis in Mozambique, Johan Viljoen who works with the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) recalls a particular heart wrenching image that summed up the Darfur hunger crisis.  

Bishops in Southern Africa “deeply shocked” by Killing of Bystander During Protests

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have expressed their shock following the police killing of a bystander amid students’ protests at a local university mid last week.

Southern African Bishops’ New Associate Secretary General Thankful for Gender Inclusion

The new Associate Secretary General for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has expressed her elation at the appointment, noting that the three-nation entity of Bishops has always been keen on including women at the helm of Church leadership.

Pope Francis Appoints Bishops for South Africa’s Kimberly and Queenstown Dioceses

Pope Francis has appointed Local Ordinaries for the Dioceses of Kimberly and Queenstown in South Africa.

Synod of South Africa’s Pretoria Archdiocese Invitation to “reflect, discern”: Archbishop

The ongoing second Synod of South Africa’s Pretoria Archdiocese is an invitation for the members of the local church to “reflect and discern together” God’s will as well as to renew their mission, the Local Ordinary, Archbishop Dabula Anthony Mpako has said. 

South African Diocese Launches Initiative to Bring People Back to Church after Lockdown

South Africa’s Aliwal Diocese is planning a five-week program on reflections that are aimed at bringing people back to Church after a protracted COVID-19 lockdown in the country.

Cardinal in South Africa Appointed Apostolic Administrator of Country’s Eshowe Diocese

Pope Francis has appointed the Archbishop of Durban in South Africa, Wilfrid Cardinal Napier, as the Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Eshowe.

Jesuits in South Africa Provide Guide for Ash Wednesday Celebration “at home, in family”

Catholics who will not be going to Church for the celebration of Ash Wednesday that marks the beginning of Lent have the option of marking the event at home with their family members using a guide that has been developed by members of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) at the Jesuit Institute South Africa.

To Get COVID-19 Vaccine, Individual “to make that choice”: Bishop in South Africa

A Catholic Bishop has asked South Africans to make a personal decision on whether or not they want to get vaccinated against COVID-19.

Diocese in South Africa to Use Palm Branches “from other years” for Ash Wednesday

The Catholic Diocese of Aliwal in South Africa has a variety of options for this year’s Ash Wednesday, including getting ashes from unused previous years’ palm branches.

Churches in South Africa Reopen Under Revised COVID-19 Restrictions

Some Catholic Prelates in South Africa have announced the resumption of public worship in their respective jurisdictions following the readjustment of level three COVID-19 restrictions by the country’s President.

Go Beyond “endless episcopal statements” in Fight for Justice, Peace in Africa: Bishop

Catholic leaders in Africa need to go beyond the issuance of multiple statements in their fight for justice, peace, and reconciliation, a Nigerian Bishop has said in a virtual conference.