SACBC

By: Thembekile Kanise The Catholic Diocese of Mthatha is one of the areas affected by floods that engulfed South Africa. The area affected the most is Port St John’s where

The Holy Father Pope Francis expressed his prayerful solidarity with the people of South Africa who have been affected by the devastating floods in his annual Easter blessing of “Urbi

We must learn to serve others in the way Jesus serves them, and to love as Jesus loves them. We should glory in the Cross of our Lord Jesus Christ,

The Vatican Migrants and Refugees third bulletin deals with Migrant workers discrimination and inequalities. It states that the reality shows cases of unfair access to the labour market for migrant

Wonderful good, salvation, comes out of this tragic happenings. Joyous elation and suffering walk side by side. While recall the suffering and death of Jesus we know also that He

During Holy Week it is easy for us to lose sight of the Father. Jesus is preparing for us a new life. This new life is given to us even

It is wonderful to know that God knows are suffering. Prayers of the poor and the suffering do not fall on deaf ears, they are heard. Jesus in his suffering

Ultimately, we should ask ourselves what we would have done if we were part of the meeting with the high priest. Would you stand with Jesus even if others were

His Holiness, Pope Francis, has appointed Rev. Fr. Thulani Victor Mbuyisa, CMM, till now the Superior General of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Marrianhill, as the Bishop of the

Isn’t this true of the society today? That we believe in Christ, but we are still sinful. Belief is one thing, acting on that believe is very different, and probably

As we continue our Lenten journey, an opportune time for our inner conversion, we are invited to seek Christ who is the truth, the way, and the life. Seek Him

On the 26th of March 2022, the ACTS (Association of Catholic Tertiary Students) National Chaplain Fr Mthembeni Dlamini CMM, together with the Executive members, Mr Onnalenna Kenosi (ACTS President) and

Humility is nothing more, nothing less that truth. To know who I am, nothing more, nothing less before God. To see myself rightly. And when we see ourselves rightly in

The prayer for the Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate of Heart of Mary will basically take place throughout the region of SACBC in different prayer settings, with

Dear People of God, Due to the tragic war unfolding in Ukraine, Pope Francis will lead an Act of Consecration of Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary

Behold, a faithful and prudent steward, whom the Lord set over his household. Cf. Lk 12.42 In the Scripture he is a silent man but nevertheless a presence that is

Following the announcement from the Holy See that the Holy Father will consecrate both Russia and Ukraine to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Holy Mass for Peace in Ukraine

Test me, O God, and know my thoughts. See that my path is not wicked, and lead me in the way everlasting. Cf Ps. 138: 23-24 Yet another example that

In the afternoon of 16 March 2022 the Deputy President of South Africa David Mabuza will be answering questions from the members of parliament. Among the question he will have

South Africa’s refusal to condemn the Russian invasion of Ukraine has been widely criticised, at home and abroad. The government argues that the situation should be addressed through mediation and

To you I call, for you will surely heed me, O God; turn your ear to me; hear my words. Guard me as the apple of your eye; in the

Redeem me, O Lord, and have mercy on me. My foot stands on level ground; I will bless the Lord in the assembly. Cf. Ps 25.11-12 This public act of

Of you my heart has spoken, Seek his face. It is your face, O Lord, that I seek; hide not your face from me. Cf. Ps 26.8-9 The church reminds

The law of the Lord is perfect; it revives the soul. The decrees of the Lord are steadfast; they give wisdom to the simple. Cf. Ps 18.8 Our lent is

Set me free from my distress, O Lord. See my lowliness and suffering, and take away all my sins. Cf. Ps 24.17-18 Forgiveness, something many of us find difficult to

The president of the Republic, President of The Order of the Star of Italy, having heard the council of the order on the proposal of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On Sunday 6th March 2022 at the Angelus in St Peter’s Square Pope Francis announced that he has dispatched two Cardinals, Cardinal Konrad Krajewski and Cardinal Michael Czerny, as an

The South African Council of Churches (SACC) heartily supports the prospect ofPope Francis providing mediation for lasting peace and security between Russia andUkraine. As the talks between the two countries

In its press release the Niwano Peace foundation says the 39th Niwano Peace Prize will be awarded to Father Michael Lapsley, SSM of South Africa in recognition of his relentless

“There is a need to restore the confidence of the faithful in the integrity and honour of the priesthood,” said Archbishop Buti Tlhagale in the homily at the ordination of

Speaking at the end of the General Audience, Pope Francis invited everyone to make 2 March, Ash Wednesday, a Day of Fasting for Peace. “I encourage believers in a special

“Let us not grow tired of doing good, for in due time we shall reap our harvest, if we do not give up. So then, while we have the opportunity,

In his closing remarks of the IMBISA (Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa) workshop on Migrants and Refugees in Pretoria Bishop Joseph Kizito, the Liaison Bishop of the

In collaboration with the Catholic Health Care Association (CATHCA) of Southern Africa two Catholic Parishes in the archdiocese of Johannesburg (All Saints in Ennerdale and Our Lady of Mercy in

Last night’s State of the Nation Address contained one of the longest ‘shopping lists’ of economicmeasures that we have heard for some time from a President. In one way this

The Thirtieth World day of the Sick is celebrated on 11 February 2022. In his message for this world day of the sick the Holy Father acknowledged that many advances

The Catholic Institute of Education is deeply concerned about the increasing violent attacks on schools, principals, teachers and learners.  The Catholic Education community mourns the death of the Principal of

There are millions enslaved in the world today and only 1% of victims are ever rescued, according to International Labour Organisation. The Counter Trafficking In Persons (CTIP) of the SACBC

With what we have come to know as the Covid-19 pandemic one cannot be blamed for having been mistaken into thinking that other serious bodily ailments have gone into oblivion

“I do not have words to express enough how special my Dad was to all of us as a family. I am glad he gave us a firm Christian foundation

“The present situation has made me want to accompany with humility, affection and openness each individual, married couple and family in all those situations in which you find yourselves,” said

The following are bishops responsible for various departments, offices and bodies within the SACBC.

Reports on Saturday 22 January 2022 in the Plenary Meeting of the SACBC were given by the SACBC department of finance, communication office as well as the department of Christian

On Friday, 21 January 2022 the plenary’s attention turned to the seminaries, South African Council of Priests, and Justice and peace. Fr. Thomas Plastow SJ and Fr John Selemela gave

On the afternoon of the third day of the plenary the SACBC had elections for the troika, the president and the two vice-presidents. The outcome of the elections were the

On the second day of the Pleanary in the morning session there were addresses from the president of the Conference, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka; an address from the Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop

January 18 to 25, 2022 are days dedicated to an octave of Prayer for Christian Unity. The theme for 2022 is “We Saw the Star in the East, and We

“The joys and the hopes, the griefs and the anxieties of the people of this age, especially those who arepoor or in any way afflicted, these are the joys and

The SACBC would like to convey a fraternal message of condolences to Mrs Leah Tutu, the family and the Anglican Church over the death of the Late Archbishop Emeritus of

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed Fr Neil Augustine Frank OMI, the Coadjutor Bishop ofMariannhill, with special faculties. Mgr. Neil Frank was the Provincial of the OMI Province of

Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference is deeply concerned about the planned exploration of oil and gas reserves in the Eastern Cape off the coast between Morgan Bay and Port St

Statistics South Africa has reached out to SACBC and other faith-based organizations to help in the drive to get people in South Africa to participate in the 2022 census, the

CONGREGATION FOR THE DOCTRINE OF THE FAITHDownload here Note on the morality of using some anti-Covid-19 vaccines The question of the use of vaccines, in general, is often at the

The role of SANEF (South African National Editors Forum) and its benefit to the people of faith

By Bishop Emeritus Kevin Dowling On the Day of Reflection on South African economy, on the 19th November 2021, Bishop Kevin Dowling gave the below talk. The 3 issues we

On the 23rd November 2021, in his homily to the diocesan coordinators at a workshop on Pastoral Care for Migrants and Refugees, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale who is the Liaison Bishop

If you are old enough to understand what are crimes against humanity you have probably heard about the genocide that ravaged the people of Rwanda during the civil war in

A DAY OF DISCERNMENT AND REFLECTION ON SOUTH AFRICAN ECONOMY FROM THE VIEW POINT OF THE CATHOLIC SOCIAL TEACHING  – 19th NOVEMBER 2021. (Update) Live on SACBC Justice and Peace

Catholic regions in Africa had a meeting with the Communications Manager of the Secretariat for the Synod of Bishops, Thierry Bonaventura, on the 13th of November 2021 to create an

On Thursday 4 November 2021 the Constitutional Court in South Africa sat to decide on the ratification of the high court’s declaration that the legislation that prevents the burying of

The Pope’s Message: ‘Towards an Ever Wider We’ The Pope’s message is a fundamental call for inclusivity, revealing a deep understanding that the institutions that shape our society, such as

The 2021 graduation ceremony of the national seminary of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, St. John Vianney, took place on the Friday, 22nd October. A more festive ceremony this

Dear Fellow Caritas Friends,The Poor will always be among you. Of course we know it’s a citation from Jesus, that is related in thebible, in the Gospel of Mark, with

In this time of renewal and pastoral conversion when the Church faces the scandal and wounds of the sexual abuse inflicted on so many of God’s children everywhere, our Holy

The 2021 South African municipal elections will be held on Monday, 1 November 2021, to elect councils for all district, metropolitan and local municipalities in each of the country’s nine

Pope Francis on Wednesday received in audience Cardinal Marcello Semeraro, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, and authorized his dicastery to promulgate the decree recognizing a

“The big polluters, the G20 countries – need to heed this call and end their addiction to fossil fuels immediately” – Albert Mashika of Caritas Africa 78 Catholic leaders from

The President of SACBC Bishop Sithembele Sipuka is on a solidarity visit to eSwatini to get the feel of the situation first hand. He is accompanied by the Secretary General

Back in 2019 given the prevailing electoral environment of the time the SACBC had made an appeal that each citizen has a “grave responsibility to create the environment of tolerance

The Press Release of the World Youth Day for Lisbon 2023 reads as follows: The World Youth Day (WYD) Lisbon 2023, a youth meeting with people from all over the

As a result of a need for all continents to have a team that is organizing the training of their chaplains and animators five names were brought forward to head

Johan Viljoen, the Director of Denis Harley Peace Institute, said he was happy to hear Bishop Wilfrid Anagbe and Father Remigius Ihyula, both of the Catholic Diocese of Makurdi in

“Stand up. I appoint you as a witness of what you have seen.” (cf. Acts 26:16) Dear young people, Once again I would like to take you by the hand and walk with

The Southern Cross is alive and kicking at 101 years old, despite the many challenges of the last year, and the new monthly magazine has been very well received. This

On Tuesday the 21st September 2021, in the second week of the orientation programme for new missionaries the morning session started with a viewing of a documentary that Fr. Hugh

Speaking to a group of new missionaries at the orientation programme in Benoni on Thursday, 16 September 2021, the Archbishop of Johannesburg, Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, said though challenges facing the

The SACBC orientation programme for new missionaries started on Monday, 13 September 2021, and it will run until 24th September. The aim of the programme is to give a missionaries

Bishop Joseph Kizito of the Diocese of Aliwal made a presentation to the missionaries on the second day of the orientation program, 14 September 2021, and among them were missionaries

His Holiness, Pope Francis, celebrated the closing Mass at the International Eucharistic Congress which took place in Budapest, Hungary, from the 5th to 12th September 2021. “Eucharistic Congresses are gatherings

Conscious of the a difficult period a number of countries are going though the Standing Committee of IMBISA met in Pretoria to on the situation in its region. They noted

On the 7th and 8th of September 2021 there was a Joint Witness meeting between the Bishops of the SACBC and the Leaders of Religious Congregations in the SACBC territory.

Owing to Covid-19 restrictions just a handful of bishops attended the episcopal ordination of Bishop Anthony Pascal Rebello in Francistown, Botswana, on the 4th September 2021. Among them was the

On the afternoon of 01 September 2021, Johan Viljoen, the Director of Denis Hurley Peace Institute (DHPI), was among a panel of four speakers addressing the European Parliament Foreign Affairs

By: Bishop Sithembele Sipuka I would be remiss to let the month of August pass without referring to women who, in the light of the prevailing patriarchal culture of our

By: Sr. Nkhensani Shibambu On 17 August 2021, six conferences of Major Superiors in the Southern African region met together on Zoom for the first time in their history heeding

The collection in 2021 for the Bishops’ Lenten Appeal is about 49% of what was collected 2019. However with only 4 weeks of the Bishops’ Lenten Appeal collection and only

My dear brothers and sisters, Perhaps some of you may wonder: why does the Bishop write a pastoral letter on the safeguarding of creation? Are there no more important issues

The SACBC in the recent August Plenary appointed Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, the Archbishop of Johannesburg, as its spokesperson until the elections in January 2022. Archbishop Tlhagale was the President of

You may recall that last year, at the same time as the April lock-down, there was an enquiry addressed to us in regard to the celebration of the extra-ordinary form

Quoting the SACBC Vision Statement “Evangelising Community, Serving God, Humanity and all Creation,” Fr Jerry Browne, the Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies, said there is a great opportunity for

Caritas South Africa held its 4th General Assembly on the 21st July 2021 in a meeting that was held online due to current covid-19 restrictions. Present at the assembly were

Kindly,  join us tomorrow for SACBC webinar conversation with Father Michael Lapsley, the president of the Healing of Memories Global Network   Topic:  How do we find God’s hope and

Sunday the 25th July 2021 marks the First World Day for the Grandparents and Elderly as promulgated by His Holiness, Pope Francis, on the 22nd June 2021. In his message

Pope Francis publishes a motu proprio on Friday to redefine the use of the pre-Vatican missal granting the decision to allow its use the local bishops. Groups attending the pre-Vatican

Kwazulu-Natal Church Leaders Group urges citizens to opt for peace in the midst of all chaotic violence. “We condemn, in the strongest possible terms the violence that has wreaked havoc

On the 5th of July in it’s statement the IMBISA (The Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa) has expressed its sadness and concern on the ongoing events in the Kingdom of

The Holy Father, Pope Francis, has appointed Reverend Father Anthony Pascal Rebello as the new Bishop of Francistown. The diocese has been without a bishop since Bishop Franklyn Nubuasah was

Bishop Jose Luis Ponce de Leon, the Bishop of the Diocese of Manzini, continues to call for calm and dialogue as was the earlier appeal of the Council of Swaziland

By Sheila Pires – Johannesburg The Migrants and Refugees Office of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) in partnership with the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR), celebrated

On World Refugee Day – Sunday 20 June 2021 – join Mr. Valentin Tapsoba, Director of the UNHCR Regional Bureau for Southern Africa, and Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, o.m.i. of the

The changes to Book IV of Canon Law, which are penal sanctions in the church, are detailed in an Apostolic Constitution called Pascite Gregem Dei (Tend the Flock of God).

On Holy Trinity Sunday Bishop Siphiwo Paul Vanqa celebrated his first Mass in the Cathedral of Christ the King as the new Bishop of the Diocese of Queenstown (Komani). Bishop

“Remember it is those who had endurance that we say are the blessed ones. You have heard of the patience of Job, and understand the Lord’s purpose, realizing that the

The Catholic Institute of Education the service arm of the Catholic Board of Education and which serves schools across our nation. https://www.cie.org.za/pages/partners-annual-report  Choose the 2020 Annual Report it will download

26 February 2021 STATEMENT From the desk of the General Secretary, Bishop Malusi Mpumlwana SACC STATEMENT OF THE DESTABILISATION OF THE COUNTRY The heads of churches of the South African

Each year the Holy Father writes a special message for the World Communication Day. This year on 23rd January Pope Francis released a World Communication Day message titled, “‘Come and

The 4th Sunday of Easter is the Good Shepherd Sunday and a day in which vocations are especially remembered and prayed for. It is for this reason it will be

Today the Church celebrates the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, Spouse of the Blessed Virgin, Mary.  Although not much is said of him in scripture, he seems larger than life.  Often,

A Lenten reflection by Fr. Hugh O’Connor As they began to contemplate the saying they began to treat each other with a lot more respect because maybe the other person

A Lenten reflection by Bishop Peter Holiday We welcome Jesus proclamation in the Gospel on this first Sunday of Lent ‘Repent and Believe the Good News for the kingdom of