In a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Southern Africa, Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka of Mthatha Diocese has been appointed by Pope Leo XIV to the Vatican’s Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, a key body that fosters understanding and cooperation between the Catholic Church and other faiths.

In the Thursday, July 3 press release, the Vatican announced the appointment of 21 new members, which also include Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa of Jerusalem, Bishop Ollo Modeste Kambou of Gaoua, Burkina Faso, and Bishop Wilybard Lagho of Malindi, Kenya, as well as other prelates from diverse nations such as Brazil, Pakistan, Japan, Ireland, Southern Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Kazakhstan, Vietnam, Thailand, Iran, United Kingdom, Italy, Canada, Syria, Germany, and the United States of America.

Bishop Sipuka’s appointment builds on an extensive history of ecclesial service at local, national, continental levels and beyond. His engagement with the Dicastery is not new as he has worked with it under the banner of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) as part of ongoing efforts to find solutions to the war in the Holy Land through interfaith dialogue. His most recent visit to the Dicastery was in March this year.

His leadership experience in continental structures is long-standing. Before serving as First Vice President of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) from 2019 to 2022, Bishop Sipuka served as Second Vice President for six years, during which he chaired the Justice and Peace Commission. This extended tenure gave him substantial international exposure and created opportunities for dialogue across diverse religious and cultural contexts throughout Africa and beyond.

Bishop Sipuka. photo: SECAM

During his time at SECAM, he became a prominent voice calling for justice, peace, and ethical governance in Africa. He repeatedly emphasized the moral responsibility of religious leaders to address human suffering, inequality, and war. In numerous interventions, Bishop Sipuka called on African governments and international actors to tackle the root causes of migration, unemployment, and conflict.

From February 2019 to January 2025, he served as President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), where he championed the role of the Church in fostering a culture of dialogue, particularly in multicultural and religiously diverse societies such as South Africa. His emphasis on synodality, walking together in mutual respect and shared mission closely aligns with the objectives of the Dicastery.

Bishop Sipuka’s commitment to interreligious solidarity has extended beyond national and regional borders. He has been an outspoken advocate for peace in global conflict zones, including Gaza, Eswatini, and Mozambique, notably during the post-election unrest in October 2024 and the prolonged instability in Cabo Delgado province.

Currently, he is the President of the South African Council of Churches (SACC) – the first Catholic to hold this position, where he continues to promote ecumenical collaboration in addressing challenges such as inequality, corruption, xenophobia, and social division.

The Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, led by the Prefect Cardinal George Jacob Koovakad, plays a crucial role in promoting respectful engagement with non-Christian religions and advancing peace, social justice, and care for creation.

Bishop Sipuka’s appointment not only recognizes his pastoral leadership and diplomatic experience but also affirms the growing contribution of African perspectives in shaping the Church’s global mission of unity and reconciliation.