The President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has highlighted the critical contribution of women religious to the life of the Church and society during a meeting with a delegation from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation and Leadership Conference of Consecrated Life South Africa (LCCLSA).

The delegation, led by Sr Jane Wakahiu LSOSF, visited South Africa for high-level engagements with the LCCLSA, the SACBC, and other Catholic organisations working in the area of consecrated life and formation. Their programme began on Tuesday, 25 November, with an official meeting at the Johannesburg Chancery, where they were received by Cardinal Stephen Brislin.

In a video message following the meeting, Cardinal Brislin reflected on the significance and mission of consecrated life, with a particular emphasis on women religious.

The meeting, according to Cardinal Brislin, was “a stark reminder … of the importance of consecrated life in South Africa but throughout the world, and most particularly of women religious.”

“We know that women religious are in many ways the face of the Church. They are people closest to families and to young people,” said Cardinal Brislin, and stressed the importance of strengthening their service and ministries:

“And so we must do everything we possibly can to strengthen women religious and their congregations through formation, education, care of the elderly, and facilitating the many projects that they are involved in.”

In his message, Cardinal Brislin concluded with an appeal for prayer and unity within the life of the Church:

“Please pray for women religious, pray for the Church, that we may always work together for the greater glory of God and for His Kingdom.”

After the meeting, the delegation attended the annual Mass for Deceased Clergy and Religious held at Christ the King Cathedral in Johannesburg. The Mass, celebrated by Cardinal Brislin, honoured religious men and women who dedicated their lives to service within the Archdiocese and beyond.

As part of their visit, the Hilton Foundation delegation also met with representatives from the Regional Conference of Major Superiors of Southern Africa, where discussions focused on formation programmes and the long-term support of consecrated life in the region.