Fernando Cardinal Filoni, the outgoing Prefect of the Congregation for the Evangelisation of Peoples, has send his message of condolences to the Catholic Church in Southern Africa for losing their two Priests who were working in St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria. In his message of condolences the Cardinal said,

“It is with great sadness that we learnt yesterday of the tragic road accident, which claimed the lives of Fr. Owen Wilcock and Fr. Sibusiso Zulu, Leaving Fr. Masilo Selemela and Fr. Ricardo Smuts seriously injured.

I request your Excellency to convey our deepest condolences and assurance of prayers to the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops’ Conference, the Community of St. John Vianney Seminary and to the Ordinaries of the respective Dioceses to which both the Victims and Survivors belong.

This missionary Dicastery is deeply concerned over the implied loss suffered by the Church in the Southern African Region, in particular St. John Vianney Seminary.

In Recognition of the important and dedicated service the above-mentioned priests have been rendering to the National Seminary, this congregation prays with you all for the eternal repose of Fathers Owen Wilcock and Sibusiso Zulu as well as the speedy recovery of Fathers Masilo Selemela and Ricardo Smuts.

With full trust in Our Lord Jesus Christ, the God of all mercy and healing, I remain”,

Sincerely yours in Christ,
F. Cardinal Filoni
Prefect