The Cathedral of Christ the King in Johannesburg was the focus of three major celebrations on Saturday, September 20: the 65th anniversary of its consecration, the 30th anniversary of Pope Saint John Paul II’s visit, and the unveiling of a heritage plaque recognizing its historic and cultural significance.

In interviews with the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) communication office, Cardinal Stephen Brislin of Johannesburg emphasized that these milestones are not only moments of remembrance but also of renewal. “In celebrating the 65th anniversary of the cathedral, we give thanks for what has been, but we also look to what lies ahead,” he said, stressing that the cathedral is both a spiritual home for the Archdiocese and a landmark at the heart of Johannesburg’s story.

Meanwhile, Auxiliary Bishop of Pretoria Masilo John Selemela called the cathedral “a place of communion, not only for the people of Johannesburg, but also for the Church in Southern Africa.” He recalled serving as a seminarian during Pope John Paul II’s Mass at Gosforth Park in September 1995, describing the pontiff as “a man of faith, a man of deep prayer, but also a man of great courage.” He added that today’s Church must carry forward the same courage in its witness to Gospel values.

Looking at the cathedral’s significance, Bishop Selemela said he hoped it would “become a place of hospitality, a place of inclusivity, where people are welcomed, given hope, and shown the way to happiness.”

Among those interviewed was Sr. Jakuba Wasilewska of the Sisters of Merciful Jesus, who described the celebration as “uplifting for our faith, for the community, and also for the future.” She noted that remembering Pope John Paul II’s visit was particularly moving for her as a Polish religious sister. “For us, the Polish, our hearts are burning when we hear his name and that he was here. But he is a saint for all of us,” she said.

Toward the end of Mass, the Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa, Archbishop Henryk Jagodziński, enriched the occasion by presenting Cardinal Brislin with a ciborium for Mass and relics of Pope Saint John Paul II. That same day, Cardinal Brislin’s new chair, embroidered with his coat of arms, arrived as a gift from a private donor.

The cathedral was full for the celebration, with priests from across Johannesburg and representatives from the suffragan sees of Manzini (Eswatini), Klerksdorp, and Witbank in attendance. With the unveiling of its heritage plaque, the Cathedral of Christ the King — dedicated to the Immaculate Conception of Our Lady — was recognized not only as an architectural and cultural treasure, but as a living witness of faith, resilience, and hope for generations past and those yet to come.