In his address to members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC), the Chargé d’Affaires a.i. of the Apostolic Nunciature in South Africa expressed gratitude for the “support shown to the Apostolic Nunciature.”

“First of all, I would like to thank you for all the efforts you put into proclaiming the Kingdom of God. Through Catholic media, either your personal or the official ones, I see and follow many of your great initiatives, projects, celebrations, and so forth, “said Mgr. Dario Paviša in his Wednesday, January 24 address.

He added, “I would also like to thank you for your great support shown to the Apostolic Nunciature, especially for your forbearance for the countless letters you receive for consultation for new bishops.”

Since the February appointment of Apostolic Nuncio Mons. Peter B. Wells to Thailand, Mgr Paviša has been serving as the acting Chargé d’Affaires a.i. for almost a year. In the January 24 address to the Catholic Bishops of South Africa, Botswana and eSwatini Mgr Paviša said that although the past year was not an easy period as it was “very busy, packed with travelling, pastoral activities and office work,” he had “wonderful encounters and was able to experience the cultural, ethnic, and ecclesial richness” of the different Dioceses he visited.

“Starting from March 2023, I have visited many Dioceses on various occasions: Durban, Ingwavuma, Witbank, Aliwal, Cape Town, Gaborone in Botswana, Johannesburg etc. I have had wonderful encounters and was able to experience the cultural, ethnic, and ecclesial richness of these beautiful places,” he said.

Mgr Paviša went on to thank the bishops for their “efforts as well as for the courage (they) have taken at various occasions to provide (the) faithful and the whole of society with clarifications on our catholic positions etc. (for example the Reply in response to the message of Chief Rabbi Goldstein about the Pope or the Statement on Fiducia Supplicans).”

In his address, Mgr Paviša also mentioned the 2025 Jubilee and thanked Archbishop Dabula Mpako, Bishop Thulani Mbuyisa, and Ms. Sheila Pires for representing the local Church at the Synod and asked for continued prayers as “the focus for the Church in 2024 will be the second and final part of the Ordinary Synod on Synodality.”

Looking at the sociopolitical situation in Southern Africa, Mgr Paviša said, “We are keeping a close eye on the socio-political situation in the country… I thank you for your contribution in providing us also with up-to-date information in this regard. In Botswana and South Africa this year there will be elections and we continue to pray that they will be conducted in a peaceful and democratic manner.”