Archbishop Tlhagale at 200th Anniversary: “The flaming torch of Abbot Pfanner brought us the amazing light of Christ”

by Sheila Pires | Dec 8, 2025 | Uncategorized, Bishops' Homilies, Featured

On the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, the Church in South Africa gathered at Mariannhill Monastery to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Abbot Francis Pfanner, founder of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood and the Missionaries of...

SACBC Pays Tribute to Bishop Edward Risi OMI

by Sheila Pires | Dec 5, 2025 | Uncategorized, Featured

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has announced with great sadness the death of Bishop Edward Gabriel Risi, OMI, Bishop of Keimoes-Upington, who passed away on 4 December 2025 after several months of illness. He had been in and out of the...

A Shepherd to the End: Bishop Edward Risi’s Final Reflections on Synodality, Youth, and the Future of the Church

by Sheila Pires | Dec 4, 2025 | Uncategorized, Featured

The Church in Southern Africa is mourning the passing of Bishop Edward Gabriel Risi, Bishop of Keimoes–Upington, who died on the morning of Thursday, 4 December 2025, at the age of 76. His death came after several months of ill-health, during which he was repeatedly...

Bishop Edward Risi: South African Shepherd and Liturgical Leader Dies at 76

by Sheila Pires | Dec 4, 2025 | Uncategorized, Featured

The Church in Southern Africa is mourning the death of Bishop Edward Gabriel Risi, Bishop of Keimoes-Upington, who passed away on Thursday morning, 4 December 2025, at the age of 76. His death followed several months of ill-health; he had been in and out of hospital...

SACBC Justice and Peace Commission Calls for Family-Centred Approach to End Gender-Based Violence

by Sheila Pires | Dec 3, 2025 | Uncategorized, 16 DAYS, Featured

As the Sixteen Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence unfold across the globe, the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Justice and Peace Commission has issued an urgent call for a renewed, family-centred strategy to confront violence against...

STATEMENT OF THE SACBC ON THE SIXTEEN DAYS OF ACTIVISM AGAINST GENDER-BASED VIOLENCE

by Sheila Pires | Dec 3, 2025 | Uncategorized, 16 DAYS, Bishop Statements, Justice and Peace

A Call to a Family-Centred Response to the Violence Against Women and Children “Into whatever house you enter, first say: Peace to this household.” (Luke 10:5) We offer this message with pastoral concern, inviting every parish within the SACBC to dedicate one Sunday...

Port Elizabeth Clergy Plenary: Strengthening Communion, Participation, and Mission

by Sheila Pires | Nov 28, 2025 | Uncategorized, Featured

By Ryan Pillay – Port Elizabeth Diocese Communication Officer From November 24 to 26, 2025, the clergy of the Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth gathered at St. Luke’s Retreat Centre for the annual Clergy Plenary: three days of reflection, fraternity, shared...

Archbishop Jagodziński Receives Hilton Foundation Delegation at the Nunciature in Pretoria

by Sheila Pires | Nov 27, 2025 | Uncategorized, Featured

The Apostolic Nunciature in Pretoria welcomed a delegation from the Conrad N. Hilton Foundation, led by Sr Jane Wakahiu LSOSF, during their official visit to South Africa aimed at strengthening support for consecrated life and fostering closer collaboration with the...

Cardinal Brislin Highlights the Role of Women Religious During Hilton Foundation Meeting

by Sheila Pires | Nov 27, 2025 | Uncategorized, Featured

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...

Bishops’ Newsletter November 2025 (2)

by danvdb | Nov 27, 2025 | Bishop Statements, Uncategorized

The season of Advent is upon us, it is a time of expectation, when we prepare our home and our hearts to celebrate the birth of Jesus on Christmas Day. The word Advent is derived from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming”. Advent is a season of hope, a time to...