The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has convened its Board Meeting at St John Vianney Seminary in the Archdiocese of Pretoria. The 4 to 6 November 2025 meeting serves as a key preparatory step for the upcoming First Plenary Session of 2026.

Chaired by the SACBC Troika — Cardinal Stephen Brislin (President), Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani SCI (First Vice President), and Archbishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara CMM (Second Vice President) — the three-day gathering brings together bishops and secretaries of departments to evaluate the progress of the Conference’s pastoral priorities and administrative responsibilities.

As part of the Church’s structured rhythm of reflection and planning, the SACBC holds two plenary assemblies each year, in January and August, each preceded by a board meeting. These board meetings ensure that discussions at the plenary level are well-informed, coherent, and aligned with the pastoral realities of the dioceses across South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini.

The current board meeting includes deliberations and reports from key SACBC departments and councils:

• Department for the Formation, Life and Apostolate of the Laity
• Department for Formation, Life and Ministry of the Clergy
• Department for Christian Formation, Liturgy and Culture
• Department of Finance
• Catholic Institute of Education (CIE)
• Council for Evangelisation
• Department for Catholic Social Action

Each day begins with Holy Mass and includes sessions of prayer, reflection, and strategic discussion. Particular attention is given to ongoing formation, evangelisation initiatives, financial sustainability, and strengthening collaborative ministry across dioceses.

As the bishops and their collaborators continue their work, the meeting reaffirms the SACBC’s commitment to fostering a synodal, missionary, and inclusive Church — one that listens, discerns, and acts together in service of the People of God throughout Southern Africa.