As usual there are so many things happening in the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops’ Conference. The second part of the year 2018 has been one of the busiest in our conference. Just a tip of some of the things which have been happening around you.
- Protection of Minors Workshops: Our Secretary General, Sr Hermegild Makoro, together with her Associate Secretary General, Fr Patrick Rakeketsi, spent some weeks in the different dioceses of LCBC (Lesotho Catholic Bishops’ Conference), conducting workshops on Protection of Minors. She was doing this under the mandate of Pontifical Commission for the Protection of Minors (PCPM), as it has been the call of the Holy Father to works together as people of God to make sure that those vulnerable are protected against any kind of abuse. Protection of Minors and the vulnerable has come on the first agenda of Pope Francis. Let us work together to address the problem of abuse in our society by reporting the cases without fear or favour. Sr Hermenegild was very happy of the good response by the priests and religious of LCBC. Of course this was a good sign of readiness to address the challenges facing the church. We hope for the best in addressing the issues of abuse. Sincere thanks to the Bishops of Lesotho for seeing the need of those workshops. We also thank the LCBC Secretary General, Fr Mookameli Chale for being in the heart of all the logistics for the success of the workshops. Read more….
- IMBISA Workshops: IMBISA had a one week Caritas Workshop, which was conducted by Caritas Africa. The workshop was held in Lumko. Different coordinators of Caritas in our different dioceses were part of this workshop. It was also attended by representatives from Caritas from different conferences under IMBISA. Our Secretary General and her Associate were part of the workshop.
- Another IMBISA Communication workshop has been going on since the beginning of this week. It has been organised by IMBISA, conducted by Sean Lovett from Vatican, in collaboration with Jesuit Institute. It is also attended by representatives from different dioceses of the SACBC and IMBISA.
- Ending Family Violence Workshop: The SACBC Department for the formation of the Laity has organised a workshop which is attended by different representatives from different dioceses. The main focus of the workshop is to end violence in the families.
- St John Vianney Seminary graduations and Farewell of the outgoing Rector: We have witnessed the graduations of the Seminarians who are completing their studies in the Seminary and returning to their different dioceses, where they will prepare themselves for other stages of their vocation. We congratulate all of them and wish them many blessings as they continue to discern their vocation in the service of the church.
- <listyle=”text-align: centre;”>The graduations in the Seminary were followed by the farewell ceremony of Fr Paul Manci who has been the Rector for some years now. His term of serving the St John Vianney is coming to an end. Hope to hear soon about the new rector. Let us continue to pray with the Bishops during this process of thinking of the new rector. We wish Fr Paul Manci all blessing for the new job he is going to do.
- Catholic Men Association spreading wings in the Archdiocese of Pretoria: The Archdiocese of Pretoria lately has seen the increasing number of Catholic Men Association (CMA) members. The Association has come to the spotlight as one of the solutions for active participation of men in the church. The association is gaining momentum every year. May Catholic Men, young and old, are joining this association. This has motivated many men in the church to once more take active role in making sure that men are also in the forefront in supporting and running the activities of the Church.
- SACBC November Board Meeting: Every November SACBC Board holds a meeting to discuss issues concerning the church in our region and to prepare for the upcoming SACBC Plenary, which normally takes place at the beginning of the following year. What is particular with this Board is that it is also paving a way for a new leadership of the church starting from the beginning of the year. The new SACBC President elect, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, will be taking the role of SACBC President from Archbishop Stephen Brislin. Of course we are also going to see some changes in terms of the bishops who are heading different departments of the SACBC. Let us not forget as well to remember the new leadership in our prayers. Transition of leadership is never an easy task but through your prayers all will be smooth. We thank Archbishop Stephen for the wonderful work he has done in the service of the local church.
- SACBC Website: Don’t forget that we are busy working on the face-lifting of the SACBC Website. It is taking us sometime but we are getting there slowly but sure. Just bear with us when things are not yet perfect. We hope it will be complete soon and we will let you know.
- Shepherds on the Green: Don’t forget to support the initiative of Shepherds on the Green. The event is organised under Radio Veritas with the intention of raising funds for the Only Catholic Radio Station in our region. The event is meant for all the Catholic Clergy, both Diocesans and Religions. Let us support this is initiative of spreading Good News. The just thing you can do is to make sure that you pay for your Parish Priest to attend the event. Don’t forget those priests as well who don’t have parishes like Fr Paul Tatu. Please donate to them so that they can be part of the event. If you want to donate something for your priests who is not in the parish kindly contact me I have their list. The contact details are below. The event is for all the Clergy in South Africa, Botswana and Swaziland.
