By Kati Dijane 

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) Youth and Young Adults’ Ministry made history this month by hosting its first-ever Young Adults’ Conference, bringing together 61 young adults from across the 29 dioceses in South Africa, Botswana  and Eswatini.

Held from 2 to 5 October 2025 at the Don Bosco Centre in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, the four-day gathering marked a significant step in the Church’s efforts to listen to and empower young adults as active leaders in faith and society.

Faithful beginnings: Opening on the feast of the Guardian Angels

The conference began on Thursday, 2 October, on the Feast of the Guardian Angels – a fitting reminder of God’s constant guidance and protection. The opening Mass set a tone of hope and encouragement. His Lordship, Auxiliary Bishop Masilo Selemela of the Archdiocese of Pretoria challenged participants to recognise that they are not merely “future leaders of the Church” but active disciples and leaders today.

“You are not the future of the Church; you are its present,” the celebrant affirmed,

encouraging the young adults to embrace their faith with courage and purpose.

Friday: deepening faith and embracing synodality

The second day turned the spotlight on the Church’s journey of synodality – a theme close to Pope Francis’ heart. Sheila Pires, SACBC Communications Officer, introduced the theme of the synod on synodality, “Communion, participation and mission,” reminding delegates that the synod is an ongoing process, extended until 2028.

“The synod invites the Church to rediscover itself as a listening Church – one that walks together and makes room for the voices of all the People of God,” Pires explained. She shared her experience participating in the synod assembly in Rome, where women and young people were given a chance to vote for the first time in history, describing it as “a powerful sign of inclusivity and dialogue.”

She also highlighted the synodal practice of ‘conversation in the spirit’, a method of prayerful dialogue where participants listen in silence before responding – an approach that fosters understanding across cultures and generations.

Later in the day, at the closing session of the day, Father Sibusiso Sithathu from the Diocese of Eshowe invited the young adults to deepen their spiritual lives through prayer, service and community.
“Our spiritual life must be centred on Christ, the Good Shepherd, guiding how we live and serve,” he said. He stressed the importance of regular prayer, the sacraments – especially Sunday Mass and confession – as well as family ministry and acts of service as “non-negotiable” practices for young Catholics.

Both speakers called on the delegates to see themselves as missionary disciples, active contributors to the life and future of the Church.

The day’s Mass reminded participants to stay rooted in prayer and attentive to God’s word amid the challenges of life. Drawing from the Gospel’s reading (Luke 10:13-16), the celebrant, Father Nhlanhla Mchunu warned young adults against indifference and being unmoved regarding their faith, spiritual journey and relationship with Jesus Christ. He also encouraged young adults to have faith, which he explained as hearing the message that comes from God and believing it because of who it comes from. The homily challenged the young adults to live their faith with conviction and purpose. 

Saturday: A call to fraternity and care for creation

On Saturday, 4 October, the conference observed the Feast of St Francis of Assisi, patron saint of peace and creation. The morning Mass, celebrated by Father Tshiamo Makaba of the Diocese of Gaborone, reflected on humility, service, love for creation and hope amid trials.

“We are called to be humble servants – to care for the earth and for one another, especially in times of disaster and difficulty,” Father Makaba said, drawing lessons from St Francis’ life.

The theme of fraternity continued in the day’s main session, led by Father Nhlanhla Mchunu, coordinating secretary of the SACBC Department for Formation, Life and Apostolate of the Laity.  Drawing on Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli Tutti (A Call to Universal Fraternity), Father Mchunu reflected on the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25–37) and Genesis 1:26–27, reminding participants that all people are created in God’s image.

He urged them to see humanity as “one race – the human race” and to reject divisions caused by racism, xenophobia, gender-based violence, corruption and indifference.
“You may be a drop, but without you, the ocean is less,” he said, commissioning the young adults to become peacemakers and bridge-builders in their families, parishes, and communities.

The final part of the conference’s programme was the discussion of the conference’s policy document for the youth and young adults, inviting members to share other plans of action that could be added that related mainly to young adults. Representatives from the five metropolises within the SACBC were appointed to return to their dioceses to consult with young adults on the draft policy document – to review, amend, or adopt it. The process will run until 31 March 2026, ensuring that the ministry reflects the needs and voices of young adults across the region.

Sunday: celebrating blessings and looking ahead

The final day, Sunday, 5 October, began with a closing Mass filled with gratitude and joy. The homily by  Father James Ngamone of the Diocese of Witbank encouraged the young adults to carry the spirit of the weekend back to their communities, reminding them that despite life’s hardships – whether unemployment, financial struggles, or difficult relationships – they remain blessed and called to be a blessing to others.

Speaking to the SACBC after the event, Lesego Zikhali, chairperson of the SACBC Youth and Young Adults’ Ministry, expressed joy at the success of the historic gathering but stressed that the work is far from over.

“We are celebrating this milestone,” he said, “but there is still more work ahead as we continue to engage young adults across the 29 dioceses to shape a strong structure guided by our policy document.”

A historic milestone for the Church in Southern Africa

Throughout the four days, the conference was not only a time of discussion and learning but also of deep prayer and renewal. From the call to joy and humility in the homilies to the lessons on fraternity and synodality, the young adults were empowered to live their faith more intentionally – as leaders, witnesses of Christ, and agents of change.

This historic conference marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Young Adults’ Ministry in the SACBC, proving that young adults are not just the Church of tomorrow – they are its vibrant present.