At Farewell Mass, Catholic Archbishop in South Africa Lauded for “naming things for what they are” Like John the Baptist

In his January 12 homily, Bishop Sipuka recalled the Archbishop’s 48 years of priesthood and 25 years of episcopacy and said that, like St. John the Baptist, “he effectively announced Christ in and out of season, courageously, prophetically, and by the example of his life in the public sphere and the Church.”

“John the Baptist was clear and frank in informing people about their sins, especially when they refused to repent. He told Herod that it was wrong for him to take his brother’s wife,” the Local Ordinary of South Africa’s Catholic Diocese of Mthatha said.

Likening John the Baptist’s preaching style to Archbishop Buti’s, Bishop Sipuka said, “Another signature phrase of his is “What's wrong with you?” After asking the question, he would tell you what is wrong with you if you do not know.”

“Both in the public sphere and in church circles, through sermons, speeches, and books, Archbishop Buti has courageously named what is wrong with individuals, with society, and with the church so that it can be fixed,” he said.

Just like John the Baptist and Archbishop Buti, the South African Catholic Bishop since his Episcopal Consecration in May 2008 challenged the ministers of God’s word to fearlessly denounce evil in society.

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He said, “If, as ministers, we are to help the people we serve, we must, like John the Baptist and Archbishop Buti, help them name all their sins so they are freed of them. They may not like us, but as I imagine Archbishop Buti would say, if you want to be liked, then ministry is not your place.”

“Helping people to name their sins fully and point them to Jesus are related. Naming sins acknowledges the crisis, and pointing to Jesus is to find a solution. The grace of Christ is the horizon that serves as a motivation to name and disown the sin and be freed from it,” Bishop Sipuka said in his January 12 homily.

Bishop Sipuka went on to explain the relationship between “helping people name their sins” and “pointing them to Christ”, saying, “If we do not help them name their sins, they will have no value for Christ and end up entertaining themselves. What do they need Christ for if they have no sense of their sin?”

He further explained that helping people to “name their sins without pointing them to Jesus will only make them feel guilty without giving them a solution.”

“Our task as ministers is to point people to Jesus, who has a solution to their existential problems and battles with sin,” Bishop Sipuka emphasized, and added, “We thank Archbishop Buti for his example in this regard during his many years of faithful service as a Bishop.”

The South African Catholic Bishop added, “Like John the Baptist, Archbishop, you did what you were called to do during your time, not attracting attention to yourself but to Jesus. Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Silas Mwale Isenjia is a Kenyan journalist with a great zeal and interest for Catholic Church related communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Linguistics, Media and Communication from Moi University in Kenya. Silas has vast experience in the Media production industry. He currently works as a Journalist for ACI Africa.