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South Africa

Blessed Benedict Daswa, South Africa’s first potential saint.

South Africa’s Blessed Daswa, a Model of Forgiveness: Bishop at Beatification Anniversary

Sep 15, 2020

At the fifth anniversary of the beatification of Blessed Benedict Daswa, South Africa’s first potential saint, a Bishop in the country has hailed the martyr’s forgiving attitude toward his killers and and encouraged the people of God in the country to emulate him.

Some Church leaders during the September 15 one-hour countrywide silent prayer session to protest against corruption involving COVID-19 funds in South Africa. / MK Promotions/South Africa

One-Hour Countrywide Silent Prayer Held in South Africa, a Protest against Corruption

Sep 15, 2020

Church leaders in South Africa on Tuesday, September 15 took part in a one-hour countrywide silent prayer session to protest against corruption involving COVID-19 funds, which has been described as “stealing money from people that cannot breathe.”

South Africa’s Cape Town Archdiocese Considers Deferment of Matrimony amid COVID-19

Sep 12, 2020

The leadership of South Africa’s Cape Town Archdiocese has advised couples to consider deferring the celebration of the Sacrament of Matrimony due to the COVID-19 restrictions.

Map showing the troubled region of Cabo Delgado in Mozambique.

Southern Africa Prelates Express Solidarity with People of God in Mozambique amid Crisis

Sep 8, 2020

Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa have, in a collective statement, expressed their solidarity with the people of God in Mozambique indicating their awareness of “the rapidly deteriorating situation” of Cabo Delgado Province, a region within the Catholic Diocese of Pemba.

Logo of the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies marked Monday, September 7. / World Health Organisation (WHO)

The Irony of COVID-19 and Cleaner Air, Clearer Skies: An African Jesuit Cleric

Sep 7, 2020

On the maiden International Day of Clean Air for blue skies marked Monday, September 7 under the theme “Clean Air for All,” a member of the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) ministering in South Africa has reflected on what he says is the irony of COVID-19 lockdown contributing to cleaner air and clearer skies.

Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of South Africa’s Durban Archdiocese.

Study Demonstrates Plight of Child-Headed Families in South Africa’s Durban Archdiocese

Sep 5, 2020

The leadership of the Justice and Peace Commission (JPC) of South Africa’s Durban Archdiocese has, in a research report, highlighted the plight of child-headed households (CHHs) in the Church’s jurisdiction.

Logo for 2020 Lenten message from the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC). / Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC)

Bishops in South Africa Pen Gratitude for Lenten Collection Despite 60 Percent Plunge

Sep 2, 2020

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) have sent a message of gratitude to the people of God under their care for “being faithful to the Church” during this challenging time of the COVID-19 pandemic and for contributing towards the conference’s coffers despite the harsh economic times.

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of South Africa’s Mthatha Diocese and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC). / Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC)

We Risk Being Called a “Republic of Corruption,” South African Prelate Cautions

Aug 29, 2020

A Catholic Prelate in South Africa has bemoaned increasing reports of graft in the country, a situation he says puts one of Africa’s largest economies at a great risk of being referred to as a failed state and a “Republic of Corruption.”

Sr. Hermenegild Makoro, Secretary General Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC).

At Virtual Prayer Meeting, South African Nun Urges Women to “become life giving”

Aug 27, 2020

At an online prayer meeting organized to express solidarity with women who are suffering from solitude and isolation occasioned by COVID-19 restrictions, the South African Nun at the helm of Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has urged women who are part of organizations to foster spiritual solidarity and share “life giving” experiences amid coronavirus challenges.

South African Jesuit Cautions against Neglecting Poor, Marginalized amid COVID-19 Crisis

Aug 26, 2020

A Society of Jesus (Jesuits) Cleric serving in his native country, South Africa, has, in a reflection on the effects of COVID-19 pandemic, cautioned against neglecting the poor and marginalized.

Logo Women's Month 2020

South African Prelate Encourages Training of Female Theologians in Women’s Month Message

Aug 23, 2020

A Catholic Bishop in South Africa has lauded women who assume ministerial roles in the absence of their Clergy and urged the Church in the Southern African country to find ways of encouraging more women to take up leadership positions in the Church, including enrolling for theology classes.

Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town in South Africa.

As Lockdown is Eased in South Africa, Prelate Urges Vigilance, Says “virus still present”

Aug 22, 2020

Days after South Africa’s President eased some COVID-19 restrictions put in five months ago to minimize the spread of the virus, the Archbishop Cape Town has urged the people of God in his Diocese to remain vigilant and continue taking necessary precautions because the coronavirus has not yet been eliminated from the country. 

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

News of Corruption amid COVID-19 Crisis Not “a big surprise”: Bishops in Southern Africa

Aug 16, 2020

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have, in a collective statement, expressed their condemnation of alleged misappropriation of COVID-19 resources but indicated that this corruption was somewhat expected.

Logo for Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS) Day 2020 / African Union (AU)

Birth Registration “crucial activity that needs highlighting”: Southern African Bishops

Aug 16, 2020

On the occasion of the third African Civil Registration and Vital Statistics (CRVS)  Day commemorated Monday, August 10, members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have raised concerns over the failure by authorities in their respective countries and the continent at large to prioritize birth registration, a documentation gap that denies children access to basic rights.

ZimbabweanLivesMatter online campaign

Zimbabwe’s Church Leaders Welcome Global Solidarity, Appeal for Dialogue amid Crisis

Aug 16, 2020

Church leaders in Zimbabwe have acknowledged with appreciation messages of solidarity from across the globe through the hashtag #ZimbabweanLivesMatter following recent demonstrations against brutality and violence in their country.

Poster advertising South African Union of Catholic Women’s Organization (SAUCWO) Prayer Day slated for August 24. / World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO)

Catholic Women in South Africa Organizing Online Prayers to Bridge Lockdown Solitude

Aug 13, 2020

The South African arm of the World Union of Catholic Women’s Organizations (WUCWO), an international entity for Catholic women groups, is organizing for prayers slated for later this month to express solidarity with women who are suffering from solitude and isolation that comes with the COVID-19 lockdown, an official has told ACI Africa.

Official Logo for the Women's Day celebration in South Africa.

South Africa’s Religious Orders Decry Gender-based Violence on Women’s Day

Aug 10, 2020

A majority of women in South Africa are living in fear of abuse during COVID-19 lockdown, leaders of various Religious Orders and Societies of Apostolic Life in southern Africa have observed in their collective message to commemorate this year’s Women’s Day.

Bishop Victor Phalana of South Africa’s Klerksdorp Diocese.

“We cry (over) looting in South Africa, repressions in Zimbabwe”: South African Prelate

Aug 6, 2020

A Catholic Bishop in South Africa has, in a Facebook post, decried looting of public research in South Africa and abuse of office through “repressions” in neighboring Zimbabwe, cautioning that the situation is “becoming worse and worse.”

Archbishop Abel Gabuza, Coadjutor Archbishop of Durban, South Africa.

COVID-19 Crisis “a particular prophetic moment in our lives”: South African Prelate

Aug 4, 2020

A Prelate in South Africa has, in a reflection about COVID-19 in the country, described the situation of the pandemic as “a particular prophetic moment in our lives,” which calls for the fostering of the three theological virtues of faith, hope, and charity. 

Church Leaders in South Africa “disgusted by revelations of looting of COVID-19 funds”

Jul 30, 2020

Church leaders in South Africa have expressed their displeasure over the “revelations of” looting of funds meant for fighting against COVID-19 in the country saying the acts are typical of “vultures and hyenas over dead bodies.”