“We have over the years seen a growing trend in a number of young people who are involved in alcohol and substance abuse. Underage drinking has been a growing problem, especially with the increase in “pens ’down parties” which are held by pupils to celebrate after writing their exams,” the report indicated.
In their plenary, the members of SACBC also discussed the issue of women's ordination to diaconate which they agreed is a topic that requires further studies and reflection.
“The ordination of women to the diaconate needs further study and reflection, bearing in mind that this is a universal issue and not merely a local matter,” the Bishops said during the plenary that ended on Friday, August 9.
On Viri Probati which calls for the ordination of married men to the priesthood, the Bishops “were of the opinion that further discernment needs to be given to the matter, especially in the light of the decreasing number of vocations to the priesthood.”
The Bishops also weighed in on the state of governance in South Africa and called for national dialogue.
They said, “In the light of the disappointments of the last 30 years of democracy, and the light of the recent political developments in South Africa, the SACBC joins the many others in their call for a National Dialogue for a reflective and inclusive discourse on the needs of the country.”
During the five-day plenary session, the Bishops also expressed displeasure following the Last Supper Mockery at the Olympics in Paris France. The mockery involved the drag queen-led parody of the Last Supper that was featured during the July 26 opening ceremonies of the 2024 Paris Olympics.
The highly denounced parody portrays DJ and producer Barbara Butch, an LGBTQ+ icon, as Jesus in what appears to be a part of a fashion show, apparently mocking Leonardo da Vinci’s famous painting of the Last Supper.
In their statement, the Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa described the incident as insulting and “called on all Catholics and Christians not to be discouraged at the mockery but to continue to hold firm in their faith.”
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.
