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Catholic Bishops Condole with Families of South African Soldiers Killed in DR Congo

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) have expressed their closeness with families of soldiers who lost their lives in the ongoing violence in Goma, a city in the Eastern region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Reports on Tuesday, January 28 indicated that four South African soldiers were killed in fighting with March 23 (M23) Movement, the rebels wreaking havoc in Goma. This brought the number of South African peacekeepers killed in the mineral-rich city to 13 since the rebels announced that they had taken over the Congolese city.

On Monday, January 27, the Rwandan-backed M23 rebels announced that its forces had taken over the capital of the Eastern Province of the DRC, Goma.

Goma has been in conflict for more than three decades since the 1994 Rwandan genocide, with numerous armed groups competing with authorities for control of the Central African nation.

In a January 28 report following the SACBC Plenary Assembly, the new President of the Conference that brings together Catholic Bishops in Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa is quoted calling for better equipping of the military that has been sent to restore peace in the Congolese region that is reportedly experiencing the “worst escalation” of the protracted violence.

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In the report that Fr. Mathibela Sebothoma compiled, Stephen Cardinal Brislin is said to have extended condolences to the families of the 13 South African soldiers killed in the war-torn Congolese region, saying, “Our hearts go out to their families, and we pray for God’s consolation and strength during this difficult time.”

The South African Cardinal also underscored the admiration he said the Church has for peacekeepers in the DRC, according to the report that Fr. Sebothoma compiled.

Members of the Africa Christian Professionals Forum (ACPF) have also weighed in on violence in Goma. They have called for an end to the escalating violence amid widespread destruction, noting that the violence has already caused immense destruction and inconceivable suffering among the people.

In a statement issued on Tuesday, January 28, ACPF proposed dialogue and immediate action to stop the violence that has reportedly led to widespread displacement and a deteriorating humanitarian situation in the region.

“The escalating violence in Goma has caused tragic loss of life and widespread destruction. We urge all parties to cease hostilities and engage in dialogue to end the suffering of civilians,” ACPF members said.

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Apart from the 13 South African soldiers killed, three Malawian soldiers have also reportedly lost their lives in the protracted violence in Eastern DRC.

Meanwhile, during their Plenary Assembly, members of SACBC also approved the establishment of a commission and office they said would be dedicated to the implementation of the Synod on Synodality in the three countries, the report that Fr. Sebothoma compiled indicates.

The report published on Wednesday, January 29 indicates that Archbishop Dabula Mpako, the chief delegate of the Synod on Synodality, has been elected as the first chairperson of the commission, to be assisted by Bishop Thulani Mbuyisa of the Catholic Diocese of Kokstad and Sheila Pires, who was the secretary of the Synod’s Information Commission.

Archbishop Mpako noted that the final document of the Synodal Assembly in Rome encourages Catholic Bishops’ Conferences across the globe to establish bodies that will provide personnel and resources to ensure the implementation of synodal resolutions.

According to the report that the Communication Officer of South Africa’s Catholic Archdiocese of Pretoria compiled, the South African Catholic Archbishop explained that the newly established commission would oversee, animate, encourage, and interpret documents from the Synod Secretariat in Rome to ensure the effective implementation of the Synod’s outcomes.

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Archbishop Mpako is said to have urged the Clergy in the SACBC region to find motivation in implementing the Synod on Synodality, recommending that each Diocese establishes a team to lead the process. 

“The SACBC cannot enforce the recommendations but will rely on local bishops and dioceses for success. Our role is to animate and, where necessary, provide workshops,” he is quoted as saying in the Fr. Sebothoma January 28 report.

The Catholic Archbishop of Pretoria is said to have noted that the recommendations and proposals from the Synod must be implemented at the local church level.

“The Vatican oversees and animates the global implementation, but each parish, small Christian community, and sodality must take up the challenge. Our priests, as catalysts, must lead and enable the faithful to engage fully in this mission,” he is quoted as saying.

In the Plenary Assembly, Catholic Bishops in Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa reportedly also spoke at length about other issues such as the place of ecumenism and interreligious dialogue in the region, the role of the Catholic media, the youth and the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year, as well as importance of digital missionaries and social justice in the region.

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On ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue, SACBC members reportedly asserted their recognition of the importance of ongoing formation and education, while acknowledging challenges such as identity preservation and historical tensions.

Cardinal Brislin acknowledged that South African society remains segregated along racial and ethnic lines, and urged the Church to foster a spirit of unity and care for one another, according to the report that Fr. Sebothoma compiled.

The Local Ordinary of Johannesburg Catholic Archdiocese is also said to have praised the service of Catholic media, calling for greater collaboration while respecting diversity in identity and vision. “The Jubilee Year presents opportunities for us to work together and bring hope while constructively challenging each other,” he is quoted as saying.

Cardinal Brislin is said to have highlighted the importance of digital missionaries, urging investment in programs that empower the youth to evangelize through social media. He is quoted as saying, “We need to formalize and develop structured programs for digital missionaries.”

South Africa’s newest Cardinal, who started his Episcopal Ministry in January 2007 reportedly confirmed SACBC’s support for a mini–World Youth Day, acknowledging the financial burden of previous events such as the one in Durban.

Reiterating the Cardinal’s appreciation of the progress made by young people within the SACBC region, Archbishop Mpako expressed his admiration for the Youth Commission of the Archdiocese of Pretoria, which he reportedly said had independently developed a Jubilee Year youth program and organized a trip to Rome. 

“Already, 36 young people have booked their tickets and accommodation, and they have invited others from different dioceses to join,” Fr. Sebothoma’s January 28 report has Archbishop Mpako saying, and urging all local churches to encourage youth participation.

The South African Catholic Archbishop is said to have suggested that SACBC members explore ways to support this effort at the conference level.

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