Catholic Bishops in Southern Africa Called to Look to Mother Mary’s “shining example”

The Blessed Virgin Mary can also inspire SACBC members in their “ministry of being agents of reconciliation as ambassadors for Christ,” he said.

The South African Catholic Archbishop who started his Episcopal Ministry in August 2011 as Bishop of South Africa’s Queenstown Diocese further said, “Being ambassadors for Christ begins by pondering the word of God in our hearts.”

Being ambassadors of Christ also involves “opening up a space in our hearts for the Holy Spirit to dwell in us and take possession of us so that we become instruments and agents of the Holy Spirit,” he added.

The Local Ordinary of Pretoria Archdiocese who doubles as the first Vice President of SACBC encouraged the Catholic Bishops in the three Southern African nations to emulate Mother Mary in keeping their hearts and minds open to “God’s will” even if the pondering and listening do not lead to correct answers or solutions.

“Mary’s heart is Immaculate because it was a heart that was always attentive, open, and ready to embrace God’s will whatever it turned out to be,” said the 59-year-old Archbishop who has been at the helm of the South African Archdiocese since June 2019.

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He said to be ambassadors of Christ means that Catholic Bishops, as shepherds, should be “ready to stand in for Christ, and to allow the mission of Christ to be carried out in and through us.”

Catholic Bishops as ambassadors of Christ will need to facilitate “reconciliation, communion and unity” among the people of God under their pastoral care, Archbishop Mpako said, adding that Catholic Bishops “lead the church communities entrusted to our pastoral care in being agents of reconciliation and unity in the societies in which we live.”

“As we end this visit and return to our respective local churches, we entrust ourselves to the motherhood of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Our prayer is that she may continue to be our protector and a guiding light for us, the shining star we follow as we carry out our ministry of shepherding the people of God,” he said during the June 17 Eucharistic celebration.

He implored, “May the Virgin Mary, Mother of God and Mother of the Church, continue to intercede for all of us, shepherds and the flock, that we may be given a heart like hers that is always ready to listen, to ponder, and to allow God’s will to be carried out in and through us.”

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.