Bishop Louis Ndlovu: A tribute

Bishop Louis Ncamiso Ndlovu OSM: March 15, 1945 to August 27, 2012

Ncamiso Louis Ndlovu was born in eNkhaba (Hhohho) of Jack and Mphungane Paulina Dlamini on March 15, 1945. At the age of six he moved to Hlathikhulu (kaBhukubhuku) where he grew up with his elder half-brother Aaron D Zwane. He did his primary education at Christ the King, Hlathikhulu, where he was also baptised in April 1956 by Fr Benedict Biagioli OSM and later confirmed.

A new missionary, Fr Angelo Ciccone OSM at arrived at Hlathikhulu in 1961; the young Ncamiso gave a very positive impression with his exemplary work ethic and spiritual dedication, especially Marian devotion. He gladly assisted the priests in their work. When Fr Ciccone was transferred to St Joseph’s Mission, he swiftly invited him to Mzimpofu for supervision of the Boy’s hostel. There, Ncamiso remained constant in adding value to the mission with his spirit of selflessness.

Guided by the Servite friars there, he felt called to Religious Life and in 1968 was sent to the Minor Seminary in Manzini to clarify his motivations. He completed high school at Salesian High. Years later, it would become clear that the two italian Servite Friars, Frs Biagioli and Ciccone would make an incisive mark in the life and development of Louis Ncamiso’s vocation, as he himself often stated how much he appreciated their paternal presence.

In 1970, he was again invited by Fr Ciccone to join a drama group of Swazis on a year-long tour of Italy to raise awareness and funds for the mission. Before departure the group duly sought the blessing of King Sobhuza II and offered the king a foretaste of their dance skills, at the end of which he singled out the exceptional skills of Ncamiso and remarked that he was destined for greater things in his life, before handing over to Fr Ciccone a letter of recommendation, wishing them well on their tour.

On completion of the tour in January 1971, Ncamiso asked to remain in Nola (Naples) at the parental home of Fr Ciccone, with the intention of pursuing his call to religious life and indeed after a brief prenovitiate in Florence, he began his novitiate at the historic Servite Monastery of Monte Senario in Florence, with Fr Pietro Papini OSM as Master. His first profession was on March 23, 1972. He was then sent to the Servite College in Rome for Philosophy and Theology, where he also studied Mariology. He pronounced solemn vows on April 12, 1975 under the Neapolitan rather than the Tuscan Province, which was in-charge of the Swaziland missions, through the guidance of Fr Ciccone. After diaconate ordination in Italy, Bishop Mandlenkhosi Zwane ordained him to the priesthood on May 4, 1978 at the Manzini cathedral, with Fr Benedict Biagioli OSM as his local superior at the Servite House in Mzimpofu.

Fr Louis Ndlovu was assigned as assistant parish priest at St Joseph’s Mzimpofu from 1978-79, after which Bishop Zwane urged that he be sent to Eldoret in Kenya, and then Uganda, for pastoral studies. On his return, he was assigned to St Mary’s Lobamba as parish priest from 1980-81. However, in January 1981, he was again sent to Rome, Italy for studies in Servite Formation, but this plan was interrupted on February 20, 1981 when he was appointed apostolic administrator of the Manzini diocese, following the death in a car crash of Bishop Zwane.

His long episcopal service began with his appointment as bishop of Manzini on July 31, 1985 and on Saturday October 12, 1985 when he was consecrated by Bishop Mansuet Della Biyase of Eshowe.

Bishop Ndlovu served the Manzini diocese for 26 odd years. He was privileged to welcome Pope John Paul II to Swaziland in 1988. At the level of our Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference he was entrusted with several duties: From 1987-90 he was chairman for the Commission for Mission, Immigrants and Refugees, a post he continued to hold again from 1990-93. He worked for and oversaw the establishment of full diplomatic relations between the Holy See and Swaziland on March 11, 1992.

He was elected president of the SACBC, serving from 1994-97. He served as vice-chairman for the Department for Pastoral Planning from 2000-2006 and was elected episcopal representative for Lumko during the same period. From 2006-2010 he was the 2nd vice-president of the SACBC and episcopal representative for Leadership Conference of Consecrated Life from 2010-2012.

Besides attending Synods in Rome, he once served as president of IMBISA (the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa, comprising Bishops from Swaziland, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Lesotho, Namibia, Zimbabwe and Angola).

In Swaziland, where the Catholic Church is a member of the Council of Churches, Bishop Ndlovu also served as its chairman and remained close to its humanitarian projects for many years, in addition to those of his Manzini diocese.

If at all it were possible to sum up a person’s life, perhaps one could reluctantly and respectfully dare to describe Bishop Ndlovu’s life as having been characterised by the warmth of friendship; by humble openness to welcome people from all walks of life; by being a gallant and fearless soldier of social justice; by being a dedicated ecumenical promoter; and by the sensitive commitment to the firm establishment of the local Catholic Church.

He had a positive attitude towards life, worked hard but also took time to relax, often with jokes and a hearty laughter, for which many remember him. He strove to enhance the quality of life of others, sharing in their joys of life and sorrows. He patiently welcomed all who sought his help and remarkably treated everyone equally with attentive hospitality.

Through Caritas, the bishop assisted refugees and enhanced rural development. The significant presence of the Church’s programme in combating HIV and Aids prevalence in the country is manifest in the provision of a full spectrum of support in the HIV prevention programmes, treatment and care for the already ailing, as evidenced by his establishment of Hope House and OrphanAid. Our bishop was always close to the suffering but never loved the limelight.

In addition, true to his motto “Fons pacis justitia” (“the source of peace is justice”) he showed a marked sensitivity to the establishment and development of social justice in the lives of the under-privileged and downtrodden. Perhaps this is the aspect that many Catholics and non-Catholics will remember him by. His unfailing support for the needy and helpless brought immense joy to many. Just as in his youth he brought joy with his exceptional dance skills, in his latter days he brought acute joyful awareness to matters of justice to those who suffer.

One illustration of Bishop Ndlovu’s commitment to social justice issues was clear from how instrumental he was in the initial recognition and celebration of Worker’s Day in Swaziland. The day was first marked in front of the Our Lady of the Assumption Cathedral in 1994, on May 1, feast of St Joseph the Worker and during which the Pope Leo XIII’s encyclical Rerum Novarum was highlighted. Bishop Ndlovu’s courageous stance was evidenced in his being resolute in going ahead with this historic launch, although the situation was somewhat tense, what with state security agents rather openly apprehensive about suspected political undertones of the bishop’s intentions, let alone several persistent calls from highly placed individuals and even some Catholics pressuring him to review his position. He stayed true to his motto “the true source of peace is justice.”

Contrary to misguided and distorted perceptions in some circles that religious leaders ought not to meddle in any matters other than those purely spiritual, Bishop Ndlovu vehemently sought to defy this narrow reading of Scripture by teaching concretely with his life that Christ taught and desires the salvation of the whole person in all spheres of life. Biblical teachings must shine through all choices that a person makes in life and true spirituality enlightens physical, social and political aspects of all our lives and so Bishop Ndlovu felt morally propelled by Scriptural values and Catholic Social doctrine to publicly defend workers, students, the oppressed and the poor from the excesses of material greed and exploitative power.

His ecumenical spirit is best described by borrowing the words of Dr H Ndlovu, lecturer at UNISWA : “As a member of the Church of the Nazarene I was struck by his openness to, and tolerant attitude towards me and other ‘separated brethren’. While his passion for Catholicism was self-evident, Bishop Ncamiso had the capacity to develop and nurture long-lasting fraternal ties with persons belonging to different Christian churches in Swaziland. This ecumenical spirit was evident both in his public life (especially in his active role in the Council of Swaziland Churches) and his private life. In my view, Bishop Ndlovu’s ministry helped break doctrinal barriers and prejudices that exacerbate division and tensions between and among persons belonging to different churches in Swaziland.”

The local Diocese has made huge strides in its firm establishment as a local Church, irrespective of the small Swazi population and recent arrival of the Catholic faith in Swaziland. Bishop Ndlovu worked tirelessly to animate the participation and training of the laity in the growth of the diocese, which is now bearing worthwhile fruits. He also carefully guided vocations to the priesthood and religious life, ordaining some 25 priests, balanced by the growth in the number of local diocesan priests. Under his leadership, the material goods of the Church are looked after with diligence and used to slowly consolidate the Church’s future. Most importantly the catechetical formation of Catholics is on course and remained a priority under his paternal encouragement.

Perhaps the words of Mother Theresa of Calcutta to people in India are appropriate too for what Bishop Ndlovu has taught us: “My life is a message!” Yes Bishop Ndlovu’s life is indeed remains a message that if we want true peace we must work for justice and respect for the dignity of all!

May his soul and souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God rest in peace!

 From Fr Peter Ndwandwe