Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference Picks New Leadership

by asiel · February 28, 2019

Southern Africa’s bishops at their plenary session, which was held in Mariannhill this month, at which new leaders were chosen. (Photo: SACBC)

At their plenary session in Mariannhill this month, the region’s bishops elected new chairs for the departments of the South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), while the new president commenced his term.

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha was elected SACBC president at the August 2018 plenary session, to succeed Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town, who has completed his two terms.

The first vice-president is Bishop Dabula Mpako of Queenstown; the second is Bishop Graham Rose of Dundee.

Bishop Victor Phalana of Klerksdorp now heads the Department of Social Action, which includes the SACBC Justice & Peace Commission.

The Department of Christian Formation, Liturgy and Culture is now chaired by Bishop Duncan Tsoke, the auxiliary in Johannesburg, who succeeds Bishop Edward Risi of Keimoes-Upington.

Port Elizabeth’s Bishop Vincent Zungu chairs the Department for the Formation, Life and Ministry of the Clergy, and Bishop Zolile Mpambani of Kokstad heads the Department for Formation, Life and Apostolate of the Laity.

Taking over the Department of Ecumenism is Bishop Jan de Groef of Bethlehem.

The Department of Finance is chaired by Bishop Peter Holiday of Kroonstad.

Archbishop William Slattery remains liaison bishop for Social Communications, and Bishop Stanislaw Dziuba of Umzimkulu for Youth.

Cardinal Wilfrid Napier of Durban succeeds Bishop Tsoke as liaison bishop for Caritas.