The funeral for George Johannes, the late South African ambassador to the Holy See, will be held on Saturday, December 17, at 9:00 in Immaculate Conception church in Parow, Cape Town.
Mr Johannes died suddenly on November 30 at the generalate house of the Missionaries of Mariannhill in Rome, where he had been staying since November 2021 (as reported by The Southern Cross — https://www.scross.co.za/2022/12/ex-sa-ambassador-to-vatican-dies-in-rome/).
A long-time activist and diplomat, Mr Johannes served two terms as South Africa’s ambassador to the Holy See, from 2009-2014 and from 2017 until June 30, 2021. After his retirement, Mr Johannes remained in Rome to lecture and advocate for South Africa at international conferences held in Italy.
His brother is Deacon Arthur Johannes of Cape Town. The Johannes family lived in Elsies River and walked 6km every Sunday to attend Mass at Parow’s Immaculate Conception church.
Archbishop Stephen Brislin of Cape Town will preside at the funeral, and Fr Peter-John Pearson will preach.
Mr Johannes will be buried next to his mother in the family grave.
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