SACBC Statement on the Killing of Fr Paul Tatu CSS

by SACBC · Published April 30, 2024 · Updated April 30, 2024

Stigmatine Father Paul Tatu

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has just heard of the tragic news of the demise of one of our priests based in Pretoria, Fr Paul Tatu, through a gunshot wound. Fr Tatu worked for several years as the SACBC media and communications officer with dedication; we are saddened by his tragic death. We extend our condolences to the Stigmatine congregation, to which he belonged and his family.

It must be noted that the death of Fr Paul Tatu is not an isolated incident but rather a distressing example of the deteriorating state of security and morality in South Africa. Fr. Tatu’s death occurred soon after another young priest, Fr. William Banda, was shot in cold blood and died soon after in Tzaneen.

The murder of these priests occurs amid growing concerns about the increasing disregard for the value of life, where people are wantonly killed. On behalf of the bishops, I appeal to all people responsible for these murders to refrain from thinking that they can do what they like with people’s lives. Life belongs to God, and no one has a right to take it as one pleases. Furthermore, a deliberate termination of the life of one person affects not only the person killed but a whole network of relationships of that person.

A family person killed affects the family of that person, the extended family, friends, colleagues, and those dependent on the dead person for support. Killing one person brings about pain and misery to many people. While making this call for the respect of life, we know that some people have taken a position not to respect life and will continue to kill, and for this reason, we have a government with a mandate to deal with such people.

Mr President and Police minister, there is a growing impression among South Africans that criminals are freely murdering the citizens with no fear of consequences. On behalf of the Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa, I join many others in cries for immediate and effective measures to ensure the security of law-abiding citizens who work hard to support their families and for our Catholic priests who spend their lives serving the people of this country. We appeal to you to make the well-being and safety of our people a top priority.

As a church, we are at your disposal for discussion and strategies to stop the murder of innocent people, which is now becoming a pandemic in this country.

Bishop Sithembele Sipuka
SACBC President
29 April 2024