Witbank Diocese Celebrates 100 Years!
By Kati Dijane – The Diocese of Witbank celebrated its 100-year anniversary at Emalahleni Civic Centre with over 3 000 guests including young and old religious and lay people, as well as dignitaries, including the mayor of Emalahleni Local Municipality and Councillor Vusi Nhlapho.
Thanksgiving Mass
The diocesan choir from all four deaneries donned dark green T-shirts and filled the place with harmonious musical notes during the Thanksgiving Mass. Cardinal Stephen Brislin, the incoming chairperson of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), as well as Bishop José Luis Gerardo Ponce de León IMC, of the Diocese of Manzini, Bishop Franklyn Atese Nabuasah of Gaborone, and the newly-appointed chairperson of the South African Council of Churches, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha, were in attendance to concelebrate Mass with the eighth bishop of Witbank, Bishop Xolelo Thaddaeus Kumalo, who lit the 100-year candle at the start of Mass.
Representatives of the Comboni Missionaries of the Heart of Jesus, who spearheaded the establishment of the diocese, were present, as well as religious sisters, priests and four seminarians from the diocese, currently studying at St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria.
The First Missionaries
Fr Lawrence Marekula, from Christ the King Cathedral, welcomed everyone present. During his homily, the communications officer of the Diocese of Witbank, Fr Linda Zwane highlighted that the first missionaries of the diocese are gone but left a legacy that is up to members of the Church in the diocese to either keep alive or throttle.
He mentioned a list of missionaries, including the Oblates, Franciscans, Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill and the Precious Blood Sisters among others, who helped grow the faith that the Comboni Missionaries planted.
He paid tribute to priests and nuns who responded to God’s calling to make disciples of all nations, including the diocese, helping it grow in faith and responding to its social and political struggles.
Address by Cardinal Brislin and Bishop Sipuka
Later, during Mass, Cardinal Brislin and Bishop Sipuka addressed those in attendance, congratulating the diocese on its 100-year existence. Cardinal Brislin encouraged members of the Church to participate in the mission of the Church to bring Christ to others, by building the Christian community and going out to the world to bring truth, light and mercy. Bishop Sipuka highlighted the support Bishop Kumalo receives from the SACBC in leading his diocese. Fr Simangaliso Mkhatshwa then shared the history of the diocese and its priests.
Before Mass ended, key people who contributed to the diocese, including Deacon Brian William Elliott, who served the diocese for 43 years, the Franciscan Sisters, Sisters of the Immaculate Conception and the Comboni Missionaries were given certificates of appreciation. Current Bishop of Witbank, Xolelo Kumalo said at the end of the festivities, “It’s not about the past, but how we go forward from here, as we are the foundation of the next centenary.”
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