Year of Jubilee Highlights Opening Mass at SACBC First Plenary Session

SACBC Plenary Opening Mass. (Photos Sheldon Reddiar)

“Ithemba ali bulali. Ithemba liya philisa.” That’s isiZulu for “Hope doesn’t destroy. Hope is life.” This sentiment was articulated by Bishop Vincent Mduduzi Zungu OFM at the opening Mass of the 2025 Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) plenary session held on January 21 at St John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria.

In his homily, the bishop of the diocese of Port Elizabeth emphasised that following the Synod on Sodality, the upcoming Year of the Jubilee presents an opportunity for Catholics in South Africa, in Africa, and around the globe to demonstrate generosity and to boldly pursue their mission of sharing Christ with others.

“As pilgrims of hope, let us disseminate the gospel of hope, peace, and love beyond the confines of the Church and into our communities,” he stated. Additionally, he urged all South Africans to pray for the anticipated National Dialogue, a gathering of individuals and groupings from various sectors of South African society organised by the government, which is scheduled to occur later this year.

This year’s opening Mass was attended by Deacon Sy Mamabolo, the chief operating officer of the Independent Elections Commission (IEC); Dr. Vincent Maphai, a former lecturer at St. John Vianney Seminary, educationist, and businessman; Dr. Miranda Seleke, a medical officer with the South African National Defence Force (SANDF); Laurika Nxumalo, a representative from the South African Council of Churches (SACC) Women’s Unit; Fr. Patrick Rakeketsi, a former associate secretary-general of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC); and various personnel from different Catholic media outlets, among others.

At the end of the Mass, outgoing president of the SACBC and newly-appointed South African Council of Churches (SACC) president Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of Mthatha commended Catholic schools on yet another wonderful year of exceptional matric results for last year’s matric examinations. “We applaud our Catholic schools and staff members for this consistency in producing great results for our schools, and we hope that the young matriculants go on to make a meaningful contribution to South African society after further education at the tertiary level,” he said.