Archbishop Tlhagale: The ‘Gangster’

Addressing the January plenary session of the Southern African Bishops’ Conference, outgoing president Bishop Sithembele Sipuka paid tribute to five bishops who are expected to retire soon or have recently retired. Today we feature his comments about Archbishop Buti Tlhagale OMI, who headed the archdiocese of Johannesburg from 2003-2024, and the archdiocese of Bloemfontein from 1999-2003.

“Archbishop Tlhagale’s community affectionately calls him Umgulukudu, or “gangster”, which reflects his no-nonsense approach. If someone engages with him irresponsibly, he responds directly, compelling the individual to take responsibilities seriously.

“He once declared that he was not a ‘father’ to his seminarians and priests because if he was a father to them, then they must be children.

“His straightforward attitude proved his determination to encourage local priests and laity to take charge and grow from the missionary era rather than merely maintain inherited structures.

“His firm stance about taking responsibility is something I appreciate because, for some reason, many of our priests are not leading; at best, they are maintaining. A clear example is the time priests are taking to build the SACouncil of Priests into an effective pastoral body and a reflective platform for moving the Church forward.

“We need the priests to reflect systematically and help us integrate faith and culture meaningfully instead of this arbitrary syncretism that depends on the fancies of each priest. We need priests to think with us and cajole us about pastoral issues, which we may be blind to as bishops in the Conference area.

“Archbishop Tlhagale, with his studiousness, is an excellent motivation for thinking about the solution of pastoral issues and for a well-considered integration of culture and faith.

“As SACBC president, Archbishop Buti initiated steps that advanced the Conference, including establishing the bishops’ fund and appointing the first woman secretary-general [SrHermenegildMakoro CPS], which earned us global admiration.

“Even though he had the biggest diocese in the country, he never missed events in dioceses that required him to represent the Conference, sometimes driving across the night to be back in time to his Diocese for confirmation.

“After his term as President, we wanted him to head the media and communication desk. He said: ‘No, if you want me to add any value to the conference, let me work in the Office for Migrants and Refugees,’ which until then did not exist. We had left the ministry to migrants and refugees to the Jesuit Refugee Services and dioceses close to the borders.

“Archbishop Tlhagale built the SACBC Office for Migrants and Refugees, establishing its offices across the SACBC dioceses and effectively highlighting the plight of migrants and refugees with admirable articulation and commitment in the Conference area.

“His commitment to this ministry led to his invitation to join the United Nations Multi-Religious Council, which addresses the causes of conflict and displacement worldwide and supports peacebuilding, inclusiveness, and reconciliation.

“Thank you, Archbishop.SkhokhosaseGoli.”