Diocese of Mthatha launches the Jubilee Year of Hope

Mthatha Diocese Jubilee Year Launch

The Diocese of Mthatha officially inaugurated the Jubilee Year of Hope at St Francis Xavier Parish in Maclear on February 19. The event marked a significant moment for the Diocese, fostering a spirit of optimism amidst challenging circumstances.

During his homily, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka of the Diocese of Mthatha emphasised the appropriateness and relevance of the theme of Hope within our contemporary context. He recounted the tragic events of two local women(Bongeka from Butterworth and Ntombizanele from Port St John’s) which occurred in 2023 who, driven by poverty, felt compelled to take the lives of both their children and themselves. These concrete and real-life examples served to highlight the despair that can arise from hopelessness. The Bishop, urged us to reflect on our personal journeys, acknowledging the difficulties we have faced yet have managed to overcome. This reflection, he suggested, should be a source of hope for all.

The Bishop’s words resonated deeply, illustrating the widespread sense of hopelessness that has gripped our society. He pointed out alarming trends, such as the decline in vocations, the rising incidence of substance abuse, and the diminishing number of believers in both Catholic and non-Catholic churches as people become increasingly preoccupied with their own lives. Bishop Sipuka remarked, “South Africa is becoming materialistic and secularised,” as many have lost their sense of worshipping God. This reality underscores the importance of the Jubilee Year of Hope, which embodies a realistic, meaningful, and timely theme for our current society.

At times believers are tempted to divert from their truthful way of life especially when things are not going well for them and yet non-believers are flourishing. He stressed that this year of Hope reminds us that, no matter how our lives may turn out, we must hold onto the right way of doing things for this is our identity as followers of Christ.

Furthermore, the Bishop elaborated on the concept of a Pilgrimage into Hope and a Pilgrimage of Hope. He articulated that to be true pilgrims of hope, we must first embody hope ourselves. It is this intrinsic quality of hope that empowers us to extend hope to those around us.

To facilitate this journey, the Diocese has opened three Holy Doors located at St Francis Xavier in Maclear, All Saints Cathedral in Mthatha, and Our Lady of Lourdes in Farview.

This initiative aims to provide the faithful with a tangible means to engage with the Door of Hope.

Additionally, on the day of the launch, Jubilee candles were distributed to parishes, Catholic schools, and religious houses, symbolising the light of hope that the Jubilee year represents.

The faithful of Mthatha are encouraged, through the Bishop’s pastoral letter, to actively engage in the Jubilee celebrations. A particular focus has been placed on revitalising the Small Christian Communities (SCCs), Catechetical and liturgical formation for all faithful, ecumenism and returning to God through penance and forgiveness.

For “Hope does not disappoint us for the Love of Christ has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us” – Romans 5:5