Cardinal Stephen Brislin Celebrates Pentecost with Zimbabwean Community

by SACBC · Published June 9, 2025 · Updated June 9, 2025

Cardinal Stephen Brislin celebrates Pentecost at Christ the King Cathedral in JHB

Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg, made a Pastoral Visit to the Zimbabwean Community on Pentecost Sunday at the Cathedral of Christ the King.

His homily at Mass, delivered to the Zimbabwean diaspora in South Africa, profoundly emphasised the theme of Christian unity, drawing parallels with Pentecost where the Holy Spirit transcended language and cultural barriers.

Key takeaways from Cardinal Brislin’s homily on Pentecost:

Unity Beyond Language: Cardinal Brislin stressed that the gift of tongues at Pentecost signifies a broader unity, bridging cultural, national, and tribal differences through faith in Christ.
Biblical Mandate for Unity: The cardinal referenced Ephesians 4:3-6, urging efforts to “maintain the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace,” and Genesis, highlighting God’s original intention for harmonious fellowship.
Diversity as Richness: Unity does not mean uniformity. The Church’s beauty lies in its diverse members, each uniquely gifted by the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12), enriching the community and reflecting God’s multifaceted love.
Enemies of Unity: Pride, prejudice, and the inability to forgive or seek forgiveness are identified as obstacles to unity, advocating for dialogue, compassion, and understanding instead.
Christ as the Source of Unity: Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21 (“That they may all be one”) underscores that unity is rooted in our relationship with Christ, requiring humility, love, and a willingness to prioritise others.
Cost of Unity: Pursuing unity demands sacrifice, humility, and letting go of grievances, but this struggle refines character and deepens Christian faith.
Practical Steps: Cardinal Brislin encouraged unity in families and communities, reflecting on personal actions to build bridges, forgive, and seek forgiveness, especially in light of the Pentecost’s reversal of Babel’s divisions.
Church’s Responsibility: The Church has a collective duty to be an ambassador of unity, witnessing to how diversity is united in faith. Disagreements among Christians are a “great scandal” and must be resolved in Christ’s spirit.
Call to the Zimbabwean Diaspora: Cardinal Brislin encouraged the Zimbabwean diaspora to reconcile differences among themselves and integrate into the local South African Church, recognising the Church as a communion celebrating diverse races, languages, cultures, tribes, and nations.
Outcome of Unity: By maintaining unity in the bond of peace, relationships are strengthened, and others are attracted to Christ’s all-surpassing love.