Making God Visible Together: The Catholic Church’s Call to Unite and Illuminate South Africa

By James Katende – The Church does not exist for itself. It exists to reveal Christ to the world. And in South Africa, a nation marked by beauty, struggle, diversity, and resilience, the call to make God visible is more urgent than ever.

The Catholic Church, deeply rooted in the history and fabric of this land, must not only shine its light — but must also ignite the light in others. This is not a time for isolation. It is a time for collaboration. It is a time for the Catholic Church to rise—not in pride, but in purpose — to lead, serve, and empower other churches and communities to carry the presence of God into every corner of the nation. The Catholic Church is rich with spiritual depth, sacramental life, tradition, and structure. These are gifts—sacred tools that can build bridges, not walls.

To make God visible across South Africa, the Church must not only preserve the treasure within its sanctuary, but must also share it in fellowship, humility, and unity with the wider Body of Christ. There is no competition in the Kingdom of God—only a shared mission to lift up the name of Jesus and to bring His light to the nations. God is not confined to any one church. He is present where His people love, serve, and walk in truth. The Catholic Church, with its legacy of education, social justice, charity, and evangelisation, carries the weight of influence in this land. But that influence must be used to lift others, not overshadow them.

Now is the time for the Church to become a launching pad — for young leaders, emerging ministries, community churches, and local fellowships who are hungry for mentorship, discipleship, and grounding. Let the Catholic Church open its doors wider. Let it create space at the table for voices who sound different but share the same Spirit. Let it offer its wisdom, structure, and strength—not to dominate—but to disciple. This is how God becomes visible—when love overrides labels, when humility replaces hierarchy, and when the Church becomes a movement of unity, not just an institution of tradition.

South Africa is watching. The world is watching. Will the Church remain in silos, divided by denomination and doctrine? Or will it rise to become the collective hands and feet of Christ? The Catholic Church has the moral and spiritual authority to lead this movement. But it must do so from its knees—from a place of servant-leadership, prayer, and deep commitment to the cross.

The Catholic Church must take the first step. To reach across denominational lines. To engage Pentecostal, Charismatic, Evangelical, and independent churches—not in debate, but in dialogue. Not to prove superiority, but to promote solidarity. God is not glorified by religious rivalry. He is glorified when the Church becomes one, as Jesus prayed in John 17: “that they may be one, so that the world may believe.”

Unity is not uniformity. We don’t all have to look the same to walk together. The Catholic Church can model this by extending its hand to train, equip, and support ministries across South Africa that are doing God’s work in different ways. Through joint outreaches, shared social justice projects, leadership development forums, and inter-church gatherings, the Church can become a visible, vibrant witness of God’s presence among His people. Let the sacraments not be locked behind walls, but become invitations to deeper mystery. Let the liturgy be a window through which others see the majesty of Christ. Let Catholic schools and universities open platforms for ecumenical training. Let Catholic media amplify voices from the broader Christian family. Let the mission be shared. Let burdens be carried together.

South Africa’s youth are searching for authenticity. They are not drawn by theological eloquence—they are drawn by love, power, and relevance. The Catholic Church can help other churches reach this generation by modelling spiritual depth, discipline, and sacramental grace in a way that draws—not divides. By mentoring young pastors, training worship leaders, and investing in community-based initiatives, the Church makes God visible in the streets, not just in cathedrals.

Actions speak louder then just speaking too much.  Teach one. Educate one. Uplift one. Encourage one. It is not enough to teach love—we must demonstrate it. Let Catholic parishes partner with local congregations in times of crisis: food insecurity, substance abuse, gender-based violence, mental health, and poverty. Let the Church lead boldly in collaborative solutions. Let the name of Christ be lifted high, not through dominance, but through unified service.

To make God visible is to make His nature known. And God is a reconciler. A healer. A Father to the fatherless. A refuge for the broken. The Catholic Church must reflect this heart—not just in its teaching, but in its relationships. Let there be repentance for past division. Let there be forgiveness and new beginnings. Let bishops meet with pastors. Let priests pray with church leaders across traditions. Let communion be more than a symbol—let it be a lifestyle. There is power in shared prayer. When churches pray together, heaven opens. When leaders humble themselves, God lifts them up.

South Africa needs a Church that can pray across walls, sing across differences, and march side by side toward righteousness and justice. The Catholic Church can lead this—not by force, but by faithfulness. The Church’s credibility is not in its numbers—it is in its fruit. And fruit grows in unity. When the Body of Christ is fragmented, its witness is weakened. But when it walks in unity, its voice is amplified. The Catholic Church must rise as a unifying force—not only within its own dioceses—but across the whole of the Christian family. The time is now. This is not about ecumenical politics. This is about souls. About transformation. About making God visible where people feel forgotten. When the Church stands together, God is glorified. When it stands divided, the world is confused. The Catholic Church must be the lighthouse—not to call others in judgment—but to show the way home.

Imagine a South Africa where Catholic parishes host worship nights with other churches. Where Catholic leaders mentor young non-denominational church planters. Where resources are shared. Where spiritual formation is collaborative. Where God’s presence is seen not just through stained glass—but through shared bread, open hearts, and united mission. This is what revival looks like. This is how God is made visible—when His people become one.

Let every priest, bishop, sister, deacon, and lay leader rise with a fresh vision. Let tradition fuel mission. Let doctrine serve love. Let hierarchy empower humility. The Catholic Church has everything it needs to become the spark of nationwide transformation—if it is willing to lead by serving and love by action.

In the end, the only Church that matters is the Church that reveals Christ. The Church that feeds the hungry, clothes the naked, speaks for the voiceless, walks with the lost, and heals the broken. That is the Church South Africa is longing for. That is the Church God is building. That is the Church the Catholic faithful are called to lead with courage, grace, and fire. Let us go beyond our boundaries. Let us remove the walls. Let us extend the hand of unity. Let us carry the torch of faith together. In every city, every township, every province—from Cape Town to Limpopo, from the rural Eastern Cape to the heart of Johannesburg—may God be made visible not through one voice, but through a unified Church ablaze with His glory.

Let the Catholic Church arise—not above, but alongside. Let it serve. Let it lead. Let it love. Let it reveal Christ.