SACBC Discuss Education, Synodality, Formation and Finances at Plenary

by SACBC · August 11, 2025

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) held its August 2025 Plenary Session from 4–8 August at Khanya House, Pretoria. Bishops from South Africa, Botswana, and Eswatini gathered to reflect on the Church’s pastoral priorities and social challenges in light of the ongoing synodal journey.

Key discussions included the renewal of Catholic higher education, strengthening diocesan synodal structures, lay formation, and financial sustainability within Church institutions. The bishops highlighted the legacy of Bishop Fritz Lobinger in promoting lay leadership and community-based Church life.

The Assembly approved the annual observance of the Feast of Creation in Christ, aligning with the African Church’s call for ecological conversion. This follows the endorsement of the Feast of Creation in Christ by SECAM, supported by the SACBC delegation to the SECAM Assembly.

A memorial lecture and portrait unveiling in honour of Bishop Pius Bonaventura Dlamini FFJ, South Africa’s first Black Catholic bishop, was held at St John Vianney Seminary.

The bishops also discussed the Golden Jubilee of the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA), scheduled to take place in the Diocese of Manzini, Eswatini, from September 24 to 29, 2025.

The bishops welcomed Bishop Sithembele Sipuka’s appointment to the National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group, as well as Bishop Sipuka’s appointment to the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, and Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM’s appointment to the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life.

Finally, the bishops bid farewell to Monsignor Dario Paviša, acknowledging his diplomatic and pastoral service in the region.

The next SACBC Plenary will take place in January 2026.