Christ the King Cathedral celebrates 65 years of Consecration

by Kati Dijane · September 23, 2025

Christ the King Cathedral celebrates 65 years of consecration – Photos: Sheldon Reddiar, Sacred Photos

By Kati Dijane – The Archdiocese of Johannesburg came together in prayer and thanksgiving to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the consecration of Christ the King Cathedral, a towering symbol of faith in the heart of the city and the mother church of the archdiocese. The jubilee celebration drew clergy, consecrated religious, lay faithful and dignitaries.

A solemn and joyful celebration

The anniversary Mass was presided over by Archbishop Henryk Jagodzinski, the Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa, who was joined at the altar by Cardinal Stephen Brislin, the Archbishop of Johannesburg and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, and Bishop Masilo Selemela, Auxiliary Bishop of Pretoria.

Several priests from the Archdiocese of Johannesburg concelebrated, along with representatives from across the Johannesburg Metropolitan: Father Wiseman Nkomo, administrator of the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Assumption in the Manzini Diocese; Father Lawrence Marekula, chancellor of the Diocese of Witbank and Father Modise Nthutang, vicar-general of the Diocese of Klerksdorp.

The lay faithful, representing parishes throughout the archdiocese, filled the Cathedral with song and devotion, giving thanks for 65 years of prayer, service and witness of the mother church. Among the dignitaries present was His Excellency, Ante Cicvarić, Ambassador of Croatia to South Africa, whose presence underlined the global communion of the Catholic Church.

The Nuncio’s homily: A Cathedral as a living witness

In his homily, Archbishop Jagodzinski reflected deeply on the meaning of a cathedral and its enduring significance for the people of God:

“With hearts full of gratitude to God we gather today to celebrate the 65th anniversary of the consecration of this Cathedral of Christ the King – the mother of all churches of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, the sign of the unity of God’s people, and the place where the heart of the local Church beats.”

He reminded the faithful that a cathedral is not simply a building but a living sign of the Church’s unity and mission:

“A cathedral is the mother church of the diocese. Here stands the bishop’s chair – the cathedra – the sign of his teaching, his pastoral care, and his unity with the whole People of God. It is here that all are called to gather: priests and consecrated persons, families, the young and the elderly, the rich and the poor, people of different cultures and languages. The cathedral is a place of unity, and how much we need this unity in today’s world and in today’s Church.”

Drawing on history, the nuncio recalled the vision of Bishop David O’Leary in 1937 and Bishop William Whelan’s leadership in laying the Cathedral’s foundation in 1958, culminating in its consecration in 1960. More than its architecture, he said, the Cathedral lives because of the prayers of its people — through baptisms, marriages, ordinations, funerals and countless Eucharistic celebrations.

Reflecting on the words of St Paul to the Corinthians, the Archbishop said:

“Saint Paul reminds us that God has already given us every gift we need. The Church in Johannesburg, like the Church in Corinth, has been enriched with many charisms: the courage to proclaim the Gospel in difficult times, the resilience to remain steadfast through injustice and trial, the creativity to build bridges across cultures and languages. And because this grace comes from Christ himself, Paul assures us: ‘He will keep you firm to the end.’ That is our hope, not in our strength, but in the fidelity of God.”

He also linked the anniversary to the Jubilee Year of the Church, celebrated under the theme Pilgrims of Hope, calling the Cathedral a source of peace and reconciliation in South Africa. Citing both St John Paul II and Nelson Mandela, he underlined the power of forgiveness:

“Without forgiveness there is no future; without reconciliation there is no true peace.”

Archbishop Jagodzinski concluded with the words St John Paul II spoke at the Cathedral 30 years ago: “Africa shall live!” He entrusted the faithful to Christ the King, praying that the Cathedral would remain “a heart of unity and a beacon of hope for the whole Church in Johannesburg and throughout South Africa.”

Cardinal Brislin’s words of gratitude

At the close of Mass, Cardinal Stephen Brislin expressed the gratitude of the Archdiocese for the nuncio’s presence and words. He praised Archbishop Jagodzinski’s homily, which reminded the faithful of “the beauty and importance of this Cathedral — a place of prayer, confirmation and celebration.”

The Cardinal noted the difficulty diplomats face in learning new cultures and languages, but commended the nuncio for integrating gracefully into the Church in Southern Africa and for visiting dioceses across South Africa. “You have made an effort to know the Church in this country, and for that we are deeply grateful,” he said.

He also reflected on the Cathedral’s historic significance, noting the blessing of having welcomed two canonised saints: Pope St John Paul II and St Mother Teresa of Calcutta. Situated in a challenging part of Johannesburg, the Cathedral stands, Cardinal Brislin said, “as a sign of stability, eternity, and of lifting people out of the struggles of life, helping them to raise their eyes to God in gratitude for his protection and providence.”

“A cathedral like this,” he concluded, “is not only a building of stone, but a sign of God’s presence with and among his people.”

Johannesburg heritage site

Fitting for such a historic occasion, the Cathedral was officially unveiled as Johannesburg’s newest heritage site following the anniversary Mass. In a symbolic moment, the nuncio and the cardinal together revealed the Blue Plaque from the Johannesburg Heritage Foundation — an honour reserved for landmarks of significant cultural and historical value. With this recognition, Christ the King Cathedral now stands alongside other iconic Catholic heritage sites in the city, including Regina Mundi in Soweto and St Hubert’s in Alexandra.