IMBISA Celebrates 50 Years of Faithful Service in Southern Africa

by Kati Dijane · September 30, 2025

IMBISA-50-years at 14th Plenary in Manzini

IMBISA celebrates 50 years at 14th Plenary in Manzini

By Kati Dijane – The Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) marked a historic moment as it convened its 14th Plenary Assembly in the Diocese of Manzini, Eswatini. This year’s gathering was particularly significant, as IMBISA celebrated its Golden Jubilee during the 2025 Jubilee Year, themed “Pilgrims of Hope.”

The assembly officially opened on 25 September 2025 with a solemn ceremony attended by bishops from member countries, government representatives and guests. Father Sandile Mswane moderated the session, during which several leaders gave inspiring addresses.

Archbishop Nashenda: A call to strengthen hope and synodality

In his opening address, Archbishop Liborius Nashenda OMI, President of IMBISA, warmly welcomed participants and highlighted the significance of the event: “This Plenary Session has a unique character because it coincides with the Jubilee Year convened by Pope Francis under the theme ‘Pilgrims of Hope.’”

Archbishop Nashenda reflected on Christian hope, referencing Pope Leo XIV’s teaching that hope is not an escape from suffering but a determined trust in God’s love. He encouraged bishops to be “seeds of peace and light for the nations,” especially in challenging times.

Quoting Saint Paul’s words in Romans 5:5, he urged members to deepen their commitment to building a stronger IMBISA: “A Plenary Assembly is, without a doubt, a synodal act. It demonstrates our alignment with Pope Francis’ vision of a synodal Church, one that builds bridges and promotes dialogue at all levels.”

He also expressed gratitude to the founding bishops of IMBISA, who in 1975 envisioned an organisation that would strengthen ties among the dioceses of Southern Africa in the spirit of the Second Vatican Council. Citing the African proverb, “If you want to go fast, go alone; if you want to go far, go together,” the Archbishop called for unity and compassion in addressing the challenges faced by the region’s faithful.

Bishop Ponce de León: Honouring the church–state partnership

The host bishop, Bishop José Luis Ponce de León IMC of the Diocese of Manzini, welcomed delegates to Eswatini with his episcopal motto in siSwati: “Livi laba yinyama! — The Word became flesh!”

He thanked the government of Eswatini for its long-standing partnership with the Catholic Church in areas such as education, healthcare, disability services, peace-building and refugee support. “We pray that this valued partnership may not only continue but deepen in new and creative ways so that our people may experience the fullness of life that Jesus came to bring,” he said.

The Bishop also highlighted the recently established Eswatini Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office, a platform for the Church to contribute to the nation’s legislative process and promote dialogue between Parliament and citizens.

Recalling Eswatini’s history with IMBISA, he noted that the country hosted the second plenary assembly in 1977 and the fourth in 1980. The first IMBISA office was based in Manzini before moving to Harare, Zimbabwe. “Eswatini has always been an active and committed member of IMBISA,” he said, adding that this year’s plenary has drawn the largest number of bishops to date — a testament to IMBISA’s enduring influence.

The government’s tribute to the Church’s role

Representing the Prime Minister, the Minister of Education and Training, Honourable Owen Nxumalo, conveyed greetings from His Majesty King Mswati III, the Queen Mother, the government and the people of Eswatini.

He highlighted the Catholic Church’s historic and ongoing contributions to the kingdom: Education: The Church runs 47 primary schools, 13 high schools, one nursing college, and a vocational centre for people with disabilities. Plans are underway, with government support, to transform the nursing college into a Catholic university.

Healthcare: Catholic institutions in Eswatini include one hospital, seven clinics, a hospice for the terminally ill and a recently expanded Outpatient Department at Good Shepherd Hospital. The Church contributed E1.6 million (R1.6 million) toward the E18 million project, with the government funding E15 million.

Social services: The Church also supports people with disabilities, migrants, refugees, and the poor through organisations such as Caritas and Cabrini Ministries.

“The Catholic Church is more than a church; it is also a government partner,” said Nxumalo. “We are grateful for the Church’s contribution to education, healthcare, and the care of those on the margins of society.”

He emphasised the need for continued collaboration between Church and State to meet the challenges facing communities across the region.

Apostolic Nuncio: Looking to the future as pilgrims of hope

Archbishop Henryk Jagodziński, the Apostolic Nuncio to Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho, Namibia and South Africa, also addressed the gathering. Accompanied by Monsignor Giacomo Antonicelli, the new secretary of the Apostolic nunciature in Southern Africa, he conveyed Pope Leo XIV’s blessings and called on the bishops to embrace the plenary as a moment of “communion, listening and mission.”

He reminded the assembly that IMBISA was born 50 years ago out of the bishops’ shared vision to address the challenges of both the Church and society in Southern Africa.

“This Jubilee is not only a remembrance of the past but an opportunity to look ahead as pilgrims of hope — building bridges of dialogue, reconciliation and peace,” he said. The Nuncio highlighted IMBISA’s achievements over the years, including the promotion of youth leadership, election monitoring, peace initiatives and pastoral visits. He encouraged members to continue fostering solidarity among bishops and to amplify the theological voice of the region in the universal Church.

A focus on synodality

Following the opening addresses, Archbishop Dabula Mpako of the Archdiocese of Pretoria in South Africa delivered a presentation on “Synodality: A New Way of Being Church and a Paradigm Shift from the Ecclesial Model of Hierarchy to that of Communion.”

Participants later divided into groups to discuss how synodality — a key theme of both IMBISA’s Jubilee and the global Church — could be practically embraced and implemented in dioceses across the region. The 14th gathering closed with a celebratory Mass with the delegates and community of Eswatini on Sunday, 28 September 2025, at the Mavuso Trade and Exhibition Centre in Manzini.