Archbishop Sipuka’s Farewell to Diocese of Mthatha

Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka bids farewell to the Diocese of Mthattha

By Sr Margaret Mary SU – One of the outstanding gifts of Archbishop-elect Sithembele Sipuka is his ability to communicate through the written word. Despite his busy schedule and varied responsibilities, he did his best to ensure that the Catholic Diocese of Mthatha received a monthly pastoral letter addressing the entire Diocese.

Through these letters, the Archbishop-elect taught the faith and explained Church teaching, informed the priests, religious and faithful about important matters, raised awareness of pastoral concerns, shared diocesan news, reminded everyone of their social, spiritual and moral responsibility, and overall encouraged ministry activity throughout the diocese. It was through this faithful practice of writing that he shared his vision for the Diocese, enabling everyone to understand their role and work together towards common goals.

In his final newsletter to the Diocese of Mthatha, Archbishop-elect Sipuka shared deep reflections and important guidance.

Archbishop-elect Sipuka expressed deep gratitude for being allowed to serve as Christ’s instrument in Mthatha for 18 years making him the longest-serving bishop after Bishop Grueter. “After I am gone, as he calls me to Cape Town, he will find another instrument to continue His work in the form of another bishop. We thank God for the Church that depends not on a particular individual, but on Christ Himself, making us certain of its continuity,” said Archbishop-elect. He emphasised that salvation is ultimately Christ’s work, and priests serve as His instruments, and when one instrument ceases through transfer, death, or other reasons, Christ continues His work through others.

He acknowledged his shortcomings but gave thanks for what Christ achieved in Mthatha through him. Over the 18 years of service, the Archbishop-elect ordained over 30 men to the priesthood, received 15 professions of religious vows and witnessed the Diocese become more pastorally oriented and self-supporting. Though the Diocese of Mthatha is small, it serves as a significant home for all the religious congregations in the diocese. The diocese hosts the Provincial House of the Missionary Sisters of the Precious Blood around the Mthatha Province, the Mthatha Regional House of the Congregation of the Missionaries of Mariannhill, and the Provincial House of the Ursuline Sisters in South Africa. This unique presence of the Religious Congregations allowed Archbishop-elect Sipuka to encounter and engage with the religious at a deeper and more regular level, enriching his ministry and understanding of consecrated life in the Church.

Significant Developments in the Diocese of Mthatha

The Archbishop-elect went on to highlight some of the significant developments achieved through collaborative effort in the 18 years he has served Mthatha:

Pastoral Structures:

• The Diocese’s First Synod in history resulted in the development of the Diocesan Pastoral Plan in 22024, and this remains the pride of the Diocese.
• The enthusiastic embrace of synodality, resulting in a Diocesan Synodality Booklet
• Digitalisation of parish data, which is attracting interest beyond the diocese

Physical Infrastructure:

The Pastoral Centre in Maclear, built together as a sign of collaborative spirit, sustained support through the Bishop’s Fund collection

Unity and Relationships:

There is a united presbyterate where diocesan and religious priests are working as brothers. The presence of Religious sisters working in the chancery brings the desired Catholic Presence and Character. Hence, continued unity among the religious and priests will benefit the missionary activity and growth of the diocese.

Catholic Agencies:

Catholic Development Centre (CDC), homes for abandoned infants, and CMM Youth Development Centre which keep offering hope and skills development to young people.

Education and Formation:

Archbishop-elect has a special love for education for all (priests, religious and the faithful). He applauded the Catholic Schools, supported by Catholic Institute of Education (CIE) for their continued efforts in evangelising through offering quality and holistic education to all children especially the disadvantaged.

Additionally, he appreciated the Priests and Religious who embrace on-going formation through study and various programmes.

Visibility and Communication:

The Archbishop elect pointed out that Mthatha Diocese has grown in digital evangelisation and communication over the years. The diocese has strong media and communications capacity through newsletters and social media platforms. Joyfully and with pride Archbishop-elect wrote, “Through our newsletter, social media presence, particularly the Facebook page and consistent communication efforts, we have reached well beyond our borders, with many people from other dioceses and beyond reading about and following the life and work of our diocese with keen interest. This visibility is not a matter of self-promotion but of witness; it tells the story of a living, active Church in this part of the world and invites others to learn from what we are doing. It also helps members of the diocese communicate and encourage one another.”

In a deeply personal reflection, Archbishop-elect Sipuka acknowledged, “while I have spoken of being Christ’s instrument in this diocese, the truth is that this diocese has also been Christ’s instrument in making me. I arrived here in 2008 as a young bishop, uncertain and inexperienced, having had only a short experience of pastoral life before further studies in Rome and later work in the seminary.” In a way, the diocese shaped him as much as he may have shaped it and now leaves as “a man remade by ministry.”

All in all, his farewell message exactly echoes what he said at his episcopal ordination, quoting St Augustine,

“For you I have been a bishop, but with you I have been a Christian.”