Archbishop Jwara Warns Against Factionalism and Lies Within the Catholic Church

by Admin · March 23, 2026

Archbishop of Durban, Siegfried Mandla Jwara

By Thabile Mbhele – Archbishop of Durban Mandla Jwara CMM has warned against factionalism in sodalities, in convents, among priests and in different structures within the Catholic Church. He was addressing about 2000 members of the St Anne sodality, past presidents and women religious during the annual Siyonqamlezweni pilgrimage in Ntshongweni, west of Durban, on March 21.

Siyonqamlezweni which mean “we are going to the cross” takes place annually ahead of Easter. It was initiated by St Anne sodality in the Archdiocese of Durban as part of the Lenten celebrations to also focus on Jesus’ last words before being crucified. The pilgrimage started on Saturday morning with prayers and the station of the cross, followed by Holy Mass, celebrated by Archbishop of Durban Mandla Jwara CMM, concelebrated with 15 other priests.

Reflecting on the day’s reading in Jeremiah 11: 18-20 about people who were plotting to destroy him, Archbishop Jwara described that as high-level hatred, saying this is unfortunately experienced by some members of the sodality and others in different structures in the church. He said that hatred starts with gossiping and telling lies about another person.

The member of the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries is concerned that “there is a lot of jealousy and competition among members of the church, including in convents and among priests. Archbishop Jwara cautioned against hatred and gossiping among members of the sodality, saying they should distance themselves from being implicated in unpleasant behaviour, spreading lies, being malicious and plotting to destabilise the sodality and other structures in the church.

He encouraged all present at the pilgrimage to take a leaf from the book of Jeremiah, who, faced with such plots to destroy him, handed everything back to God. In conclusion, the Archbishop of Durban urged members of the St Anne sodality to always remain truthful, saying the truth will always set them free.

Archbishop Jwara prayed that through the intercession of Mother Mary we may all remain true to the promises we made.