Church leaders, diplomats, religious communities and guests gathered at St John Vianney Regional Major Seminary on 15 June 2026 for the launch of Southern Africa, My Love – Part One (2024–2025), a new book by Archbishop Henryk M. Jagodziński, Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Lesotho and Eswatini.
The event was attended by Cardinal Stephen Brislin, Archbishop of Johannesburg and President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, who delivered the keynote address. Reflections on the publication were also presented by Fr Chris Townsend, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Pretoria, and Fr Russell Pollitt SJ.
In his address, Archbishop Jagodziński explained that the central theme of the book is love. While diplomacy is often associated with politics, negotiations and international relations, he argued that authentic service must be rooted in love and concern for others.
Drawing on the Gospel account of Jesus’ conversation with St Peter after the Resurrection, the Archbishop noted that Christ entrusted Peter with the care of His flock only after asking him three times, “Do you love me?” (John 21:15-17). The mission of Peter and his successors, he said, begins with love.
Quoting St John’s words, “God is love” (1 John 4:16), Archbishop Jagodziński reflected on the Christian understanding of love as self-giving service. He also cited Christ’s teaching: “No one has greater love than this, to lay down one’s life for one’s friends” (John 15:13).
The Archbishop described the book as a collection of encounters with the people of Southern Africa. Through visits to parishes, schools, seminaries, hospitals and communities, he witnessed a faith marked by resilience, generosity and hope despite many social and economic challenges.
He stressed the importance of dialogue in a world often divided by conflict and mistrust. Diplomacy, he said, should serve peace, justice and human dignity by creating opportunities for people to meet, listen and seek understanding.
Although the book preserves speeches and reflections from the first years of his mission in the region, Archbishop Jagodziński emphasised that it is ultimately about the people of Southern Africa and the faith that continues to sustain them.
Concluding his remarks, he recalled the words of St Paul: “Faith, hope and love remain, these three; but the greatest of these is love” (1 Corinthians 13:13).
The Archbishop expressed the hope that the book would encourage readers to value dialogue, deepen their faith and recognise God’s presence in everyday dialogue.
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