One Church, Many Gifts: Synodality in Pretoria

In continuing with the spirit of synodality, all sodalities and associations in the Archdiocese of Pretoria met with Archbishop Dabula Mpako and Bishop Masilo Selemela at the Church of Beatitudes in Zwavelpoort for the establishment of the first ever sodalities and associations council.

The idea of bringing the sodalities and associations of the diocese together was first discussed at an archdiocesan pastoral council meeting in 2024; from there, Archbishop Mpako began meeting with the presidents of those bodies alongside their episcopal vicars/chaplains – that is when Archbishop and the leaders began percolating the establishment of the council. Archbishop Mpako, had one goal in mind for these lay associations – to foster collaboration in the spirit across different charisms. Archbishop has never ceased to remind the leaders of these sodalities and associations that these bodies are not ends unto themselves; rather their purpose is to serve the mission of the Church, starting at parish level.

In one meeting when the leaders of the diocesan sodalities and associations were asked to evaluate their relationship with the Archbishop and his office, most, if not all, highlighted that they are doing well in living out their spirituality as a collective and as individuals.

The “boat ride” with Archbishop resulted in the Catholic Men’s Association (CMA) being invited to be mentors in the diocese of Polokwane, the Young Adults Catholic Organization (YACO) being mentors to the diocese of Gaborone, and Immaculate Conception of Mary (Kemolo) receiving an invitation to introduce the sodality in the diocese of Witbank. As for Sacred Heart, which was then under the spiritual guidance of the now Bishop of Kroonstad, Bishop Mabuti Masemola – they have developed strong ties with Sacred Heart in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg.

One group that has benefited immensely from the coming together of these sodalities and associations is Pretoria’s youth commission. The diocese has seen their young people once again come alive, branding themselves as “young, energetic, and full of life”. In a short space of time, the commission, which is under the spiritual guidance of Fr. Tshepang Dithipe and the coordination of Sr. Lebogang Matjeke has for the second year played their part in raising funds for the Archdiocese.

Among the many contributions that the diocese’s sodalities and associations make, Archbishop has always been greatly thankful for the contribution that they make towards the seminarian fund. In a way, such a contribution helps in promoting vocations, especially in a diocese where we’re experiencing a decline in the number of vocations to the priesthood.

Synod on Synodality

In his meetings with the leadership of sodalities and associations, Archbishop Mpako, who is also the chairperson of the SACBC Commission for Synodality explained to them that the Synod on Synodality is about being a synodal Church in mission. It is about co-responsibility (clergy and laity) and it is also about being in communion with God and each other. He also challenged the bodies to promote co-responsibility in order to become a synodal Church in mission, to propose programs and structures that can be developed to promote participation in the decision-making process of the Church, and to propose ministries and participatory bodies that can be renewed or introduced to better express co-responsibility.

With the right apostolic attitude, the laity can provide what their brethren lack – they can also invigorate the spirit of the clergy and religious. By using their God-given gifts, the laity, in organized groups, can make the pastoral care of souls and the management of the Church’s temporal affairs more effective and efficient.

Members of the Council 

• Chairperson – Mrs. Lesego Makgakge (St. Anne Secretary – St. Thomas More, Centurion)
• Secretary – Mr. Tshegofatso Mathabathe (YACO President – Christ the King, Mabopane)

Additional Members:

• Ms. Lindi Raulinga – (CWA Secretary, St Thomas More, Centurion)
• Ms. Lemao Modise – (CWA President, Maria Regina, Centurion)
• Ms. Dineo Monnamorwa – (Immaculate Conception of Mary Secretary, Sacred Heart Cathedral, Pretoria)
• Ms. Naniki Masango – (Daughters of St. Anne, Christ the King, Mabopane)
• Mr. Reginald Masemola – (Sacred Heart President, Christ the Saviour, Nellmapius)
• Mr. Chris Arukwe – (Knights of Da Gama, Secretary)
• Mr. Lucas Moswana – (St. Joseph President, St Daniel Comboni, Mamelodi East)
• Mr. Moloko Malebatja – (CMA Secretary, St. Charles Lwanga, Soshanguve)