The Catholic Church in Southern Africa and the universal Church have paid tribute to Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier OFM, recognising his decades of courageous leadership, commitment to justice and faithful service, as he celebrated 25 years as a member of the College of Cardinals.
The tributes came during a Thanksgiving Mass on Sunday, 8 November 2026, at St Patrick’s Cathedral in the Diocese of Kokstad, where hundreds of people gathered to celebrate five significant milestones in the cardinal’s life: his 85th birthday, 65 years of Franciscan religious profession, 56 years of priesthood, 45 years of episcopal ministry and 25 years as a cardinal.
Among those gathered were bishops, priests, religious, members of the Napier family and the faithful from different parts of the country. The celebration was particularly significant for the Diocese of Kokstad, where Cardinal Napier served as its first indigenous bishop from 1981 to 1992, before his appointment as Archbishop of Durban.
Messages of congratulations from the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) and Pope Leo XIV were read during the celebration, highlighting the cardinal’s contribution to the Church locally and internationally.
SACBC recognises a legacy of courage and justice
In a message on behalf of the SACBC, its president, Cardinal Stephen Brislin, congratulated Cardinal Napier on his silver jubilee as a cardinal, describing his 25 years of leadership as an enrichment to both the Church in Southern Africa and the universal Church. The message was read by Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani SCJ, First Vice-President of the SACBC and Metropolitan Archbishop of Bloemfontein.
Cardinal Brislin reflected on Cardinal Napier’s contribution to the Church during some of South Africa’s most difficult historical periods, particularly his courage in speaking out against the injustices of apartheid. He said the cardinal’s opposition to the injustices of the time had given hope and encouragement to many, while his continued pursuit of truth and justice after the advent of democracy demonstrated his impartiality and commitment to fairness for all people. “Your steady leadership and deep spiritual wisdom have guided our community through times of growth and transition,” Cardinal Brislin said. He also acknowledged Cardinal Napier’s unwavering commitment to the Gospel and his deep love for the Church, particularly his dedication to the pastoral care of clergy and laity. The SACBC president described his ministry as a beacon of Christ’s light, saying the bishops had been profoundly blessed by his vision and faithful stewardship.
Although Cardinal Brislin and several other bishops were unable to attend the celebration because of prior commitments, he assured Cardinal Napier that they were united with him in thought and prayer. He also expressed gratitude for the cardinal’s 56 years of priesthood and more than 45 years of episcopal ministry, praying that the Holy Spirit would continue to grant him wisdom, strength and grace.
Pope Leo XIV sends Apostolic Blessing
The celebration also received a special expression of communion from the universal Church through a message from Pope Leo XIV, conveyed by the Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa, Archbishop Henryk Jagodziński. Introducing the Holy Father’s message, Archbishop Jagodziński expressed his joy at joining the local Church in giving thanks to God for Cardinal Napier’s life and devoted service. He described the five milestones as a remarkable succession of ministries, each reflecting God’s faithfulness in calling, sustaining and accompanying those who dedicate their lives to serving him. The Apostolic Nuncio said Cardinal Napier’s years of ministry represented countless encounters, prayers, sacrifices and acts of pastoral care, lived in the spirit of St Francis of Assisi. He also shared a personal reflection on his relationship with the cardinal, recalling the kindness and fraternal warmth with which he was received during his first visit to the Diocese of Eshowe, where Cardinal Napier currently serves as Apostolic Administrator.
Archbishop Jagodziński said the welcome had helped him feel at home as he began his mission in South Africa, adding that he remained sincerely grateful for the cardinal’s kindness. He then read the message from Pope Leo XIV, who extended cordial greetings and good wishes to Cardinal Napier on the occasion of his 85th birthday and his significant religious and ecclesiastical anniversaries.
“With gratitude to Almighty God for his devoted service to the people of God in South Africa and commending his ministry to the intercession of Mary, Mother of the Church, the Holy Father gladly imparts his Apostolic Blessing as a pledge of abiding joy and peace in Christ our Lord,” the message read.
A ministry shaped by the Franciscan spirit
In his own words of congratulations, Archbishop Jagodziński wished Cardinal Napier good health, serenity of heart, renewed strength and the joy of knowing how deeply his ministry was appreciated. He encouraged the cardinal to continue drawing consolation from the affection of the people he had served and the fraternity of his brother bishops, priests and fellow Franciscans. Entrusting him to the maternal care of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the intercession of St Francis of Assisi, the Apostolic Nuncio thanked him for his kindness, fraternity and faithful service. The messages from the pope and the SACBC president echoed the sentiments expressed throughout the celebration, which sought to recognise not only Cardinal Napier’s ecclesiastical titles and achievements, but also the values that have characterised his ministry.
A legacy that continues to serve the Church
Cardinal Napier’s contribution to the Church extends beyond his years in Kokstad. Following his appointment as Archbishop of Durban in 1992, he served the archdiocese until his retirement in 2021. He also served two terms as president of the SACBC and played an important role in the Church’s engagement during South Africa’s transition from apartheid to democracy. His participation in the 2005 and 2013 papal conclaves further reflected his contribution to the life of the universal Church. Despite retiring as Archbishop of Durban, he continues to serve as Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Eshowe. The Thanksgiving Mass in Kokstad was therefore an opportunity for the Church to acknowledge a ministry that has spanned generations, political transitions and different levels of ecclesiastical leadership. Through their messages, Pope Leo XIV and Cardinal Brislin joined the bishops, clergy, religious and faithful in celebrating a life marked by courage, humility, Franciscan simplicity and dedication to the people of God.
- Cardinal Brislin joins Pope Leo in paying tribute to Cardinal Napier’s 25 years as cardinal - November 10, 2026
- Cardinal Napier’s lifetime of service celebrated in thanksgiving Mass in Kokstad Diocese - November 9, 2026
- St John Vianney Seminary bids farewell to formators and seminarians - October 31, 2026
