As we remember “the horrifying events of October 7th and the violent aftermath… it is imperative that we, as Christians, commit ourselves to fervent prayer for peace and to work for justice.”

On Sunday 29 September 2024 we celebrate the World Day of Prayer for Migrants and Refugees. The theme is “God Walks with his People”. Please see below an introductory letter from Cardinal Stephen Brislin, a message from Pope Francis, a message from the SACBC Liaison for Migrants and Refugees Bishop Kizito, a special prayer by Pope Francis, as well as liturgical suggestions for celebrating this day at Mass.

Message from Pope Francis

Message from Bishop Kizito

Prayer of Pope Francis

Eucharistic Celebration Suggestions

Below is the address by Archbishop Henryk Jagodziński, Papal Nuncio to Southern Africa, to the Joint Witness session of the Bishops and the Major Religious Superiors of the SACBC region, at Emseni in Benoni, on 17 September 2024.

Radio Veritas invites you to join this scheduled Zoom meeting for the Radio Veritas 2024 Season of Creation Webinar (see flyer below)
Time: Sep 17, 2024 16:00 SAST Harare, Pretoria
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89595320506?pwd=2oOiij9YsG8v95jNasQGUXlEhpTLaK.1
Meeting ID:
895 9532 0506
Passcode: 009116

https://sajfp.org.za/statement-on-sajfp-picket-at-the-cape-town-holocaust-and-genocide-centre-cthgc/

The Ahlulbait Mosque in Ottery, in conjunction with the Catholic Church of Cape Town
invites you to the fifth meeting of the
Platform for Theological Dialogue and Practical Ethics
on 15 August 2024 at 7.15 pm
at the Ahlulbait Mosque Complex
De Wet Rd in Ottery

RSVP: +27 82 783 2122

You are free to join live on Afosa YouTube channel
youtube.com/@3485

Members of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) attending the August plenary session in Mariannhill Monastery, on Wednesday, August 7 elected Cardinal Stephen Brislin of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Cape Town as President, Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani SCI of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Bloemfontein as 1st Vice President, and Archbishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara, CMM of the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Durban as 2nd Vice President.

Speaking with the SACBC communication office shortly after the election, both Cardinal Brislin and Archbishop Mpambani said they would continue the “good work” of the outgoing executive.

Catholic Bishops in Botswana, Eswatini, and South Africa are in Mariannhill Monastery for the August 5 to 9 plenary session. Over the past three days, the bishops met with the new Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński and heard reports from some departments.

On Tuesday, August 6 SACBC members heard reports from the department for Christian formation, a report from the Justice and Peace Commission regarding coalition politics which has led to a government of national unity in South Africa. The bishops also heard reports from the Future VisionTask team.

On Wednesday, August 7, the bishops heard reports from the SACBC mission council, the finance department, and reports from each Metro concerning the Diocesan Boundaries.

The next sessions will be dedicated to the departments for clergy, laity, and ecumenism.

(Text courtesy of SACBC communications office)

Please see below a letter from Bishop Sylvester David OMI regarding the blasphemous opening ceremony at the Olympic Games.

It is with a great sense of disappointment and disgust that we pen these words. The Olympic Games, like any international event, is meant to foster growth and unity among all peoples. This aim was seriously undermined by what appears to be a carefully planned assault on the sensitivities of Christians. Complaints have been made from various sources in the Church, as well as from Religious Leaders from other traditions. Anyone who wishes to join in this complaint against what is blasphemous and demand a public apology should send their complaints to the President of the International Committee using any of the following URLs:

https://olympics.com/ioc/contact-us
or
https://support.olympics.com/hc/en-gb/requests/new

Go to the website. On the first page under the address you will see (in blue) the words: “Contact us”. Click on that and a page on which you can register the complaint and your demand for an apology will open up.

Thank you for your attention.

Cardinal Brislin has asked that prayers of thanksgiving be offered at Masses on the weekend of 20th/21st July, for the success and peaceful outcome of the recent elections in South Africa.

For some months before the elections we prayed for the success of the elections, and despite fears of possible violence and other problems, the elections were successful and peaceful. The Cardinal asks that we thank God for prayers answered and that we continue to pray for our leaders in the service of all the peoples of our country.

Lord God and Father of the human family,
we are grateful for the many blessings we enjoy in South Africa.
We give you thanks for the peaceful outcome of the elections in our country,
And we ask for your protection and guidance for all who devote themselves to the common good, and who work for justice and peace.
We pray for our elected leaders,
that they may be true servants of our people.
Lord, heal us of our differences and unite us in a common purpose and commitment for the good of all our people,
especially those who are most vulnerable in our midst.
Amen.