Please see the attached announcement from Bishop Sylvester David regarding the death of Fr Brian Gelant.

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Bishop Sylvester David OMI, on behalf of Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka and the Archdiocese of Cape Town made this public proclamation against corruption today at the end of Mass at Nazareth House, Cape Town to mark Freedom Day tomorrow, and initiating a public stand against all forms of corruption in South Africa.

Dishonesty, exploitation and corruption has led to a severe moral crisis in our society.

To address this, the Southern African Council of Churches (SACC), of which Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka is the current president, has called for all member churches to mark Freedom Day by making a unified public stand against all forms of corruption in South Africa.

Please watch the attached video clip of the Rev. Mzwandile Molo, General Secretary of the SACC, who elaborates upon this call. Please also see the notice from Bishop Sylvester David to all parishes and institutions in the Archdiocese of Cape Town on the Freedom Day Action against corruption.

On Monday 27th April (Freedom Day), Church leaders will sign a Church Leaders’ Covenant Against Corruption – to act and speak against corruption and to call for ethical leadership and transparency – at St George’s Cathedral in Cape Town.

Rev. Mzwandile Molo

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Group session at Xhosa Pastoral Region meeting. Photo sent by Bishop Sylvester David OMI, who attended the Pastoral Conference.

The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) reaffirmed its full communion and unity with the Holy Father following a joint statement by the Bishops in response to remarks made by Donald Trump concerning Pope Leo XIV. https://sacbc.org.za/we-support-him-a… Speaking on eNCA (DStv Channel 403), SACBC Secretary General, Fr Hugh O’Connor, unpacked the Bishops’ position and reflected on the importance of unity within the Church.

Listen to SACBC Secretary General Fr Hugh O’Connor on Channel Africa speaking about Pope Leo XIV’s first Apostolic Journey to Africa

“We Support Him as He Prophetically Speaks Truth to Power” – Southern African Bishops Reaffirm Communion with Pope Leo – SACBC. See statement signed by SACBC President, Cardinal Stephen Brislin: https://share.google/EndROuzq7JtYKUYLS

Cardinal Stephen Brislin has spoken out strongly against the US president’s attacks on Pope Leo XIV. Please see his article in the Daily Maverick titled “Speaking truth to power – why the Catholic Church won’t be silenced by Trump” at: https://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-04-13-speaking-truth-to-power-why-the-catholic-church-wont-be-silenced-by-trump/?dm_source=blocks-list-item&dm_medium=card-link&dm_campaign=inform&utm_campaign=Post-1612&utm_medium=email&utm_source=first-thing

Please also see below the SACBC statement by Bishop Thulani Mbuyisa, chariperson of the SACBC Justice and Peace Commission, as well an interview with Fr Hugh O’Connor, Secretary General of the SACBC – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sheB3e0h988

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Please see below the letter of congratulations from the Principal & Vice-Chancellor’s Desk to Archbishop Sipuka.