Welcome to the Archdiocese of Cape Town
Cape Town is commonly known as the Mother City of South Africa, and is the first ecclesiastical territory to be established in Southern Africa (1818). You are most welcome to this website. It is hoped that it will inform you and provide you with any information you may require regarding this segment of the Catholic Church.
We also provide links to other websites which might interest you. If you require any information not included here, email us and we will do what we can to help.
If you have discovered this page by accident, you are especially welcome and we hope you will find it of some value and maybe help you to understand how the Catholic Church in Cape Town is trying to serve the community and so bring it closer to the Lord.
The see of the Archdiocese of Cape Town is currently vacant.
We have a dedicated website for Jubilee Year 2025. Please visit it by following the link below:
News & Events

Jubilee 2025 Website
A special website has been created for the Archdiocese of Cape Town for the celebration of Jubilee 2025, containing all that you need to know about this special Jubilee Year. There is a Blog detailing all the events that take place, as well as an Events Calendar; there is a Gallery of pictures, as well […]

Apostolic Administrator Delegations
Please see attached below a letter from Bishop Sylvester David OMI, advising of delegations made by our Apostolic Administrator, Cardinal Stephen Brislin.

Appointment of Cardinal Brislin as Apostolic Adminstrator
Please see the communication from Bishop Sylvester David OMI, regarding the appointment of Cardinal Stephen Brislin as Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Cape Town, until a new Archbishop is appointed.

Parish Alive Summit 2025
The Parish Alive Summit is happening on 15 February 2025, to which all Parish Priests and all PPC members are invited. Please see the poster below (and above) for further details, and the link in the text below for booking your spot. THEME AND AGENDA The theme of the Summit 2025 is PILGRIMS OF HOPE: […]

Laudato Si’ Village at Castel Gandolfo
Attached below please find information on the Laudato Si’ Village, a recommended site for pilgrims in 2025, as communicated through the SACBC Secretariat.

Preparation for the Feast Day of St Josephine Bakhita
Attached below please see a reflection and a call from the Migrants, Refugees and Human Trafficking Department of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, to celebrate and prepare for the feast day of St Josephine Bakhita.

Theology Course 2025
The Archdiocesan Theology Course will begin again in February 2025. This will be Year One of what has been the three-year cycle of theology lectures in the programme, and as such it gives a good overview of the whole spectrum of theology. This course is aimed at those who are involved in parish ministry, particularly […]

Cardinal Brislin’s homily for the opening of the Jubilee Year
Below is Cardinal Stephen Brislin’s homily at the opening of the Jubilee Year in St Mary’s Cathedral, Cape Town. OPENING OF JUBILEE YEAR 2025 31 DECEMBER 2024, OUR LADY OF THE FLIGHT INTO EGYPT CATHEDRAL The opening words of the Gospel of St John makes reference to the Old Testament. He starts with the words, […]

Message from Pope Francis for the World Day of Peace
Attached below is Pope Francis’s message for the World Day of Peace on 1st January 2025. The theme is: “Forgive us our trespasses: grant us your peace.”

Archdiocesan News 4 of 2024
IN THIS BUMPER EDITION: All about celebrating Jubilee 2025 – Pilgrims of Hope; Youth XLT and Hike & Retreat; More visitors to the Red Carpet; Benemerenti Medal for 60 years loyal service; Cardinal Brislin’s last ‘From the Heart’; Christmas wishes from Kolping SA; Farewell Cardinal Stephen Brislin; How Youth Ministry shaped my Vocation; AIDS Day […]

Address by Bishop Sylvester David OMI on the transfer of Cardinal Stephen Brislin
The address was given at the Archdiocesan Pastoral Council meeting on 9 November 2024. “There is an appointed time for everything” (Ecclesiastes 3:1). On 28 October 2024, we received the news of the transfer of Cardinal Brislin from Cape Town to Johannesburg. Although such transfers are part of Church life, the news left us with […]

Transfer of Cardinal Brislin – and other appointments
It was announced yesterday, 28th October 2024, that Pope Francis has transferred Cardinal Stephen Brislin to Johannesburg as Metropolitan Archbishop. Please see the letter below from the SACBC Secretary General, as well as the letter from the Cardinal’s office regarding other Archdiocesan transfers and appointments. LETTER FROM THE CARDINAL’S OFFICE LETTER FROM THE SACBC SECRETARY […]