Church in Southern Africa Celebrates 75 Years of a Local Hierarchy: A Light That Continues to Shine

By Fr Mathibela Sebothoma

Hundreds of Catholics, together with representatives of ecumenical and fraternal churches, gathered at the Church of the Beatitudes in Zwavelpoort for a historic celebration marking 75 years since the establishment of the Catholic hierarchy in Southern Africa. The solemn Eucharistic celebration formed part of the jubilee commemorations of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) and coincided with the bishops’ annual plenary session, held this year in the capital, Pretoria.

The liturgy was marked by joy, reverence and a deep sense of gratitude. The Archdiocese of Pretoria choir led the congregation in spirited singing, giving expression to a faith that has taken deep root in the soil of Southern Africa over the past seven and a half decades.

A Jubilee of Maturity and Responsibility

The principal celebrant was Cardinal Stephen Brislin, President of the SACBC and Archbishop of the Catholic Archdiocese of Johannesburg. The jubilee marked the formal establishment, 75 years ago, of a local Catholic hierarchy in Southern Africa, which led to the founding of the SACBC, comprising bishops from Botswana, Eswatini and South Africa.

In his homily, Cardinal Brislin invited the faithful to reflect on the words of Scripture proclaimed in the liturgy: “The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.” He described the jubilee as an opportune moment to thank God for the gift of the Church, which brings light into darkness and hope into human struggle.

“The Church, established by Jesus himself and born of the Holy Spirit,” the Cardinal said, “continues to be a source of grace and salvation. She is a mother who nurtures us from birth to earthly death, giving meaning and hope, and drawing us into communion with God and with one another.”

Becoming Truly Local

Cardinal Brislin reminded the congregation that the establishment of the hierarchy was not merely an administrative restructuring. It marked a decisive step towards a local Church taking responsibility for its own pastoral life, while remaining in communion with the Universal Church.

Four dioceses were elevated to archdioceses—Pretoria, Bloemfontein, Durban and Cape Town—and new dioceses were established. Importantly, leadership increasingly reflected the local context, with South Africans assuming episcopal responsibility.

He recalled a well-known episode from the Apartheid era involving three archbishops—Archbishop John Garner (Pretoria), Archbishop Denis Hurley OMI (Durban), and Archbishop Owen McCann (Cape Town)—who sought dialogue with then Prime Minister Hendrik Verwoerd over the injustices of Apartheid. Their prophetic stance challenged a system built on exclusion and oppression.

“The darkness sought to extinguish the light,” Cardinal Brislin said, noting the strong anti-Catholic sentiment and the sustained attacks on Catholic schools and institutions during the early years of National Party rule. Yet the Church remained steadfast, proclaiming truth in the face of lies and standing for justice, equality and human dignity.

He paid tribute to religious sisters and missionaries who courageously opened schools to all races in defiance of unjust laws, while also acknowledging that not all within the Church were united in this struggle. “Nonetheless,” he said, “the stance of the Catholic Church was clear. It stood firmly for justice. It was a light in the darkness.”

New Evils, New Responsibilities

Turning to the present, Cardinal Brislin warned that while Apartheid has passed, new threats to human dignity have emerged. Corruption, greed, lawlessness, failing infrastructure, lack of access to clean water, dysfunctional hospitals, violence and gangsterism continue to scar society.

“To repent,” he emphasised, “is to return to the path of righteousness, truth, justice and peace.” Repentance, he said, is both personal and communal, calling for ethical leadership, responsible citizenship and a renewed commitment to forming children and young people in moral values.

He highlighted the family as the first Church, the primary place where faith, values, forgiveness and unity are learned. In a time of individualism and fragile relationships, he urged families to pray together, share the Word of God, celebrate the sacraments together and become the first school of missionary discipleship.

“There is no perfect family,” he said. “Keeping a family together takes hard work, forgiveness and a willingness to start again.”

Eucharist: Source of Strength for the Journey

Reflecting on the future, Cardinal Brislin stressed that the Church cannot face the challenges ahead without God’s grace. Drawing on the story of Elijah, he reminded the faithful that without spiritual nourishment, “the journey will be too long.”

He expressed concern about a weakening belief in the Eucharist and a loss of reverence in liturgical celebrations. “The Eucharist is the source and summit of Christian life,” he said, cautioning against turning liturgy into performance rather than prayer. True worship, he insisted, must always focus on God and lead to deeper communion with Him.

He concluded with a prayer from St Paul’s Letter to the Romans, calling on the faithful to be bearers of hope and to allow the light of Christ to dispel the darkness faced by so many.

Message from the Holy Father

At the conclusion of the Mass, Archbishop Henryk Mieczysław Jagodziński, Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa, Eswatini, Botswana, Lesotho and Namibia, addressed the assembly. He conveyed the prayerful closeness and apostolic blessing of the Holy Father, who marked the jubilee with a special message.

In the message, the Pope praised the missionary courage and perseverance that shaped the Church in Southern Africa and encouraged the faithful to continue being “leaven in society,” transforming it from within through lives shaped by the Gospel. Evangelisation, the Pope noted, flows from a personal encounter with Jesus Christ and must find expression in families, communities, digital spaces and the complex realities of the modern world.

Entrusting the Church in Southern Africa to Mary, Mother of Hope and Star of Evangelisation, the Holy Father imparted his blessing as a pledge of joy and peace.

Gratitude and Collaboration

Fr Hugh O’Connor, Secretary General of the SACBC, expressed heartfelt thanks to the Archdiocese of Pretoria, the clergy, choir, volunteers and all who worked behind the scenes to make the celebration possible. He noted that such historic moments are built not only by visible leadership but also by the quiet dedication of many.

Fr Chris Townsend, Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Pretoria and parish priest of the Church of the Beatitudes, outlined the extensive preparations involved, from liturgy and logistics to security, hospitality and media. He highlighted the collaborative effort between the parish, the Archdiocese, the liturgy commission, volunteers and ministries, including the A/V and media teams.

Pretoria: A Place of Church and Nation

The celebration also highlighted Pretoria’s unique role as the seat of government, the headquarters of the SACBC, and the home of the Holy See’s Apostolic Nunciature. In many ways, the city symbolises the close interaction between faith, public life and the ongoing moral witness of the Church in Southern Africa.

As the Church marks 75 years of a local hierarchy, the jubilee stands not only as a remembrance of the past but as a call to renewed missionary discipleship—to remain a light in the darkness, faithful to the Gospel, attentive to the signs of the times, and courageous in hope.