JOHANNESBURG RECEIVES THREE NEW DEACONS

The Archdiocese of Johannesburg received three new deacons on Friday. Reverend Kgaugelo Ntsie, Tshepo Duik and Dimpho Mawela were ordained by Auxiliary Bishop Duncan Tsoke at the Cathedral of Christ the King in Johannesburg. In his homily, the bishop said these deacons-in-via are being ordained at a difficult time in many people’s lives in South Africa.

Audio clip by Bishop Duncan

NEW ARCHBISHOP OF PRETORIA INSTALLED

Bishop Dabula Mpako has been officially installed as the fifth Archbishop of the Pretoria. The installation, held in the 2000-seater Church of the Beatitudes, Zwavelpoort, was attended by the Papal Nuncio Archbishop Wells, bishops of the Catholic Church and other churches, clergy, laity, the Archbishop’s family and people from various parts of the country.

In his homily, Archbishop Mpako said this celebration not only marks the installation of the new Archbishop but also the entry of the local Church of the Archdiocese of Pretoria into a new phase in its life and in its evolution as a community of faith.

Audio clip by Archbishop Mpako

BETTER THE ANGEL YOU KNOW THAN THE ANGEL YOU DON’T KNOW: NUNCIO

Archbishop Peter Wells, the Apostolic Nuncio to Southern Africa has praised and thanked the outgoing Archbishop of Pretoria, William Slattery for his wonderful service to the people of Pretoria, for being a mentor, a brother, a father and a friend. Addressing Slattery at the installation of a new Archbishop for the Archdiocese of Pretoria, Dabula Mpako.

“Over these years I have seen His Grace demonstrate the values of a true shepherd to his people: untiring dedication, a humble approach in everything he does, a care and concern for the poor, for the sick, for the elderly and above all his compassion and mercy towards those who are in most need of being welcomed and embraced truly by his fatherly love…”: the Archbishop said.

He also thanked the incoming Archbishop for his generous and dedicated service to the people of Queenstown for eight years. “I know he will be sorely missed by everyone in that diocese. This highlights, even more, his willingness as a true servant of Christ, to go wherever the Master calls him to minister, to always minister to the people of God.” He encouraged him to carry forward the rich legacy of Archbishop William Slattery: the spirit of openness and dialogue among the priests, the religious men and women, and the laity. 

Audio clip by Archbishop Wells

HE WAS OUR FRIEND EN NOU SKIELIK HE’S AN ARCHBISHOP: BISHOP SIPUKA

In a witty way Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, the President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference, addressed the people of Pretoria at the installation of Archbishop Dabula Mpako.

Audio clip by Bishop Sipuka

I HAVE LOVED THE PEOPLE OF PRETORIA: ARCHBISHOP SLATTERY

In his thank-you speech, Archbishop Emeritus William Slattery thanked the people of Pretoria and the Church in Southern Africa for giving him the opportunity to lead the faithful. He welcomed the new Archbishop and handed over “the treasure that is the people of Pretoria” to him. “I have loved these people of Pretoria, I have loved them, and it is with joy and great confidence that I hand this treasure over to you. Because I know of your love for the Church and your labour. Take this treasure and guard it…”

Audio clip by Archbishop Slattery

YOUR VISION WILL BE MY VISION: ARCHBISHOP MPAKO

In his vote of thanks, Archbishop Dabula Mpako said he was not going to enunciate his vision because he didn’t have any vision until he met with the people of Pretoria to reflect on what needs to be done in the Archdiocese. He thanked the people of Queenstown “who brought me up as a novice bishop.” He said he is now a seasoned bishop. “I have been tried and tested in Queenstown and I’m very grateful for that.”

Audio clip Archbishop Mpako