News

Bishops and major superiors gathered in mid-September 2024 at “Emseni Conference Centre” in Benoni near Johannesburg (South Africa) for what is known as “Joint Witness”.

The gathering which takes place at three yearly intervals is an opportunity for the participants to share successes and concerns they have in common, and to map out ways for further collaboration in the Church in Southern Africa.  Sisters Paula-Mary van der Walt and Alison Munro participated.

There was input and discussion on synodality concerning the pastoral plan and on decisions made at the previous gathering.  This was followed by a serious look at the changing faces of the church in Southern Africa where Catholic Church membership numbers are declining in the face of growing numbers of people joining “prophet churches” and African independent churches. “How,” was the question posed, “can we better collaborate in this reality?

Participants reflected on various case studies detailing other issues of concern for both bishops and major religious.

Day two focussed on what is expected in the new Mission Council, a body under the Bishops’ Conference bringing together representatives of different groups in the Church in a new thrust around evangelization.

The next steps in the area of the safe-guarding of minors and vulnerable adults was taken with the signing of the “Memorare Initiative” document by both parties. Various reports on collaborative issues addressed in the past few years were tabled. 

Day three focussed on Catholic education in Southern Africa, with challenges outlined and with the goals of the sector clearly described.  Our schools do not have only Catholic students, but the Catholic ethos to be upheld is key,

Text:     Sr Alison Munro OP
Photo: Fr Klement Vaclav SDB

September 2024