FOR the first time in the history of the Catholic Diocese of Aliwal North a reverend has been appointed bishop for the Kokstad Catholic Diocese.
Roman Catholic priest Zolile Mpambani was appointed the new bishop of Kokstad on Monday .
Mpambani is the leader of the society of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in South Africa (SCJs).
SCJs is a Catholic religious community of brothers and priests.
In some parts of the world the members are known as “Dehonians” in reference to the founder, Father Leo John Dehon.
He recently left his position as pastor in Aliwal, Dukathole and Rouxville to take up his new position as the bishop of Kokstad.
Bishop Michael Wüstenberg of the Catholic Diocese of Aliwal North said their church community was overjoyed when the new appointment was made.
“It is the first time that a local priest from the Diocese of Aliwal North has been appointed bishop. This gives reason for joy,” Wüstenberg said.
He said this was an indication that the church , started more than 125 years ago by Irish and German missionaries, had developed local roots.
“The Diocese of Aliwal and the Priests of the Sacred Heart will miss his skills and talents.
“At the same time they are proud to share these very skills and talents with the faithful in Kokstad,” Wüstenberg said.
The Diocese of Kokstad has a population of 1.7 million and about 4.5% are Catholic.
“I am sure Bishop Mpambani will have a great opportunity to leave a distinctive mark in the Catholic region of the Xhosa-speaking people and within the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference,” Wüstenberg said.
Mpambani was born in Umlamli close to Sterkspruit in 1957. He began his ministry in Burgersdorp and served in many positions, among them on the general administration of his order in Rome.
He was the first in his family to pursue religious studies.
“I made my first vows in 1982 and I was ordained in 1987,” he said, adding that he did his theology studies at St Joseph Theological Institute in Cedara, near Pietermaritzburg.
Mpambani said he was honoured by the new appointment and would serve the community of Kokstad with diligence. —
New bishop for Kokstad
Roman Catholic priest Zolile Mpambani was appointed the new bishop of Kokstad on Monday .
Mpambani is the leader of the society of the Priests of the Sacred Heart in South Africa (SCJs).
SCJs is a Catholic religious community of brothers and priests.
In some parts of the world the members are known as “Dehonians” in reference to the founder, Father Leo John Dehon.
He recently left his position as pastor in Aliwal, Dukathole and Rouxville to take up his new position as the bishop of Kokstad.
Bishop Michael Wüstenberg of the Catholic Diocese of Aliwal North said their church community was overjoyed when the new appointment was made.
“It is the first time that a local priest from the Diocese of Aliwal North has been appointed bishop. This gives reason for joy,” Wüstenberg said.
He said this was an indication that the church , started more than 125 years ago by Irish and German missionaries, had developed local roots.
“The Diocese of Aliwal and the Priests of the Sacred Heart will miss his skills and talents.
“At the same time they are proud to share these very skills and talents with the faithful in Kokstad,” Wüstenberg said.
The Diocese of Kokstad has a population of 1.7 million and about 4.5% are Catholic.
“I am sure Bishop Mpambani will have a great opportunity to leave a distinctive mark in the Catholic region of the Xhosa-speaking people and within the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference,” Wüstenberg said.
Mpambani was born in Umlamli close to Sterkspruit in 1957. He began his ministry in Burgersdorp and served in many positions, among them on the general administration of his order in Rome.
He was the first in his family to pursue religious studies.
“I made my first vows in 1982 and I was ordained in 1987,” he said, adding that he did his theology studies at St Joseph Theological Institute in Cedara, near Pietermaritzburg.
Mpambani said he was honoured by the new appointment and would serve the community of Kokstad with diligence. —
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