South Africa

The Latest

South African platinum and chrome miners drilling holes in rock for blasting.

South African bishops file class-action suit against mining company over black lung disease

Aug 18, 2023

By Tyler Arnold

The bishops began the process of filing a class-action suit against a global mining company on behalf of current and... Read more

Fulgence Kayishema, a former Rwandan police officer suspected to have ordered the killing of at least 2,000 Tutsis who were seeking refuge at St. Paul’s Nyange Catholic Parish during the 1994 genocide, was arrested May 24, 2023.

Police arrest suspected mastermind of massacre at Rwandan Catholic parish in 1994 genocide

Jun 1, 2023

By Silas Isenjia

Reuters reported that Fulgence Kayishema, one of the top suspects in the genocide, was arrested May 24 on a grape... Read more

Archbishop Desmond Tutu in 2011

Pope Francis sends condolences for death of Desmond Tutu

Dec 26, 2021

By Hannah Brockhaus

The retired Anglican archbishop and anti-apartheid leader died on Dec. 26 at the age of 90. Read more

South African flag, Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape, South Africa.

Southern African bishops call for an end to violence and looting

Jul 15, 2021

By Courtney Mares

At least 72 people have died amid rioting. Read more

Foreign nationals in South Africa during an anti-xenophobia match outside the city hall of Durban in 2015.

Bishops across Africa condemn 'xenophobic' attacks in South Africa

Sep 16, 2019

A wave of deadly attacks targeting African foreign nationals in South Africa has caught the attention of national and regional... Read more

Abortion groups in South Africa can't find doctors willing to perform abortions

Aug 24, 2019

Despite efforts by abortion advocates to expand the number of abortion clinics in South Africa, doctors in the country are... Read more

President Elect of South Africa Cyril Ramaphosa delivers a speech on May 12, 2019.

South African bishops: New president must tackle corruption, poverty

May 13, 2019

In the wake of President Cyril Ramaphosa’s successful reelection bid last week, South Africa’s Catholic bishops are applauding the country’s... Read more

Taxis in Johannesburg.

South African bishops urge government to act after spate of taxi violence

Jul 25, 2018

The South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference decried Wednesday a recent series of taxi driver murders and encouraged the government to... Read more

Mosque attack 'wreaks havoc' on religiously tolerant South Africa, bishops say

May 13, 2018

In the wake of a mosque attack that left one dead and two other critically injured, the Catholic bishops of... Read more

Winnie Madikizela-Mandela at her 80th birthday celebration in Cape Town, South Africa, September 2016. Madikizela-Mandela died April 2, 2018.

South African bishops offer condolences for anti-apartheid activist Winnie Mandela

Apr 3, 2018

By Hannah Brockhaus

The bishops of South Africa offered their sympathy Tuesday for the death of the controversial anti-apartheid activist and politician Winnie... Read more

South African President Cyril Ramaphosa addresses parliament, Feb. 20, 2018.

South Africa's new president praised for commitment to fight corruption

Feb 20, 2018

The first State of the Nation address by South Africa's new president, Cyril Ramaphosa, has been welcomed by one of... Read more

South African President Jacob Zuma at a press conference after a meeting with the German Chancellor in the Federal Chanclery in Berlin.

South African bishops welcome president's resignation

Feb 15, 2018

Catholic leaders in South Africa applauded news of President Jacob Zuma’s resignation, stressing the need to root out corruption at... Read more

Protesters march to parliament in protest President Jacob Zuma.

South Africa needs a better anti-corruption system, bishops say

Oct 16, 2017

South Africa’s Conference of Catholic Bishops has pushed for the development of an anti-corruption court, citing the damage to the... Read more

South African president Jacob Zuma at a Nov. 10, 2015 meeting with German chancellor Angela Merkel in Berlin.

South African bishops call on nation's president to consider resigning

Apr 10, 2017

The bishops of South Africa have called on the country's embattled president, Jacob Zuma, to consider stepping down as part... Read more

South Africa says assisted suicide will remain illegal

Dec 9, 2016

While countries around the world such as Canada, Germany and Japan have passed legislation to legalize physician assisted suicide, one... Read more

South African bishops rebuke government for spending billions on weapons

May 4, 2016

The Catholic bishops of South Africa have criticized the government for excessive weapons spending given the country’s major social problems.   Read more

Passes received at the Apartheid Museum in Johannesburg.

For South Africa's bishops, the Year of Mercy is a time to heal racial division

Mar 11, 2016

Repentance, spiritual healing, and hard conversations are necessary to respond to racism and racial divisions, the bishops of South Africa... Read more

Msgr. Peter Bryan Wells.

High-ranking American in Vatican 'humbled' by appointment as nuncio

Feb 9, 2016

By Elise Harris

On Tuesday it was announced that Pope Francis has appointed Msgr. Peter Bryan Wells, the highest ranking American in the... Read more

Blessed Benedict Daswa, who was martyred in 1990, and beatified Sept. 13.

Blessed Benedict Daswa: the South African martyred for rejecting witchcraft

Sep 14, 2015

Benedict Daswa, a South African catechist whose Christian opposition to witchcraft led to his murder in 1990, was beatified on... Read more