Category: Pastoral Letters & Bishop Statements

“Jesus is at the door and knocks”

Posted on by Neliswa Mdluli
by Bishop José Luis IMC

Pope Francis’ has called the Church to celebrate an “extraordinary mission month” and revitalize our missionary spirit. The diocese of Manzini has chosen to extend it to the whole year October 2019 – October 2020

Below is my pastoral letter to the diocese.

Download PDF: English – Siswati

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“Jesus is at the door and knocks”

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

The Word became flesh! (John 1:14)

In 2013, after the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI the Cardinals being entrusted with the election of a new Pope came together in Rome to reflect on the life and mission of the Church in today’s world.

It is said that Cardinal Bergoglio (who later became Pope Francis) shared a very short reflection with them. He spoke about the familiar passage in Revelation 3:20 where we read: “Look, I am standing at the door, knocking. If one of you hears me calling and opens the door, I will come in to share a meal at that person’s side.”

Continue reading ““Jesus is at the door and knocks”” →

In solidarity with Mozambique

Posted on by Diocese of Manzini
Photo: St Egidio

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

Peace!

We are all aware of the unprecedented devastation caused by Cyclone Idai in Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. It is considered that, just in Mozambique, about one million people have been affected.

For many years, Sr Florence Tsabedze, born in Eswatini (Good Shepherd Parish) and a member of the Franciscan Hospitaller Sisters of the Immaculate Conception has been serving in Mozambique. In the last few days she shared with me: “Concerning the needs, basically we need food, clothes, medical care… The bishop’s house in Beira, the Cathedral, mission, convent, outstations and many more shelters have been badly damaged, apart from the simple homesteads. Here the situation is worse because people are still dying of cholera and malaria caused by the cyclone. Dead bodies are still found in the seashore…”. Continue reading “In solidarity with Mozambique” →

Trafficking in Persons Day

Posted on by Neliswa Mdluli

by Rev. Dabulamanzi Ntshangase

As it appears on the Diocesan Year Plan, 10th February 2019 is the Trafficking in Persons day. The new desk in the Diocese (Trafficking in Persons), therefore, urges all the Parish Priests to make sure that the Prayer to Saint Josephine Bakhita is said in their parishes on the
aforementioned date.

As of 12th December 2018, the Protocol to Prevent, Suppress and Punish Trafficking in Persons gives the following definition of Trafficking in Persons:
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Call for a week of prayer for Peace in the country

Posted on by Diocese of Manzini

https://dailyoffice.wordpress.com

21 September 2018
St Matthew, apostle

To:
Priests, religious and lay people

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

“peace is a gift of God entrusted to us”

This was the theme chosen by St John Paul II for the World Day of prayer in 1982. Peace is indeed God’s gift but also a task. In fact, he adds: “God’s gift of peace is therefore also at all times a human conquest and achievement”.

There is, in each one of us, a deep desire for peace: inner peace, peace in our families, in our country and in the whole world.

Fifty years’ ago, launching the day of prayer for peace, Blessed Paul VI wrote: “Peace cannot be based on a false rhetoric of words… Nor can one rightly speak of peace where no recognition or respect is given to its solid foundations: namely, sincerity, justice and love…” Continue reading “Call for a week of prayer for Peace in the country” →