Category: Pastoral Letters & Bishop Statements

Thanks to you the people are now relying on what is false!

Posted on by Neliswa Mdluli

by Bishop Jose Luis IMC

Our diocese has a number of WhatsApp groups. Many of them added the bishop as soon as the group was created. It is not easy for me to follow them but, every now and then, I do read the messages trying my best not to interfere and allow everyone to freely share on a topic.

Fake news, though, has been one of those cases where I struggle to keep quiet.

Not long ago, a member of the Catholic men’s group shared news with this title: “We are at the end of times”. It then said: “Pope Francis cancels the Bible and proposes to create a new book”. He himself never believed it but felt important to share it and open a dialogue. Someone, in fact, confirmed that members of other churches had shared their sadness and horror at the Pope’s decision.

A question arose regarding what to do about it. Continue reading “Thanks to you the people are now relying on what is false!” →

Let us not live the present waiting to return to the past

Posted on by Neliswa Mdluli

by Bp Jose Luis IMC

Pastoral letter to the diocese of Manzini

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,

“The Word became flesh”
“Livi laba yinyama”


Ascension of the Lord

Before ascending into heaven, Jesus gathered the apostles and sent them to the whole world to make disciples, baptise, teach… (Mt 28:19). Not sure you noticed but that is all He said. No details. How would they do that? Who would have to do what? The apostles never asked either. They never knew what they would have to face but they trusted in Jesus’ promise: “I am with you always” (Mt 28:20) “You will receive the power of the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:8).

Continue reading “Let us not live the present waiting to return to the past” →

Rekindling hope

Posted on by Neliswa Mdluli

by SACBC Justice and Peace Commission

During the Holy week and Easter, Catholic bishops in South Africa, Botswana and Eswatini have used the social media platforms to preach the Risen Christ and inspire hope in the midst of the COVID-19 crisis. For the benefit of those without access to social media, we present a selected collection. 

Bishop Duncan Tsoke – During the Covid-19 crisis, do not be afraid, God is still in charge

It has now been several weeks since our country, like many
others around the world, decided to do a lockdown as a response to the COVID-19 crisis.

Although separated during the lockdown, we are called to remain united in faith and to be in solidarity with the most vulnerable among us, the homeless, the elderly, the orphans, the migrants and refugees, domestic violence survivors and all the neglected. Our faith in Christ can sustain and empower us through this difficult and trying times. The Spirit of God calls on all us to believe that our God is in charge even in these chaotic and frightening times. Faith in the Resurrection is the sure sign that God is still in charge. Continue reading “Rekindling hope” →

Bishop’s statement on Covid-19

Posted on by Neliswa Mdluli

by Diocesan Media

Brothers and sisters, the church today is in exile. We live our lives without actively participating in the Eucharistic Sacrifice which is the highest form of our worship. The Christian community has chosen to live its life away from communal prayer in order not to spread this Virus.

This choice does not mean that the Christian community is afraid of sickness or of death. It does not mean that the church is blindly obeying civil authorities. The decision of the church is rooted in the Church’s understanding of the value of human life.

Below is Bishop Jose Luis IMC’s statement, following the “Declaration of national emergency in response to coronavirus” issued by the Government of the Kingdom of Eswatini, with directives for the Diocese of Manzini. Continue reading “Bishop’s statement on Covid-19” →