The Golden Jubilee Celebration of IMBISA: A Journey of Unity and Mission
As the Inter-regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) gears up to commemorate its golden jubilee in 2025, the director and several members are shedding light on their efforts to enhance the efficiency of the Church’s ministry in Southern Africa through IMBISA’s vision and shared mission.
By Sr. Katleho Khang, SNJM
To mark the milestone of IMBISA’s establishment, which stemmed from the evolving needs of the Church in the Southern Africa region and the visionary outlook of the Second Vatican Council, Father Raphael Sopato, the director of IMBISA Secretariat, shared his insights on IMBISA’s mission for the upcoming decades.
“IMBISA should embody a genuine synodal experience that warrants continuity and deepening,” he expressed to Vatican News. “This goal should be achieved through its founding purpose, which was to serve as a platform for communion, exchange of pastoral practices, and collective efforts in addressing challenges and issues within the region.”
Father Sopato acknowledged the burgeoning faith within the youth in the region. “The vibrancy of the youth in our dioceses is noteworthy,” he remarked. “Since 2022, we have placed a stronger emphasis on young people, aligning with Pope Francis’ message in Christus vivit.”
Highlighting the surge in vocations to the priesthood and religious life, Father Sopato remarked, “These trends underscore the significant growth of the faith we have received.”
Looking ahead, Father Sopato emphasized the necessity for IMBISA to foster greater unity through an ongoing synodal process and to remain vigilant against individualism and narcissism, prevalent in society.
“By reinforcing the core principles that led to its inception, particularly in caring for the vulnerable, notably refugees and displaced individuals, in a collaborative regional endeavor,” he concluded.
The Vital Role of IMBISA
In a separate interview, Angolan Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba of the Archdiocese of Saurimo and the vice president of IMBISA, underscored the indispensable role of IMBISA. He emphasized that IMBISA continues to serve as a prophetic voice for the marginalized and disadvantaged, acting as a sentinel against all forms of abuse that undermine the dignity of the human person and ‘our common home.’
“Despite the challenges confronting IMBISA,” Archbishop Imbamba remarked, “its mission remains vibrant.” He noted that over the years, IMBISA has provided a safe space for sharing, dialogue, communion, and solidarity, evolving into a beacon of hope.
Archbishop Imbamba stressed that in a region often beset by violence, political intolerance, human trafficking, climate change, and religious sect infiltrations, IMBISA plays a pivotal role in helping individuals connect with God and discover the true essence of life rooted in Gospel values.
Archbishop Imbamba emphasized the commitment of the region’s Bishops, religious, and laity to the Church’s mission. “We aspire for IMBISA to serve as a unifying force, bridging families, cultures, and institutions,” he stated.
“The journey ahead is arduous, but guided by faith, hope, and charity, we can transform the social, political, cultural, and religious landscape into a fertile ground for evangelization,” Archbishop Imbamba concluded.
Collaborative Ministry and Expansive Mission
Mosotho Bishop John Tlhomola of Mohale’s Hoek Diocese shared his perspective on IMBISA as a welcoming space for diverse voices, where bishops are encouraged to share and listen to each other’s experiences based on the socio-economic realities of their countries, specifically impacting the underprivileged and ‘our common home,’ as emphasized by Pope Francis.
“This exchange fosters communion, cooperation, and solidarity among us,” he conveyed to Vatican News.
Bishop Tlhomola urged IMBISA members to uphold their mission by addressing the Church’s needs beyond their diocesan boundaries, working towards a unified Synodal Church marked by dedication and unity, becoming genuine ambassadors of the IMBISA motto: “We are the Catholic Church throughout Southern Africa, sharing our narratives to grow, serve, and flourish as a united community.”
“For a broader vision and expansive mission in the region, the clergy and laity must collaborate for greater impact and progress,” he stressed.
South African Bishop Robert Mphiwe of Rustenburg Diocese reflected on the spirit of communion and collegiality among IMBISA members. “I have experienced genuine brotherhood, kindness, and warmth from all the bishops, both seasoned and newly ordained,” he affirmed.
Regarding IMBISA’s initiatives in formation, discernment, and decision-making, Bishop Mphiwe acknowledged, “There is a palpable concern, commitment, and solidarity among the bishops towards each other and the communities they serve.”
Noting the ongoing formation for recently ordained bishops focusing on mental health awareness, Bishop Mphiwe mentioned, “We deliberate on psychosocial well-being as bishops and within the clergy, creating a space within IMBISA to share experiences in our pastoral roles.”
Bishop Mphiwe highlighted the Church leadership’s efforts to unite the Catholic community in the region through workshops, symposia, and conferences that bring together Church leaders to address regional challenges collectively.
He emphasized IMBISA’s crucial role in connecting the Southern African Church across vast distances, facilitating reflections and sharing initiatives to transcend political, cultural, and religious divides.
Concluding, Bishop Mphiwe stressed the imperative of fostering positive transformations in the region’s landscape.
“The Church must embrace the voice and involvement of the laity, particularly the youth,” he asserted. “Charting a new path requires reinforcing IMBISA structures to facilitate dialogues and idea exchanges among the laity, especially the youth within the region.”
“Progress is contingent on the collaboration and participation of the laity,” Bishop Mphiwe reiterated.
About IMBISA
The Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) serves as a network for pastoral collaboration among the Episcopal Conferences, encompassing 9 countries and 6 Episcopal Conferences. These include the Episcopal Conference of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST), Lesotho Conference of Catholic Bishops (LCBC), Episcopal Conference of Mozambique (CEM), Namibian Conference of Catholic Bishops (NCBC), Conferences of Catholic Bishops of Southern Africa (SACBC), consisting of Botswana, South Africa, and Eswatini, and Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC).
The region comprises 75 Dioceses with an equivalent number of titular Bishops, alongside Cardinals, Coadjutor, and Auxiliary Bishops.
