The Catholic Church in Southern Africa will launch its new pastoral plan at Regina Mundi Catholic Church in Soweto on January 26, 2020.
The theme of this pastoral plan is “Evangelising Community Serving God, Humanity and All Creation.” It will develop the original plan of 1989.
Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, the President of Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) said, “Upon reflection, the Bishops together with the people of God have become aware of the changed situations and the need to respond to them differently and effectively according to their nature.”
While many Catholics will come from the Archdiocese of Johannesburg people from other parts of the country and beyond are also expected. All SACBC Bishops together with other dignitaries will preside during the celebration.
The pastoral plan aims to help people to hear and respond to the cry of the poor, the cry of the earth, and to listen and respond to God’s Word. It will do this by focusing on eight themes that have been identified as key focus areas outlined in the plan.
By the consideration and implantation of their key areas, the Southern African Catholic people will respond to the needs of our time.
The launch will begin with a gathering at 7:30 at Mshenguville Park in Mofolo. This will be followed by a prayerful procession to Regina Mundi where Holy Mass will be celebrated and the official launching of the Pastoral Plan will take place.
The Mass will be presided over by SACBC President, Bishop Sithembele Sipuka.
