The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the metropolitan archbishop of Bloemfontein, South Africa, presented by Archbishop Jabulani Adatus Nxumalo, O.M.I.
At the same time, the Pope appointed Bishop Zolile Peter Mpambani, S.C.J., of Kokstad as archbishop of the same metropolitan see.
Archbishop-elect Zolile Peter Mpambani, S.C.I.
Archbishop-elect Zolile Peter Mpambani, S.C.I., was born on February 20, 1957, in Umlamli in the diocese of Aliwal. He gave his religious vows in the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonians) on 28 January 1982. He studied philosophy and theology at Saint Joseph’s Major Seminary in Cedara.
He was ordained a priest on April 25, 1987.
Since ordination he has held the following offices: parish vicar of the parish of Sterkspruit (1987-1990); parish priest in Burgerdorp (1990-1993); master of the pre-novitiate of the S.C.I. province (1994-1997); general counselor for Africa and Madagascar of the Central Governance of his Institute in Rome (1998-2003); sabbatical year (2004-2005); master of the pre-novitiate and local superior of the community in Bethulie and director of the Dehonian House in Scottsville, Pitermartizburg (2005-2010); minister (along with the vicar general) in the parish of Sterkspruit, in the diocese of Aliwal (2011-2013); and provincial superior in the Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus (Dehonian) of South Africa from February to May 2013.
He was appointed as bishop of Kokstad on May 6, 2013, and received episcopal consecration the following 3 August.
Within the South African Catholic Bishops’ Conference, he is responsible for formation, life, and the lay apostolate.
