Eswatini to host historic Catholic Conference with 71 Bishops, 4 Cardinals
By Kwanele Dhladhla and Taonga Nkhata
Eswatini will host one of the largest Catholic gatherings in the Southern African region, as 71 bishops and four cardinals from across Africa and the Vatican will converge for the Golden Jubilee of the Interregional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA).
The high-level plenary session will bring together 120 delegates – 95 per cent of them from outside Eswatini – making it one of the most internationally significant Church events ever held in the kingdom.
Delegates will begin arriving on September 24, with official proceedings running from the 25th until September 29. The gathering will be held at Esibayeni Lodge, while the highlight of the week, a special Mass, will take place on Sunday at Mavuso Trade Centre.
IMBISA Director Rafael Sapato said the Jubilee celebration was not only a moment of reflection but also of renewal for the Catholic Church in Southern Africa.
“When IMBISA was founded, the purpose was to share personal experiences, challenges, and good practices. We want to take this Golden Jubilee to evaluate what needs to be improved.
Our main target is to consolidate our synodality as a region, so that we move forward more united,” Sapato explained.
He added that Eswatini’s role as host was particularly significant.
“This is not a meeting of locals. Basically, we are the hosting country for this big event, and it is the image of Eswatini that we will be sharing with the Church.”
Among the attendees will be four cardinals who hold prominent roles within the global Catholic Church. These include Cardinal Fridolin Ambongo Besungu from the Democratic Republic of Congo, who is President of the Catholic Continental Body in Africa; Cardinal Michael Czerny from the Vatican; and two cardinals from South Africa.
“These are men who are especially close to Pope Leo. Their presence here is a great honour for Eswatini and for the entire region,” Sapato noted.
A celebration for the Nation
IMBISA President, Archbishop Liborius Nashenda of Windhoek, Namibia, said the conference will culminate in a unifying celebration of prayer, the Catholic Mass.
“On Sunday, there will be no celebrations in the parishes so that all Catholics – locals and visitors – can gather at Mavuso Trade Centre. It is going to be a lovely time for the visitors and a very big blessing to the people of the country,” Archbishop Nashenda said.
The conference will be conducted in English and Portuguese, with simultaneous translation provided for delegates.
Beyond the spiritual and governance discussions, the event will also highlight Eswatini’s unique culture and traditions. Delegates will be treated to traditional performances, showcasing the kingdom’s rich heritage of music and dance.
“Our delegates will be very excited to experience the hospitality of Eswatini. I am sure after seeing the traditional dances, many will be asking for the conference to be extended for another week,” Sapato said with a smile.
As Eswatini prepares to welcome church leaders from across the continent and beyond, the Golden Jubilee of IMBISA promises not only to consolidate unity within the church but also to place the kingdom firmly on the map as a centre of faith and hospitality in Southern Africa.”