Eswatini to host over 120 Catholic Bishops
By Thokozani Mazibuko
The Kingdom of Eswatini will take centre stage in the Catholic world as it prepares to host more than 120 Catholic bishops from across Southern Africa during the Golden Jubilee of the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA).
The Bishops are going to partake in the celebration of the Golden Jubilee from the 24th to the 29th of September this month at Esibayeni Lodge in Matsapha.
The event, which will be hosted by the Manzini Diocese, is seen as both a spiritual and historical milestone. The Catholic Bishop of Eswatini, Bishop José Luís Gerardo Ponce de León, I.M.C., has called on emaSwati and the faithful across the region to join in prayer and spiritual solidarity to ensure the success of this landmark gathering.
“This is a moment of grace and renewal, not only for the Catholic Church in Eswatini but also for the wider Southern African region. We are honoured to host this Jubilee celebration,” Bishop Ponce de León said.
The Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) is a vital organ of liaison and pastoral cooperation among Catholic bishops from across the region. It brings together the Episcopal Conferences of:
Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe (CEAST)
Lesotho Catholic Bishops’ Conference (LCBC)
Mozambique Catholic Bishops’ Conference (CEM)
Namibia Catholic Bishops’ Conference (NCBC)
Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) – which includes Botswana, South Africa and Eswatini
Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC)
The region under IMBISA’s care covers 77 ecclesiastical territories (Archdioceses and Dioceses), as well as two Vicariates. It is also linguistically diverse, operating primarily in English and Portuguese.
IMBISA’s mission is to foster unity, communion, and collaboration within the universal Catholic Church, while also encouraging closer cooperation among the Episcopal Conferences of Southern Africa.
IMBISA traces its roots back to 1974, when bishops from Southern Africa began to meet informally during the Universal Bishops’ Synod in Rome.
The first formal gathering of bishops’ delegates took place in April 1975 in Pretoria, South Africa, marking the official birth of IMBISA.
Initially known as the Inter-Territorial Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa, the organization later adopted its current name, Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA), to distinguish itself from national episcopal conferences.
In 1978, IMBISA’s Constitution was formally approved at an assembly in Lesotho. Just two years later, in 1980, the first IMBISA Secretariat was established in Swaziland (now Eswatini) before later relocating to Harare, Zimbabwe.
The creation of IMBISA was deeply influenced by the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965), which emphasized collegial ministry and cooperation among bishops.
The Council’s decree Christus Dominus highlighted the importance of bishops working together across regions to address shared challenges.
Hosting the Jubilee celebrations underscores Eswatini’s historical significance in the life of IMBISA, given that the organization’s first Secretariat was once based in the kingdom.
The event will bring together senior church leaders, theologians, and pastoral workers, making Eswatini a spiritual hub for the region.
For emaSwati,
the event is expected not only to strengthen faith but also to position the country as an important player in regional Catholic cooperation. It is also likely to boost local tourism and hospitality, as delegates from multiple countries converge in the kingdom.
As preparations intensify, Bishop Ponce de León emphasized that the Jubilee is not just a celebration of IMBISA’s past achievements but also a platform for charting its future.
“We look back with gratitude, but also forward with hope. This Jubilee is about renewing our commitment to work together for the common good of the Church and the communities we serve,” he said.
With the Golden Jubilee set to attract attention across the continent, all eyes will indeed be on Eswatini, a small kingdom playing a big role in uniting the Catholic Church in Southern Africa.
Ponce de León further expressed gratitude for the strong and enduring relationship between the Catholic Church and the people of Eswatini, noting that the Church has made a significant impact in the country through education, health care, and social development.
He said the Church’s mission in Eswatini has gone beyond the spiritual realm, extending into practical services that continue to uplift lives across the kingdom.
“We have primary and high schools all over the country. We also have a tertiary college at Good Shepherd and a reputable hospital, also called Good Shepherd, in Siteki. Our relations with Eswatini are cemented,” the Bishop said.
The Catholic Church is one of the largest providers of education in Eswatini, operating a wide network of primary and secondary schools across all four regions of the country.
Generations of emaSwati have passed through Catholic schools, which are recognized for their discipline, academic excellence, and holistic approach to education.
At the tertiary level, the Good Shepherd College of Nursing in Siteki continues to equip students with professional skills, contributing significantly to the nation’s health sector.
Many of the country’s nurses and health practitioners trace their training to the institution, which maintains high standards rooted in Catholic values of service and compassion.
The Good Shepherd Hospital in Siteki is a flagship institution of the Catholic Church’s mission in Eswatini. Established decades ago, it remains one of the country’s most reputable healthcare facilities, serving not only residents of the Lubombo region but patients from across the nation and neighbouring Mozambique.
The hospital is particularly renowned for its role in the fight against HIV/AIDS and other public health challenges, often partnering with government and international agencies to deliver life-saving services.
According to Bishop Ponce de León, the Church’s deep involvement in Eswatini’s development reflects its commitment to both the spiritual and material well-being of the people.
“The Catholic Church is not here only for prayer and worship; we are here to serve. Our schools, hospitals, and tertiary institutions stand as testimony to this commitment,” he said.
The Bishop added that the Church’s contribution to Eswatini’s nation-building process demonstrates a partnership rooted in trust, respect, and shared values.
As Eswatini prepares to host more than 120 bishops from across Southern Africa for the Golden Jubilee of the Inter-Regional Meeting of the Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA), Bishop Ponce de León said the celebrations will be an opportunity to reflect not only on the past but also on the Church’s role in addressing future challenges.
With education and health services continuing to face mounting pressures due to economic constraints and population growth, the Catholic Church has pledged to remain a reliable partner to the government and society in meeting these needs.
“By walking hand in hand with the people of Eswatini, the Catholic Church will continue to sow seeds of hope, healing, and knowledge,” Bishop Ponce de León affirmed.
