The Catholic Bishop of Bethlehem Diocese, Most Rev. Jan de Groef, has described the 50th anniversary of the Missionaries of Africa’s presence in South Africa as a moment of deep gratitude and reflection on their enduring missionary work and contribution to the local Church.
Speaking during the Golden Jubilee celebration held at Christ the King Cathedral in Johannesburg on October 19, Bishop de Groef said the milestone marked a time to thank God for the Congregation’s decades of service across parishes, schools, and formation centres. He recalled that the Missionaries of Africa, popularly known as the White Fathers, have worked tirelessly to strengthen faith and promote human development in diverse communities.
He noted that the Jubilee celebration coincided with the Church’s 2025 Jubilee Year and the Synodal journey, stressing that every baptized Christian is called to be missionary in spirit. “The Church must not be self-centered but open and welcoming,” the bishop said, emphasizing that the family of God extends beyond local boundaries.
Founded in 1868 by Cardinal Charles Lavigerie, the Missionaries of Africa first arrived in South Africa in 1972 to minister to Malawian mineworkers. Since then, their presence has expanded to the Dioceses of Durban, Kimberley, Johannesburg, and Bethlehem, where they are engaged in pastoral work, education, and formation of future priests.
Today, members of the Congregation represent sixteen nationalities, serving in institutions such as St. Joseph’s Institute in Cedara and the Merrivale Formation Centre in KwaZulu-Natal.
The Provincial Superior for Southern Africa, Rev. Fr. Christian Mulenga, described the Golden Jubilee as both a celebration and a renewal of missionary commitment. He recalled that the first missionaries came to accompany miners and have since become a vital part of the local Church’s life.
“Our mission continues beyond evangelisation to include education, justice, interreligious dialogue, and social transformation,” Fr. Mulenga said, adding that the Congregation’s pastoral efforts also promote food security, clean water access, and the fight against human trafficking.
While expressing gratitude for the growth of vocations in countries such as Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique, he lamented that South Africa is yet to produce a local Missionary of Africa, urging greater encouragement for indigenous vocations.
In his message during the celebration, Cardinal Stephen Brislin commended the Missionaries of Africa for their dedication and tireless service to the Church and society. He described them as “bridge-builders” and agents of unity who reach out to the most vulnerable.
The Cardinal extended blessings to the missionaries, praying that God may sustain their founding spirit of justice, dialogue, and compassion that has guided their 50 years of ministry in South Africa.
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