Noting that during the 30 September consistory three Africans (from South Africa, Tanzania and South Sudan) will be created Cardinals, the Cardinal elect reflected on how in the past decades, since the Second Vatican Council, the College of Cardinals has become more and more diverse. Comprehensive picture of the Universal Church “He simply spoke to us as a brother, an older brother, very gently, very profoundly, very wisely, and with a lot of humour as well,” he said, adding that the bishops were so appreciative of that, and of the warmth and the brotherliness that he expressed, the collegiality. However, Archbishop Brislin said, the Pope made a point of meeting us at Santa Marta on the morning he came out of the hospital. They were in Rome during the Pope’s stay in hospital for surgery so they were unable to have a formal papal audience. The Archbishop, who is an extremely modest and unassuming man, recalled the recent ad limina visit undertaken by the members of the SACBC. The President of the South African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC) issued a statement in which he said: “As a Conference, we are happy that the Pope has recognized the gifts of Cardinal-elect Brislin and availed them for the larger Church by appointing him a Cardinal.”Īnd as the Cardinal-elect said, speaking to Vatican News on the day after the announcement, he first heard news thanks to a congratulatory message from someone in Thailand! “His nomination is cause for pride among South Africans of all backgrounds and should inspire all of us to exercise our beliefs, in our diversity, with deep devotion,” Ramaphosa said. Following Pope Francis’ announcement of a consistory for the creation of new cardinals on Sunday, South African Cardinal-designate, Stephen Brislin, continues to receive messages of congratulations from different countries and different sectors of society.Īmongst them, in an official statement, South African President, Cyril Ramaphosa described the Archbishop of Cape Town’s elevation as “an exceptional personal honour and recognition of his spiritual leadership and stewardship of the Catholic Church in South Africa.”
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