AFRICA/SOUTHAFRICA - Bishop of Umtata resigns, successor appointed

Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) - The Holy Father Benedict XVI, on February 8, 2008, accepted the resignation of the pastoral government of the diocese of Umtata (South Africa), presented by Bishop Oswald Georg Hirmer, in conformity with the Code of Canon Law, canon 401 § 1. The Holy Father has nominated Fr. Sithembele Anton Sipuka of the clergy of the diocese of Queenstown, South Africa, rector of the major seminary of St. John Vianney in Pretoria, as bishop of Umtata, South Africa.
The bishop-elect was born April 27, 1960 in Idutywa (Eastern Cape Province), in the diocese of Queenstown. He began his primary school education in Umtata, later finishing his studies in Butterworth, where he graduated from high school. After having worked for two years as a an attendant in the Post Office, he entered St. John Vianney Major Seminary. He was ordained a priest on December 17, 1988 for the diocese of Queenstown. Following his ordination, he completed the following itinerary: 1989-1991: Assistant Pastor of the Parish of Qoqodala and Lady Frere, and then Pastor in Cofimvaba; 1992-1994: studies towards a Licentiate in Systematic Theology in the Pontifical University Urbaniana; 1994-1995: return to South Africa, teaching Philosophy of Religion and Liturgy at the Philosophical Major Seminary, St. Peter’s in Pretoria, while also teaching Fundamental Theology and the Eucharist in the Theological Major Seminary of St. John Vianney, also in Pretoria; 1996-1999: Vice-Rector of St. Peter’s Seminary and later Acting Rector of the same. Since the year 2000, he has been Rector of St. John Vianney Major Seminary.
The diocese of Umtata, within the Archdiocese of Durban, was established in 1951. It has an area of 22,500 sq. km, a population of 1,737,000, Catholics 70,300, parishes 24, priests 37, religious 76, and seminarians in the Major Seminary 8. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 12/2/2008; righe 23, parole 300)