Let us give ourselves wholeheartedly to this diocese as I did myself today (Bishop Phalana)

Photo: Gaborone Diocese Web

The ordination of a new bishop is always a very special event in the life of a diocese. Much more when the diocese had to wait for some time before the new shepherd is appointed. Archbishop Mario Cassari, apostolic nuncio to Southern Africa, apologised for making the Diocese of Klerksdorp wait more than a year and a half (Bishop Mvemve - his predecessor - had resigned in 2013). At the same time he explained there are more than 1200 dioceses under the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, in charge of leading this process. 

The ordination of the new shepherd of the diocese: Bishop Victor Hlolo Phalana was, as expected, very joyful with thousands of people joining the celebration. Bishop Phalana had been the Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Pretoria and with his appointment to Klersdorp, it is the third Vicar General that the Archdiocese gives to other dioceses. First it was Bp Abel Gabuza, now bishop of Kimberley followed by Bp Dabula Mpako now bishop of Queenstown.

Photo: Gaborone Diocese Web

In a short and moving speech the new bishop having thanked the Apostolic Nuncio, the Cardinal and the bishops for their presence. He joked saying “I used to be intimidated by you... especially by the hats you are wearing... but I think I will get used to it and become a brother and not to fear you anymore. I need you to hold me by your hand as a 'baby bishop' still crawling. I still have a lot to learn..."

He also thanked the people of Klerksdorp for the warm welcomed. "I know that Klerksdorp is now home away from home" and asked them to give themselves wholeheartedly to the diocese "as I did myself today".


Below, the moment when the new bishop of Klerksdorp blessed the people of the diocese



Listen to the address of the new bishop of the diocese of Klerksdorp, Victor Hlolo Phalana



It was a wonderful day though it had not started in the best possible way. Just a few kilometres before Orkney where the ordination took place, three bishops (from the archdiocese of Bloemfontein, the diocese of Tzaneen and the diocese of Manzini) had a car accident. Thank God no one was injured.