It was during the last plenary session held in Maputo (November 2019) that the new IMBISA standing committee was elected. Nine bishops from seven countries (Angola, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe) representing six Bishops conferences (CEAST - CEM - LCBC - NCBC - SACBC - ZCBC) in Southern Africa.
Our first meeting was held in Boksburg - South Africa (18 - 19 February). It was a good opportunity to welcome the new members and continue the reflection which started a few years' ago when the first "coordinated leadership plan" was developed.
While the different bishops conferences had reacted to the text at their own meetings, it was our coming together in Maputo that offered the most important contributions. Therefore, with the help of Mike Greeff who has been working with us for the last three years, we went through all the contributions received in November.
Four areas remain our main focus of attention:
- Evangelisation
- Safeguarding of minors and vulnerable people
- "Laudato Si" (the environment, our common home)
- Coordinated leadership plan
During our meeting we also thanked Fr Claudio Dos Reis (from Maputo Archdiocese, Mozambique) for his ten years and six months of service to IMBISA and welcomed Fr Dumisani Vilakati (from the Diocese of Manzini, Eswatini) as the new director.
Our next meeting in September will include the presidents of the bishops conferences. This "tradition" started a few years' ago and wants to guarantee that IMBISA is always at the service of every conference supporting their own journey.
