The Southern Cross Newspaper

When Pope Leo XIV appointed Monsignor Motlatsi Meshack Phomane as the next bishop of the Diocese of Bethlehem on 14 April 2026, the news came as a profound surprise to the humble priest from the Diocese of Mthatha. It was an invitation he neither sought nor expected, but one he accepted with faith, trusting that the Holy Spirit would lead him in his new ministry.

Parish Priest, Fr Sandile Madotyeni, with some of the young people who attended the Franciscan Youth Event at St Benedict’s parish, Zone 3, Sebokeng. By Thoko Malinga, St Benedict Catholic Church – The Franciscans and Sacristans of St Benedict Catholic Church in Zone 3, Sebokeng, hosted a youth event under the inspiring theme, “Young in Spirit, Strong in Faith, Building a Better Tomorrow” on Saturday, 13 June 2026.

Sermon by Emmanuel Suntheni OSB,  Fourteenth Sunday In Ordinary Time, Year A Sermon And Christian Act In The Word Theme: Am I Peaceful? The path to happiness is Peace in Christ! The Path to God’s Kingdom of Peace! Point of Reflection: Am I at peace with myself, others and with God? How does my peace manifest itself? Am I a peaceful person? Do I bring peace to my family? To my friends? To my community members? Through baptism, we become followers of this king of peace.

First Holy Communion at St Augustine’s Cathedral St Augustine’s Cathedral parish community in Port Elizabeth gathered to celebrate one of the most beautiful milestones in the life of the Church: the First Holy Communion of fifteen young children on Sunday, 28 June 2026. It was not simply another parish event. It was a celebration of faith, family, community and the Eucharist.

Feast of St Peter & Paul Mass at St John Vianney Seminary. Photo by Kati Dijane The Catholic Church in Southern Africa joined the universal Church in celebrating the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul on June 29, a feast traditionally known as Pope’s Day, honouring the witness of the two great Apostles and expressing communion with the Successor of Saint Peter.

Bishop Lawrence Pheto takes possession of the cathedra at Our Lady of the Desert Cathedral in Francistown The Diocese of Francistown celebrated a historic milestone on Sunday, 28 June 2026, when Bishop Lawrence Ofentse Pheto officially took possession of the cathedra at Our Lady of the Desert Cathedral, marking the beginning of his ministry as the third bishop of the diocese. The solemn liturgy drew bishops, priests, religious and hundreds of faithful who gathered to welcome their new shepherd.

On July 1, 2026, at Écône, Switzerland, Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta of the Society of St Pius X consecrated four priests as bishops, with Bishop Bernard Fellay assisting as co-consecrator. Some 15 000 faithful and 1 300 priests and religious were reported to have travelled for the ceremony. None of the six men had a mandate from Pope Leo XIV. That is enough to incur excommunication automatically.

Episcopal ordination of Bishop Lawrence Ofentse Pheto for the Diocese of Francistown, Botswana The Diocese of Francistown entered a new chapter in its history as thousands of faithful from Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho and beyond gathered to witness the episcopal ordination of Bishop Lawrence Ofentse Pheto, the third bishop of the diocese.

Every month Fr Chris Chatteris SJ reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s prayer intention – Intention: Let us pray for the respect and protection of human life in all its stages, recognising it as a gift from God. ‘Let us give thanks for the gift of life!” As someone who has lived abroad, it strikes me that this prayer is much more frequently uttered in our African context than in other places. It’s a beautiful sentiment, but putting it into practice requires more than sentiment alone.

Sunday July 5, 14th Sunday in Ordinary Time Zec 9: 9-10/ Ps 145: 1-2. 8-9. 10-11. 13-14/ Rom 8: 9. 11-13/ Mt 11: 25-30 Monday, July 6, St Maria Goretti Hos 2: 16. 17c-18. 21-22/ Ps 145: 2-3. 4-5. 6-7. 8-9/ Mt 9: 18-26 Tuesday July 7 Hos 8: 4-7. 11-13/ Ps 115: 3-4. 5-6. 7ab-8. 9-10/ Mt 9: 32-38 Wednesday July 8 Hos 10: 1-3. 7-8. 12/ Ps 105: 2-3. 4-5. 6-7/ Mt 10: 1-7 Thursday July 9, St Augustine Zhao Rong Hos 11: 1-4. 8c-9/ Ps 80: 2ac and 3b. 15-16/ Mt 10: 7-15 Friday July 10 Hos 14: 2-10/ Ps 51: 3-4. 8-9. 12-13.