As the global Catholic Church continues its journey through the Synod on Synodality and prepares for the Jubilee Year, Bishop Masilo John Selemela, Auxiliary Bishop of Pretoria, has urged priests in the IMBISA region to welcome change as a necessary and sacred process of transformation.
Reflecting on a recent weeklong workshop on change management held at the Lumko Institute in South Africa, Bishop Selemela described change not as a disruption, but as an invitation to discover fresh energy and purpose in ministry. The workshop was organized by the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA) and brought together priests from six Southern African nations.
“In our lives as priests, bishops, and seminarians, we must reflect deeply on the theme of change,” Bishop Selemela said in an interview with the Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference (SACBC). “Change is not just necessary it is an opportunity for growth and renewal in how we serve others.”
The workshop brought together 25 priests from Angola, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe. Its goal was to offer practical tools for navigating pastoral transitions such as reassignment to new parishes in a time of broad societal and ecclesial transformation.
Bishop Selemela’s message to his fellow clergy was a strong appeal for personal renewal and institutional re-evaluation.
“We cannot lead the Church forward unless we first renew ourselves,” he emphasized. “We need to ask honestly: Are our structures still helping us fulfill our mission, or do they need to be reimagined?”
Linking the workshop to the wider Synod process, Bishop Selemela said the Church’s ability to renew the world depends on its willingness to renew itself first.
“This is an opportunity to invite all the faithful especially the laity into deeper participation. We are all co-responsible for the Church’s mission,” he said.
He emphasized that synodality means walking together, listening attentively, and discerning collectively. It is not simply a strategy, but a spiritual path that requires shared responsibility and a commitment to dialogue.
The workshop’s themes were wide-ranging, covering not only organizational change but also mental health, generational tensions in the priesthood, social and economic challenges, and the need for clear communication and pastoral vision.
Facilitators included Mr. Albert Dhafana from Zimbabwe, Dr. Paulo Massango from Mozambique, and Bishop Selemela himself. They guided participants through sessions on managing change, caring for emotional wellbeing, and addressing the challenges of ministry in uncertain times.
“Ongoing formation is not optional it’s the lifeline of a meaningful, missionary priesthood,” Bishop Selemela stated.
The IMBISA region faces significant challenges, with over 60% of the population under 25 and many communities still grappling with poverty, inequality, and the unmet expectations of post-independence development.
“If priests fail to understand the social realities around them, they risk becoming irrelevant,” warned Bishop Selemela. “We need priests who are not only rooted in prayer, but also aware of their social context and resilient in spirit.”
Participants emphasized the importance of managing change with compassion and sensitivity. They stressed the need for a culture of dialogue, wellness, and mutual support within the clergy.
Among the proposals that emerged was the creation of a regional support centre dedicated to the wellbeing of clergy. The centre would assist priests facing personal, pastoral, or psychological difficulties helping ensure the long-term health and holiness of the Church’s ministers.
In Bishop Selemela’s vision, renewal is not an occasional event, but an ongoing journey. One that begins with each priest, and expands outward to touch every corner of the Church.