





Johannesburg, 25 January 2025 – The Archdiocese of Johannesburg is pleased to announce the installation of His Eminence Stephen Cardinal Brislin as the new Archbishop of Johannesburg.
The solemn ceremony took place at St Benedicts College in Bedfordview, Johannesburg, and was attended by a distinguished gathering of the Bishops of the Southern African Bishops Conference, clergy, religious, and thousands of members of the Catholic community.
Cardinal Brislin, distinguished for his exemplary service to the Church, was appointed by His Holiness Pope Francis on 28 October 2024, succeeding Archbishop-Emeritus Buti Joseph Tlhagale. The year before, Pope Francis announced his intention to elevate Cardinal Brislin to the College of Cardinals, a dignity he formally received on 30 September 2023. As the sixth Bishop of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg, Cardinal Brislin brings a wealth of experience, garnered from his tenure as Bishop of Kroonstad (2006-2009) and Archbishop of Cape Town (2009-2024).
Apostolic Nuncio to South Africa, Henryk Jagodziński, read the letter from the Holy Father Pope Francis, highlighting Cardinal Brislin’s commitment to the universal Church and his dedication to the pastoral care of the faithful. “Because you, Our Venerable Brother, have until now prudently and diligently discharged with zeal the duties of the episcopate on behalf of the Christian faithful of Cape Town, we are persuaded that, furnished with the experience and necessary virtues, you can fulfil this office most well.”
In handing over the reins to Cardinal Brislin, Archbishop-Emeritus Tlhagale wished the new Archbishop well, assuring him of the prayers of the clergy and the entire people of the Archdiocese. “As I gratefully handover the ministry of the care of the Archdiocese of Johannesburg to Archbishop Stephen Cardinal Brislin, I wish him ever grace and blessing on his ministry as it unfolds in the years that lie ahead.”
Archbishop-Emeritus Tlhagale also assured his successor of the warm welcome he would receive from the people of the Archdiocese. “I am sure that you will receive the same warm welcome that I received from everyone 22 years ago.”
In his first remarks as the head of the church in Johannesburg, Cardinal Brislin expressed his gratitude to Archbishop Tlhagale for his leadership and wished him a peaceful retirement. “I am deeply grateful to Archbishop Tlhagale for the leadership that he has given to this Archdiocese and to the Church in Southern Africa.”
The installation ceremony was also attended by former and current government leaders, including the Premier of Gauteng Panyaza Lesufi, Speaker of the National Assembly Thoko Didiza, and Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs Minister, Velenkosini Hlabisa.
On Sunday, 26 January 2025, Cardinal Brislin will take over the seat of the Cathedral of Christ the King.
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