From 24-29 September 2025, the city of Manzini, in the Kingdom of Eswatini, welcomed the 14th Plenary Assembly of IMBISA (Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa). This meeting coincided with the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the organization, which was commemorated on Sunday 28 September 2025, also in Manzini.
The Assembly entitled “IMBISA Golden Jubilee – a Synodal journey nourished by compassion and blossoming in faith as pilgrims of hope seeking strategies that can strengthen its Synodal journey” expresses a deep commitment to synodality, faith and compassion as instruments to address the challenges of the region and renew the ecclesial journey. In this context, the meeting of the bishops of several Nations was an important moment to reflect, collaborate and plan new strategies together.
Taking part in this meeting were the Prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development (DPIHD), Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J., as well as the delegation from the Dicastery, Fr. Joseph Savarimuthu, Fr. Dumisani Vilakati and Mr. Mario Almeida. The Cardinal addressed during the Assembly extremely relevant themes for the reality of the territory, in particular speaking of the prophetic role of the Church regarding the extracting and mining industries, a sector that has caused and still causes today social conflicts, poverty, environmental damage, and forced migration in Southern Africa.
On 25 September in Manzini took place the Opening Ceremony of the Plenary Assembly of IMBISA, followed by a press conference with the presence of the president of IMBISA, Archbishop Liborius Ndumbukuti Nashenda, O.M.I, the vice president, Archbishop José Manuel Imbamba, the Bishop of Manzini and IMBISA Media, Jose Luis IMC and the Prefect of the DPIHD, Cardinal Michael Czerny, S.J. On this occasion, the Bishop of Manzini emphasised the role that the local churches lay in addressing the challenges of the universal Church, in listening to others and in the path of synodality to which all are called to be active participants. He remarked as well on the celebration of the Golden Jubilee of the creation of IMBISA.
Next the Prefect spoke of the work of the Dicastery in Rome, and shared the firm will of the Church to accompany all the dioceses and local Churches during their journey of integral human development. Other points addressed by the Cardinal were the care of our common home and hospitality towards those in need of support, care and protection, promoting social and economic justice. The rest of the meeting was envisioned as a veritable workshop on Synodality, guided by the bishops present.
On 26 September, following the sessions scheduled for the morning, there was a pastoral visit to a project of Integral Human Development of the Diocese. Both days concluded with the Holy Mass celebrated at the end of the Plenary session.
The following day, Cardinal Michael had the occasion to stay at the house of the Jesuits of Johannesburg and to visit, during his stay, the Jesuit Institute South Africa (JISA). The event with the Jesuit community allowed for a significant discussion of the problems in the region. He was also able to meet on the same day with Father Stan Muyebe, O.P., of the SACBC Justice and Peace Commission.
Finally, on the last day, Cardinal Czerny, accompanied by the delegation of the Dicastery, met with met with the Scalabrini Missionary Sisters and Cardinal Stephen Brislin. The visit concluded after a moment of conviviality with the Jesuit Community.
The 2025 Plenary Assembly of IMBISA was, therefore, a fundamental step in the synodal journey of the Church in Southern Africa, focused on sharing, during which the Prefect of the Dicastery took an active part, meeting around 75 bishops coming from nine countries in Southern Africa.
This active spirit and the will to walk alongside the peoples of Southern Africa is the testimony of a Church that is alive and ready to promote the strategies of integral human development and to accompany the local Churches.