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Bishop Sithembele Sipuka preaches during a welcome prayer organized by the local churches for the 2025 WCC central committee meeting in Johannesburg (South Africa) from 18 to 24 June 2025.

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"We thank God for your decades of ministry and ecumenical engagement, and we celebrate this affirmation of your deepest commitments as a priest, a bishop, and a leader in the larger ecclesial communion,” wrote Pillay. As general secretary of the World Council of Churches and as a South African myself, I take special pride in your appointment.”

Pillay expressed gratitude for the archbishops service to the larger public good in southern Africa. 

I knew in my spirit that you were destined for great things and I am so pleased that you have been appointed by Pope Leo to this sacred and honorable office,” wrote Pillay. Your appointment to this sacred ministry affirms your dedication to justice in church and society, your solidarity with the poor and marginalized, and your dedication to ecumenical engagement, interreligious dialogue, and synodality.”

Pillay pledged the WCCs continuing ecumenical fellowship and cooperation in mutual efforts to realize Gods good reign on earth. 

We wish you a blessed and fruitful ministry in this new position and pray Gods continuing strength and wisdom upon for the task ahead,” concluded Pillay. 

Read the full letter