The Archbishop of Johannesburg, Stephen Cardinal Brislin, has described the rising levels of poverty in South Africa as “heartbreaking,” urging a collective effort to address the crisis that he labelled “a scandal.”
In an interview with Vatican Radio on January 27, Cardinal Brislin, who was recently appointed to lead the Archdiocese, emphasized that poverty has become so widespread in South Africa that it is no longer viewed with the outrage it deserves.
“The issues of poverty in South Africa are heartbreaking. We have become accustomed to seeing people living in shacks, and somehow, it’s just become part of the landscape as a sort of natural phenomenon,” he remarked. “The fact of the matter is that this poverty and the level of poverty in our country should outrage us. We should all be seeing this as a scandal.”
The newly installed Archbishop, also the spokesperson for the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), called for unity in addressing the country’s poverty crisis, highlighting the importance of collaboration across different sectors. “We cannot work in silos. We have to work together for the common good. That means churches, ecumenically, interfaith groups, and the government must work with other political parties because the problem is simply so great that no single group can resolve it alone,” he stated.
Cardinal Brislin also reflected on the broader challenges facing South Africa, particularly the social divisions that persist along racial lines. “We remain a very divided country in many respects. This is not surprising after so many years of apartheid and colonialism,” he said. Yet, he expressed hope, especially regarding younger generations, noting that “When we see young people going to school together, socializing, and laughing, there are signs of hope.”
He further encouraged parishes to play a role in bridging social gaps and bringing people together. “We must strive within our parishes to bring people into the family of the Church—a family that transcends cultural and language differences,” he said, acknowledging that some parishes have made progress with initiatives like family days and social celebrations.
Cardinal Brislin also spoke about the evolving role of the laity in the digital age, stressing the importance of responsible engagement with social media. “Social media opens up many opportunities for laypeople to share their faith. However, it must be used positively. If we start denigrating others or dismissing those with different viewpoints, we are not evangelizing,” he cautioned. He also warned against the risk of social media replacing personal interaction, saying, “We must not become an anonymous Church where people only communicate online. Personal presence and encounters remain important.”
Looking ahead to the inauguration of the Jubilee Year in the Archdiocese of Johannesburg on February 1, Cardinal Brislin shared his vision for hope and societal change, rooted in faith. “We must see people as people, not as belonging to a particular racial, ethnic, or language group. If we can help people see the humanity of others, we are on the road to a better society,” he said.
“Our hope lies in Jesus Christ. His Spirit moves the world. We must be cooperators with God’s Holy Spirit, working for societal change to make the world more equitable, just, and accepting of human dignity,” he concluded.