Archdiocese of Cape Town gets new Chief Shepherd

The Apostolic Nunciature has announced that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka as the new Archbishop of the Archdiocese of Cape Town. The appointment was made public through a communiqué issued by the Vatican Press Office.

Bishop Sipuka, who until now served as Bishop of the Diocese of Mthatha in South Africa’s Eastern Cape, succeeds Cardinal Stephen Brislin, who has been Apostolic Administrator of the Archdiocese of Cape Town since October 2024 following his appointment as Archbishop of Johannesburg.

Born on 27 April 1960, Bishop Sipuka was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Queenstown on 17 December 1988. He was appointed Bishop of Mthatha on 8 February 2008 and ordained a bishop on 3 May 2008. Prior to his episcopal ministry, he served as Rector of St John Vianney National Seminary, where he played a significant role in the formation of future priests and in shaping pastoral leadership within the Church.

Widely respected across Southern Africa, Bishop Sipuka is known for his commitment to justice, peace, dialogue, and ethical leadership. His pastoral influence extends beyond diocesan boundaries, reflecting a ministry shaped by engagement with social issues affecting both Church and society.

He has served the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) for over a decade, first as Second Vice President and later as First Vice President from 2019 to 2022. During this period, he chaired the Justice and Peace Commission and became a leading voice on matters of governance, migration, unemployment, conflict, and social inequality on the African continent.

From February 2019 to January 2024, Bishop Sipuka served as President of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), where he consistently promoted synodality, dialogue, and the Church’s prophetic mission in society. His leadership emphasised collective discernment, unity, and shared responsibility within diverse cultural and religious contexts.

In July 2025, Bishop Sipuka was appointed by President Cyril Ramaphosa as a member of South Africa’s National Dialogue Eminent Persons Group, recognising his contribution to reconciliation, social cohesion, and ethical leadership in public life. He also serves as a member of the Vatican Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue, fostering cooperation and peace between the Catholic Church and other faith traditions.

Currently serving as President of the South African Council of Churches, Bishop Sipuka is the first Catholic bishop to lead the ecumenical body in Southern Africa. Under his leadership, the Council has continued to engage national challenges including inequality, corruption, xenophobia, and social division. He has also been a consistent advocate for peace, participating in solidarity visits and speaking out on conflicts and humanitarian crises within the region and beyond.

As he takes up his new pastoral responsibility, Archbishop-elect Sithembele Anton Sipuka brings a wealth of experience in pastoral care, ecumenical engagement, and international Church leadership. His appointment signals continuity in the Church’s commitment to synodality, dialogue, and service to the marginalised as he assumes leadership of one of Southern Africa’s most significant archdioceses.