South Africa: Appointment of Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Town

The rise of Bishop Sipuka

Pope Leo XIV made his first episcopal appointment in South Africa Friday — and it was a notable one.Bishop Sithembele Sipuka, the archbishop-elect of Cape Town, South Africa. Credit: Screenshot from the SACBC Official YouTube channel.The pope named Bishop Sithembele Sipuka as the Archbishop of Cape Town Jan. 9, succeeding Cardinal Stephen Brislin, who was transferred to Johannesburg in October 2024.ShareSipuka, 65, has served since 2008 as the B…

South Africa: Appointment of Metropolitan Archbishop of Cape Town

Vatican City -- The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka, until now bishop of the diocese of Mthatha, as metropolitan archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa.

Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka Appointed Archbishop of Cape Town

Pope Leo XIV has appointed Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka as the new Archbishop of Cape Town, marking a significant moment for the Catholic Church in Southern Africa. The appointment was announced in a communiqué issued by the Vatican Press Office on Friday, 9 January 2026. Until his latest appointment, Bishop Sipuka had been serving as the Bishop of Mthatha Diocese in the Eastern Cape. He succeeds Cardinal Stephen Brislin, who had been Apostoli…