The first Redemptorist foundation was in Pretoria in 1912 and we currently have foundations in Cape Town, KwaZulu Natal, Rustenburg and Johannesburg. In all our ministries we are aware of the emphasis on reconcilation and cooperation particularly in light of the gap between rich and poor and the endemic rates of HIV/AIDS.
The Cape Town communities at Bergvliet and Retreat serve very large parishes. At Bergvliet we are involved in ministry in Pollsmor Prison and in hospitals.
The Diocese of Rustenburg, covering a vast rural area, was established by the Redemptorists and has had two Redemptorist bishops, Bishop Paxton Hallet, C.Ss.R and Bishop Kevin Dowling, C.Ss.R., since becoming a separate diocese in 1988. From a base in the village of Phokeng we serve six major Eucharistic centres including the huge informal settlement of “Freedom Park” comprising tens of thousands of people living in tin shacks who came to the area in search of work in the platinum mines. Also in Phokeng is the Tapologo AIDS hospice built by Bishop Dowling, where hundreds of mainly young black women and even children have come to die with dignity.
In light of the millions of migrants arriving in South Africa from other African countries we recognize the call to reach out to them. We have welcomed three Nigerian Redemptorists for a two-week mission at Johannesburg Cathedral of Christ the King in a response to xenophobic violence against migrants.
Our student community is based in KwaZulu Natal where we also take responsibility for the parish of Howick which provides excellent opportunities for pastoral exposure and experience for our students.
You can view images from our work in South Africa here.
Contact details
Johannesburg – Provincial Residence
Post:
Very Rev. Fr. Provincial Superior
70 Second Street
2195 Linden
Johannesburg
South Africa
Phone:
[27] (0)11
782 6588 Provincial Superior
(0) 82 824 7304 Prov. Sup. cellular