Diocese of

Kokstad

South Africa South Africa

Continent: Southern Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Kokstad / Kokstaden(sis) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Durban

Neighbouring Dioceses: Mthatha (↙), Qacha’s Nek (↖), Umzimkulu (↗)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Website:

Celebrations

Patron Saint: Saint Patrick

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

Contact Info

Address: Holycross House, 107 Hope Street, PO Box 65, Kokstad 4700, South Africa

Phone: (039) 727 2239

Present Prelates

Bishop (2022.04.06 – ...):Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa, C.M.M. (53)Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa, C.M.M. (53)

Apostolic Administrator of Mthatha (South Africa)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Kokstad (Roman Rite)

Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa, C.M.M. (53)Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa, C.M.M. (53)
(2022.04.06 – ...)

Bishop of Kokstad (South Africa)
Apostolic Administrator of Mthatha (South Africa)

Born:1973.02.13 (Exobho, South Africa)
Ordained Priest:2000.03.04
Consecrated Bishop:2022.06.11

Superior General of Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries (2016.10.08 – 2022.04.06)

Bishop of Kokstad (South Africa) (2022.04.06 – ...)

Apostolic Administrator of Mthatha (South Africa) (2026.03.14 – ...)

Archbishop Zolile Peter Mpambani, S.C.I. (69)Bishop Zolile Peter Mpambani, S.C.I. (69) (later Archbishop)
(2013.05.06 – 2020.04.01)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Bloemfontein (South Africa)
Apostolic Administrator of Keimoes–Upington (South Africa)
Vice-President of Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference

As I have loved you

Born:1957.02.20 (Umlami, South Africa)
Ordained Priest:1987.04.25
Consecrated Bishop:2013.08.03

Bishop of Kokstad (South Africa) (2013.05.06 – 2020.04.01)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Bloemfontein (South Africa) (2020.04.01 – ...)

Vice-President of Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (2025.01 – ...)

Apostolic Administrator of Keimoes–Upington (South Africa) (2025.12.15 – ...)

Archbishop William Matthew Slattery, O.F.M. (82)Bishop William Matthew Slattery, O.F.M. (82) (later Archbishop)
(1993.11.17 – 2010.12.23)

Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Pretoria (South Africa)
Archbishop Military Ordinary emeritus of South African Defence Force (South Africa)

Abba

Born:1943.09.06 (Portlaoise, South Africa)
Ordained Priest:1970.02.21
Consecrated Bishop:1994.02.19

Bishop of Kokstad (South Africa) (1993.11.17 – 2010.12.23)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Pretoria (South Africa) (2010.12.23 – 2019.04.30)

Archbishop Military Ordinary of South African Defence Force (South Africa) (2010.12.23 – 2019.04.30)

Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, O.F.M. (85)Bishop Wilfrid Fox Napier, O.F.M. (85) (later Cardinal)
(1980.11.29 – 1992.05.29)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Francesco d’Assisi ad Acilia
Apostolic Administrator of Eshowe (South Africa)
Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Durban (South Africa)

Pax et bonum

Born:1941.03.08 (Swartberg, South Africa)
Ordained Priest:1970.07.25
Consecrated Bishop:1981.02.28
Created Cardinal:2001.02.21

Apostolic Administrator of Kokstad (South Africa) (1978.05.15 – 1980.11.29)

Bishop of Kokstad (South Africa) (1980.11.29 – 1992.05.29)

President of Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (1987 – 1993)

Metropolitan Archbishop of Durban (South Africa) (1992.05.29 – 2021.06.09)

Apostolic Administrator of Umzimkulu (South Africa) (1994.08.01 – 2008.12.31)

President of Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (2000 – 2008.11)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Francesco d’Assisi ad Acilia (2001.02.21 [2001.05.20] – ...)

Member of Council of Cardinals for the Study of Organisational and Economic Problems of the Apostolic See (2007.02.03 – 2014.02.24)

Member of Council for the Economy (2014.03.08 – 2019.03.08)

Apostolic Administrator of Eshowe (South Africa) (2021.02.09 – ...)

Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, O.F.M. (85)Fr. Wilfrid Fox Napier, O.F.M. (85) (later Cardinal)
(Apostolic Administrator 1978.05.15 – 1980.11.29)

Bishop John Evangelist McBride, O.F.M.
(1951.01.11 – 1978.05.15)

Born:1903.03.12 (Beagh, Ireland)
Ordained Priest:1927.07.03
Consecrated Bishop:1949.07.25
Died:1991.02.12 († 87)

Titular Bishop of Æzani (1949.04.21 – 1951.01.11)

Vicar Apostolic of Kokstad (South Africa) (1949.04.21 – 1951.01.11)

Bishop of Kokstad (South Africa) (1951.01.11 – 1978.05.15)

Vicars Apostolic of Kokstad (Roman Rite)

Bishop John Evangelist McBride, O.F.M.
(1949.04.21 – 1951.01.11)

(see above)

Bishop Biagio Sigibaldo Kurz, O.F.M.
(1939.07.11 – 1948.05.21)

In caritate unitas

Born:1894.02.03 (Sontheim, Germany)
Ordained Priest:1919.12.21
Consecrated Bishop:1939.10.29
Died:1973.12.13 (Waldsassen, Germany † 79)

Prefect Apostolic of Mount Currie (South Africa) (1935 – 1939.07.11)

Vicar Apostolic of Kokstad (South Africa) (1939.07.11 – 1948.05.21)

Titular Bishop of Terenuthis (1939.07.11 – 1973.12.13)

Prefect Apostolic of Yongzhou 永州 (China) (1948.05.21 – 1973.12.13)

Prefects Apostolic of Mount Currie (Roman Rite)

Fr. Biagio Sigibaldo Kurz, O.F.M. (later Bishop)
(1935 – 1939.07.11)

(see above)

Special Churches

Mthatha (↙), Qacha’s Nek (↖), Umzimkulu (↗)

Statistics (2021.12.31)

Area: 17,635 km²

Population: 89,900 Catholics (4.5% of 2,013,000 total)

Pastoral Centres: 16 parishes

Personnel: 22 priests (17 diocesan, 5 religious), 37 religious (5 brothers, 32 sisters), 5 seminarians

Population

Pastoral Centres

Priests

Deacons

Religious

Seminarians

Last updated on 2026.03.30

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