The venue for the Third General Assembly was at Mazenod in Lesotho from the 26th to the 28th of September 1978. Taking stock of what had transpired since the last assembly, this assembly declared that it had to take on a prophetic role in regard to Justice and promote the well-being of family life and encourage basic Christian communities. The need for a Constitution was further emphasized. A proposed constitution was adopted at this assembly ad experimentum for five years. Elections of the executive were held as per the terms of the proposed constitution.
Delegates to the Third General Assembly
- Archbishop Fitzgerald – Chairman & 1st President
Bishop Julio Langa of Xai-Xai (1976-2004). He was created cardinal in 2015. (Photo: Vatican News)
- Archbishop Dos Santos OFM, Mozambique – Continuation committee
- Archbishop Morapeli OMI, Lesotho – Continuation committee
- Bishop Viti, Angola – Continuation committee
- Bishop Zwane, Swaziland – Continuation committee
- Bishop Khoarai, Lesotho, SARCOM – Continuation committee
- Smangaliso Mkhatshwa – Secretary General
- Owen Cardinal McCann – Ex officio
- Archbishop P. Buthelezi OMI – South Africa
- Bishop S. Naidoo CSsR – South Africa
- Bishop Murphy CP – Botswana
- Bishop E. Schlotterback OSFS – South West Africa
- Bishop Rudolf Koppmann OMI – South West Africa
- Bishop Prieto – Zimbabwe
- Bishop A. Clarke – Zimbabwe
- Bishop Julio Langa – Mozambique
- Archbishop M. Da Costa – Angola
- Bishop E. Salessu – Angola
- Observers and guests
W. Wissing – Missio
Mr. G. Linder – Misereor
Mr. W. Gindele – Misereor
Fr. P. O’Connor Ferrero – Interpreter
Fr. M. De Freitas – Interpreter
Fr. J.G. Brossard – Host Conference
Fr. Oswin Magrath – Canonist
Fr. Basil van Rensburg – SARCOM
Ms. S. Lue – Secretariat
Mr. P. Modise – Secretariat
The Executive Committee subsequently met three times between the third and fourth General Assemblies. The first meeting at Khanya House, Pretoria, took place on 11-12 December 1978 and mainly concerned itself with reviewing the decisions of the General Assembly, setting about their implementation. Notably, the English version of the constitution was accepted as the official version.
The second Executive Meeting was held at the Bishop’s House in Manzini, Swaziland from 16-18 July 1979. This meeting was notable for the considerable amount of research findings that were placed before it. Reports on six selected pastoral institutes were given as well as those concerning refugees and an outline syllabus of the Church’s social teaching.
As from 14-16 January 1980, a third Executive Meeting was held. The General Assembly was a notable principal point on the agenda. There were remarks to the effect that the Secretary General should be a bishop as was the case with AMECEA, which had Bishop McCauley. The meeting resolved that Bishop Zwane of Manzini be the Secretary General and Fr. Coleman the Secretary.
Bishop Zwane, however, died tragically in a road accident on 9 August 1980, some two months after the fourth General Assembly. His death left a huge gap in IMBISA. He had been a hardworking, generous and committed man. He had compassion for the socially disadvantaged, like the refugees. He was committed to the birth of a self-supporting Church in Southern Africa. He proved difficult to replace as no one was found to take over as Secretary General.
Archbishop Bonifatius Haushiku SCP of Windhoek (Photo: Facebook Archdiocese of Windhoek)
Bishop Haushiku of South West Africa was subsequently co-opted into the Executive, with the President, Bishop Fitzgerald, offering to act as Secretary General till the next General Assembly.
Sources
Marizane, Antonio Santos. 2001. A history of the Inter-regional Meeting of Bishop of Southern Africa: from 1974-2001. IMBISA, Harare, pp. 21-24.
On synodal journey for 50 years
In celebration of the golden jubilee of IMBISA, formed in 1975, we publish snippets of history once a week.