As my role and responsibilities in the Church in Africa change, I rejoice particularly in the blessings of my family of birth, my family of vocation, my family of Mission, and my family of Mission supporters.

As I hand over the care of the Archdiocese of Durban to Archbishop Siegfried Mandla Jwara CMM, I’m conscious of the strong Missionary traditions into which I was called, and which, by his appointment, Archbishop Jwara is being charged to continue.

This Missionary tradition is borne out by: the initial evangelization of the Colony of Natal; the development of infrastructures for education, healthcare, welfare and social development; schools, hospitals, children’s homes, care centres, social and outreach programmes; and a pastoral way of life aimed at removing all racial and social barriers in the Church.

These achievements have been powered by faithful Mission supporters like you. And I can never thank you enough for your Missionary spirit and your financial generosity.

My prayer is that you’ll continue to give Archbishop Jwara the encouragement and goodness that you’ve shown to me.

Together, may your relationship in the shared Missionary tradition go from strength to strength. And may you be richly rewarded for your ongoing kindness to God’s people on the Zulu Missions.