The Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV, has appointed Bishop Thulani Victor Mbuyisa CMM of Kokstad Diocese as a member of the Dicastery for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and the Societies of Apostolic Life.
This appointment places Bishop Mbuyisa among a distinguished group of cardinals, bishops, and religious leaders from around the world entrusted with advising the Vatican on matters related to religious life and apostolic societies.
Bishop Mbuyisa’s appointment is a moment of pride not only for the Diocese of Kokstad and the Mariannhill Missionaries but also for the Church in Southern Africa, where he plays a significant leadership role. He currently serves as the Vice Chairperson of the Commission for Synodality of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC), a body tasked with guiding the synodal journey in the region.
The 52-year-old prelate also serves as the chairperson of the SACBC Social Action Department and is the Liaison Bishop for the Justice and Peace Commission.
Born on 13 February in Ixopo, KwaZulu-Natal, within the Archdiocese of Durban, Bishop Mbuyisa joined the Congregation of Mariannhill Missionaries in 1992. He made his perpetual vows on 2 February 1997 and was ordained to the priesthood on 4 March 2000 at Mariannhill by Bishop Paul Themba Mngoma.
Following his ordination, he served as Parish Vicar at St. Michael’s Mission, chaplain at Mangosuthu University of Technology and St. Francis College, and vice-director of novices. His academic path led him to obtain a Licentiate in Canon Law from Saint Paul University in Ottawa, Canada.
Bishop Mbuyisa also gained international experience in formation and leadership. From 2007, he served in Nairobi, Kenya, as superior and formator at Nivard House, and in 2010, he was appointed Provincial Superior of the Mariannhill Missionaries in East Africa. In 2016, he was elected Superior General of the Congregation, a position he held until his episcopal appointment in 2022 as Bishop of Kokstad.
His elevation to the Dicastery reflects his deep commitment to the renewal of consecrated life and the global Church’s synodal mission. It is a recognition of his leadership, pastoral sensitivity, and theological insight, particularly in the context of religious life.
Bishop Mbuyisa’s presence in this Vatican body will bring a valuable perspective from the African continent and reinforce the voice of the Church in the Global South in shaping the future of consecrated life.