In his remarks after the Ordination, Bishop Phomane described his appointment as \u201ca daunting call to service\u201d that he accepts with humility and complete trust in God.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Church has placed upon me a responsibility far greater than myself, yet I accept it with trust in the Lord who calls, strengthens, and sustains,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
The South African Catholic Bishop expressed gratitude to Pope Leo XIV for appointing him to lead the Diocese of Bethlehem.<\/p>\n
\u201cI promise the Holy Father and the Universal Church my unwavering loyalty, fidelity, and communion,\u201d Bishop Phomane said.<\/p>\n
He also thanked Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka<\/a>, who ordained him a Deacon in 2011, a Priest in 2012, and now served as Principal Consecrator at his Episcopal Ordination.<\/p>\n \u201cToday, by God’s grace, you have completed what you started in me in 2011,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n The newly ordained Bishop pledged to work closely with the Clergy, Religious, and lay faithful of the Diocese of Bethlehem.<\/p>\n \u201cI promise to serve you with a shepherd’s heart, not as a master, but as a brother among brothers and sisters, united in the one mission of Christ,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Addressing the faithful of his new Diocese, Bishop Phomane pledged to accompany them in their joys and struggles.<\/p>\n \u201cYour wounds will be my concern. Your hopes will be my prayer. I come to listen, to learn, and to walk with you as we build a Church rooted in faith, compassion, justice, mercy, and solidarity,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n He asked for prayers as he begins his Episcopal ministry, saying, \u201cPray that I may be a shepherd after the heart of Christ, courageous in truth and rich in mercy. Pray that together we may renew our commitment to evangelization, to the poor, to families, to young people, and to the healing of our communities.\u201d<\/p>\n Bishop Phomane is the 5th Local Ordinary of the South African Diocese succeeding Bishop Groef who has been at the helm of the Episcopal See since his Episcopal Ordination on 28 March 2009.<\/p>\n The Diocese that has a population of 59,916 Catholics out of the total population of 858,779, representing 7.0 percent, according to 2023 statistics<\/a>, measures\u00a0 34,965 square-kilometer.<\/p>\n Erected on 12 February 1948 as Vicariate Apostolic of Bethlehem, before elevation to a diocese on 11 January 1951, the Episcopal See is part of the Ecclesiastical Province of Bloemfontein<\/a>.<\/p>\n
![\"Jude](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/jude-atemanke_1647470026.jpg\")