Diocese of Bethlehem, South Africa 🇿🇦

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Name: Bethlehem / Bethlehemen(sis) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Bloemfontein

Neighbouring Dioceses: Maseru (↙), Bloemfontein (↙), Kroonstad (←), Johannesburg (↑), Dundee (→), Durban (↘), Qacha’s Nek (↘), Leribe (↓)

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Website:

Celebrations

Patron Saint: Immaculate Heart of Mary

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1948.02.12: Established as Apostolic Vicariate of Bethlehem / Bethlehemen(sis) (Latin) (from Apostolic Vicariate of Kroonstad)
1951.01.11: Promoted as Diocese of Bethlehem / Bethlehemen(sis) (Latin) (became suffragan of Bloemfontein)

Contact Info

Address: PO Box 366, Bethlehem 9700, South Africa

Phone: (058) 303 5351

Present Prelates

Bishop (2026.04.14 – ...):

Bishop-elect Motlatsi Meshack Phomane (50)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Bethlehem (Roman Rite)

Bishop-elect Motlatsi Meshack Phomane (50)
(2026.04.14 – ...)

Bishop of Bethlehem (South Africa)

Born:	1975.11.14 (Tshenola, South Africa)
Ordained Priest:	2012.06.30

Priest of Mthatha (South Africa) (2012.06.30 – 2026.04.14)

Bishop of Bethlehem (South Africa) (2026.04.14 – ...)

Bishop Jan de Groef, M. Afr. (78)
(2008.12.31 – 2026.04.14)

Bishop emeritus of Bethlehem (South Africa)

Alive in Christ

Born:	1948.01.07 (Beigem, Belgium)
Ordained Priest:	1979.07.07
Consecrated Bishop:	2009.03.28

Bishop of Bethlehem (South Africa) (2008.12.31 – 2026.04.14)

Apostolic Administrator of Kroonstad (South Africa) (2010.02.04 – 2011.04.01)

Bishop Hubert Bücher
(1976.12.09 – 2008.12.31)

Born:	1931.06.21 (Regensburg, Germany)
Ordained Priest:	1957.06.29
Consecrated Bishop:	1977.03.27
Died:	2021.07.23 (Regensburg, Germany † 90)

Bishop of Bethlehem (South Africa) (1976.12.09 – 2008.12.31)

Bishop Peter Kelleter, C.S.Sp.
(1951.01.11 – 1975.07.05)

Born:	1908.01.14 (Bardenburg, Germany)
Ordained Priest:	1935.04.28
Consecrated Bishop:	1950.06.29
Died:	1991.01.07 († 82)

Titular Bishop of Sigus (1950.03.12 – 1951.01.11)

Vicar Apostolic of Bethlehem (South Africa) (1950.03.12 – 1951.01.11)

Bishop of Bethlehem (South Africa) (1951.01.11 – 1975.07.05)

Vicars Apostolic of Bethlehem (Roman Rite)

Bishop Peter Kelleter, C.S.Sp.
(1950.03.12 – 1951.01.11)

(see above)

Bishop Léon Klerlein, C.S.Sp.
(1948.02.12 – 1950.03.12)

Born:	1877.08.18 (Oberhaslach, France)
Ordained Priest:	1903.10.28
Consecrated Bishop:	1935.05.30
Died:	1950.05.22 (Harrismith, South Africa † 72)

Prefect Apostolic of Kroonstad (South Africa) (1924.03.24 – 1935.04.08)

Vicar Apostolic of Kroonstad (South Africa) (1935.04.08 – 1948.02.12)

Titular Bishop of Voncaria (1935.04.08 – 1950.05.22)

Vicar Apostolic of Bethlehem (South Africa) (1948.02.12 – 1950.03.12)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral of the Holy Ghost, Bethlehem, Free State

Maseru (↙), Bloemfontein (↙), Kroonstad (←), Johannesburg (↑), Dundee (→), Durban (↘), Qacha’s Nek (↘), Leribe (↓)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 34,965 km²

Population: 59,916 Catholics (7.0% of 858,779 total)

Pastoral Centres: 14 parishes

Personnel: 23 priests (22 diocesan, 1 religious), 2 deacons, 32 religious (1 brother, 31 sisters), 2 seminarians