Diocese of

Eshowe 𝐖

South Africa

Continent: Southern Africa

Rite: Roman (Latin)

Type: Diocese Diocese

Name: Eshowe / Eshoven(sis) (Latin)

Ecclesiastical Province: Durban

Depends on: Dicastery for Evangelisation

Website:

Celebrations

Patron Saint: Sacred Heart of Jesus

Liturgical Calendar (National) 📅

History

1921.08.27: Established as Apostolic Prefecture of Zululand (from Apostolic Vicariate of Natal)
1923.12.11: Promoted as Apostolic Vicariate of Eshowe / Eshoven(sis) (Latin) (gained territory from Apostolic Vicariate of Natal)
1951.01.11: Promoted as Diocese of Eshowe / Eshoven(sis) (Latin) (became suffragan of Durban)
1962.11.12: Lost territory to establish Apostolic Prefecture of Ingwavuma

Contact Info

Address: Bishop’s House, Private Bag 553, Eshowe 3815, South Africa

Phone: (035) 474 1283

Present Prelates

Bishop:

vacant

Apostolic Administrator (2021.02.09 – ...):

Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, O.F.M. (83)

Cardinal-Priest of S. Francesco d’Assisi ad Acilia

Metropolitan Archbishop emeritus of Durban (South Africa)

Ordinaries

Bishops of Eshowe (Roman Rite)

Cardinal Wilfrid Fox Napier, O.F.M. (83)
(Apostolic Administrator 2021.02.09 – ...)

Bishop Xolelo Thaddaeus Kumalo (70)
(2008.03.11 – 2020.11.25)

Bishop of Witbank (South Africa)

To serve the Lord with one accord

Born:	1954.07.02 (Gogela, South Africa)
Ordained Priest:	1991.10.10
Consecrated Bishop:	2008.06.07

Priest of Bethlehem (South Africa) (1991.10.10 – 2008.03.11)

Bishop of Eshowe (South Africa) (2008.03.11 – 2020.11.25)

Bishop of Witbank (South Africa) (2020.11.25 – ...)

Bishop Mansuet Dela Biyase
(1975.02.28 – 2005.06.26)

Serviam ut crescat grex Dei

Born:	1933.10.05 (South Africa)
Ordained Priest:	1960.07.10
Consecrated Bishop:	1975.06.28
Died:	2005.06.26 († 71)

Bishop of Eshowe (South Africa) (1975.02.28 – 2005.06.26)

Bishop Aurelian Bilgeri, O.S.B.
(1951.01.11 – 1973.07.24)

Born:	1909.04.16 (Germany)
Ordained Priest:	1936.03.15
Consecrated Bishop:	1947.09.14
Died:	1973.07.24 († 64)

Titular Bishop of Germanicopolis (1947.06.12 – 1951.01.11)

Vicar Apostolic of Eshowe (South Africa) (1947.06.12 – 1951.01.11)

Bishop of Eshowe (South Africa) (1951.01.11 – 1973.07.24)

Vicars Apostolic of Eshowe (Roman Rite)

Bishop Aurelian Bilgeri, O.S.B.
(1947.06.12 – 1951.01.11)

(see above)

Fr. Theodos (Peter) Schall, O.S.B.
(Apostolic Administrator 1943.05.14 – 1947.08.03)

Bishop Thomas Spreiter, O.S.B.
(1923.12.11 – 1943.05.14)

Born:	1865.12.28 (Germany)
Ordained Priest:	1897.07.25
Consecrated Bishop:	1906.05.01
Died:	1944.01.27 († 78)

Vicar Apostolic of Dar-es-Salaam (Tanzania) (1906.03.13 – 1920.11.24)

Titular Bishop of Thenæ (1906.03.13 – 1944.01.27)

Prefect Apostolic of Zululand (South Africa) (1921.08.27 – 1923.12.11)

Vicar Apostolic of Eshowe (South Africa) (1923.12.11 – 1943.05.14)

Prefects Apostolic of Zululand (Roman Rite)

Bishop Thomas Spreiter, O.S.B.
(1921.08.27 – 1923.12.11)

(see above)

Special Churches

Cathedral: Cathedral of St. Benedict, Eshowe, Kwazulu-Natal
Former Cathedral: Church of the Little Flower, Eshowe, Kwazulu-Natal

Durban (↙), Dundee (↖), Manzini (↑), Ingwavuma (↗)

Statistics (2022.12.31)

Area: 26,364 km²

Population: 82,000 Catholics (2.8% of 2,981,485 total)

Pastoral Centres: 35 parishes

Personnel: 58 priests (43 diocesan, 15 religious), 139 religious (29 brothers, 110 sisters), 6 seminarians

Pastoral Centres

Last updated on 2024.12.15

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