Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Bethlehem Vatican City (Agenzia Fides) – The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Bethlehem, South Africa, presented by Bishop Jan de Groef, M. Afr.
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Motlatsi Meshack Phomane, of the clergy of the diocese of Umtata, until now parish priest of Mt. Nicholas in Libode, as bishop of the diocese of Bethlehem, South Africa.
Msgr. Motlatsi Meshack Phomane was born on 14 November 1975 in Tshenola, Matatiele, in the diocese of Umtata. Before entering the seminary, he had various work experiences. He entered the Saint Philip Neri Pre-Orientation Seminary in Port Elizabeth and continued his formation at the Saint Kizito Preparatory Seminary in Verulam, in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. He subsequently studied philosophy at Saint Peter’s Seminary in Garsfontein and theology at Saint John Vianney Major Seminary in Pretoria.
He was ordained a priest on 30 June 2012, and incardinated into the diocese of Umtata.
After ordination, he studied for a diploma in business management at the University of South Africa (2012-2013) and held the roles of chancellor of the diocese of Umtata, parish priest of Saint John the Baptist, Port Saint John, Umtata, and diocesan financial administrator (2013-2015). He obtained a licentiate in canon law at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa, Nairobi, Kenya (2015-2018), and went on to serve as parish priest of Saint Martin, Mt Fletcher, Umtata (2019-2025), diocesan representative for the Pastoral Conference, Sotho Region (since 2013), diocesan translator for the Sesotho language (since 2016), member of the Metropolitan Ecclesiastical Tribunal, Durban (since 2019), member of the College of Consultors, diocese of Umtata (since 2021), parish priest of Mt. Nicholas, Libode, Umtata, chaplain for the diocesan Committee for the Synod and member of the diocesan Financial Committee (since 2025). (EG) (Agenzia Fides, 14/4/2026)
