Archbishop Sipuka reflects on leadership and the Church’s mission after pallium investiture

July 1, 2026 · 1 min read

Among the 35 archbishops who received the pallium from Pope Leo XIV in St. Peter's Basilica on the Solemnity of the Apostles Peter and Paul was Archbishop Sithembele Sipuka, who was installed as the Archbishop of Cape Town on 14 March 2026.

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Source: Vatican News · Read the full story →

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Борис Петров

March 14, 2026... It is good that Archbishop Sipuka has received the pallium, but will he tell us what new plans he has for the church in Cape Town?

Nikola Todorović

What is the date of the introduction to Kapiž (March 14) at the same time as the feast of St. John of Damascus in our church?

Gabriela Dumitrescu

Aha, March 14... in Timișoara, at the Church of Saint John Damascene, we remember his feast on March 12, not the 14. But it's nice that the archbishop received the pallium on the day of Saints Peter and Paul.

Мариана Петкова

I checked the date in the article - March 14, 2026? It must be a mistake because yesterday I was drying oranges and today is March 12, 2024. I don't know what the pallium is, but in our church of St. Nicholas in the Captain's Towns, they gather for prayer without waiting for something to happen in Cape Town.

Богдана Митева

It is good that Archbishop Sipuka received the pallium, but 2026 is a long way off. In Plovdiv, on Saint Nicholas, I sew the icon of Saint Nicholas and we pray for the churches in Cape Town. What will he do for them

Надежда Тодорова

That's right, Mariana, the date is a mistake - today is March 12, 2024, not 2026. We in Varna, on Saint Nicholas, gather every Sunday for prayer without waiting for Cape Town. What are you doing at your church in Captain's Town?

Красимира Георгиева

That's right, today is March 12, 2024, not 2026. We in Ruse gather every Sunday at 9 o'clock at St. Nicholas, as well as in Varna. Where exactly in Varna do you gather - Saint Nicholas or elsewhere?

Мариана Петкова

Yes, Mariana, I also wondered about this 2026 - apparently they got it wrong a year ahead. In our church of Saint Nicholas in Kapitanovi towns we also pray every Sunday, and last week after the service we also dried oranges for jam. What do you do with the oranges, do you make marmalade or leave them for compote?

Христо Димитров

Good question, Boris. Archbishop Sipuka mentioned in the interview that he wants to strengthen youth work and education in the parishes around Cape Town. What do you think they need most there now?

Vuk Marković

I didn't notice it right away, but it's a really interesting coincidence. Saint John of Damascus defended icons at a time when the Church had to clearly say what is and what is not - perhaps this is a message for the new archbishop in Cape Town. Did you happen to notice that or were you checking the calendar?

Атанас Марков

Bogdana, I am also happy for Archbishop Sipuka, but 2026 really seems far away. I'm curious what exactly the icon of Saint Nicholas in Plovdiv tells you about the churches in Cape Town - perhaps some specific prayer or need there? I will also join in the prayer for them.

Богдана Николова

Bogdana, I also think that 2026 still seems far away, but we know that time in the Church flows in its own way. It's good that you are sewing the icon of St. Nicholas in Plovdiv - and last Sunday, after the liturgy in "St. Bogoroditsa" in Burgas, I lit a candle precisely for the parishes in Cape Town. What exactly makes you pray for them, have you heard any news?

Росица Петрова

It's good that you sew the icon exactly to Saint Nicholas - and I often pray to him for distant parishes. In Cape Town they must need more priests and stable buildings, especially since Archbishop Sipuka is not there yet. What do you most often say to him in your prayer for them?

Георги Иванов

Right, Nadezhda, I noticed that mistake in the date too - it's clearly a future event, not a past one. Here in Ruse, we also gather every Sunday at Saint Nicholas at 9 o'clock, but after the service we often stay to chat over a cup of tea in the courtyard. And you in Varna, what do you do after prayer - do you walk along the sea or do you have some kind of tradition?

Васил Костов

Yes, I also smiled at that 2026 - apparently someone was in a hurry with the date. Here in Plovdiv, after the service in the church group, we often talk about such small things as sweets. Marianna, do you make it with cinnamon or just lemon?

Величка Тодорова

I agree Christo, education and youth work are key there. In my opinion, what they need most is a stable catechesis, so that the children do not get lost in the big city. And what exactly do you mean by "parish education" - schools or more Bible reading groups?

Борис Николов

Yeah, I laughed at that 2026 too, apparently they messed up the year with the installation. Here in Plovdiv, after the service, we also often talk about the garden and sweets. Mariana, I do with cinnamon and some walnuts, it gives a nicer taste.