DIOCESE OF MANZINI

Province of Johannesburg)

PATRON:
St Joseph

Right Reverend
BISHOP JOSE LUIS PONCE DE LEON IMC

Appointed Apostolic Administrator on 29th August 2012

Appointed Bishop of Manzini on 29th November 2013

Installed the Bishop of Manzini on 26th January 2014

Address
Bishop’s House
PO Box 19
Manzini – Swaziland
Tel: (00268) 505 2348, Fax: (00268) 505 4876
Email: bishop@africaonline.co.sz

The Swaziland Mission was confided to the Order of Servants of Mary by the Sacred Congregation for the Propagation of the Faith on 4 April 1913. On 19 April 1923 it was separated from the Natal Vicariate and constituted the Prefecture Apostolic of Swaziland and on 15 March 1939 was elevated to the rank of Vicariate Apostolic. On 11 January 1951 it became the Diocese of Bremersdorp, the name of the town later being changed to Manzini. The Diocese comprises the Kingdom of Swaziland.

Area: 17 364 sq.km.        Total Pop: 1 080 000             Cath.Pop: 55 000

– Rt Rev Msgr P M Bellezze OSM, was appointed 27 April 1923 and resigned May 1933 to be followed by Rt Rev Msgr R M Milgliorini OSM (appointed 8 July 1933).

– Rt Rev Bishop A C M Barneschi OSM, OBE was appointed 15 March 1939, consecrated Titular Bishop of Thagaste on 30 April 1939 and enthroned as first Bishop of Bremersdorp (later Manzini) on 15 August 1951. Nominated Assistant at the Papal Throne, 11 May 1964, he died 21 May 1965 at Manzini.

– Rt Rev Bishop Bishop Jerome Rio Maria Casalini, O.S.M. was appointed 18 December 1965 and ordained 12 February 1966. He resigned 29 January 1976 and died 28 August 1982.

– Rt Rev Bishop Aloysius Isaac Mandlenkhosi Zwane, appointed 29 January 1976, was ordained 16 May 1976. He died 9 August 1980.

– Rt Rev Louis Ncamiso Ndlovu OSM, appointed Apostolic Administrator 20 February 1981, appointed Bishop of Manzini 31 July 1985 and ordained Bishop 12 October 1985.  He died on 27 August 2012

ADMINISTRATION