By Celani Sikhakhane
- Fr Sthembiso Ngcobo and Fr Sfiso Ndlovu were handed letters three weeks ago ordering a two-year sabbatical from their parishes.
- Angry parishioners have taken to social media, with some threatening to quit and to withdraw Sunday offerings estimated at R63,000.
Two Roman Catholic priests in Durban have been sent on what the church calls an involuntary two-year sabbatical. Their parishioners are calling it a “dismissal” because the priests are sangomas, or traditional healers.
Fr Sthembiso Ngcobo of the Montclair Parish and Fr Sfiso Ndlovu of the Pinetown Parish both received letters three weeks ago telling them to take the break. Members say the church views their African spiritual calling as demonic.
A sabbatical is an extended, authorised break from ministry that clergy sometimes take every seven to 10 years. It is not a holiday, but a period for rest, prayer and renewal.
The decision has caused anger among members of both parishes. Many have taken to social media, and some are threatening to leave the church entirely. Others have accused Archbishop Mandla Jwara of the Diocese of Durban of demonising African rituals.
Both Fr Ngcobo and Fr Ndlovu are known for being proud of their Zulu culture. They wore their traditional attire whenever they chose to.
Musician Thokozani Tzozo Zulu, a member of the Pinetown Parish, spoke to *Independent Online*. He said most congregants are unhappy about the decision to remove Fr Ndlovu.
“Others are even threatening to withdraw their Sunday offerings which are estimated at R63,000,” Zulu said.
Zulu said some members have also written letters to Archbishop Jwara to raise their grievances over the decision.
Many on social media said part of their love for the two parishes was the African spiritual calling of these priests.
Pictured above: Fr Sfiso Ndlovu and Fr Sthembiso Ngcobo, the two priests at the centre of the dispute.
Image source: TikTok
