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The Catholic Diocese of OudtshoornEcclesiastical Territory

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About the 5th BIshop of the Diocese of Oudtshoorn - Rt. Rev. Noel A. Rucastle

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42 - 46 St. Saviour Street
Oudtshoorn
Western Cape
South Africa

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World Day against human trafficking
Jul, Thu, 2026
Millions of people find themselves trapped in modern-day slavery

Oudtshoorn, 30 July 2026 – “Traditional” chattel slavery has been legally abolished, yet about 50 million people find themselves trapped in modern-day slavery.

Internatinally the World Day against Trafficking in Persons is celebrated today, July 30th.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization of Migration (IOM), the practices of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation are a massive money-making scheme, generating $236 billion in illegal profits each year.

One organisation working to spread knowledge about modern day trafficking in persons, is the Sisters-based group Talitha Kum. For them what is essential is to bring an end to this global crime and letting people see and recognize that beyond the numbers, beyond the data are people, stories, and lives impacted. At the core of the mission of Talitha Kum is the message: “Working together: No one is ever treated as a commodity.”

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Diocesis Oudtshoornensis Diocesis Oudtshoornensis
Family Life | Gesins- en Familielewe , Media & Communications | Media & Kommunikasie , Oudtshoornensis , Uncategorized
Millions of people find themselves trapped in modern-day slavery

Oudtshoorn, 30 July 2026 – “Traditional” chattel slavery has been legally abolished, yet about 50 million people find themselves trapped in modern-day slavery.

Internatinally the World Day against Trafficking in Persons is celebrated today, July 30th.

According to the International Labour Organization (ILO) and the International Organization of Migration (IOM), the practices of human trafficking and other forms of exploitation are a massive money-making scheme, generating $236 billion in illegal profits each year.

One organisation working to spread knowledge about modern day trafficking in persons, is the Sisters-based group Talitha Kum. For them what is essential is to bring an end to this global crime and letting people see and recognize that beyond the numbers, beyond the data are people, stories, and lives impacted. At the core of the mission of Talitha Kum is the message: “Working together: No one is ever treated as a commodity.”

Read More
Jul, Tue, 2026
Old age is not a burden to manage but a gift to cherish

Oudtshoorn, 28 July 2026 – The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly this year reached its sixth ‘celebration,’ gradually becoming an established fixture in the life of the Church.

“It is not enough to organize services; we must build relationships.” Only in this way can “the certainty of not being forgotten by God” become “the daily experience of not being forgotten by one’s parish and one’s family.” These are the words of Vittorio Scelzo, an official of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life and head of its pastoral care of the elderly, reflecting on the six years since the institution of the World Day dedicated to grandparents and the elderly.

This year The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly was celebrated on Sunday, 26 July, the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary —i n other words, “Jesus’ grandparents.”

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Diocesis Oudtshoornensis Diocesis Oudtshoornensis
Catholic Hour , Diocesan News | Bisdomlike Nuus , Family Life | Gesins- en Familielewe , Media & Communications | Media & Kommunikasie , News from the Vatican , News regarding the Southern African & Worldwide Church | Nuus omtrent die Suider-Afrikaanse & Wêreldwye Kerk , News Roundup | Nuusopsomming , Oudtshoornensis , Pastoral Activities | Pastorale Aktiwiteite , The Pope & The Vatican
Old age is not a burden to manage but a gift to cherish

Oudtshoorn, 28 July 2026 – The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly this year reached its sixth ‘celebration,’ gradually becoming an established fixture in the life of the Church.

“It is not enough to organize services; we must build relationships.” Only in this way can “the certainty of not being forgotten by God” become “the daily experience of not being forgotten by one’s parish and one’s family.” These are the words of Vittorio Scelzo, an official of the Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life and head of its pastoral care of the elderly, reflecting on the six years since the institution of the World Day dedicated to grandparents and the elderly.

This year The World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly was celebrated on Sunday, 26 July, the feast of Saints Joachim and Anne, the parents of the Blessed Virgin Mary —i n other words, “Jesus’ grandparents.”

Read More
Jul, Sat, 2026
None of this is fashion

Oudtshoorn, 18 July 2026 – Have you ever looked at the vestments ordinarily worn by the Holy Father and wondered what the meaning thereof, if any, is?

The Pope’s white cassock has 33 buttons: One for each year of Christ’s life.

The pallium around his shoulders is woven from the wool of two lambs blessed on the feast of Saint Agnes. The pallium is pinned with three needles representing the nails of the Cross.

The zucchetto, the small white skullcap, marks him as a bishop among bishops.

None of this is fashion.
Every element is theology made visible

Read More
Diocesis Oudtshoornensis Diocesis Oudtshoornensis
Media & Communications | Media & Kommunikasie , Oudtshoornensis
None of this is fashion

Oudtshoorn, 18 July 2026 – Have you ever looked at the vestments ordinarily worn by the Holy Father and wondered what the meaning thereof, if any, is?

The Pope’s white cassock has 33 buttons: One for each year of Christ’s life.

The pallium around his shoulders is woven from the wool of two lambs blessed on the feast of Saint Agnes. The pallium is pinned with three needles representing the nails of the Cross.

The zucchetto, the small white skullcap, marks him as a bishop among bishops.

None of this is fashion.
Every element is theology made visible

Read More
Jul, Fri, 2026
The 6th Word Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Oudtshoorn, 17 July 2026 – The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life has confirmed that the Holy Father has directed that the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will continue to be celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday in July, closest to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

The theme chosen by Pope Leo XIV for the 6th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly – “I will never forget you” (Is 49:15) – reminds us that God’s unwavering love is the ultimate answer to the isolation and neglect so often experienced by the elderly. It brings comfort and hope, assuring us that the Lord knows each of us personally, forgets no one, and loves us unconditionally, even through the frailties of old age.

Read More
Diocesis Oudtshoornensis Diocesis Oudtshoornensis
Catholic Hour , Diocesan News | Bisdomlike Nuus , Family Life | Gesins- en Familielewe , Media & Communications | Media & Kommunikasie , News from the Vatican , News regarding the Southern African & Worldwide Church | Nuus omtrent die Suider-Afrikaanse & Wêreldwye Kerk , News Roundup | Nuusopsomming , Oudtshoornensis , Pastoral Activities | Pastorale Aktiwiteite , The Pope & The Vatican
The 6th Word Day for Grandparents and the Elderly

Oudtshoorn, 17 July 2026 – The Dicastery for Laity, Family and Life has confirmed that the Holy Father has directed that the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly will continue to be celebrated annually on the fourth Sunday in July, closest to the liturgical memorial of Saints Joachim and Anne, the grandparents of Jesus.

The theme chosen by Pope Leo XIV for the 6th World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly – “I will never forget you” (Is 49:15) – reminds us that God’s unwavering love is the ultimate answer to the isolation and neglect so often experienced by the elderly. It brings comfort and hope, assuring us that the Lord knows each of us personally, forgets no one, and loves us unconditionally, even through the frailties of old age.

Read More
Jul, Fri, 2026
Episcopal Ordination anniversary

Oudtshoorn, 17 July 2026 – We congratulate Bishop-emeritus Francisco Fortunato de Gouveia on the anniversary of his episcopal ordination, 16 years ago on 17 July 2010.

Ons wens biskop-emeritus Francisco Fortunato de Gouveia geluk met die herdenking van sy biskopswyding, 16 jaar gelede op 17 Julie 2010.

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Diocesis Oudtshoornensis Diocesis Oudtshoornensis
Catholic Hour , Diocesan News | Bisdomlike Nuus , Media & Communications | Media & Kommunikasie , Oudtshoornensis , Pastoral Activities | Pastorale Aktiwiteite , Sacraments | Sakramente
Episcopal Ordination anniversary

Oudtshoorn, 17 July 2026 – We congratulate Bishop-emeritus Francisco Fortunato de Gouveia on the anniversary of his episcopal ordination, 16 years ago on 17 July 2010.

Ons wens biskop-emeritus Francisco Fortunato de Gouveia geluk met die herdenking van sy biskopswyding, 16 jaar gelede op 17 Julie 2010.

Read More
Jul, Thu, 2026
43th Episcopal Ordination anniversary

Oudtshoorn, 16 July2026 – With gratitude and deep respect for his ministry and leadership, we congratulate Bishop-emeritus Edward R. Adams on the anniversary of his episcopal ordination, 43 years ago on 16 July 1983.

Met dankbaarheid en diep respek vir sy bediening en leierskap, wens ons biskop-emeritus Edward R. Adams geluk met die herdenking van sy biskopswyding, 43 jaar gelede op 16 Julie 1983.

Read More
Diocesis Oudtshoornensis Diocesis Oudtshoornensis
Catholic Hour , Diocesan News | Bisdomlike Nuus , Media & Communications | Media & Kommunikasie , Oudtshoornensis , Pastoral Activities | Pastorale Aktiwiteite , Sacraments | Sakramente
43th Episcopal Ordination anniversary

Oudtshoorn, 16 July2026 – With gratitude and deep respect for his ministry and leadership, we congratulate Bishop-emeritus Edward R. Adams on the anniversary of his episcopal ordination, 43 years ago on 16 July 1983.

Met dankbaarheid en diep respek vir sy bediening en leierskap, wens ons biskop-emeritus Edward R. Adams geluk met die herdenking van sy biskopswyding, 43 jaar gelede op 16 Julie 1983.

Read More