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Welcome to the website of the Archdiocese of Durban. Situated along the east coast of KwaZulu/Natal, from KwaDukuza (Stanger) in the north to Amanzimtoti in the south and Bergville in the interior, the Archdiocese covers a total area of 20 318 square kilometers. The total population is approximately 200 000 faithful.
While predominantly Zulu, the local Church serves a broad variety of people from diverse cultures and many languages. Since the demise of apartheid there has been an influx of many people from north of the South African border. Many are refugees while other have come to seek their fortune in this better developed part of Southern Africa. |
The Archdiocese incorporates some very first world parishes in and around the cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg, as well as a considerable number of rural mission parishes, some with remote outstations.
Under the patronage of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, the Durban Archdiocese has been served for over 150 years by the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate who, while reduced in numbers, still maintain a strong and active presence in the Archdiocese. Recent years has seen an increase in the number of local Diocesan priests. There has also been a greater number of religious orders and congregations who have settled in the diocese. |
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IS THE CATHOLIC CHURCH REALLY IN CRISIS?
What makes a crisis? The hype created by the media or the facts on the ground?
To judge from media reports the Catholic Church is suffering “its greatest scandal in centuries” (Carmel Rickard in Natal, Mercury 8th April 2010). The Catholic Church has lost all credibility (Archbishop Rowan Williams). “The Pope has said nothing!” “He has not apologised!”
To answer the question whether the Church is really in crisis we must start at the beginning, namely the structures of the Catholic Church, and how authority devolves from the Pope, through the Bishop to the local parish priest.
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