Resignation and appointment of bishop of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi, Italy
Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa
Resignation and appointment of bishop of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi, Italy
The Holy Father has accepted the resignation from the pastoral care of the diocese of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi, Italy, presented by Bishop Domenico Cornacchia.
The Holy Father has appointed the Reverend Domenico Basile, of the clergy of the diocese of Andria, until now vicar general, as bishop of the diocese of Molfetta-Ruvo-Giovinazzo-Terlizzi, Italy.
Curriculum vitae
Msgr. Domenico Basile was born on 3 June 1966 in Andria, in the diocese of the same name, in the present-day province of Barletta-Andria-Trani. He studied philosophy and theology at the Episcopal Seminary of Andria and then at the Pontifical Regional Seminary of Apulia “Pius XI” in Molfetta.
He was ordained a priest on 14 September 1991 for the diocese of Andria.
He was awarded a licentiate in pastoral theology at the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome.
He has held the following offices: parish vicar of San Giuseppe Artigiano in Andria (1991-1993), educator at the Pontifical Regional Seminary of Apulia “Pius XI” (1993-2000), director of the diocesan youth pastoral service (1996-2000), parish priest of Cuore Immacolato di Maria in Andria (2000-2017), director of diocesan library and archive (since 2015), spiritual father at the Pontifical Regional Seminary of Apulia “Pius XI” (2017-2021), and director of the Office for Ecclesiastical Cultural Heritage and Religious Buildings (since 2019).
Since 2021 he has served as vicar general of the diocese of Andria.
Appointment of metropolitan archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa
The Holy Father has appointed Bishop Sithembele Anton Sipuka, until now bishop of the diocese of Umtata, as metropolitan archbishop of Cape Town, South Africa.
Curriculum vitae
Archbishop-elect Sithembele Anton Sipuka was born on 27 April 1960, in Idutywa, Eastern Cape Province, in the diocese of Queenstown. After work experience, he entered the Saint John Vianney Major Seminary.
He was ordained a priest on 17 December 1988, and incardinated in the diocese of Queenstown.
After ordination, he first held the role of parish vicar of Qoqodala and of Lady Frere, and then of parish priest in Cofimvaba (1989-1991). He studied for a licentiate in systematic theology at the Pontifical Urbaniana University of Rome (1992-1994), and went on to teach philosophy of religion and liturgy and Saint Peter’s Major Seminary of Philosophy in Pretora, and at the same time, fundamental and Eucharistic theology at the Saint John Vianney Major Seminary of Theology (1994-1995). He served as vice rector and subsequently acting rector of Saint Peter’s Seminary (1996-1999), and rector of the Saint John Vianney Major Seminary (2000-2008).
On 8 February 2008 he was appointed bishop of the diocese of Mthatha, receiving episcopal ordination on the following 3 May.
From 2019 to 2024 he held the office of president of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) for two terms.
From 2019 to 2022 he was vice president of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM). Long committed to ecumenical dialogue, he is a member of the South African Council of Churches, of which he was subsequently elected President. On 4 July 2025, the Holy Father appointed him as a member of the Dicastery for Interreligious Dialogue.
