PRETORIA DECEMBER 11, 2015 (CISA) – The Bishops of Southern Africa urged the Catholics of the country to reach out to others in corporal and spiritual works of mercy, and to celebrate the Sacrament of Confession regularly during Jubilee Year of Mercy.

“Pope Francis invites us to rediscover these corporal works of mercy: to feed the hungry, give drink to the thirsty, clothe the naked, welcome the stranger, heal the sick, visit the imprisoned and bury the dead,” said the bishops. The bishops requested the faithful to show mercy to those who have fallen away from the practice of their faith.

“Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, may this Jubilee Year of Mercy be a time of renewal for all of us, members of the one family of God, the Church, so that we, through our outreach especially to those brothers and sisters of ours who have fallen away, may become missionaries of God’s mercy in today’s world,” said the bishops.

The Bishops said that they are preparing a reflection booklet in various languages to help the faithful in sharing and prayer.

According to the Bishops the sacrament of mercy and reconciliation will be central to the celebration of the Jubilee Year of Mercy will be central.

The Bishops announced that they would open a Holy door at our Marian shrine at Tsheseng on December 12 2015 as requested by Pope Francis.

“This should then spill over throughout the whole diocese in the various parishes and Christian communities. I very much encourage all Priests together with their liturgical committees and parish and local councils to be creative and organize activities which highlight God’s Mercy all throughout the year which will close with the Solemnity of Christ the King on 20th November 2016,” urged the bishops.