PRETORIA, DECEMBER 6, 2019 (CISA)-The Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference (SACBC) has condoled with family, friends and faithful affected by the death of Fr Owen Wilcock Fr Sibusiso Zulu in a road accident along N1 North near Mokopane Toll Plaza on December 3.
“On behalf of the SACBC, I would like to extend my deepest condolences on the tragic deaths of Fr Owen Wilcock (Port Elizabeth Diocese) and Fr Sibusiso Zulu (Eshowe Diocese). Our heartfelt prayers and deepest condolences go out to the families and friends of both priests. To the staff and seminarians of St. John Vianney Seminary, the clergy, religious and laity of the Dioceses where they served and to all who knew and loved them, I send my prayers and condolences,” read a December 5 statement signed by Bishop Vincent M Zungu, chair of the department for the formation, life and ministry of the clergy on behalf of SACBC.
Fr Owen Wilcock the finance administrator & Moral Theology lecturer at St. Jean Vianney Seminary, Fr Sibusiso Zulu, the Dean of Students & head of pastoral department, Fr John Masilo Selemela, the rector and Fr Ricardo Smuts, the Academics Dean were travelling in a car when they got involved in an accident.
Fr Selemela and Fr Ricardo, were injured and are recovering at the Netcare Hospital in Polokwane.
“I would also like to extend my prayerful support to the families, friends and dioceses of the injured priests, Fr John Selemela and Fr Ricardo Smuts. May the healing presence of our Lord and Saviour come upon them both,” the bishops’ statement read.
Fr Owen Wilcock hails from the Catholic Diocese of Port Elizabeth and was ordained priest on December 3, 1995. Fr Sibusiso Francis Zulu hails from the Catholic Diocese of Eshowe. He was ordained priest on the December 15, 2001.
Funeral arrangements are underway.
