Obituary – Church mourns loss of Archbishop
The Archbishop, Abel Gabuza died after battling Covid-19 for a week.
ARCHBISHOP Abel Gabuza died at the Hillcrest Hospital at 11.35am on Sunday, 17 January after a week in ICU battling Covid-19.
We express our sincere thanks to Dr. Skinner and the wonderful staff at the hospital for all that they did to care for the Archbishop.
The Archbishop had not been with us in Durban long – just short of two years – but in that time we came to recognise him as a gentle, caring and warm-hearted pastor.
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Through his gentleness, caring and warmth, he made an immediate impact on everyone who was privileged to make his acquaintance.
That’s an added reason why his passing is such a tremendous loss to us and to the entire church in southern Africa.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Archbishop Abel’s sister, Hildegarde, to his cousin and best friend, Khomotso, and extended family as well as the Archbishop and people of Pretoria, his home city and home diocese. We also feel very much for the church and people in Kimberley who suffer a double loss, first with their beloved Bishop being transferred to Durban and now his permanent transfer to the Lord’s Kingdom.
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On behalf of the priests, deacons and lay faithful of the Archdiocese of Durban, we commend his soul to the hands of God and pray that he may enjoy eternal rest.
The Pope’s Ambassador to Southern Africa, Archbishop Peter Wells, has been informed. He, in turn, will inform the Holy See and, ultimately, Pope Francis.
To all, we express sincere thanks for the many prayers and sacrifices offered up on behalf of our beloved brother and coadjutor, Archbishop Abel Gabuza.
May he rest in peace. Well done, good and faithful servant, enter the kingdom of your Father!
– Wilfrid Cardinal Napier OFM and Father Brett Williams.
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
