An exceptionally warm, compassionate and
down-to-earth man with a ready sense of humour, Cardinal
Napier is loved and respected by everyone who comes into
contact with him.
Born in the small midlands town of Matatliele on 8 March
1941, Wilfrid Fox Napier is one of seven children – five
boys and two girls, who remain close to this day.
He attended the Ixopo Catholic School and his teacher,
Sister Annuncia, says she doesn't remember him ever doing
anything wrong. But he confesses that he came close to
being expelled for disrespect when he once innocently mimicked
Sister's strong German accent.
At the end of his matric year he joked that he was 'off
to Ireland to pick potatoes'. Six months later, he entered
the Franciscan Novice House in Killarney. After his noviciate,
he spent three years at university in Galway acquiring
a BA degree with Latin and English as his majors. To this
day, he retains fond memories of Ireland and the many wonderful
people he met there.
Wilfrid Napier returned to South Africa where he was ordained
priest on 25 July 1970 and spent the next two years in
the Parish of Lusikisiki, until being ordained Bishop of
Kokstad in 1981.
President of the Southern African Catholic Bishop's Conference
from 1987 to 1994, he was deeply involved in mediation
and negotiation during this tubulent time in South Africa's
history, and was present at the signing of the Peace Accord
in September 1991. He also served on the Council of the
Secretariat of the Synod of Bishops and particiapted in
two assemblies of the Snyod of Bishops.
He was appointed Archbishop of Durban on 22 June 1992
and raised to Cardinal by His Holiness, Pope John Paul
II on 21 February 2001.
In 2005, Cardinal Napier was one of 117 cardinals entrusted
with the task of electing the new Pope, Benedict XVI. Earlier
this year, he celebrated 25 years of service to the Catholic
Church at a special jubilee Mass in Durban. |
Message
from Cardinal Napier
Take
a 20 minute walk through Zulu Mission Country 
