Russell Pollitt, S.J.

Russell Pollitt, S.J., is America’s Johannesburg correspondent.

A priest from the Region of South Africa, he is currently director of the Jesuit Institute South Africa. He has written for a number of publications including the Southern African Catholic Weekly "The Southern Cross”; The Southern African Quarterly Magazine “Trefoil”; The Southern African Journal “Grace & Truth” and is the religious correspondent for South Africa’s biggest online news site "Daily Maverick." He is the author of Now is the Favourable Time. Daily Reflections for Lent and has made contributions to other books including Why Do You Weep? Finding Consolation and Peace in Times of Grief.

Father Pollitt is frequently asked for commentary on church and aocial issues in South Africa. He has been interviewed on a number of networks including the SABC, eNCA, Talk702, 567 CapeTalk, BBC and the Catholic Station Radio Veritas. Prior to being director of the Jesuit Institute he served as pastor of the downtown Jesuit church in Johannesburg. He serves on the Southern African Catholic Bishop’s Conference Advisory Committee for Social Communications. Time and training permitting he is also a keen runner and has completed a number of marathons and half-marathons.

Dispatches

South Africa’s universities face violent protests over tuition hikes.

by Russell Pollitt, S.J. September 23, 2016

Some stand behind the students while others have condemned their actions as “criminal” and “thuggery.”

Pope Francis walks to his seat during a meeting with bishops from South Africa at the Vatican April 25. The bishops were making their "ad limina" visits to the Vatican to report on the status of their dioceses in 2014. (CNS photo/L'Osservatore Romano)

Dispatches, Faith

The Southern Cross—South Africa’s only Catholic publication since 1920

by Russell Pollitt, S.J. September 22, 2016

The newspaper carries both local and international church news and has been published in English since 1920.

Michael Lewis, S.J. (Photo by Russell Pollitt)

Dispatches

Into Africa: The Jesuits in Africa and Madagascar

by Russell Pollitt, S.J. June 22, 2016

The church is vibrant and 25 percent of the population of Africa, which is now 1.2 billion, is under the age of 25.

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Dispatches

First Impressions: Archbishop Wells comes to South Africa

by Russell Pollitt, S.J. May 17, 2016

“The nuncio is here to help build communion between the local church and Pope Francis.”

Dispatches

Good news from southern Africa: A church that is growing

by Russell Pollitt, S.J. May 5, 2016

“Maybe we did not have a problem, but an opportunity with the gift of those more than 100 people who want to witness with their lives [to] the presence of the risen Lord among us.”