The director of Freedom of Religion South Africa, Michael Swain, said that government had no business “meddling with religion.”

One of the themes that emerged from A.N.C. conference was party renewal. Father Mkhatshwa is skeptical. He says that the A.N.C. is redeemable, but “they need new people to do it.”

The Economic Freedom Fighters party say it will not respect an “illegitimate president” after Mr. Zuma was found to have violated his office by the country’s highest court in 2016.

After a few tense weeks, a peaceful and bloodless transfer of power has taken place in the West African nation of Gambia.

"The Holy Father makes it clear that caring for our common home is a fundamental dimension of Christian spirituality."

The bishops said they were deeply concerned that a South African withdrawal will “influence and encourage other African countries to leave the court en masse.”

The vice chancellor had to be escorted out of the church, over the sanctuary and through the back entrance, protected by clergy, peace monitors and organizers of the meeting.

Father Pugin had been shot in the face with a rubber bullet by the South African Police.

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

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