Amos Mabuti Masemola (born 5 March 1978) is a South African Catholic prelate who serves as the bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kroonstad, in South Africa. He was appointed on 17 February 2026 by Pope Leo XIV. Before that, from 3 June 2007 until 17 February 2026, he was a priest of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Pretoria. He was Vicar General of the Archdiocese of Pretoria upon his appointment as Bishop of Kroonstad. He was consecrated as Bishop of Kroonstad on 16 May 2026 by Archbishop Dabula Anthony Mpako of Pretoria.
Background and education
He was born on 5 March 1978 in Winterveld, Archdiocese of Pretoria, Gauteng in South Africa. He studied both philosophy and theology at the Saint John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria. He also holds a master's degree in Christian spirituality, awarded by the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Nairobi, Kenya.[1][2]
Priest
He was ordained a priest for the Catholic Archdiocese of Pretoria on 3 June 2007. He served as a priest until 17 February 2026. While a priest, he served in various capacities and locations including:[1][2]
- Deputy parish priest of the pastoral district of Maboloka/Lethabile from 2007 until 2008.
- Parish priest of the pastoral district of Kwa Nhlanga from 2008 until 2011.
- Parish priest of Saint Vincent Parish in Phomolon from 2011 until 2016.
- Studies at the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA) in Nairobi, Kenya, leading to the award of a master's degree in Christian spirituality.
- Administrator of the Sacred Heart Cathedral in Pretoria from 2016 until 2020.
- Chancellor of the metropolitan archdiocese of Pretoria from 2016 until 2020.
- Member of the College of Consultors from 2016 until 2026.
- Spiritual director at the Saint John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria from 2017 until 2026.
- Lecturer at the Saint John Vianney Seminary in Pretoria from 2018 until 2026.
- Diocesan chancellor for the Sacred Heart Association from 2020 until 2026.
- Parish priest of Saint Thomas More in Centurion from 2021 until 2026.
- Vicar General and bursar of the metropolitan archdiocese of Pretoria from 2021 until 2026.[1][2]
Bishop
On 17 February 2026, Pope Leo XIV appointed him local ordinary of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Kroonstad. He succeeded Bishop Peter John Holiday who resigned on 12 December 2022, due to ill health.[1][2][3] His episcopal consecration was held in Kroonstad on 16 May 2026. The Principal Consecrator was Dabula Anthony Mpako, Archbishop of Pretoria who was assisted by Zolile Peter Mpambani, Archbishop of Bloemfontein and Victor Hlolo Phalana, Bishop of Klerksdorp.[4]
Succession table
| Catholic Church titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded byPeter John Holiday (1 April 2011 - 12 December 2022) | Bishop of Kroonstad (since 17 February 2026) | Succeeded by(Incumbent) |
References
- 1.[1.2][1.3][1.4]Agenzia Fides (17 February 2026). "Africa/South Africa: Appointment of bishop of Kroonstad, South Africa". Agenzia Fides. Vatican City. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- 2.[2.2][2.3][2.4]Holy See Press Office (17 February 2026). "Appointment of bishop of Kroonstad, South Africa". Holy See Press Office. Vatican City. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- 3.Silas Mwale Isenjia (17 February 2026). "Second Vicar General of South Africa's Pretoria Archdiocese Appointed Local Ordinary of Kroonstad Diocese". ACI Africa. Nairobi, Kenya. Retrieved 19 February 2026.
- 4.Kati Dijane (20 May 2026). "Episcopal Ordination of Bishop Amos Mabuti". The Southern Cross (South Africa). Cape Town, South Afria. Retrieved 22 May 2026.