Kevin Patrick Dowling,C.SS.R., (born 14 February 1944) is a South Africanprelate of theRoman Catholic Church. ARedemptorist, he was the secondBishop of Rustenburg from 1991 to 2020.
His Excellency, The Most Reverend Kevin Patrick Dowling C.SS.R. | |
|---|---|
| Bishop Emeritus of Rustenburg | |
| Church | Roman Catholic Church |
| Diocese | Rustenburg |
| See | Pretoria |
| Appointed | 2 December 1990 |
| Installed | 27 January 1991 |
| Term ended | 25 November 2020 |
| Predecessor | Henry Lancelot Paxton Hallett C.SS.R. |
| Successor | Robert Mogapi Mphiwe |
| Previous posts | |
| Orders | |
| Ordination | 9 July 1967 by Denis Eugene Hurley |
| Consecration | 27 January 1991 by Denis Eugene Hurley |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1944-02-14)14 February 1944 (age 81) Pretoria, Transvaal (now Gauteng), South Africa |
| Residence | Tapologo, North West |
| Motto | Your servant for Jesus |
Born inPretoria, Dowling wasordained apriest of theCongregation of the Most Holy Redeemer, more commonly known as the Redemptorists, on 9 July 1967.
He was appointedBishop of Rustenburg on 2 December 1990.[1] He received hisepiscopal consecration on 27 January 1991[2] fromArchbishop Denis Hurley.
He advocated the use of condoms to preventHIV transmission.[3] Catholic teaching opposed the promotion of condom use.[4][5] Thepapal nuncio to South Africa told Dowling that he had strayed from Catholic teaching.[6] The Southern African Bishops Conference also described condoms as "an immoral and misguided weapon" in the fight against HIV, arguing that condom use could even encourage the spread of HIV by promoting extramarital sex.[7] For his stance on this matter, theUtne Reader, a United States magazine that provides "alternative coverage of politics, culture, and new ideas", named Dowling one of its "50 Visionaries Who Are Changing the World".[8]
Dowling also criticized the application of theSouthern African Catholic Bishops Conference for approval of therevision of the English translation of the Mass liturgy as premature.[9] He objected to the revision itself, which had received the Holy See's confirmation after being agreed on by English-speakingEpiscopal Conferences: "I am concerned that this latest decision from the Vatican may be interpreted as another example of what is perceived to be a systematic and well-managed dismantling of the vision, theology and ecclesiology ofVatican II." He wrote:[10]
Our objective as Church should surely be that instead of making everyone conform to a dead-language text we need to allow diversity in cultural and linguistic expressions of faith communities around the world.It seems to me that we need to take much more seriously our collegial role and mission as bishops in accordance with the vision and theology of Vatican II, and after discernment and consultation with all the People of God stand up for what we believe to be in the best interests of our people.
Pope Francis accepted his resignation on 25 November 2020.[11]
| Preceded by Henry Lancelot Paxton Hallett | Bishop of Rustenburg 27 January 1991 – 25 November 2020 | Succeeded by Robert Mogapi Mphiwe |
| Preceded by | International President of Pax Christi 2010—present | Succeeded by Incumbent |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
