Wilfrid Fox Napier was born in Swartberg, South Africa, on 8 March 1941. In August 1960 he entered the Franciscan novitiate in Killarney, Ireland, took a BA in Latin and English at University College Galway (1964), and an MA in philosophy and theology at Louvain. Ordained a priest on 25 July 1970 in Kokstad Cathedral, he learned Xhosa and worked in the parishes of Lusikisiki and Tabankulu. In 1978 he was named apostolic administrator of Kokstad, then bishop on 29 November 1980 (consecrated 28 February 1981).
As president of the Southern African bishops' conference (1987–94 and 1999–2008), he was deeply involved in the mediation and negotiations that carried South Africa toward its 1994 election, and was present when the National Peace Accord was signed in September 1991. On 29 May 1992 he was promoted to Archbishop of Durban, succeeding Denis Hurley, and served until 9 June 2021. John Paul II created him a cardinal on 21 February 2001, with the title of San Francesco d'Assisi ad Acilia; he voted in the 2005 conclave and was president-delegate of the 2015 Synod on the Family. His motto is the Franciscan Pax et bonum — “peace and goodwill.”
Major Works & Initiatives
Archbishop of Durban
Twenty-nine years in South Africa's port metropolis.
The Peace Accord
The Church's negotiator at the signing that preceded the 1994 election.
President of the bishops
Two long terms at the head of the Southern African conference.
Controversies
On the record
No significant public controversies reported.