History of the College
The College was established in 1997 through the initiative of Rt Rev. Daniel A. O. Verstraete OMI, Bishop Emeritus of Klerksdorp and President of the Catholic Bible Foundation of South Africa. The first intake of students was in 1999. The purpose of the College initially was to train young adults as youth leaders for biblical pastoral ministry with parish youth. This was later broadened to equip participants of all ages with the knowledge and skills necessary for active involvement in Bible related outreach. Since its inception the College has provided study programmes for both full time and part time studies.  The College also provides studies through correspondence. This is to make the formation process available to all those who are interested. This also meets the time constraints of lay Christians in particular.

The first nine years.

The College is the only Catholic College of its kind in Africa and one of very few in the world. It has contributed tremendously to various pastoral activities in different parishes in South Africa and in other parts of Africa through the work of its past students. Between 1999 and 2007 about 150 young adults graduated in Certificate in Biblical Ministry. Some serve and are involved as volunteers in parishes, involved in youth groups, catechetical and liturgical ministries and in other forms of church ministry. Some have obtained full-time employment with the Catholic Bible Foundation of South Africa and with the College itself. Some have contributed as volunteers with the Bosco Youth Centre at Walkerville near Johannesburg, working with youth. A significant number have continued with religious studies in preparation for the priesthood or religious life.

Links with other institutions.

In recognition of the unique work of the College and the competencies of the staff, the College has received invitations to participate in various seminars and projects such as those sponsored by the Catholic Theological Society of South Africa and the Origins Centre at WITS University, and in delivering the programmes of other institutions such as St John Vianney Seminary, Pretoria, St. Augustine College of South Africa,  Johannesburg (the only Catholic university in South Africa) and the Jesuit Institute of South Africa, Johannesburg.

The College has had a very productive link over some years with Australian Catholic University, Sydney, through the involvement of senior lecturers in College programmes. A strong link has also been forged also with the Bat Kol Institute in Jerusalem, an institute devoted to promoting Jewish-Christian relations and Jewish ways of reading the Bible for Christians, through the contribution and participation of College staff members of Bat Kol staff to College programmes. In addition the College offers courses that incorporate the Bat Kol methodology.

Since 2007

The years since 2007 have seen a broadening and diversifying of College offerings as it seeks to discover the best ways to meet the needs of the Church with regard to Bible education and leadership training. A certificate course in Biblical Studies offered through guided learning and periodic workshops has proved popular and is still being expanded. This course is now being offered through a local group in India and expressions of interest have been received from other countries. A variety of short courses has also been developed to cater for specific needs. Significant among these are the intensive two-week programmes that have been run on several occasions for international participants: Tshwarelo Forgiveness and Reconciliation; Qalehong Creation, Evolution and Eco-justice; and Creation and Reconciliation.

Registration and accreditation

The College is presently in a state of transition. It is in the process of becoming a ‘site of delivery’ or satellite campus of St Augustine College. Its Higher Certificate of Biblical Studies programme has been submitted to the relevant South African government authorities for accreditation under the auspices of St Augustine College. It is intended also to submit a revised youth ministry programme leading to a Higher Certificate of Youth Ministry. Its other programmes will retain the status of short courses.

Rt Rev Daniel A. O. Verstraete, Founder of The College

Ms. Bernadette Chellew, Rector Catholic Bible College

Br.Kevin McDonnel, Rector Emiritus

Mrs. Margaret Mollett, Former Rector