George Francis Daniel

George Francis Daniel (born 23 April 1933) is a South African Roman Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Pretoria from 1975 to 2008. He also served as Military Ordinary for South Africa from 1976 until his retirement in 2008.

Early life and priesthood George Francis Daniel was born in Pretoria on 23 April 1933. He was ordained a priest for the Archdiocese of Pretoria on 19 December 1964.

Episcopal ministry On 28 April 1975, Pope Paul VI appointed Daniel Archbishop of Pretoria. He received episcopal consecration on 3 August 1975 at the Christian Brothers College in Mount Edmund from Archbishop John Stephen Garner with Archbishop Joseph Patrick Fitzgerald and Bishop Alfredo Poledrini serving as co-consecrators.

During his more than three decades as archbishop, Daniel participated in the work of the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference and oversaw the Archdiocese of Pretoria during the final years of apartheid and the democratic transition in South Africa.

Later life In 2025, Daniel marked the 50th anniversary of his episcopal ordination. The milestone was commemorated by the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, and Pope Leo XIV conferred a papal honour in recognition of his service to the Church.