Peter-John Pearson is vicar general of the Archdiocese of Cape Town and director of the Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office of the Southern African bishops. He began his journey to the priesthood after studying law and having experienced profound spiritual conversion linked to his involvement in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal movement and a passion for social justice in service of the poor.

Ricardo da Silva SJ speaks to him about his vocation to the priesthood as a social activist during apartheid, St Oscar Romero, Pope Francis’ call to becoming a Church of and for the poor and South Africa’s upcoming general election.