-the story of Fr Dr. Oscar Peter Chagweda
TAWANDA HOMBA
Masvingo – God has his own plans and ways for everyone on earth as evidenced by the humble but meteoritic rise of Fr Dr Oscar Peter Chagweda from being a mere bank messenger to Roman Catholic Vicar general.
From1995 to 1997 he worked as a CABS messenger, The Midweek Watch can reveal, but has risen to the position of Vicar General after deciding to ditch the bike that would make him dodge the city’s heavy traffic as he delivered precious bank documents from one client to the other sometimes including bounced cheques from the who is who in the business community.
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Fr Chagweda was born in Gutu (Chiwara) in Zimbabwe in November 08, 1977 in a family of six, five boys and one girl with Fr Chagweda being the third born.
From 1984 to 1986 he did his primary education at Vumba School then from 1987 to 1990 he went to Chivhu primary School. Fr Chagweda did his secondary education at Liebenberg High School in Chivhu.
He worked for CABS as a messenger, but followed his calling in 1997 to join the priesthood and did his first vocation of human and spiritual formation at Mazowe House of Formation in 1998. He did his philosophy course at St Augustine Philosophate from 1999 to 2001.
From 2002 to 2006 he did Theology Course at Chishawasha Major Seminary and also a Diploma in Religious Studies from the University of Zimbabwe.
In 2012 he completed his Bachelor`s Degree in Social Communications at the Salesian Pontifical University followed by a Masters` Degree in Social Communications at the Salesian Pontifical University, then from 2014.
He went on to do a PhD in Social Communications at the Salesian University and in 2018 completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Higher and Tertiary Education at Great Zimbabwe University.
Fr Chagweda’s ordination to the Diaconate was in 2005 followed by the 2006 ordination into priesthood.
From 2006 to 2007 he was Assistant Priest at Mutero Mission in Gutu and from 2008 to 2010 he was the secretary to the Bishop and Priest in Charge at Mashava Parish while at the same time he was the Chaplain to the Catholic Students in Masvingo.
From 2008 to 2010 he also worked as the Assistant Vocations Director of Masvingo Diocese and from July 2017 to November 2024 he was Chancellor Catholic Diocese of Masvingo
In the same year he became the board member for Masvingo Catholic Diocese Commission for Justice and Peace and was in September 2016 to July 2017 appointed Consultant Catholic Diocese of Masvingo Social Communications Commission and Catholic Diocese Caritas.
From July 2017 to 2020 he was the Coordinator Catholic Diocese of Masvingo Social Communications Commission and from July 2021 to date as Consultant Catholic Diocese of Masvingo Social Communications Commission as well as the Rector at Bondolfi Teachers College from 2021.
On 1 November 2024, Masvingo Diocese Bishop Tapiwa Mupandasekwa appointed Fr Chagweda as Vicar General.
In exclusive interview with The Midweek Watch, Fr Chagweda said he is an ordinary and humble human being but called to be an instrument of God’s love, mercy and forgiveness.
The ability to work in Persona Christ is more humbling.
Fulfilling for the past 18 years sense of freedom where I can offer myself to God and his people more time to serve God and his people. The gift of the priesthood is a source of my joy. I like being a priest. I love it. If I would go back to my youth days, I would choose to be a priest over and over again.
“Mary is my teacher of meditation. Pondering allows a person to enter into the mystery of God. Challenge of switching moods from celebrating funeral mass to celebrating a birthdays mass, ‘’said the Fr Chagweda as he wound up the interview.
