Reflection on celebrating Masvingo Diocese Silver Jubilee
By Fr Walter Nyatsanza
The celebration of Masvingo Diocese Silver Jubilee has come and gone yet upon reflection we have learnt a number of things in the establishment and growth of this youngest diocese in this country.
The creation of this diocese by Pope John Paul II in February 1999 and the installation of its first Bishop, the Rt. Reverend Michael Dixon Bhasera on 24 April 1999 ushered in a new opportunity of evangelization and bringing the Good News of the salvation of mankind to the people of Masvingo province and part of Matebeleland in the Beitbidge area.
The new administration of the diocese started by having several workshops in order to prepare its leadership personnel to create Strategic plans of development in the various ministries that needed attention. Following these strategic plans commissions and committees were put in place to engage and guide development and evangelization in the fields that would uplift the communities that were previously marginalized.
These commissions included the Presbyteral council of priests that advised the Bishop on important issues, the Pastoral center at Gokomere that conducted workshops for pastoral leaders for all parishes and small centers. Other structures were the Education board that uplifted the education of many as well as increased the number of schools in the new diocese. The Health board that catered for hospitals, clinics and arranged visits by mission doctors to go round giving services to places where there were no doctors.
There were also developmental arms of the Church represented by the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace as well as Caritas (that assisted people in improving on self-sustaining projects like farming and water conservation, as well as establishing Youths Training centers)Self-Reliance committee is self explanatory, Finance committee, Shrine committee, Diocesan Pastoral Council which brainstormed and recommended establishment of new missions.
In all they were at least fifteen new missions and parishes initiated and some are still in progress in their construction.
In regards to priests and religious working in the diocese most were given opportunities to upgrade themselves so they serve the people better. Our Sisters who are matrons of hospitals are degreed, our Brothers are degreed and almost all priests have a first degree or even Masters degree.
In the diocese there are at least sixteen priests who attained a doctorate degree working among the people. Imparting of relevant skills and services is now readily available. Small Christian Communities continue to cascade in both urban and rural parishes.
For all the above and more the Faithful and their Bishop, the Rt Reverend Raymond Mupandasekwa the current Bishop of Masvingo gathered together to celebrate the vibrant existence of the diocese for the last twenty five years.
The celebration days span over three days. The Guest of Honour, the Papal Nuncio together with the Rt Reverend Raymond Mupandasekwa opened the celebration with Holy Mass for priests, religious and a few invited parishioners on 24 th October 2024 at St Mary’s Cathedral at 4.00pm in Masvingo.
The two main themes throughout the three days were Thanksgiving for what God has achieved through Masvingo diocese and Self-giving of every participant in Adoring God for the personal gift of his Son to each one of us.
The thanksgiving was expressed by Holy Mass on Thursday 24 October and Holy Mass on Saturday 26 October 2024. On the other hand the Self-giving was highlighted through adoring Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist on Friday, through walking from St Mary’s Cathedral to the Shrine in Gokomere thereby participating in the suffering of Christ who walked up to Calvary.
Thirdly the self-giving was consolidated by those who gave us speeches to explain life in Christ. Rev Dr V. Gotami dwelt on three out of seven names given to the Eucharist, for us to understand the unity between us and Christ and us with one another. Rev Dr F, Mubvigwi expanded on the importance of Evangelization, for which the diocese was created while Rev Fr Fanuel Magwidi (Franciscan) highlighted the value for every faithful to throw ourselves into the care of Mary our Mother. All these speeches assisted us to give ourselves wholly to God.
Before concluding the Nuncio gave an Apostolic Indulgence and blessing to all, while Bishop Mupandasekwa generously thanked all organizers, visitors, donors, and all the faithful who had made the whole celebration a great success. He gave his vision that the diocese should work even more to reach to the out most peripheral and vulnerable com