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Sindisiwe Sibanda and Shelton Masina, Sunday News Reporters
HUNDREDS of Catholics in Bulawayo yesterday thronged Our Lady of Fatima in Pumula South to celebrate 125 years of Evangelism in Matabeleland, 25 years of Archdiocese status in the city and the ordination of three priests.
The ceremony, which started with a Holy Mass, was graced by Bulawayo Archbishop Alex Thomas who was the main celebrant.
Speaking at the celebrations, Archbishop Thomas chronicled the history of evangelism in Matabeleland.
“We are standing on the faith planted by our predecessors at Empandeni in 1879. We are celebrating the growth of a mustard seed. It is our duty to contribute for the future of the Church. The Bulawayo Archdiocese conferred its status in 1997,” said Archbishop Thomas.
Over the years, the Archdiocese of Bulawayo has focused on developmental projects under Caritas which hub mostly in rural areas.
The projects include water and sanitation, livelihoods, drought relief and also disaster management and have been carried out in areas such as Mangwe, Bulilima, Matobo and Umzingwane districts.
Archbishop Thomas said the archdiocese is running 47 rural missions and urban parishes, nine early childhood development centres, 14 primary and 13 secondary schools, three vocational training centres and a combined five hospitals and clinics.
“The vision of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo in regards to the education sector is to improve our academic standards and infrastructure and also to continue working and surging ahead in collaboration with the Government. The Archdiocese of Bulawayo also focuses on health in order to provide health facilities and services in communities,” he said.
In an interview, Arch-Diocesan Pastoral Council chairperson Mr Clemence Kunzekweguta said the event was guided by the Holy Spirit because almost everyone was in jovial mood.
“We are happy to have celebrated this day as it highly lifted our spirits and know who we are as Catholics. We thank the missionaries and our parents who handed over the wonderful gift of faith to us. We hope our children and all the faithful of today will pass on the good legacy to the future generations,” said Mr Kunzekweguta.
The three priests that were ordained on the same occasion are Fr Vusumuzi Golden Moyo, Fr Brian Khandlela and Fr Kevin Madeiranyika. The event was attended by a number of regal dignitaries, among them, Minister of State for Bulawayo Metropolitan Cde Judith Ncube and city Mayor Councillor Solomon Mguni.
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