Peter Tanyanyiwa
Herald Reporter
The Chaplains of Zimbabwe (CZ), a sister organisation of the Zimbabwe Christian Ministers Association (ZCMA), on Tuesday conducted a series of field visits to key institutions in Harare as part of efforts to strengthen practical training for its student chaplains.
The delegation, led by founder Bishop Dr Christopher Choto, toured the Harare Central Prison and Mbuya Dorcas Hospital, exposing trainees to real-life ministry settings in the justice and healthcare sectors.
The initiative forms part of CZ’s structured training programme aimed at equipping chaplains with professional skills in pastoral care, crisis response and community reintegration.
Speaking during the visit, Bishop Choto said the field engagement was designed to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
“Our goal is to provide practical exposure that deepens understanding and develops professional conduct among chaplains. This is a ministry of presence, a ministry of compassion, confidentiality and respect,” he said.
At the Magistrates’ Courts, where the programme commenced, trainees were introduced to the justice system processes and the role of chaplains in offering emotional and spiritual support to individuals and families navigating legal challenges.
Bishop Choto emphasised that chaplaincy begins long before incarceration.
“We do not start in the prisons; we start at the courts. People are already in crisis at that stage. Chaplains come in to calm, guide and support both the accused and their families,” he said.
He noted that families often bear the brunt of legal proceedings when breadwinners are detained.
“When someone is taken away, there is trauma within the family. As chaplains, we step in to encourage them, assess their needs and mobilise support whether it is school fees for children or basic sustenance,” he added.
At Harare Central Prison, students observed correctional rehabilitation programmes and interacted with chaplaincy personnel working within the Zimbabwe Prisons and Correctional Service.
Bishop Choto commended ongoing reforms within the correctional system.
“We appreciate the shift from punishment to correction. There are now meaningful programmes, education, skills training and spiritual support that help inmates rebuild their lives,” he said.
The programme also highlighted CZ’s reintegration efforts, which include assisting former inmates with transport, basic needs and community re-entry support.
At Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Waterfalls, trainees were introduced to healthcare chaplaincy, where spiritual care complements medical treatment.
“In hospitals, chaplains provide hope and healing beyond the physical. We minister to patients, families and even healthcare workers, ensuring holistic care,” Bishop Choto said.
He reiterated that chaplaincy is a specialised calling requiring formal training.
“Not all pastors can be chaplains. This field demands specific training and discipline. Our students specialise in areas such as healthcare, education, justice and even tourism and hospitality chaplaincy,” he said.
Bishop Choto said CZ remains open to individuals from diverse backgrounds.
“Chaplains of Zimbabwe serves people of all faiths and even those of no faith. Anyone with a calling to serve humanity can be trained,” he said.
The field visits mark a critical stage in the training cycle, with students expected to proceed to attachments in various institutions, including prisons, hospitals and schools.
CZ continues to position itself as a key player in providing structured chaplaincy services across Zimbabwe, in line with its founding mandate to offer inclusive pastoral care to all
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