admin
Raymond Jaravaza, Bulawayo Bureau
The Pro-Nuncio of the Holy See, Pope Francis’ envoy to Zimbabwe, Archbishop Janusz Stanislaw Urbañczyk has lauded the Government for designating St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica in Bulawayo as a national monument.
Fourteen historical buildings and sites have been declared national monuments for their historical and cultural importance, including places of importance in Zimbabwe’s battle against colonialism.
The new monuments include the Hanging Tree in Bulawayo, Altena Farm near Centenary in Mashonaland Central, Gonakudzingwa Detention Camp in Chiredzi District, the Kopje in Harare and the Matabeleland North and Matabeleland South Provincial Heroes Acres, among others.
The declaration of the monuments comes as the country is preparing to celebrate Heroes Day and Defence Forces Day in the forthcoming long weekend during which the nation salutes living and departed heroes of the liberation struggle as well as honours the Zimbabwe Defence Forces for their role in safeguarding Zimbabwe’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Archbishop Urbañczyk was speaking after a Catholic church service in St Mary’s Cathedral in Bulawayo yesterday.
“The importance of a building is measured by its connection to the people so a building is nothing without the people coming here to worship and praise God. The Catholic community is proud of the recognition and this building is one of the most beautiful that I have seen in Africa,” he said.
“It’s important for us as a church to work well with the local authorities as we continue to proclaim the gospel of God.”
St Mary’s Cathedral was built 121 years ago, and it is one of only 22 basilicas in Africa, and the only one in Southern Africa. The Cathedral was declared a national monument by Home Affairs and Cultural Heritage Minister Kazembe Kazembe.
Archbishop Urbañczyk also urged the church to continue playing a pivotal in the fight against drug and substance abuse, especially among the youth.
“We are in the Year of Jubilee, a year of hope and the young generation must be given hope so that they overcome the problem of drug abuse and also seek solutions to this problem.
“The church should continue to work with communities in trying to find solutions to the problem of drug abuse, which is not only a problem here in Zimbabwe but all over the world.”
Online Reporter