Priest collapses, dies during mass

George Maponga in Masvingo

Tragedy struck the Roman Catholic Church Masvingo Diocese last Sunday after a renowned priest, Father Peter Mudhanganyi, collapsed while offering Holy Mass at St Barbara Church in Mashava and was pronounced dead by doctors after being rushed to a private hospital.

He was 44.

Fr Mudhanganyi, reputable for being a marriage counsellor in the Catholic Church in Masvingo, was popular for his poignant sermons and prayers at weddings and marriage anniversaries.

He was buried yesterday at St Patrick’s Gokomere Mission.

Hundreds of people from all walks of life thronged the Catholic Church cemetery at Gokomere to pay their last respects to Fr Mudhanganyi in a clear illustration of how his sermons from behind the pulpit touched and impacted the lives of many.

A dark cloud hung over the Catholic Church Masvingo Diocese with its devotees mourning Fr Mudhanganyi who, according to inside sources, died after suffering a heart attack.

The Roman Catholic Church Masvingo Diocese Vicar General Father Emmanuel Jongwe confirmed Father Mudhanganyi’s sudden death during a church service at St Barbara Church in the mining town of Mashava.

“His death is a big loss to the church(Catholic) in Masvingo and we are poorer without him, he has left a huge hole that will be hard to feel, especially within the church where he was a renowned preacher who counselled people on marriages.

“He was very popular at weddings and marriage anniversaries where his sermons touched on the daily lives of married people. He strongly opposed and was against adultery in the institution of marriage and the big crowd that witnessed his burial at Gokomere Mission today(yesterday) bears testimony to the huge impact his preachings had on the lives of many people inside and outside the church,” said Father Jongwe.

He said they suspect Father Mudhanganyi’s death was due to hypertension.

“Father Mudhanganyi was taking medication for high blood pressure but during all the time I had known him I never heard him complain about hypertension. His death came as a shock and it is a big loss to the church in Masvingo.”

Father Jongwe said the deceased priest was offering Holy Mass when he collapsed.

“He collapsed during mass at St Barbara Church in Mashava and he was rushed to a private hospital in the city where the doctor confirmed that he had already died,” added Father Jongwe.