Gweru– Vice President General Retired Dr Constantino Chiwenga, a devout member of the Roman Catholic Church, this Saturday commissioned the newly constructed Gweru Diocese Pastoral Centre, a multi-purpose facility designed to serve as a hub for spiritual and administrative activities within the diocese.
The ceremony, held in Gweru, was marked by both solemnity and celebration as six deacons were ordained into the priesthood under the stewardship of Bishop Rudolf Nyandoro, head of the Gweru Diocese.
The newly commissioned centre, described as a landmark achievement, is expected to play a pivotal role in the growth and coordination of Catholic Church activities in the Midlands Province.
In his keynote address, Vice President Chiwenga commended the project as a testament to visionary leadership and unwavering faith within the Gweru Diocese.
“The Pastoral centre we inaugurate today is not merely a structure of bricks and mortar, it is a testament to foresight, leadership, and unwavering faith. This transformative project is a reflection of the dreams and dedication of its architect, His Lordship, the Right Reverend Bishop Sekuru Rudolf Nyandoro,” he said.
He recalled that the vision for the centre was first publicly shared during Bishop Nyandoro’s Silver Jubilee celebrations in Gweru last year, a vision that has now become a reality.
The highlight of the event was the ordination of six priests, each of whom had completed several years of theological and pastoral formation. The newly ordained include:
Reverend Kudzai Mabhena (Kwekwe)
Reverend Gerald Dube (Mberengwa)
Reverend Brian Kanyai (Gweru)
Reverend Reynold Machirori (Kwekwe)
Reverend Carlos Masiya (Kwekwe)
Reverend Calvin Mbenene
Offering words of encouragement, Vice President Chiwenga described the priesthood as a noble and sacrificial vocation.
“To our newly ordained priests, I extend my warmest and most heartfelt congratulations. You have embraced a calling that demands sacrifice, faith, and unwavering devotion. It is not an easy path, but it is one of eternal purpose and profound impact. May your hands bring healing to the broken, your words offer hope to the lost, and your hearts remain open to the will of God. You are now stewards of the sacred, walk boldly, humbly, and faithfully in that holy charge,” he said.
Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa, who leads the Masvingo Diocese, also addressed the congregation, urging the new priests to carry out their duties with integrity and compassion.
“You have a duty as priests to preserve the values of Christianity. Go out there and protect the communities you will lead. They need your support,” he said.
The ordained priests will soon be deployed to serve various parishes across the diocese, as assigned by Bishop Nyandoro.
The ceremony was a clear reflection of the Catholic Church’s growing role in community development and moral leadership, not only in spiritual matters but also through infrastructure such as the newly opened centre.
