Speaking at the 25th Priestly Anniversary celebration of the Right Reverend Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa at St Francis’s Gokomere Mission in Masvingo, Vice President, General Retired Dr Constantino Chiwenga, has appreciated the complimentary role to government effort in national development key areas of education, health and agriculture.
“Government recognises the Church as a pillar of social cohesion and moral renewal. Where Government builds infrastructure, the Church builds conscience. Where Government provides policy direction, the Church provides the ethical compass. Together, we form a partnership that ensures that development is not only material but also spiritual, not only economic but also moral.
“To the priests, religious and lay faithful gathered here today, let me express Government’s profound appreciation for your unwavering service to our nation. Your daily work in schools, hospitals, clinics, parishes, orphanages, and communities contributes significantly to social cohesion and national development,” he said.
The Roman Catholic has several notable complimentary projects running in Masvingo Province.
“As a province, we want to appreciate the work that the church is doing in ensuring improved access to education, agriculture developments among other developments,” Masvingo Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Ezra Chadzamira said.
The Roman Catholic Church paid tribute to Right Reverend Mupandasekwa for his unwavering service to the church extending to two decades and half.
“25 years of priestly service is a testimony of sacrifice and leadership. We want to thank you for the work that you are doing in our church as a priest and now as a Bishop, which you have embraced with courage, sustained by divine grace and marked by the indelible character,” Roman Catholic Church, Apostolic Nuncio-Archbishop, Janusz Urbanczyk said.
“As the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference, we want to celebrate you today and the years that you have served. You answered God’s call to the priesthood with courage and humility. You continue to be a guardian of seminary formation, and may you continue to lead us with God’s wisdom,” Vice President of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Rudolph Nyandoro, said.
In response, Right Reverend Mupandasekwa appreciated the support he is getting from the congregants and the church.
“Today is a great day for me, my family, the Diocese of Masvingo and the Roman Catholic Church. I want to appreciate your support for the past 25 years as a priest. You have been very supportive; hence I have been able to reach this great milestone. It is my prayer that you continue to work with me as we advance God’s ministry,” Diocese of Masvingo Bishop, Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa said.
Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa is the current Bishop of the Diocese of Masvingo after being appointed by Pope Francis in 2023 and currently serving as the President of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference.
Source: The Herald
