By Staff Writer
The Roman Catholic Church in Zimbabwe is facing an acute shortage of people accepting the vocational calling to the priesthood, with the number of enrollments at the Major Seminary declining over the past ten years. According to Vatican News, this decline is attributed to family breakdown, largely caused by poverty, drug abuse, migration for employment, and other related factors.
“We have broken families, child-headed families, and single-parent-headed families,” said Fr. Bernard Mukweva, Rector of Chishawasha Major Seminary. “The nucleus family is the domestic church from which vocations arise. When it breaks down, it triggers a wide range of challenges that affect the development of vocations.”
Bishop of Gweru Diocese, Rt. Rev. Rudolf Nyandoro, attributes the vocational scarcity to the decline of the Zimbabwean economy, which has led youths to engage in illegal mining for survival. Many young people, having lost hope, have turned to illicit drug dealing and substance abuse.
“In a situation where youths are exposed to these factors, attracting vocations becomes a challenge,” he said.
The Catholic Church in Zimbabwe is also facing difficulties in retaining those currently serving, who are leaving for various reasons. To address this, the Church dedicates the month of July each year to prayer and campaigns for vocations to the priesthood and religious life.
This year, Chishawasha Major Seminary has 95 candidates, while only 30 candidates from various minor seminaries have applied, with 20 being admitted. The Roman Catholic Church has been present in Zimbabwe since the 16th century. Missionaries successfully overcame language barriers and weather conditions, establishing great institutions that have served Zimbabwe in social, medical, and educational arenas.
