By Thabisani Dube
The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) has announced a bold 10-point action plan aimed at deepening evangelisation, enhancing lay participation, and addressing cultural, social, and theological challenges facing the Church and society.
The commitments were made at the conclusion of the ZCBC’s Ordinary Plenary Assembly held early this month in Harare, under the theme “Reigniting the Flame of Hope in the Synodal Journey.”
In their communiqué, the bishops recommitted the Church in Zimbabwe to the urgent mission of proclaiming the Gospel in today’s digital and socio-cultural landscape. “We must be permanently in a state of mission,” the bishops said, quoting Evangelii Gaudium.
They pledged to implement proposals from the Final Document of the Synod on Synodality within Zimbabwe’s unique contexts, while actively evaluating progress toward inclusiveness and participation by all the baptised.
The bishops also called for greater effectiveness of Church structures such as parish and diocesan councils and finance committees, stating that these bodies must become real avenues for lay involvement in Church decision-making processes.
Recognising the role of grassroots community structures, the bishops highlighted Small Christian Communities as vital platforms for fostering communion and synodality in local parishes.
In response to social injustices and historical wounds, the bishops urged Catholics to embrace the Jubilee spirit by renewing relationships, promoting healing, and working for peace, dignity, and reconciliation across communities.
Formation in synodality was also identified as a key priority. “Families, Small Christian Communities, parishes, and formation houses must become Schools of Synodality,” the communiqué read, encouraging listening, dialogue, and shared mission.
Addressing internal Church governance, the bishops pledged to cultivate a culture of transparency, accountability, and safeguarding to ensure the Church remains a safe space for minors and vulnerable persons.
The bishops also committed to theological and pastoral engagement with traditional cultural practices such as polygamy and kurova guva/umbuyiso, affirming the local Church’s right to develop a contextualised theology that is faithful to Catholic teaching yet sensitive to Zimbabwean realities.
Regionally, the ZCBC expressed a desire to deepen collaboration with sister churches in Malawi and Zambia through exchange programmes and solidarity initiatives under the MAZAZI banner.
Finally, the bishops urged all dioceses, institutions, and Church groups to integrate synodal values—communion, participation, and mission—into their strategic plans, anchoring their future in the spirit of walking together as one people of God.
