Sharon Chikowore
CHINHOYI – The Episcopal Ordination of the Right Reverend Patrick Ngwenya as the Fourth Bishop of the Diocese of Chinhoyi was marked by celebration and reflection.
Appointed by the Vatican in April 2026, he was officially consecrated and installed as the fourth Bishop of the diocese on July 4, 2026, at the Our Lady of Perpetual Help Primary School grounds in Chinhoyi.
The cleric was born in Mutare on February 1, 1967, and raised in a devout Catholic family where discipline and Christian values shaped his early life.
Before answering the call to the priesthood, Bishop Ngwenya trained as an educator after studying at the University of Zimbabwe and later pursued marketing.
He subsequently entered the Mazowe Pre-Major Seminary before furthering his theological studies at the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas in Rome.
His formation included ordination as a deacon at the Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls by Cardinal Francis Arinze before returning to Zimbabwe, where he was ordained a priest by Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu in 2007.
Over nearly two decades of priestly ministry, Bishop Ngwenya served in several parishes, including Mutoko, Chegutu, Norton, Marlborough and Braeside. He also served as Secretary to the Archbishop of Harare, where he became renowned for his administrative skills and helped mentor other diocesan secretaries.
Beyond his pastoral responsibilities, he chaired the Ruvarashe Trust, an organisation that supports leprosy survivors and promotes the dignity and inclusion of people living with disabilities.
Vice President (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who graced the occasion, commended both the Catholic Church’s growth and Bishop Ngwenya’s lifelong commitment to serving God and humanity.
Addressing thousands of congregants, clergy, government officials and diplomats gathered for the historic occasion, Vice President Chiwenga recalled his visit to the same hilltop in 2021 for the groundbreaking ceremony of what was then an ambitious vision to establish a major educational centre.
He noted that the once undeveloped site had since been transformed, with Our Lady of Perpetual Help Primary School now complete and construction of a science-focused secondary school well underway.
The Vice President said the remarkable transformation of the area mirrored the Church’s continued growth and provided a fitting backdrop for the ordination of the Diocese’s new bishop.
Congratulating the new bishop, Vice President Chiwenga said his ordination marked the beginning of a new chapter for the Diocese of Chinhoyi.
“Your ordination today signals the beginning of a new chapter filled with hope and promise. God’s greatest gifts to His people are often not buildings or institutions, but faithful servants,” he said.
He also reflected on the Diocese’s progress, noting that in 2018 Chinhoyi had relied on a university facility for the ordination of its previous bishop, while it now boasts modern church infrastructure capable of hosting such significant events.
Quoting Matthew 5:14, “A city set on a hill cannot be hidden,” the Vice President expressed confidence that Bishop Ngwenya would provide faithful leadership to the Diocese.
He extended congratulations on behalf of the Government and the people of Zimbabwe, expressing hope that the new bishop would lead the faithful with wisdom, compassion and integrity.
In his acceptance speech, Bishop Ngwenya pledged to work together with the Diocese of Chinhoyi as they receive him, striving to bring sustainability across the Diocese.
The event was attended by the Minister of State, Marian Chombo, Senator Prisca Mupfumira, Chinhoyi Member of Parliament Leslie Mhangwa, and other government officials.
