Antony Chawagarira
MASVINGO — The Catholic Diocese of Masvingo has ordained four new priests, marking a significant addition to the clergy as the Church strengthens its pastoral ministry and continues to respond to the spiritual needs of the faithful.
The ordination ceremony took place at Gokomere Mission on September 26, bringing together priests, religious, family members, and lay faithful from Masvingo Diocese and beyond to witness the ordination of Rev. Fr. Prince Baro, Rev. Fr. Charles Svuure, Rev. Fr. Obvious Chiorese, SVD, and Rev. Fr. Peter Chadyoka.
Three of the newly ordained priests belong to the Diocese of Masvingo, bringing the Diocese’s total number of priests to 75, while Rev. Fr. Chiorese is a member of the Society of the Divine Word (SVD).
During the Mass, the candidates were presented by their Vocations Directors, Rev. Fr. C. Pesanayi and Rev. Fr. A. Mutandwa, who testified to their worthiness for ordination before the Right Reverend Bishop Raymond Tapiwa Mupandasekwa proceeded with the celebration.
In his homily, Bishop Mupandasekwa reminded the candidates that priestly ordination is not simply the attainment of a title, but a lifelong call to give themselves completely to Christ and His Church.
Quoting St. John Mary Vianney, the Curé of Ars, Bishop Mupandasekwa said, “The priesthood is the love of the heart of Jesus. Being ordained alone is not enough. Choose the Church as your home, like John Vianney, who completely gave himself to Christ.”
Reflecting on the priest’s mission, Bishop Mupandasekwa drew from Luke 4:18, which speaks of being anointed to proclaim good news to the poor, and challenged the newly ordained to make their lives reflect Christ’s love.
“Live a life that reminds others of what happened on the Cross. Be an example of love and turn away from sin. Remind God’s people how deeply we have been loved,” he said.
