Antony Chawagarira
MASVINGO — The Bishop of the Diocese of Masvingo, Rt Reverend Raymond Mpandasekwa, has been elected as the new president of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC).
The announcement was made by ZCBC Secretary General Father Tryvis Moyo on February 5.
As the newly elected President of the ZCBC, Bishop Mpandasekwa aims to foster unity among the Catholic bishops in Zimbabwe. His executive team includes Rt Reverend Rudolph Nyandoro as vice president and Rev. M. Ncube, Bishop of Hwange, as secretary general.
Expressing gratitude and responsibility for his new role, Bishop Mpandasekwa stated, “I am deeply honoured to be entrusted with this position. It is my prayer and commitment to uphold the teachings of Christ while addressing the spiritual, social, and economic challenges faced by our communities.”
He, however, called for increased pastoral care and community engagement. His vision for the ZCBC focuses on enhancing the Church’s influence in addressing pressing national issues such as poverty, education, and healthcare. He believes that the Church can unify people from different backgrounds and foster social cohesion.
Bishop Mpandasekwa was born on April 28, 1970, in Masvingo, Zimbabwe. He grew up in a devout Catholic family; his mother, Roswita Madzima (deceased), was a housewife and tailor, while his father, Fabian Mpandasekwa (deceased), served as a police officer until his untimely death in 2002 due to a car accident. The couple was married at Mukaro Mission, deeply rooted in the community.
His journey within the Church began with his ordination to the priesthood on August 4, 2001, in the Archdiocese of Harare, after completing his education in philosophy at Chishawasha Seminary and obtaining advanced degrees in moral theology and canon law from St Augustine College and the Academia Alphonsiana in Rome.
Bishop Mpandasekwa’s early years as a priest were marked by his commitment to youth ministry, helping engage the younger generation in the Church’s life and instilling strong moral values. After serving in various capacities within the Diocese of Masvingo, he was appointed Bishop in 2016. Under his leadership, the diocese has flourished through numerous initiatives aimed at improving education, healthcare, and social welfare in the community.
With a history of service, including roles such as Redemptorist Regional Superior and lecturer in moral theology and canon law, Bishop Mpandasekwa brings a wealth of experience to his new position. His leadership style, characterised by a commitment to interfaith dialogue and social justice advocacy, is expected to guide the ZCBC in navigating the challenges ahead.
