By Thabisani Dube
Harare – Bells rang out across Harare as Sacred Heart Cathedral celebrated 100 years of spiritual, educational, and social service. The centenary event, held in the heart of the capital, drew clergy, dignitaries, and worshippers from across Zimbabwe, united in honouring the missionaries’ profound role in nation-building.
Among the high-profile guests was the Vice President of Zimbabwe Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who paid tribute to the enduring impact of missionaries on Zimbabwe’s education system.
“Had it not been for the missionaries, we could not have gone to school,” he said to resounding applause, highlighting how mission institutions laid the foundation for many of the country’s current leaders.
Founded in 1924, Sacred Heart Cathedral has long stood as a beacon of faith and community development. Over the past century, Catholic, Anglican, and Protestant missionaries have built schools, clinics, and churches in both rural and urban Zimbabwe, providing education and healthcare to communities historically underserved by colonial administrations.
During the celebrations, Archbishop Robert Ndlovu reminded congregants that missionary work extended well beyond the spiritual. “Education, health, and human dignity have always been central to our calling,” he said. “We remember those missionaries not just as preachers, but as builders of communities.”
He also called for a return to respectful traditions around marriage and death, noting, “Nowadays, people rush to gardens for weddings. But a Christian wedding should be celebrated in church, then proceed to the gardens afterwards. Similarly, when a person dies, there should first be a funeral Mass in church before burial. We must respect the dead.”
Meanwhile in a sideline interview, Monsignor Mhishi, a 98-year-old priest from Belvedere, called for continued collaboration between the Church and the government.
“There is need for the government and the Church to keep working together to support communities not only in urban areas, but rural too. We must pray for our government, for our congregations, and for ourselves.”
In areas such as Kutama, Gokomere, and Regina Coeli, mission schools opened doors for generations of Zimbabweans.
“The mission was the only place we saw a chalkboard,” recalled 82-year-old Aaron Muzenda of Mhondoro. “Before that, we only knew the plough and the hoe.”
Brother Tendai Tamai, a Redemptorist from Tafara, also emphasised the Church’s dual responsibility.
“The Church has always played a role in developing communities. This celebration is an achievement for the Roman Catholic community. From time immemorial, the Church has worked hand-in-hand with government. We cannot cater for spiritual needs and neglect the physical well-being of the people.”
The event featured music, prayer, and a powerful youth drama depicting graduates falling into drug abuse. Martha Ncube, a congregant, said the performance moved her deeply.
“I felt like crying. The Church and government are working to fight drug abuse, but more must be done. Our youth are crying for help,” she said.
Despite historical tensions around colonialism, many Zimbabweans agree that missionaries played an instrumental role in shaping the country’s moral, educational, and developmental landscape. The centenary of Sacred Heart Cathedral was not only a moment of reflection, but a call to action for the future of faith-led community development in Zimbabwe
New Ziana
