Director of Ceremonies, Father Gilbert Chibira;
The Archbishop of Harare, His Grace Robert Christopher Ndlovu;
The Main Celebrant and President of the Inter-regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa, Archbishop of Windhoek-Namibia, His Grace Liborious Nashenda;
Vice President of the Inter-regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa, Archbishop of Saurimo-Angola, His Grace José Imbamba;
The Apostolic Nuncio to Zimbabwe, Janusz Urbańczyk;
Secretary General of the Inter-regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa, Bishop Rudolph Nyandoro;
Inter-regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa Committee Members here present;
All the Bishops here present;
Priests, Brothers and Sisters;
Distinguished Congregants.
Good morning to you all.
It is my great honor to stand before you today, on behalf of the President of the Republic of Zimbabwe, His Excellency Dr. Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, at this Mass to celebrate the Golden Jubilee of the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa (IMBISA). This Mass not only marks fifty years of remarkable collaboration but also celebrates the enduring commitment of the Church to the well-being of humanity and the advancement of our communities.
I am informed that the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa was established in 1975, and Zimbabwe had the distinct honor of hosting its first Plenary Assembly from August 22 to 24, 1984, at Chishawasha, near Harare. It was during that meeting that the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference invited the IMBISA Secretariat, originally based in Swaziland to establish its offices here in Harare.
Today, we are proud that the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference is hosting the IMBISA Standing Committee, the Executive Committee of IMBISA, in its final preparatory meeting for the upcoming Plenary Assembly, which will be held in Eswatini from September 24 to 29 this year. It is, therefore, both fitting and appropriate that the Government of Zimbabwe joins you in celebrating fifty years of existence.
Esteemed Members of the Clergy and Congregants,
As you celebrate fifty years since the formation of the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa, I urge you to reflect on how far you have come and whether you have achieved the objectives set during the formative years of the organization. I also encourage you to embrace, adapt and resolve the evolving challenges and demands of today’s Church.
May your deliberations in the upcoming Plenary Assembly in Eswatini bring many blessings to the Catholic Church and to all the people of our region. The Jubilee celebrations come perfectly in the right season of our Christian life. This is the period in which we remember that God, our Father, send his only Son into the world for our salvation. This is also the Lent Season which is at the heart of our Lord Jesus Christ’s mission where we celebrate the abundance of grace, redemption and salvation. Furthermore, this is the season of repentance and fasting. At the same time, we are in the Jubilee 2025 with the theme Pilgrims of Hope which started on Christmas Eve in December 2024 by the opening of the Holy Door of St. Peter’s Basilica by our Holy Father Pope Francis.
Distinguished Bishops,
You are not just spiritual leaders, but pastoral shepherds who guide your congregations with wisdom, compassion, and unwavering commitment. Your roles within the Church are multi-layered. Beyond providing spiritual nourishment, you are entrusted with fostering a sense of community, promoting moral values and inspiring believers to live lives of integrity and service.
In a regional context, your leadership becomes even more essential, as you serve as intermediaries who facilitate collaboration across different congregations and denominations. Through your collective efforts, you ensure that a unified voice is heard on matters of faith and public concern, with regional initiatives grounded in compassion and justice, cultivating a culture of mutual respect and understanding.
Furthermore, the Church’s role in community and nation-building is indispensable, with bishops like you at the forefront of efforts to address social injustices, combat poverty and provide vital humanitarian aid. You mobilize your congregations to engage in outreach programs, ensuring that marginalized and vulnerable members of society are not overlooked. I encourage you to continue using the Inter-Regional Meeting of Bishops of Southern Africa as a platform to strengthen relationships across boundaries, fostering the sharing of resources, knowledge and experiences that advance your collective mission.
Esteemed Members of the Clergy,
As we embark on the path toward sustainable development in Zimbabwe and the broader Southern Africa region, the Church, under the guidance of its bishops, holds a unique and powerful position to influence both spiritual and socio-economic progress. The principles of stewardship, care for creation, and social responsibility are essential to advancing peace, unity, equality, environmental sustainability, and economic stability. By aligning our faith-based initiatives with the Sustainable Development Goals, we can forge a holistic approach that nurtures both the soul and the environment, laying the foundation for a brighter, more equitable future for all.
Equally important is the continued fostering of spiritual growth, which must remain at the heart of our collective journey. In the supportive embrace of our faith, individuals find both purpose and direction. Bishops are instrumental in guiding this spiritual growth, fostering an environment where believers can engage deeply in reflection, worship and service. Through spiritual development programs, we not only strengthen the Church but also empower individuals to make meaningful contributions to the betterment of society.
Esteemed Bishops and Congregants,
I am informed that the theme for the upcoming Plenary Assembly is Synodality, which means “walking together on the road.” I, therefore, urge you to continue in the spirit of unity and collaboration as you journey ahead into the future. Walking together means continuously exploring ways to enhance cooperation within the region. I implore you to always introspect and ensure that the activities of the organization remain aligned with the ideals set forth by the founding fathers of 1975.
In that regard, I encourage you to remain ever-guided by the Holy Father’s message to the first Plenary Assembly held here in Zimbabwe, where Pope St. John Paul II said:
“In One Spirit, With One Mind, Striving Side by Side.” This is the interior disposition of heart that animates you as you gather to examine the realities of your local Churches, in relation to each other, and in the context of the concrete challenges you face. In doing so, you give expression to the collegial nature of your episcopal office. May the Lord abundantly bless your fraternal charity, your openness to each other and your communion in faith and Christian life!
Distinguished Members of the Clergy and Congregants,
As we celebrate this Golden Jubilee, let us renew our commitment to our shared mission. The challenges we face, while formidable, are not insurmountable when we join hands in cooperation and compassion. Let us continue to work together, Government and Church to promote health, education, and social justice for all.
As it is written in the Gospel according to St. Mark, chapter 12 verses 28 to 34, may the spirit of love to our Lord, our God, which is the greatest commandment of all, and secondly the love of our neighbour as we love ourselves, that has brought us to this milestone Jubilee Celebrations, continue to inspire us in the years to come. This is more important than any burnt offering or sacrifice. Together, we can build a brighter future for Southern Africa, guided by our shared values of love, respect and dignity for every individual.
Congratulations once again on fifty years of partnership, dedication, and unwavering faith. May God bless each and every one of you, and may we continue this journey together, united in purpose and vision.
Thank you.