VICE President, General (Retired) Dr Constantino Chiwenga has urged the church to reaffirm its responsibility as a guiding force through moral turbulence by steadfastly leading society back onto the righteous path.
The Vice President was speaking at the ordination of thirteen Roman Catholic priests in Harare, where he highlighted the need for spiritual leadership in countering growing moral decadence in communities.
Attended by hundreds of clergy, seminarians, and parishioners, the rites included the traditional laying‑on of hands, anointing, and the presentation of sacred vestments by the Archbishop of Harare, His Grace Robert Christopher Ndlovu, signifying the sacramental embrace of Holy Orders as per Catholic tradition.
In his homily, Father Owen Kudumba urged the new priests to embrace their spiritual responsibilities.
“You now must lead the flock, and I trust you will conduct your duties faithfully according to God’s word. Prayer and the bible should always be your compass to guide you,” he said.
The Vice President urged the newly ordained priests to embrace their expanded moral influence.
“In your ministry, your voice will now carry great influence. Use it to shape the moral and ethical standards in our communities. In an era marked by social dislocation and moral ambiguity, your example can foster values such as integrity, justice, and compassion. As Mattew
5:14 reminds us: ‘You are the light of the world.
“A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ‘Let your life and ministry be a light that guides others to God.’ I urge you to take an active role in confronting some of the pressing issues afflicting our society, especially the scourge of drug and substance abuse. This pandemic is decimating our youth and corroding the fabric of our families. As spiritual leaders, you are uniquely positioned to provide hope, counsel, and transformative guidance. Be courageous. ‘Speak out,” he noted.
Parents and guardians of the newly ordained priests were overwhelmed by joy and unwavering hope in the spiritual leadership their sons will offer in the church.
“He is the first son from our family to be ordained a priest, and we are really happy and honoured to have a son who will be serving the church. I have always known that my son would one day be a priest because that’s what he always said and prayed for, and today I am hopeful that our prayers have been answered,” a parent of the ordained priest said.
The Thirteen newly ordained priests now bolster Zimbabwe’s national clergy, joining a Catholic priesthood of more than 800 who are doing pastoral and sacramental work across the country.
