Catholic Bishops in Zimbabwe Urged to Turn Synodality into Concrete Pastoral Action

The ZCBC President noted that the meeting is taking place as the country continues to face significant social and economic difficulties.

“We meet at a time when our nation continues to face a number of challenges. Economic hardship, unemployment, poverty, drug and substance abuse, family instability, and the erosion of ethical values continue to affect our many communities,” he said. 

Bishop Mupandasekwa also expressed concern about “corruption, abuse of office, and social divisions that weaken the pursuit of the common good,” while emphasizing that the Church remains rooted in Christian hope.

“We gather not in despair but in hope, convinced that Christ continues to walk with his people and that the Holy Spirit guides his Church,” the Zimbabwean member of the Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer (C.SS.R/Redemptorists) said.

Reaffirming the commitment of Zimbabwe’s Catholic Bishops to accompany the faithful, he went on to highlighted the work of the Conference’s commissions and institutions in evangelization, education, justice, family life, safeguarding, and social transformation.

“As Bishops, we remain committed to accompanying the people of God spiritually, morally, and pastorally. Through our various commissions and institutions, the conference promotes evangelization, human development, justice education, family life, safeguarding, and social transformation,” he said.

He paid particular attention to the work of Caritas Zimbabwe, saying the Church’s humanitarian agency “has remained active in disaster risk reduction, livelihood support, water and sanitation programs, protection initiatives, and humanitarian response, while also strengthening institutional accountability and coordination.”

The Bishop also pointed to growth in missionary activity, digital evangelization, and lay formation through the Zimbabwe Catholic Commission for the Laity, which promotes “Conversation in the Spirit” as a practical expression of synodality.

“These initiatives are helping to form young people and lay faithful who can contribute positively to both the Church and society,” he said.

Looking ahead, Bishop Mupandasekwa challenged delegates to ensure that the deliberations of the Plenary assembly bear lasting pastoral fruit.