Leonard Ncube and Sr. Mufaro Chakuinga LCBL
HWANGE Diocese had a great start to the year with a deaconate ordination of Ministers Brian Dube, Paul Praise Muunga and Morris Pisani Nyoni on 14 January 2023.
Rev. Deacon Dube is from St Joseph’s Makwika, Rev. Deacon Muunga from St. Theresa Empumalanga and Rev. Deacon Morris from St. Mary’s, all in Hwange Deanery.
Hundreds of the Catholic community drawn from all Hwange Diocese’s five deaneries of Victoria Falls, Hwange, Dete, Binga, Lupane, attended the ordination Mass and ceremony at St. Ignatius Cathedral, amid jubilation.
Scores of priests and religious sisters from across the diocese, some from the Archdiocese of Bulawayo and South Africa attended.
The Bishop of Hwange, Rt. Rev Raphael Ncube led ordination mass, assisted by Bishop Emeritus Albert Serrano and others including the Vicar General Rev. Fr. Jabulani Nyoni.
The singing, dancing and dressing depicted the cross cultural set-up of Hwange, a rainbow diocese boasting of multiple languages.
In his Homily, Right Rev. Ncube appreciated the representation of different cultures and languages by the diocesan choir.
He said having three deacons ordained on the same day was a sign of growth for the church in Hwange.
The Bishop said being a deacon symbolises the servant leadership exhibited by Jesus during his ministry.
He said God will never go wrong, and what he has chosen pleases him.
“Today is a big day where three are being called. A deacon is God’s servant, a leader who leads and guide God’s people to right eternal life. Jesus was a good servant,” said Rt. Rev Ncube.
He added that being a deacon means being humble and allowing God to rule on our lives.
“They are called like Deacons Steven, Philip, Nicholas and others. They have chosen a path that people out there think they are abnormal. They need to live a life of prayer, life of celibacy. Encourage them to pray.”
To the new Ministers who were accompanied by their parents, the Bishop said: “You have grown, you are now leaders together with us. Receive this gift of humbleness, strive to be pure.”
He reminded the trio that the church ministry is not a profession but a vocation which needs radicalism.
Meanwhile, six deacons were also ordained in the Archdiocese of Harare on the same day. The six are Rev. Dehwe Wilfred from St. Peter’s Mbare, Rev. Jingisoni Gift and Rev. Rupeyo Matthew from St. Monica Chitungwiza, Rev. Karuni Edmore from St. James Kadoma, Rev. Kazingizi Stanslous and Rev. Zhudanti Timmy both from All Souls Mission and were ordained at the Sacred Heart Cathedral by Archbishop Robert Ndlovu. Archbishop Robert Ndlovu asked the parishioners to support and pray for the deacons. He said the parishioners will confirm whether the deacons are suitable for ordination as priests when the time comes.
“Let us pray for the newly ordained deacons, help them to know their work, encourage them to be at the service of others since they will be assigned to work with you in different missions. Around May or June this year, we will ask you parishioners to confirm whether these deacons are suitable for ordination as priests or can be good laymen,” Archbishop Ndlovu said.
