By Fr. Methuli Lanele Moyo
Runyowa village in Gutu enjoyed a colourful weekend as scores of people from far and wide gathered to celebrate Bishop Rudolph Nyandoro’s priestly silver Jubilee at his rural home. The thanksgiving celebration was held on Saturday 27 April. Priests, religious and laity, pastors from other churches, the representative of Chief Gutu including officials from the Government of Zimbabwe attended this joyful celebration.
Bishop Nyandoro was ordained a priest on the 19th of December 1999 in Kwekwe at St. Edwards parish. An initial celebration of his jubilee was held at diocesan level on the 23rd of December 2023 at Regina Mundi in Gweru. Remembering his roots, Bishop Nyandoro took the celebrations and thanksgiving to his rural home under St. Michael’s Runyowa parish in Masvingo diocese. He presided over the Holy Mass, concelebrated by Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa, the Bishop of Masvingo diocese, and many other priests. Bishop Nyandoro invited congregants to join him in thanking God for calling him and guiding him this far. He pledged all gifts that he would receive to be channelled towards seminarians and Children’s Homes in the diocese of Gweru. He said, “Today l am much more delighted to see children and seminarians joining me in the thanksgiving for my jubilee. These young people remain in my heart as l desire that we all put a hand in shaping them to be the future Church.”
Fr. Patrick Marimazhira of Masvingo diocese delivered the homily in which he stated the renewal of life and faith brought forth by the celebration of a Jubilee. Relating to the words of Christ who said “l am the bread of life” (John 6:35), Fr. Marimazhira called all to participate in the prevailing spirit of the Bishop’s jubilee by embracing everyone they meet in life especially; those who might have been thrown into dungeons of unforgiveness. His words drove the congregation to an understanding of remaining connected to Christ which begins by connecting and relating well with one’s fellow brothers and sisters.
Bishop Mupandasekwa thanked Bishop Nyandoro for the noble and humble gesture of coming back to his home in Runyowa to celebrate such a special occasion with his people. “May the diocese of Gweru which you lead,” he said, “be blessed with the development which we profoundly know you of, so that the people of God and the whole church can benefit”.
General Engelbert Rugeje attended the celebrations standing in for the Vice President of the Republic of Zimbabwe Dr. Constantino Chiwenga who could not attend because of official duty elsewhere. In the speech he gave on behalf of the Vice President, General Rugeje said, “State and Church relations go far back in time”. He referred to the inauguration of the first Prime Minister and President in Zimbabwe in 1980 where the ceremony was led in prayer by the late Archbishop of Harare, Archbishop Patrick Chakaipa, and went on to say, “Government invites the Church to come to dialogue whenever it sees the need.”
Bishop Nyandoro thanked all who graced the occasion, acknowledging the presence of pastors and church leaders from other denominations including Bishop Fungai Elfigio Mandizvidza of the Anglican Church from St. Gabriel’s Pro-Cathedral in Mhondoro Ngezi, as well as headman Verenga Zvegona the deputy of Chief Gutu. He thanked all who stretched their hands to see through the success of the celebrations and all who support him in his vocation and ministry.
Mass was followed by a brief prayer service for the deceased members of the Bishop’s family and a wonderful luncheon and a social afternoon in the mood of the celebration.
SCENES AT RUNYOWA, GUTU
Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa: Bishop of Masvingo Diocese
Sr. Christophora Mukaro (SJI): Bishop Nyandoro’s high school teacher
Some of Bishop Nyandoro’s seminary classmates. From left to right: Fr. Claudio Ziumbwa (Gweru), Fr. Amon Mharadzano (Gokwe) and Fr. Joachim Ngun’u (Gweru).
Headman Verenga Zvegona, deputy to Chief Gutu.
