By Portia Muzorava
The Apostolic Churches Council of Zimbabwe (ACCZ) has been applauded for its continued efforts to promote education, access to healthcare and the protection of children during the ordination of eight bishops in Karoi, Mashonaland West, last week.
The ordination ceremony was held at Chikangwe High School and brought together church leaders from Zion, Apostolic and Pentecostal denominations.
The event was attended by the Hurungwe District Police Officer in Charge, Chief Chundu of Hurungwe, the Hurungwe District Development Coordinator, who represented the Mashonaland West Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Honourable Marian Chombo, and Supreme Court Judge Justice Alfas Chitakunye.
Honourable Chombo was the guest of honour.
Speaking at the ceremony, ACCZ President Archbishop Dr Tobias Zunguzira urged the newly ordained bishops to use their positions to promote the well-being of congregants and communities.
He challenged the bishops to continue encouraging parents and guardians to send their children to school, seek medical assistance when necessary and support initiatives aimed at combating drug and substance abuse.
Archbishop Zunguzira also called on church leaders to intensify efforts to end child marriages and underage marriages, which continue to threaten the rights, safety and future of children.
“As church leaders, we have a responsibility to guide our congregants towards decisions that protect life, promote education and strengthen families. Our churches must continue encouraging parents to keep children in school, seek medical help when necessary and protect children from early and forced marriages,” he said.
He added that the church had an important role to play in addressing social challenges affecting communities, particularly young people.
The ACCZ National Chairperson, Bishop Dr D. Chakwenya, said the church is committed to supporting the Second Republic’s Vision 2030 through programmes that respond to the needs of communities.
Bishop Chakwenya said the church is contributing to national development by participating in the fight against drug and substance abuse and initiating projects targeting young people and women.
“As the church, we are committed to supporting the national development agenda through practical programmes that improve the lives of our people. We are helping in the fight against drug and substance abuse while also encouraging projects that empower the youth and women to become productive members of society,” he said.
ACCZ Vice President Bishop Veronica Kwati, popularly known as Madzimai Vero, said the church has a responsibility to complement government efforts by supporting families and promoting the welfare of children and vulnerable members of society.
“Our calling goes beyond the pulpit. We must be present in the lives of our communities by encouraging education, supporting access to healthcare and protecting children from abuse, early marriages and other social challenges. When the church works together with government and other stakeholders, we can build stronger families and a better future for our nation,” she said.
The guest of honour commended the ACCZ for continuously advocating for the formalisation of indigenous churches.
In a speech that was read on her behalf, Hon. Chombo said formal recognition of indigenous churches would help ensure that they were included in future government programmes and development initiatives.
Hon. Chombo noted that churches played an important role in reaching communities and mobilising people around national programmes.
She encouraged the newly ordained bishops to work closely with government and other stakeholders in addressing challenges affecting their congregants.
ACCZ Chief Organiser Archbishop Madhovi said the ordination was part of a broader programme to strengthen church leadership across the country.
He revealed that the council had ordained 13 bishops in Zvishavane, Midlands Province, the previous month, while eight bishops were ordained in Karoi.
He added that the ACCZ would ordain 25 more bishops in Masvingo Province later this month.
Archbishop Madhovi said the ordinations were aimed at strengthening the leadership structures of the church and ensuring that bishops were adequately positioned to guide congregants and support community development.
The ceremony also provided an opportunity for church leaders to reaffirm their commitment to working with government and traditional leaders in promoting peace, social responsibility and development.
The ACCZ leadership said the church will continue using its influence to promote education, healthcare, youth empowerment, women’s economic participation and the protection of children.
The ordination of the eight bishops in Karoi therefore marked not only a significant development in the spiritual leadership of the ACCZ, but also a renewed commitment by the church to contribute to the social and economic development of Zimbabwe.
