Zimbabwe Mission • Est. 1983
"The field is wide open, the needs are great, the youth are eager to learn and ready for deeper Christian commitment."
The launching of the Mission to Zimbabwe was due to the enthusiasm and commitment of Fr. Bob da Sylva... he announced that he was going to start even if it meant going alone. And he did go alone.
Fr. Eddie Risi OMI
Former Provincial of the Transvaal Vice-Province
The Beginning
North of the Limpopo
A new frontier for the Oblate charism
Bishop Henry Karlen CMM
Requested Oblates for Bulawayo Diocese
Inter-Provincial Conference
Keen to start a missio ad gentes
War-Ravaged Diocese
Most in need of priests after conflict
The Background
During the course of 1981, Father Paddy Hogan OMI, General Councillor for Africa at that time, explored the possibilities of going to Zimbabwe. This was because there had been several requests made by some of the Zimbabwean Bishops for Oblates, especially Bishop Henry Karlen CMM.
Moreover, the Inter-Provincial Conference in South Africa was keen to start a missio ad gentes. The diocese of Bulawayo (in the south of Zimbabwe) was chosen as the first place for the Oblates to work.
Bishop Karlen presented the best and motivating requests to the General Administration in Rome. Fr Hogan had been told by three of the Bishops in Zimbabwe that the Bulawayo Diocese was most in need of priests because it had been most cruelly ravaged by war.
All this was followed by a visit of the new General Councillor for Africa, Fr Thomas Manyeli OMI, and the Provincials of Transvaal and Natal, Fathers Paul Winters and Albert Danker OMI, to Zimbabwe in February 1982. They were accompanied by four other Oblates:
Fr. Da Sylva
Transvaal
Fr. Makhokolo
Transvaal
Fr. Purves
Natal
Fr. Boulle
Natal
On their return to South Africa, the enthusiasm of the six was very high. When the two Provincials consulted with their respective Provinces about the opening up of a new Mission north of the Limpopo River, the initial response was very positive and encouraging. As a result, the General Administration agreed to accept the Zimbabwe Mission.
The Pioneer
The man who went alone to start the Mission, even if it meant going by himself.
At the Missionary Congress of the Transvaal Province held in April 1983 in Hammanskraal, he announced that he was going to start even if it meant going alone. And he did go alone.
Bob was the vision of the Mission in those first years. He felt obliged to stay in the city to assist Bishop Karlen, but he dreamt of going to Regina Mundi and had a great liking for St. Paul's.
The Southern African Oblate Region undertook to support the Transvaal Province which had accepted the ultimate responsibility for this new territory. There was indeed reluctance to support this "foreign" venture on the part of the Oblate Bishops in South Africa, and many of the individual Oblates, because of the pressing need for more priests at home.
— Fr. Eddie Risi OMI
April 1983
Fr. Paul Winters OMI (Transvaal Provincial) brought Fr. Bob Robert de Sylva OMI to Bulawayo. The Mission had begun.
Fr. Bob remained at the Cathedral parish for three weeks and then went to the Parish of Our Lady of Lourdes. Fr. Paul Horrocks OMI arrived in early June and assisted Fr. Bob for a few months.
It was not until January 1987 that an agreement between Bishop Karlen and Fr. Edward Risi was drawn up. The Oblates would be responsible for Our Lady of Lourdes Parish and three missions in the Northern Deanery.
Pioneers of the Zimbabwe Mission
Our Lady of Lourdes
The visionary founder
Regina Mundi / St. Luke's
Arrived June 1983
St. Luke's Mission
Installed March 1984
Our Lady of Lourdes
From Natal, left 1984
1981 — Present
Key milestones in the journey of the Oblates in Zimbabwe.
1981
Exploration
General Councillor for Africa explores possibilities of going to Zimbabwe following requests from Zimbabwean Bishops, especially Bishop Henry Karlen CMM.
Fr. Thomas Manyeli OMI, Provincials Paul Winters and Albert Danker, and four other Oblates visit Zimbabwe. Enthusiasm is high. General Administration agrees to accept the Zimbabwe Mission.
1982
February
1983
April — The Beginning
Fr. Paul Winters brings Fr. Bob da Sylva to Bulawayo. Fr. Bob goes to Our Lady of Lourdes. Fr. Paul Horrocks arrives in June. The Zimbabwe Mission is launched.
"He announced he was going to start even if it meant going alone. And he did go alone."
After delays due to provincial changes and internal clashes, mission orientation including vision setting takes place in August 1984, led by Fr. Eddie Risi with Fr. Sean Connally as facilitator.
Fr. Augustine Makhokolo installed at St. Luke's (March). Fr. Horrocks transferred to St. Luke's (March). Fr. Colin Mason arrives from Natal (July) but leaves disappointed in December.
1984
Formation & Setup
1985
Consolidation
Fr. Colin Mason leaves for Australia. Fr. Dawid (CMM) elected provincial. Paul Horrocks at Regina Mundi, Augustine at St. Luke's, Lupane, and Bob at Our Lady of Lourdes. The core team is established.
Br. Malcolm Barber OMI arrives in May and is sent to Regina Mundi. Tragically, he dies of a heart attack on 7 September 1987.
The formal agreement with Bishop Karlen is drawn up: Oblates responsible for Our Lady of Lourdes and three missions in the Northern Deanery.
1987
January
1992
Formation Begins
After academic standards are lowered, vocations increase. Fr. Hugh Dalton OMI becomes Director of the Pre-Novitiate. The Pre-Novitiate opens at St. Luke's and later moves to Bulawayo in mid-April 1993.
The General Administration decides that the Natal Vice-Province will take over full responsibility for the Zimbabwe Mission. The year 2000 is designated as a "period of transition."
1999
Transition
2001
First Assembly
The first ever Assembly of the Oblates in Zimbabwe takes place from 22-26 January 2001 at Mazenod House. Oblates from Natal join local Oblates and five scholastics for profitable sharing and future planning.
Fr. Charles Rensburg becomes the first Zimbabwean-born Oblate to be ordained priest. He is assigned to the community at St. Luke's Mission. A new era of local vocations begins.
2006
January
2020
Expansion
The Oblates open a new Mission at St. John's Maraire in the Diocese of Masvingo. Fr. Charles Nabwenje and Fr. Karel Mec from the Czech Republic are the pioneers.
Ongoing Struggles
No undertaking ever runs perfectly smoothly. The Zimbabwe Mission has experienced significant challenges.
The Mission faces a personnel crisis. Most communities have only one Oblate. Lack of adequate financial resources stifles growth and consolidation of missionary presence.
Honouring contractual agreements with local Bishops has been a struggle, particularly regarding financial support for Missions and pastoral vehicles for priests.
Democratic spaces continue to shrink. Inflation remains high, the local currency performs poorly against the USD, and inconsistent policymaking makes planning difficult.
From 2024, drought hit most parts of Zimbabwe. Over three million people are in dire need of basic food aid. Animals are succumbing to drought in rural grazing lands.
The Mission lacks income-generating projects, leaving reliance on OIP investment and OMISA Province. This affects the dream of growth into a Delegation.
There is strong desire to develop Missions and Parishes. Large tracts of land could become agricultural projects or vocational training centres, but require funding.
2006 — Present
Since 2006, the Missionary Oblates of Mary in Zimbabwe have continued to grow through local vocations.
Zimbabwean-Born Oblates
2012 Onwards
Alvin Tshuma
Ndodana Tshuma
Temba Chipembere
Lucky Mandava
Phumulani Mlilo
Tembo Zhuva
Edward Chiutanyi
Ian Chitambo
Edmund Chiyaka
Priveledge Tshabalala
Philip Zimora
Plus Brothers Bruce Mwenda, John Nhlanhla Mhlanga & Njabulo Matthias Tavodzera
Current Missionaries in Zimbabwe
Fr. Aurelio Ayala
Pastor & Youth Ministry
Fr. Edmund Chiyaka
Pastor & Mission Bursar
Fr. Edward Chiutanyi
Formation Director
Fr. Themba Chipembere
Mission Superior
Br. Njabulo Tavodzera
House Superior & Bursar
Fr. Lucky Mandava
Priest in Charge & Vocation Promoter
Fr. Phumulani Mlilo
Priest in Charge & JPIC Member
Fr. Charles Nabwenje
Pastor (Diocese of Masvingo)
Fr. Christopher Chipapata
Joining the Mission
Our Work
The Oblates in Zimbabwe exercise very diverse ministries but above all seek to dedicate themselves to the poor and abandoned.
Administering sacraments, catechism, youth ministry, parish administration and care for the sick across six parishes in two dioceses.
The Pre-Novitiate prepares candidates before entering the novitiate. Oblates also assist seminarians and candidates of other religious congregations.
Three youth ministry animators work with youth at diocesan and parish levels through conferences, congresses, retreats and seminars.
Working with MAMI (Missionary Association of Mary Immaculate) and various programs for the spiritual growth of laity who help the poor.
Being in solidarity with the poor, conducting justice and peace seminars, promoting environmental care, and praying for justice.
Bringing people to wholeness in Christ through prayers of healing, herbal treatment, and visiting the sick and elderly in their homes.
Looking Ahead
The future looks promising. And if the necessary sacrifices are made in the supply of suitable personnel, there is hope to believe that the Zimbabwe Mission will grow into a Delegation of Missionary Oblates available for various evangelizing ministries not only in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo but in other parts of Zimbabwe as well.
"The field is wide open, the needs are great, the youth, which make up the greater proportion of the population, are eager to learn and ready for deeper Christian commitment."
They need attentive and skilful missionaries, holy men ready to give themselves to a variety of ministries in the areas of:
First Evangelization
Revitalization of Faith
Rural Mission Preaching
Youth Work
Biblical Apostolate
HIV/AIDS Ministry
With an increase in vocations to the Diocesan clergy, chances are that the Oblates will never become confined to parochial ministry in Zimbabwe, but will have the opportunity to find creative ways of evangelizing the poor "with their many faces".
The Zimbabwe Oblate Mission has potential to grow. Each Oblate works hard for the growth of the Mission. Oblates exercise very diverse ministries but above all seek to dedicate themselves to the poor and abandoned.
"We must strive first of all to lead people to act like human beings, and then like Christians, and finally, we must help them to become saints."
— St. Eugene de Mazenod