Zim Catholic bishops pray for licensing of Radio Maria

ZIMBABWE’S Catholic bishops are optimistic that authorities will speed up the licensing of Radio Maria for the benefit of all Christians in the country. Radio Maria is a Catholic nonprofit broadcasting entity currently operating in 71 countries in the world, with Zambia, Tanzania and Botswana being among the 25 African countries currently enjoying its services.

Marshall Pemhiwa, president of the Radio Maria Association, explained that the radio would fully comply with the laws of the land in its everyday operations.

“We confirm that our role is to comply fully with the laws of the country.

“We are part of the World Radio Maria Associations, Foundations or National Institutions, these are notfor-profit associations recognised and delegated by the World Family of Radio Maria in their country to develop the Radio Maria Project.

“They are granted the Radio Maria trademark and are committed to guaranteeing the respect and values according to the project”, he said.

Veronica Mwita, promotion supervisor at the World Family of Radio Maria Africa, says the vision behind the project is to deepen and broaden Catholic and Christian values for all people.

“Radio Maria is for the people, thus any Christian fellowship is free to use Radio Maria for group prayers, Holy Mass, seminars.

“Through broadcasting Catholic fellowship activities, it creates awareness, it provides knowledge among other variables to all who follow the programs thus many can join in the fellowship, get knowledge.

“As this radio is international, one fellowship from one country can connect via the web, application or satellite and pray together from anywhere in the world,” she explains.

Pemhiwa added that the licencing authorities and their superior structures are important stakeholders if Radio Maria is to ever rock the Zimbabwean airwaves.

He expanded to say the Catholic community in Zimbabwe have had opportunities to register their intentions.

“Meetings were held with Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Council (ZCBC) representatives in January and February 2020. The project is fully endorsed by the ZCBC and this is welcome as the project needs all the support.

“During the same engagements, we made an appeal to the ZCBC to formally introduce the project to the Catholic community in Zimbabwe, he added.

He explained that “This was done through a letter which was dispatched to all dioceses in Zimbabwe and communicated to Catholics through various platforms.

“Stakeholder engagement is an ongoing process which we consider a priority, and we will continue to give it the focus it deserves,” he said.

Paolo Taffuri, World Family of Radio Maria Africa co-ordinator, explained that the desire to communicate the Gospel of God remains the key principle of the radio station.

“The objective of Radio Maria is evangelisation, which is conducted by spreading the Good News of the Kingdom of God and promoting the integral development of human beings.

“Radio Maria is an association of lay people who are committed to serve God and the Church through radio broadcasting, availing a communication platform to the Church.

“Radio Maria does not have advertisement, it is supported exclusively by its listeners and good willing people who believe the Gospel is worthy to be spread through media”, said Paulo.

Most Catholics in Zimbabwe are of the view that the project is long overdue calling on authorities to speed up the licensing process.

A Catholic nun from Zaka, Rumbidzai Leah Mujaji, said society currently had more questions than answers which could only come from the Lord.

She explained that Radio Maria would go a long way in connecting Christian fellowship with God, particularly in the current trying times.

“The radio will significantly impact on Christian fellowship in Zimbabwe. In fact, it would be very exciting to receive the Gospel of God in the comfort of our homes.

“I would expect the radio to touch the airwaves as soon as possible.

“It is something that many Christians would want ’, she said.

The Christian fellowship is Zimbabwe believes that communicating Christ through radio broadcasting has the capacity to reach out to many lost souls.

Radio Maria certainly is critical on human social development.

In fact, when the local church expresses the desire to have Radio Maria as in the case with Zimbabwe, officers of World Family of Radio Maria work with the church to first establish a national Association Radio Maria and then moves on to set up the radio station.

This process usually takes between one and three years to launch the radio from the first call by the local Ccs length of time is due to the process of obtaining a broadcasting licence, which varies depending on local communication authorities’ procedures.

However, in some countries this process is quick whilst in other countries it may take much more time.