Bishop Mutume laid to rest

THOUSANDS of Catholics and people from all walks of life on Saturday thronged St Dominic’s High School grounds in Mutare to bid farewell to the late Auxiliary Bishop of the Roman Catholic Diocese of Mutare, Right Reverend Patrick Mumbure Mutume.

Rt Rev Mutume (74) died at his home in Hospital Hill in Mutare on Wednesday after suffering from a kidney ailment, which was diagnosed in 2008.

Speakers at the burial described the late cleric as a dedicated Christian who fought for the freedom of the local people from colonialism as well as a unifier after Independence in 1980.

Government ministers Cdes Ignatius Chombo, Joseph Made, Patrick Chinamasa and Mandi Chimene were among the mourners, who included high-ranking clerics from varied Christian denominations in the country and beyond.

Addressing the mourners, Cde Chimene said the late bishop played a leading role in the liberation struggle, as well as creating harmony among political parties in the country.

“Manicaland will request — I know it’s already taken because the person for administration (Dr Chombo) is here – for the late bishop to be accorded hero status,” she said.

“We have requested that he be accorded hero status for the country because he worked for us. It is important that we acknowledge the good work he did for Zimbabwe.”

Cde Chimene said the late bishop spoke his mind and in so doing, imparted words of wisdom that were constructive.

She said the church must play a leading role in solving endless political fights that are bent on derailing development in the country.

The late Bishop Mutume, she said, wanted unity of purpose among Zimbabweans.

Bishop of Gweru Monsignor Xavier Munyongani said he lost a dedicated colleague who worked hard to convert many to Christianity.

Bishop Mutume was born in October 1943.

He was ordained to priesthood on September 3, 1973, and subsequently appointed auxiliary bishop of Mutare in 1979 after the expulsion of the Bishop of Mutare, the late Rt Rev Donal Lamont, by the Rhodesian government because of his support for the Zimbabwe liberation war.

He was consecrated on June 17, 1979 at Sakubva Stadium.

Bishop Mutume was once in charge of all the guilds of the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe under the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference.

He is credited with uniting the Marian Guilds in Zimbabwe so that they become one family to show the universality of the Catholic Church.

Bishop Mutume was also the Bishop President of all the laity in Zimbabwe.

He embarked on numerous rescue operations in war zones during the liberation struggle like Avilla in Nyanga and Nyanyadzi, sometimes driving in his sleeping gown to evacuate nuns in missions who were under threat from Rhodesian soldiers.

He also played a leading role when the church was called on to mediate after the 2008 elections impasse, which led to the Global Political Agreement and subsequently the formation of the inclusive Government.