Huge send-off for Catholic Bishop Muchabaiwa
THE unsung hero who consecrated the National Heroes’ Acre and presided over the burial of liberation war icons Cdes Josiah Magama Tongogara and Jason Ziyapapa Moyo, the late Roman Catholic Church bishop for Mutare Diocese, Bishop Alexio Churu Muchabaiwa received a befitting send-off when thousands of people from across the country converged in Mutare and Triashill Mission in Mutasa to bid him farewell yesterday. From as early as 6am, St Dominic’s High School in Mutare, where his interment mass was held, was a hive of activity and mourners from all walks of life converged to bid farewell to the first black bishop of Mutare Diocese.
Among the mourners was Acting President, Dr Constantino Chiwenga, who is also a devoted Catholic; as well as his wife, Colonel Miniyothabo Baloyi-Chiwenga.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs and Devolution, Advocate Misheck
Mugadza; Zanu PF treasurer-general, Cde Patrick Chinamasa; legislators, Cdes Gertrude Mutandi and Stanley Sakupwanya; Zanu PF provincial chairman, Cde Tawanda Mukodza and Central Committee member, Cde Isau Mupfumi also graced the event.
The late Bishop Muchabaiwa served together with the late auxiliary bishop, Bishop Patrick Mutume.
Catholic bishops from across Zimbabwe, among them Archbishop of Harare Archdiocese, Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu;
Bishop Paul Horan (Mutare Diocese); Bishop Raymond Mupandasekwa (Masvingo); Bishop Rudolf Nyandoro (Gweru); Bishop Rachel Ncube (Hwange); Bishop Eusebius Nyathi (Gokwe) and Pope Francis’ representative in Zimbabwe, Father Marciano Philippe Fabion were also present.
Archbishop Ndlovu led the mass, while Father Henry Wasosa’s sermon touched many hearts. When Bishop Muchabaiwa was ordained as bishop in 1982, Mutare Diocese
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