Zimbabwe: Bishops urge national renewal, compassion, and responsible stewardship in Advent

Sr Christine Masivo and Paul Samasumo – Vatican City. 

This year’s Advent season, which began on Sunday, 30 November, comes at a moment of deep reflection for the universal Church. The Catholic Bishops of Zimbabwe say that Advent is not simply the beginning of a new liturgical year in the Church’s calendar. They described the Jubilee of Hope 2025 as a profound period of grace that should impact the lives of the faithful.

The Bishops are particularly pleased that many people from Zimbabwe joined the millions of pilgrims from around the world who converged on the city of Rome, seeking renewal through prayers, pilgrimages to holy sites, and passing through the Holy Door of the Basilica of Saint Peter and other basilicas in Rome. 

The poor are our friends, neighbours

The Bishops warn the faithful against viewing the poor as a problem or a burden in their midst.

“As we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ — born in poverty and simplicity — our thoughts naturally turn to the poor. Their cry is a painful reality we cannot ignore: … ‘On the wounded faces of the poor, we see the suffering of the innocent and the suffering of Christ Himself,’” the Bishops write. They continue, “The poor are never a burden to be managed nor a problem to be ignored. They are part of our family — our mothers and fathers, sons and daughters, neighbours and friends. A nation’s moral and spiritual health is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members. In this regard, we still have work to do,” say the ZCBC prelates. 

Responsible stewardship

The message of the Bishops further expresses concerns about the plight of ordinary Zimbabweans and how they are treated and exploited for their labour.

ZCBC voice concern over the widespread displacement of villagers from ancestral lands to make way for investors.

Speaking about the environment, the Bishops caution against the indiscriminate exploitation and destruction of the country’s natural resources, which has led to communities losing homes, livelihoods, and productive land. Zimbabwe’s gold, platinum, and diamond mining are a significant part of the country’s export earnings. The Bishop’s Pastoral Statement is therefore a plea for safeguards to protect vulnerable local communities.

“True development cannot arise from the ruin of ecosystems or the suffering of communities displaced by extractive industries. Ecological conversion must begin with the recognition that everything is interconnected: the well-being of people, the health of the environment, and the moral fabric of society. We therefore call for a renewed national commitment to responsible stewardship — where economic progress goes hand in hand with environmental protection, and where the needs of the poor are placed above the pursuit of profit.”