Zimbabwe
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Population: 11.4 million
Life expectancy male/female: 50/52 years (1995)
Infant mortality rate: 67‰ |
Religions: Anglicans 36%; Catholics 15%;
Presbyterians 12%; Methodist 9%, Animists.
Independence: 18 April 1980 (from the UK)
GDP per capita: US$ 510 (1995) |
History
The Spiritan mission in Zimbabwe was started by a small group of
Spiritans from the Province of Nigeria in 1984 in response to an
appeal for help by the Diocese of Mutare. As the group grew the
Spiritans have been invited to open new missions in the Archdiocese
of Harare in 1994 and the diocese of Gokwe in 1995. The group was
raised to the status of a District in 1995.
Statistics
Zimbabwe is a country of about 11 million people, 97% Africans,
3% coloured and white people. 55% are Christians (9% Catholics with
7 Dioceses). Many people are adherents of African Traditional Religion.
Presently there are 12 Spiritans in the District. The Province
of Nigeria has been its main source of personnel. A South African
confrere who belongs to SCAF worked in the group for some time before
returning to South Africa.
Missionary engagements
- Parish work in areas of primary evangelisation;
- Education - as teachers, chaplains and administrators in secondary
schools. They hope to get involved in a tertiary institution;
- The promotion of local vocation: one of the confreres is the
Diocesan Director of vocations;
- The promotion of financial self reliance to cut down the dependence
of the parishes and the dioceses on external aid;
- Administration: one confrere was the secretary of the Bishop
of Mutare;
- Youth ministry;
- Refugee ministry till the end of the civil war in Mozambique.
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