By Nobert Rwodzi SJ and Kuda Matambo
The Catholic Diocese of Gweru, together with the country’s Catholic fraternity is mourning
the death of Gweru Diocese’s Bishop Emeritus, Rev Martin Munyayi who died on Sunday
the 15 th of May 2022.
He was 66 and only served 8 years as a prelate of the diocese before retiring due to ill health.
Born in a family of 7, Bishop Munyanyi was the 6 th , born to parents Paul and Regina
Munyanyi.
A native of Masvingo, he was born at Silveira Mission Hospital on the 3 rd of January 1956.
He attended Beadmore Primary School in Bikita and Silveira High School .
He was ordained a priest on the 3 rd of September 1983, in the then Diocese of Gweru.
Described as jovial, relaxed and free spirited, Bishop Munyanyi worked in various missions
such as St Augustine Seminary in Bulawayo, Berejena in Masvingo as well as Chiredzi
among others.
He was appointed Bishop of Gweru Diocese, by Pope Benedict XVI in May 2006 appointed
and was consecrated and installed at Mkoba Stadium on the 26th of August the same year.
Serving only a few years, he resigned on the 12 th of April 2012, due to ill health and was
succeeded by the late Bishop Xavier Munyongani who served only 4 years as Bishop from
2013 to 2017.
The late Bishop Martin Munyanyi took the reins after the death of Bishop Xavier Mugadzi
who was consecrated Bishop in 1989 and died in 2004.
Before Bishop Mugadzi, the Catholic Diocese of Gweru had Reverends Tobias Wunganayi
Chiginya (1977 to 1987) and Aloysius Haene SBM (1947 to 1977) as bishops.
After he complained of ill health, the late Martin Munyanyi retired to a calm and serene home
in Shurugwi, where he resided till his health deteriorated.
Fr Simon Mavhiya, Gweru Diocese’s Vicar General, confirmed Bishop Emeritus’ death
through a letter saying the prelate collapsed and died at his home.
“To all priests, religious brothers and sisters and all the lay faithful, dear brethren, my dear
brothers and sisters in the Lord it is with a heavy heart to announce to you the sudden passing
on of Bishop Emeritus Martin Munyanyi of Gweru Diocese, who collapsed and died at his
home in Shurugwi,” said Rev Mavhiya.
According to the diocese’s announcement, a mass will be celebrated at the late’s home in
Shurugwi on Thursday 19 May and then at Regina Mundi (Gweru) on Friday the 20th.
A vigil mass will be celebrated at the Diocese’s Driefontein mission on the same Friday in
the evening and the funeral Mass will be held at the same venue on Saturday the 21 st before
his burial.
English