Tadiwa Madava
On Saturday the 14th of May, Archbishop Robert Ndlovu commissioned the launch of the Regional Conference of Major Superiors of Southern Africa at St Michael’s in Harare.
The launch was attended by representatives of conferences of Major Religious Superiors from eight Angola, Botswana, Eswathini, Lesotho, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe.
Speaking at the launch, His Grace, Archbishop Robert Ndlovu (Archdiocese of Harare) urged the conference to have the church and the people of God at heart in its mission.
”Reach out to all the people of God and journey with the bishops so that there will be no misunderstandings, ” said the Archbishop.
In his address, he told the members of the Conference that regional unions are of great importance in preaching the gospel and it is key for them to work closely with the church authorities in various localities the conference will operate in.
His grace also urged the Conference to communicate with the church’s authorities in order to avoid misunderstandings.
The vision of the conference is to foster unity, dialogue and support among conferences and also to support the life and mission of the church through collaboration among nations as religious conferences.
In her address, the leader of the conference Sr Nkesani Shibambu (South Africa) ensured that the mission of the new born conference will respond to the pastoral needs of the church while revitalizing a wholistic approach to religious vocations to a life of holiness.
The Conference is symbolized with a Map- representing the unity of the countries in the conference, a Cross- representing Christ and the call to discipleship and, a Baobab implant representing the strength of each consecrated person to carry forward the conference’s commitment and purpose.
Also speaking at the launch, the Apostolic Nuncio to Zimbabwe, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli said the conference must answer the Holy Father’s call to a Synodal church by actively accompany the holy people of God during the Synodal process by encouraging, listening and discernment.
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