The Diocese of Mutare & The Carmelites in Zimbabwe - the Irish ...

INTRODUCTION TO THIS COLLECTION & PUBLICATIONS IN RECENT YEARS
The following ‘collection’ is an attempt to further provide information and to inform the reader of
developments since the publication of ‘The Catholic Church in Manicaland 1896 – 1996’ and the
publication of ‘A Souvenir of the Golden Jubilee of the Irish Carmelites in Zimbabwe 1946 – 1996’.
Both publications were made available during 1996. This ‘collection’ is also an attempt to update the
reader on developments in the Diocese of Mutare and on the activities of the Carmelites in
Zimbabwe since 1996. The work of Fathers Leo Gallagher, O.Carm., and Michael Hender, O.Carm.,
in the production of the publications mentioned above and all the other publications mentioned in
this ‘collection’ are of immense value to all who are part of and who serve in the Diocese of Mutare
and to all who are part of the Carmelite Family. John McGrath, who presents this ‘collection,’ has
relied on various sources of information and all sources are appropriately indicated in the ‘collection’.
In recent months, I came across a ‘hundred page document’ with information on the beginnings of
the Mission Stations in Manicaland and probably written by Father D.A. Clarke, O.Carm., around
1979/1980. I feel that the contents of the document will be of great interest to the Diocese of
Mutare, the Carmelites and to all Congregations and People who have been involved in the
development of the Mission Stations and the Catholic Church in Manicaland. I have made some
modifications and made some additions to the document. All sections in this ‘collection’ which are in
italics are from the ‘hundred page document’ as mentioned above.
For people interested in the history and ministry of the Catholic Church in Manicaland, a most
interesting read is ‘The Catholic Church in Manicaland. 1896 – 1996,’ compiled by Father Leo
Gallagher and published during the Centenary of the Diocese of Mutare, Triashill Mission, 7 th of
September 1996.
Bishop Muchabaiwa wrote in the ‘Forward’ of the publication that the work done by many people,
“has been a great and noble task, it records and affirms the contributions of those who made that
history. It is a fitting tribute to those who are living and those who are dead”. Father Gallagher
included in the ‘Introduction’ of the same publication: “the book chronicles the main historical
events that relate to the development and growth of the Catholic Church in Manicaland over the past
hundred years and on the different missionary groups who together with the Manyika people have
created this history. Many Missionaries came to spread the Good News of Jesus Christ in a land that
was not their own, the publication reveals some of their experiences in the meeting of different
people, cultures and religious beliefs”.
John McGrath now presents, with the approval and on behalf of the Commissary Provincial in
Zimbabwe, Father Simplisio Manyika, O.Carm., the following ‘collection’ on the history and
developments of the Catholic Church in Manicaland, Zimbabwe.
There have been many publications of great value on our history; below are the publications compiled
and edited by Father Michael Hender, O.Carm.
� Carmelites in Zimbabwe. 50 years. A souvenir of the Golden Jubilee of the Irish Carmelites in
Zimbabwe. 1946 – 1996. Published, August 1996. The Carmelite Golden Jubilee Celebration
was held at Triashill Mission on the 31 st of August 1996.
� Celts among the Shona. Early experiences of Carmelite Missionaries to Zimbabwe, 1946 -1966.
A collection of articles, published August 2002.
� Carmeletter Zimbabwe. Diamond Jubilee. The Carmelites in Zimbabwe 1946 – 2006.
Published, May 2007.
� Carmeletter Zimbabwe. The many editions from 1986 to the present day.
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