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

The new building at Mount Carmel Student House Harare was opened during May of 1998.
There was an International Meeting at the Pastoral Centre Mutare of the Carmelite Family in Africa
from the 10 th to the 14 th of August, 1998, and many of the Brothers and Sisters in Africa attended.
The Prior General, Father Joseph Chalmers, the Councillor for Africa, Father Anthony Scerri, the
Provincial of the Irish Province, Father Robert Kelly and many Provincials and Brothers from Europe
who had personnel in Africa also attended the week in Mutare.
Simplisio Manyika and Severino DeFreitas Castro (Brazil) were Ordained to the Priesthood on the
22nd August, 1998, at Kriste Mambo.
Carmelites in Gorongoza, on the 6 th of September 1998, the Archbishop of Beira, His Grace Jaime
Pedro Gongalves, installed Father Severino as Parish Priest of Gorongoza. His Grace conveyed his
sincere gratitude to the Father General, the General Council of the Order, the Provincial of
Pernambuca and to the Carmelites in Zimbabwe for sending our Brothers, Severino and Amilton to
work among the people of Gorongoza. Fathers McGrath and Hender were present for the
installation. Over the next eight years, our brothers at Gorongoza visited the brothers in Zimbabwe
on many occasions and the Zimbabwe brothers visited our brothers on many occasions in Gorongoza.
Father D.A. Clarke died in Harare on the 17 th December 1998. Father Clarke will always be
remembered for his many talents, his many roles in and his many contributions to the Diocese of
Mutare and to the Church in Zimbabwe. He was a pioneer of many new Mission foundations in the
Diocese of Mutare and author of many articles in various publications. Father Anthony was noted for
his hospitality and for his zest for life. He suffered much pain and had many brushes with death
during his life as a Missionary. May his soul rest in peace. Father Patrick Chiwara, Diocese of Mutare
died during April 1999. Patrick was a friendly soul and a good friend to many of the brothers. May
his soul rest in peace.
2000 We welcomed the Jubilee Year 2000 with great joy and expectation. The new building at the
Priory Hatfield was competed on the 11 th January, 2000, and Martin Farragher returned to Zimbabwe
on the 22 nd January. The AGM 2000 was attended by the Prior General, Father Joseph Chalmers, the
Councillor for Africa, Father Anthony Scerri, The Provincial of the Irish Province, Father Robert
Kelly. Most of the Brothers attended the AGM of 2000 and all were welcomed by the Commissary
Provincial, Father John McGrath.
Father Raymond Maunde graduated at Fairbanks University in the USA on the 7 th May, 2000. Father
Michael Kenny died in Ireland on the 29 th of May: Michael came to Zimbabwe during 1956 and spent
43 years as a Missionary in the Diocese of Mutare. He was indeed a great Missionary who did not
spare himself. Like Father Clarke, he will be remembered for his many roles and his many
contributions to the Diocese of Mutare. May his soul rest in peace.
The Provincial Jubilee Chapter 2000 was held at Gort Muire Dublin from the 18 th to the 23 rd of June
2000. Father Fintan Burke began his first term as Provincial and John McGrath began his second
term as Commissary Provincial. Father Joseph Neville died at Saint Kilian’s Mission on the 25 th June.
It was with profound shock that we learned of the death of Joe even though he was not in good
health before he died. He was a man who did not spare himself, he worked tirelessly for Saint Kilian’s
and ministered at St. Kilian’s for most of his time in Zimbabwe. His passing was a great shock for
everybody who knew him, in Zimbabwe and in Ireland. May his soul rest in peace.
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