Stigma in Religious Communities amid COVID-19 “cause of great concern”: Nun in Zimbabwe

“A woman in Harare said some families were at loggerheads as partners pinpoint each other for inviting the unwanted visitor in the house. She said some people are taking advantage to lock their partners indoors arguing that movements outside the house would attract COVID-19,” Sr. Chapisa recounts in the January 29 report.

Such misunderstandings have resulted in “a lot of domestic violence in families,” the Superior of the Carmelite Sisters in Zimbabwe says, adding, “People are suffocating out there as they are forced to stay indoors. Where someone in the family is sick the blame is laid on his movements or the one who is suspected to be the carrier. In the case of men, it is the woman and in the case of women it is the man.”

As a way forward, the Sister encourages “positive integration” marked by a caring attitude for care and love among community members “contributes to healing.”

The Sister whose community has recorded 25 cases of the coronavirus and one fatality urges the people of God in the country to “cultivate the spirit of love and care as COVID-19 is airborne and should not be blamed on anyone.”

Sr. Chapisa has previously encouraged psychosocial and moral support amid COVID-19 pandemic in the Southern African nation.

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“We need to inculcate the spirit of tolerance and psychosocial support. Moral support is very critical in COVID-19 situations as it gives hope to push through the odious experience,” Chapisa said January 19.

She added, “There is psychological destabilization and trauma as a result of COVID-19 and it is important to capacitate our members on how to deal with the situation when it strikes.”

Zimbabwe has recorded at least 33,388 cases of coronavirus, 1,217 deaths and 26, 044 recoveries. 

In the January 29 report, the Regional Superior of the Congregatio Jesu (Maryward Sisters), Sr. Maria Gorretti Mudhovozi, is quoted underscoring the need for a non-judgmental spirit in relating with those infected with COVID-19.

“I realized the condition goes up and down, which may distress the patient, hence the need for continuous encouragement to both the community members who provide care and the sick,” Sr. Mudhovozi says.

She adds, “There is need for self-control by the community members so that they do not make the sick feel as if they are afraid of them while at the same time protecting themselves from contracting the disease.”

The Maryward Sister goes on to caution against stigmatizing COVID-19 patients saying, “When one is infected, there is no need to blame him or her for bringing the virus no-matter how careless the person could have been.”

“We must remember that no-one is immune from contracting coronavirus hence, treat others as you would want them to treat you,” Sr. Mudhovozi says. 

She continues, “One might be sick today and tomorrow she might be taking care of you. Jesus is present in the sick and the presence of coronavirus challenges us to exercise our virtue of charity, compassion and patience within our communities.”

In the January 29 report, the Sister whose community has recorded two cases of COVID-19 encourages all people to take precautions that protect them and others from contracting the coronavirus. 

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Magdalene Kahiu is a Kenyan journalist with passion in Church communication. She holds a Degree in Social Communications from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa (CUEA). Currently, she works as a journalist for ACI Africa.