Bishop in Zimbabwe Calls for Prayers for Vocations amid “a decline” in Seminary Enrolment

“My humble request and exhortation for every family; let us dedicate time to pray for vocations and to support those who aspire to join Priestly and Religious Life,” Bishop Nyandoro says in his one-page letter dated July 8.

The Catholic Bishop emphasizes the need to pray for vocations saying, “Our Lord commanded us, pray the Lord of the harvest to send laborers into his harvest.”

He adds in reference to Pope Francis’ Apostolic Exhortation on the Proclamation of the Gospel in Today’s Word, Evangelii Gaudium, “In our prayer for the Lord to send laborers let us remember that all the baptized, whatever their position in the Church or their level of instruction in the faith, are agents of evangelization.”

Bishop Nyandoro calls on the people of God to “encourage and inspire young men and women who want to join Priestly formation and Religious Life as brothers and sisters.”

In his letter, the 53-year-old Bishop also expresses gratitude to members of the Society of Bethlehem Mission Immensee (SMB) for their service since the inception of the Zimbabwean Diocese. 

More in Africa

At Priestly Golden Jubilee, Catholic Archbishop in Uganda Advocates for Selflessness, Appeals for Clemency to Prisoners

Read the article

The Diocese of Gweru was founded in November 1946 as the Apostolic Prefecture of Fort Victoria. Pope Pius XII entrusted the Apostolic Prefecture to the SMB.

“As we pray for more vocations, we continue to thank the SMB priests for the immense work of evangelization they have done and the support they have rendered to all our mission,” says Bishop Nyandoro. 

He adds, “As we are aware two SMB Priests are still with us. Their joy will be complete if young men and women embrace the call to further the mission of the redeemer.”

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.