Our Mission in Zimbabwe
The Bethlehem Mission Society has been present in Zimbabwe since 1938, supporting the growth of the local Church through pastoral, educational, and social work. Today, its mission continues in a spirit of partnership and lasting commitment.
Rhodesia, which is now Zimbabwe, is the second mission area entrusted to the Bethlehem Mission Society which was founded in 1921. In October 1938, the first Bethlehem missionaries arrived in the country. Since then a total of 130 members (72 priests and 58 brothers) have been engaged there..
Zimbabwe: the second mission entrusted to Bethlehem
In 1937, the Jesuit Mission launched an appeal to other missionary societies to collaborate in what was then Rhodesia.
Then Superior General Pietro Bondolfi replied in a letter that at least thirty priests could be sent over the next fifteen years, or even double that number if desired.
Six months later, in October 1938, a small group of pioneers from Immensee arrived in what was then Salisbury (now Harare) – the foundation stone was laid for the SMB’s second mission abroad. A little later, more Bethlehem missionaries arrived, just in time before the outbreak of the Second World War.
32 members set off with future Bishop
Due to the war, the separation of the Immensee missionaries from the Jesuits as an independent mission was delayed. In 1947, however, 32 members of the SMB under the leadership of Alois Häne moved to what is now the province of Gweru and established their presence there, which continues to this day. In the years that followed, the missionaries erected numerous buildings in various locations thanks to the active support of technically strong Brother missionaries.
The SMB’s largest foreign mission for a long time focussed on providing education to the local population. The timing was ideal: the colonial government at the time also launched a school programme, and the Africans themselves felt a great urge for school education. As a result, the SMB not only created a network of primary schools in the diocese of Gweru, but later also secondary schools, teacher training centres and special schools (for physically disabled or difficult-to-educate children and young people).
In addition to the primary schools, the missionaries initiated several training centres for adults run by them and trained women and men in various trades and in domestic science. Together with communities of religious sisters and with doctors, they set up clinics at almost all the mission stations, as well as four hospitals and a tuberculosis sanatorium.
An independent voice in the turmoil of War
Due to the war, the separation of the Immensee missionaries from the Jesuits as an independent mission was delayed. In 1947, however, 32 members of the SMB under the leadership of Alois Häne moved to what is now the province of Gweru and established their presence there, which continues to this day. In the years that followed, the missionaries erected numerous buildings in various locations thanks to the active support of technically strong Brother missionaries.
The SMB’s largest foreign mission for a long time focussed on providing education to the local population. The timing was ideal: the colonial government at the time also launched a school programme, and the Africans themselves felt a great urge for school education. As a result, the SMB not only created a network of primary schools in the diocese of Gweru, but later also secondary schools, teacher training centres and special schools (for physically disabled or difficult-to-educate children and young people).
In addition to the primary schools, the missionaries initiated several training centres for adults run by them and trained women and men in various trades and in domestic science. Together with communities of religious sisters and with doctors, they set up clinics at almost all the mission stations, as well as four hospitals and a tuberculosis sanatorium.
The Mambo Press was given a special role in the war of independence in the late 1970s: with magazines such as “Moto” and “Kristo”, the missionaries increasingly gave the liberation movement a voice. But in doing so, they became even more caught between the fronts of the Rhodesian security forces and the various guerrilla groups. Numerous churches and mission buildings were looted and destroyed, and several SMB confreres suffered violent deaths. Despite everything, the missionaries persevered with the hard-hit population and stood by the people.
The mission becomes a presence in old age
Today, four priests of the Bethlehem Mission Society still live in Zimbabwe.
They continue to live out their missionary mandate, which they all see as a lifelong commitment, as a missionary presence in old age. They see themselves as part of the local church that they have helped to build.
The mission in Zimbabwe is thus emblematic of the SMB’s mission statement: building up local church communities, helping the poor and disadvantaged, educational work, interreligious and intercultural dialogue, and working towards replacement.
The work in Zimbawe today
Text to do.
