AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - The Pope appoints new Bishop of Gweru

Vatican City (Fides Service) - The Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI on 11 May 2006 appointed Bishop of Gweru (Zimbabwe) Rev. Martin Munyanyi of the clergy of Masvingo diocese, former rector of Bulawayo Major Seminary for Philosophy.

The Bishop elect Martin Munyanyi was born in Bikita, district of Masvingo, 3 January 1956. He attended Beardmore Mine Primary School, 1965 - 1971, and then Silveira Secondary School, 1972 - 1975. He studied philosophy 1976 - 1978 and theology 1979 -1983 at Chishawasha Major Regional Seminary, Harare. He was ordained a priest on 3 September 1983 for the diocese of Gweru, and then in 1999 was transferred to the new diocese of Masvingo. Since his ordination he has ministered as follows: 1983-1984: pastoral year at St. Michael’s church, Ascot, then assistant at St. Alois Mission at Silobela; 1985-1987: work in vast pastoral and missionary area of Chiredzi parish; 1988-1990: studies in Rome at Urban University - Licentiate in Philosophy; 1991-1992: teacher of philosophy at Chishawasha Major Regional Seminary, Harare; 1993-1994: vice rector and dean of studies at St. Charles Lwanga Seminary, Chimanimani; 1995-1999: Chishawasha Major Regional Seminary, Harare, vice rector and then rector; 2000-2002: rector of new national college for philosophy St. Augustine's Seminary, Bulawayo; 2003-2005: doctorate at Urban University .
Gweru diocese created in 1982, a suffragan of the archdiocese of Bulawayo, has a area of 29,158 sq. km. a population of 2,109,650 including 196,000 Catholics, 27 parishes, 39 priests (26 diocesan and 13 religious), 30 Brothers, 177 sisters, 40 major seminarians. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 11/5/2006; Righe 24; Parole 313)