The ManicaPost
Dominic Satumba
Mercy is the catalyst for peace and nation building. For peace to prevail in the family, community and the world, mercy has to be everyone’s daily bread. There can never be peace and development where mercy is lacking.
Speaking at the Launch of the Year of Mercy for the Diocese of Mutare, which is running under the theme ‘Celebrating 120 years of Evangelisation in the Jubilee Year of Mercy’, His Lordship, Rt Rev Alexio Churu Muchabaiwa, said that mercy is the driver of all that is good, and that those who are not merciful do not forgive. Those who do not forgive always have an intrapersonal fight and have no peace.
The launch was held at the Most Holy Trinity Cathedral in Mutare and was attended by thousands of Catholics from all over the diocese, priests and the religious. The Minister of Finance and Economic Development, Cde Patrick Chinamasa and his wife, Monica, were also part of the congregants.
“We can only enjoy life if we have peace that comes through being merciful. We have to live mercy the same way St John Paul II lived it when he was the Pope. The attempted assassination of Pope John Paul II took place on Wednesday, May 13, 1981, in St Peter’s Square at Vatican City. The Pope was shot and wounded by Mehmet Ali while he was entering the square. The Pope was struck four times, and suffered severe blood loss. Ali was arrested, and later sentenced to life in prison by an Italian court. The Pope visited his nemesis in prison and forgave him.” Ali was pardoned by Italian president Carlo Azeglio Ciampi at the Pope’s request and was deported to Turkey in June 2000.
“We too must do the same. If we could forgive Ian Smith, a white who had massacred thousands of our fellow blacks, why then do we find it difficult to be merciful and forgive each other as blacks? Let us build a new Zimbabwe with mercy,” said Bishop Muchabaiwa.
Rt Rev Muchabaiwa called upon everyone to pray to God so that he gives us leaders who are Christian so that they can govern with mercy.
In an interview on the sidelines of the launch, Cde Patrick Chinamasa buttressed the Bishop’s point, stressing that the issue of mercy touches our inner lives, our families, community and the country at large.
“Mercy is at the centre of forgiveness, and we need that as people to remain reconciled and work together towards nation building. Without mercy we become a nation of conflict, disagreement and ultimately violence.
“Therefore mercy is central to our well-being. We do not only have to talk it, but preach it, and live it for the good of everyone,” said Cde Chinamasa.
The launch began with Confessions, the Opening of the Door of Mercy, the Cleansing with holy water, Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist and finally Commissioning of special priests for the Year of Mercy.
The commissioned priests, approved by Pope Francis, will be convincing preachers of Mercy during the year. They have the privilege to forgive grave sins and offer absolution without asking permission from the Vatican as per norm. Some of the grave sins include sacrilege against the Eucharist.
The commissioned priests are Frs Jack McGrath, Henry Wasosa, Ambrose Vinyu, Richard Musakwa, Welcome Chipiro, Philip Kembo, Arnold Mhuriro, Vitalis Benza, Arnold Maringe, Alexio Makokowe, John Alberto, Thomas Saina, Joseph Mupuwa, Donald Dodzo, Cephas Haparari and Charles Kuitirwa.
The homilist for the day, Fr Francis Nyahumbi, said that the Jubilee Year of Mercy should bring in us a new way of living. It is a time of renewal where the old become new. He urged all people to reach out and do works of mercy.
“God reaches out to us even when in grave sin. He does not look upon our sins and frown, but gives us another chance so that we can have a good relationship with Him. We are not Christians if we come to glorify the Lord yet we are presiding over the suffering of others out there. We are called to reach out to others, especially those sinning against us and give them another chance.
“Starting this day going forward, we must uplift the lowly to the same level as we are. Mercy brings a just world to all of us.”
The Jubilee Year of Mercy officially opened by Pope Francis in December 8, 2015, runs until November 20, 2016.
Pope Francis also said that mercy and forgiveness “must not remain beautiful words, but must be realized in daily life.”
“Loving and forgiving are the concrete and visible signs that the faith has transformed our hearts and allows us to express in ourselves the same life of God,” said the Pope.
“Loving and forgiving as God loves and forgives,” he continued. “This is a program of life that cannot know interruptions or exceptions, but pushes us to always go beyond without ever tiring, with the certainty of being sustained by the paternal presence of God.”
The pope also asked people to consider going to confession during the holy year.
