Harare: As Zimbabwe enters the sacred Season of Advent, the Catholic Bishops of the country have released a solemn Pastoral Statement titled “Advent Pastoral Message Remember the Poor,” urging citizens to embrace this period as a time of social and spiritual renewal. The bishops emphasize that Advent, which began on Sunday, November 30, is not merely the start of a new liturgical year but also an opportunity for profound reflection and national transformation.
Highlighting the significance of the Jubilee of Hope 2025, the Bishops note that this year offers a special period of grace meant to inspire the faithful to live out their faith in tangible ways. They particularly praised Zimbabweans who joined millions of pilgrims in Rome, visiting holy sites and passing through the Holy Doors of Saint Peter’s Basilica and other major basilicas in search of spiritual renewal.
Central to the bishops’ message is a call to see the poor not as a burden, but as integral members of society. “As we prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ born in poverty and simplicity our thoughts naturally turn to the poor. Their cry is a painful reality we cannot ignore,” the statement reads. The bishops stress that the poor are part of the family: mothers, fathers, sons, daughters, neighbours, and friends. “A nation’s moral and spiritual health is measured by how it treats its most vulnerable members,” they add, urging Zimbabweans to act with compassion and solidarity.
The bishops also raise concerns over social justice and environmental stewardship. They lament the displacement of rural communities from ancestral lands to make way for investors and highlight the negative impact of unregulated mining and natural resource exploitation on local populations. Zimbabwe’s gold, platinum, and diamond sectors, while vital to the national economy, have often caused the loss of homes, livelihoods, and productive land for communities.
“True development cannot arise from the ruin of ecosystems or the suffering of communities displaced by extractive industries,” the bishops wrote. They call for an ecological conversion recognizing that human well-being, environmental health, and societal morality are interconnected. The statement urges the government and citizens alike to prioritize responsible stewardship, ensuring that economic progress respects both the environment and the dignity of the poor.
In conclusion, the ZCBC encourages all Zimbabweans to use this Advent season as a moment for reflection, compassion, and proactive engagement in building a more just, caring, and environmentally responsible nation.