THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH AS FAMILY: IMPLEMENTING THE ECCLESIOLOGY OF THE AFRICAN SYNOD (1994) IN THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MASVINGO by REV. MICHAEL BASERA submitted in accordance with the requirements for the degree of DOCTOR OF THEOLOGY in the subject MISSIOLOGY at the UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH AFRICA SUPERVISOR: PROF J.N.J. KRITZINGER CO-SUPERVISOR: PROF P.H. GUNDANI February 2021 DECLARATION Name: Rev. Michael Basera Student number: 41469143 Degree: Doctor of Theology in Missiology THE MISSION OF THE CHURCH AS FAMILY: IMPLEMENTING THE ECCLESIOLOGY OF THE AFRICAN SYNOD (1994) IN THE CATHOLIC DIOCESE OF MASVINGO I declare that the above thesis is my own work and that all the sources that I have used or quoted have been indicated and acknowledged by means of complete references. I further declare that I submitted the thesis to originality check software and that it falls within the accepted requirements for originality. I further declare that I have not previously submitted this work or part of it, for examination at Unisa for another qualification or at any other higher education institution. 12 February 2021 Signature Date i DEDICATION The study is dedicated to all members of the Catholic Church in Masvingo Diocese who are working to promote the ideal of the mission of the Church as family as well as to the academic discipline of Missiology. ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Firstly, I would like to thank God for his goodness, love and care in according me good health of mind and body during my academic study. Secondly, I thank my supervisor Professor Johannes Nicolaas Jacobus (Klippies) Kritzinger who tirelessly guided me in conducting this study through his support, patience, observations, encouragement and constructive criticisms. I also owe special gratitude to Professor Paul Henry Gundani, my joint supervisor, for his invaluable assistance by listening to me carefully and encouraging me to say what I wanted to say even when I doubted myself. Thirdly, my gratitude goes to the late Rev. Dr. Peter Rugora who initiated that I embark on doctoral programme and the late Rev. Dr. Stephen Mabonga for supporting this noble idea. Fourthly, I wish to register my gratitude to the following for support and encouragement: Rev. Dr. Fraderick Chiromba, Very Rev. Fr. Walter Nyatsanza (MA in Philosophy-UZ), Rev. Fr. Emmanuel Jongwe (MCom in Strategic Management-MSU) Rev. Dr. Oscar Chagweda, Rev. Dr. Vitalis Gotami and Rev. Fr. Kenneth Makamure (MSc Psychology). Fifthly, in a special way, my appreciation goes to the following: Rev. Fr. Cuthbert Mavedzenge (BTh.), Dr. Ephraim Gwaravanda (Great Zimbabwe University), Mrs Matenda (Bondolfi Teachers’ College) and the following lecturers from Masvingo Teachers’ College: Mr. Chimbindi, Mr. Tsikira and Mrs. Mutarisi. My sincere thanks also go to priests, nuns and the laity in the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo who sacrificed their time to participate in the study through interviews and focus group discussions. Sixthly, I would like to register my profound gratitude to Mrs Teresa Fungai Hungoidza who supported me with prayers in this research. iii ABSTRACT The purpose of this thesis is to examine the mission of the ‘Church as family’ and to explore its implications in terms of levels of inclusion and participation of church members in the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo. The background of the study is the 1994 African Synod that suggests the ecclesiology of the mission of the ‘Church as family.’ The study helps the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo to evaluate the implementation of the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family’ and draw implications for nuclear, single parent, child-headed, reconstituted and extended families within the church. The study explores Shorter’s culture model to examine how cultural practices, symbols, values and belief systems can be used as an analytic framework for the human dimension of the church. A qualitative research methodology that involves 36 participants in semi-structured interviews, three focus group discussions in urban, semi-urban and rural parishes and participant observation was used to collect data from parishioners, priests and religious of the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo. The study reveals that each family type contributes to Evangelisation as proclamation of the Good News and inculturation differently thereby enriching the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family.’ Furthermore, the study shows that guilds, associations and commissions help to strengthen families through spiritual, psychological, social and economic support. Findings also indicate that the Trinity is the theological foundation of the family and it finds acceptance in African communal setup. Family types in Masvingo Diocese are analysed using the notion of the Trinity to show that dignity, equality and respect among family types can be used to strengthen the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family.’ At pastoral level, economic, social and cultural obstacles to family ministry stand as a challenge to the full implementation and realisation of the ideal of the mission of the ‘Church as family’. In the light of the research, recommendations for mission strategies were suggested at different levels that involve Diocesan administration, priests, religious, catechists and parish leaders. Recommendations for further researches were also suggested for areas that seem to be important yet outside the scope of this study. The theological, pastoral, and cultural issues raised in this study combine to help the Catholic Diocese of Masvingo to become an authentic expression of the mission of the ‘Church as family’ of God. Keywords: Mission; Church as Family; Ecclesiology; African Synod (1994); Catholic Diocese of Masvingo; culture; family types; evangelisation; Trinity; family ministry. iv LIST OF ABBREVATIONS AM Africae Munus AMECEA Association of Member Episcopal Conferences in Eastern Africa ATR African Traditional Religion CCJP Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace CLC Christian Living Community COMITHEO Theological Commission CYA Catholic Youth Association DRC Democratic Republic of Congo EA Ecclesia in Africa EAAT Ecumenical Association of African Theologians EATWOT Ecumenical Association of Third World Theologians EMA Environmental Management Agency EN Evangelii Nuntiandi FGD Focus Group Discussion HIV and AIDS Human Immunodeficiency Virus and Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome GS Gaudium et Spes LM Lumen Gentium NADC National Association of Diocesan Clergy NGO Non-Governmental Organisation NMCS National Movement of Catholic Students RM Redemptoris Missio SAC Société Africaine de Culture SCC Small Christian Community SECAM Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar SOCCOM Social Communications UNAIDS Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS UNCRC United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child UNICEF United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund YCS Young Christian Students ZCBC Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference v LIST OF TRANSLATIONS OF SHONA EXPRESSIONS Shona English Baba father Bira all-night ritual Chema tokens of condolences Chisi weekly day of rest Chivi sin Damarakanaka Good News Kuchaya mapoto co-habiting Kugara nhaka wife inheritance kupereka handing over the bride Kuripa appeasement fee Kuripiswa ngozi appeasing avenging spirits Kuroodzwa forced child marriage Kurova guva coming home ceremony Kurova makuva coming home ceremonies Magadziro cleansing ceremony Mahakurimwi days of mourning which prohibit agricultural activities Mahumbwe child game involving imitation of parental roles Marwei what have you fought for? Masvikiro spirit mediums Mbanje marijuana Mbuya grandmother Mhondoro clan spirit mediums Mishonga medicines Muchaneta you will get tired vi Mukwerera rain making ceremony Munamato prayer Musha mukadzi a woman gives value to a home Mwari God Mweni haapedzi dura a visitor does not finish the granary N’anga traditional healer Ndakaitei what wrong have I done Nhamoinesu poverty is among us Nhimbe working together as a community Nyasha blessings Roora / lobola bride price Rudo ibofu love is blind Sekuru grandfather / uncle Svikiro spirit medium Tadiwanashe God loves us Tatenda we thank you Tichaona we shall see Tinashe God is with us Tinozivaishe we know God Ukama relationships Vadzimu ancestors Vatete aunt Latin expressions Latin English Ad extra To the outside Ad intra To the inside Et al and others vii TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION ..................................................................................................................................... i DEDICATION ........................................................................................................................................ ii ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ................................................................................................................... iii ABSTRACT ........................................................................................................................................... iv LIST OF ABBREVATIONS .................................................................................................................. v LIST OF TRANSLATIONS OF SHONA EXPRESSIONS .................................................................. vi CHAPTER ONE ..................................................................................................................................... 1 INTRODUCTION .............................................................................................................................. 1 1.1 BACKGROUND