THE FAMILY AND MARRIAGE COMMISSION

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FIVE YEAR REPORT OF THE FAMILY AND MARRIAGE COMMISSION

This report gives the activities of Family and Marriage Commission of Masvingo Diocese for the past five years to date. The convener of the commission is Rev Fr Vincent Muzenda. The other members are Rev Fr Thomas Mandaza and Simplicio Musemburi. The report shall focus itself on the activities of the commission within the diocese and outside the diocese at national level. We shall outline the purpose, success and challenges of the commission. Overally, we see the commission as having progressed well at achieve its goals and objectives.


PURPOSE OF THE COMMISSION

  1. The commission is set up to assist the church’s apostolic work with regard to marriage and family apostolate.
  2. The commission is to supply the local ordinary with information about different apostolic initiatives of the laity with regard to marriage and family issues.
  3. The commission undertakes research on the problems arising today in the field of marriage and family life, and with its advice assists the local ordinary and the laity in the domain of family life.
  4. The commission is to draw up programmes and manuals and other forms of media to inform and transform the lives of the Christian faithful with regard to marriage and family life, reading the signs of the times.

ACHIEVEMENTS

  1. People who wanted to bring their failed marriages to the National Marriage Tribunal have been assisted, with an average of two to four marriages having been declared null every year.
  2. The majority of those whose marriages have been declared null were able to solemnize their new unions in church.
  3. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic the commission has been successfully sending two of its members to attend the National Family and Marriage Commission meeting which were held in Kwekwe two times every year.
  4. The commission was able to be furnished with reports of the world Family Day which was held in Ireland Dublin by those who attended it at national level
  5. The commission has witnessed the establishment of the Couples’ Association at various parishes and missions of the diocese.

CHALLENGES

  1. The commission has not been able to produce manuals and other forms of media to inform the laity with regards to marriage and family life.
  2. The commission has not been able to reach out to all people with troubled marriages who might need counseling or to have their marriages brought before the National Marriage Tribunal.

WHAT THE COMMISSION INTENDS TO DO

  1. To produce manuals and other forms of media such as pamphlets, brochures, videos, audio discs and so on which explore various aspects of family life.
  2. To produce a diocesan manual for marriage preparation lessons.
  3. To produce a manual on the natural family planning methods.
  4. To conduct people with failed marriages and explore ways to assist them appropriately.

CONCLUSION

This report would not be complete without a word of gratitude to his Lordship Sekuru M. D Bhasera and the diocesan administration for the immense support and advice which they have consistently rendered to the commission. We would like to thank also members of the clergy and the laity themselves for their ideas and cooperation which they have given us. Without that support we would not have done what we were able to achieve. We cherish such support in the future.

Compiled by
Rev Fr V. Muzenda (Convener)
Rev Fr T. Mandaza
Rev Fr S. Musemburi

Date: 17 February 2021
  1. To produce manuals and other forms of media such as pamphlets, brochures, videos, audio discs and so on which explore various aspects of family life.
  2. To produce a diocesan manual for marriage preparation lessons.
  3. To produce a manual on the natural family planning methods.
  4. To conduct people with failed marriages and explore ways to assist them appropriately.