Do you hear that faint hum? It is the collective prayer echoing through the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart in Harare. This isn’t just a building. It’s the heart of Catholicism in Zimbabwe.
The Roman Catholic Church here began modestly. A small chapel for forty souls opened in 1893. It was located on the grounds of the Dominican Convent. Father Aloysius Leboeuf, the parish priest, lived in a room attached to the chapel. From there, he designed a bigger church. This new Church of the Sacred Heart opened in 1900.
But even that proved too small. In 1924, Monsignor Brown laid the foundation stone for what you see today. Just over a year later, in 1925, the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart opened its doors. Jesuits served here until 2008. Then, diocesan clergy took over.
The Archdiocese of Harare serves about 500000 Catholics. That is around 10% of the area’s population. Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu leads the archdiocese since 2004. He also serves as president of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference.
This Roman Catholic Church isn’t just one building. It includes 44 parishes and many institutions. There are seven hospitals and many schools. Twenty secondary schools exist. Seventeen primary schools also exist. Religious orders own or staff many of these. Only 38 diocesan priests exist. But more than 100 priests come from religious orders. Several hundred sisters and brothers also contribute.
The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart is more than bricks and mortar. It is a place of inclusion. Masses are often held in both English and Shona. Shona is a local language. Sometimes, services occur in French and Portuguese too. Imagine the voices blending together in prayer.
The history of the Archdiocese of Harare is long. It began as the Mission of Zambese in 1879. Over time, it evolved. Boundaries shifted. Names changed. On January 1, 1955, it became the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Salisbury. After Zimbabwe’s independence, it was renamed Harare. This happened on June 25, 1982.
Many dedicated people have led this archdiocese. People such as Archbishop Patrick Fani Chakaipa and Archbishop Francis William Markall. They each guided the community through different times.
So, as you stand before the Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, remember its journey. Remember the faith of those who built it. Feel the presence of a community united in prayer. This is a place where history and faith intertwine, a beacon for Catholics in Harare and beyond.