…As Bishop Bhasera demotes Vicar Gen Fr Nyatsanza, transfers him to rural parish
Emmanuel Chitsika
Factionalism seems to have manifested itself in the Roman Catholic Church’s Masvingo Diocese as Bishop Michael Dixon Bhasera allegedly wielded the axe on former Vicar General Reverend (Rev) Father (Fr) Walter Nyatsanza who he further demoted from the influential position to an ordinary position of Priest in Charge of St Barbra Bangala Mission with effect from June 3.
The alleged demotion also witnessed the rise of Reverend Father Samson Mutsvanga to the post of Vicar General replacing Nyatsanza while Rev Fr Alex Mukaro was assigned to St Vitalis Neshuro Mission as assistant priest.
In a communique circular 11/2022 dated May 30, 2022 addressed to Priests, Religious and DPC Executive, the appointments were with effect from no later than June 3, 2022.
“Rev Fr Samson Mutsvanga has been appointed Vicar General of Masvingo Diocese, Rev Fr Walter Nyatsanza has been appointed Priest in Charge of St Barbra Bangala Mission and Rev Fr Alex Mukaro has been assigned to St Vitalis Neshuro as Assistant Priest.
“The appointments and transfer take effect not later than June 3, 2022, the Feast of St Charles Lwanga and Companions, Martyrs. With sentiments of deep appreciation for your cooperation and best prayerful wishes, I remain,” read part of the later undersigned by Bishop Bhasera.
However some sources within the church have attributed the seemingly bad blood between Bishop Bhasera and Fr Nyatsanza as allegedly emanating from the statements made by the latter during a Mass held to celebrate the good results from 2021 Ordinary and Advanced level examinations at Catholic run Silveira Mission School on May 10, 2022.
Fr Nyatsanza spoke of the need to inject new blood into leadership positions apparently in reference to national politics but some sources claim he was referring to the Bishop and thus this imminent demotion and subsequent transfer.
“Our generation of leadership has failed. You should hold no more hope in us. We are here to wait to die and be buried. Our hope is in young leadership which will do things differently from us.
“Our hope is you the youth to become good citizens, so that when you distribute wealth of the country, it goes to all citizens and not just one or two people. The old no longer have much at stake. You should not expect much from us. We are just waiting to die and be buried,” said Fr Nyatsanza.
However contacted to shed light on the new developments in the church, the new Vicar General Rev Fr Mutsvanga said he was not the best person to comment on such an issue but rather referred this reporter to the Bishop’s secretary identified as Fr Mavedzenge.
“Unfortunately right now I am in a garage fixing my car but can you get hold of the Bishop (Bhasera)’s secretary maybe he might be in a better position to comment on those issues,” said Rev Fr Mutsvanga.
Fr Mavedzenge also declined to comment on the issue saying the person with the authority to explain on the re-assignments was the Bishop himself since he is the one who presided over those matters.
“The person responsible (Bishop) to deliberate on such matters is not around at the moment but I can book you an appointment most probably around mid-June that is when he will be back in office. Because of his schedule, he may only be around then and your request can only be attended to by Right Reverend Bishop,” said Fr Mavedzenge.
Bishop Bhasera however said there was nothing sinister about the re-assignments as it is part and parcel of their tradition as a church especially when one’s term of office expires.
“You can contact Fr Mutsvanga the new Vicar General and church spokesperson. What could be the problem with the changes? Last month we had a number of changes and we are used to that, hence there is nothing new.
” If one’s term of office expires, then changes are imminent. It’s more like part of our tradition as a church. The changes had nothing to do with what Fr Nyatsanza could have said in Bikita. Whoever said that, could have mistakenly said so,” said Bishop Bhasera.
Some sources also privy to the on goings in the church claim that a few weeks ago Fr Nyatsanza reportedly repeated on the need to rid-off old people from leadership positions during a ceremony to celebrate his academic achievements held at his rural home in ward 5 in Mandloro area of Zaka.
Efforts to get a comment from Fr Nyatsanza were fruitless by time of writing as his mobile number was unreachable.
Bishop Michael Bhasera is believed to be 73 having been born on November 11, 1949 and two years short of the official retirement age for a Catholic Bishop which is 75.
