Across Africa and the world, Catholic youth are stepping up to lead in faith, education, and social justice. In Zimbabwe, a new generation is redefining what it means to live the Gospel in a fast-changing society.
In recent years, the Catholic Church has placed renewed emphasis on youth engagement, especially in Africa. In Zimbabwe, this shift is visible through dynamic youth groups, mission outreach programs, and young leaders rising through Catholic educational institutions and religious movements.
At the 2023 Catholic Youth Conference in Harare, over 2,000 young people gathered to reflect on their role in evangelization. “The Church is not tomorrow’s hope. It is today’s reality through us,” said 19-year-old Daniel Mubaiwa, a youth delegate from Gweru Diocese.
Programs such as the Young Catholic Professionals Zimbabwe (YCPZ), the Dominican-led “Veritas Youth Dialogue Series,” and agriculture training offered by Caritas have empowered youth to contribute to parish life and national development. According to Sr. Caroline Ndlovu of the Congregation of Jesus, “Youth ministry is no longer entertainment-focused. It is mission-driven and deeply tied to national transformation.”
This wave of commitment was also visible during the national clean-up campaigns and COVID-19 vaccine awareness drives, where Catholic youth groups played visible roles in parishes and community centers.
The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) continues to emphasize youth participation in synodality. Pope Francis himself remarked during the 2023 Synod on Youth, “The Church must listen to the young, not just speak at them.”
As Zimbabwe’s economy and social systems evolve, the Church’s call to youth is clear: be rooted in prayer, but not silent on justice; be humble in spirit, but bold in leadership.
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