Reflections on Bishop Xaverio Johnsai MUNYONGANI

Reflections on Bishop Xaverio Johnsai MUNYONGANI

Bishop Munyongani was a gifted preacher, a teacher, a servant leader who loved and embedded himself within his people and above all, who was devoted to and served the Lord with his heart and soul. He touched the lives of multitudes of people both young and old during his time and this is ably narrated and illustrated in the text. His outstanding service in the priesthood culminated in his being sent by the Bishops' Conference to England in 2008 to serve the Zimbabwean Catholic community there as its inaugural Chaplain.

Starting out from humble origins at his rural home in Zimbabwe God called him to the priesthood from which he never looked back or wavered. His priesthood lasted 40 years, serving 4 of those as a bishop. One of his key messages was that we live our lives taking each day as if it was the last so that should He come calling we would be ready and good to go. His outstanding service in the priesthood spanned roles as parish priest, Lecturer at the Seminary, inaugural Chaplain to the Zimbabwean Catholic community in England and Wales His mission often extended beyond serving exclusively Catholic communities.

The memory of this icon should not merely dissipate into oblivion. A preacher par excellence who kept reminding his flocks that when The Almighty comes calling at everyone's door if they would be ready and good to go.