The Sunday News
THE first black Roman Catholic Diocesan priest in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo Monsignor Bernard Mapumavale Ndlovu has died. He was 88.
The Archbishop of the Bulawayo Diocese Alex Thomas confirmed the passing away of Monsignor Ndlovu.
“He died on New Year’s Day at 11.50 am at Mater Dei Hospital where he had been admitted since 10 December,” he said.
Monsignor Ndlovu was born on 5 November 1927 in Kezi. He was ordained Priest on 26 October 1958.
In 2005 the Pope of the Roman Catholic Church Pope Benedict XVI bestowed the honorary title of Monsignor on the late Ndlovu.
The title of Monsignor is an acknowledgement from the Pope for outstanding service done in the church.
Monsignor Ndlovu was instrumental in the composition of the Catholic isiNdebele hymn book and also in the translation of the Bible into isiNdebele.
He started the Sodality of Our Lady Guild in Bulawayo. These achievements made him stand out and gain recognition from the Pope.
He worked in minor seminaries in Bulawayo and Botswana as well as parishes in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo, Uganda Martyrs, Luveve, Holy Cross Tshabalala and Our Lady of Assumption in Gwanda among others.
Monsignor Ndlovu was the Vicar General of the Diocese of Bulawayo for several years. Archbishop Thomas said the late Monsignor Ndlovu leaves behind a very rich legendary service to the Catholic Church.
“A Mass will be held at St Patrick’s Parish in Makokoba at 9 am on 7 January and will be followed by his burial at Athlone Cemetery,” he said.
