Father Thomas replaces Pius Ncube

By Thulani Ncube

Seasoned Catholic cleric Father Alex Thomas SVD was ordained Arch Bishop of Bulawayo Diocese at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) arena on Saturday 12 September 2009. Pious believers from all over the country came to witness the colourful event.

Thomas replaces Arch Bishop Pius Ncube whose character the Central Intelligence Organisation (CIO) sought to assassinate in a sex scandal. Born in India on 27 May 1960, Arch Bishop Alex Thomas was ordained Priest on 7 May 1988. He arrived in Zimbabwe on 13 July 1989.

Cleric Thomas was stationed at Magama Mission in Tsholotsho for many years, before working as Acountant for the Bulawayo Arch-diocese. His elevation puts to rest many years of speculation over who will head the Arch diocese. Bulawayo had not had a fully functional bishop since Arch Bishop Pius was scandalised in the public media.

Critics allege that relations with Government soured when President Mugabe demanded Bishop Pius to hand  over a US$65 Million donation meant to benefit the church. The demand is said to have come soon after Government made frantic efforts to nationalise St Lukes Catholic Hospital in Lupane. Critics accuse Government of trying to hijack the catholic legacy for political expediency.

In addition, it is alleged that Robert Mugabe’s marriage to Grace Marufu did not recieve the blessing of the Catholic Church. Marufu was said to be improperly divorced. Many ZANU sympathisers blamed Bishop Pius for this scenario. Allegations are that as Head of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference, Bishop Pius influenced other clerics to annul Mugabe’s marriage.

Many catholics have suggested that the first couple got married only because Arch Bishop Patrick Chakaipa was a known ZANU supporter. Arch Bishop Pius became viewed by ZANU as a stumbling block to the santification of Mugabe’s marriage. His vilification in the media over an alleged sex scandal was to many ZANU supporters just desserts.

Furthermore, Ncube locked horns with Mugabe over the genocide that happened in Matebeleland in the early eighties. During that time at least thirty thousand ethnic ndebeles were killed by Mugabe’s Fifth Brigade notoriously dubbed the Gukurahundi Brigade.

Arch Bishop Pius was so vocal over the issue that many catholics say he preached whole sermons on the issue.To date no compensation has been given to victims of Gukurahundi. President Mugabe has descibed the slaughter of ethnic ndebeles as a “moment of madness”.