ZCBC Family and Marriage Apostolate Strengthens Couples Through Faithful House Programme

By Fr. Johnston Mlambo

Harare – The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), through its Family and Marriage Apostolate, has launched a five-day Training of Trainers (ToT) workshop in Harare under the Faithful House programme.

The initiative aims to strengthen marriages and revitalise family life by equipping married couples to serve as facilitators in their dioceses, deaneries, and parishes.

This national workshop follows two earlier workshops held in Harare and Bulawayo in November 2024, where couples from all eight Catholic dioceses of Zimbabwe were introduced to the programme.

After living the principles of the Faithful House for five months, participants are now undergoing advanced training to lead and mentor others.

The Faithful House programme is rooted in the fact that the family is the foundation of society—where values such as love, respect, forgiveness, and collaboration are first learned.

Yet, amid rising divorce rates and family breakdowns, the Church sees an urgent need to restore and reinforce these values.

According to The Herald (10 February 2025), Zimbabwe recorded a surge in divorce cases in 2024, with 3,214 cases filed—up from 2,149 in 2023.

Analysts estimate that one in five registered marriages in the country may end in divorce.

Reflecting on this reality, the workshop began with feedback from couples who previously attended the programme. Their testimonies revealed personal growth and transformation.

“I used to be arrogant and stubbornly hold on to my opinions, ignoring my wife’s views. But now, even my children notice the change,” said Mr Sylvester Musiyiwa from the Archdiocese of Harare.

Another participant shared: “We used to plan separately. After the last workshop, I started sharing everything with my wife—my finances and personal plans.”

A couple from Masvingo Diocese, Mr Babylon and Mrs Praise Makore, testified that the programme helped them manage conflict more constructively.
“When conflict is properly handled, it yields positive results. Now we relate amicably as a Christian couple,” said Mr Makore.

Others spoke of improved financial discipline. “Since attending the last workshop, we’ve managed our finances better and even bought a car,” said Mr Peter Mhere from Masvingo Diocese.

Yet, the journey has not been without challenges. One young couple, Mr and Mrs Nyere, highlighted the societal stigma around faithfulness.
“In today’s world, being faithful to your spouse is mocked. People laughed at me for being faithful. I was called all sorts of names,” said Mr Nyere.
“Thankfully, this programme affirmed that being faithful is not only okay—it’s honourable,” added his wife.

Other couples admitted difficulties in prioritising family and faith amidst work demands. “We were taught to put God first,” shared a participant, “but with a job that runs from Monday to Monday, without any weekend, it’s hard to live that out.

“I feel like now I am saying, work first the God and family follow. I don’t know how to overcome this challenge”, said Mrs Fadzai Chirume.

All diocesan Family and Marriage Coordinators were present, along with the National Spiritual Director of the National Catholic Couples Association, Fr. Martin Gambiza.

The workshop is being facilitated by two experienced Ugandan couples—Mr. Gonzaga and Mrs. Paskazia Lubega, and Mr. Henry and Mrs. Veronica Kaweesi—from Blessed Sacrament, Kimaanya, Parish in the Diocese of Masaka.

Sr. Anuarite Manyahi, National Coordinator for the Family and Marriage Apostolate, praised the enthusiastic reception of the programme.

“I see the people excited about becoming facilitators. Some were already asking when they could start training others in their dioceses—before this training even began!” she said.

She added that the programme has been exceptionally well received:
“It has been accepted more than any other programme we have implemented. I see it growing in all dioceses.”

According to Sr. Anuarite, the success stems from its personal impact:
“I think it has benefitted the couples themselves first. They’ve experienced the transformation, and now they are eager to help others.”

She also expressed satisfaction with the attendance.
“Almost all the couples we invited came. Only two could not make it due to family challenges, and I’ll follow up with one coordinator who isn’t here,” she said.

The goals of the Faithful House programme in Zimbabwe include:

• Training a team of facilitator couples to support marriage formation at parish, diocesan, and national levels.
• Establishing implementation structures to support the rollout of the programme across all eight dioceses.
• Promoting healthy, stable marriages and family life grounded in Christian values.
• Empowering parish-level lead couples to assist clergy in preparing couples for marriage.

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As a further step in cementing and celebrating the family institution, the National Congress of the Catholic Couples Association will be held in August this year in the Archdiocese of Bulawayo.

In this Jubilee Year, themed Pilgrims of Hope, the Church in Zimbabwe remains committed to building strong, faith-filled families—the domestic Church—so that they may become witnesses of love, reconciliation, and hope in a society in need of healing.

By reviving the family as the “domestic church,” ZCBC’s Family and Marriage Apostolate is actively responding to Pope Francis’s call for pastoral accompaniment and stronger families rooted in faith, love, and hope.