H I S T O R Y

The first missionaries known in the area came from Fatima Mission (about 115 km away) in 1950. Fr. Odilo CMM is very much known by the old people in this area.

In 1952 Tshongokwe Mission (Jotsholo Mission now) was opened and Gomoza was under this mission. Fr. Rubio Torrego served Gomoza while he was building Gomoza Primary School.

Gomoza became a mission in 1968 with Fr. Xavier Ndlovu (Spaniard) being a resident priest. He was staying in one of the classrooms of Gomoza Primary School and another classroom was the church. After sometimes he built two huts: the church and the priest house.

The record of baptisms, marriages, confirmations, etc was started in 1968. Fr. Xavier worked very hard to evangelize the people in this area. He was well known by his simplicity, openness and being close to  people.

He was expelled by Ian Smith (last white Prime Minister in Rhodesia) in 1971 for talking against the Rhodesian government, so that Gomoza was served from Kana Mission. During The Liberation War the mission and the school were destroyed by the guerillas.

After independence (1980), Gomoza was served from Jotsholo Mission. During the war and after, until 1986, a resident catechist, Sibanda, remained in Gomoza.

In 1986 Fr. Francis Beloki SMI came to Gomoza. He served this mission untill February 2001 when it was given to SVD for pastoral care. The first SVD coming to Gomoza was Fr. Sunny. Nowadays Fr. Biju and Fr. Mateo are working there.

  P R E S E N T   S I T U A T I O N

Area - 60 x 40 km

Borders - North - Kana Mission (Gokwe Diocese)

                East - Kana Mission

                South - Shangene River, St. Luke Mission, Nkayi Mission

                West - Dandanda Mission, Jotsholo MIssion

Population - 30 000

Catholics - 1300

Other Dominations - SDA, Zion, Brothers of Christ, Pentacostal Church, Apostolic Church

There are 5 secondary schools and 20 primary schools

20 outstaions:  Lupaka

                         Tshongokwana

                         Mahoho

                         Matshakayile

                         Gobhi

                         Katshana

                         Mhlangamlambo

                         Mbondo

                         Lusulu

                         Ngcono

                         Maphembenene

                         Kutshwa

                         Mnyathi

                         Ndimimbili

                         Makeke

                         Sipemba

                         Nzalikwa

                         Makuni

                         Mpahlwa II

                         Mpahlwa III

Associations:   St Anna

                         Youth

                         St Joseph

                         Missionary Childhood

                         Flower Girl

Parish Priests:   Fr. Xavier Ndlovu SMI

                          Fr. Francis Beloki SMI

                          Fr. Sunny Vattaparayil SVD

                          Fr. Biju George Mappoore SVD

  P I C T U R E S    F R O M    G O M O Z A    M I S S I O N