By Dr Masimba Mavaza | Father Fidellis Mukonori has struck half a century in the priesthood. Father Fidelis Mukonori is a Zimbabwean religious leader of the Roman Catholic Church. He is also the Executive Director of Centre for Peace Initiatives in Africa. Father Mukonori is remembered as a peace maker who brought the former President Robert Mugabe and the Army to a peace table during the restore legacy period. He is known mostly for his proximity to political figures and for facilitating political events such as the burial of politicians accorded hero status.
As a mediator between President Mugabe and the military generals, in negotiations that saw the ouster of Mugabe, father Mukonori showed his mediation martyring as a national peace maker.
Father Fidelis Mukonori S.J. was born on 15 July 1947.
He attended Chishawasha Mission. He holds a Masters of Theology (MTH) degree from Berkeley, California, USA (1977). He also holds a Diploma in Social Development (Canada), Diploma in Philosophy (Zimbabwe) and an Advanced Certificate in Conflict Resolution (RSA). He has attended several courses on Social Development, Philosophy and Mediation.
Father Mukonori is not only a priest but a farmer with abundance of experience in Productive Mixed Farming. He is ‘a blessed man’ as he is an accomplished Communication and Election Observer.
During his time in the Priesthood father Mukonori has been a member of the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace since 1974.
In his service for the lord, Father Mukonori worked with Silveira House for 26 years from 1975 as Youth Coordinator, Youth Director, Leadership and Civics Trainer and Internal Auditor. In 1979 he assisted in the Lancaster House Conference from the background. He was a member of the African Development Committee (ADC/CAD), which was linked to and sponsored by the European Community (1980-1990). He was one of the Constitutional Commissioners who drafted Zimbabwe’s new Constitution. Father Fidelis Mukonori served as a Provincial of the Jesuits in Zimbabwe for 11 years.
Father Mukonori has written several books and is currently serving at Makumbe Mission.
Father Fidellis Mukonori has held several positions in both religious, social and political circles. Father Fidelis Mukonori is the chairman of the School board of governors at St George’s College.
In 2001 Father Mukonori was appointed as the provincial superior of Jesuits in Zimbabwe.
As he served his God he faced some challenges like any other mortal being. In 2001 Father Mukonori was kidnapped by a gang of men who went on to rob him of his $300 000 vehicle and personal belongings. The gang dumped him near Mabvuku turn off and sped off.
His car was found in Victoria Falls a month later.
Father Mukonori is a true Zimbabwean at heart. His fight for peace dates back to the liberation struggle times. In 2003 Father Fidelis Mukonori met with Morgan Tsvangirai. It was reported that the purpose of the meeting was for Mukonori to hear the MDC’s position and demands so that prior talks that had collapsed in 2002 would resume. The talks were centred on ending Zimbabwe’s political and economic crisis.
Father Mukonori weighed in the land issue. With Father Mukonori’s mediation War veterans and Commercial farmers agreed to a peace deal that would see the end of violence that was happening on farms occupied by war veterans.
Despite having been robbed before and almost killed by robbers, Father Fidelis Mukonori baptised the notorious jailbreaker, serial killer and Sserial rapist, Steven Chidhumo before he was executed after being condemned to death for his crimes that shook Zimbabwe in the late 90s. Chidhumo changed his name from Steven to Fidelis after he was baptised at Parirenyatwa Hospital were he was receiving treatment for gunshot wounds.
On the social grounds, Father Mukonori is assisting scores of children with school fees and food. He personally engages in fundraising for the orphans and those who cannot afford school fees.
Today Fidellis Mukonori celebrates his fifty years in the service of the Lord.