Violence Against Holy Objects in Zimbabwe’s War of Liberation: Selected Experiences from the Catholic Church

Abstract

Zimbabwe went through an armed liberation struggle from 1966 that culminated in the
attainment of African majority rule in 1980. Part of the violence of that liberation
struggle was directed at remote mission stations scattered throughout rural areas.
While many studies have focused on the murder and brutalization of missionaries and
other mission workers, there remains a knowledge gap on the damage and destruction
of church buildings, images and other objects considered holy. The purpose of this
paper is to discuss material cultures which were destroyed and the effects with special
reference to the Catholic Church in wartime Zimbabwe generally, and Mapiravana (St
Theresa) Church of Chirumhanzu and Berejena mission of Chivi in particular. The
paper is within the broader context of closure to some horrific aspects of the armed
struggle since Zimbabwe has not established a Truth and Reconciliation Commission
to deliberate on wartime violence. Furthermore, the paper widens our understanding
of the forces behind the tearing of shrines and Christian Churches historically and to
date. Although secondary sources were used, the research benefited primarily from
oral interviews with parishioners of the time, relics of destruction which could be
observed and press coverage of the same incidences. It is important to bear in mind
that church buildings constitute sacred spaces which are set aside from the secular
world and its laws. This constitutes enduring legacies of Catholicism in the present
day.