Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference

Commission for Clergy, Religious and Vocations

Constitution

Membership

1. The following persons will be members of the Commission:

a)The Bishop President, elected by the ZCBC.
b) The Secretary/Director of the ZCBC Commission for Christian Formation and
Worship/Pastoral Centre
c) The Chairman or Secretary of the National Council of Priests
d) The Chairman or Secretary of the Zimbabwe Association of Diocesan Clergy
e) The Chairperson or Vice-Chairpersons of the Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Women Religious and the Chairpersons or Vice-Chairpersons of the Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Male Religious (whose delegation will include at least one major superior of a local congregation, who may be co-opted if necessary).
f) Co-ordinator – Ongoing Formation sub-committee.

2. The Secretary/Director of the Commission for Formation and Worship/Pastoral will be Secretary of the Commission.

Terms of Reference

3. The Commission will have concern for the increase of vocations to priestly and religious life in Zimbabwe and may arrange an annual campaign for the increase of such vocations, as well as any other activities to raise awareness of ministry and calling within the church, especially among young people.

4. The Commission will be responsible for providing opportunities for on-going formation in personal and spiritual development, community life, and apostolic effectiveness for clergy and religious. An ongoing formation sub-committee may be formed for this purpose, the co-ordinator of which will be a member of the Commission.

5. The Commission may be tasked by the ZCBC to undertake any action which falls within the terms of reference of this Constitution, and may form sub-committees and co-opt other persons as it sees fit. Likewise, groups represented on the Commission may use the Commission as a means of bringing issues to the attention of the ZCBC, through the good offices of the Bishop President.

Commission Meetings

6. The Commission will meet at least twice a year, and will present an annual report to the ZCBC Plenary Session.

7. At each commission meeting, each member organisation will present a brief written report of its activities and concerns. The groups represented on the Commission will also take individual initiatives to increase communication between their own group and the others, using the commission’s secretariat to facilitate such interaction.

Commission Sub-Committees

8. The Commission will form the following two committees:

a) Sub-Committee to represent the Clergy – whose members shall as follows:
Bishop members of the Commission
Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of the National Council of Priests
Chairperson, Secretary and Treasurer of Zimbabwe Association of Diocesan Clergy
Secretary of the Commission for Clergy, Religious and Vocations

b) Sub-Committee to represent the Religious – whose members shall be as follows:
Bishop members of the Commission
Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Major Religious (Men)
Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson of the Major Religious (Female)
Secretary of the Commission for Clergy, Religious and Vocations

These sub-committees will afford the groups represented to have a forum for dialogue
with the ZCBC and shall meet when necessary.