The Carmelites Celebrate 80th Anniversary of Presence in Zimbabwe
The Zimbabwe Commissariat celebrated the launch of their Oak Jubilee and diaconate ordination of Br Lloyd Champiruka on Saturday, October 25, 2025, in St. Simon Stock Parish, Rusape. The occasion was graced by his Carmelite Bishop Paul Horan, O. Carm., and the Irish provincial, Simon Nolan, O. Carm.
The Zimbabwe Commissariat was established by the Irish Carmelites in November 1946. Three Carmelites—Donal Lamon, Anselm Corbett, and Luke Flynn—arrived in what was then called Rhodesia. Five additional Carmelites came to assist in 1947. In early 1953, the Prefecture of Umtali was entrusted to the care of the Irish Carmelites with Donal Lamont as Apostolic Prefect. Four years later, the Prefecture was raised to become the Diocese of Umtali, now Mutare, with Lamont as the first bishop. Along the 80-year journey, friars from the USA, Australia, and Britain contributed to the Commissariat.
The Commissariat currently has nine communities with a variety of ministries being served. The novitiate serves not only Zimbabwe but Kenya and Mozambique.
