Patrick Fani Chakaipa Explained

Type:archbishop
Honorific-Prefix:The Most Reverend

Patrick Chakaipa
Archbishop of Harare
Archdiocese:Harare
Province:Harare
Appointed:31 May 1976
Term Start:31 May 1976
Term End:8 April 2003
Predecessor:Francis William Markall
Successor:Robert Ndlovu
Previous Post:Titular Bishop of Rucuma (1972–1973)
Auxiliary Bishop of Salisbury (1972)
Ordination:15 August 1965
Consecration:14 January 1973
Consecrated By:Francis William Markall
Birth Name:Patrick Fani Chakaipa
Birth Date:25 June 1932
Birth Place:Mhondoro, Southern Rhodesia
Death Place:Harare, Zimbabwe
Nationality:Zimbabwean
Religion:Roman Catholic
Patrick Fani Chakaipa
Dipstyle:The Most Reverend
Offstyle:Your Grace
Relstyle:Archbishop

The Most Reverend Patrick Fani Chakaipa (25 June 1932  - 8 April 2003) was the Archbishop of Harare from 1976 until his death in 2003.

Early life

He was born in Chirundazi (Mhondoro) which is some 100 km south of Harare. He was of the Zezuru tribe. His early life must have included the typical life of a Zezuru boy which includes herding cattle goats or sheep as well as working on the fields. He attended secondary school education at St. Michael's Mission Mhondoro, which is a Roman Catholic school. He was well known for his strict discipline during school days and perseverance in difficult situations. He was good at football and was affectionately known by his first name Fani.

Episcopate

He was the first African Roman Catholic bishop in Rhodesia/Zimbabwe. During his seminary years he was a keen writer and completed several books which were written in his Zezuru language. Some of the books included adventure and African culture folklore (Rudo Ibofu, Garandichauya, Karikoga Gumi Remiseve, Pfumo Reropa, Dzasukwa Mwana Asinahembe). He was very instrumental in keeping the Catholic faith among Mondoroans influencing quite a substantial number of young Zezuru Mhondoroans to join the priesthood. He officiated at the swearing ceremony of Zimbabwe's first black African leader Robert Gabriel Mugabe. He presided at the president's wedding to his second wife Grace Mugabe.

Burial

After his death, he was buried at Chishawasha cemetery near Harare.

External links