AoB/Cir/03 2021

To All Priests, Deacons, Religious and Faithful of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo,

A concern is raised by some people few times that Archdiocese of Bulawayo or the Archbishop is requesting lot of money and things from the faithful for various needs.

Let me make the following very clear. The above matter is absolutely wrong. I nave no-requested for any financial or material things from parishes or associations so far. At times requests must have been made by associations, priests or religious groups for their particular needs. These are not the requests from the Archdiocese in any way. I do not send any information or requests through Whatsapp. All my correspondence are through official letters dated, coded and filed away with my personal signature in ink and seal. Any requests for common needs of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo are approved first by the Finance Committee and the Pastoral Council of the Archdiocese of Bulawayo. Accordingly official requests are sent out if any at all.

The mandatory collections requested by the Church are mentioned in the Liturgical Calencia- each year such as Missionary Childhood in February, Lenten Collection during Lent, Holy Land on Good Friday, Peter's Pence in June, Vocation Sunday in July and Mission Sunday in October. These are collections for the Universal Church which are mandatory and are forwarded to the respective offices. For any extra ordinary needs official letters will be sent out to all parishes and these will be for specific needs.

From now on for the sake of clarification you are free to demand a copy of the letter for such requests signed by me or contact me personally for verification and transparency.

Thank you.

Sincerely

+ Alex Thomas
Archbishop of Bulawayo