An investigation into the impact of Super Roma’s Healing Ministry on the Roman Catholic Church in Zimbabwe: a case study of Gweru and Masvingo Dioceses

Abstract

Religious movements of renewal, revival and healing have been a key characteristic feature of Christianity in Zimbabwe. From as early as the pre-independence era, both national and transnational healing communities have operated with considerable vitality in their bid to put the Gospel into practice. The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of Super Roma’s healing ministry on Christianity in Zimbabwe, particularly on the Catholic Church where the movement is more pronounced. The study utilized the phenomenological, historical, sociological and theological methods. The unavailability of literature on Super Roma posed as limitation, thereby prompting the researcher to depend heavily on interviews to establish the impact of the ecumenically composed movement. Three research techniques were crucial in data collection, namely, interviews, questionnaires and sampling. Interviews were conducted at three mission stations where Father (Fr). Urayai, the protagonist of the movement operated as priest cum exorcist. These mission stations are: Mutero in Gutu district, St Kizito and Chinyuni in Zhombe and Chirumhanzu districts respectively. The impact of Super Roma’s healing ministry was assessed at three theoretical levels, namely, membership, theology and practice. The information collected using narrative interviews was categorized based on objectives and interpreted qualitatively. Upon examination of research findings, it was established that Father Urayai’s healing ministry that dates back to the late 60s provided both the foundation and context within which Super Roma emerged. Within the Roman Catholic circles, Super Roma has not been well received. It was often accused of introducing new doctrines that undermined some major articles of inter-denominationally accepted traditional Christian theology. For that reason, Super Roma has always operated on the fringes of traditional denominations, particularly the Roman Catholic Church. However, with faith healing occupying a key position in the life of the movement, the practice of Eucharistic intercommunion, a camouflaged strategy of ‘stay and reform from within’ as well as providing a safety net for orphans and other vulnerable children, Super Roma has gained ground as a national movement of Christian derivation in Zimbabwe. Against all odds, it has managed to recruit from a number of Zimbabwe’s traditional mainline denominations.