The Dean of Gweru Cathedral,
Zimbabwe, visits us

The Very Reverend Austin July, Dean of St Cuthbert's Cathedral in Gweru in the Diocese of Central Zimbabwe preached at St Mary's on 20th June and later joined us for a lunchtime barbeque in Val and Ed Muller's garden. Fr Austin and other clergy from Zimbabwe were here to learn from Southwark Diocese's experiences of managing major projects.

 Fr Austin during his sermon and in other conversations expressed his optimism for Zimbabwe. The coalition government had brought peace; inflation has stabilised now that Zimbabwe has adopted the American dollar; there is abundant food in the shops. Zimbabwe is a predominantly Christian country and Fr Austin believes that people's individual faith, plus the leadership provided by the various denominations working together helped to get the country through difficult times.

 Many challenges remain. There are troubles in two of the five Anglican dioceses (not Central Zimbabwe), there is extensive poverty - many cannot afford to buy the food they see in the shops; there are not enough locally trained doctors and nurses. Zimbabwe wants to establish its own stable currency.

 Fr Austin is leading a project to establish a small hospital in one of the rural parts of Central Zimbabwe. It will provide secondary treatment for people who live far from Gweru where the main hospital is situated, and who need more than can be delivered by the village clinics.

 We were left thankful that life in Zimbabwe is getting back to normal, but many of the people are divided against each other, and face economic, health and education challenges that make our own issues seem trivial in comparison.

 Fr Austin was presented with an embroidered stole and a pebble from the beach at Lindisfane. Perhaps, just perhaps, St Cuthbert himself had trod on it?