Elizabeth Musodzi : the Catholic woman agent of the Gospel in Harare

Abstract

The role played by Catholic African Women agents of the gospel in the propagation of the faith in Zimbabwe has not been highlighted in Catholic historiography in Zimbabwe. This article focuses on Mai Musodzi of St Peters Mbare in Harare, a laywoman, who contributed a great deal to the propagation of the Catholic faith in Harare. The article intends to critically investigate the role played by Elizabeth Musodzi at every step in the development and expansion of Catholicism in Salisbury by unravelling problems and challenges faced by women like of Elizabeth Musodzi in a male dominated Church and a male-dominated environment. Thirdly the article intends to find out the role that Elizabeth Musodzi played in the religious and socio-political spheres. Finally the article will try to investigate whether she played any decisive role in conscientising the Catholic Church about racism and segregation that was rampant at the time.