Catholic Priests in Zimbabwe among Recipients of Spanish State Honors for Service Delivery

Harare, 11 July, 2023 / 9:30 PM

Two Catholic Priests ministering in Zimbabwe’s Hwange and Binga Dioceses are among the recipients of honors by the government of Spain for rendering professional services with “exceptional selflessness”.

Fr. Ángel Arnaldo Conesa and Fr. Ildefonso Trujillo López were awarded the Cross of the Order of Saint Elizabeth, “a white enameled cross, representing on the obverse Saint Elizabeth dispensing charity to the poor, and on the reverse, the initials of the founder”, in an event that the Ambassador of Spain to Zimbabwe, Natividad Isabel Peña Bonilla, presided over.

“The civil recognition on granting these honors to Frs. Ángel Arnaldo Conesa, Ildefonso Trujillo López, Mr. Ephraim Darara, and Mr. Robert Ndawi, are based not only on the services rendered in carrying out their professional duties but also on their capacity to do it with exceptional selflessness,” Amb. Natividad has been quoted as saying in a Monday, July 10 report.

Amb. Natividad, who was speaking during the July 4 event added, “This is not only an event of recognition from the State but also the best occasion to publicly show our affection and gratitude to those honored today.”

Fr. Arnaldo has ministered in the Southern African nation for over 60 years. The founder of the Catholic Mission of Kariangwe in Binga District in the territory of Hwange Diocese facilitated the establishment of several primary schools, and health centers in the country’s Matabeleland North and Midlands Provinces.

“I worked with so many people in Hwange and l learned Nyanja and Tonga in Binga. l pushed for the education of the girl child because at that time only boys were sent to school. For all l have done l give praise to God,” Fr. Arnaldo has been quoted as saying during the July 4 event. 

Fr. Ildefonso, known for “his strong stance in defending the dignity of the rural community in their quest for proper recognition of their traditions”, founded Jotsholo Mission in Hwange Diocese.

Speaking during the event, he expressed his surprise, saying, “For me, it was a surprise to be called to the Embassy. What l have done for people during difficult times of the war until today, has given me joy and happiness.”

Also speaking during the July 4 event, the two Zimbabweans honored were thankful.

“I would like to thank the Ambassador and all my co-wokers and my parents for never giving up on me and always encouraging me to be a good person and courteous to all I come across,” Mr. Ndawi who has worked for the Spanish Embassy in Zimbabwe for 13 years as a driver has been quoted as saying.

On his part, Mr. Darara who has been the chef at the Spanish Residence since 1981 said, “I am always a joyous person as you can see. Maybe that is why the Ambassador loves me.”

“I have worked with different Ambassadors, some were nice and some were strict, but I told myself that they will one day leave,” Mr. Darara added during the July 4 event that had the Apostolic Nuncio to Zimbabwe, Archbishop Paolo Rudelli, in attendance.