Father Emmanuel Ribeiro Declared National Hero

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Father Emmanuel Ribeiro Declared National Hero
Father Emmanuel Ribeiro Declared National Hero

Africa-PressZimbabwe. The late Roman Catholic cleric, Father Emmanuel Ribeiro, has been declared a national hero.

The national hero status declaration was made by Defence and War Veterans Affairs Minister, Oppah Muchinguri-Kashiri on Friday.

Muchinguri-Kashiri was accompanied by ZANU PF acting national Political Commissar Patrick Chinamasa, when she delivered the message to the Ribeiro, Mashonganyika and Makaka families in Vainona, Harare.

She described Fr Ribeiro as a friend, saying the national hero status was bestowed on him because of the role he played in Zimbabwe’s liberation from colonial bondage. Said Muchinguri-Kashiri:

We came as Zanu PF family and Government of Zimbabwe sent by President Mnangagwa to pay our condolences and inform you of the honour bestowed on our friend, Fr Ribeiro after considering his role in the liberation of this country.

Fr Ribeiro fought for the independence of this country despite being a cleric and he even continued to serve after independence.

He had unpleasant experiences during the war as he prayed for prisoners before hanging.

He was a friend to the prisoners and had a great influence. He also assisted former President Mugabe and national hero Edgar Tekere to cross to Mozambique.

He represented President Mnangagwa when he was arrested during the war.

Fr Ribeiro died at St Anne’s Hospital in Harare on Thursday morning after a short illness. He was 86.

He was born in 1935 in Chivhu and attended Kutama Mission, Gokomere, and Gweru Teachers’ College.

Fr Ribeiro studied Theology at Chishawasha Mission before enrolling for a Master’s Degree at Bloomington College of Music in the US.

He was trained at Chishawasha Mission from 1952 and was ordained on December 13, 1964.

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