The Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Zimbabwe (CMRS – ZW) was established in May 1964. The conference which was initially made up of 21 women Religious leaders, was called the Conference of Major Superiors of Women Religious (CMSWR). This was cited in the then Rhodesian The Herald of 15 May 1964, ‘Rhodesian Roman Catholic nuns now have their own co-ordinating body following the establishment (this week) of the Conference of Major Superiors of Women Religious…’

The women Religious had discovered each other and realised the benefits to be gained from working together. The first chairperson for this establishment was Sr. Bernadette FMDM^[1], with other executive members namely; Sr. Josephine RSHM, Sr. Veronica LCM, Sr. Therisita LCBL and Sr. Bonifatia IBVM (now CJ). However, the formal recognition of CMSWR was in 1970.

The aims for the initial grouping were clear; instead of each congregation ploughing its own furrow, they would cooperate in;

• vocation promotion,
• Religious formation and,
• Apostolic collaboration.
• Study issues such as African culture (kinship and marriage), history, politics and economics of the country, together.

As time went on, they concentrated on providing courses such as catechesis, club work, school, domestic work, cooking, general work, scripture and needle work for sisters. Each year, the women leaders held annual general meetings which always included a formative day on various topics of concern.

In the late 1970’s, CMSWR, responding to academic and professional training needs of local sisters in the country, adapted facilities of St. Michael’s Preparatory School into a training centre which was called Wadzanai in order to equip the sisters for the development of the people.

In 1980, the sisters spearheaded the establishment of Catholic Auxiliary Teachers for Rural Zimbabwe (CATORUZI) to boost the education system of the independent Zimbabwe as the country emerged from the war. Contemplative communities were also established in the country.

While all this was going on, at a later stage though, the men Religious had their own grouping, under the name Conference of Major Superiors of Men Religious (CMRSMR) though not as visible as CMSWR. In 1988, the conferences of men and women religious superiors held combined meetings and this laid a foundation for the later merger, and in 2003 the joint conference of both men and women religious, was unanimously voted for. The name of the new conference was changed to the Conference of Major Religious Superiors of Zimbabwe (CMRS – ZW). In 2010, the new CMRS – ZW Statutes were approved by the Holy See’s Congregation for the Institutes of Consecrated Life and Societies of Apostolic Life, (CICLSAL) and came into effect in February 2011.

As a joint conference and in close collaboration with the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC), there have been a number of activities carried out. These include; writing statements challenging the political situation in the country, joint prayer sessions for peace especially towards elections, taking part in election observation exercises, annual general meetings held every year, establishment of desks under CMRS, setting up of the CMRS Office and having a full-time CMRS Secretary (2013).

Other activities include, reviving an association of women religious to tackle issues of HIV/AIDS through All Africa Conference of Sister to Sister (AACSS), (USA), linking up the conference with other sister conferences in Africa e.g. the Association of Consecrated Women in Eastern and Central Africa (ACWECA) in 2017, carrying out training programs for Religious and participating in capacity building programs for Religious through African Sisters Education Collaborative, (ASEC) programme.

Meanwhile, close collaboration with Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) has helped in building mutual relationship with the Bishops for the growth of the local Church.