National Family and Marriage Commission is one of the Pastoral Commissions of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Established in January 2022, it aims at responding to the spiritual and pastoral needs of families by addressing family- related needs, and encouraging families to grow spiritually in the face of contemporary challenges. The commission offers this service by promoting pro-life and pro-family activities for the renewal and enrichment of family life and marriage. It is the duty of the church to build stable, fruitful and joyful families by offering help to those who do not fully meet the Christian ideal of marriage and the family. The commission also exhorts the faithful to open the eyes of their souls to the needs of the poor in the communities by restoring their dignity.

Towards an integral growth of Catholic family knowledge and practice of the teachings of Christ on marriage and life.

To serve and exhort Christian families to live The Gospel on Christian marriage and family values.

To teach, defend and promote respect of the dignity of human life and sanctity of marriage and family values as taught by the Catholic Church at national level and within the 8 dioceses of Zimbabwe

• Sharing of models of transmitting the faith within families
• Mitigation of marital breakdowns and their effects on children
• Greater awareness of the value of the family and the role of parents in society and in the Holy Church of Christ
• Promotion of models of pastoral accompaniment, formation of consciences and integration of the divorced and civilly remarried and for those living in polygamy
• Support initiatives for responsible procreation and protection of human life at every stage
• Promotion of family movements and associations that safeguard the gift of life, and prevention of recourse to abortions.

• Respect
• Love
• Generosity
• Patience
• Forgiveness
• Hope
• Peace

The family is one of the most important institutions in proclaiming the Gospel. It the cornerstone of faith upon which parishes, communities, and nations are constructed. At its heart, the family provides a nurturing haven where individuals cultivate their values, beliefs, and faith. Within this sacred space, spiritual, moral, and ethical principles take root, moulding future generations who go on to enrich their parishes, communities, societies, nations, and the entire global landscape. It nurtures faith, fortifies communities, shapes societies, nurtures good citizenship, and advances the betterment of our world. St. John Paul II noted, “The future of humanity passes by way of the family.”  “To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others.” Pope Saint John Paul II

The Apostolate is involved in the following activities:

• • Marriage Preparation
  • Couple and Family Enrichment
  • Family Counselling
  • The art of parenting
  • Family Celebration
  • Responsible parenthood
  • Family enrichment programmes
  • Welfare Programmes to save a family project.
  • Accompaniment of families in crisis
  • Pastoral care of the elderly

“In your journey as a family, you share so many beautiful moments: meals, rest, housework, leisure, prayer, trips and pilgrimages, and times of mutual support…Nevertheless, if there is no love then there is no joy, and authentic love comes to us from Jesus. He offers us his word, which illuminates our path; he gives us the Bread of life which sustains us on our journey.” Pope Francis in his Letter to Families, (February 2, 2014). Families can join the following associations and movements/groups:

• Catholic Couples Association
• Couples for Christ
• Marriage Encounter
• Cana
• Widows Association
• Single for Christ
• Retrouvaille
• Pro-Life Programmes- Promote the value of life and prolife movement.