Fake Priest Exposed: Catholic Church Warns Zimbabweans Over Impersonator

By Southerton Business Times | Harare

The Roman Catholic Church in Zimbabwe has issued a public warning after exposing a man accused of falsely presenting himself as a Catholic priest and Franciscan deacon in several parishes, urging worshippers to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to minister in the Church. Harare Archbishop Robert Ndlovu identified the man as Francis Gano, saying he had been misleading congregants by preaching and carrying out religious activities while falsely claiming to be an ordained minister.

The warning, contained in an official pastoral statement issued by the Archdiocese of Harare, comes amid growing concerns over religious impersonation and fraudulent ministry in Zimbabwe.

"I wish to inform you of a serious situation regarding Mr Francis Gano, who has been falsely presenting himself as a Catholic priest or Franciscan deacon within various parishes and communities," Archbishop Ndlovu said.

According to the Archbishop, Gano had been "preaching and acting as if he were an ordained minister of the Catholic Church," despite having no ecclesiastical authority to do so.

Archbishop Ndlovu stressed that Gano has never been ordained as either a priest or deacon in the Roman Catholic Church.

"To clarify, Mr Gano is not, and has never been, a Catholic priest or deacon. He lacks any ordination or formation from recognised Catholic institutions and, therefore, has no authority to preach, celebrate sacraments, or perform any ministry," he said.

The Archbishop also noted that Gano is married, underscoring that he does not meet the Latin Rite Catholic Church's discipline governing priestly ordination. While married permanent deacons exist in the Catholic Church, they must undergo formal formation and receive valid ordination from a bishop before exercising ministry. Priests in the Latin Rite are ordinarily celibate. The Church emphasised that Gano has received no such ordination or mandate.

The Archdiocese has directed all priests, parish councils, religious congregations and lay leaders not to permit Gano to participate in any liturgical or pastoral activities. Archbishop Ndlovu instructed Catholics not to recognise him as a priest, deacon or authorised Church minister and urged parish leaders to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to represent the Catholic Church before allowing them to minister.

Canon law requires Catholic clergy to receive valid ordination and faculties from the competent ecclesiastical authority before administering sacraments or exercising public ministry, making unauthorised ministry a serious matter for the Church.

The Archbishop appealed to Catholics across Zimbabwe to remain alert against religious deception.

"Together, we can protect our community from deception and uphold the integrity of our Church," he said.

Church officials encouraged parishioners to report any individual falsely claiming to represent the Catholic Church to parish priests or diocesan authorities. The incident has renewed calls for worshippers to verify the identity and credentials of religious leaders, particularly as cases of clergy impersonation and religious fraud continue to surface across Zimbabwe.

Catholic Church Zimbabwe fake priest