Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Johannesburg (Agenzia Fides) - “We welcome the prospect of a national dialogue on morality and morals in our country. President Zuma's proposal is a timely one. It is for all South Africans to participate in a collective responsibility for our future,” says a statement sent to Fides from the National Church Leaders' Consultation,” the organization that brings together the main Christian Churches of South Africa, including the Catholic Church. In an interview released on February 21 in the “Sunday Times” of South Africa, President Jacob Zuma launched a proposal for national dialogue on the moral conduct of the country. “We need this conversation that must help us reach a common understanding as South Africans,” Zuma said.
The Christian leaders gladly welcome the President's proposal because, as they highlight in their message, South Africa is in a grave moral crisis. “As a nation, we have been reaping the fruits of attitudes – social, economic moral and political - that have undermined and continue to undermine what common values and principles of behaviour we shared in the recent past to achieve our new South Africa. The elements of a legacy which were beginning to emerge under the leadership of former President Nelson Mandela and his generation of leaders have been substantially squandered.”
“It is quite clear that at present we are floundering – directionless and clueless as to where we are going as a country. The goodwill, momentum and historical opportunity of the World Cup should not be left to waste, for fear that after the event all we are left with is debt and acrimony,” the message continues.
The Christian leaders also propose guidelines for the discussion: “Given the current depth of polarization along social, economic and political lines, we propose that the starting point be the foundational principle that the human person, and every human person, has intrinsic and inalienable value. All else in any code of morals must take its lead from that basic principle. In this way we will avoid all considerations of race, class, nationality, religion and political persuasion. This is also the only way in which we will be able to judge and evaluate whether or not our Constitution and it’s application is in fact fair and just to all those who have been given the gift of life – from babies in their mother’s wombs to natural death.”
The message highlights that “naturally, for the Christian community, this principle takes its origin from the fact that every person is created in the image and likeness of God, that every person has value and worth from the fact that human life is sacred and therefore inviolable.”
“We welcome this opportunity to build a more responsible South Africa,” the Christian leaders conclude.
President Zuma has recently faced serious criticism (from the Bishops as well) for his private and political conduct (see Fides 15/2/2010). (LM) (Agenzia Fides 23/2/2010)
