AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - In pastoral letter on elections Catholic Bishops of Zimbabwe urge all citizens to play their part to ensure a vote which is fair and peaceful

Harare (Fides Service) - In pastoral letter for elections tomorrow 31 March the Catholic Bishops of Zimbabwe “invite all Christians to pray for our leaders and would-be-leaders in all sections of our society so that they may adopt a leadership style that respects human dignity. May our leaders in the society, be God-fearing people and overcome misleading attitudes as Jesus did when he was tempted in the desert”.
The Bishops invoke the help of God to solve the country’s problems reminding the people “We need God’s assistance. In fact, it is the Lord himself who takes the lead in saving his people.. No individual, politician, political party can claim to single-handedly provide solutions to our nation”.
With regard to candidates, the Bishops say to meet with the electorate they must not only to put forward their party political position, but listen genuinely to their vital concerns; prevent any intimidatory or violent conduct being used to influence voters; desist from manipulating youth for unscrupulous vote-gaining; refuse to use food for ‘buying’ votes; recognise that, if elected, they will represent all members of their constituency, not just those belonging to their own party.
The Bishops remind the electorate that it is their right and their duty to vote according to conscience and to focus on the real issues that concern the public good and not to be side-tracked by empty and divisive rhetoric.
They call on the authorities to put themselves at the service of all the members of society; to stop all violence; to bring to justice those who have broken the law; to ensure that all people have access to food and to other basic necessities without discrimination along party political lines; to ensure that the media are free to serve all sectors of society. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2005 righe 29 parole 337)