AFRICA/ZIMBABWE - “In the name of Jesus, stop the violence”: Standing Committee of Symposium of Bishops’ Conferences of Africa and Madagascar appeals to leaders of Zimbabwe

Friday, 30 March 2007

Accra (Agenzia Fides)- In a message on the State of Affairs in Zimbabwe the Symposium of Bishops’ Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) express dismay and concern for the present situation in that country: “We are saddened and concerned about the suffering of our sisters and brothers in Zimbabwe”. The Standing Committee of SECAM was meeting in Accra, Ghana, from March 26-30, (see Fides 26 March 2007). A
The message, a copy of which was sent to Fides, affirms: “A fact-finding mission sent to Zimbabwe recently by SECAM, reports that the situation there has reached a state, where an uncontrolled outbreak of violence, chaos and anarchy is more and more becoming a danger. The mission confirmed the observations which the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Zimbabwe has made in a recent pastoral letter.” (see Fides 30 March 2007).
Recalling that Zimbabwe is experiencing “a crisis of moral leadership and of bad governance”, the SECAM Bishops say they “strongly appeal to the Government of Zimbabwe, in the name of Jesus, to immediately stop the violence. And we urge all the political leaders of Zimbabwe to be fair, just and compassionate in governing their people. Peace, good governance and respect of human rights should always be the overriding principle.”.
“We also appeal - they continue - to President John Agyekum Kufuor, Chairman of the African Union (AU), and President Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, Chairman of the Organ of Politics, Defense and Security of the Southern African Development Cooperation (SADC), and all leaders assembled in Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania on the 29th of March 2007 that, in the spirit of the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NePAD) and the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), they should prevail upon the Government of Zimbabwe to immediately take measures to stop the violence and carnage that is engulfing the country.”.
The Bishops say African leaders “should insist that the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights as enshrined in the African Charter of Human and Peoples’ Rights, to which Zimbabwe is a signatory, be reinstated.”.
“The major motivation of the Church’s involvement in the development of people has been the promotion of the dignity of the human person, made in the image and the likeness of God. As a Church we are aware of the challenges that lie ahead of us and will do all within our means to play our prophetic role and carry out the divine mission entrusted to us. That is why we shall continue to speak out for the voiceless, the marginalized and the oppressed in society.”.
The members of the SECAM standing committee conclude urging “all Churches and people of faith and good will in Africa to join the people of Zimbabwe in their national day of prayer scheduled for the 14th of April 2007 by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Zimbabwe”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 30/3/2007 righe 38 parole 457)


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