Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Harare (Agenzia Fides)- “We are here to pray for peace and to denounce oppression” said the Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo Pius Ncube during one of two prayer meetings organised last week by the Catholic community of Zimbabwe.
On Saturday 14 April the police gave permission for a prayer meeting at St Patrick’s Parish Makokoba, after first threatening to prevent it on the grounds that it was an anti-government protest. The organisers, animators of the Save Zimbabwe Campaign, said they would challenge any attempt to stop the meeting despite fear of possible violence on the part of the police: “the campaign leaders confirmed their commitment to find a solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe despite brutalities on the part of the national security forces. We deplore the use of violence of those in power”.
On 12 April Archbishop Ncube presided a special prayer service in the cathedral of Bulawayo. Also present two South African bishops who fought the apartheid regime Bishop Joseph Buti Tlhagale of Johannesburg said the situation in Zimbabwe is similar to that in South Africa under apartheid and he said it is the duty of the Church to help mediate when leadership is missing. Bishop Kevin Dowling of Rustenburg, criticised African leaders, especially in countries close to Zimbabwe, which are against sanctions on the regime of Mugabe decreed by western countries, but do nothing to improve the economy of Zimbabwe.
In a Pastoral Letter “God listens to the cries of the oppressed” read in parishes on Palm Sunday, the Bishops strongly criticised the President (see Fides 30 March 2007). Saturday 14 April was marked as a national day of prayer and fasting for peace. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 18/4/2007 righe 31 parole 356)
