THE Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference is under fire from various quarters for criticising the government based on unfounded claims, with a cross-section of Mutare residents saying religious leaders should desist from being used as political fronts by enemies of the state.
Traditional leaders, advocacy groups and opinion leaders who spoke to ZBC News in Mutare slammed the pastoral letter written by the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference led by Archbishop Robert Ndlovu, saying they expect the church to lead by example.
“As a young person and being Catholic I am disappointed by the stance that the church took. We expect to pray for the nation and respect the political leadership we have but now if the church is taking such a position to encourage people to demonstrate then we have a problem.”
“It is disappointing for the church to be inciting violence in the country. Zimbabwe is a peace-loving nation and to even think that a man of God is at the forefront of inciting violence is unthinkable. If he wants to join politics let him do so and leave the church for those who want to pray for this nation.”
“It is very wrong for the church to incite violence in the country. It is very wrong for the church to try and cause disturbances in the country. This is a peaceful nation and it should remain peaceful.”
Chief Zimunya also weighed in saying leaders are chosen by God and if the church incites violence against a constitutionally elected government their religion becomes questionable.
“We believe that leaders are from God and so if someone is against that leadership it shows they are not of God but Satan. If the church is at the forefront to lead in overthrowing the leadership then we question their religion. As traditional leaders, we are not pleased. The church should stay in its lane.”
Meanwhile, the Mashonaland East Chapter of the Zimbabwe Indigenous Inter-Denominational Council of Churches has added its voice in condemning the Zimbabwe catholic bishops conference for its unwarranted negative criticism of the government.
Speaking at a media briefing in Marondera this Friday, the indigenous church body expressed concern over contents of the confrontational pastoral letter written by the Zimbabwe catholic bishops conference.
“The churches should engage the government on any issues of national importance, not the confrontational approach taken by the catholic bishops,” said ZIICC Organising Secretary Lysias Zhou.
“As indigenous churches, our role is to work with the government of the day so we condemn the actions of these bishops who are hiding behind the church for their interests,” added Bertha Chirambadare the ZIICC Information and Publicity Secretary.
The pastoral letter which was released on the 14th of this month has been widely condemned by progressive forces in Zimbabwe, including the government.
