The ManicaPost
Cletus Mushanawani News Editor
CHURCHES should not hide behind the Bible in advancing opposition political agendas as this will further sow seeds of divisions among Zimbabweans.
Various groupings in Manicaland have come out guns blazing against the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference after the release of a pastoral letter which contained unproven claims of a crisis in Zimbabwe.
Government is engaging the Vatican to ascertain whether the statement reflects the official attitude of the Holy See towards Zimbabwe’s leadership or they are just views of the individuals concerned.
Zimbabwe National Liberation War Veterans Association Manicaland provincial chairman, Cde Gift Kagweda said the bishops are just singing for their supper.
“Since colonisation, some of these churches have been used to suppress blacks using the Bible. They came here preaching the heavenly gospel, making the indigenous people discard their own religious belief systems. Our ancestors were made to believe that paradise is in heaven. They surrendered all their wealth thinking they would enjoy better life after death.
“When we executed the liberation struggle, our mission came into fruition through the independence we are now enjoying.
“The independence came with democracy and human rights, which the Government is now being accused of violating.
“These people want to reverse the gains of our independence so as to please their paymasters,” said Cde Kagweda.
Acting Chief Zimunya said it is sad to note that churches have now turned themselves into messengers of hate speech.
“We have been watching the goings on in the church with keen interest after realising that some of the leaders are wolves in sheep skin.
“The church should not meddle in politics, the Bible says servants of God should subject themselves to rulers,” said Chief Zimunya.
He went on to say some church leaders are in ministry for financial gain.
“Some have been coming to our areas, especially in Ward Five of Mutare Rural, where they have been trying to recruit people to revolt against the Government under the guise of Covid-19 awareness programmes.
“Various workshops have been held but we are happy that they yielded no tangible results.”
On Tuesday, leaders of Zimbabwe Indigenous Inter-denominational Council of Churches (ZIIC) added their voice to the debate and said it is unfair to judge the Government based on fabricated social media reports of alleged abductions.
ZIIC spokesperson, Reverend Andrew Wutawunashe said, “The nation can only have one Government at a time. This is the genuine practice of democracy. If we refuse to adopt this principle, no party will be able to govern Zimbabwe.
“We call upon the nations that continue to subject Zimbabwe to sanctions to adopt fair and just practices and to take into account the genuine efforts of President Mnangagwa and his Government as they steer the nation on a path of peace and unity.
“It is unfair to judge and act against the Government based on fabricated social media reports, including reports of alleged abductions which even some in the opposition circles end up admitting were stage,” said Rev Wutaunashe.
He said the country’s detractors only respond to Zimbabwe’s issues when it suits them.
“Bold, sincere and forward looking initiatives for national reconciliation, such as the recent agreement to compensate white farmers for farm improvements, are met by Western governments with a deafening silence. This silence is puzzling given Western calls for Zimbabwe to align its actions with its Constitution,” said Rev Wutawunashe.
The indigenous churches also bemoaned self-serving politics that saw the opposition calling for mass protests on July 31 with no thought given to the spike in local infections and deaths.
“Opposition activists have been lobbying through social media, painting a false picture of a nation in crisis.
“As spiritual shepherds, we uphold the freedom of people to express themselves and to freely pursue their political agendas on both sides of the political divide in a manner supported by the Constitution. However, we are alarmed by the reckless dearth of sincerity and basic patriotism which seems to be driving some activists to pit the people of Zimbabwe against their Government through deliberate disinformation campaigns.
“The people of Zimbabwe deserve better than this ruthless and cynical adversarial politics,” said Rev Wutawunashe.
ZICC patron, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi chipped in to say instead of promoting chaos, true shepherds should give hope to the people.
“Can we be true shepherds if we cannot give hope to our people? Are we true shepherds if we promote chaos? Are we true shepherds if we do not encourage our sheep to love the land that God gave us, to love and speak well of this country?” said Bishop Mutendi.
