Zimbabwe Church Leaders Shy From Discussing Crisis
An ecumenical regional solidarity conference on Zimbabwe held in Mozambique, last week, almost ended in chaos after senior Zimbabwe Council of Churches delegates denied that the country is embroiled in economic and political crisis.
The ZCC senior delegates shied from talking about the crisis situation in Zimbabwe alleging that the organizers of the conference, EDICESA, were not specific about the agenda of the meeting. The ZCC delegates included the president, general secretary and other senior bishops.
Other delegates from the neighboring countries were however, frustrated by failure of the Zimbabwean council of churches leaders to clearly articulate issues and threatened to leave the meeting.
As a compromise the meeting then resolved to look at issues faced by the whole southern Africa region. The strategy for action was focused on issues faced by Angola, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. FOCCISA resolved to mediate between the two major political parties to resurrect the negotiation process in Zimbabwe. The regional body also agreed to set up a SADC elections monitoring unit to enforce the regional principles and guidelines on elections.
Addressing the same gathering the AEA Ethics, Peace and Justice Commission executive secretary, Rev Patson Netha, urged the church in Zimbabwe to unite and resolve the crisis. The meeting was also addressed by the director of OSISA Mr. Tawanda Mutasa, who facilitated discussion on the SADC Principles and Guidelines on Elections.
The ZCC senior delegates shied from talking about the crisis situation in Zimbabwe alleging that the organizers of the conference, EDICESA, were not specific about the agenda of the meeting. The ZCC delegates included the president, general secretary and other senior bishops.
Other delegates from the neighboring countries were however, frustrated by failure of the Zimbabwean council of churches leaders to clearly articulate issues and threatened to leave the meeting.
As a compromise the meeting then resolved to look at issues faced by the whole southern Africa region. The strategy for action was focused on issues faced by Angola, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. FOCCISA resolved to mediate between the two major political parties to resurrect the negotiation process in Zimbabwe. The regional body also agreed to set up a SADC elections monitoring unit to enforce the regional principles and guidelines on elections.
Addressing the same gathering the AEA Ethics, Peace and Justice Commission executive secretary, Rev Patson Netha, urged the church in Zimbabwe to unite and resolve the crisis. The meeting was also addressed by the director of OSISA Mr. Tawanda Mutasa, who facilitated discussion on the SADC Principles and Guidelines on Elections.
posted at 7:26 am
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