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Report
of The World Council Of Churches (WCC) Ecumenical team visit to
Zimbabwe
- Sept 25 - October 01, 2005
World
Council Of Churches (WCC)
November 02, 2005
"If
one part of the body suffers, every part suffers with it."
1 Cor. 12:26
Introduction
An
ecumenical team sponsored by the World Council of Churches (WCC)
visited Zimbabwe, 25 September – 1 October 2005. This visit was
a continuation of a long journey of accompaniment by the international
ecumenical community. As such it sought to build on a number of
previous visits and meetings by such ecumenical bodies as the WCC,
the All African Conference of Churches (AACC) , and the Fellowship
of Christian Councils in Southern Africa (FOCCISA) which have dealt
with issues confronting Zimbabwe and other countries in the region.
The primary
objectives of this visit were the following:
- to express
the concern, love and solidarity of churches around the world
for the people and churches in Zimbabwe in the midst of their
current crisis;
- to listen
to the churches and people of Zimbabwe;
- to gain a
better understand of the role of the churches in responding to
the crisis; and
- to seek a
better understanding of the role the international ecumenical
community should play in supporting the churches in Zimbabwe.
The team was
composed of six persons. The members of the team were:
- Ms. Omega
Bula, United Church of Canada, Team Leader
- Rev. Dwain
Epps, World Council of Churches
- Mr. David
Modiega, Botswana Council of Churches, representing AACC
- Ms. Henrike
Berger, German Church Development Service (EED) and Chairperson
of the ZCC Core Group
- Mr. Babatunde
Olugoji, Christian Aid
- Rev. David
K. Owen, staff of WCC/AACC, Rapporteur
The programme
formally began on 26 September with an initial meeting where church
leaders from the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), the Evangelical
Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) and the Zimbabwe Catholics Bishops
Conference (ZCBC) were invited. We would like to strongly commend
the cooperation and coordination that is evident among these three
key ecumenical bodies in Zimbabwe. This meeting was then followed
by meetings with representatives of political parties and civil
society. The next day the team then separated into three groups
of two persons each in order to be able to visit with church groups
in various parts of the country.
One team travelled
to Masvingo, Mutare, and Marondera. Another team visited Gweru and
Bulawayo. The third team stayed in Harare and also visited Chinhoyi.
We wish to express our heart felt gratitude to the people and communities
that we met with. We have been touched by their stories and their
witness and ministry. In addition, we would like to express our
deep appreciation to the Zimbabwe Council of Churches
(ZCC) for the
assistance they provided. At short notice they were able to put
together a programme for us and provided transport, staff to accompany
us and other valuable logistical support.
Below are
issues being highlighted by the team:
Lives in
Danger: Immediate and Urgent Humanitarian Crisis
Before
elaborating further on other the issues that arose from these discussions
we would like to highlight an urgent and overwhelming concern that
continually arose. It was stressed to us that Zimbabwe is in crisis.
There are critical humanitarian needs that are threatening peoples’
lives, and these need to be addressed urgently. There are many dimensions
to this crisis (aftermath of Operation Murambatsvina, collapse of
the informal sector of the economy, HIV/AIDS, drought, food and
fuel shortages, , unemployment, etc.), but there is no denying the
fact that millions of ordinary Zimbabweans are deeply suffering
now. It is a testament to the church and its ministry that most
of these people are coming to the church, not to their Member of
Parliament or a governmental institution. They see the church as
a refuge and place of safety. But those churches which are responding
to this crisis as well as their humanitarian arms (i.e. Christian
Care) are under great strain. The need is much greater than can
be met with current resources on the ground. What makes this situation
even more pressing is the churches, their humanitarian arms, and
other groups are facing serious obstacles placed before them by
the government regarding the import and distribution of food. These
obstacles severely limit their ability and capacity to respond.
A Divided
Society, A Polarised Nation
As
discussions moved beyond the immediate crisis to a deeper analysis
of the situation, a number of serious concerns were highlighted.
In our opening meetings Zimbabwe was described to us as a society
increasing divided and polarized, and we were implored by the church
leadership to tell the truth of our findings. During our visits
the divisions in society were confirmed and the implications of
these divisions for the lives of people and the witness of the church
were underscored. The truth is often difficult to speak and hear,
but we know from the gospel that it is the truth which sets us free.
We received further encouragement to tell the truth from the Pastoral
Letter issued by the ZCC following a gathering in Victoria Falls
in July 2001. In that Pastoral Letter the church leaders stated:
"Our Lord Jesus Christ said, ‘The Truth shall set you free’
(John 8:32). Zimbabwe has reached a critical moment in its history
where the truth needs to be spoken without fear or favour. We believe
there is no person, institution or country that can be built on
lies. As a nation we are all called by our Lord Jesus Christ to
speak the truth to one another in order to be free. As Churches
we do not wish to fail the nation in this regard."
Thus, we feel
that our first responsibility is to say clearly what we have heard
from the variety of sources with whom we have been in discussion.
We do this out of love and as a way for the wider ecumenical movement
to accompany the churches of Zimbabwe in their efforts to transform
and heal their society. Church leaders told us that Zimbabwe was
a deeply divided society, and we were able to confirm this.
A House Divided…Cannot
stand
It
is difficult for a divided Church to respond and be a force for
healing and reconciliation. Disunity in society has created a divided
church. It is not a surprise that what is happening in society is
happening in the church. It was recognized early on in the ecumenical
movement that churches are a part of society and that when that
society is divided and full of conflict the church also reflects
this. The church must address and heal its own divisions if it is
to serve as an instrument of healing in wider society.
We heard a strong
call for the church to restore its own unity and to speak with one
voice in order to be a credible witness for justice and peace. In
many of the meetings representatives from the EFZ and ZCBC were
present, and this was a very positive sign. Repeatedly they emphasized
the desire to work together and seek to provide a united voice.
We welcome and applaud this, and we look forward this continuing
commitment to work together. In the many groups we met with a key
part of their call to the churches was that the Church should regain
its space in public discourse. There was acknowledgement that the
ZCC has made some efforts, but there was also frank recognition
that the ZCC has been falling short in providing clear-minded leadership.
With the current political stalemate and impasse there is a desperate
desire for the church to take the lead in providing a non-partisan
platform for discussion and dialogue on issues of national importance.
Key issues that
were identified include areas such as the land issue, the constitution,
media, human rights, etc. In this report we wish to highlight the
importance of dealing with these topics, but we are consciously
not providing additional analysis here, as we note that the church
has previously produced comprehensive reflection and analysis (i.e.
"The Truth Shall Set You Free" from the gathering in Victoria
Falls in July 2001 and "The Zimbabwe We Want" from the
gathering in Kariba in August 2004). Unfortunately documents such
as these have not been shared and discussed widely within the churches.
The church in Zimbabwe has been courageous at times in naming the
problems, but the polarization and divisions within the church appear
to have prevented it from moving forward. In spite of this people
still place a great deal of hope in the church. Many felt that the
church was the only option left, and they urged the church to claim
its space in the public dialogue.
Fear, Intimidation,
Insecurity
To
keep faith with many of those who have shared with us we are compelled
to report that fear, insecurity, intimidation, and surveillance
by security forces is not just a concern in the larger society in
Zimbabwe, but they also manifest themselves in the church as well.
We found this to be occurring at all levels of the church, from
the local level to the highest levels of the council itself. Even
members of the ZCC have been harassed and threatened with acts of
violence. Many report that they do not feel supported and often
feel betrayed. It is clear that people at all levels are afraid.
People are afraid of being victims of attacks and abuse by forces
of law and order. People are afraid of the possibility of another
decree by the forces of law and order which will fast track changes
and rely on force for implementation. People are afraid to speak
to one another about ordinary things. Pastors are afraid to speak
about the current crisis for fear that there will be people in the
congregation who will report them, and they will be invited by security
operatives to account for what they have said. Pastors and church
leaders are afraid to talk freely with each other, fearing that
what they say will be reported. We received testimony from some
who did speak out who reported that their houses were entered and
their papers searched and sometimes destroyed. This had lead to
a culture of silence, and it has hampered the ability of the church
to witness to truth and justice.
Violence
and Possibility of Further Violence
In
addition to the prevalence of fear among people we were also alarmed
by the prevalence of violence. While it may be true that overt violence
has decreased in recent years, with the exception of Operation Murambatsvina,
there are troubling warning signs of the eruption of violence on
an alarming scale. There are certain signs that tend to occur in
patterns which have led in to the massive violations of human rights
and massive violence in other countries, and we see many of these
signs currently in Zimbabwe. One of the signs is the institutionalising
of violence as an instrument of coercion. Another sign is the disappearance
of persons where this is used as a means of intimidation and control.
We were told of a number of cases where people have disappeared
in the Operation Murambatsvina. Yet another sign is the increasing
reports of youth being trained with military tactics and increasingly
operating as militias. Further, the high unemployment rates
(approximately
80-85%), especially among youth is another dangerous sign, and people
who are desperate and see little hope for the future are more likely
to be manipulated and resort to violence.
Recommendations/Way
Forward
Regarding
the current humanitarian crisis:
First,
in recognition of the overwhelming humanitarian needs we call upon
the international community to respond immediately in whatever ways
possible. Regardless of the causes of the crisis many people, especially
the poorest and most vulnerable, are suffering, and effective ways
need to be found to assist them. We support the call we heard from
many for the formation of a pressure group of church bodies in Zimbabwe
to lobby government on free import and distribution of food. Further,
we call upon the government of Zimbabwe to implement immediately
its promises to provide acceptable alternative housing to those
displaced by Operation Murambatvina.
To the Churches
and Ecumenical Community in Zimbabwe:
In
relation to the issue of fear and intimidation we urge the ZCC,
EFZ, and SCBC to put in place mechanisms for the protection of pastors
and church workers who do have the courage to speak the truth. When
they face intimidation and threats of violence there should be a
rapid response system which will advocate for their protection.
Further, the mechanisms should also have provision for rapidly informing
the international ecumenical community, so that efforts can be made
from many corners to insure their safety and protection.
We urge the
churches to continue and intensify their efforts to work together
and speak with one voice. There is a need for reconciliation and
healing in Zimbabwe. The church needs to take the lead in promoting,
but the church cannot hope to heal and reconcile the nation if remains
divided and polarized. It is essential for the ZCC, the EFZ, the
ZCBC, and other churches to speak with one voice.
We urge the
Church in Zimbabwe to claim its rightful space in the public discourse
of issues of national importance. Solid documents such as the Pastoral
Letter entitled "The Truth Shall Make Us Free"
(Victoria Falls,
July 2001) and "The Zimbabwe We Want" (Kariba,
August 2004) show that the church has reflected critically on vital
issues such as land, constitution, law and order, HIV and AIDS,
the media, economics and politics. We urge the church to take these
documents and others like them to its congregations where they can
be discussed and can serve as a spring board for informing a national
dialogue.
Regarding the
issue of violence we urge churches both in Zimbabwe and internationally
to take seriously the warning signs mentioned. They point to increasing
levels of violence. Lessons can be learned from patterns that have
been followed in other countries, and we urge the churches to engage
more fully in the opportunities offered in such programmes as the
WCC’s Decade to Overcome Violence.
To the Churches
and Ecumenical Community in the Region:
We
support and recommend the numerous requests which we heard for churches
in the region to talk to their governments and urge them to intensify
the search for a peaceful and just resolution to the current crisis
in Zimbabwe. We support the efforts made by FOCCISA and others,
and we urge them to continue their accompaniment and expressions
of concern and solidarity.
To the Churches
and Ecumenical Community Internationally:
We
strongly support the call we heard for the international community
to support and accompany the people of Zimbabwe. Specifically there
was a request that the international community, especially WCC and
AACC, assist in creating a platform for dialogue between stakeholders
from both parties as well as a broad range of civil society. Further,
there was a desire expressed for strengthening capacity in regards
to theological reflection on mediation, peace-building and conflict
transformation, as well as advocacy. We urge the churches and ecumenical
community internationally to respond favourably and accompany the
people and churches of Zimbabwe in this difficult time.
Finally, we
call upon churches around the world to continue to lift up the churches
and people of Zimbabwe in prayer. They are not alone in their suffering.
When they suffer we all suffer. In addition to this message of solidarity
we lift up the message of hope, "Behold, I make all things
new (Rev. 21:5)."
We pray for God’s guidance for the churches in Zimbabwe and for
their leaders that they may be instruments of God’s healing and
reconciliation. May God bless Zimbabwe and may Zimbabwe be a land
where peace, justice and the abundance of life flourish.
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