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This article participates on the following special index pages:
Talks, dialogue, negotiations and GNU - Post June 2008 "elections" - Index of articles
Truth, justice, reconciliation and national healing - Index of articles
Bishops'
Conference urges healing and reconciliation
CAFOD
September 15,
2008
http://www.cafod.org.uk/emergencies/zimbabwe-crisis/bishops-conference-2008-09-15
"Huge challenges" ahead for Zimbabwe's new government
of national unity, despite the power-sharing deal
which has sparked new hope for the people. Father Fradereck Chiromba,
Secretary General of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference,
has spoken of the immediate challenges facing the new government
after he attended the signing of the historic power-sharing deal.
The Zimbabwean Catholic Church has a strong history of both providing
care and support for those affected by the country's economic,
social and political crises.
It has also repeatedly challenged the Zimbabwean government to reflect
the needs of its people.
Joyous and momentous
Following the signing, Father Chiromba said: "It was a joyful
and momentous occasion. But, behind the signatures on that piece
of paper are huge challenges ahead for Zimbabwe's so-called
government of national unity.
"The celebrations have not really started yet, the people of
Zimbabwe have just heaved a sigh of relief. One of the immediate
challenges is getting food to people. There is a great need to provide
basic food aid as people are coping with a bad harvest and of course
the country's dire economic situation.There are also no medicines
in the hospitals, doctors do not even have aspirins to give out
and there is the situation of the three million or so Zimbabweans
living in neighbouring countries. And of course development doesn't
work unless it goes hand in hand with healing and reconciliation
for those people who have been traumatised by the violence.The Catholic
Church has always played a pivotal role in prioritising the needs
of the people and will continue to do so as we all hope and pray
that peoples' lives will now change for the better."
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