Church groups reveal details of meeting with Robert Mugabe
By Tererai Karimakwenda
14 June 2006
Three umbrella church groups in Zimbabwe have intensified their efforts to help solve the country’s national crisis. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishop's Conference and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches hosted a joint press conference on Wednesday at which they announced a forthcoming National Day of Prayer set for the 25th June. They also revealed some details about a meeting that church representatives held with Robert Mugabe on May 25th.
The chairman of the Theological Commission of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, Reverend Dr. Roy Musasiwa told us the church felt a need to take an active role in solving the national crisis and to rise up to its responsibility. He said it had become necessary to begin a process towards addressing the crisis from a non-partisan point of view. Their meeting with Robert Mugabe was a first step in this process.
Reverend Dr. Roy Musasiwa was included in the delegation that met with Robert Mugabe while Bishop Trevor Manhanga, president of the EFZ, headed the delegation. Asked whether they were able to speak to Mugabe freely without fear about the key issues plaguing the country the Reverend said there was no fear at all. He said they addressed issues like corruption, land distribution and crime without holding back. As for whether he was encouraged by Mugabe’s response, the Reverend said he was encouraged by his openness, his willingness to listen and his admission that the crisis now required everyone to resolve it. Reverend Musasiwa admitted there would not necessarily be changes due to this one meeting, but was glad that the process of finding a non-partisan approach had started.
The full statement regarding the National day of Prayer and a report on the church groups’ meeting with Robert Mugabe can be found on our website at www.swradioafrica.com