Mugabe loses support of Catholic Church

The Times ^ | April 15, 2003 | Jan Raath in Harare

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Churches engaged in soul searching over role in Zimbabwe's crisis***BULAWAYO, ZIMBABWE - On a recent weekday evening, a dozen young members of the Bulawayo Baptist church met in their congregation's spacious hall for a jam session and prayer group. Seated on wooden benches amid scattered bibles, the young musicians animatedly discuss the topic of the day: praise and worship and the difference between them.

This is a church that would prefer to stay focused on its parishoners' spiritual - not political - education. But here in Zimbabwe, events on earth are not so easily ignored. President Robert Mugabe has tightened his grip on the country since winning reelection nearly a year ago. Zimbabwe is experiencing severe food shortages, skyrocketing unemployment, and heavy-handed repression of anyone who dares oppose the government.

Now spiritual leaders here are doing some soul searching about what their role in the crisis should be. ***

Mugabe troops 'torture hundreds'*** An unprecedented explosion of state-sponsored violence broke out amid charges of massive vote-rigging before voting begins today in two crucial parliamentary byelections.

Hundreds of tortured and severely injured supporters of the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) flooded Harare's hospitals this week. They told of vicious beatings, electric shocks and cigarette burns inflicted by uniformed army officers and other supporters of President Robert Mugabe.

Two women charged they were raped by army men using the barrels of their rifles. Doctors confirm serious injuries consistent with the accounts of torture.***

Mugabe gave white farms to 'violent' associates *** An inquiry into President Robert Mugabe's land reforms in Zimbabwe has uncovered massive corruption in the allocation of farms seized from white farmers, ostensibly for the resettlement of landless black peasants. The black farmers, originally resettled on the farms, are being evicted to pave the way for Mr Mugabe's cronies, many of whom own up to five farms.

In Zimbabwe's tobacco-producing Mashonaland province, about 90 formerly productive white farms are lying idle because Mr Mugabe's associates are arguing about how to carve up the spoils.***

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[Cincinatus' Wife]

I miss Clive's posts and commentary.

[PFKEY]

Another bold move from the church.

Are they irrelevant yet?

Can we stop with the post when bill, hill or the catholic church decides to share their enlightenment with us little people?

[Tripleplay]

Me too. Is he OK?

[Cincinatus' Wife]

Like it or not, the Catholic Church's slap at Mugabe is important to the situation there. The "little" people need to become a force and as LINKED above, other churches were late in renouncing this evil man.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I hope so.

Come back Clive! Clive! Come back!

[happygrl]

The Catholic Church in the past had performed a yeoman's role in documenting atrocities, providing comfort and support to the afflicted and speaking in a prophetic voice against the regime of Mugabe. Sadly, this was compromised by Archbishop Patrick Chakaipa, with his deferential behavior to Mugabe. Grace Mugabe is one of the most hated people in Zimbabwe.

The Archbishop's endorsement of the marriage compromised the Church. I hope this statement is evidence of a turnaround in the Catholic Church's willingness to confront the evil in Zimbabwe.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

And everywhere. You can't play patty-cake with evil and have any credibiltiy.

[Hoosier43fan]

Glad to see the Church speaking out on this one. Let's just hope that America and GWB doesn't get involved or that part about "documenting atrocities" is likely to dry up and we will become the criminals.

[nygoose]

I wonder when Vicente Fox will decide to bring land reforn to American held property in Mexico? It appears that there is no one in the U.S. Gov't who would stop him.

[BADROTOFINGER]

Where is Clive?...JFK

[Cincinatus' Wife]

It appears that there is no one in the U.S. Gov't who would stop him.

That's what Saddam and our "allies" thought.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I think the sooner we nip this kind of dictator in the bud, the better. There are ways. The fact that the church is finally getting on the right side of this will help the people renew their fight. It is a life and death struggle in Zimbabwe.

[Cincinatus' Wife]

I think he's around. I guess he's taking a well earned break.

[ladyjane]

The Archbishop's endorsement of the marriage ...

Nooo - the church wouldn't endorse a marriage like that, would they? Remember when then Governor Carey got married in St. Patrick's Cathedral to a woman who had been married 5 times? She had told Carey she was a widow. Reporters tracked down her husbands and interviewed them. If he had not been governor do you think the church would have married him? Well maybe if he came up with 10k for each of the annulments.

[BADROTOFINGER]

I hope so. Lately I had only been reading half (if that) of the articles he has pinged me on, but I still know more about the Zim situation than 99.9% of the population of the world because of it. He is an ANIMAL on this subject! A credit to FR...JFK

[Frumious Bandersnatch]

Yes, but it appears that they were forced into it by the government considering to vote one of their Archbishops as a "hero". From that aspect, it appears that they will do almost anything to avoid embarrasement. This is not a slam on the Catholic faith (though why the pope feels free to condemn the U.S. for the Iraqi war but is silent on the Zimbabwe issue is strange, to say the least), but on the courage and integrity of those shephards who should be watching over their flocks in Zimbabwe.

[HighRoadToChina]

It's about time BUMP!

[Valin]

Mugabe, a Catholic

And I'm a 57 Chevy.