Reconciliation Message
In this season of commemorating the heroic attainment of political independence and sovereignty, the message of reconciliation should be at the core of reflections in the Journey of Rebuilding Hope, Confidence and Stability towards a united, just and prosperous nation-the Zimbabwe We Want. Reconciliation should be embraced both as a process but much more as an outcome, it reveals the ultimate end or desire-restoration.
The Voice Newsletter – 2018, Issue 1
Download and read the 2018, Issue 1 of “The Voice Newsletter”
#PrayRegisterVote Campaign
Informed by the basis of its integral mission, the church takes a conscious and deliberate effort to promote the effective participation of Christians in every day and public life. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe as part of the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations in particular and of the body of Christ in general has been working to promote the participation of Christians in all aspects of life in general, and in particular in the electoral process. Through these efforts, the EFZ has been running a Campaign called #PrayRegisterVote, which essentially seeks to encourage Christians to be part of the election process by engaging at the very least in 3 specific actions which are; praying registering and voting Through this campaign, EFZ recognizes that the journey towards the Zimbabwe We Want compels every Zimbabwean to action. In this electoral season, every Zimbabwean has a duty and responsibility to their country to actively participate and #PrayRegisterVote!!! Photos from the Launch Event {gallery}PrayRegisterVote{/gallery}
ZHOCD Press Statement 15 November 2017
ZIMBABWE BETWEEN A CRISIS AND A KAIROS (OPPORTUNITY): THE PASTORAL MESSAGE OF THE CHURCHES ON THE CURRENT SITUATION DATE: 15 NOVEMBER 2017 Luke 19:41-44 41 As he came near and saw the city, he wept over it, 42 saying, “If you, even you, had only recognized on this day the things that make for peace! But now they are hidden from your eyes. 43 Indeed, the days will come upon you, when your enemies will set up ramparts around you and surround you, and hem you in on every side. 44 They will crush you to the ground, you and your children within you, and they will not leave within you one stone upon another; because you did not recognize the time of your opportunity (KAIROS) from God.” 1. The Moment of Truth Many Zimbabweans are confused and anxious about what has transpired and continues to unfold in our nation. While the changes have been rapid in the last few days, the real deterioration has been visible for everyone to see for a long time, especially during the public political rallies of the ruling party, coupled with the deteriorating socio-economic situation. On the 30th of October 2017, during the signing ceremony of the Memorandum of Association between Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference and the Zimbabwe Council of Churches, it was again highlighted that the abrasive and exclusionary politics, the increased use of ethnic identities dominating the public discourse, especially at the public political rallies and in the media, would further fragment and threaten the already weak cohesion of our society. Now we have reached a new chapter in the history of our nation. As we look at this situation as the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), we are reminded of the warning of Jesus in Luke 19:41-44. Jesus weeps over Jerusalem when he saw the catastrophe of its destruction and the massacre of the people that was imminent, “because they had not recognized their opportunity (KAIROS) when God offered it” (Lk 19: 44). We see the current situation not just as a crisis in which we are helpless. We see the current arrangement as an opportunity for the birth of a new nation. Our God created everything out of chaos. In order for something new to be born we need to clearly define our problem. Proper naming of the problem will give us a clear sense of where we must go as a nation. 2. What is the nature of our problem It may be easy to describe our problem in terms of the economy and the accompanying myriad of social challenges. But all these are manifestations or symptoms of a deeper disease that has affected the nation for a long time. This was the challenge of the loss of TRUST in the legitimacy of our national processes and institutions. There is a strong sense that our hard-earned Constitution is not being taken seriously. There is not enough confidence whether the separation of the three arms of the State, the Executive, the Legislature and the Judiciary are functioning in proper relationships of checks and balances. There is a deep concern that there seem to be no clear distinction between the ruling party and the Government. There is concern that the priorities of the poor have become relegated to charity of those who have access to national resources without proper commitment to addressing the root-causes of these problems. There is a general feeling that the wheels of democracy have become stuck in the mud of personalized politics where the generality of the citizenry plays an insignificant role. It is this lack of democratic renewal and the resulting stagnation, sterility and fatigue that has culminated in the current situation. 3. Everyone implicated To be fair, this situation is not only the doing of the ruling party and Government. It is also the result of the connivance of the different arms of the state and complicity of the Church and Civil Society. All of us at some point failed to play our roles adequately. The Church has lost its prophetic urge driven by personality cults and superstitious approaches to socio-economic and political challenges. Civil Society over time has become focused on survival and competition and lost the bigger picture of the total emancipation of the population. But the current situation is also a result of the many people in the ruling party who feel outdone, who enjoyed unbridled access to the trough of patronage. Journalists fanned the politics of hatred by giving it prime space in the name of sales and profits. All Zimbabweans must take some blame for our current situation. 4. What should be done? The Church makes the following calls: 4.1 Call to Prayer for the Nation We call the nation to a moment of prayer for repentance, deep reflection and discernment. We all need to go before God and ask God to forgive us for ways in which we contributed to the situation through neglect or wrong action. We need individual and collective deep reflection on what this means for all of us as individuals, families, churches and the nation. We need to find meaning in this situation. We also need to collectively and individually discern the next direction for us as a nation. 4.2 Call to Calm and Peace Right now, there is not enough information and many people are peddling opinions as facts. Some misinformation is causing despondency and fear. We are calling for peace and calm. Let us not sensationalize the situation but encourage calm and be modest in our engagement. 4.3 Call for the Respect of Human Dignity We are aware that the Zimbabwe Defense Forces is currently managing the situation. But we want to make it clear to them that it is their responsibility to ensure that human dignity and rights are respected. This is not a time to allow for lawlessness and vindictive and selective application of the law. 4.4 Call for a Transitional Government of National Unity The Zimbabwe Defense Forces
The Zimbabwe We Want [Document]
View the Zimbabwe We Want Document “Towards a National Vision for Zimbabwe”
ZHOCD Remarks on the Occasion of the International Human Rights Day, Hosted By The Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission
The theme for this year’s Human Rights Day Commemoration “Standing up for someone’s rights today” resonates profoundly with the mandate of the church regarding humanity. On this day, the ZHOCD takes the opportunity to recognize and appreciate the existence of a home-grown Constitution, which now includes an extended bill of rights in Chapter 4! On this day, the Church acknowledges the importance of respecting, promoting and protecting the dignity of the human person, and of those rights – socio-economic, cultural and civil-political- which are a reflection of that dignity. We must all strive for a holistic approach where civil and political rights, economic, cultural and social rights are addressed in an integrated way. This involves confronting and challenging the vices that threaten the realization of these human rights in our country. Such vices include: poverty, unemployment, inequality and corruption. In the face of social, economic and political dynamics that may sometimes question the country’s commitment to the promotion and protection of human rights, the Church implores both the State and Citizens to rise above these challenges and hold the mantle of human dignity high as we strive towards the progressive realization of human rights for all. The Great Commandment We must love one another and do to others as we want them do to us as well. This is an expression of our love and honor to our Creator. Greater love is speaking and defending one’s neighbour than oneself – it is about laying down one’s life for the sake of those one loves; For · Love suffers long and is kind; · Love does not envy; · Love does not parade itself, · Love is not puffed up; · Love does not behave rudely, · Love does not seek its own, · Love is not provoked, · Love thinks no evil; · Love does not rejoice in iniquity, But · Love rejoices in the truth; · Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, and endures all things. · Love never fails! – 1 Corinthians 13; 4-8 Our Lord and Savior stood up for the weak, the vulnerable and oppressed and as Christians; we MUST follow this way of life “Standing up for someone’s rights today” Conclusion As the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD), which comprises of – Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC), Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) and Union for the Development of Apostolic and Zionist Churches in Zimbabwe Africa (UDACIZA) – we join the nation and indeed, the rest of the world in commemorating International Human Rights Day. May God continue to guide and bless our Great Zimbabwe. “The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine on you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace” – Numbers 6; 24-26 Amen!! Download Document
The Church and the Zimbabwe We Want [Audio]
Listen to “The Church and the Zimbabwe We Want” audio interview. {https://soundcloud.com/user-955597961/livewire-zhocd}