Sixteen church-goers have been arrested and priests have been turned out of their homes in Zimbabwe’s Diocese of Harare ”“ where the Anglican Church is facing persecution at the hands of an ex-communicated bishop.
The Rt Revd Chad Gandiya, Bishop of Harare, said the arrests were illegal and that those detained ”“ including a elderly woman ”“ were traumatised.
The diocese is now trying to arrange bail and has asked for prayers for those in prison and their families.
It’s pointless trying for the rule of law in Zimbabwe. The judges are ZANU/PF appointees. The shame – and it is truly shameful – is that South Africa stands by and does nothing. The suffering of black people at the hands of other black people leaves the black-led South African government unmoved. Even the bail issue, mentioned in the article, is part of the harassment. Zimbabwe no longer has its own currency. The country floats on $US, £UK, SA Rand and Botswana Pula. All prices are quoted in these. To raise even $1000 bail would be a struggle. And you never see the money again – because the people are freed, yes, but the trial never happens. So this too is one of the ways of crushing opposition. For a recent heart-breaking article in the New York Times about the situation of the Anglican Church in Zim, see:
http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/30/world/africa/30zimbabwe.html?pagewanted=2&_r=1
Terry Tee, good points.
Addendum: Pity the poor Catholic Church in Zimbabwe when Mugabe finally dies. He is a nominal Catholic. There will be great pressure for a state funeral, full of eulogies, not a critical word to be said. To the African mind-set, praise-singing of great men is essential. There is no room for ambiguity, let alone condemnation. The leader is not to be impugned. Mugabe has a full roster of generals, police chiefs and general thugs who would rise in wrath if Archbishop Robert Ndlovu of Harare should say a critical word. Hopefully they will ask Nolbert Kunonga.