CATHOLICS have been asked to pray for justice for the people of Zimbabwe.
The Brisbane’s Catholic Justice and Peace Commission prayer request comes in the wake of the resignation of the outspoken critic of the Zimbabwean Government, Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo, who is facing adultery charges.
The call also comes as the Church celebrates Social Justice Sunday today.
The Australian Catholic Bishops Conference, have also released their Social Justice Sunday Statement for 2007, Who Is My Neighbour? Australia’s role as a global citizen.
CJPC executive officer Peter Arndt said the commission had already made contact with the archbishop’s office and expressed its support for the Church’s efforts to challenge the injustice and oppression suffered by the Zimbabwean people at the hands of the country’s government.
“We have assured Archbishop Ncube that we will pray for the people of Zimbabwe and he has assured us that our prayers and support are greatly valued,” Mr Arndt said.
“While we do not seek to comment on the charges faced by Archbishop Ncube, we know that the cause which he continues to promote is still strongly supported by the Church and the people of Zimbabwe.”
Mr Arndt said Zimbabwe was wracked by horrendous unemployment, inflation, hunger and violence and the Bishops of Zimbabwe called for an end to this appalling oppression in their pastoral statement released on Holy Thursday this year.
