Catholic Information Service for Africa (Nairobi)
30 May 2008
The spiritual leader of the 77-million-strong worldwide Anglican Communion and the head of the church in Southern Africa have appealed to the United Nations for protection of the church in Zimabawe.
The Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan William and Archbishop Thabo Makgoba of Cape Town spoke on Wednesday to the UN Secretary General, Ban Ki-moon, to express their grave concern about what appears to be a sustained campaign by the state against the Anglican Church.
"On May 18 there was a sharp escalation of violence when Sunday services were disrupted and worshippers beaten or prevented from attending church by security and police force attacks on churches across Harare Diocese," the two church leaders said in a statement after speaking with Ban.
"Harassment and intimidation is their daily bread; and there is a continuing failure to enforce court orders permitting Anglicans to worship in their cathedral church in Harare and other parishes."
This, the leaders said, is a clear violation of Article 18 of the UN Charter on Human Rights which expressly gives people the right to worship and freedom of thought, quite apart from the other fundamental human rights - the right to assemble and speak and take part in free and fair elections - which are daily denied Zimbabweans.
"Given this political climate of fear, and now the intimidation of our Anglican brothers and sisters, especially in Harare, we are concerned to know what the UN security council and SADC (Southern African Development Community) regional leaders are doing to defend Mothers' Union meetings at churches and prevent people being torn away from altar rails on the orders of ruling party or state officials."
The Anglican leaders asked for immediate high-level SADC and UN mediation and monitoring to ensure a free and fair presidential run-off on June 27, and the protection of citizens from state-organised violence.
"This is not simply a matter of vote rigging: the events of the last ten days have sharpened everyone's concern, as we hear of murderous attacks on legitimate political activists and now also brutality towards men, women and children meeting for Christian worship. We urge increased international pressure and effective mediation to prevent further suffering."
The leaders assured Anglicans in Zimbabwe and all the citizens of solidarity. "As fellow Christians called by Jesus to be channels of His peace, with justice and reconciliation, Anglicans around the world stand in solidarity with you."
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