Leaders of indigenous churches yesterday praised President
Mnangagwa for initiating political dialogue with his opponents, but stressed
that the discussions should be pursued on the basis of respect and recognition
of his legitimacy and the country’s institutions.
Further, the churches said they represented the majority of
people in Zimbabwe, as such, their voice should be heard and respected on
matters of national interest. The churches, under the banner of
Inter-Denominational Council of Churches, made the remarks when they met President
Mnangagwa and his two deputies, Dr Constantino Chiwenga and Cde Kembo Mohadi,
at State House yesterday.
The council represents over 110 churches with a membership
running into millions.
In his address while introducing other members of the
organisation, founder of Family of God Church, Reverend Andrew Wutaunashe said
opposition leaders, particularly MDC-Alliance leader Mr Nelson Chamisa, should
recognise and respect President Mnangagwa as the elected leader of
Zimbabwe.
“We would like to emphasise as the Church that we seek
dialogue that begins from the recognition that our State, our nation of
Zimbabwe and all its institutions must be preserved and respected.
“To this end, we as the indigenous (church) leaders, we are
also saying there cannot be genuine dialogue based on trying to determine
whether or not you are the President of Zimbabwe; you are the President of
Zimbabwe.”
Rev Wutaunashe said President Mnangagwa won the elections and
was confirmed by the Constitutional Court (Concourt) and it would be foolhardy
to start any dialogue surrounding his legitimacy.
“We also call upon opposition parties, particularly the
MDC, not on political partisan basis, but on concern as citizens of Zimbabwe
and on concern as church leaders who represent millions of people, to recognise
the President of Zimbabwe openly, to accept the findings of the Constitutional
Court as a respect for our Constitution and institutions and on top of that, if
dialogue is wanted, let it proceed from a place that respects our institutions.
“That being provided, Your Excellency, we encourage that
you continue to pursue with all the energy you can, dialogue in our nation so
that our nation can come to a place of soundness and participation by
everybody.”
Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC),
who is the patron of the Inter-Denominational Council of Churches, said
indigenous churches were the pioneers of the country’s revolution.
“A country without laws is a jungle. If we say courts and
the country’s institutions are useless or say let us suspend everything for
seven years, you wonder if those people are indigenous people. We are here to
pray for our country and the good health of all Zimbabweans,” said Bishop
Mutendi.
In his intervention, President Mnangagwa said Zimbabweans
could only build their country as a united force.
On the respect of the country’s institutions and laws, the
President said: “When we have our elections, you don’t declare yourself the
winner. No! It is the duty of other institutions.
“If you fail to listen to those institutions, you are going
against God. The role of the church is to ensure that people humble themselves
and respect the country’s laws and institutions. In our Constitution, we gave
space to the Church; that is freedom of worship for all religions. We guarantee
the freedom of worship.
“We expect (that) if our nation becomes a Christian nation,
our people will live a Christian life. If our people live a Christian life,
then our people will live in harmony because Christianity exudes peace, love,
humility and harmony.”
President Mnangagwa said even though Zanu-PF got two thirds
majority in Parliament, it initiated a political party dialogue process in the spirit
of inclusivity.
He said several parties joined the dialogue and it was
encouraging that out of the 23 political parties that participated in last
year’s general elections, 20 were taking part in the dialogue.
The President said the difference between the churches
operating in Zimbabwe was that there were indigenous churches founded locally
while others were head-quartered in other countries.
As such, President Mnangagwa said as an indigenous
Government, it was important for his administration to dialogue with leaders of
indigenous churches who also make decisions without consulting their external
head offices. Herald
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