wfn.org | WARC Pray for the people of Zimbabwe on Sunday 22 June

[Worldwide Faith News <wfn@igc.org>]

> World Alliance of Reformed Churches
> News Release
> 19 June 2008

Pray for the people of Zimbabwe on Sunday 22 June

Reports of the intimidation, torture and death of opponents of
Zimbabwe's government have prompted a call for a day of prayer
on Sunday 22 June among the worldwide Reformed family of
churches.

Zimbabweans go to the polls on 27 June in a run-off election
resulting from the 29 March presidential election. It took
several weeks for Zimbabweans to hear the controversial official
results of the election, after which the run-off vote was
called.

"Credible reports reaching us indicate a blatant intimidation
of voters and people being tortured. Some have died," said
Setri Nyomi, general secretary of the World Alliance of Reformed
Churches (WARC), in a letter to 214 churches around the world.

"Already Zimbabweans have been suffering under the burden of
high inflation and lack of essential commodities. This current
spate of violence and intimidation seems to be targeted at those
who did not vote for the ruling party, especially in some
specific rural areas.

"This creates a very intimidating atmosphere for the run-off
elections. We are committed to the rights and welfare of all
Zimbabweans, not just to one party or the other. Our main concern
now is to ensure that Zimbabweans feel free to express their
democratic rights," Nyomi added.

WARC's call for a day of prayer on 22 June echoes the call of
the World Council of Churches and other voices for such a day.

"Please join Christians all over the world in praying for
Zimbabwe this Sunday, and every day of next week," Nyomi
concluded.

> ***

The World Alliance of Reformed Churches (WARC) brings together
75 million Reformed Christians in 214 churches in 107 countries -
united in their commitment to making a difference in a troubled
world. The WARC general secretary is Rev. Dr. Setri Nyomi of the
Evangelical Presbyterian Church, Ghana. WARC's secretariat is
based in Geneva, Switzerland.

> Contact:
> John P. Asling
> Executive Secretary, Communications
> World Alliance of Reformed Churches
> 150 Route de Ferney
> P.O. Box 2100
> 1211 Geneva 2, Switzerland
> tel.  +41.22 791 6243
> fax: +41.22 791 6505
> web: www.warc.ch

WCC news release:

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/news/news-management/eng/a/article/1722/wcc-calls-on-the-un-to-en.html