wfn.org | WCC NEWS: Churches find role in "new Zimbabwe"

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World Council of Churches - News Release

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For immediate release - 02/09/2009 11:04:44

>CHURCHES FIND ROLE IN "NEW ZIMBABWE"

Rev. Dr Solomon Zwana, new general secretary of the Zimbabwe
Council of Churches, says his organization and his country need
the prayers and support of the world.

Speaking at a hearing on Zimbabwe held 1 September during World
Council of Churches central committee meetings in Geneva, Zwana
said it is a time of great transition in the African nation. A
fragile power-sharing government is in place, a new constitution
is being drafted, steps are being taken to stabilize an economy
victimized by runaway inflation and high unemployment over the
past decade, and efforts are beginning to heal the scars of
recent turmoil.

“There are so many things happening in Zimbabwe,” said Zwana,
who began as general secretary in July. “Over the years we have
gone through a lot of challenges ... We are trying to be
innovative to respond to the needs of the churches and the
country.”

Zwana said the WCC has become “a very important player” in
Zimbabwe due to its involvement in social and development issues
and other programmes. When the WCC held its 8th Assembly in the
capital of Harare in 1998, “It was a high point in the history of
ecumenism in Zimbabwe,” Zwana said. “It was a boost of confidence
for us, not just for the council of churches but for our
nation.”

He said the assembly brought a “new understanding of ecumenism”
to the country as well as a feeling of unity with the world. “It
had a great impact among our local churches,” Zwana said. “It was
really profound.”

Now, the churches of Zimbabwe are trying to regain that energy
after years of challenge. Zwana said the council of churches
wants to engage the new government and “really contribute to the
new Zimbabwe”.

“We are still trying to revitalize ourselves as a voice to be
reckoned with,” Zwana said, “to be a voice for the voiceless.”

Material resources are a real need in that rebuilding process,
but Zwana said the council also greatly desires moral support and
spiritual solidarity.

“One of the most important things is prayers from the ecumenical
family,” Zwana said. “With that accompaniment, we may never give
up. We will feel inspired to have the determination to play our
part.”

WCC member churches in Zimbabwe:

http://www.oikoumene.org/en/member-churches/regions/africa/zimbabwe.html

More information on the Central Committee meeting:
http://www.oikoumene.org/cc2009

Additional information:Juan Michel,+41 22 791 6153 +41 79 507
6363media@wcc-coe.org

The World Council of Churches promotes Christian unity in faith,
witness and service for a just and peaceful world. An ecumenical
fellowship of churches founded in 1948, today the WCC brings
together 349 Protestant, Orthodox, Anglican and other churches
representing more than 560 million Christians in over 110
countries, and works cooperatively with the Roman Catholic
Church. The WCC general secretary is Rev. Dr Samuel Kobia, from
the Methodist Church in Kenya. Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.