Mugabe Uses Media to Threaten Prelates

Friday, 11 May 2007 14:18

President Cites Bishops' Pastoral Letter

KOENIGSTEIN, Germany, MAY 10, 2007 (Zenit.org).- Using state-controlled media, President Robert Mugabe told bishops of Zimbabwe that they embarked upon a dangerous course by issuing a pastoral letter blaming him for the current national crisis.

According to a priest who spoke with Aid to the Church in Need on conditions of anonymity, "One of the biggest problems is the state control of the news media. There are very great tensions, and the state is accusing the Church of being responsible for the suffering in Zimbabwe."

A priest in neighboring South Africa who is familiar with the situation in Zimbabwe told ZENIT: "I can confirm only that we have received those threats via the media. It does seem a genuine threat."

Economic crisis

The source who spoke with Aid to the Church in Need said: "The state is drastically restricting the aid campaigns of the Catholic Church.

"According to official statistics, 3 million people, out of a population of 13 million, have left the country. … Unofficial estimates say the figure is already 5 million. More and more people want to leave, for Botswana, South Africa, even for Australia and New Zealand.

"There is no open resistance against the regime; the people are too afraid for that."

But the priest said there is hope in the Church.

"Zimbabweans trust the Catholic Church, and the churches are full," he said. "On Fridays there are regular prayers and fasting campaigns for the country.

"Economic sanctions are hitting the ordinary people and the poorest people very hard. Inflation has now reached between 2,200% and 3,000%, while unemployment stands at around 80%."

"Five months ago, I paid 11,000 Zimbabwe dollars for a chicken; a month ago they cost 50,000 and now they cost more than 100,000," the priest said. "People are dying of malnutrition."

Code: ZE07050913

Date: 2007-05-10