U.S. Catholic Bishops Support Church On National Crisis

April 24, 2007: Nairobi- The powerful pastoral letter issued by the Catholic Bishops of Zimbabwe at Easter, calling for an end to the nation's crisis, has received more support, this time from US bishops.

The call already has support from Pope Benedict XVI, the bishops of Britain, the Symposium of Episcopal Conference of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) and the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops Conference.

Following is the full text of a letter by Bishop Thomas G. Wenski of Orlando, chairman of the US bishops' Committee on International Policy, addressed to Archbishop Robert Christopher Ndlovu of Harare and president of the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference:

"At this time of great suffering and uncertainty for the people of Zimbabwe, I write to express the solidarity of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops with the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference. Your Conference's recent Pastoral Letter, "God Hears the Cry of the Oppressed," is a powerful testimony to the prophetic leadership of the bishops of Zimbabwe and to the tragic situation of the people in your country.

"We were particularly moved by the description of suffering and the humanitarian situation of the people of Zimbabwe. The present situation has eroded the provision of shelter, health, and education as well as the foundations of what was once a diverse and vibrant economy.

"Your Pastoral Letter describes the deep crisis facing your people­a crisis that is at once a crisis of governance, a crisis of moral leadership and a spiritual and moral crisis. The courageous and strong cry for justice and non-violence at the conclusion of your Pastoral Letter deserves to be heeded by all involved:

'We conclude our Pastoral Letter by affirming with a clear and unambiguous Yes, our support of morally legitimate political authority. At the same time, we say an equally clear and unambiguous No to power through violence, oppression and intimidation. We call on those who are responsible for the current crisis in our Country to repent and listen to the cry of their citizens. To the people of Zimbabwe we appeal for peace and restraint when expressing their justified grievances and demonstrating for their human rights.'

"We offer our profound respect to you and our brother bishops in Zimbabwe for your brave and faithful pastoral ministry in these difficult days, and we acknowledge and accept the bishops' invitation to join with you in prayer for Zimbabwe. In the challenging times that lie ahead for your nation and your people, I want to express and reaffirm our solidarity with you in action and prayer.

"We are sharing your Pastoral Letter with officials of our government and are calling on our nation and the international community to build effective support for a process of genuine negotiation and reconciliation to bring an end to the political and economic crisis which undermines the dignity of all, especially the poor, in your suffering land

"May God bless you in your ministry as teachers and pastors as you faithfully proclaim the Gospel and seek to guide your nation into a future free of oppression." Catholic Information Service for Africa