CHICAGO (ELCA) -- In anticipation of the June 27
runoff election in which Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe
was re-elected, the Lutheran World Federation (LWF) Council
called for "urgent establishment of a peace building process
in the country, incorporating all national actors, regional
organizations and the international community." The council
met June 25-30 in Arusha, Tanzania.
The council asked all LWF members to pray July 6 for
peace and justice for all Zimbabweans. "For its part, the
(LWF) stands ready to support the people of Zimbabwe in
rebuilding their nation, and in restoring their betrayed hopes
of a life in dignity and justice."
The LWF is a global communion of 141 churches in 79
countries, representing 68.3 million of the world's Lutherans.
The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) is an LWF
member. The Rev. Mark S. Hanson, ELCA presiding bishop, is
the president of the LWF and the chair of the LWF Council.
The runoff election, according to Zimbabwe's Electoral
Commission, resulted in about 2.2 million votes for Mugabe,
to opposition candidate Morgan Tsvangirai's 233,000. The
March 29 general election resulted in a majority of votes
for Tsvangirai, but not enough to secure the position,
prompting the runoff.
"The world must not stand idly by, as it did during the
genocide in Rwanda, and watch the unfolding of a human
catastrophe," the council's statement read. The council also
stated that the results of the election should not be
recognized by the global community and that the violence
surrounding the runoff was "systematic, organized, politically
motivated intimidation."
"We note that the perpetrators of that intimidation and
violence have not hesitated to target church leaders and clergy,
as well as opposition party leaders and members, media
representatives, academics, specific groups within Zimbabwean
society and anyone thought to have voted for the opposition in
the March 29 elections," the council's statement read. The
council said the March 29 general election "already demonstrated
that this government has lost the trust and support of
Zimbabweans."
The council called on the Southern African Development
Community and the African Union to "take a more active role in
promoting human security in Zimbabwe and encouraging a political
transition back to the democracy that Zimbabweans have a right
to expect."
Near the end of its June meeting, the LWF Council urged
Hanson to write a pastoral letter to church leaders in Zimbabwe,
expressing hope and trust that God cares for and will save the
suffering people of Zimbabwe. The Rev. Ishmael Noko, LWF general
secretary, was asked by the council to write letters to Jakaya M.
Kikwete, president of the United Republic of Tanzania and African
Union chairperson; African government heads; and the ecumenical
community in Africa, encouraging regional action to protect
Zimbabweans and promote a return to genuine democracy.
-- -- --
Full text of the statement is at
http://www.lutheranworld.org/News/LWI/EN/2230.EN.html on the Web.
*Luke Tatge is a senior journalism major at Augustana College,
Sioux Falls, S.D. This summer he is an intern with the ELCA News
Service.
For information contact:
John Brooks, Director (773) 380-2958 or news@elca.org
http://www.elca.org/news
ELCA News Blog: http://www.elca.org/news/blog
- - -
About the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America:
The ELCA is one of the largest Christian denominations in the United States, with 2.8 million members in more than 8,500 worshiping communities across the 50 states and in the Caribbean region. Known as the church of "God's work. Our hands.," the ELCA emphasizes the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ, unity among Christians and service in the world. The ELCA's roots are in the writings of the German church reformer Martin Luther.
For information contact:
Candice Hill Buchbinder
Public Relations Manager
Candice.HillBuchbinder@ELCA.org
