Zimbabwean Bishops show their spine

Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't Zimbabwe a dictatorship? Aren't human rights trampled upon by any of the regimes that have ruled there? Judging from the criticism of the Bishops about the "clean up operation, I would say this characterization stands. That makes this show of courage even more impressive!

The opening salvo:

Now, almost four weeks after the event, countless numbers of men, women with babies, children of school age, the old and the sick, continue to sleep in the open air at winter temperatures near to freezing. These people urgently need shelter, food, clothing, medicines, etc. Any claim to justify this operation in view of a desired orderly end becomes totally groundless in view of the cruel and inhumane means that have been used. People have a right to shelter and that has been deliberately destroyed in this operation without much warning. While we all desire orderliness, alternative accommodation and sources of income should have been identified and provided before the demolitions and stoppage of informal trading. We condemn the gross injustice done to the poor.

The Bishops then summarize the principles of Catholic Social Teaching, as well as the scriptures that support them:

1. The Dignity of the Human Person

Created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), each person has an innate human dignity, given to us, not by secular authorities, but by the Creator himself. This dignity was gravely violated by the ruthless manner in which "Operation Restore Order" was conducted in the townships and other areas.

Every violation of the personal dignity of the human being cries out for vengeance to God and is an offence against the Creator of the individual ("Christifideles Laici," 37 -- Pope John Paul II).

2. The Basic Rights of the Human Person

Basic human rights are an offshoot of our God-given dignity. Every human being -- man, woman and child -- has the right to life, shelter, clothing, food, education, health care, employment, etc. These basic rights have been and are being violated. No secular authority, no group, or no individual should be allowed to violate such rights.

As Christian leaders we must continually remind authorities of both their duty to respect and uphold human rights, and of the serious consequences of failure to observe such rights. Furthermore, it is our duty as a teaching Church to form and educate Christian people in rights, values and principles -- a task that we will continue to perform.

3. The Promotion of the Common Good

Public authorities should promote the common good of all members of society -- not the good of an elite group -- by creating an environment in which economic, social, cultural and political life can flourish. In such an environment all citizens -- including those who have lost their homes and livelihoods -- can have access to the goods of the earth which are intended by God to be equally shared. The promotion of the common good should be the first priority of public policy, not the promotion of party political aims.

"It is the proper function of authority to arbitrate, in the name of the common good, between various particular interests; but it should make accessible to each what is needed to lead a truly human life: food, clothing, health, work, education and culture, suitable information, the right to establish a family, and so on" (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1992, par. 1909). In the order of things, people always come first and cannot be subservient to an economy, a political agenda or an ideology for that matter.

Then they proceed with preferential option for the poor, subsidiarity, and solidarity. All the while, they exort all Christians to live by the dictates of a Conscience informed by the Truth:

Finally, we repeat what we said on a previous occasion: "... we call upon all those (Christians in particular) who hold special responsibilities in society, be it government, the business community or other spheres of influence, to exercise your duties according to the social teaching of the Church. … We cannot lead a double way of life, one for Sunday services in Church and another for our public tasks, be they political, economic, social or other kind. We are always called to be guided by our conscience and to live our Christian faith as an integral part of our lives" (ZCBC, Lenten Pastoral Letter, March 2003, Par. 7:3).

The Zimbabwean Conference of Catholic Bishops issued this letter in response to operation Murambatsvina. Among the wonderful accomplishments of this amazing government intervention:

Human rights organisations are convinced that the government has created a humanitarian crisis by forcing thousands out of accommodation and not offering them an alternative.

The Zimbabwe Association of Doctors for Human Rights (ZADHR) has said it "deplores in the strongest possible terms" the ongoing operation that has left many families displaced.

"This brutal action by the government of Zimbabwe has precipitated a humanitarian crisis against a background of severe food shortages and 70% unemployment levels ... of particular concern to ZADHR is the impact that this campaign is having on children and families infected or affected by AIDS...," said ZADHR.

"This operation by the government of Zimbabwe is a clear violation of international conventions including the International Conventions on the Rights of the Child, the African Charter and the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, to all of which Zimbabwe is a signatory "

Even The UN is investigating now(God Help them!)

If you're looking for a definition of episcopal spine, look at the signatories of the letter. Mugabe, a Catholic that apparently listens to Mao over the Magisterium, appears ready to do whatever he needs to do to maintain his power. What's a few tortured bishops if it perserves his presidency the common good of the people of Zimbabwe? The Bishops speak out anyway. Compare them to their American Brother-Bishops, and watch the Americans suffer in comparison. The American Bishops have too often failed to make authoritative stands for the Faith, even though they enjoy the protection of freedom that their Brothers in Zimbabwe lack? When is the last time that the USCCB released a letter that challenged the culture and our government on a pressing issue relevent to CST? I mean one that they sign their name to that doesn't look like a recycled Democrat talking points memo. Meanwhile, The ZCCB faces down a dictatorship led by a savvy opportunist that has held power for over twenty years. God bless the brave Bishops of Zimbabwe. May those in America follow their inspiring example.