Letter
Letter on Zimbabwe to Archbishop Tlhagale, South Africa Catholic Bishops' Conference (SACBC), March 4, 2009
March 4, 2009
His Grace Archbishop Buti Tlhagale, OMI
President of the SACBC
Southern Africa Catholic Bishops’ Conference
Khanya House
399 Paul Kruger St.
Pretoria 0001
South Africa
Your Grace:
I want to reiterate the solidarity of our Conference of Bishops with the Southern Africa Catholic Bishops’ Conference concerning the tragic situation in Zimbabwe. As you wrote in your Pastoral Statement of January 26, 2009, the time for talking is long past. Swift and effective action is required to end the longstanding suffering of the Zimbabwean people. Even as political leaders move to form a unity government, evidence of their resolve will come only when they take bold initiatives to alleviate the hunger that affects over half of the population, respond to the horrible outbreak of cholera that has killed upwards of 3,000 people, and address the corruption and gross economic mismanagement that threatens Zimbabwe’s economic future.
We support your call to the leaders of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) to pressure the leaders of Zimbabwe to end the political deadlock and mismanagement and begin long term efforts to build a legitimate, democratic government that will give priority to the common good of the people, particularly the poor.
Our Conference has sent a copy of your pastoral letter to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and asked the United States to work with SADC and the international community to ensure that the government of Zimbabwe stops the violence and works to end the humanitarian catastrophe in the country. You, your brother bishops, and the people of Zimbabwe remain in our prayers.
Fraternally yours in Christ,
Most Reverend Howard J. Hubbard
Bishop of Albany
Chairman, Committee on International Justice and Peace