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January 28, 2004
Speaking out
In recent years it seems that the Christian Church in Africa has been most effective in speaking out against injustice and corruption in high places. It is always a dangerous thing to do, and it has often cost the life of the person bold enough to give voice to that dissent and speak out for his or her principles.
The late Archbishop Luwum, Archbishop of the Anglican Church in Uganda during the reign of Idi Amin Dada and his thugs, was one such man – and he paid the price, his murder at Amin’s orders resulting in his body being dismembered and left for the animals to consume. In South America another brave man, Archbishop Oscar Romero paid a similar price, murdered as he celebrated the Mass in his own cathedral. Now, it is Archbishop Pius Ncube, Roman Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo who faces the tyrant, as yet without being martyred for it.
It takes a very brave man to confront a tyrant like Mugabe, and the Archbishop is not on the President’s list of favourites, yet he is remarkably unafraid although fully aware of the threat.
This week we have celebrated a day in honour of Archbishop Luwum, let us hope that we do not have to record the death of Archbishop Ncube. This is entirely possible, given that Mugabe is now 80 and getting frailer. He is surrounded by power hungry men as evil as he is, and the Archbishop is quite candid about what will happen when the Great Leader dies. He is convinced (and he’s probably in the best position to judge!) that, to quote; “All his ministers will be rushing to take the position of President and they will be poisoning each other. It’s very hard to hope. But miracles happen.”
Let us all pray for a miracle – it’s about all that can save the people of Zimbabwe from this vicious bunch of murderers now! Pray also for the Archbishop, he may be in grave danger even as I write!
Posted by The Gray Monk at January 28, 2004 10:08 PM