What role should the church play in Zimbabwean politics?

By Prince Gora

Ever wondered what role should churches play in the political process of our nation? What – if anything – should 'men and women of God'  say about politics from the pulpit? What about voting? Should the clergy try to influence the results of an election or encourage people to go out and vote? What about a more direct involvement in politics,  should churches ever call for the removal of a leader? Can they demonstrate when faced with incompetent leaders and systemic injustices? Or should they remain silent and docile instead?

Is support for candidates or discussion of issues from the pulpit activism? Is encouraging everyone to get out and vote activism? I ask these questions because the Christian  community is largely divided on these issues.

We have people like the famed Pastor Evan Mawarire who openly called for the removal of Robert Mugabe and led demonstrations in pursuit of that goal. More recently, we've had Pastor Shingi Munyeza who, just a few weeks ago, was defending the ZANU PF government but has since become a vocal and leading critic of it. Of course we also have Apostle Talent Chiwenga, whose relentless activism at the pulpit has now landed him in trouble. The Catholic church is no newcomer to Zimbabwean politics and the Catholic Commission for Peace and Justice (CCJP) has never hesitated to call a Rhodesian or Zimbabwean government to order whenever one has strayed.

But we also have many church leaders who urge their followers to only pray and disengage from political activities arguing that leaders come from God. This group of church leaders say that the church shoud simply be the church with its priority being only to pray for the government  the day no matter how it came into being.

One of the main reasons for this is undoubtedly fear and indeed many church leaders tell their followers to stay away from politics for fear of the unknown. History is awash with church leaders and their followers who got themselves in hot soup by being political, Archbishop Pius Ncube being the most high profile of those.

There's also a group of church leaders who rarely comment about politics but are then seen in the company of political leaders. This has of course always raised eyebrows like when President Mnangagwa met with Baba Guti last year.

Talking about issues is even more polarising. It is hard to ignore the poverty around us at the moment nor the corruption and the injustices that the Zimbabwean citizenry is facing, yet the moment one starts talking about these issues they are quickly labelled as regime change agents. But aren't they talking about real issues?

Those of us who keenly follow Zimbabwean politics will remember that not long ago church leaders tried to kickstart a dialogue between Nelson Chamisa and Emerson Mnangagwa. Isn't this another role which the churches must regularly play?

 The church, I believe, should be a place where unity can be achieved but is that going to happen?  When some of our church leaders either shun away from politics or choose to pretend to be blind to the challenges affecting the country? Will it happen when they can't speak openly about political issues and even discourage their followers from speaking openly about politics?

Then of course should the church pray so the economy gets better or so that our lives are happier or easier as we are about to witness on June 15, 2020?

If God does have authority over the ones who are elected, then doesn't his will need to be known as a part of the process. As Christians, if we disagree with something, shouldn't we vote to make our voices heard?

My opiniom is that Christians should play a role in the political process. Whether or not one is involved in the political process, they will be affected by political outcomes and will soon start crying ‘sour grapes’ when things go wrong like they are currently doing.

I strongly feel that the church should advocate for the oppressed. It should call out injustices that are perpetuated within our political systems. If you were to ask me, I would say it is the church's duty to keep watch, listen, and to respond where there is injustice.

The church should provide a foundation for people in  communities. When people feel helpless in the face of a turbulent political climate and in the presence of systemic injustice, the church should be the place where they reclaim hope.

Conclusion
Churches command a huge following and thus have an important role to play in politics. They need to give credit when credit is due and criticism when criticism is due, being silent will only harm the very people they purport to serve.

As long as they are silent, systemic injustices will be perpetuated because as they say, silent means contentment.