ZCC Convenes 47th General Assembly And Elects Its President And Deputy
By Desire Tshuma
Zimbabwe Council of Churches convened a three day General Assembly at its headquarters in Harare at Kentucky hotel from 24 July to 26 July.
The assembly was convened in line the ZCC constitution under the theme “Building Bridges and Projection the Future”.
The General Assembly was preceded by a series of meetings, the advisory board , supervisory council and the youth, men’s and women’s leadership development programs. The meetings produced recommendations that were submitted for recommendations that were submitted for considerations and adaption by the General Assembly.
The delegates drawn from across the country had an opportunity to reflect on issues affecting the nation which includes the state of the church, constitutionalism, democracy, rule of law and elections, national values, unity peace and reconciliation, climate change, drug and substance abuse, economic justice and tax justice and the El nino induced drought.
The assembly also took the opportunity to reinforce its organizational capabilities by re electing its presidium and appointing the advisory board for the next two years.
The assembly further reflected on the prevailing operational context of the council in an endeavor to provide it with directions in light of the accelerating national dialogue to reinforce opportunities for inclusive development strategy 2021-2025. Zimbabwe Council of Churches reflected on their 60 year journey and reaffirmed its commitment to work across the ecumenical devide towards attaining its vision for a united , just and peaceful and prosperous Zimbabwe where everyone experience holistic salvation.
“As ZCC we have strived to ensure that the church is persuasive and of weighty influence in attending to the life sustainance and developing needs of the people in the country during the past 60 years ” said ZCC elected President Rev Dr Makumbe.
“We have been instrumental in calling for justice before the country’s independence and we participated immensely in the development of both Lancaster House Conference and 2013 constitution. We positively influenced civic participation in national processes including policy formulation and implementation, and we shall continue influence the national discourse in promoting good governance and through partnerships culminating in formidable forces such as ZHOCD,” added Rev Dr Makumbe.
The council has intensified electoral accompaniment since 1980 through electoral observation, mobilization of citizens and calling for peace during and after elections . ZCC also established the Christian Care humanitarian organization in 1967 as a way to proactively respond to the immediate needs of the citizens before, during and after the Liberation struggle.
ZCC currently engaged in Actions of Hope which have given hope for communities through responding to disasters such as Cyclone Idai and drought among others . Returning migrants have been assisted to settle home in a dignified manner by ZCC.
Reverend Dr Makumbe concluded by saying as a church they have noted with concern that the current national context is characterized by numerous threats to their hope. ” Political fragile and polarized political environment is failing the country to attain constitutional democracy and socio-economic transformation and this is mainly due to the negative politically motivated violence and Gukurahundi atrocities ” concluded Rev Dr Makumbe.
Elections in Zimbabwe according to the Zimbabwe Council of Churches are continuously disturbing the peace and cohesion of the society because citizens are failing to tolerate political diversity.
During the General Assembly , the church leaders noted that the period under review they noted increased drug and substance abuse especially from the distraught youths due to unemployment and socio instabilities they are facing.
The church leaders also noticed high migration of the people in search for greener pastures abroad. They finally said there are some global hindrances to peace and unity which includes among others like war in Ukraine, Israel and the protests in Kenya which have received heavy handedness by the government and disturbances in Burkina Faso and South Sudan due to political instability.
