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Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference stress national healing for reconciliation

The ZCBC Plenary session held between 13 - 14 April 2010 stressed the need for national healing if the country is to attain reconciliation. The Plenary was held under the theme "The Second Synod for Africa: The Church in Africa in service to reconciliation, justice and peace. Mr. John Katunga took the bishops on a memory lane through higlighting some models of healing that the Church can use in the country's national healing process. Julie Ideh of CRS and Mr Alois Chaumba CCJP also helped the conference to reflect on a new path for national healing. Below are excerpts of the presentations:

Why should the Church play a role in Healing and Reconciliation?

Divine Mandate: (Holy Bible, Encyclicals, Pastoral letters). Continue the mission of Jesus Christ in the world. (The Mission of reconciliation) Protection and promotion of dignity of human person. (Salvation and Wellbeing) Permanent not temporary witness The timelessness of the Word of God Structures and Institutions Lift up People from indignity to a dignified life (e.g. fighting poverty, education, Health, vocational training, etc.)

What role the Church could play in Healing and Reconciliation?

Creation of Social spaces Secure and Hospital: Free and Away from dangers to physical integrity. Space for Healing from Trauma Create space for offering and receiving graciousness Assist to taking the risk of restoring broken TRUST. Create space for discovery and building a new relationship. (Resilience (Trauma-wise); Testifying)

To heal and reconcile, the Church is called to continue being:

1. The hub of safety and humanitarian assistance in times of crisis. (SYNOD PROP # 17) Physical safety Emergency relief. Respond to immediate needs Trauma healing work àPROTECTION OF LIFE and SOLIDARITY

2. Key Intermediary in conflict situations Sometime official/ semi official/Informal ( At local and national levels. àBUILDING TRUST NECESSARY FOR SUSTAINABLE DIALOGUE

3. Engine of democratization, institutional building and popular participation (synod prop. #25) Civic Education programs (e.g. constitutional making, use of Christian media) (synod prop. #15) Mobilization and participation to electoral process Guarantor of transparency in political transition processes (e.g. observation) Respect for Human Rights and Rule of Law. àConflict Prevention

4. Capacity builder and institutional moralizer. Through Schools and Universities Associations, Foundations, Movements, Developmental activities, etc. Christian Media as Truth Telling mechanism Deep formation of the conscience leading to Value-based professionals, business people and politicians.

To heal and reconcile, the Church is called to continue being: Caritas in Veritate

1. Telling the truth

“The Church does not have technical solutions to offer and does not claim “to interfere in any way in the politics of States.” She does, however, have a mission of truth to accomplish, in every time and circumstance, to his vocation. (…) This mission of Truth is something that the Church can never renounce.” (CIV #9) “Truth, like love, is neither planned nor willed, but somehow imposes itself upon human beings.” (CIV#34)

2. Forming the conscience

(Synod prop. # 25, 37, 51)

3. Constant Training at all levels (SYNOD PROP # 18, 21, 33, 37, 44, 48, 53, 54, 56)

• Mobilize existing body of knowledge within the Church

Requirements for true Reconciliation and Healing Violent conflicts (sins) create obligations to:

1. Reconcile with God, the Maker (Spiritual) (Ps 7:15-25) Remorseful, regretful, confessing, Repenting.

2. Reconcile with Self (Psychological) (Jn 14:27) Appeased conscience; relieved, liberated. Violent conflicts (sins) create obligations to:

3. Reconcile with the Neighbor (Social) (Matthew 5:23-25) Asking and (if possible) receiving for forgiveness, Repairing.

4. Reconcile with Nature (Ecological) (Genesis 2:8) (synod prop #22) Caring for the environment for future generation

Reconciliation is a grace from God.

Its implication reverberates throughout the individuals and touches the society at large. Leaders have huge influence in the promotion of reconciliation. True Reconciliation requires renewal of Institutions/structures and restoration of just relationships.

Some questions for reflection:

Is reconciliation a slow or fast process?

Is reconciliation a social or personal process?

When we forgive, do we automatically reconcile?

For true reconciliation to happen, should we forget or should we ensure we remember?

How much remembrance?

Is forgiving accepting the wrong done?

What personal commitment do we require for reconciliation to happen in Zimbabwe?

Full texts of the Presentations can be downloaded below.

View in Powerpoint

Lessons in Post-Conflict Reconciliation

Role and Leadership of the Church in Healing and Reconciliation