Zimbabwe Council of Churches and stakeholders unite for Peace Indaba in Bulawayo

By Effort Moyo

Zimbabwe Council of Churches, in partnership with the Zimbabwe Peace Project (ZPP) and the Evangelical Christian Leaders Forum (ECLF),commenced a Peace Indaba in Bulawayo yesterday aimed at promoting sustainable peace, security, and development across the nation

The Zimbabwe Council of Churches is united in the pursuit of a peaceful, just and cohesive society as well as the holistic wellbeing of all Zimbabweans,confesses the One, Holy, Universal, and Apostolic Church and is resolved to serve Christian unity in Zimbabwe and throughout the world and envisions a strong Christian ecumenical fellowship for a United, Peaceful, just, and prosperous nation, where all citizens experience holistic salvation.

The event running under the theme Cultivating a Culture of Peace started yesterday and is scheduled to end today on the 16th of October 2024.

The event brings together stakeholders from government, religious organizations, independent commissions, civic society, the security sector, academia, and community leaders.

While addressing attendees Bishop Kenneth Sibanda emphasized the church’s role as agents of peace and reconciliation in Zimbabwe.

“As church we declared that we were called upon to be the light of the world,to faithfully promote the peace,forgiveness and reconciliation in the land.The scriptures have declared that God has permitted the church the message of reconciliation as recorded in acts chapter 5 verses 19,as a church our mandate is to promote good for all by preaching peace and reconciliation as well as being agents of social transformation”

Sibanda also said that the ZCC has done many things in the country contributing to peace and security

“And the Zimbabwe council of churches have been actively participating in the country space,in order to promote peace and social cohesion in the country,ZCC was established in the colonial era,The Zimbabwe council of churches fought injustices that included Land Bill,targeting African in disposition of land through the land approachment Act.”

The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) was Established in 1964,it is a fellowship of Christian Churches largely from Protestant Churches in Zimbabwe,epitomises the aphorism,unity in necessary things,freedom in doubtful things, and charity in all things.

The inter-denominational fellowship, convened around ecumenism,civic engagement and humanitarian intervention, is one of Zimbabwe’s most accomplished Ecumenical Movements and development agencies. With a strong base of 31 Member Churches and para church organizations, the ZCC remains one of the strongest ecumenical bodies in Zimbabwe.