Courage in the face of tyranny: Archbishop Pius Ncube and President Robert Mugabe.

Harare -- President Robert Mugabe, who has gradually turned into a ruthless dictator, has governed Zimbabwe since 1980. He seems to have no intention of turning over the reins to democratic forces in the country. Pius Ncube, Archbishop of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, is a leading Catholic cleric and a frequent critic of the government. Often in the past he has urged the citizens to oppose the dictatorial commands of the President, and says that religion and politics cannot be separated as they both tackle the core issues of spiritual and physical needs of a country.

In May 2006, Mugabe ordered government agents to "drive out the rubbish," i.e. the poor. Thousands of shacks and market stalls were demolished in an effort to displace almost a million urban poor who make up the core support for the Movement for Democratic Change, Zimbabwe's chief opposition party. Archbishop Ncube condemned the actions of the government, noting that the people had nowhere to go, and would be subject to disease and starvation. "To me, this is absolutely evil; it shows that the government will stop at nothing to get and keep power ... Externally, these people [in the Mugabe regime] pretend to be Christian, but they dishonour God's teaching of loving another and looking out for one another, especially the poor and the weak. The United Nations should come in and take over ... He [Mugabe] does not apply his faith to his political governance of the country. He totally ignores it ... Here is a man who goes to Mass, receives Holy Communion, and speaks at church meetings, but yet he does not respect basic human rights. He goes to justify himself" (Beliefnet, May 2006).

In March 2007, scores of activist critics were arrested, and a number of government opposition members were beaten up. The economic situation has become grave, and massive starvation is threatening the general population. One quarter of the 11 million population has fled the country, overwhelming the capacity of Church relief services in neighbouring countries. Unemployment is at 80 percent; inflation could pass 4,000 percent by the end of 2007. Salaries of most public officials are below the poverty line, and another round of home and business demolitions is being planned. In short, "the situation in Zimbabwe is threatening to destabilize the entire region." It is "largely self-inflicted. It is a crisis of moral leadership and of bad governance" (Zenit, Apr. 1, 2007).

At a news conference on March 22, Archbishop Ncube said that he was willing to risk his life in the effort to oust Mugabe from power peacefully. "We must be ready to stand, even in front of blazing guns ... The biggest problem in Zimbabwe is cowards, myself included. We must get off our comfortable seats and suffer with the people" (Catholic World News, Mar. 22, 2007).

For his part President Mugabe condemns Archbishop Ncube as an "inveterate liar," who is pandering to the interests of Britain and the United States.