Zimbabwe's bishops call attacks on archbishop 'utterly deplorable'

Published: 2007-08-29

HARARE, Zimbabwe (CNS) -- Zimbabwe's bishops called attacks on Archbishop Pius Ncube of Bulawayo "outrageous and utterly deplorable" and an attempt to divert attention from the catastrophe that Zimbabwe has become. "The recent attacks by some politicians and the state media on the person" of Archbishop Ncube, who is being sued for adultery, "constitute an assault on the Catholic Church, to which we take strong exception," the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference said in an Aug. 29 statement from the capital, Harare. "The Catholic Church has never been and is not an enemy of Zimbabwe," the bishops said, noting that the church's service to Zimbabweans includes running 60 hospitals, 174 schools and many orphanages. "Our record during the years of the liberation struggle speaks for itself," they said. Zimbabwe gained independence from Britain in 1980 after a guerrilla war. The bishops noted that the archbishop's case was before the High Court of Zimbabwe in Bulawayo and should not be discussed in public until a verdict has been delivered. In July, Onesimus Sibanda claimed damages from the archbishop for an alleged affair with his wife, Rosemary Sibanda.

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