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Mugabe seeks churches' help
25/06/2006 21:11 - (SA)
Harare - Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe urged churches on Sunday to help state efforts to revive the country's ruined economy.
But, he warned that priests who dabbled in politics could face a "vicious" backlash.
"We cannot do without each other as the church and the state," Mugabe told thousands who gathered at a stadium outside the capital, Harare, to pray for an end to Zimbabwe's deepening economic and political crises.
"Let the church come in and point out where there are shortcomings, sins of commission or omission.
"We must combine our strengths in rebuilding our economy deriving wisdom from the Lord Almighty so that our country can prosper."
Mugabe prayed for divine intervention in Zimbabwe "as we work for its turnaround in every way to reach the goal of its being the jewel among the nations".
Zimbabwe's economy has been on a downturn for the past six years with inflation nearly touching 1 200%.
Often have to skip meals
There are chronic shortages of basic goods like sugar and fuel and the unemployment rate is skyrocketing.
At least 80% of the country's 13 million people live below the poverty threshold, often skipping meals to stretch the family income to the next payday.
Mugabe blames the economic recession on sanctions imposed on him and members of his inner circle by the United States and the European Union after controversial presidential polls in 2002, while his critics attribute it to mismanagement and corruption.
The octogenarian leader - who has ruled the country since its independence from British colonial rule in 1980 - also warned church leaders to confine themselves to religion.
"When the church leaders start being political, we regard them as political creatures and we are vicious in that area," Mugabe warned before launching a veiled attack on his arch-critic, Roman Catholic Archbishop Pius Ncube.
"The bishop is not dearer to God than the president," Mugabe said in apparent reference to the cleric, whom he accuses of praying for his death.
Met church delegation
"The fact of being a bishop does not make one a saint."
Ncube attacked Mugabe's government in a letter ahead of the prayer day, saying: "This government has no heart for the suffering of its people.
"The church leadership should be aware that to join hands with those who have caused such great suffering leaves many victims feeling betrayed."
The prayer meeting came weeks after a delegation of church leaders met with Mugabe to express their concern at the country's mounting economic and political woes.
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