Catholics mum over the national pledge

THE noise surrounding the controversial national pledge has reached boiling point with some traditional churches that run mission schools ordering their institutions to disassociate themselves from the pledge policy.

Amongst these churches is Brethren in Christ Church (BICC), which runs Matabeleland schools that include Mtshabezi High School, Wanezi High School and Matopo High School.

BICC yesterday ordered its schools not to recite the national pledge saying it violates the national Constitution and their religious beliefs. The local civil society has also blasted the pledge policy describing it as pagan and unconstitutional.

However, conspicuous with its silence is the Catholic Church, which is arguably one of the most influential institutions, headed by the Pope  - a global leader. The institutions runs hundreds of successful mission schools across the country including Monte Cassino, which recorded 100 percent, pass rate in the Zimbabwe School Examinations Council 2015 exams.
 
In Zimbabwe the Catholic Church through the Catholic Commission of Justice and Peace (CCJP) is known for its role in holding power accountable for human rights violations including the Matabeleland and Midlands genocide of 1980 popularly known as Gukurahundi.
Through the Catholic Bisho's Conference (CBC) whose chairperson is Archbishop Robert Ndlovu has occasionally issued out statements on different national issues of public concern but it has suspiciously remained silent concerning the national pledge policy while other mainstream churches condemn it.

Pundits in the institution say while the Church hierarchy remains mute, pastoral leaders within the establishment have been warned not to delve into the debate using the name of the Church. Senior priests canvassed by this publication refused to comment on the issue for fear of internal reprisals.

However, those who agreed to speak on condition of anonymity said the "Church believes that the national pledge policy is in line within its social teachings."
Catholic social teaching is the body of doctrine developed by the Catholic Church on matters of social justice, involving issues of poverty and wealth, economics, social organization and the role of the State.

President Robert Mugabe whose government is accused of formulating the rogue pledge is a devout Catholic who did his lower education in Catholic-run schools. However, he is believed to have used his power to silence the Church in denouncing his dictatorial tendencies and violation of human rights.

Former outspoken clergyman Bishop Pius Ncube is one notable Catholic leader famed for denouncing Mugabe for bad governance before he was framed in a State-sponsored plot for allegedly having an adulterous affair with a married woman. This culminated in his resignation from the episcopal appointment - which saw him serving the Church as an archbishop of the Bulawayo diocese.

Since then the Catholic Church in Zimbabwe has suspiciously retreated from commenting on national matters including social injustice. It is widely believed that the Vatican - which is headed by Pope Francis, warned church leaders from commenting on controversial political issues to avoid a potential State-sponsored purge on its clergyman.

Efforts to get a comment from Papal representative to Zimbabwe, Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Marek Zalewski hit a snag while the CBC had not responded to questions sent via email at the time of publication.

Despite pressure from various stakeholders to have the implementation of the contentious policy halted, the ministry of primary and secondary education has refused to rescind the national pledge arguing that parents were consulted during the 2014 education curriculum review process.