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Catholic Bishops denounce Constitutional Amendment No. 3, insist people's voice must remain supreme
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The Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference (ZCBC) has strongly criticised the proposed Constitutional Amendment No. 3, warning that the changes threaten democratic principles and undermine the supremacy of the people's will.
In a pastoral statement titled "In Defence of Truth, Justice, and the Voice of the People", the bishops said the amendment poses a serious challenge to the foundations of national governance, trust, and the common good.
Quoting scripture - "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?" (Mark 8:36) - the bishops urged Zimbabweans to reflect deeply on the implications of altering the Constitution without broad public consent.
"Our Constitution is more than law; it is a solemn covenant, born from the overwhelming will of Zimbabweans in 2013, embodying our collective hopes for justice, unity, peace, and prosperity," the bishops said.
They emphasised that the voice of the people must remain supreme, noting that all legitimate authority flows from citizens, who entrusted leaders with a five‑year mandate ending in 2028.
"Proposals that shift power from the electorate to a few - such as weakening direct presidential elections, extending terms without fresh consent, or bypassing safeguards like referendums - diminish this sacred trust," the statement read.
The bishops reminded President Emmerson Mnangagwa of his own oft‑quoted phrase, "the voice of the people is the voice of God", warning that sidelining public participation risks fracturing national unity and the spirit of ubuntu/unhu.
They expressed deep concern that the amendment would consolidate power in the Executive by:
- Removing direct presidential elections, distancing leaders from the people's mandate.
- Extending terms of office from five to seven years without seeking a new mandate.
- Circumventing Section 328(7), which prevents incumbents from benefiting from term extensions without a referendum.
- Increasing presidential control over judicial and prosecutorial appointments, risking political interference.
- Weakening electoral integrity by transferring key functions away from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
- Allowing traditional leaders to act in a partisan manner, altering their constitutional role as neutral community custodians.
The bishops warned that weakening checks and balances threatens peace, justice, and public confidence in national institutions.
"Peace endures not by force, but through fair, transparent, and independent institutions," they said, adding that captured institutions "divide rather than unite".
Addressing Members of Parliament and Senators directly, the bishops urged them to resist political pressure and uphold the common good.
"You bear a sacred duty before God and the nation: to govern for the common good, not personal or partisan gain," they wrote, quoting Matthew 10:28 to encourage moral courage.
The ZCBC concluded by calling for truth, justice, and fidelity to the Constitution as the nation debates the proposed amendment.
In a pastoral statement titled "In Defence of Truth, Justice, and the Voice of the People", the bishops said the amendment poses a serious challenge to the foundations of national governance, trust, and the common good.
Quoting scripture - "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?" (Mark 8:36) - the bishops urged Zimbabweans to reflect deeply on the implications of altering the Constitution without broad public consent.
"Our Constitution is more than law; it is a solemn covenant, born from the overwhelming will of Zimbabweans in 2013, embodying our collective hopes for justice, unity, peace, and prosperity," the bishops said.
They emphasised that the voice of the people must remain supreme, noting that all legitimate authority flows from citizens, who entrusted leaders with a five‑year mandate ending in 2028.
"Proposals that shift power from the electorate to a few - such as weakening direct presidential elections, extending terms without fresh consent, or bypassing safeguards like referendums - diminish this sacred trust," the statement read.
The bishops reminded President Emmerson Mnangagwa of his own oft‑quoted phrase, "the voice of the people is the voice of God", warning that sidelining public participation risks fracturing national unity and the spirit of ubuntu/unhu.
They expressed deep concern that the amendment would consolidate power in the Executive by:
- Removing direct presidential elections, distancing leaders from the people's mandate.
- Extending terms of office from five to seven years without seeking a new mandate.
- Circumventing Section 328(7), which prevents incumbents from benefiting from term extensions without a referendum.
- Increasing presidential control over judicial and prosecutorial appointments, risking political interference.
- Weakening electoral integrity by transferring key functions away from the Zimbabwe Electoral Commission (ZEC).
- Allowing traditional leaders to act in a partisan manner, altering their constitutional role as neutral community custodians.
The bishops warned that weakening checks and balances threatens peace, justice, and public confidence in national institutions.
"Peace endures not by force, but through fair, transparent, and independent institutions," they said, adding that captured institutions "divide rather than unite".
Addressing Members of Parliament and Senators directly, the bishops urged them to resist political pressure and uphold the common good.
"You bear a sacred duty before God and the nation: to govern for the common good, not personal or partisan gain," they wrote, quoting Matthew 10:28 to encourage moral courage.
The ZCBC concluded by calling for truth, justice, and fidelity to the Constitution as the nation debates the proposed amendment.
Source - Byo24News
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