Zimbabwe and the pope

by Editor · May 28, 2003

When Pope John Paul welcomes new ambassadors to the Vatican, his addresses are usually marked by diplomatic niceties and general observations about the challenges facing the respective diplomats’ countries or region.

The Holy Father departed from this formula when he addressed the new Zimbabwean ambassador to the Vatican, Kelebert Nkomani, as we report this week. His criticism of Zimbabwe’s land redistribution programme — one hesitates to use the term “reform” — was nothing less than scathing. Although the pope was more guarded on the question of human rights abuses in Zimbabwe, there can be no mistaking his apprehension and aversion to their violation under the Mugabe regime.

Supporters of justice and peace in Zimbabwe will be mindful of the significance of John Paul’s address to Mr Nkomani.It certainly marked a departure from the Vatican’s operative approach of working behind the scenes towards an equitable solution to the crisis in Zimbabwe.

One may speculate that the recent death of Harare’s Archbishop Patrick Fani Chakaipa, who was seen by many as being close to President Robert Mugabe (though not always uncritically so), may have opened diplomatic avenues that were previously considered blocked.

One may also hope that the pope’s forthright comments will serve to galvanise the Zimbabwean Church to articulate a consistently explicit and unified response to the breakdown of human rights in Zimbabwe.

Doubtlessly the pope’s comments will have strengthened the resolve of those concerned with issues of justice and peace in opposing the despotic nature of the Mugabe regime.

One wonders whether Mr Mugabe himself will have been touched by the pope’s words. He can hardly dismiss them.In commenting on Zimbabwe, Pope John Paul is unimpeachable. Mr Mugabe might ascribe Western opposition to his regime to “colonialism”, “imperialism” or “racism”. He may feel entitled to mock the likes of President George W Bush and Prime Minister Tony Blair in most puerile terms. Pope John Paul, however, cannot be accused of pursuing colonial or racist self-interests. Nor can Mr Mugabe upbraid the pope for lacking credibility. The Holy Father’s concern for Africa is well documented. Indeed, one may safely suppose that Mr Mugabe would endorse many, perhaps most, papal pronouncements on the questions facing the continent.

Word is that Mr Mugabe, who was raised a Catholic, regularly attends Mass and receives Communion. If this is so, then the pope’s censure must have stung him severely.

One may hope that Mr Mugabe, who surely realises that his reign is nearing its end, will understand that he now has lost even the pope’s confidence as Zimbabwe’s president.

May he draw the obvious conclusions from that, and retire now.