“Pray, speak against this evil”: Zimbabwe’s Catholic Bishops Urge Action against Proposed Abortion Law

The Catholic Bishops appeal to all Catholics, men and women of faith, and citizens to contact their Senators, urging them not to support the Bill.

“We call on all Catholics, men and women of faith, and citizens of this country to pray and to get in touch with their Senators and urge them not to vote for it,” the Catholic Bishops say.

They lament, “How sad it is that the whole world celebrated with us last year as the country abolished the death penalty, and today it watches as we take a back step and sanction the massacre of the innocent.”

“History will judge us harshly for failing to defend the lives of the weaker members of our society,” ZCBC members say in their December 13 statement.

They add, “As the Church, we uphold the sanctity of life from conception to a natural death. A value that is also mirrored in our Zimbabwean cultures that nurture life.”

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They invite all citizens to “pray for our Senators and for the respect of life in all its forms.”

Addressing Senators directly, ZCBC members make a strong appeal to conscience, warning against allowing political correctness, financial interests, or the desire for relevance to override the defense of human life.

“Is it money, political correctness, or seeking relevance that sees you choose to worship at the altar of human sacrifice? As Moses commanded the Israelites, we urge you to choose life,” the Catholic Bishops say.

They implore, “Our prayer is that sanity will prevail, and many innocent lives will be spared.”

Earlier, members of the Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD) raised concerns about proposed amendments to the Bill.

In a pastoral letter issued on November 29, the Church leaders noted that the proposals have “caused significant distress among Christians, parents, and many citizens who uphold biblical and cultural values that protect life as a fundamental human right.”

They described the proposals as a departure from the clear national consensus expressed during the country's constitutional consultation process that “unborn life is to be protected and abortion tightly restricted.”

The Church leaders urged “all believers to stand firm in defending life, to pray diligently for our nation and its leaders, and to actively engage your Members of Parliament in your respective constituencies. For the sake of our moral integrity and social stability, these changes must be rejected.”

Jude Atemanke is a Cameroonian journalist with a passion for Catholic Church communication. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from the University of Buea in Cameroon. Currently, Jude serves as a journalist for ACI Africa.