The bishop concluded we too live in two worlds. We try to escape from one when the going is tough and look for comfort elsewhere. He was referring to Christians who keep one foot in traditional religion and the other in the church. But his parable could equally apply elsewhere.
In Chihhoyi, for example. Recently the president came to the consecration of the new bishop and after the ceremony was over he addressed the large crowd. He was extremely warm and relaxed as he retraced his own Catholic background and upbringing at Kutama. He clearly has great respect, even affection, for the church and once again expressed his desire for co-operation with her. The people enjoyed his words, laughed at his jokes and applauded him.
Yet the listener could not help wondering. Are these gracious words coming from the same person who has led this government this past six years? This is a government that has violently confiscated the land of farmers, destroyed the houses and businesses of townspeople and presided over the fastest decline of any economy on the continent. Many people are short of food, medicines, shelter, school fees, work, freedom to meet and freedom to express their views.
How is it possible to switch off one world and live in another? How is it possible to be so friendly, courteous and winning on the one hand and yet so ‘vicious’ – a word he himself used at a recent prayer meeting – on the other? We know from history that there are many examples. There is film footage showing Hitler being charming with children. It is true a person can be tough at one time and gentle at another yet one senses there is no disharmony in their character. But sometimes a person behaves now in one way, now in another, and we sense there is a complete contradiction between the two. We find ourselves back in Ezekiel’s time among the ‘prophets who have empty visions and give lying predictions …they have misled my people by saying: Peace! when there is no peace’ (Ezek 13: 9).
To be or not to be a person of integrity! That is Hamlet’s question to Zimbabweans today. To live by my convictions no matter what the consequences. Can we do that? We had better start soon because time is running out.
Post published in: News