l programmes in
Bulawayo. Archbishop Ncube who retains his title, will be coordinating
pastoral work, structures and training courses. He told the Catholic
Information Service for Africa, ‘In this work I shall assist people in
coming closer to God, and this includes promoting human rights and
defending
the disadvantaged.’
An aide to Archbishop Ncube told us he is now a Pastoral Vicar and
remains
well placed to speak out for the poor in society. He told us the
solidarity
Ncube has received has been amazing and even the service held in the
cathedral to put Father Schupp in temporary charge witnessed a packed
church. Responding to allegations that Mugabe’s government is planning
a new
smear campaign, the aide said there is nothing worse the regime can
throw at
him that can surpass what they have already done. Ncube has avoided
interviews with journalists since the case exploded into the spotlight
and
his aide said this is because the case remains in court and any
interviews
might prejudice proceedings.
Despite heated speculation that Ncube would enter politics, the
fearless
cleric maintains he has a passion for ‘evangelisation’ and is not
interested
in politics. Last month he released a statement pouring cold water on
speculation he will contest the 2008 presidential election saying, ‘I
would
like to make it clear that in the Catholic Church we have a rule
against the
clergy getting into party politics or taking on civil duties.’ He
argued
clergy could not become politicians because this compromised their
Christian
values. He accused politicians of being mainly concerned with
accumulation
of power and wealth rather than alleviating the suffering of
people. -SWRadio Africa
Post published in: News