WCC delegation meets with President of Zimbabwe

Source: WCC

An ecumenical delegation led by World Council of Churches (WCC) general secretary Rev Prof Dr Jerry Pillay yesterday met with the President of Zimbabwe, Emmerson Mnangagwa, as well as officials from the Zimbabwe Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

In addition to Pillay, those meeting with Mnangagwa included general secretary of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches Rev Wilfred Dimingu; president of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches Bishop Dr Ignatius Makumbe; Rev Dr Suzanne Matale from Zambia, representing the All Africa Conference of Churches general secretary; Rev Dr Hanns Lessing, executive secretary for Theology and Ecumenism at the World Communion of Reformed Churches; Rev Mzwandile Molo, South African Council of Churches general secretary and current chair of the Fellowship of Church Councils in Southern Africa; and Dr Masiiwa Gunda, WCC programme executive and Ecumenical Institute at Bossey adjunct professor.

President Mnangagwa opened the meeting by welcoming the delegation, then acknowledged the work of the churches in the areas of climate resilience, peace building, and national healing. He spoke of his government's commitment to peace, justice, and fighting of corruption.

In responding to the President's remarks, Pillay began by acknowledging the historic warm relations between the WCC and Zimbabwe from the days of the liberation war to the historic WCC 8th Assembly held in Harare 1998, during which both the then-President of Zimbabwe Robert Mugabe and then-President of South Africa Nelson Mandela offered remarks.

Pillay congratulated President Mnangagwa on the election of Zimbabwe as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council and urged that this opportunity be used wisely to work for peace and security in the world.

Pillay recognized that Zimbabwe is generally a peaceful country when compared to many other countries. However, like every other country, there are always issues that bring division and dissatisfaction among people. He then shared some issues that concern the churches and people in Zimbabwe, which included, the amendment to the constitution to extend the term of the president, unemployment of youth and the social problems linked to this, the unfair and inequitable distribution of wealth, climate change and gender-based violence,

Pillay referred to the historical trauma and wounds of the people that continue to strengthen the need for reconciliation and healing in the country. Representing the request of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC), Pillay reiterated their call for an all-inclusive National Dialogue in the country that is led by the churches with the participation of government. He urged the government to support and participate in this process.

The WCC general secretary also reflected on the xenophobic experiences of Zimbabweans and other foreigners in South Africa. He underscored the need for a sustainable reintegration strategy for returnees to Zimbabwe and affirmed the willing spirit and desire of the ZCC to collaborate with government to develop and implement a reintegration plan.

Other members of the ecumenical delegation shared further thoughts and concerns, and the President responded to the matters raised.

The meeting concluded with Pillay expressing his profound joy and gratitude to the ZCC for their willing and positive spirit to collaborate with government to help make Zimbabwe a better country for all people and all creation and acknowledged the government`s desire for the same with appreciation and thanks for the meeting. A prayer was offered for the President, the government and Zimbabwe.

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22 July 2026 - In Zimbabwe, "the church cannot retreat into private spirituality" - https://oikoumene.org/news/in-zimbabwe-the-church-cannot-retreat-into-private-spirituality