“i have not been silenced by the crude machinations of a wicked regime” said the
Bulawayo Archobishop, Pius Ncube.  He
resigned from his duties as archbishop after adultery allegations by the Mugabe
regime in response to the long effort to get the later to put an end to its
abuses against Zimbabweans.   The Church
has been a leading force in seeking social justice for Zimbabweans and she is
not defeated by the weapon of shame that Mugabe is using to silence her.

For this reason, Archbishop Ncube uses what
he calls the “best course of action,” which is to face his accuser personally and
take upon himself the shame that Mugabe has brought upon the Catholic Church.

“I remain a Catholic Bishop in Zimbabwe,
and will continue to speak out on the issues that sadly become more acute by
the day. I am committed to the Word of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and see my
decision as opening up new opportunities to serve Him …”  Archbishop Ncube’s

resignation is an act of faith, courage and strength in the face a regime that                                                                                  continues to oppress its own people.  We express our concerns for
his life as he continues to confront this regime that has no respect of human
rights.  Joining the voices of the
Bishops of Zimbabwe, today more than ever before, AFJN continues to support the
church of Zimbambwe
in its effort to bring about justice, peace and good governance by ending human
rights abuses, intimidation, corruption and persecution of the people of Zimbabwe.

Full text of Archbishop
Ncube’s statement:

“Today the Vatican
will publicise their acceptance of an offer of resignation tendered to them by
myself in July. I wrote to the Pope within days of what was obviously a State
driven, vicious attack not just on myself, but by proxy on the Catholic Church
in Zimbabwe.
In order to spare my fellow Bishops and the body of the Church any further
attacks, I decided this was the best course of action.”It has been necessary for me
to wait for the Vatican
to acknowledge my resignation before making it public. It is my feeling that I
should face this case in court as Pius Ncube, an individual, not that the Holy
Catholic Church of God should seem to be on trial because I am its head.
“I know that there will be many of you who will be bitterly disappointed
at my leaving my post as Archbishop of Bulawayo – and a few who will be
delighted, seeing their mission as having been accomplished.
“To the many thousands of Catholics and ordinary  Zimbabweans as well
as those in the international community who have stood by me in my hour of
need, who have offered their prayers and stood in solidarity with me, I thank
you all from the depths of my heart.
“I remain a Catholic Bishop in Zimbabwe, and will continue to
speak out on the issues that sadly become more acute by the day. I am committed
to the Word of Our Lord Jesus Christ, and see my decision as opening up new
opportunities to serve Him through serving the poor and suffering of Zimbabwe,
who sadly become more numerous and more impoverished every day.
“I remain unshakably committed to the Mission declared by Christ: “The Spirit
of The Lord is upon me for He has anointed me to bring the Good News to the
afflicted. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to captives, sight to the blind,
to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim a year of favour from the Lord.”
(Luke 4: 18-19)
“Recent events have brought me closer to God and have given me a clearer
sense of mission. I have not been silenced by the crude machinations of a
wicked regime. I am committed to promoting the social teachings of the Church,
and to working among the poorest and most needy in Zimbabwe. My wish is to be a lowly
servant of all: as stated by Jesus “I came not to be served, but to
serve.” (Matthew 20:28)
“I will use my experiences working among the people to lobby for greater
humanitarian support, in particular for food and medical supplies at this time
of extreme national crisis. I have various options available at the moment,
both within the Church and within the civic movement, and will decide in the
next few weeks which will provide the best platform to continue with God’s
work.
“My passion is to get closer to God through prayer and to preach the
Gospel so that the people move away from selfishness to care for God and
others, and to fight for human rights. “Go out to the whole world,
proclaim the Gospel to all creation.” (Mark 16:15)

“May God bless and be with all of us.”