On April 6, Rev. Rocco Puopolo, Executive Director of AFJN and chair of the Catholic Task Force on Africa, sent a letter of support to the Catholic Archbishop of Bulawayo, Pius Ncube. The Catholic Task Force wanted to support the Archbishop in his efforts to speak out on behalf of the people of Zimbabwe who are continuing to suffer under the autocratic rule of President Robert Mugabe. The Catholic Church is the largest religious denomination in Zimbabwe and Archbishop Ncube has been a fearless champion for justice in spite of great personal risk. On April 16, Rev. Puopolo received thanks from Archbishop Ncube for the support of the people of Zimbabwe. Find the letter to Archbishop Ncube below and follow this link to read the latest from the BBC on the Archbishop’s courageous stand.

 
Most Rev. Archbishop Pius Ncube
Archdiocese of Bulawayo
Archbishop’s House
9th
Ave/ Lobengula
Street
P. O Box
837
Bulawayo

April 6, 2007

Dear Archbishop Ncube,

Greetings and Peace.
I am writing to you on behalf of the Catholic Task Force for Africa, a
coalition of Catholic agencies, religious missionary communities and the like
that gather once a month to support each other in our particular advocacy for
justice in Africa and to work together on many issues that we find common
ground on.

We at the Catholic Task Force have followed the developments
in Zimbabwe
for the last few weeks with great concern.
By virtue of this letter we wanted to communicate to you our support,
admiration and solidarity as you courageously pastor your people during these
troubled times. You are living today the
passion of the Lord. This great story
gets played out in so many places and in so many situations. We want you to know that you all are in our
prayers and thoughts as we join you in this Triduum.

Please contact us through me if we
can be of any assistance.

Sincerely yours in the Risen Lord,
 
Fr. Rocco Puopolo, s.x.
Chair of the Catholic Task Force
for Africa
 
Groups that make up this Task
Force are: Africa Faith and Justice Network, Oblates of Mary Immaculate,
Society of African Missions, Missionaries of Africa, Jesuit Conference USA,
Catholic Relief Services, Conference of Major Superiors of Men, US Conference
of Catholic Bishops – Office of Migration and Refugees, US Conference of
Catholic Bishops – International Affairs, Bread for the World, Church World
Service, Pax Christi USA, Franciscans, United States Catholic Mission
Association, Comboni Missionaries,
Maryknoll Office for Global Concerns .