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Church feels world needs to help

CONCERNED: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa ( ELCSA N-T) members who attended a four-day synod at the church headquarters in Bonaero Park. Pic. Pat Seboko. 23/10/05. © Sowetan.
CONCERNED: Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa ( ELCSA N-T) members who attended a four-day synod at the church headquarters in Bonaero Park. Pic. Pat Seboko. 23/10/05. © Sowetan.

Khangale Makhado

Khangale Makhado

The synod of Evangelical Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (N-T), has said it can no longer sit and watch as the situation in neighbouring Zimbabwe continues to deteriorate.

Emerging from a four-day synod held at ELCSA headquarters in Bonaero Park, the synod urged people to stand against the "rulers in Zimbabwe who seem to have lost all sanity and are systematically destroying their country and people".

The synod said people were dying and there was a need for the world to intervene and take decisive action as the situation could no longer be regarded as an internal affair.

"The synod on the one hand reflected on the political and economical disaster in our neighbouring country, but even more so, on the misery of its citizens.

"Zimbabweans are not accepted as refugees in our country, therefore, they are regarded as illegal aliens and are not permitted to work and earn an income," said ELCSA (N-T) Bishop Dieter Lilje.

He said that in its endeavour to show compassion to the people and a country in need, the synod, together with ELCSA, was in the process of developing a project to support Zimbabweans in South Africa.

"We appeal to congregations to start a prayer movement to pray for justice and an end to injustice, for a true democracy, and healing and restoration of Zimbabwe .

"Further to establish contact with congregations in Zimbabwe on a one-on-one basis, to encourage fellow Christians in this way, and give support where possible," said Lilje.

The synod also urged other church leaders to continue raising the issue of Zimbabwe to the highest ecumenical levels.

The synod also encouraged church leaders in Zimbabwe to exert pressure on the state to adhere to basic human rights.

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