The Zimbabwe Council of Churches and ‘Crisis’ Ecumenical Groups

Abstract

This chapter analyses the emergence of ‘non-conformist’ ecumenical groups that emerged due to the paralysis of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) during the crisis years in Zimbabwe. The author interrogates the limits of ecumenism in relation to political engagement and charges that the ZCC has not succeeded in promoting unity and cohesion. He charges that by withdrawing from active political engagement, the ZCC could not make a decisive contribution towards national development. He argues that the ZCC failed to implement the principles of ecumenism and ecumenics, namely, unity, dialogue, peace and reconciliation, that could provide the basis for resolving the Zimbabwean crisis. He describes how groups such as the Zimbabwe Christian Alliance (ZCA) and Churches in Manicaland (CiM) sought to contribute towards resolving the crisis. The chapter shows how they adopted different models and ways of working that enabled them to connect with the grassroots communities more effectively. Without glamorising these initiatives, it can be argued that they provide insights into how ecumenical bodies can contribute to development.