WASHINGTON, D.C., APRIL 18, 2007 (Zenit.org).- U.S. bishops have sent a letter of solidarity to their counterparts in Zimbabwe, as the growing humanitarian and governmental crisis continues in that African country.
Bishop Thomas Wenski, chairman of the U.S. episcopal conference's international policy committee, wrote: "We acknowledge and accept the bishops' invitation to join with you in prayer for Zimbabwe."
In the letter, directed to Archbishop Robert Ndlovu of Harare, president of the Zimbabwe episcopal conference, the U.S. prelate added: "We offer profound respect to you and our brother bishops in Zimbabwe for your brave and faithful pastoral ministry in these difficult days."
The Zimbabwean bishops issued a pastoral letter posted as an Easter message in churches throughout the country.
Further bloodshed and mass uprisings, they said, would only be prevented through democratic elections.
Bishop Wenski called their letter "a powerful testimony to the prophetic leadership of the bishops of Zimbabwe and to the tragic situation of the people in your country."
He added: "Your Pastoral Letter describes the deep crisis facing your people -- a crisis that is at once a crisis of governance, a crisis of moral leadership and a spiritual and moral crisis."
Code: ZE07041820
Date: 2007-04-18