Story by Tichaona Kurewa
THE United Methodist Church has applauded the government for the peace prevailing in the country and implored all stakeholders to maintain the status quo as the nation goes to polls on the 23rd of next month.
Calls for a peaceful plebiscite are growing louder as the August 23 general election draws closer, with the church contending with the peace prevailing in the country.
This came out during a dedication service of the United Methodist Church, Victoria Falls Circuit this Sunday.
“We say thank you to our government for maintaining peace of the land, I flew all the way from Harare to Victoria Falls knowing that everything is so nice and we had a beautiful service to dedicate the church here. So we say to the politicians continue to maintain peace in the country, and please continue to guide the electorate so that they remain calm and peaceful as we are today,” said Zimbabwe Episcopal Area Bishop – United Methodist Church Bishop Dr. Eben Nhiwatiwa.
Other church members also pledged to be peace champions.
“Christians should be peace ambassadors, as members of the UMC we will continue to pray for peace. It is everyone’s responsibility to maintain and uphold peace always even outside the election period. Maintenance of peace is key, especially in resort areas such as ours.”
The church has taken a strong stance against alien cultures disguised as human rights.
“The issue of homosexuality is anathema, it is a forbidden thing among Africans and biblically as well. It is not something that we think twice about. We cannot think of same-sex marriage, what is same-sex marriage. We don’t get it anywhere in the bible. We don’t get it as we live as Africans that is a no-no thing that is where we are as a church,” added Bishop Nhiwatiwa.
The UMC continues to complement government efforts in providing social safety nets to the vulnerable as well as provision of education and health care services.
