Zimbabwean churches call for peace after Mugabe landslide in disputed poll, police on guard

Published January 13, 2015

Zimbabwean church leaders across the Christian nation say worshippers should pray for peace after disputed elections gave longtime President Robert Mugabe a landslide victory in the presidential and parliamentary vote.

The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe asked its followers Sunday to wait for "dialogue to resolve outstanding issues with self-control and tolerance."

In pastoral messages given by priests, Roman Catholic churches, whose monitors criticized Wednesday's voting for widespread irregularities, called on Catholics not to be "consumed by bitterness that leads to violence."

"Peace in your heart brings calm. Trust and have faith," said Fr. Charles Kanongwa, a church leader.

Preparing for disturbances, however, Zimbabwean police mounted extra roadblocks in the capital Sunday, some manned unusually by officers with automatic rifles. Troops were camped downtown where water canon trucks were also stationed.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/zimbabwean-churches-call-for-peace-after-mugabe-landslide-in-disputed-poll-police-on-guard