Pilgrims of Hope, Embodying the Corporal Works of Mercy
To the People of God and all people of goodwill in Zimbabwe,
Introduction
We, the Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ), as we walk faithfully on the Catholic Jubilee 2025 as ‘Pilgrims of Hope’, “an event of great spiritual, ecclesial, and social significance in the life of the Church and the world. Characterised by forgiveness of sins and in particular by the indulgence, which is the full expression of the mercy of God that all of us long. We, fan the flame of hope that has been given to us, helping everyone to gain new strength and certainty by looking to the future with an open spirit, loving heart and merciful vision.” In the spirit of jubilee, we express our profound gratitude and commendation to Parliamentarians and His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, for signing the Abolition of Death Penalty Bill into law, on 31 December 2024. This historic milestone marks a significant step towards upholding the sanctity of human life, a fundamental principle of our Christian faith, as we are reminded in the book of Genesis, “So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them” (1:27). Therefore, abolition of the death penalty should be celebrated by all people of good will as a giant move that foster a more compassionate society, encouraging dialogue on restorative justice and the value of every human life.
The Catholic Jubilee 2025: Pilgrims of Hope
As we celebrate the Catholic Jubilee 2025, we are reminded of our call to be pilgrims of hope. This Jubilee year is a time of celebration, reflection, and renewal, as we commemorate the 1,700th anniversary of the Council of Nicaea. During this Jubilee year, we are called to embark on a journey of pilgrimage, both physical and spiritual, to rediscover the beauty of our faith and to renew our commitment to being disciples of Christ. Pope Francis emphasized that hope and forgiveness are at the root of the 2025 Jubilee. He says ” God always forgives: Always! And put this in your head, in your heart: God always forgives! We just must knock on the door. There is no sin that cannot be forgiven; there isn’t.”(Pope Francis interview with the Italian television on Fazio’s Che Tempo Che Fa program discussing 2025 Jubilee on 19 January 2025[1]) Thus, the abolition of the death penalty is a significant step towards building a forgiving, a more just and compassionate society, and we commend the Government for taking this courageous step. As pilgrims of hope, we commit to collaborating with the Government to ensure that this development brings about tangible benefits for all Zimbabweans, particularly those who have been directly affected by the death penalty.
Living the Gospel of Life
The Catholic Church has consistently taught that human life is sacred and must be treated with dignity and respect. In the words of Pope Francis, “the death penalty is inadmissible because it is an attack on the inviolability and dignity of the person” (Address to the Delegates of the International Commission against the Death Penalty, 2017). The abolition of the death penalty is consistent with the social teachings of the Church that uphold human life, call for redemption and rehabilitation and a justice system that is rooted in mercy rather than vengeance. The Church encourages the society to value life and seek ways to heal than harm. By abolishing the death penalty, Zimbabwe has taken a crucial step towards aligning its laws with this fundamental Christian principle, as Jesus teaches us, “Love your neighbour as yourself” (Mark 12:31).
A Call to Continued Compassion and Mercy
As we commend this significant achievement, we also urge the Government and all Zimbabweans to continue on the path of compassion and mercy. We recognize that the abolition of the death penalty is not an end in itself, but rather a means to an end – the promotion of a culture of life, dignity, and respect for all human beings. As we are reminded in Matthew, “Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (25:40). The Church believes that every individual regardless of their actions, has potential for conversion and reconciliation with God.
In light of this significant development, we CCJPZ offer the following recommendations:
- Collaboration on Rehabilitation Programmes: We propose as the Church that Government collaborate with Cooperates, learning institutions, hospitals, Civil Society organisations and the Church to establish rehabilitation programmes for those who are in prison, were previously on death row and those going to be released, to help them reintegrate into society. The Church believes on the sanctity of life from birth to death. As the letter to the Galatians reminds us, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfil the law of Christ (6:2).
- Collaboration and partnerships: The abolition of the death penalty in Zimbabwe is a result of collaboration and partnership between the Church, government, and civil society. The CCJPZ recommends that this collaboration be strengthened and expanded to address other social issues that affect human dignity and well-being. This can involve sharing resources and expertise, providing capacity-building programs, and promoting advocacy and awareness-raising initiatives. By working together, the Church and government can promote the common good, serve the most vulnerable members of society, and uphold the value of human life and its dignity. This also ensures that the Church and Government is jointly working towards a civilisation of love that seeks to reform prisoners or offenders. This partnership fulfils the biblical call, “As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'” (Romans 10:15)
- Joint Support for Victims’ Families: We recommend that the Church and Government work together to provide support and counselling services to the families of victims, to help them heal and move forward. This is in line with the believe that we need to hate the sin but not the sinner. As we are reminded, “The Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit” (Psalm. 34:18).
- Review of Sentencing Laws: We suggest that the Church and Government collaborate in encouraging the legislature to continuously review sentencing laws, to ensure that they are just, fair, and in line with international human rights standards that are based on the unchanging Gospel values. This fact reinforces the entrenchment of cultures that promote and uphold the dignity of life. As the letter to the Hebrews reminds us, “continue to remember those in prison as if you were together with them in prison, and those who are mistreated as if you yourselves were suffering.” (13:3).
- Promotion of Restorative Justice: We encourage the Church and Government to work together to promote restorative justice practices, which focus on healing and reparation, rather than punishment and retribution. This provides a holistic approach of reform and rehabilitation ministering to victim, perpetrator, the affected and the afflicted. As the Gospel of Matthew reminds us, “Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy” (5:7).
- Preventing Extra-Judicial Killings: The abolition of the death penalty is a significant step towards upholding the value of human life and dignity. However, extra-judicial killings remain a concern in Zimbabwe. The Church and government can collaborate to promote a culture of respect for human life and dignity, and to ensure that justice is served through lawful means. This can involve training law enforcement officials on human rights and the rule of law, promoting community policing, and establishing mechanisms for reporting and investigating extra-judicial killings. The Church is against extra-judicial killings and believes that only God has the authority to end life thus, “Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19). One such issue is the rising problem of drug and substance abuse. The Church and government can work together to provide education, awareness, and treatment programs to address this issue. This collaboration can help to reduce crime rates, promote rehabilitation and reintegration of offenders, and uphold the value of human life. Hence in line with the teachings that, “The temptations in your life are no different from what others experience. And God is faithful. He will not allow the temptation to be more than you can stand.” (1 Corinthians 10:13).
- Promotion of the Rule of Law: The abolition of the death penalty in Zimbabwe is a testament to the power of advocacy and the importance of upholding the rule of law. The Church and government can work together to promote the rule of law, ensure that laws are just and fair, and that they are applied equally to all citizens. This can involve promoting access to justice, supporting legal aid programs, and advocating for policy and legislative reforms that promote human rights and dignity. Rule of law is the cornerstone of the teachings of Christ that encourages all people to obey the authorities and subject themselves to the laws, “Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established.” (Romans 13:1).
Conclusion
We conclude by expressing our heartfelt appreciation to His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa and the Parliament of Zimbabwe for this courageous step. May this development inspire us all to work towards a more just and compassionate society, where the dignity and sanctity of human life are upheld. As we pray in Psalm 85:10, “Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” As we celebrate the Catholic Jubilee 2025, we are reminded of our call to be pilgrims of hope, embodying the Corporal works of Mercy in our daily lives.
May God bless Zimbabwe and guide us on this journey towards a brighter future.
+ Right Rev. Bishop Rudolf Nyandoro
(CCJPZ and Catholic Parliamentary Liaison Office (CPLO) Bishop Chairman)
[1] https://cruxnow.com/vatican/2025/01/in-new-interview-pope-francis-says-2025-jubilee. Accessed 12 February 2025.