Political conflict, he continues to say, “demoralizes and sharpens division leading to irreconcilable differences in communities; it leads to irresponsibility and ultimately a polarized people.”
Fr. Ndlovu makes reference to the Church’s social teaching and cautions, the “Church does not condone every possible form of social conflict”, including political ones.
As such, he further says in reference to the Social teaching of the Church, “the recurring political conflicts cannot be glorified as heroic acts in a multi-party democratic society.”
He adds that politics should seek to better the lives of the people across the political divide by giving them freedom to choose their destiny and path of life all times, without intimidation or manipulation of any kind.
In Zimbabwe and some other countries in election mood, Fr. Ndlovu says that there is need for not only tolerance but also political maturity among members of political parties and their constituents.
“Political parties should invest energy in clarifying and publicizing their ideologies and policies,” he says, adding, “They should resolve problems rather than engaging in political conflicts, coercion, deception, extortion, intimidation and violence.”
the Administrator of Emthonjeni Pastoral Centre of Bulawayo Archdiocese goes on to reflect on Pope Francis’ Encyclical Letter on fraternity and social friendship, Fratteli Tutti, underscoring the need for equal opportunities among the people of God in Zimbabwe in view of fostering development in the Southern African nation.
“Pope Francis warns that inequality and lack of integral human development make peace impossible and that without equal opportunities, different forms of aggression and conflict will find a fertile terrain for growth and eventually explode,” Fr. Ndlovu says in reference to the October 2020 Encyclical Letter.
The member of the Clergy of Zimbabwe’s Bulawayo Archdiocese reflects on the need for political maturity, saying that such politics facilitate the realization of “authentic and genuine communication of ideas rather than mere politicking and sloganeering.”
Interest-based approach to politics, he further says, “means putting a political party’s manifesto on the table and leaving it to the electorate to make uninfluenced choices, trusting and hoping that all that is promised will be delivered.”
