Bishops Decry Zimbabwe's Clampdown

THE SCOTSMAN, June 20 — Church leaders in Zimbabwe yesterday condemned Robert Mugabe's “cruel” clampdown on street traders and shanty town dwellers, saying it “cries out to God for vengeance,” the international website reported.

The government's operation may have left more than 1.5 million people without homes and livelihoods, according to United Nations officials. Police also have arrested more than 30,000 vendors, accusing them of dealing in black market goods and attempting to sabotage Zimbabwe's economy, which has 80% unemployment.

According to the report, nine archbishops, bishops and administrators of Church dioceses, in a formal message to an estimated 1 million churchgoers, said: “Any claim to justify this operation becomes totally groundless in view of the cruel and inhumane means that have been used. We condemn the gross injustice done to the poor.”

Ukrainian Patriarch Reaches out to Rome

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, June 19 — One of Ukraine's top religious leaders told The Associated Press he sees no obstacles to greater cooperation between the Orthodox Church and the Vatican.

“Today the task and mission of Christian churches — Orthodox, Catholic, Protestant — is to support moral values and support spirituality and morality in European civilization,” Patriarch Filaret said. “We don't need to be afraid of Rome, or the Greek Catholics.” The Moscow Patriarchate has accused the Church of encroaching on its territory, and blocked the late Pope John Paul II's long-held wish to visit Russia, the world's most populous Orthodox nation.

Patriarch Filaret, head of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church's Kiev Patriarchate, said the churches have much in common and should cooperate in emphasizing the importance of the family and moral values.

Canadaian Priest Prays for Prime Minister

THE CANADIAN PRESS, June 20 — Father Francis Geremia of Montreal is praying that Canada's Catholic Prime Minister Paul Martin changes his stance on homosexual “marriage,” the news service reported.

Father Geremia delivered his message in Italian in a homily during a weekend Mass in Montreal. In a telephone interview Monday with The Canadian Press, the priest said Martin “has to be very careful because he might even lose his [district in the next general election]. You cannot have two faces: Either you serve God or you serve the devil.”

Calgary Bishop Fred Henry has added his voice to those against the homosexual “marriage” legislation, called Bill C-38. He said Catholic politicians who support the bill are putting their souls at risk. In addition, Father Geremia said he would continue to speak out against the legislation because his conscience requires that.