Zimbabwe

Below, we explore the world grain situation. This is important. But as we have been studying and writing these last two days, we have watched in horror as the government police actions in Zimbabwe have ruined the upcoming election runoff. We honor Morgan Tsvangirai for the hard choice he made to step aside to try to prevent further pain to his supporters. We pray for Robert Mugabe – what else can you do?

Whatever words we can conceive for this purpose, we can likely do no better than to repeat here from Presiding Bishop Jefferts-Schori's recent statement on this cruelty:

I urge all Episcopalians to continue to pray, in the name of the Prince of Peace, for the people of Zimbabwe. In a land that has suffered so greatly in recent years as a result of 165,000 percent inflation, 80 percent unemployment, and poverty so drastic that life expectancy is now only in the mid-30s, the need for healing and transformation could not be more urgent. May God, "in whose perfect kingdom no sword is drawn but the sword of righteousness, and no strength known but the strength of love," grant wisdom, courage, and strength to the people of Zimbabwe and to all who work for an end to that great land's current strife.

The Presiding Bishop
May 6, 2008