USING ECUMENICAL EXPERIENCES TO RESPOND TO NEW PUBLIC LIFE CHALLENGES

USING ECUMENICAL EXPERIENCES TO RESPOND TO NEW PUBLIC LIFE CHALLENGES

JOHN GAGA

GIFT MASENGWE

BEKITHEMBA DUBE

The description of the history of the church in Zimbabwe highlights the presence of a visibly
united church that has been actively involved in supporting public life since the colonial era.
The division within the Christian community is not a recent phenomenon but has existed
throughout colonial history. The Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denominations (ZHOCD)
serves as an umbrella organisation that aims at re-uniting Christian efforts of Catholic,
Protestant, Evangelical, and Indigenous traditions, in order to have a collective influence on
democratic processes in Zimbabwe. The ZHOCD takes a combative approach towards state
tyranny and is proactive in seeking solutions for public life challenges. This active engagement
is beneficial for national agendas, that allow citizens to freely choose and join political parties
of their preferences. The individual actions and activities of the ZHOCD members contribute
towards the overall work of the churches in Zimbabwe. This demonstrates religious confidence
in addressing the political and economic impacts on human well-being. By fulfilling its mission
and tasks, the ZHOCD actively participates in the shaping public life in Zimbabwe

AOSIS

2024