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	Zimbabwe: Pius Saga - Time for Soul-Searching By Stephen T. Maimbodei allAfrica September 14, 2007 http://allafrica.com/stories/200709140273.html September 11 2007 was a dramatic day for Zimbabwe. While the United States of America observed the sixth anniversary of the bombing of the World Trade Centre, Zimbabweans got breaking news from Pope Benedict XVI informing them and the world that Pius Ncube had "resigned" from his position as Archbishop of Bulawayo. The goings-on in the Catholic Church worldwide seem to be giving Pope Benedict sleepless nights. Faced with falling congregational figures, there are, on one hand, dissident priests who are clamouring for the reformation of the Church's celibacy rule. In July, a whopping US$600 million was paid out to men and boys all over the USA who were abused by a priest, now an archbishop. Soon after that, another Catholic priest in Latin America was jailed for 55 years for allegedly murdering his 16-year-old son. And, this past weekend, another priest got the thumbs-up from his congregation in Rome for the open love relationship he is having with a single mother. And now, he has to contend with Pius Ncube in Zimbabwe, who has declared an all-out war on another Catholic who happens to hold a leadership position just like him. Although the local and international media, and the general public have given so much credence to the Press release regarding the so-called "resignation", this writer has, unfortunately, taken it tongue in cheek because words fashion reality and they are conscious of reality. The short Press release that was sent to media houses worldwide by the Zimbabwe Catholics Bishops' Conference is steeped in doctrinal Catholic Church jargon, and unless you are part of the priestly order, it is difficult to understand it, let alone interpret its meaning and implications to Pius Ncube, the Sibandas, the Catholic laity and the general public. The Press release reads in part: ". . . the resignation was tendered to the Holy Father by Archbishop Ncube in accordance with Canon 401§2 of the Code of Canon Law. Canon 401§2 encourages a bishop to offer his resignation when, because of health or some other serious reason, he has become less able to fulfill his duties . . ." Readers and viewers cannot be blamed for not understanding what this whole gobbledygook means. Is this the language to use when communicating issues of faith and such magnitude to ordinary people, most of whom do not even know and/or understand the Catholic doctrine? What are they hiding behind the jargon and technical terms? Who are they trying to confuse? The unfortunate thing is that when the story was reported by the local and international media, there was so much emphasis on "resigned", and ordinary people whom he is "fighting" for do not actually know which position(s) Pius Ncube resigned from. A snap survey of what people understood from the news release shows that they believe that Ncube resigned from all his positions as a Catholic Church elder: priest, bishop and archbishop. Some actually think that he has been excommunicated. The ZCBC should, therefore, realise that they failed to communicate a simple issue, that is: Pius Ncube would not be performing his duties as Archbishop until the courts of law in Zimbabwe have cleared the adultery case. So simple, but so difficult for people who think that mysticism should be the order of the day, even among non-Catholics. In terms of labour regulations, the church is obviously different from other organisations, especially when it is dealing with church leadership. The standard labour regulations in terms of resignation are that when an employee, despite his/her rank, resigns from the organisation, he or she leaves the organisation completely. Most organisations can only re-employ after a certain period of time has lapsed, and on condition that the employee had a clean record. The amazing issue about Pius Ncube's case is that he has resigned, but will stay on the job. Has the term resignation assumed a new meaning? Father Fraderick Chiromba said this was to enable him to deal with the adultery litigation. He also pointed out that if Pius were cleared, he would be reinstated. Apparently Pius was not setting a precedent, said Fr Chiromba, because in the past priests have resigned, only to be reinstated when they would have been cleared of the problems. This to me means that Pius is still the Bishop of Bulawayo, with ordaining powers, since Fr Martin Schupp, who will stand in for him, does not have ordaining powers. It also means that he will say mass, hear confessions, and that he will still be a member of the ZCBC, the church's supreme policymaking body locally. So, where is the resignation? It is also amazing that Pius remains defiant. The international media is awash with his boasting that the "resignation" will not stop him from his vitriolic and venomous campaign against the Government and Zanu-PF. "He shall continue to work for Zimbabweans" against a government which he calls "evil". If he resigned in order to deal with the adultery case, where will he get the time to fight the lawsuit, give Press conferences and interviews, and globe-trot at the same time? Or is the resignation a cover-up for him to go into the Zim-bashing agenda full time? One only has to read and listen between the lines to understand the real meaning and intentions behind the so-called resignation. The Western media concentrated more on his criticism of President Mugabe and the Government, although their short opening statements spoke volumes regarding the adultery case. Even though Pius is innocent until proven guilty, he should remember that the allegations levelled against him involve himself, Rosemary and Onesimus Sibanda and the Catholic Church in Bulawayo. Moral decency should have prevailed, and Christians across the board hope that Pius would lie low till after the hearing of his case. We know how passionate he is about his anti-Mugabe and anti-Zanu-PF campaigns. But in our culture, after a bereavement in the family, there is a time for mourning, and there is also a time to allow other people to sympathise with you. It does not look like Pius has considered this. The power dynamics in the Pius case can also never be overlooked. The "old boys club" in the Zim-bashing campaign is solely behind Pius because they claim that his advocacy track record is impeccable. These are men with wives in their homes who say that when another man brings a serious allegation of adultery against another man, who happens to be a man of God, it should not be talked about, but instead they provide the man of God with moral support. And, to think that adultery was the only reason the Lord Jesus gave for a man to divorce his wife. This is human rights - and not God's rights - gone bad. Not many pro-Pius men out there seem to be sympathising with the Sibandas. Paul Themba Nyathi shocked many listeners a few days after the scandal broke out when he claimed on Studio 7 that the Government had no business in Pius' bedroom. His bedroom? So says who? That is the church's bedroom, built and maintained by the money the Catholic parishioners give the church as free will offerings and tithes. It was also surprising to hear the likes of Professor Heneri Dzinotyiwei, praising Pius' "fantastic" track record as an anti-Government activist. The learned professor should seriously give this a thought. Agreed, Pius' case is still sub judice, but when a man of his stature is considered to have committed all the offences being levelled against him, then there is need for a re-examination of issues. After all, the first job Pius was "called" to do was to feed the Lord's lambs, and to take care of the Lord's sheep, and not to wish for a bloodbath among the same lambs and flock he is "fighting" for. He is doing what Saint Paul, the great apostle of God, says some preachers do: Peddling the word of God for profit. (2 Corinthians 2:17). The Lord Jesus Christ was also born during one of the most horrific periods in Jewish history -- the Roman Empire. But he was focused on His mission and purpose. He also taught His Apostles to be focused. Thus the majority of them were always in jail, being flogged, and all -- except one -- were executed. Whose doctrine is Pius following? During this "resignation" period, "Bishop" Pius Ncube should do a serious soul search (ruvhunzahana), for as a man of God, he is distracting the people's attention from the Lord towards himself. In the process, he contradicts what John the Baptist teaches: "He (Jesus) must become greater and greater, and I must become less and less." (John 3:30, Holy Bible).
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