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	Zimbabwe: Archbishop Ncube Assigned New Job By Lance Guma allAfrica October 5, 2007 http://allafrica.com/stories/200710051137.html The Catholic Church has assigned the former Archbishop of Bulawayo Pius Ncube a new job, nearly a month after he resigned over an alleged adulterous affair. Father Martin Schupp, the Apostolic Administrator of the vacant Archdiocese appointed Ncube to be in charge of pastoral programmes in Bulawayo. Archbishop Ncube who retains his title, will be coordinating pastoral work, structures and training courses. He told the Catholic Information Service for Africa, 'In this work I shall assist people in coming closer to God, and this includes promoting human rights and defending the disadvantaged.' An aide to Archbishop Ncube told us he is now a Pastoral Vicar and remains well placed to speak out for the poor in society. He told us the solidarity Ncube has received has been amazing and even the service held in the cathedral to put Father Schupp in temporary charge witnessed a packed church. Responding to allegations that Mugabe's government is planning a new smear campaign, the aide said there is nothing worse the regime can throw at him that can surpass what they have already done. Ncube has avoided interviews with journalists since the case exploded into the spotlight and his aide said this is because the case remains in court and any interviews might prejudice proceedings. Despite heated speculation that Ncube would enter politics, the fearless cleric maintains he has a passion for 'evangelisation' and is not interested in politics. Last month he released a statement pouring cold water on speculation he will contest the 2008 presidential election saying, 'I would like to make it clear that in the Catholic Church we have a rule against the clergy getting into party politics or taking on civil duties.' He argued clergy could not become politicians because this compromised their Christian values. He accused politicians of being mainly concerned with accumulation of power and wealth rather than alleviating the suffering of people.
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