1. CATHOLIC COMMISSION FOR JUSTICE AND PEACE IN ZIMBABWE
1.1 About CCJPZ
CCJPZ (or the Commission) was formed in 1972 to address issues of justice and peace particularly in
relation to the Zimbabwe liberation war. The Commission was viewed by the Rhodesia authorities as
‗anti-Government', especially after documenting and publishing the atrocities perpetrated on ordinary
citizens by the Rhodesian army in Civil War in Rhodesia: The Man in the Middle, published and
distributed in the United Kingdom by the Catholic Institute of International Relations, now Progressio.
Some of the most active Commission members, such as then chairman, Donald Lamont, Bishop of Umtali
(Mutare) were deported or restricted.
After independence in 1980, CCJPZ moved closer to people. Using the Catholic Church as an entry point,
it established Diocesan Commissions that have created community based structures useful for monitoring
justice and peace situation in the country as well as disseminating justice and peace messages. CCJPZ
recognizes building relationships, based on respectful dialogue can be a fruitful strategy in terms of
influencing policy. As a result, CCJPZ has been influential in providing civic educations on justice and
peace at the local and national levels and has produced influential documents that have been used for
relevant advocacy and liaisons. It co-published, with the Legal Resources Foundation, Breaking the
Silence: Building True Peace where CCJPZ found itself viewed as anti-government', this time by the new
Zimbabwe government. But the publication informed 1987 Peace Accord.
Other publications include Crises of Governance (2000) and Graveyard Governance (2008) that
encouraged Zimbabwe's main political parties to unite by negotiating and signing a Global Political
Agreement in 2008, which paved way for peace and economic stability. The Catholic Observer: Election
Observation Report for 2013 Harmonized Elections in Zimbabwe provides some electoral
recommendations based on CCJPZ observations of 2013 Harmonized Elections. Further electoral
recommendations are made in a by-election observation report entitled Continuous Voter Registration
and Voter Education: Valuable Keys to Credible Elections in Zimbabwe - CCJPZ Reflections on Lessons
Learnt from Observing Zimbabwe‟s 19 By-Elections [held after 2013 Harmonized Elections].
1.2. Social Teachings of the Church
Underlying the work of CCJPZ is the Social Teaching of the Church (STC), which influences its civic
education and learning experiences on peace building, conflict management, conflict resolution, human
rights, research, advocacy and lobbying. The STC sheds the light of the gospel on issues that affect our
lives in society and offers the Church's wisdom, insight and experience in dealing with them. They contain
these principles:
• The Dignity of the Human Person: Every human being is created in the image of God (Gen. 1:26-27)
and redeemed by Jesus, and therefore is valuable and worthy of respect.
• Respect for Human Life: Human life is sacred because it was created by God. Human life at every
stage of development and decline is precious and worthy of protection and respect.
• Participation: As their right and duty as citizens, the STC encourages people to participate in all
activities that promote the common good especially the poor and the marginalised.
• Association: People achieve their potential by working with others in families and other civic bodies
that foster growth, protect dignity and promote the common good.
• Subsidiarity: It is a grave disorder for a higher body in the state, such as the government, to arrogate to
itself powers that can be effectively exercised by lesser bodies such as local authorities, village or ward
development committees, voluntary associations, civil society, families and individuals.
• Promotion of Common Good: The common good is the total of all living conditions – social, political,
economic, cultural, technological and environmental – that make it possible for all people to fully
achieve their potential for growth. The absence of sensitivity to the common good is a sure sign of
decay in a society.
• Universal Enjoyment of the Earth's Goods: The goods of this earth are for the benefit of everyone and
should be shared justly and equitably.
• Option for the Poor: The poor and marginalised are often left out in the distribution of a nation's
wealth. The Hebrew prophets railed against this injustice. Isaiah warned the people of his time (58:5-7)
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