Methodist Conference Criticised

The Methodist Conference has been fiercely attacked for the position it took on Zimbabwe earlier this month. Rev Graham Shaw, a former mission partner in Zimbabwe let his opinions be well-known as he was highly critical of the conference which took place at Loughborough University.

Shaw was adamant that the Methodist Conference was “all too limited” and was extremely unhappy at the resolutions which resulted from the discussions

In a letter, Mr Shaw wrote, “There was little sense of the ferocious evil that Zimbabweans are now facing on a daily basis. And, closely related, there was no real sense of urgency about the matter.”

The disappointed Reverend had hoped that the Conference would have adopted a more realistic and prophetic stance to the problems in Zimbabwe, after last year’s poor response in the Llandudno Conference.

Reverend Shaw has always let his opinions be known about his stance against President Robert Mugabe's oppressive government, and has previously been arrested and detained by Zimbabwean police after a prayer gathering.

"We're living under a totalitarian regime," said Reverend Graham Shaw, last year in Zimbabwe's second biggest city, Bulawayo. "This is a police state."

The Central Intelligence Organisation or CIO – Zimbabwe's secret police – regularly monitors church services. Reverend Shaw has let it be known that he has discerned that the CIO even receives reports from some of his own parishioners. "The state operates in a sinister way, not with any open or direct threats, but it certainly gives those who are proclaiming truth and justice cause to pause. We have to think before we make any statements because we know that the state, at the appropriate point, will take further action."

A fellow supporter against Mugabe, Barnabus Nqindi, a Catholic priest, has also not been afraid to speak out before: "If Mr. Mugabe doesn't like it, then tough luck," says Father Nqindi. "I'm first a priest and I am answerable to God. I can be found on the wrong side of Mr. Mugabe. That's no problem. But not on the wrong side of God."

The Methodist Conference was urged to take a strong stance against events in Zimbabwe, and Shaw said that at least four Districts had been closely studying incidents in the country.

Members of the Conference were refused the chance to hear a three-and-a-half minute tape of Rev Pius Ncube, the Archbishop of Bulawayo to aid their decision making process.

The Methodist Church media office issued a statement to respond to Mr Shaw’s letter which welcomed the concern and passion towards the people of Zimbabwe. “The Conferences in both 2003 and 2004 committed the Church to continue supporting the people and churches of Zimbabwe in prayer, practical assistance and in listening to them," said the statement.

"Conference 2004 debated three motions on Zimbabwe in a continuous stretch lasting 37 minutes. In that time Conference agreed the reply to memorial 34 and notice of motion 17, which separately require the Church to take a range of steps to ensure that all due support is given and all necessary facts and opinions gathered in and relayed to the Church. Conference also approved a procedural motion from the floor to 'not put' notice of motion 15. The policies approved by Conference are in line with how the Methodist Churches in Zimbabwe and South Africa have asked us to proceed. The full texts to all these are available in the Minutes of Conference 2003 and the Agenda and Daily Record for 2004."