Towards understanding Church-State relations and socio-political context in Zimbabwe – Implications for public pastoral care

Abstract

This article explores the complex history of Church-State relations in Zimbabwe, which have shifted between collaboration, co-option, and resistance. These dynamics have left significant social and political impacts. During the colonial era, the Church both justified domination and provided essential services like education and healthcare. This changed during the liberation struggle when it adopted a prophetic voice for justice. Following independence, under Robert Mugabe, church leaders were deeply divided – some supporting authoritarian rule, others opposing it at great personal risk. This pattern of division and co-option continues today, weakening the Church’s public credibility and influence. The central question is how churches can engage with the state using an integrated prophetic and pastoral approach. We argue that a gospel-informed public ministry, guided by an ethics rooted in Christ’s Lordship, is necessary. This ministry must resist co-option, engage strategically with social realities, and combine courageous truth-telling with compassionate solidarity. Drawing on historical, theological, and social analysis, we identify six core principles for this approach: prophetic witness, pastoral solidarity, holistic engagement, theological grounding, unity of witness, and a commitment to hope and reconciliation. By embracing these principles, the Church can reclaim its influential public role, challenge injustice, and promote human flourishing in Zimbabwe.
Contribution: The article adopts an interdisciplinary approach, integrating insights from public theology, practical theology, and pastoral care to inform church public praxis.