Vapostori condemn child marriages
A UNION of Apostolic and Zionist sects in Zimbabwe has condemned child marriages and come up with a strategic plan to fight the scourge.
The president of the Union for the Development of Apostolic and Zionist Churches in Zimbabwe, Africa (Udaciza), Reverend Edison Tsvakai drew comparisons between children affiliated to other denominations and those from Apostolic and Zionist sects.
He said those from mainstream churches have been elevated through education while there is rampant child marriages in Apostolic and Zionist churches.
“The social status of the majority of us is a sorry one comparing with age mates from other mainstream churches like the Catholics, Pentecostals and Protestants.
“Now the plan is to correct those things. We need to help each other open our eyes for development,” Rev Tsvakai said.
In reference to a crafted strategic plan which
- spans to 2017, Rev Tsvakai said the Union has sought partnerships with the Government and other non-governmental organisations in their fight for children’s rights.
Rev Tsvakai said the plan seeks to curb early marriages, home deliveries and child labour, among other things while also encouraging the attainment of education in the Apostolic and Zionist churches.
“We are glad that ever since we started implementing this plan, more than 600 indigenous churches that are affiliated to us are heeding our calls and are positively cooperating. We have summoned every church to produce and submit to us their constitution,” he said.
“We have also highlighted that they should include a child policy frame work in their constitution in a bid to protect the rights and dignity of young females. And we are sure that girls who were once exposed to abuse, including sexual abuse, will now be protected,” noted Rev Tsvakai.
He said most of the men in Apostolic churches are not concerned with educating the girlchild as they see them as potential wives.
“You might have heard that Mapositori vanorotera vana muchurch, saying the Holy Spirit has instructed me to marry this child. This is mockery to the Holy Spirit. And because we follow that same spirit, we understand how it operates.
“That is why we are saying it should stop because we know very well that people who do such things are not genuine. These are the people who give us a bad name and we cannot remain silent anymore,” added Rev Tsvakai.
Rev Tsvakai said the Union has devised a special plan to penetrate members’ hearts. “I am optimistic that very soon, Apostolic and Zionist churches will be producing the best professors, medical doctors and engineers; not only in Zimbabwe but regionally and internationally,” he enthused.
Udaciza is affiliated to the Zimbabwe Head of Christian Denomination (ZHOCD) joining Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) as well as the Zimbabwe Catholic and Bishop Council (ZCBC).