Archbishop Pius Ncube who resigned Sept. 11 will now be in charge of pastoral programmes at the Catholic Archdiocese of Bulawayo.As pastoral director, his duties include coordinating pastoral work, pastoral structures, training and courses for pastoral workers.
"In this work I shall assist people in coming closer to God, and this includes promoting human rights and defending the disadvantaged," the archbishop said.
He was assigned the task by Fr Martin Schupp, the Apostolic Administrator of the vacant archdiocese.
The archbishop said his "passion is for evangelization", and he does not have "the slightest interest in entering into politics."
Speculation has been rife that Archbishop Ncube resigned to fight it out with President Robert Mugabe for the country's top job in elections due March 2008.
"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," the archbishop said in a statement.
Moreover, he said, when clergy became politicians in Zimbabwe their Christian values were compromised.
"Also, I have seen that many politicians are concerned chiefly with the accumulation of power and wealth, rather than with alleviating the suffering of their people."
He insisted he was a clergyman, whose passion was to work for the Church and that he shall continue to stand up in defense of human rights, which are part of the gospel of Christ.
The catastrophic situation in Zimbabwe demanded that he continue to speak out. "I shall continue to speak out for human rights - that is non- negotiable. Come rain or high water, in a situation where there is gross oppression, as in Zimbabwe, I shall continue to speak out."
"This is part of the prophetic role of the Church - to stand up and strongly defend the human rights of the poor and oppressed people."
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