Zimbabwean government soldiers are hunting Catholic priests and lay leaders who voted against Robert Mugabe's ZANU PF party in recent national elections, reports say. Catholic priests are hiding for fear of their lives, because they are being hunted down by soldiers in Zimbabwe, Catholic Charity Aid to the Church in Need claimed, according to the Zimbabwe Metro.
A priest told ACN how people who voted against Robert Mugabe's party ZANU PF have been kidnapped, tortured, maimed and raped by soldiers, particularly in rural areas.
"Many Catholic priests and lay people are on the wanted lists of these soldiers and militia groups," the priest said, "and many of them are forced to remain in hiding following death threats."
Reprisals come after the Catholic Church joined with other denominations on May 8 to speak out about the country's deteriorating human rights situation, including the "organised violence" in areas that did not vote for ZANU PF.
Following the message in which the priest called on all Catholics around the world to pray for the people of Zimbabwe, ACN called for solidarity with the people of Zimbabwe and for increased aid, especially for the local Church, which is supporting democracy.
The priest particularly asked prayers for those "who are persecuting us, because we have exercised our democratic rights."
Overwhelmed with the victims of the political violence, hospitals lack even basic pain killers to treat the injured and maimed.
For several months they have been unable to care properly for patients because of a shortage of medicines caused by the country's economic crisis.
Speaking to ACN, the priest described how many streets are full of people living rough, because their houses have been looted and burned down after they voted for Movement for Democratic Change (MDC).
Although living on the streets they still face the threat of further reprisals.
"It is to be feared," he said, "that the situation will only get still worse ahead of the run-off vote on June 27."
Food is being withheld from those who did not vote for ZANU PF, the priest told ACN, and despite their best efforts Catholic dioceses are unable obtain any food for the hungry.
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