Video: Archbishop - Pray for Zimbabwe
Thursday 24th April 2008
The Archbishop of Canterbury, Dr Rowan Williams, after giving joint interviews with the Archbishop of York, reflects on the issues surrounding Zimbabwe and calls for a day of prayer on Sunday, 27 April 2008.A full transcript of the exclusive video follows:
Question: Why this statement and why now?
Archbishop of Canterbury: Why now, because at the moment the Christian leadership in South Africa and Zimbabwe is asking the world to notice. It's said some very important things in the last few days, it's been pleading for higher level mediation in the region, suggested that someone like Kofi Annan might be drawn in, it's a good moment I think to add our voice to theirs.
Question: What messages are you getting from the Churches in Southern Africa?
ABC: That the immediate practical situation threatens starvation, further violence, a meltdown of civil society and that there is no time to waste.
Question: You're calling for prayer. What else do you want to see happen?
ABC: We are calling for prayer. We are calling for those who are trying to ship arms into the region to step back and we are calling for people to explore the possibilities of proper mediation.
Question: Are you hopeful in the long run?
ABC: We have to be hopeful in the long run. There are huge resources in Zimbabwe and huge energy and commitment and resourcefulness within the Christian community. I want to see that used properly and constructively.
Read the full statement from the Archbishops of Canterbury and York on Zimbabwe, and detailing the day of prayer.
The Archbishop of Canterbury was interviewed by BBC News, ITN and the BBC World Service - read the transcripts here.