The Catholic Commission for Justice and Peace in Zimbabwe (CCJPZ) is a commission under the Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops’ Conference (ZCBC) which was formed in 1972 to address issues of justice and peace particularly in relation to the Zimbabwe liberation war. After independence in 1980, CCJPZ moved closer to people. It has established Diocesan Commissions (in all 8 dioceses in Zimbabwe) that have created community based lower-level structures useful for monitoring justice and peace situation in the country as well as disseminating justice and peace messages. CCJPZ work is grounded on the Social Teachings of the Church (STC) which sheds the light of the gospel on issues that affects people’s lives in society, and offers the Church’s wisdom, insight and experience in dealing with them.

CCJPZ envisions a God-fearing, democratic and just nation.

CCJPZ believes in Truth, Justice, Freedom and Love

• Monitor and document human rights situation in the country for appropriate action.
• Research, investigate and publish situations of injustice and violence and use the
  information to promote justice and peace.
• Inform the laity and the clergy of their responsibilities to work for justice and peace as Christians.
• Promote informed decision making among the clergy and the laity to influence public opinions according to the STCs.
• Make constructive suggestions and input for the enactment of just civil laws and their impartial administration and implementation.
• Empower and capacitate the clergy and the laity to understand, promote and
  implement STCs in their lives for the fulfilment of human potential and growth.
• Assist in the formation of the seminarians, clergy, religious, the laity and Christ’s
  Faithful through the popularisation and sustaining STCs and Facilitate and disseminate Social Teachings of the Church (STCs).

The information gathered by the commission helps the bishops to come up with pastoral letters to give light and guidance on different matters such as elections, environmental justice, peace and development. The information is also used to engage strategic stakeholders such as the Presidium. The Church has proven to be a trusted convenor that speaks for the poor and marginalised communities in Zimbabwe.

CCJPZ PILLARS AND CORE FUNCTIONS

CCJPZ pillars and core functions are derived from the terms of reference stipulated above and provide clarity on the activities that it must undertake as detailed below:

CCJPZ five Pillars

1. Evangelization

Providing Civic Education on, but not limited to:

• Voter Education, Election Monitoring and or Observation.
• Economic and Social Justice.
• Democratic Governance.
• Human Rights.
• Peace Building, Healing and Reconciliation.
• Social Teachings of the Church.
  
  2. Service Delivery

• Continuous assessment, monitoring and evaluation of (i) CCJPZ programs for learning and relevant responses and (ii) the current situation for informed, faith and evidence based advocacy.
• Coordinating, collating and consolidating CCJPZ programs and activities at all levels; identifying and analysing common trends for national liaisons and advocacy.
• Effective use of electronic, print, social and other media to promote justice and peace.
• Creating platforms for inter Diocesan sharing and learning for adoption and replication of best practices as well as taking up national justice and peace issues for national advocacy,

  3. Financial Sustainability

• Promoting self- reliance through designing and formulating income generating projects or activities.

  4. Capacity Building

• Continuous formation of CCJPZ animators and committees and keeping registers of CCJP members, committees and or animators.
• Capacity building of CCJPZ staff at all levels.
• Networking and collaborating with other like-minded organizations doing similar work at local, national, regional and international levels.

  
  5. Gender Mainstreaming and Women empowerment

• Ensures a coordinated approach to gender equality and gender mainstreaming.
• Social justice and just power relations between women and men, in which both are valued equally in society and empowered to pursue their human rights and fundamental freedoms.
• Political justice, in which both men and women can have an equitable, active and influential say in decisions that affect their lives.
• Economic justice, looking at power relations and control over resources, business and market activity and regulation shift to become more gender equitable, providing sustainable benefits for both women and men.
• Environmental justice, whereby gender is no longer a barrier to accessing, controlling and sustaining the natural resources upon which both women and men depend.

A list of completed projects

MISEREOR – CCJPZ working with 8 arch/dioceses implemented an Election project for the Zimbabwe 2023 harmonised election. The project focused on three phases of electoral cycle, that is; the Pre, Election Day and Post elections. CCJPZ observed the 2023 harmonised elections in the above mentioned phases and compiled a report titled, CCJPZ 2023 Harmonised Election Observation Report” which outlined Churches observation experiences and recommendations to  improve the manner in which elections are conducted in Zimbabwe.

ASIKHULUME – Conflict Mitigation and Management project titled Asikhulume was implemented (January 2021-June 2023).The project was implemented in the diocese of Hwange and Archdiocese of Bulawayo, supported by United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and Catholic Relief Service (CRS). Asikhulume project was a 30 month peace building project that fostered healing and social cohesion, and promoted constructive dialogues and civic trust through addressing 3 prioritized issues for Matabeleland North which include; the unresolved social injustices grievances; the perceived / real socio-economic and political inequalities; and trauma.

Promoting the Ecumenical Voice for Credible, Free and Fair Elections in Zimbabwe (April 2022- March 2023) supported by CAFOD. This project was implemented by CCJPZ together with Zimbabwe Heads of Christian Denomination (ZHOCD) Church bodies including UDACIZA, ZCC, and EFZ at National level. The project sought to amplify the voice of the Church in promoting peace, tolerance and non-violent environment in Zimbabwe.

START FUND – CCJPZ national office together with CCJP Archdiocese of Harare, and Centre for Conflict Management and Transformation (CCMT) jointly implemented this project. The main objective was to respond to emergency issues arising as the nation was preparing for the 2023 Harmonised Elections so as to contribute towards a peaceful environment for elections