The Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC) has called for a stronger Christian voice grounded in evidence and action during the PAMOJA Critical Minerals Alliance – Africa Continental Strategy Planning Workshop held in Harare.
Representing the ZCC on a panel discussion themed “Faith in Action: Strengthening Community Voice in Mining and Energy Transitions,” Mr. Admire Mutizwa, Head of Programmes for Church Peace and Just Societies work, challenged believers to bridge the gap between Sunday worship and weekday responsibility.
Speaking before delegates from across the continent, Mutizwa highlighted what he described as a troubling disconnect between professed faith and practical engagement in justice issues surrounding mining and energy transitions.
He stressed that responsibility for justice in the mining sector does not rest solely on bishops and clergy, but extends to congregants, investors, mining executives, civil servants, and policymakers — all of whom he described as faith actors.
“Faith must move beyond the pulpit into policy spaces,” Mutizwa said, emphasizing that Christian stewardship demands active participation in shaping ethical mining practices and protecting affected communities.
He warned that moral authority alone is insufficient in addressing the complex challenges linked to critical minerals extraction. Instead, he called for faith-based institutions to strengthen their advocacy through credible research, legal grounding, and practical, implementable policy proposals.
“Making noise is not enough. We must offer solutions that are evidence-based and actionable,” he said.
Mutizwa further underscored the importance of coordination between churches and civil society organizations to ensure that community voices are not only heard but translated into sustainable impact. He noted that as Africa positions itself within the global energy transition agenda, faith communities have a crucial role in safeguarding justice, environmental stewardship, and human dignity.
The engagement brought together church bodies and advocacy partners including Brot für die Welt, Christian Aid, the Fellowship of Christian Councils in Southern Africa, All Africa Conference of Churches, the Anglican Council of Zimbabwe, the World Council of Churches, and the United Theological College Zimbabwe.
As conversations continue under the PAMOJA framework, the ZCC says it remains committed to ensuring that faith is not confined to sermons but actively shapes policies that affect communities living near mining operations.
The Council has promised to share further updates from the workshop as deliberations progress.
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