Church and state are independent of each other, but not completely separate. While the state and the church are independent and autonomous in their own spheres, both are at the service of man. The duty is to help man fulfil his personal and social vocation. The more they cooperate, the more effectively will they serve the good of all citizens. State and government Zimbabweans have a problem being able to tell the difference between the state and the government of the day.
Governments come and go, the state remains.
The present relationship between the church and the government is characterised by an absence of dialogue. This undermines the moral authority of the church. Ecumenical cooperation needs to be streamlined for Christians in this country to be able to speak with one voice. The church leadership tries to steer clear of party politics, while encouraging lay Catholics to be part of the political process. However, it strongly urges politicians of all parties to accept the principles of good governance so rarely found on our continent.