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Tired of watching their once-prosperous country deteriorate, Zimbabwe's church leaders have banded together and called on fellow citizens to denounce President Robert Mugabe's actions.

Nine Catholic bishops penned an Easter letter, the strongest joint attack on Mugabe's government from churches to date. The letter pointed out that, as in the colonial era, the current conflict in Zimbabwe pits those determined to maintain their privileges of power and wealth—even at the cost of bloodshed—against those demanding democratic rights.

"We are not exactly sure how to persuade Mugabe to accept that changes are needed," said Father Nigel Johnson, a Catholic priest. "Right now, there's no sign of his accepting [the letter]."

Zimbabwe's economy has crumbled since Mugabe, 83, took over following the end of white-supremacist rule in 1980. Inflation runs 1,593 percent annually, and unemployment tops 80 percent. Nearly two years ago, Mugabe launched Operation Murambatsvina ("Take Out the Trash"), during which the government bulldozed homes he said were built illegally. Thousands of victims remain homeless.

Despite Western travel sanctions imposed on Mugabe and 100 of his top-ranking officials, Southern African leaders openly support the former freedom fighter and senior statesman of the region. And the central committee of the ruling Zanu-PF party still backs Mugabe as its presidential candidate for the country's 2008 elections.

Interdenominational leaders have also called for peace in a National Vision Discussion letter that is circulating in the country. Roy Musasiwa, a contributor to the National Vision Discussion and principal of Domboshawa Theological College, paints a picture of a country on the brink of total meltdown. Violence and deprivation have become part of daily life for many people.

"We long for peace," Musasiwa said. "Would it not be great to live in a country where you can associate with any political party of your choice without fearing victimization, being tortured or raped, or having bombs thrown into your house? Or what about having the freedom to gather for prayer without the fear of being arrested?"

It is a criminal offense under Zimbabwe's tough Public Order and Security Act to gather in groups of more than three without first seeking approval from police. Even discussions in restaurants and bars have been broken up when authorities suspected political dissent. Mugabe said the legislation is designed to terminate what he has called "foreign-funded subversion of a democratic government."

Musasiwa and Johnson said despite the threat of going to jail, Christians throughout the nation are still gathering to pray their country through this crisis. In the last month, several pastors and Christians have been arrested and beaten.

"As Christians, we must speak the truth," Musasiwa said. "We are not to pick up guns and be violent, but to be peaceful. We are there to say that in the name of the God who is just, things have to stop. Stop the violence. Stop destroying the nation.

"However, when we choose to speak the truth, we must also be willing to suffer the consequences. Many are willing to go to jail if it will advance the cause."

Brenda Lane in Kenya

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For more stories on Zimbabwe and Mugabe, see AllAfrica.com, Yahoo full coverage, and the BBC's country profile.

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June 2007, Vol. 51, No. 6