Church leaders involved in efforts to revive dialogue between Zanu PF and the opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC) were in Italy last week to seek international expertise on how to resolve Zimbabwe's political stalemate.
The Zimbabwe Independent has it on good authority that Bishop Trevor Manhanga of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, Bishop Patrick Mutume of the Catholic church and Fr Brian McGarry, also of the Catholic church, went to the Vatican last week to meet church officials and discuss ways of brokering talks between the political rivals.
The local clergy met members of the Vatican who were involved in solving the Mozambican political conflict between Renamo and Frelimo that culminated in a negotiated settlement in 1993 to end a bloody civil war.
Manhanga confirmed yesterday that they had travelled to Italy but wouldn't disclose details saying it would be premature.
However, sources said the clergy received a special invitation from the Vatican and were appraised on conflict resolution strategies by officials who helped bring peace in Mozambique.
The Pope is reported to have called for a negotiated settlement to Zimbabwe's political stalemate and recommended that local church leaders be assisted in their efforts to bring President Robert Mugabe and the MDC's Morgan Tsvangirai to the negotiating table.
Efforts by a troika comprising Manhanga, Mutume and Bishop Sebastian Bakare of the Zimbabwe Council of Churches to broker talks between Zanu PF and the MDC failed last year following a standoff regarding the agenda of dialogue.
It has also been established that soon after their return from Italy this week, the clergy requested a meeting with Mugabe and they are waiting for a response from Zanu PF national chairman, John Nkomo and secretary for information, Nathan Shamuyarira.
Meanwhile, a delegation of church leaders leaves the country on Monday to meet the South African Council of Churches (SACC) over the political situation in Zimbabwe and efforts towards solving it through a negotiated settlement.