ANGLICAN-INFORMATION reports news from the Financial Gazette
Harare, Zimababwe of Wednesday 19th September.

Titled: Zimbabwe: Controversy Stalks Kunonga
The article reports on the recently held Provincial Synod, as reported recently by ANGLICAN-INFORMATION , at which the brightest hope for some time for a resolution of the impasse in the Diocese of Lake Malawi, Bishop Trevor Mwamba of Botswana was removed as Dean of the Province.  This move has caused consternation in the Diocese of Lake Malawi as Bishop Mwamba had become much respected.
It is generally thought that the former Archbishop Bernard Malango, influenced by Bishop Nolbert Kunonga of Harare and conservative American websites, had readily agreed to the replacement of Bishop Mwamba, accompanied by wild and untrue accusations about supposed pro gay statements by Bishop Mwamba.  Some of the Provincial Bishops were drawn into believing these to be true.

The gay issue has regularly been used by Malango and Kunonga as a convenient means to smear and discredit opponents, a number of whom have now been branded as gay or pro-gay, in a kind of continuing witch-hunt.  In fact a completely orthodox and sensible point of view prevails and there is no sign of gay or pro gay activity amongst the Bishops, not least on the part of the Bishop Elect of the Diocese of Lake Malawi, the Rev'd Nicholas Henderson who has also been frequently branded by Bernard Malango and American websites as being gay or having a variety of pro gay views, none of which are true.  
The arbitrary and malign influence of growing struggles within the American Episcopal Church, which have in recent times been foisted on Africa have represented a kind of neo – colonialism.  Increasingly, rival American dissident factions have brought Africa dangerously close to a new Babylonian captivity, as various North American ecclesiastical groups vie to collect bishops at an astonishing rate in defiance of accords and understandings agreed by Anglican Primates.

Into this heady mix has stepped Bishop Nolbert Kunonga of Harare, who was absolved from his pending trial, in August 2005, for a variety of charges, including incitement to murder, by his friend, Bishop the then Archbishop Bernard Malango.

Bishop Kunonga is a fearful kind of fellow, closely allied to the Mugabe regime and easily capable of intimidating his fellow bishops.  The recent Pastoral Statement by the Bishops of the Province of Central Africa drawn up in Harare, Zimbabwe is evidence of this in its manifestly pro-Mugabe stance.

Now, however that Malango has stepped down as Archbishop, it seems that Kunonga might at last be challenged.  The Harare Financial Gazette seems an unlikely vehicle for the following article but we reproduce it in full:

………………..............………………

Zimbabwe: Controversy Stalks Kunonga
By reporter- Zhean Gwaze

‘FISSURES have emerged in the local chapter of the Anglican Province of Central Africa following reports of the withdrawal of the Harare Diocese from the union at a recent synod held in Malawi.

State media claimed the Harare diocese, led by pro-ZANU PF bishop Nolbert Kunonga, had withdrawn from the union because it had failed to condemn homosexuality.
The reports suggested two other Anglican dioceses supported Kunonga's stance.

But a pastoral letter released after the meeting reveals that homosexuality was not on the agenda of the synod.

Heads of three of the Anglican church's five districts in Zimbabwe, bishops Godfrey Tawonezvi of Masvingo, Wilson Sitshebo of Matabeleland, and Central Zimbabwe bishop Ishmael Mukuwanda, say in the pastoral letter that gay matters were never discussed. Elson Jakazi heads the Manicaland district.

The Province of Central Africa consists of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana.
Since the synod in Malawi, Kunonga has portrayed himself as having stood alone in a region clamouring for gay rights in the church. But it turns out this was never the case.
"The Church of the Province of Central Africa condemns homosexuality. This has always been the position of the Province and continues to be so. At the just ended Provincial Synod, homosexuality was not part of the synod agenda and no bishop, priest or layperson condoned homosexuality. No homosexual lobbying by any one ever took place at the provincial synod," the bishops stress in the pastoral letter.

It has now emerged from sources who attended the Malawi conference that there is consensus in the church that if Harare withdraws from the unity, then Kunonga should leave the Anglican Church.

"He (Kunonga) was told that if his diocese withdrew from the union, then he should leave," a source said.

Kunonga's attempts to portray himself as a crusader against homosexuality could be designed to forestall a decision on his future by the church, the sources said.

Kunonga has previously survived moves to have him step down by critics who oppose his support for the ruling party's actions.'

……………………..

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION observes that the Mugabe regime itself now seems to be in trouble, Chinese financial backing has recently been quietly withdrawn and it has widely been commented that it is their support that has enabled the ruling elite to survive an inflation rate in excess of 7000% and a country where starvation and intimidation haunts the general populace.

…………….…END…………………

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION is a network acting as a free conduit for news and information related to the Anglican Diocese of Lake Malawi, and the Province of Central Africa.  It is organised by an international team of those who know and love Africa and Malawi well. We reserve the right to reflect on the news as we receive it for the benefit of our worldwide audience.

Information received by the network is sent privately and anonymously worldwide by
e-mail to those who have an interest in and concern for Africa in general and Malawi in particular.  If appropriate, some items are also released into the public domain.  Details of mailshot recipients always remain strictly confidential and are never released.

As many recipients do not have access to fast Internet connections most items are simple copy-pasted for ease of access.

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION does not claim any authority for items posted other than that of the contacts or authors ascribed to the articles.  Every endeavour is made to present accurate information.

Individual questions for clarification or items for publication can be e-mailed to:
mail@ANGLICAN-INFORMATION.org Communications will be responded to confidentially on a one to one basis.  Items for publication will be considered according to their relevance.

If you wish to be removed from the mailing list or to request that an e-mail address should be added to future mailings simply send your request to:
mail@ANGLICAN-INFORMATION.org

Some archive material of public domain releases can be found at:
www.ANGLICAN-INFORMATION-ARCHIVE.org