ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless'

Upper Shire – elections

Readers will recall that the Central African Provincial House of Bishops represented by their acting Dean Albert Chama have failed thus far in their attempt to force the electors of the Diocese of Upper Shire to accept their (the Bishops) chosen candidate the Rev’d Alinafe Kalemba Dean of Leonard Kamungu Anglican Theological College. This attempt was prevented by an appeal by priests in the diocese to the Civil Courts to insist on proper procedures. Alinafe Kalemba is reported to have indicated that he is upset by the whole matter but that he still willing to be Bishop because ‘the Bishops wish it’.

The story is updated by the following communication from Upper Shire:

‘The scheduled court hearing failed to take place on 15th May, 2008 because Bishop James Tengatenga (Bishop of South Malawi) filed an affidavit against affidavit of priest petitioners. In short he claims that the Elective members of Upper Shire Diocese did not have one mind when casting vote for bishop’s election. This is why they failed to have a bishop since they needed just 2 votes from the outside (from other dioceses). This is a blue lie from the Bishop Tengatenga. The casting of votes started in the morning until noon which means our members of Elective Assembly did commendable job. It was Bishop Tengatenga who at the lunch break blasted three priests from Upper Shire Fr. Brighton Malasa, Fr. Martin Mgeni and Fr. Henrik Chisale to vote against Upper Shire choices. However, despite this the three priests still voted in favour of the diocese’s (not the bishops’) chosen bishop. This was until until Tengatenga lost his temper (something he is fast gaining a reputation for) then the three priests yielded to his mission of choosing his ‘brother in-law’ – (yes this is seen as nepotism in African culture as Tengatenga’s wife comes from the same district as Dean Kalemba).

Tengatenga says he is filing these affidavits because Dean of Province has delegated him to do so. The question to ask therefore is acting Dean Bishop Albert Chama incapitated? Since canons are very clear if bishop is incapitated he should resign and someone to takeover therefore, if Bishop Chama is so let him tell us that he has failed to perform his duties as Dean. Where is the letter supporting this situation. The Vicar General of DUS has not informed the people of Diocese of Upper Shire that Tengatenga is to preside over on all matters pertaining to DUS affairs – where is his letter of authority? (It does indeed appear that Tengatenga does not have authority to interfere in this way, canonically Chama cannot delegate in such a fashion)

We wonder what is now happening in this Province of Central Africa and where are we heading to? We are no longer in one party state when what I have said I have said is sufficient from the Bishops - we won’t allow that to prevail. This diocese belongs to people we repeat here and we won’t be intimidated by whosoever under any circumstances.

The Court is now scheduled 30th May 2008 still at Zomba High Court. We do not know if Bishop Tengatenga has any legal advisor on these issues. If any it is questionable then and very abnormal for meddling in other people’s territory. Upper Shire Diocese has one agenda, voice, language, spirit, mind, future and vision please no touch on us innocent souls Bishop Tengatenga you are victimizing us daily instead of concentrating on your foreign tours.’

Lake Malawi

Readers will recall that a similar Civil case has been brought by the people against the Provincial Bishops in Lake Malawi Diocese where they are trying to force their chosen candidate the Rev’d Henry M’baya upon the people. There is no sign yet of Bishop James Tengatenga interfering in this case which has again been postponed due to lack of judiciary to hear it (a common phenomenon in Malawi). Tengatenga probably wants to keep his distance because the Bishops really have a very weak case as canonically the House of Bishops cannot stop the process of an appeal to the Provincial Court under any circumstances, not least as they are interested parties.

Readers will recall that all this waste of money and time was caused by the scandalously conducted ‘Court of Confirmation’ following the election of the Rev’d Nicholas Henderson of London, England as Bishop of Lake Malawi and presided over by the disgraced and now retired former Archbishop Bernard Malango with help from his great friend ‘Archbishop’ Nolbert Kunonga of Zimbabwe.

Zimbabwe

In the meantime we have been receiving photographic evidence of the most appalling violence and consequent physical injury, directed towards anyone who has or who might in future vote for the opposition MDC party. Today’s announcement of a ‘re-run’ presidential election to take place on 27th June reinforces fears of terrible intimidation yet to come.

So where is the Anglican Church in all this? Bishop Sebastian Bakare is still the front line, ‘Archbishop’ Nolbert Kunonga is increasing government supported attacks on congregations loyal to Bakare - and the Provincial Bishops, especially Bishop Albert Chama as acting Dean? Well they remain either silent or hiding behind a generality of press releases from the Council of Churches or various collections of un-named Bishops.

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION will gladly publish a statement from acting Dean Albert Chama of the Central African Province forcefully condemning the Mugabe regime and explaining that his former close association (together with with former Archbishop Bernard Malango) with the regime and its mouthpiece Nolbert Kunonga is deeply regretted. Or are we to be content with the one and only Pastoral Statement of the Provincial Bishops issued Friday 27th April 2007, which must rank as one of the most iniquitous and timid pieces of sophistry (despite the heroic efforts of Bishop Trevor Mwamba of Botswana to explain it away) ever to come out of the world-wide Anglican Church as a pro Mugabe briefing? (Available on our website, should you wish to see it)
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ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless’
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