ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless’

Corruption in Anglican Upper Shire Diocese, Malawi.
Bishops fail to address the needs of vacant sees.

Reported independently to us by e-mail but see also the Nyasa Times online website, 24th September. Richard Msosa, the administrator of the Anglican diocese of Upper Shire, previously the diocese of discredited former Archbishop Bernard Malango, has reported that the Diocesan Standing Committee has terminated the employment of Richard Bushili, Education Secretary for theft of donor monies put at Malawi Kwatcha 1000,000 (£3,700 $6,800 € 4,600).

Msosa reports that, in addition to the cash, Bushili had been selling off equipment donated for school use such as text-books and pens. Much of the money and the donated equipment has come from the English Diocese of Birmingham which has been a partner diocese of Malawi for many years.

This incident is typical of the reason why donor monies are now drying up in Malawi with various bodies withholding their grants. This will no doubt continue whilst there is so much uncertainty both in Upper Shire and Lake Malawi dioceses.

The blame must ultimately lie with the Provincial House of Bishops for neglect of the two vacant dioceses, for intimidation of clergy and people, for fiddling elections and for seeking to force their own unpopular candidates on the people and clergy.

The bishops should not be surprised if they are nowadays portrayed as self-serving bullies who have little concern for their charges. ANGLICAN-INFORMATION says this must surely be an overstatement, or at least may not apply to all the bishops, but consistently we receive communications to this effect.

There is an urgent need for the bishops and in particular acting Dean of the Province Albert Chama to address the situation properly. He must use the correct synodical procedures, communicate directly with the people and ensure that democratic decisions are upheld. The impasse in the two dioceses is reaching crisis point.

The Nyasa Times article concludes ‘Malango (the last Archbishop) is often accused of engineering the problems’. Albert Chama is usually portrayed as his protégé and as being uncomfortably close to him. If Chama does not resolve the growing crisis soon he must like his mentor be replaced.

..................END...............

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless’

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 text format 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 at ANGLICAN-INFORMATION dot 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 at ANGLICAN-INFORMATION dot org