ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless’

A little good news from Zimbabwe, Anglican Province of Central Africa

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION comments that the Zimbabwean power sharing agreement between the Movement for Democratic Change headed by Morgan Tsvangirai and the Zanu-PF Mugabe regime, as agreed on 15th September, does not look healthy. No real political progress seems to have taken place. Mugabe and his retinue are jetting around the world at US $2000,000 a time whilst Tsvangirai has yet to receive his passport. His position is reminiscent of that of the late Joshua Nkomo.

Zimbabwe is now becoming a US dollar economy with continuing hyper inflation and a grave risk of famine.

However, there are straws of good news in the wind regarding the Anglican Church that deserve mention.

From a correspondent in Harare, Zimbabwe 6th October 2008

‘The political stalemate of the last months seems to be tied to the impasse in
the relationship with ex Bishop Kunonga in the Harare Diocese. But last week
there was a move forwards in that a number of congregations returned
to their church buildings. This is not universal, for example it is reported that the
churchwardens at St Mary's, Chitangwiza were arrested when they went back.
At St Peter's Meyrick Park, the diocesan registrar went to the local police
station and spoke to the member-in-charge, who told him the orders “from above”
were that no-one was to go back. It now seems to depend on the local member-in-
charge as to whether or not he is willing to turn a blind eye. Many of them are
of course Christians and Anglicans.

An old lady who had worshipped at St.Peter's all her life died last week. The
ex rector, Prosper Muzambi, still living in the rectory, was approached to see
if they could have the funeral at St.Peter's. He rang Kunonga who said “Yes,
provided you take the service”. Prosper is of course ex communicated (by the Province, see our news on the website 20th May 2008). The mourners went elsewhere.

Later this month Bishop Sebastian Bakare, will hold a huge confirmation
at the Sports Stadium, where he was enthroned in February. We had a confirmation
at St Peter's taken by Kunonga, after he had pulled out of the Province, but
before he was excommunicated.

The parents worry as to whether they should have
their children 'done again'.* I understand Sebastian is willing to do this. We
continue to trust that the Lord will sort things out.’

*ANGLICAN-INFORMATION comments that perhaps Article 26 of the Thirty-Nine Articles is helpful here:
‘Of the unworthiness of the Ministers, which hinders not the effect of the Sacraments.’ The Article explains that
despite evil sometimes finding its way into those in authority this doesn’t diminish the efficacy of the sacraments.

Thank goodness, because the continued discreditable behaviour of some of the Central African Provincial bishops would otherwise have renewed ‘done again’ confirmations going on all the time!

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ANGLICAN-INFORMATION
‘A voice for the voiceless’

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