welcome

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION reports that the new Dean of the Anglican Province of Central Africa, the Rt Revd Musonda Trevor Selwyn Mwamba, Bishop of Botswana, has met with clergy, laity and representatives of the Diocese of Lake Malawi. Also present was Bishop Christopher Boyle, Bishop of the diocese of Northern Malawi.

The meeting was initiated by the new Dean to discuss the situation in the Diocese following the failure of the Provincial Court of Central Africa to confirm the Revd Nicholas Henderson as duly elected Bishop of the Diocese. Readers will recall that this decision has been widely regarded as seriously flawed and has subsequently caused a protracted period of uncertainty over a period of almost two years with considerable dissatisfaction amongst the people of the Diocese. Repeated calls, during this period, for a meeting with the Archbishop, the Most Revd Bernard Malango have met with no success. The Archbishop is stepping down from his position in September and the Province has appointed Bishop Mwamba as Dean pending decisions about future restructuring of the Province.

The meeting took place on Saturday 23^rd June at the Diocesan Headquarters, Lilongwe. Present at the meeting were clergy of the Diocese, Churchwardens from the parishes, diocesan representatives and a considerable number of laity. At the meeting the laity were represented by delegates from the House of Laity.

The Dean, who had rescheduled his timetable in order to meet with as many people as possible, is reported to have taken a good deal of time and trouble to listen carefully to the views of all parties in the Diocese. He acknowledged that the original Court of Confirmation had erred in the way it was conducted.

Bishop Mwamba indicated that he was seeking a resolution of the long-standing dispute and began by offering new elections as an option. This was overwhelmingly rejected on the grounds that ‘there was nothing wrong with the original election’ – a fact that is universally agreed. ‘The problem lies with the Court of Confirmation. To attempt to re-run a valid election would set a bad precedent and discredit the democratic process,’ concluded a special meeting of the House of Laity responding to the offer.

In addition to verbal contributions Bishop Mwamba also received a detailed written presentation from the House of Laity describing the many problems and failings that had led to the current impasse. The Dean agreed to take the matter for reconsideration by a panel of the Provincial Court. The exact nature of the process and how it will be conducted is not yet clear.

ANGLICAN-INFORMATION comments that the fact that this meeting took place and was attended by all parties in the Diocese is highly significant. It represents a promising new opportunity for an amicable resolution of this sad and protracted case, under the oversight of Bishop Mwamba in his new capacity as Dean of the Province.