Faith
Under Fire....
More Anglican churches and properties seized in Zimbabwe
Zimbabwe's top Anglican bishop said Friday a breakaway church
leader close to the country's president is intensifying a campaign
to seize church properties that include missions, schools and
priests' homes.
7:03PM BST 09 Sep 2011
The Telegraph UK
Bishop Chad Gandiya, leader of the mainstream Anglican group, said
a new wave of evictions have even targeted an orphanage.
Breakaway Bishop Nolbert Kunonga claims to lead Zimbabwe's
Anglicans and has already refused to hand back the Harare
Cathedral, offices, buildings, church bank accounts and vehicles
he seized with the protection of police loyal to President Robert
Mugabe.
In 2007, Kunonga was excommunicated by the main Anglican Province
of Central Africa and the worldwide head of the church after he
was accused of inciting violence in sermons supporting Mugabe's
party.
The schism in the Zimbabwe's Anglican community has left
mainstream Anglicans without places of worship and they've
experienced intimidation and alleged threats of violence.
Gandiya told The Associated Press that unknown intruders broke
into his home late on Thursday. He said he was suspicious of their
motives after they stole only mobile phones and computers
containing diocese files. Prior to the break-in, Gandiya had
sought legal action against the new evictions and property
seizures.
"The coincidence is too much," he said.
On Tuesday, police arrested an Anglican priest loyal to the
mainstream group in Harare for alleged theft of church property.
The Rev. Julius Zimbudzana was held in police cells for 48 hours
then released without charge because of lack of evidence.
Also on Tuesday, court officials in Murewa served eviction orders
to St. John's mission and the Shearly Cripps orphanage, home to
more than 100 children and named after its founder, an
Anglo-American missionary who died in 1952, lawyers for Gandiya
said. Murewa is about 60 miles (100 kilometres) east of Harare.
"We are refusing to vacate. We have to find alternative
accommodation for the nuns and teachers. And who will look after
the children? Where will they go?" Gandiya said.
He said attempts were also being made to order priests and staff
to leave another mission and school near Masvingo in southern
Zimbabwe and there were fears the breakaway faction would not
provide qualified replacements.
Gandiya's attorneys said the evictions follow a flawed ruling last
month by Zimbabwe's Supreme Court that allowed Kunonga to retain
control of Anglican properties until a court appeal by the
Gandiya-led church is resolved. That ruling was made by Chief
Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku, who, like Kunonga, is an open
supporter of Mugabe's ZANU-PF party.
Kunonga insists he broke away from the mainstream Anglicans after
the church in Britain recognised gay marriage and the rights of
same sex partners. Mugabe is a bitter critic of homosexuality.
Witnesses in the western Harare township of Mbare said their
Anglican priest was evicted last month from his rectory, but
travels back from a village outside the city to meet with
congregants on Sundays. Other Anglicans across the city use public
halls and some Roman Catholic buildings for their activities.
Pro-Gandiya worshippers barred by police and Kunonga loyalists
from the Harare Cathedral and a main Anglican church in the
upmarket suburb of Borrowdale also hold services in private homes
and gardens.
"This is what we are dealing with every day. Our congregations get
discouraged but we must remain resolute. As always, Kunonga's
people can do what they want without restraint," Gandiya said.
The worldwide head of the church, the Archbishop of Canterbury,
wants to meet with Mugabe in October to discuss the tensions.