Evictions of Zimbabwean priests from properties owned by the Harare Diocese of the Anglican church continued following a High Court decision late last week refusing to stop the removals by a faction led by the former Harare Bishop Nolbert Kunonga.
Supreme Court Chief Justice Godfrey Chidyausiku recently gave Kunonga control of all church properties until a final ruling is made on control of the church’s assets.
We are seeing the results of the policy of the Archbishop of Canterbury in response to the actions of the Episcopal Church being used as ammunition against Anglicans in Africa.
Prayers for the Anglican church in Zimbabwe.
Pageantmaster, intra-Anglican disputes on for example sexuality provided no more than a convenient figleaf. Given the collapse of the nation, and the rapaciousness of the renegade bishop, I have no doubt that another reason would have been found if this one had not been conveniently to hand.
I received an email from an Anglican friend in Zim today. I append the information he gave me. To protect him I have lightly redacted the material: We were worried that our priest would be kicked out of his house … but by some quirk of fate it was registered in the name of a trust and not the Anglican church. No doubt Kunonga could get round this as he has the judges in his pocket, but for the moment we are safe. He has sent his thugs around to intimidate our priest and we have had to employ 24 hour guards at the gate. Our services still go on apace – the English service at … chapel and the Shona service at the … we do not think the AB’s visit will have any effect. He has apparently requested to meet Mugabe but I wonder if this will happen. There is a big church service at the City Sports Centre on 9 October with 4 ABs in attendance. I hope there won’t be trouble.
Rhodesia/Zimbabwe is so then. Wall Street is today’s evil. Tomorrow, who knows what cause will attract attention? Probably some other sideshow.
I appreciate PM’s insights into the relationship between this issue and turmoil in other parts of the Communion. However, No. 2 has to be rock solid correct that this is much more about corrupt, atavistic despotism. Mubabe is a monster and others will attempt to use him to advance their own interests. Hence someone like Kunonga. We need to pray for the people of Zimbabwe and actively encourage our governments to make things very uncomfortable for Mugabe and his thugs. (“Uncomfortable” being about as far as I think any western Government is willing to go at this point).