Anglicans in Zimbabwe’s Diocese of Masvingo may once again face arrest for trying to commemorate the life and ministry of Arthur Shearly Cripps1 and for carrying out their ministry.
As ACNS reported last year, clergy and pilgrims were prevented from holding their celebrations at the Shearly Cripps Shrine by excommunicated bishop Dr Norbert Kunonga supported by police. Dr Kunonga claimed to be in charge of the shrine and 78 Anglican churches in Masvingo Diocese.
The Bishop of Masvingo, the Rt Revd Godfrey Tawonezwi has revealed that this year they have had to move the event to the beginning of August for the same reasons, but that the police have labelled the planned gathering “illegal”. No-one knows whether meeting at the shrine will end in arrests.
This comes as the British government, to its shame, has said it will probably lift sanctions against Mugabe and his henchmen, in the hopes that a free and fair presidential election will take place next year. Given his people’s record of thuggery, electoral fraud and seizure of property, I am appalled at this step. And I feel deeply said for the good Anglicans of Zimbabwe who have to face this bullying and theft at the behest of a bishop who no longer deserves to be called a pastor.
Nor even a Christian!