Pro-Mugabe Anglican bishop faces suspension
-15/06/06
A fortnight ago exiled UK Zimbab
Pro-Mugabe Anglican bishop faces suspension
-15/06/06
A fortnight ago exiled UK Zimbabweans called on Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, a Ugandan former judge, to intervene in the argument about the actions of a pro-Mugabe Anglican bishop.
But now Lambeth Palace has announced that his boss, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, has stepped into the dispute.
Dr Williams has said that Bishop Nolbert Kunonga should be suspended until allegations against him have been dealt with.
In 2005 Kunonga was brought to trial and accused of violations of canon and civil law, including incitement to murder his opponents. The trial broke down after the judge abruptly quit, throwing the proceedings in disarray. But the problems have not gone away.
“In the context of a prolonged and political crisis, the [Anglican] Diocese of Harare faces intolerable strain in the form of the very grave and unresolved accusations against Bishop Kunonga,” said a statement from the Archbishopís London office.
It continued: “In other jurisdictions, a priest or bishop facing such serious charges would be suspended without prejudice until the case had been closed. It is therefore very difficult for Bishop Kunonga to be regarded as capable of functioning as a bishop elsewhere in the communion.”
Dr Williams is spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and it was felt that he alone had the authority to make this move, even though he has no official juridical powers.
The Rev Paul Gwese, exiled rector of St Francis of Assisi in the Harare suburb of Glen Norah, says that ìsince his controversial ordination in 2001 [Bishop Nolbert Kunonga] has terrorised Christians, and is turning his diocese into a religious branch of Mugabeís ruling ZANU PF party.î
He adds: ìPeople want spiritual leaders who are accountable, but when you look at the way things are being done in Harare Diocese, church politics is no different from secular politics.î
Christians in Zimbabwe have been divided by President Mugabeís often brutal rule, which has destroyed the economy, violated human rights and attacked press freedom.
Some have been courageous in speaking out for social justice. But others have been cowed into submission or collusion.
[Also on Ekklesia: Zimbabwe church leaders debate how to handle Mugabe; Church leaders condemn Mugabe clampdown; WCC condemns Mugabe’s forced evictions; Rebel prelate condemns ‘corrupt’ church collusion with Mugabe; Zimbabwean police ban church parades and prayer vigils; Bishop calls for cricket boycott; Southern Africa remains gripped by food crisis says Christian Aid; Mugabe bureaucracy blocks vital church aid to destitute; Mugabe branded ‘shameless’ over attempt to gatecrash Pope’s funeral]
Pro-Mugabe Anglican bishop faces suspension
-15/06/06
A fortnight ago exiled UK Zimbabweans called on Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, a Ugandan former judge, to intervene in the argument about the actions of a pro-Mugabe Anglican bishop.
But now Lambeth Palace has announced that his boss, Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams, has stepped into the dispute.
Dr Williams has said that Bishop Nolbert Kunonga should be suspended until allegations against him have been dealt with.
In 2005 Kunonga was brought to trial and accused of violations of canon and civil law, including incitement to murder his opponents. The trial broke down after the judge abruptly quit, throwing the proceedings in disarray. But the problems have not gone away.
“In the context of a prolonged and political crisis, the [Anglican] Diocese of Harare faces intolerable strain in the form of the very grave and unresolved accusations against Bishop Kunonga,” said a statement from the Archbishopís London office.
It continued: “In other jurisdictions, a priest or bishop facing such serious charges would be suspended without prejudice until the case had been closed. It is therefore very difficult for Bishop Kunonga to be regarded as capable of functioning as a bishop elsewhere in the communion.”
Dr Williams is spiritual leader of the worldwide Anglican Communion, and it was felt that he alone had the authority to make this move, even though he has no official juridical powers.
The Rev Paul Gwese, exiled rector of St Francis of Assisi in the Harare suburb of Glen Norah, says that ìsince his controversial ordination in 2001 [Bishop Nolbert Kunonga] has terrorised Christians, and is turning his diocese into a religious branch of Mugabeís ruling ZANU PF party.î
He adds: ìPeople want spiritual leaders who are accountable, but when you look at the way things are being done in Harare Diocese, church politics is no different from secular politics.î
Christians in Zimbabwe have been divided by President Mugabeís often brutal rule, which has destroyed the economy, violated human rights and attacked press freedom.
Some have been courageous in speaking out for social justice. But others have been cowed into submission or collusion.
[Also on Ekklesia: Zimbabwe church leaders debate how to handle Mugabe; Church leaders condemn Mugabe clampdown; WCC condemns Mugabe’s forced evictions; Rebel prelate condemns ‘corrupt’ church collusion with Mugabe; Zimbabwean police ban church parades and prayer vigils; Bishop calls for cricket boycott; Southern Africa remains gripped by food crisis says Christian Aid; Mugabe bureaucracy blocks vital church aid to destitute; Mugabe branded ‘shameless’ over attempt to gatecrash Pope’s funeral]