The Herald (Harare)
15 November 2007
The Anglican Diocese of Harare is sticking with its decision to withdraw from the Province of Central Africa with plans to affiliate with another province now at an advanced stage, the Diocesan Secretary Father Barnabas Machingauta said yesterday.
The diocese needs to join another Anglican province to ensure apostolic succession, it needs three bishops to consecrate a new bishop, and to retain its membership in the Anglican communion. In an official communication to Trustees, Standing Committees and the clergy, Fr Machingauta said the decision by the diocese to withdraw from the province still remains adding that there was no vacancy for a bishop in the diocese. He was reacting to reports that flyers and letters supporting the appointment of Bishop Sebastian Bakare as the new acting bishop of the Harare Diocese were being distributed in Harare.
"The Diocese has no vacancy for a bishop and does not recognise nor accept any such appointment imposed on it by the masters of chaos currently laying siege on the Diocese," he said. The communication comes as a welcome development to the incumbent, Bishop Kunonga, who has come under siege after announcing the Diocese's decision to withdraw from the Central Africa province.
The Harare Diocese withdrew from the province in September accusing it of failing to censure some bishops in the province who were dabbling in homosexuality. The dean of the Central Africa province, the Right Reverend Albert Chama then announced the dismissal of Bishop Kunonga appointing retired Bishop Bakare as the new bishop of the diocese. The province also took Bishop Kunonga to court claiming properties, which are still in his custody.
However, in dismissing the flyers and letters circulating in Harare, Fr Machingauta said the official centre of communication for information on the diocese and other communication still remained with the Diocese office through its official letters, bearing its letterhead or official meetings of incumbents and church wardens called by the standing committee through subcommittees or Bishop Kunonga.
He dismissed announcements from visitors or preachers that are not sanctioned adding that all flyers or letters on the appointment of Bishop Bakare should be disregarded and be treated with contempt. "They (flyers and letters) do not represent the novelty of order that our church is known for, are meant to create confusion in our church in the hope that in the midst of the confusion, these masters of darkness can usurp power and authority in the church," he said. Fr Machingauta said the issue of control of property and performance of Episcopal duties in the diocese is before the courts adding that the Province, which is purported to have initiated the court proceedings should have the honour and merit of letting these be decided in the court.
He scoffed at the "current panic and kangaroo midnight meetings", which he described as a show of desperation. He said the Diocese continues to operate in the same manner and derives its authority from Bishop Kunonga adding that any challenges to this status quo will be challenged in the highest order. "As of those who would like to live with this bogus appointment should be under the illusion that they will use the facilities of the Diocese," he said.
Bishop Kunonga, who has been under siege from other dioceses in the province since announcing Harare diocese's withdrawal from the province, has found unwavering support from members of his Diocese who insist that the withdrawal was not his issue but a resolution made by the synod.
The Botswana Diocese have also come out in full support of Bishop Kunonga and has also consulted him to help them map the way forward after passing a vote of no confidence in their bishop over his pro-homosexuality stance.
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