The pligrimage has traditionally been held in Marondera at the Bernard Mizeki Shrine.
Anglicans, led by Archbishop Albert Chama of the Church of the Province of Central Africa (C.P.C.A) will now celebrate the life of Bernard Mizeki at the Marondera Show grounds, in the Mashonaland East Province, about 75 kilometers east of Harare.
Kunonga has sealed off the shrine and said the rival faction cannot use it.
Kunonga has made it virtually impossible for his rival Anglican faction to hold the commemorations at the shrine this year.
Anglicans annually visit the place where the late martyr Bernard Mzeki lived and subsequently died.
Thousands of Anglicans in the Anglican Church in Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique and South Africa will now gather at the showgrounds instead of the shrine in memory of the late martyr Bernard Mizeki (1861 – 18 June 1896) who died at the hands of Mangwende villagers in Murehwa. Mizeki was killed by villagers who felt threatened by his Christian teachings.
The pilgrimage at the showgrounds is expected to run from Friday 24 June through to Sunday 26 June 2011.
The venue has been secured and all other necessary preparations have been concluded, according to the Bernard Mizeki Organising Committee.
"Water is available at the new venue at the showgrounds and there would be sufficient security to safeguard everyone who wishes to be at the venue of the commemorations," said Precious Shumba, a spokesperson.
This year’s gathering is being held under the theme “MuKristu Usanete” taken from Romans 12 vs. 12 which urge Christians to be “joyful in hope, patient in affliction, and faithful in prayer”.
Post published in: News