Sources told The Zimbabwean that the Anglican Church in Harare had been infiltrated by members of the CIO trying to intimidate members into accepting Kunonga’s leadership.
“We have been getting several uninvited guests from the president’s office clearly wanting to influence the course of events in favour of Kunonga,” a council member said. “The matter is becoming increasingly political and Kunonga’s plan now is to get political backing so that he can establishing what others have referred to as the Church of Kunonga in Central Africa, in other words, his own church.”
When contacted for comment, Kunonga said, “I have nothing to say because the issues are in court and also being handled through church channels.”
Chama, who is also the bishop of Northern Zambia, recently declared the Harare and Manicaland diocese vacant after receiving communication from Kunonga and Bishop Elson Jakazi announcing withdrawal from the Province of Central Africa over the contentious issue of homosexuality in the church. The Province of Central Africa is made up of Anglican churches in Zambia, Botswana, Malawi and Zimbabwe. Chama described Kunonga and Jakazi’s move as “unconstitutional and un-canonical” and an attempt at “altering the structure and the essence” of the church.
A vicar-general is expected to be appointed to replace Kunonga on an interim basis in the diocese of Harare. Kunonga’s decision to pull the Diocese of Harare out of the Province of Central Africa is believed to have been caused primarily by the fact that he is being forced to surrender church assets as one of the moves towards deposing him by church members disgruntled with his leadership and blind loyalty to the murderous Zanu (PF) regime.
However, the Chancellor of the diocese of Harare, Robert Stumbles, who is also Deputy Chancellor of the Province of Central Africa, says Kunonga cannot avoid his deposition. “Resignation or withdrawal from the province does not stop a court enquiring into these offences,” Stumbles said.
In reference to the meeting that Kunonga cites as the basis for his decision to withdraw the diocese, Stumbles noted, “Nowhere does it categorically empower the Bishop to sever relations with the Province of Central Africa.”
By Itai Dzamara
Post published in: News