Stop harassing Anglicans, church primates tell Mugabe

The letter was sent to the 82-year-old dictator at the end of a six-day biennial Primates Meeting of leaders of the churchs 38 provinces (12 of them are in Africa) held in Dublin last week.

At the same time, a report published by the well-respected United Society for the Propagation of the Gospel (USPG) has revealed details about the way an ex-communicated bishop, Nolbert Kunonga, has turned Anglican churches into profiteering schemes, including shops, colleges and in one case a brothel.

The Anglican Church in Zimbabwe has been divided since Nolbert Kunonga, a fervent supporter of Mugabe and his ruling Zanu (PF), lost a bid for re-election as bishop of Harare in 2007. Following his election defeat, he set up a rival to the Anglican Church and used Green Bomber tactics to try and disperse its congregations.

In Dublin, the archbishops said they had been deeply distressed to hear of the continuing bullying, harassment and persecution being suffered by their counterparts in the Diocese of Harare and other parts of Zimbabwe.

The prelates discussed an incident on 16 January when thugs associated with Kunonga, backed by police and riot squad members, harassed the congregation at St Andrews Church in Chipadze.

We believe that the appalling situation experienced by members of the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe seriously infringes their right to justice, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion and personal security under the law guaranteed by the constitution of Zimbabwe and the United Nations Declaration of Human rights, the letter said.

Meantime, the January 2011 issue of USPG enews has revealed how Kononga has turned Anglican churches into profiteering schemes, including colleges, shops and eve brothels.

It said that since 2007 and the great Anglican split in Zimbabwe, Kunonga has called upon the police to prevent worshippers entering churches, using violence and tear gas.

The current Bishop of Harare, Chad Gandiya, was quoted saying that Anglicans were very concerned and angry.

He told USPG: The most shocking news from reliable sources that boggles the mind is that two of our churches are being used as brothels. When we eventually go back, we will have to cleanse all our church buildings. Our sacred places are daily being desecrated.

There are also reports that the Anglican Cathedral in Harare is being used by three private colleges. In Highfield, St Pauls Church is being used as a commercial crche and a college. In Bindura, St Peters Church has been turned into a phone shop. In Mapondera, St Peters Church has become a sewing shop.

Gandiya told USPG that Christmas services last year were held in tents and in church buildings belonging to other denominations. We felt a little bit like shepherds who received the wonderful news about the birth of the Messiah out in the fields.