Kunonga rallies supporters: CEN 11.09.07 p 5. November 10, 2007
Posted by geoconger in Church of England Newspaper, Zimbabwe.trackback
CLERGY supporters of Dr Nolbert Kunonga have issued a statement of solidarity with their controversial bishop, rejecting his deposition by the Church of the Province of Central Africa.
Rumours and speculation are rife in the Harare diocese, with a delay of at least three months anticipated before a court will hear a petition asking that Dr Kunonga be compelled to turn over the diocesan assets to the Province.
Critics of Dr Kunonga say he is using the delay to solidify his hold over the diocese. The Zimbabwean, a London-based expatriate newspaper, said the secret police had entered the fray in his support. The paper reported that members of the CIO, the Central Intelligence Organisation, had pressured synod members to support Dr Kunonga.
“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 diocesan council member told the newspaper.
In an Oct 29 public letter to the Dean of the Province, theKunonga clergy said that Bishop Albert Chama had no authority to supplant him, as the Synod had authorised the secession of the diocese. However, Harare Chancellor Mr Robert Stumbles last month told CEN the emergency synod was unlawful.
On Oct 25 the Zimbabwe Independent reported that the former Bishop of Manicaland, Dr Sebastian Bakare had been appointed vicar-general of Harare. The Kunonga clique said they would not recognise Dr Bakare’s appointment.
Kunonga supporter, the Rev Morris Brown Gwedegwe told the CEN the controversial bishop had not acted alone. The Harare diocese had said ‘no to homosexuality’ and Bishop Kunonga was merely ‘responding to people’s wish’ to pull out of the Province.
However, the Provincial Secretary of Central Africa said it was not possible for Harare to make a unilateral declaration of independence.
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