Mugabe calls upon Anglicans to end “un-Christian” land dispute: The Church of England Newspaper, April 23, 2010 p 8. April 30, 2010
Posted by geoconger in Church of England Newspaper, Zimbabwe.trackback
President Robert Mugabe speaking on April 18 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare
First published in The Church of England Newspaper.
Robert Mugabe has condemned the violent dispute between Dr. Nolbert Kunonga and the Church of the Province of Central Africa, urging church leaders to end the “un-Christian” split that has embarrassed the nation.
In a speech on April 18 at the National Sports Stadium in Harare marking the 30th anniversary of black majority rule, President Mugabe condemned Britain, the US, Germany and other western countries for imposing economic sanctions. He also denounced the political, religious and criminal violence plaguing his country.
However, the president’s peace plea is not expected to halt the breakdown of law and order in Zimbabwe, as Robert Mugabe has made similar pleas in the past, and then has unleashed the security services on his political opponents in violent campaigns of repression.
A political ally of the Zimbabwean-strongman, Dr. Nolbert Kunonga’s hold on church property in Harare rests solely upon the armed might of the police. Attracting less than ten per cent of Anglican worshippers to his breakaway Anglican Church of Zimbabwe, Dr. Kunonga has been propped up by the police, who have ignored orders from the country’s courts and the Minister for Home Affairs to back off from the dispute.
“As Zimbabweans, we need to foster an environment of tolerance and treat each other with dignity and respect irrespective of age, gender, race, ethnicity, tribe, political or religious affiliation,” President Mugabe told the crowd in the newly rebuilt stadium—a gift to the regime from the Chinese government.
“Your leadership in the inclusive Government urges you to desist from any acts of violence that will cause harm to others and becomes a blight on our society,” he said.
Mr. Mugabe chastised Dr. Kunonga and the Bishop of Harare Dr. Chad Gandiya for fighting for control of church property in the city, saying their behaviour was un-Christian. He also called for an end to domestic violence, urging men to stop abusing their wives and girlfriends.
