Zimbabwe: Controversy Stalks Kunonga

FISSURES have emerged in the local chapter of the Anglican Province of Central Africa following reports of the withdrawal of the Harare Diocese from the union at a recent synod held in Malawi.

State media claimed the Harare diocese, led by pro-ZANU PF bishop Nolbert Kunonga, had withdrawn from the union because it had failed to condemn homosexuality.

The reports suggested two other Anglican dioceses supported Kunonga's stance.

But a pastoral letter released after the meeting reveals that homosexuality was not on the agenda of the synod.

Heads of three of the Anglican church's five districts in Zimbabwe, bishops Godfrey Tawonezvi of Masvingo, Wilson Sitshebo of Matabeleland, and Central Zimbabwe bishop Ishmael Mukuwanda, say in the pastoral letter that gay matters were never discussed. Elson Jakazi heads the Manicaland district.

The Province of Central Africa consists of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and Botswana.

Since the synod in Malawi, Kunonga has portrayed himself as having stood alone in a region clamouring for gay rights in the church. But it turns out this was never the case.

"The Church of the Province of Central Africa condemns homosexuality. This has always been the position of the Province and continues to be so. At the just ended Provincial Synod, homosexuality was not part of the synod agenda and no bishop, priest or layperson condoned homosexuality. No homosexual lobbying by any one ever took place at the provincial synod," the bishops stress in the pastoral letter.

It has now emerged from sources who attended the Malawi conference that there is consensus in the church that if Harare withdraws from the unity, then Kunonga should leave the Anglican Church.

"He (Kunonga) was told that if his diocese withdrew from the union, then he should leave," a source said.

Kunonga's attempts to portray himself as a crusader against homosexuality could be designed to forestall a decision on his future by the church, the sources said.

Kunonga has previously survived moves to have him step down by critics who oppose his support for the ruling party's actions.