AN EMERGENCY fund has been set up to support the work of the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe under its interim bishop, Dr Sebastian Bakare
Dr Bakare, who has been praised by the Archbishop of Canterbury as “a deeply respected and courageous elder statesman of the Zimbabwean Church”, is struggling to pay clergy and church workers because his deposed predecessor, Nolbert Kunonga, still has access to diocesan funds. A court has yet to rule on this matter (News, 18 January).
The emergency fund for essential ministries will be administered by USPG, in conjunction with Lambeth Palace, the Mothers’ Union, and the dioceses of Southwark and Rochester, both of which have companion links with Zimbabwe.
Canon Chad Gandiya, USPG’s regional desk officer for Africa, said that the fund would initially run for one year, “to allow Harare diocese to get back on its feet and move towards self-sufficiency once again”.
Dr Bakare and his team have been working with all the dioceses in Zimbabwe to strengthen their capacity to minister effectively during the current political and economic crisis, with elections to be held on 29 March.
“We are seeking donations to the fund from anyone interested in bringing stability to the Anglican Church in Zimbabwe,” Canon Gandiya said.
It was announced this week that Dr Bakare is planning to conduct a six-hour vigil in Africa Unity Square, opposite the Anglican Cathedral, on Good Friday. His supporters have asked for prayer that the vigil is allowed to go off peacefully.
The former Bishop of Harare, Nolbert Kunonga, now occupying a flat in St Mary’s Cathedral and calling himself “Archbishop”, has appealed to the Supreme Court against a high-court ruling that he should share church premises with Dr Bakare.
His affidavit describes him as “the incumbent Bishop of Harare”, and states that the court order “forces [him] to share his cathedral, which is the parish that houses his throne and administrative function, a situation which has seen the breach of peace at the instance of the Church of the Province of Central Africa and Bakare and has heightened religious tension.”
Youth militia from Zanu-PF were conveyed on Sunday to All Saints’, Marondera, where the former bishop was “consecrating and enthroning” one of his key supporters, the Revd Harry Rinashe, as “Bishop of Marondera”. A representative of President Mugabe’s office was also reported to be present.
Mr Rinashe is claiming the church as his cathedral, to the dismay of its legitimate congregation.
Addressing Zanu-PF supporters at an election campaign rally last week, Nolbert Kunonga described President Mugabe as “a prophet of God who was sent to deliver the people of Zimbabwe from bondage”.
For more information on the fund, contact Canon Edgar Ruddock, director of international relations at USPG, on 020 7378 5674, edgarr@ uspg.org.uk. To make a donation, contact USPG’s Supporter Care Team on 0845 273 1701.
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