Zimbabwe: Anglican Church Moves to Seize Control From Bishop Kunonga

http://allafrica.com/stories/200710121072.html

[allAfrica.com] 13 Oct 2007--The controversial reign of Harare Bishop Nolbert Kunonga might be coming to an end if the Anglican Church has its way in court. The Church will now seek court intervention to seize control of its assets from Kunonga. This follows his decision to withdraw the diocese from the province over a feud on homosexuality that exploded at a meeting in Malawi. In papers submitted by lawyers the church says it has a well-founded fear that the bishop, 'will fund his new ministry with the Church's resources as he has access to the Church's investments and funds.'

The bishop who has strong links with Zanu PF announced plans to set up a breakaway province drawing on the Anglican community in Zimbabwe. He boasted in an interview in the state owned Herald that he had support from the dioceses of Central Zimbabwe and Manicaland, and expressed surprise that the other 2 dioceses of Matabeleland and Manicaland have refused to support his stance. A parishioner at the Cathedral in Harare however said this was not true. Only a former ex-combatant that Kunonga helped to install as the Bishop in Manicaland has backed his crusade. Within the church Kunonga remains isolated and has been offered state protection from the angry parishioners eager to demonstrate their displeasure at his running of the diocese.