Police continue to persecute Anglican Church

http://www.thezimbabwean.co.uk/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=12803:police-continue-to-persecute-anglican-church&catid=31:top%20zimbabwe%20stories&Itemid=66

[The Zimbabwean] 17 May 2008--Continuous disruption of church services by the police and the army, who have disregarded four High Court orders, is causing deep concern in the Anglican Church, says Bishop Sebastian Bakare.The Bishop has taken the unusual step of issuing a statement condemning the actions by police and highlighting their abuses.

“These (High Court) orders do not give any right to the police to interfere in the civil disputes in the Church affairs before the Court. Regrettably, all the Court orders are being disregarded by some individuals who give “orders from above”.“The police are supposed to be the custodians of the law, but what we are experiencing as the Diocese of Harare proves that the have become a law unto themselves by accepting orders from above,” he said.“Police are supposed to uphold, protect the people of Zimbabwe and their properties without fear or favour and not to disobey court orders. This Godless behaviour displayed by the police officers of pulling up people who are in prayer and worship is not a true reflection of levels of lawlessness in Zimbabwe or in the force - but in individual police officers.“What we are experiencing in the Diocese of Harare CPCA indicates that Police do not only refuse to obey court orders but also show their unacceptable bias,” Bishop Bakare added.

On May 4, Holy Communion Services were disrupted through out the Diocese except for a few isolated churches in rural areas areas.