Anglican Church burns, again

ANASTY fight has erupted in the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland where over 40 church officials were recently ex- communicated over allegations of causing divisions and violence.

Of the 40 ex-communicated church members, 26 were arrested and have since appeared in court charged with inciting violence.

One of the “banned” officials, Mr Joseph Mashingaidze, said he was being victimised for his alleged link to former Anglican Manicaland Bishop Elson Jakazi.

“The ex-communication of church members is a manifestation of the problems which have been going on since 2014. People who are holding positions in the church are resisting to relinquish power because they claim that they fought former church Bishop Nolbert Kunonga,” said Mr Mashingaidze.

The fired church members have been denied entry at the St Agnes Parish for the past month.

The chaos which has since spilled into the courts is threatening to tear the already fragile Anglican Church which hogged the limelight in recent years over messy fights by former Bishop Nolbert Kunonga over control of the Harare Diocese.

The Sunday Mail Religion established that the Anglican Diocese of Manicaland leader Bishop Erik Ruwona and Mrs Portia Magada stand accused of fanning factionalism at the St Agnes Parish in Mutare.

Approached for comment, Bishop Ruwona promised to issue a statement via e-mail but had not done so by the time of going to print.

“We have a comprehensive response to the allegations made,” he said.

Information at hand shows that the clash between Bishop Ruwona and other congregants was fuelled by allegations that the former was enjoying a lavish lifestyle at a time when some priests have gone for months without being paid.

One of the priests who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation said, “The conflict happening at St Agnes parish is affecting the whole Diocese (Manicaland). Last week 26 church members appeared before the courts over allegations of causing violence in the church but they were fully supported by congregates from Chipinge, Chimamimani and Rusape.

“In 2015 the Dioceses of Manicaland hosted a fundraising event for St Catharine Girl’s School in Rusape and raised US$ 89 000 and again borrowed US$ 350 000 from Agribank for the school construction but to date, nothing has been done.

“Last year another fundraising event was hosted for St Catharine and US$ 53 000 was raised but there is sluggish progress.

“The person who was given the tender to supply material at St Catharine is Mr Samuel Magada, husband to Portia, raising many questions,” said the priest.

A St Agnes Chikanga congregant said conflict at the parish is being caused by supporters of ex-communicated Anglican Bishop Jakazi, who have been disrupting services.

However, Mr Mashingaidze denied causing violence, claiming that “they only queried why retired Bishop Sebastian Bakare was conducting services at the parish.

It is alleged that Bishop Bakare was requested by Bishop Ruwona to lead the parish until another priest has been appointed following the suspension of Reverend Gilbert Mbona.

Some church members also alleged that Mrs Magada was fuelling division at St Agnes Chikanga by interfering in the operations of the church.

“Portia Magada spent five years as a church warden from 2007 until she lost the post last year.

“After that she then started working against the system. We believe that she still has influence over how the parish operates.

“She is causing divisions which are threatening to split the church,” said a church member.

Mrs Magada could not be reached for comment last week.